My Ruin to You - Chapter 146

Fortunately, the maid showed no particular suspicion and escorted Roseline to the entrance. Judging by the fact she couldn’t remember who this maid was in her past life or what her personality was like, she probably hadn’t been memorable, but this young-faced maid was exceedingly chatty.

“Actually, last night, His Highness carried you in himself. Like this.”

The maid shyly blushed and imitated Valen’s posture from the previous night—it was a position akin to carrying a sack over one’s shoulder. This, too, was profoundly ambiguous. For a complete stranger of such high status to personally step in and bring her here was an ominous sign, but if he had his full memories, surely he would have chosen a different way to carry her.

To be precise, the man who had been terrifyingly affectionate had never once carried Roseline in such a manner. Even during the time he dragged her around by bound wrists, wasn’t he always the man who picked her up and carried her gently?

Thinking this, a sudden bitterness washed over her. Even with a second chance at life, she couldn’t enjoy it; instead, she was assigning meaning and analyzing every single one of Valen’s glances and actions. How pitiful is my lot?

Roseline let out a bitter sigh, while the maid chattered on incessantly. She imitated Valen’s characteristically indifferent expression, recounting how at last night’s banquet, he had said, ‘Since the Young Lady is to be my partner today, I shall take care of her myself,’ and looked after Roseline. The maid even expressed more regret than Roseline herself, saying that if she hadn’t fainted, she would have had the honor of sharing the first dance with the Grand Duke.

“But since last night, everyone’s been talking only about you, Young Lady.”
“Me?”
“They’re saying that thanks to your quick thinking, a predicament was avoided and the delegation was very satisfied. They’re saying a great Awakener has appeared, you know?”
“Oh my, you must have heard some rumors.”

Roseline let out a disbelieving laugh, and the maid stomped her foot indignantly. The quiet hallway provided a perfect excuse to stop the maid’s chatter. Shh. Roseline put a finger to her lips, and the maid nodded with an innocent expression. It didn’t take long for Roseline to realize that the maid’s gossip wasn’t just exaggerated rumors.

The atmosphere at the Academy had changed somehow. After a private reunion with Lina, who had been waiting at the dormitory, she headed towards the main building, followed by strange glances and hushed whispers. That’s the Young Lady. How do you think she awakened her protective magic? Well, that’s why she’s a genius. They say she can handle magic from other affinities too.

Why are they acting like that?

When Roseline looked back with a sour expression, the whispering classmates flinched but then slightly waved their hands in greeting. Like the maid in the palace, their eyes sparkled brightly. It was a bizarre show of goodwill.

“If it weren’t for Mademoiselle Célodienne’s quick response, our diplomacy with Belhar would have faced a major problem. You have brought great honor to the Academy, Young Lady, and all the faculty, including myself, are sincerely proud. You’ve done a truly commendable thing.”

Not only that, but the Headmaster called Roseline in to commend her achievements. He discreetly hinted that while there would be no official commendation—as awarding one would be an admission of a mistake at the diplomatic event—an unofficial reward was planned for the near future.

Roseline didn’t even bother to reply, her expression sour, but they spared no praise, calling her a genius who also possessed humility.

Had he already given them instructions?

The Headmaster, making a fuss as if she had saved the nation, seemed highly suspicious. Her suspicion naturally turned towards Valen. In her past life, he had made the entire empire turn on her, so perhaps in this life, his plan was to build her up sky-high only to let her crash down spectacularly. Maybe he would even use the excuse of this ‘reward’ to show up.

However, even after Roseline was selected as an outstanding student, featured on the bulletin board, and received a hefty reward, Valen did not appear. Rumor had it he had returned to his Duchy the day after the banquet.

The incident of the Grand Duke personally carrying the unconscious Roseline out of the banquet hall had caused quite a stir, but since Roseline herself consistently maintained a stern silence and the Grand Duke left the capital soon after, it didn’t cause a major uproar.

As time passed, Roseline’s guard gradually lowered. She heard that a battle against barbarians was in full swing at the border. The strange and unfamiliar goodwill towards her remained, but there were no rumors of him donating to the Academy or secretly summoning the Headmaster. Around that time, Roseline completely let her guard down. She chalked up the confusing events of the banquet to nothing more than her own overactive imagination.

Then, one day, the Grand Duke returned.