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“…”

I felt a pang in my heart.

Feeling like my innermost thoughts were exposed, I instinctively lowered my gaze.

Brigitte spoke calmly, “There are times like that. When nobody helps me, and I feel so helpless…”

Her grip on my hand tightened, and I could feel the strength in Brigitte’s grasp.

“I’d rather hope for the day not to come.”

“Bri.”

“Of course, it’s just my thoughts. If it’s all just my imagination, if Elze doesn’t really need help… that would be the best.”

Brigitte stood tall and stared at me.

Her sincere eyes, looking straight at me, were simply dazzling.

“So, I’ll ask again. Does Elze really not need my help?”

“…”

I remained silent for a moment.

And then…

“No.”

I managed to speak, albeit with difficulty.

“I need help.”

“Okay.”

Brigitte replied readily.

“Elze has already helped me a lot. I want to repay you at least a little this time.”

“…In that case.”

After hesitating for a while, I cautiously continued.

“I hope you can forgive me for only being able to say this much for now.”

“Why would I need to forgive you?”

“Just in case. After you leave here… if you can act as the deputy of Marquis Martin.”

I glanced at Brigitte cautiously.

“Would you be willing to fulfill my request then?”

I had to be cautious with my words.

I could confide everything in Lucian, after all, because escaping the boarding school was our shared goal.

But Brigitte’s situation was different, wasn’t it?

‘I’m sorry if it seems like I’m doubting our friendship…’

If Brigitte hears about my plan and leaks it to Dante, it will be troublesome. However, I couldn’t persuade her with money or benefits like Benedict the informant. But then…

“Yes.”

Brigitte nodded without a hint of hesitation.

Her calm demeanor caught me off guard.

“Is it really okay for me to not even ask what I’m requesting?”

“Of course. I said I want to repay you, didn’t I?”

Brigitte grinned.

“If it weren’t for you, I would have lost my mind a long time ago.”

“Bri, that’s…”

“So, in a way, the rest of my life is indebted to you.”

Her calm voice made me swallow hard.

“My ability to escape from here alive, to face my son, to reclaim my family… it’s all thanks to your support.”

“…”

Of course, Brigitte also repaid the friendship she received from the original female protagonist. I had expected it to come to this from the beginning. Still…

“Thank you.”

Somehow, my heart felt warmer.

I shyly smiled.

Then Brigitte teasingly added, “From now on, try to smile like that more often. Don’t act like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders all the time.”

“Did… did I do that?”

I asked with a puzzled expression.

Brigitte shrugged as if it were obvious.

“Well, others might not have noticed, but that’s how it seemed to me.”

Then she casually rested her hand on my waist.

“Is the Marquis trying to deceive Elze? Tell me everything, I’ll give him a piece of my mind.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

It felt strangely delightful.

* * *

The next day.

As if celebrating Brigitte’s departure, the weather was clear and sunny.

In front of the main gate of the boarding school, a carriage adorned with the crest of Count Martin was already waiting.

“…”

Brigitte couldn’t hide her tearful face as she looked at the carriage.

Indeed, it would be a new experience for her.

When Brigitte was brought to the boarding school, she was roughly shoved into a corner of the luggage carriage.

‘I heard that the Count’s wife personally ordered Brigitte to be taken to the boarding school.’

With a somewhat cynical thought in mind, I approached Brigitte.

“Be careful, Bri.”

I hugged Brigitte.

Brigitte also hugged me back tightly.

“Elze, don’t forget what I said yesterday.”

Resting her face against my chest, she whispered in a low voice, so that others wouldn’t hear.

“If you need anything, be sure to contact me. Got it?”

“I will. Thank you.”

“Okay.”

Brigitte finally let go of me after patting my back a couple of times.

She confidently stepped onto the carriage.

“Take care, Elze!”

Brigitte waved her hand to me through the window.

“Goodbye.”

I waved back to her.

Finally, the carriage began to move.

I stood there, as if glued to the spot, watching the carriage’s retreating figure for a long time.

‘Envious.’

A strong impulse arose within me.

I wanted to escape from this oppressive boarding school right away.

To a place far away from here as possible.

If only I could stroll freely in a place where no one knows me…

‘No, it’s not the time yet.’

I tightly gripped the hem of my dress.

‘You know, Elze. To truly be free from the male protagonists… I have to be fully prepared.’

After repeatedly reassuring myself, I was finally able to move my feet.

With slow steps, I entered the boarding school.

Clang!

Behind me, the magnificent iron gate, shaped like a rose vine, slammed shut forcefully.

…I couldn’t breathe.

* * *

As I returned to the main building of the boarding school.

Suddenly, my gaze fell on the annex.

‘How about visiting Lucian after a long time.’

Actually, I hadn’t been very close to him like in the early days of his admission.

Although Dante and Liam often left the boarding school, the surveillance was still strong.

But still.

‘Lucian has grown quite mature compared to before.’

I smiled softly.

Perhaps it was because the boarding school was unfamiliar at first, he behaved sensitively like a restless young beast.

But now he seemed more composed, ate well, and seemed to take care of his health.

In my own way, I was trying to support Lucian as much as I could.

Clank, clack!

However, to my disappointment, the solitary room was empty.

‘Where did he go?’

Well, it’s not like he escaped.

If he had, the boarding school would have been turned upside down already.

But then.

“Excuse me, Elze.”

A servant approached me with a polite demeanor.

I glanced at the servant briefly.

“Special student?”

“He’s in the gymnasium.”

“Hmm, I see.”

The gymnasium.

It was an outdoor exercise field allowed only for special students.

Feeling sorry for Lucian who was confined to his solitary room all the time, I persuaded Dante to create it.

[If the health of special students deteriorates, it will be a big problem, right?]

[….]

[I think it would be better to let them see sunlight regularly and exercise regularly.]

Dante smiled slightly, seeming reluctant…

[Alright, if you’re that concerned, I guess I have to make it happen.]

Eventually, he nodded.

But his following words were ironic.

[If that brat whines, he’ll have to stick with you. I don’t like it.]

Then he hugged me suddenly.

Surprised by the sudden increase in height, I hugged Dante’s neck tightly.

[Hoo, Marquis?!]

[Anyway, let’s stop talking about that damn brat here.]

Dante headed straight for the bed.

Thump!

I looked up at Dante with a bewildered expression as he collapsed onto the bed.

He climbed onto me quickly.

A lazy whisper tickled my ear.

[Now, focus on me, okay?]

Dante’s red eyes twinkled mischievously, then he kissed my lips abruptly…

In broad daylight… Yeah, there was that too…

My face flushed for no reason.

I fanned my face with my hand and quickly walked away.

And then.

‘Ah.’

I stopped abruptly for a moment.

Perhaps because it was summer, Lucian was doing exercises, hanging from the horizontal bar with his shirt off.

The sunlight pouring down on his well-defined muscles was dazzling.

…He looked like a meticulously sculpted statue by a god.

“….”

I stared blankly at Lucian’s back as he focused on his exercise.

‘When did he grow up like that?’

Suddenly, such a thought crossed my mind.

The skinny body that used to refuse meals was long gone.

Lucian had become quite a robust young man objectively.

More like a young man than a boy now.

“Ah.”

Lucian, who was finishing his exercises with stretches, happened to notice me.

A smile spread across his expressionless face.

That smile was like spring flowers blossoming.

“Lady Lepherian.”

…I felt dizzy for some reason.