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Chapter 04
Light
“Your maid… her name is Emma, right? I’d like to hear a little about how you’ve been taking care of Lilibel until now.”
At those words quietly spoken by Brother Luke, she shrank back, her face paling.
“I-I have been taking proper care of her!”
The maid Emma blurted out in a fluster.
“I was just preparing a medicinal bath in another room. Lilibel-sama always strictly says that no one should enter her room, so I could only provide the bare minimum of care… It pained us to leave her so!”
“Why is there no other maid?”
“That, too, is because Lilibel-sama is particular about her maids. She’s so difficult that only I could manage her.”
“…I see. I understand.”
Luke’s voice toward the boldly insisting Emma was calm, but his expression was somewhat stern.
(—Lies. What utter nonsense…!)
I seethed inwardly. At the very least, since I woke up, I had been completely alone in a room without even water.
And I don’t recall ever telling my maid not to enter the room. It was a complete lie. They had simply neglected me.
But with my high fever, when I could barely form words, it was difficult even to deny it.
Perhaps I was still intimidated by the overbearing Emma. My inability to speak had its root in that fear. I had shrunk inwardly.
(…Lilibel must have had a hard time with this maid.)
My heart felt cold all over. My desire for her not to enter the room was genuine, yet it was only because their behavior had been awful.
I couldn’t retort. It frustrated me.
When I timidly looked at her and our eyes met, she glared sharply, trying to make sure the brothers didn’t notice.
“Lilibel, bear with it for a little while.”
“…?”
As Brother Luke approached and held out his hand, a soft, gentle light enveloped my body.
Because he is the strongest hero capable of the rare light magic, he can heal like this. He’s a genius.
“Are you all right, Lilibel-sama?”
A voice called from Keith as I still felt dazed.
The terrible headache was gone, my body felt light, and my fever seemed completely gone.
Based on past experience, I had expected this to last at least another week, so this was a relief.
“Y-yes!”
I could speak properly now. My throat was a little dry, but I was okay.
“…Brother Luke, thank you for lending me your precious power.”
I sat properly on the bed and bowed deeply toward Brother Luke.
I didn’t know when we’d last had a conversation, nor did I understand why the two of them had come here, but thanks to the healing, I could start my plan early.
If I wanted to avoid dying as the story predicted, starting early was absolutely necessary!
I, Lilibel, am fifteen. The brothers are seventeen.
The event where they meet the heroine occurs when we’re twenty, which is three years from now.
(In other words, I would die for some reason in three years…)
—if the story goes as it is.
But I absolutely do not want that. I want to enjoy my second life to the fullest!
When I raised my head, my eyes met Keith’s again.
He was undeniably cool, and that shadowed aura of his was very appealing.
“…Lilibel-sama. Is there something on my face?”
He looked suspiciously at me, probably because I had stared too long.
“Ah, n-no! I just think you look wonderful today too!”
“I see…”
At that moment, I had said something hopelessly foolish. Keith’s expression turned serious, and I was sure he was utterly exasperated.
(Ahhh! What am I even saying at the very start?!)
I needed to live peacefully and extend my life, but my feelings for my favorite characters got in the way…
I loved that novel, including Keith, who had been a villain.
“Lilibel. For now, we’re moving you out of this room. Healing won’t be effective here.”
“…Huh?”
I tilted my head at Brother Luke’s words. Even if they said we’d move rooms, this is my room. I didn’t understand, until Keith approached.
“Then I will. Lilibel-sama, excuse me.”
“Kya!”
Before I could react, Keith scooped me up in his arms. A proper princess carry.
“Ah, um, I’m heavy!”
“Don’t struggle. I’ll drop you.”
“Ah… y-yes.”
Embarrassed, I had fussed, but his cold, firm words immediately made me obedient.
To make myself feel lighter, I tried to hold my body as gently as possible.
“…Keith.”
“Yes?”
“…Follow me for now. I’ll show you the room.”
“Understood.”
“B-Brother Luke! We’ve only been unable to enter Lilibel-sama’s room because she ordered us not to, and the cleaning isn’t perfect…!”
The maid Emma trailed behind the brothers, pale and anxious, as they walked briskly.
“Yeah, I understand.”
When Brother Luke smiled at her, her expression relaxed noticeably. She probably thought her opinion had been heard.
I pursed my lips, lowered my head, and closed my eyes.
I didn’t want to see anything right now.
“We’ve arrived, Lilibel-sama… Lilibel-sama?”
—While I was lost in a whirl of thoughts, when Keith called out to me, I shamelessly fell asleep in his arms.
