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The seasons have turned once again.

At the end of summer, Luke suddenly came to visit me, causing a bit of a commotion—an abrupt discussion about studying abroad in the Livitium Imperial Kingdom and bringing suspicions about my relationship with Syltianna—yet, it was mostly settled through a combination of force and ambiguity.

And—

“I will do my utmost best to make the person you hold dear feel the same, Luke!”

Finally, after I made that promise, Luke was willing to drop the issue for the time being—although, for some reason, he was really insistent on making me swear on it. After this, Luke stayed in the mansion for a month and a half, socializing with my friends and accompanying me on the visit to the orphanage. However, when he received a notice from his parents urging him to come back home, I managed to persuade him to leave.

One of the reasons Luke agreed to return was because they just learned that his mother was pregnant.

And here I thought they were on the verge of divorce.

When Luke received the news, he was so happy that he hugged me, the closest person to him, held me up by the waist, and spun me around in circles.

It’s been quite a while since I regained the memories of my previous life and merged with Syltianna’s personality, but I still can’t get used to this kind of overblown expression of emotions that was absent in Japanese culture. I mean, usually, you’d do this with the woman of your dreams, right? In the end, he just stayed over for the summer. …His princess could have been waiting for her Prince Shining this whole time, and yet here the Prince is busy doing side quests.

Is this okay? If I were the Princess, I’d get tired of waiting for him and crawl down from the tower all on my own already. …I sincerely hope that the Princess had the patience and tolerance of a saint.

“Before I leave, please tell me you won’t forget the matter (about my romance).”
“I understand. I will give serious consideration to the matter (of studying abroad).”

I felt like we weren’t quite on the same page, but that was to get Luke into the carriage that came for him. Well, if that’s all I just have to say to motivate him, then it can’t be that bad.

It was only later that I learned that it was, indeed, that bad.

Either way, around 20 days later, Ms. Christy came back after finishing her duties in the Imperial Capital, looking more tired than the day she left. Even with all her rejuvenation efforts, the lines under her eyes had become so deep they were visible.

She summoned me to her private room the moment she was out of her traveling outfit, and my heart was filled with compassion when I saw her. She immediately threw a scornful gaze my way.

“Jill…are you thinking of something rude?”

Why are you reading my mind?!

I was terrified out of my mind deep inside, but outwardly, I replied to her with a calm demeanor. “Not at all. You just seem so exhausted, so I was wondering if I should have let you rest some more.”

Of course, I didn’t have the guts to point that out to her face-to-face, so I brought the topic up in a roundabout manner. This was a rarity nonetheless. It’s Ms. Christy we’re talking about, the one person who’d put up appearances…I mean, put on grace even around me, a family member. For her to look so vulnerable was out of the question.

Looking at her like this made me let out a sigh in the secrecy of my own mind, while outwardly I responded to the earth-shattering event that had happened to her.

“?! —Goodness, you’ve been granted the title of Viscountess? Congratulations.”
“Save the congratulations. It’s obvious that they’re just dangling candy in front of me to keep me in line.”

As much as it was surprising to hear, I was earnestly congratulating her for her new rank…and yet, it seemed that Ms. Christy wasn’t very happy with it. I wonder why? I don’t know if the fact that I used to be in the athletic field in my previous life affected this or not, but I actually tend to follow hierarchical relationships. Ms. Christy, however, seemed unhappy that she was rising in the ranks so fast.

“Hm—candy, is it?”
“Yes, candy. The outing was supposed to be a simple report, and yet Mr. Eilmer and Mentor suddenly summoned me, and before I knew it, they forced the title of Viscountess on me in the name of the Empress. …I mean, I can’t possibly deny it, but don’t give me ‘an award for your distinguished service for the remarkable development of the frontier territories’ bull. The other nobles were fish out of water during the whole process.”
“…umm…there are so many things I want to comment about, but first, did you say that Mentor—Regina is in the imperial capital?”

The word must’ve slipped out of her mouth in the midst of her rant, as her eyes widened when I pointed it out. “Oh crud,” she cursed, her face soured. After a few seconds of eye contact, she confirmed my suspicion.

“…yeah. As usual, her attitude is big and her mouth is dirty.”
“I see. Then—”

Then she could tell me where she is, and we can go back to the hut in Tenebrae Nemus or take it to the skies on another journey together — my mind immediately went in that direction. To be honest, settling down in a town, training magic, and doing my duties as the daughter of a noble family wasn’t really that bad, but with my commitments gradually increasing, my livelihood felt suffocating lately.

“—and she gave me a word for you. ‘I’m still in hiding. Go and do what you want in the meantime.’”

She must have sensed what I was thinking, as Ms. Christy immediately cut me off before I finished my sentence.

“…what I want, by that, does that mean it is okay for me to go back to the hut in the forest and shut myself in there?”
“Pretty much. In fact, if that’s what you want, I’ll provide you with every help you need.”

I was only speaking metaphorically, but her immediate agreement to my NEET lifestyle was quite surprising to hear. I thought she’d be more opposed to it.

“…are you sure? Isn’t the request to have me study abroad coming from someone at the top of the ladder?” If anything, it sounded more like an order. If I refused it, my adoptive mother, Ms. Christy, would face consequences…

“It wasn’t my decision to begin with. Besides, I don’t like the way His Highness…Mr. Eilmer uses you as one of his convenient tools. I know that they put me in this rank in exchange for your participation, but I didn’t become a Viscountess because I wanted the rank anyway. If things don’t end up working, I’ll just leave it all behind and move into the hermitage with you.”

Her attitude to this matter was candid, but giving up one’s nobility was outrageous and normally unthinkable. Seeing that my Sister Disciple and Adoptive Mother was willing to go to such lengths for me, I bowed my head to her, feeling truly sorry from the bottom of my heart.

“I’m sorry, for someone like me…”

Seeing me like this, Ms. Christy flashed a mischievous grin. “Jill. You’re a clever and good kid, but you need to learn to depend on adults. Protecting children is what us adults do.”

Royce, Ms. Christy’s butler, who stood by his master, also nodded in silence, smiling. Be it my adoptive family and my friends who vowed to stand by my side the other day, I am truly blessed with the people around me. If only I could stay in this kind world forever…I can’t help but wish.

And yet—

“Thank you very much, Lady Christy. However, I will take the offer to study in Livitium.”
“…Jill?”
“I’m not forcing myself out of consideration for your position. I merely decided that this is what I need to do.”

The Viscountess narrowed her eyes at me, as if judging me as I slowly shook my head.

“I am truly blessed. Ever since the day Regina picked me up in Tenebrae Nemus, numerous people have come to my aid. I wish to keep this relationship for years to come,” I sighed, then continued, “the me from before was…ignorant. Self-indulgent. To call me a Ragweed Princess couldn’t be more fitting. I was a fool who didn’t even realize her own misfortune, despite deserving it. And yet, many people have come into my life, supporting me. Therefore, it is only right for me to return the favor.”