Chapter 27: Another Reincarnated Person

“…Miss Liliana.”

Adolphus abruptly pulls away from me.

After glancing between the two of us—me frozen against the wall and Adolphus looking awkward—Liliana lowers her brows apologetically.

“Did I interrupt something…?”

“…No. Did something happen?”

“Lord Nathaniel was looking for you. He said there are some documents he needs you to check.”

“I see. I’ll go right away.”

Adolphus replies briefly, then turns to look at me once more.

His lips part slightly as if he wants to say something, but in the end he says nothing.

He simply turns on his heel and leaves the storage room.

Once his back disappears from view, I finally relax my shoulders and let out a long sigh.

(Adolphus was definitely angry…
Well, anyone would be after being jerked around like this…)

But the expression he had when he lifted my chin still lingers in my mind.

It didn’t quite feel like simple anger…

While thinking about that, I start to follow Liliana out of the storage room.

But—

A few steps ahead of me, Liliana quietly closes the door.

Then she turns around and smiles beautifully.

“May I have a moment too?
I’ve been wanting to speak with you alone, Miss Rosy…
No, Miss Rosalind.”

Caught off guard, I inhale sharply.

“W-what…”

Why does Liliana know my real name!?

Did Adolphus tell her?

But he said he had only told Nathaniel…

“Those distinctive red curls and sharp green eyes. You’re dressed plainly, so I couldn’t be certain at first… But honestly, Rosalind, if you’re going to use a fake name, you should choose something less obvious.”

Liliana giggles, her shoulders shaking with amusement.

My heart pounds unpleasantly as I force a stiff smile.

“Um… my name is Rosy…”

“Oh, there’s no need to hide it. Don’t worry, I have no intention of telling anyone.”

Liliana tilts her head slightly and peers up at me.

“…Though judging from earlier, Lord Ad probably realized already. Hmm… though perhaps even he doesn’t know about that?”

“A-about what…?”

I know I’m playing into her rhythm, but I can’t help asking.

Liliana narrows her pink eyes like crescent moons and taps my chest with her finger.

“That you’re a reincarnator. Right?”

Thump.

My heart seems to stop.

Seeing me freeze with wide eyes, Liliana claps her hands happily.

“I knew it! I thought it was strange that the villainous wife Rosalind never appeared. The rumors said you were recuperating at the Duar estate, but who would’ve thought you were hiding out here? Escaping the capital to avoid your destruction ending, right?”

“H-how did you…”

“Oh? You mean how I figured out you were reincarnated? Well, I suspected it when the villainous Rosalind started behaving completely differently from the original story. But the real giveaway was when you mistook me for the saint.”

“…!”

So my slip earlier wasn’t convincing at all.

But more importantly—

Something else is bothering me.

“Um… does that mean you’re also a reincarnator, Miss Liliana?”

I ask cautiously.

Liliana nods without hesitation.

“Yep. Japanese in my previous life.”

I knew it.

And judging by how she talks about the “original story,” she must have read The Black Wolf General’s Beloved Flower, just like I did.

(Well… I guess if I’m a reincarnator, it wouldn’t be strange for there to be others…)

Honestly, I’d never even considered that possibility.

Between fleeing the capital, job hunting, pregnancy, childbirth, and raising Lowell, I’ve barely had time to breathe.

(So Liliana is a reincarnator too!)

Until now, I’d avoided getting involved with her at all costs to escape my condemnation route.

But if she’s also a reincarnator…

That changes things a little.

(In light novels, when two reincarnators meet, they either become mortal enemies or inseparable best friends…)

Looking at Liliana’s cheerful smile, I feel like we could get along.

(We could talk about Japan, or the original story… That would be fun!)

And—

Oh!

An idea strikes me.

(I should invite her to the Lycoris Tavern! She must miss Japanese food too!)

When I first arrived here, I craved Japanese flavors constantly.

She must feel the same.

(I wonder what she likes. Karaage? Ginger pork? Curry?)

Or maybe—

(I could serve my special salmon roe imitation as a welcome treat!)

Just imagining the two of us sitting at the Lycoris Tavern table, happily eating salmon roe rice together, makes my spirits soar.

“Liliana, about the salmon roe—”

“So, Rosalind. There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

My excited words die in my throat.

Liliana raises two fingers and tilts her head with a sweet smile.

At first glance, it’s the kind of adorable expression that makes you think, Of course she’s the heroine!

But I notice something.

Her large pink eyes aren’t smiling at all.

“How exactly did you become a saint?”

“Eh…?”

“Because the saint is supposed to be the heroine’s special title. Mine. Yet the villainous wife Rosalind is the saint? That’s strange, isn’t it?”

“I think so too, but…”

“You know the setting, right? The heroine awakens holy magic by falling in love with Lord Ad. So don’t tell me—”

Liliana’s smile vanishes.

She stares straight into my eyes.

Her gaze feels like a deep, dark cave.

A chill runs down my spine.

I shake my head frantically.

“No! Absolutely not! I regained my past-life memories right after the wedding and left the Duar mansion immediately! I only saw Adolphus a few times, and there’s no way we could’ve fallen in love!”

I… conveniently leave out the wedding night.

That was just an obligation for him anyway!

My instincts scream that misunderstanding me here would be dangerous.

“I honestly don’t know why I awakened holy magic, but it definitely has nothing to do with Adolphus…”

Liliana keeps staring at me with those dim eyes.

“But you like him, don’t you?”

“I—”

My words catch.

“Like… well, he’s more of a favorite character to me…”

I know the correct answer here should be No, I don’t like him.

But…

“I swear I have absolutely no intention of interfering with you two! Otherwise I wouldn’t have run all the way out to this remote town!”

“…Well, that might be true.”

“Exactly! I plan to stay in this town from now on. And as a fan, I really want Adolphus to end up happy with the heroine!”

That part isn’t a lie.

I meet Liliana’s gaze desperately as I insist.

She studies me for a moment longer, then suddenly relaxes and smiles sweetly.

“I’m glad to hear that. I was worried you might still have the same personality as in the original story.”

Her pink eyes glisten softly.

“Well then, I should get going.”

She turns to leave.

Just as I breathe a sigh of relief—

“Oh, right.”

Liliana stops.

“I don’t share my favorites.”

“…Huh?”

“General Duar.”

I blink in confusion.

“When you address him, please be careful. I’m the heroine, so I’m the only one allowed to call him by name.”

“…Ah. Okay.”

I nod blankly.

Liliana smiles with satisfaction and leaves the storage room.

The door shuts behind her.

The moment it does, my strength drains away and I slump against the wall.

Thunk.

My head hits it.

Ow.

(I take it back…!
There is absolutely no way we’re becoming friends!)

I’m still technically married to Adolphus.

Liliana clearly sees me as a threat.

The best option is still to avoid both of them as much as possible.

I need to finalize the divorce as soon as possible.

And it might be best to keep Lowell’s identity as Adolphus’s child completely hidden.

(…I’m sorry, Lowell. I can’t let you meet your father. But I’ll give you all the love I can to make up for it.)

Thinking of Lowell makes my chest ache.

I suddenly want to hug him.

(Ah… I want to go home. I want to hug Lowell.)

But the long day isn’t over yet.

When I finally finish work and try to leave—

The young lord is waiting for me.

Holding a huge bouquet of roses.