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Chapter 25
“……?”
Wh-what is it?
‘Does he know me?’
In the moment I was flustered by the name that had suddenly come out—
The man took a step toward us. At the same time, Matthias hid me behind him.
But the other party, far from having any intention of threatening us……
“Is it really you?”
He acted as if he knew me.
“Why are you here?”
“…….”
“Why now…….”
The man, unable to continue speaking, stared at me blankly.
I slightly poked my head out and stole a sidelong glance at the man standing under the moonlight. One look told me he clearly knew me well.
The problem was—
‘Wh-who is he?’
I had no idea who that guy was!
But at this point, it felt awkward to ask if he knew me. I had no intention of telling anyone that I’d possessed this body, nor did I want to give away that I was different from the original Aria.
“Matty.”
“H-huh?”
Matthias barely recognized his nickname.
Grabbing his hand tightly, I spoke with solemn determination.
“Hold your noona’s hand tight.”
“?”
Matthias tilted his head, not understanding what I meant. But that didn’t matter.
I could explain later. For now, he didn’t seem like he was going to attack us, and it didn’t look like we could exchange pleasantries either.
“Run!”
Well, somehow it’ll work out!
“……?”
Dian, the future Marquis of Odilon, who had just been rounding up an illegal counterfeit currency ring, stared blankly at the now-empty spot.
If he hadn’t been mistaken, it was definitely the person he knew. Yet even after seeing his face, that person had passed right by as if they didn’t recognize him at all.
No, at this point……
“……Did someone just run away?”
The aide, who had handed the criminals over to the subordinates, approached with a bewildered expression.
Dian, who had been standing there absentmindedly for quite some time, furrowed his brow.
‘What’s wrong with him?’
The job had been wrapped up perfectly. Yet something still seemed to be bothering him—the atmosphere he gave off was no joke.
Still, the aide had enough sense not to pry into what had happened.
“Erm…….”
Clearing his throat to disperse the chilling mood, the aide continued.
“We’ll interrogate the captured men immediately. The recent movements of Frombel don’t seem normal either, so it might be good to investigate whether there’s a connection.”
“…….”
“And there’s an auction scheduled to be held soon. It seems several central nobles will be attending through proxies.”
“…….”
“……May I continue the report?”
Is it okay to keep talking?
Given how inscrutable the other man’s expression was, it was hard to know whether to say more.
“Th-then I’ll take my leave.”
Thinking that retreat was the only answer at times like this, the aide quietly backed away.
Even so, no one could tell what he was thinking. Dian remained standing there, staring blankly at the spot.
‘Who was the man with her?’
The last time they’d met, he hadn’t seen anyone like that.
“Rad.”
“……Yes?”
The capable aide Rad, who had been about to seize the chance to escape, jumped in surprise.
Dian, having stopped him, moved his lips.
“Look into Renestie. The recent situation.”
“Pardon? You already know about that place, don’t you? You were the one who delayed the seizure when the repayment date had long passed.”
That matter, carried out without even the marchioness knowing, was a small secret known only to Dian and Rad—only the two of them.
Dian didn’t want anyone to know that he had been involved.
Even if the person receiving the help was the very one in question.
“…….”
Even though he was helping in secret, he never interfered beyond that.
Because Xavier belonged to the group Dian was currently tracking, he had no choice but to tail him. Dian never crossed his own line.
But now, it was different.
That man who had taken a stance as if he might attack at any moment.
He didn’t seem to be a knight, yet he also wasn’t a guard or attendant who usually stayed by Aria’s side.
“Nothing else—just check whether any new personnel have been added to Renestie, or if there’s been anything unusual.”
“Ah, yes.”
Rad nodded absentmindedly.
He wondered why his master was saying this now, when he’d once said there was no need to look into it—but he couldn’t ignore his orders.
Nodding obediently, Rad immediately withdrew.
Left alone, Dian still couldn’t take his eyes off the empty spot.
Was it because of the distinct killing intent he’d felt just moments ago?
“…….”
His mood was thoroughly unpleasant.
‘Th-that really startled me.’
Fortunately, the carriage we’d arrived in earlier was parked in a corner near the alley.
I rushed inside, and only when the wheels began to roll did I finally let out a breath and clutch my chest.
‘That was almost a disaster.’
I was already used to social figures, so they didn’t bother me much.
But when, in a completely unexpected place, someone whose identity I couldn’t even grasp claimed to know me—my heart really did feel like it dropped.
‘He doesn’t seem to be in league with those guys.’
Rather than being on their side…… wasn’t it closer to him having come to catch them? Judging by the fighting and screams, there was no way they were on the same side.
‘Did he really come to arrest them?’
If he’d been lying in wait and attacked while they were fully focused on their work, that would make sense.
“Is he… someone you know?”
“Huh?”
When I lifted my head, I saw a man who was just as restless as I was.
Only then did I realize that Matthias was also quite shaken, and I hurriedly apologized.
“Sorry. I scared you by suddenly running.”
“…….”
Matthias shook his head and held out his hand.
But the hand I clasped was cold to the touch.
‘As if he’s fine.’
Though he looked calm on the outside, he was soft-hearted through and through.
Sighing, I held his large hand firmly.
‘For now, I don’t know who that person is.’
Human connections are unpredictable. If the man was a knight or noble who’d come to capture those guys, there was a real chance we’d meet again someday.
If he tried to greet me then, I’d be the only one acting strange by not remembering him.
“He’s just someone I crossed paths with briefly. I didn’t expect to run into him here either…….”
At times like this, saying too much wasn’t a good idea.
I deliberately trailed off and lowered my gaze.
“But he’s not a bad person.”
……Probably?
He didn’t attack us, at least.
With no real basis, I judged him only by the immediate situation and chose to say no more.
At that moment, Matthias suddenly lowered his head.
“……Your ankle.”
“Ankle?”
As I repeated his words, I soon realized why he’d said that.
“Ah—.”
When I fell earlier, I must have twisted my ankle without noticing. Now that things had calmed down and I tried to move, it throbbed enough to be bothersome.
Still, considering I’d run all the way here with full force, it didn’t seem like the bone was injured.
‘At worst, I probably just strained a muscle.’
But it was too early to relax.
The moment we arrived at the mansion, Matthias got down first and abruptly held out his hand.
Startled by the unexpected escort, I took his hand—and then—
“Eek?!”
As my balance tilted to one side, Matthias lightly scooped me up into his arms.
“……Hah!”
Startled, I looked up at him. Carrying me calmly, he strode toward the mansion.
From afar, Sophia, who had spotted us, covered her mouth.
“……Matthias.”
“Yeah.”
“I can walk on my own, you know.”
It’s not like I’m a little kid.
His overprotectiveness was getting out of hand.
