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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The Reason That Villainess Took Up the Sword
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Tears streamed from Lilia’s eyes.
Amon, who had been checking on Ferdin, spoke to her with a surprised expression.
“Lilia! Are you alright?”
Lilia shook her head. There was no way she could be alright.
“I, I… Erin Resus… I thought you…”
*I thought you killed Calips. I’ve believed that and lived with it until now. But it doesn’t seem to be true. What are you hiding?*
Lilia’s entire body trembled.
She had believed until now that Erin had killed Calips. She had to believe it to survive, so she did.
But what about Erin Resus?
What about her, who was blamed by everyone for a crime she didn’t commit? Lilia felt dizzy.
The terrible truth she had just learned dragged her into a quagmire.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry… I…”
But Lilia’s words didn’t reach Erin.
She had already fallen into a deep sleep due to accumulated fatigue.
* * *
“For a Sword Master, you’re pathetic.”
Erin scoffed at the unfamiliar ceiling that greeted her upon opening her eyes.
She winced at the pain in her side as she tried to sit up. Even Erin admitted that her method of dealing with the Werewolf Tribe’s chief was somewhat crude.
However, the Werewolf Tribe’s chief was too strong to be dealt with using conventional methods without harming others.
And she couldn’t fight with all her might, as Ferdin and his people might get hurt.
Ferdin was already injured internally, so she wanted to resolve the situation quickly and get out of there.
So Erin chose the method of sacrificing a limb to gain the bone. It had been a very long time since she had been injured to this extent.
It was a method she would never have chosen if the Werewolf Tribe’s chief hadn’t been in a berserk state.
Thinking that, Erin turned her head to the side. She froze solid at the sight of Ferdin right before her eyes.
*Why is he next to me?*
Ferdin was even holding her right hand. Erin, startled, tried to pull her hand away but froze, unable to do anything, fearing he might wake up.
How long had she been stiff, her entire body rigid, when someone opened the door and entered?
“Erin Resus? Are you awake?”
Erin couldn’t help but be a little surprised by the unexpected person who entered through the door.
Lilia was looking at her with a worried expression.
*Lilia is worried about me? Am I dreaming?*
Erin pinched her arm with her left hand. Her arm quickly turned red, and pain surged through it.
Seeing that, Lilia gasped and approached her.
“What in the world… are you doing? Take care of yourself.”
Lilia took Erin’s arm and used healing magic.
*This wasn’t something that required healing magic, was it?*
Erin couldn’t hide her bewildered expression. Lilia’s sudden kindness was so strange that she couldn’t adapt to it at all.
Feeling a tingling sensation in her heart, she held her breath for a moment.
“Ferdin, wake up. Erin Resus and I have something to discuss privately.”
“Lilia?”
Erin called Lilia’s name, surprised by Lilia’s sudden attempt to wake Ferdin.
At her voice, Ferdin’s closed eyes slowly opened. He stared blankly at Erin.
In his clear blue eyes, Erin felt as if her heart had stopped.
“Am I still dreaming?”
Ferdin said that, then repeatedly closed and opened his eyes. Soon, he rested his cheek on her hand.
The warm sensation from Ferdin’s cheek lingered on the back of Erin’s hand.
Erin’s cheeks flushed red like a ripe apple.
Lilia, who was watching this, spoke with an exasperated tone.
“Your Royal Highness Ferdin Lexia, this is not a dream. So, would you please get up and leave? I have something urgent to discuss with Sir Erin.”
Ferdin’s gaze, upon hearing Lilia’s words, shifted to her, then returned to Erin.
After remaining in that position for a long time, Ferdin spoke to Erin in a visibly flustered voice.
“Sir Erin… I apologize. I was momentarily mistaken.”
*Did he mistake me for Ashili Princess?* Erin thought that was possible. *That must be why he was so affectionate.*
Thinking that, she carefully withdrew her hand.
Erin didn’t want to do anything that might hurt Ashili Princess if she found out.
Ferdin’s gaze followed Erin’s hand.
“Are you feeling alright?”
Ferdin’s face, as he asked that, looked somewhat haggard.
*Are you alright?* That was the question she wanted to ask him. Erin silently nodded.
Only then did he smile, as if relieved.
“That’s a great relief. I was truly… worried when you didn’t wake up after waiting for so long.”
“…”
“There’s something I absolutely must tell Sir Erin.”
“Something you want to tell me?”
“Yes. When we return to the Academy, could you spare some time? I wish to speak there.”
Erin nodded with a solemn expression.
*Is he going to interrogate me about my identity? No matter how benevolent Ferdin is, he won’t be able to overlook the reason I hid my strength without asking.*
He would surely find it strange that she hid the fact she was a Sword Master.
“Then I’ll be waiting. The two of you may converse now.”
Ferdin’s ears were red as he said that and left the room.
Watching him, Erin let out a sigh of relief. Ferdin didn’t seem to have fully recovered from his injuries yet, but his internal injuries didn’t seem as severe as she had thought.
Perhaps he could be easily healed if he met Ashili Princess.
“Erin.”
Erin turned her head at Lilia’s voice.
She was sitting on the bed next to where Ferdin had been, looking at her.
*Not Erin Resus, but Erin?*
Erin couldn’t hide her surprise.
Lilia had always called her by her full name, Erin Resus. As if it solidified the distance between them.
*Clap.*
As Lilia clapped her hands, Erin noticed that a barrier had been cast in the room.
It was probably a soundproofing spell.
Lilia confirmed the magic had worked well, then softly opened her mouth.
“I’m sorry.”
“…”
“I’m sorry, Erin Resus.”
“Suddenly… why suddenly?”
Erin hid her trembling hands behind her back. Her eyes flickered uneasily.
Why would Lilia apologize to her?
“I was the one who changed your clothes.”
“…”
“I saw your injuries. Ferdin and Amon seemed to have noticed to some extent… I know what they’re thinking. And I know they’re keeping it a secret because you don’t want to talk about it…”
“That’s…”
Erin had always been afraid of telling the truth.
*Erin, I’m the only one who will believe you.*
For a moment, Erin felt as if Raymond was whispering in her ear.
It was as if his ghost, long dead, was clinging to her shoulder.
*Do you really think Lilia will believe you if you tell her the truth? Don’t make me laugh.*
*It’s true you’re a murderer, isn’t it? Honestly, you’re as good as the one who killed Calips.*
*So, shut your mouth. That suits you.*
*Shut up, Raymond.*
Erin knew better than anyone what happened every time she tried to open her mouth.
As Erin recalled the past and remained silent, Lilia continued with an earnest expression.
“But I want to know. I need to know about Calips’s death. If you didn’t kill him… then who did?”
Every time she told the truth, most people blamed Erin. And the few who believed her died.
After that, Erin became afraid to tell the truth. Afraid that someone else would die because of her.
Afraid they would disappear from her side.
Just then, Lilia took Erin’s hesitant hand. A warm sensation emanated from that hand.
Even after returning through two reincarnations, she was still scared and terrified. What would happen if she spoke?
Lilia looked at Erin’s trembling hand and continued.
“I know… I’m not in a position to ask you for this.”
“…”
“I… I hated you, believing only what others said. I can’t even begin to fathom how much that must have hurt you.”
At Lilia’s words, Erin closed her eyes.
Originally, she had planned not to tell anyone about the past until she had properly completed all her plans.
But Lilia deserved to know the truth. A resolute light flickered in Erin’s eyes.
This time… it might be different. No, she would make it different.
“It will be a long… and tedious story.”
Erin slowly began to recount her life.
The life of Erin Resus, not the villainess, but the pitiful and timid young lady of the Marquisate.
