My Ruin to You - Chapter 155

[No matter what I do.]

The illusionary Valen spread his arms leisurely. Seeing his relaxed smile, as if he would forgive everything if she just embraced him now, Roseline’s magical power surged as if about to explode. Why should I be forgiven? I haven’t done anything wrong.

“Enough.”

It was then that Professor Fernbre, sensing danger, intervened. The professor’s purifying magical power spread slowly, erasing the illusion. The moment Roseline blinked, Valen’s illusion vanished, leaving behind only a cold, lifeless model.

“Are you alright?”

The professor, who had approached, placed a hand on Roseline’s shoulder. Only then did Roseline turn to look at the professor. Then, she nodded her head very slowly. The professor, who had been watching her weary expression with pity, patted her shoulder as if to comfort her.

“You will likely face the illusion you saw today frequently from now on. Intense emotions tend to leave deeper imprints. But I believe a young lady like you will overcome it wisely.”

“Thank you, Professor. I will try.”

Roseline smiled weakly. The professor was right. Combined with the aftermath of today’s lesson, the probability of facing an illusion of Valen during every training session was high until someone who stimulated her emotions more intensely appeared. If she took the exam like this, she would undoubtedly fail.

Nothing is going right.

◇◇◇

When Roseline returned to the dormitory, Lina was cleaning. The fresh early summer breeze blowing through the window had lifted Lina’s spirits. Hearing the door, Lina, who had been humming while wiping the table, quickly got up.

But, to her surprise, contrary to the lively weather, Roseline, who had just entered the room, exuded a dark and gloomy atmosphere, like the humidity of the rainy season. Even her bright and beautiful face was filled with worry.

“……You’re back early today, my lady.”
“Yeah. I have somewhere to go.”
“Where are you going?”
“Belharni.”

Roseline, who had answered decisively, strode briskly toward the bedroom. She opened the wardrobe without hesitation, but Lina, who had followed her, closed the door again. Roseline tried to open it, but no matter how much force she used, it only rattled and wouldn’t budge.

“Don’t try to stop me. I’m serious this time.”
“Stop you? I’m doing this because I’m worried you’ll just be wasting your effort. I’ve already prepared everything for you in advance.”

Lina pointed somewhere with a nonchalant expression. Following her outstretched finger, Roseline saw a trunk placed next to a small dresser. Roseline raised her eyebrows as if asking for an explanation.

“Take it with you.”
Lina smiled faintly. Was it last year? When Roseline first said she was going to Belharni, Lina was almost shocked out of her wits, but that was only the first couple of times. Just when she’d start to forget about it, Roseline would bring up going to Belharni again, so from some point on, Lina just calmly accepted it thinking, ‘Well, it was bound to happen—’.

“Thank you.”

Roseline, with a wry smile, opened the trunk.

“Why didn’t you pack the cream-colored dress?”

“It’s being washed and dried.”

“I can’t go today, then. I’ll have to go next time.”

“As you wish. I’ll be sure to pack the cream-colored dress properly next time.”

As Roseline quietly closed the lid, Lina nodded and moved the trunk back to its place.

“Don’t be like that, try to settle your heart, my lady. When you were at the estate, you could hardly wait to enter the academy.”

It felt like an eternity ago. For a moment, it even seemed like a past life. And when she thought about it, it really was a past life, which drew a meaningless laugh from her.

Roseline examined her wrist. There was no sign of a snake bite scar. Of course, it wasn’t there yet—it hadn’t happened. But she had occasionally wondered: did that snake, said to be the messenger of the goddess, grant her this second life?

But what exactly am I doing with this second life? It was pathetic and frustrating that she was still trapped by Valen, anxious and unable to break free. What a terrible man.

“No. Why should I run away?”

Roseline shot up to a sitting position. Putting aside the very important reason that she had done nothing wrong, she had never beaten Valen by running away or avoiding him. So, this time, she must face him head-on. Running away won’t solve anything.

She shouldn’t hide or avoid; she needs to devise a plan.

‘It was fun. I’m glad I came to the banquet.’

‘Do your best. I have a feeling you’re going to be very entertaining, young lady.’