My Ruin to You - Chapter 147

It was a magnificent return.

The entire capital cheered, welcoming the Grand Duke’s procession in celebration of his achievements in decisively defeating the barbarians and expanding the territory. Not only were the streets waving with flags, but a strangely excited atmosphere also swirled within the Academy. At the center of it all was Lady Malsen. The moment news spread that Valen had passed through the city gates, she bloomed radiantly, as if her lover had arrived, making it simply pitiful to see. She won’t come to her senses until she experiences it for herself.

It sometimes overlapped with my own past self. The Valen of the past also returned around this time with news of victory. I remember how thrilled I was upon receiving the letter announcing his return to the capital. Of course, back then, we hadn’t gone an entire year without seeing each other like now. We met faithfully once a fortnight, or at least once a month, but for lovers who had just discovered love, it was a terribly insufficient amount of time.

So I was happy. If he stayed in the capital, I would be able to see him whenever I wanted.
It was an old emotion I couldn’t even begin to imitate now.

“My, my! Overnight, your skin has become even more radiant, Young Lady!”
“Has it?”
“Yes! I think you can look forward to this banquet. His Highness might even ask you for a dance, you know?”
“That’s right. At the last banquet, he probably asked Mademoiselle Célodienne out of courtesy because she was so active, but this time he’ll come to you, Young Lady. I hear House Malsen provided significant supply support for the front lines.”
“Of course. Besides, Mademoiselle Célodienne isn’t attending this banquet, is she? Right, Young Lady?”

Ruav looked back at Roseline as if seeking agreement. That right-hand man, who poured all sorts of sweet talk and hope into Lady Malsen, seemed the cruelest, but it was none of her business. Roseline just shrugged her shoulders instead of answering.

Unlike her past life, she maintained a sort of peaceful, neutral relationship with Lady Malsen’s group. Even if it was superficial, one couldn’t call them close, but at least they didn’t openly scorn her like before. Perhaps it was because of the ridiculous praises like ‘genius’ and ‘the birth of a great Awakener’ that covered for her lack of status, or perhaps the reason to see her as a thorn in their side had disappeared. They occasionally made pointed remarks, but it was tolerable compared to before.

“…You’re definitely not going to the banquet today, right?”
Malsen asked. Schnitzel, who had been sitting at the next table with a displeased expression, muttered, “What’s it to you?” causing Malsen’s gaze to sharpen. Schnitzel also glared back as if to say, ‘What are you looking at?’ Their relationship had never been good, then or now. Roseline leaned forward slightly, cutting off their line of sight.

“Why? Should I go?”

“No? You said you weren’t coming, so you have to keep your word.”
“Speaking so coldly hurts my feelings… Ugh, maybe I will go to the banquet after all.”
“Wh-when did I say I was being cold? It’s just that you suddenly asked if I was coming, and I was flustered, so it came out wrong.”

It was truly adorable and pitiful to see Malsen frantically waving her hands, all the poise she so cherished seemingly sold off somewhere. Under the scattering green foliage outside the window, Roseline smiled bitterly.

The next day, unlike the previous day’s excitement, Malsen seemed to be in a very foul mood. Rumor had it that Valen had only paid his respects to His Majesty before immediately leaving the banquet hall, which seemed to be the cause. Malsen’s cruel right and left-hand men, as ever, poured hope into her regardless. They consoled her, saying he must have had urgent business, that he would be in the capital for a while so another good day would come, that His Highness would surely seek her out at least once.

Tsk tsk. Roseline clicked her tongue briefly and quickly lost interest. Strangely, a tsk tsk sound came from right beside her. Turning, she saw Schnitzel shaking her head with a look of pity.

“You’ve gotten lazy lately.”
“Me?”
“My, how do I look lazy? I’m talking about you, yourself.”
“Ah, me?”
“You were so diligent about everything at first, but now you’re not.”
“What’s the point of living diligently? Who knows when I might die.”

The Roseline who struggled desperately to not miss out on scholarships was gone. She only did things moderately now. The hefty reward she received had become a significant nest egg, but if she hadn’t had the money, she would have dropped out of the academy. And the Magical Affairs Office she had wanted so badly? Well, she didn’t know about that anymore.

Despite just going with the flow, her grades were commendable; she had taken first place for the last two semesters straight. It was thanks to the steady effort of her past life and having been educated twice.

“What kind of unlucky nonsense are you spouting? Precisely because you don’t know when you’ll die, you should live even more diligently.”

It was such a Schnitzel-like thing to say. Her tone was blunt, but her care was deep and practical.

“My brother prefers enterprising women, you know. So stop lazing about like some old woman who’s seen it all and be quick and sharp like you used to be. Understood?”