Raffilia, realizing it.

There she was, asleep in the dormitory bed at the academy, lying beside her father.

After that discussion, her memory blurred around the time they’d dispersed—apparently she’d just passed out and stayed asleep.

Staring at her father’s face, peaceful in sleep, a sudden flash of yesterday returned.

Her body had turned translucent. She’d called out to her father and mother, but no sound reached them. She couldn’t return to her body, no matter how hard she tried.

The terror of that moment surged back, making her shiver violently.

She noticed, with a pang of frustration, that her ability to handle things like an adult was fading, just as her memories of her past life grew dimmer.

It was like her body’s age was dragging her down. She was getting emotional, and without her parents nearby, she felt utterly exposed, utterly small.

That constant, raw feeling of hitting every little thing head-on. The days moving slowly, each one like a tiny adventure.

The longer time passes, the hazier my memories become. A creeping fear—like the old ones are being erased, painted over bit by bit.

The kind of fear you can’t tell anyone about, so you’ve kept it locked away all along.

The panic when you finally run to show everyone the clear water you’ve cradled in both hands—only to realize it’s spilling through your fingers, almost gone.

Why does it vanish? That childlike question, unanswered by the past me.

And the memory of another version of myself, the one who used to answer—fading further and further away, like a whisper in the dark. Like loneliness made real.

Is it instability? Or just the terror of losing the other me, the one I need? I can’t shake it. Can’t breathe through it.

I just want to feel safe. So I wriggle closer to my father’s chest, nestle in, and press myself right up against him.

I figured, if I just lean into it, maybe I’d calm down if I listened to my father’s heartbeat.

I pressed my ear to his chest, tuning in… and wow, it was like a frantic drumbeat.

“……?”

I looked up at my father, puzzled. His face was faintly flushed, trying desperately not to grin like an idiot.

I tried to quietly pull away, but he suddenly stiffened—aware of my movement—and yanked me back.

“…You’re just too damn adorable. It hurts.”

“…Good morning, mean old Papa.”

“Good morning, my darling princess. You’re not mean at all. It’s you, Elen, who’s the problem.”

A kiss on the top of my head, then a tight squeeze.

We stayed like that for a while. When I finally said, “Aren’t we supposed to talk about this?”— a voice came back: “Nope. Not today.”

“…Didn’t we say we’d talk about this?”

"Then it's already over. Today, Elen and I are just gonna stay like this all day."

"...Huh? But we're not leaving until tomorrow, right?"

"That's right. But it's fine now. Elen did her part, so the fight's tomorrow. Today's just about getting ourselves ready for it."

"...So it's because I pushed myself too hard?"

"Partly. But Ka-sama said if it hadn't been for that, we never would've found where the Great Spirit's hiding. So I'm kinda conflicted, you know?"

I noticed my father's arms trembling as he held me. I realized I'd been worrying him, and I muttered, "Sorry..."

"I get that you want to save the Great Spirit, the one said to be underground. But this isn't just about us. It's about the Humes' lives, too. The battle happens almost at the same time. So why not rest together until then?"

"...Are you sure it's okay to wait until tomorrow?"

"Of course it is. There's a celebration tomorrow."

"A celebration...?"

"That's right. It's a special event held every year for anyone who turns fourteen in this country—something everyone dreams of."

Father smiled warmly.

＊＊＊

Around the same time ———

Raffilia was fuming, summoned to the backyard with no clue what for.

She’d been stewing all day, since her uncle had arrived at the academy a few days ago and yet hadn’t so much as glanced her way.

Her mother had sighed, “He won’t even see me,” so Raffilia had braced herself for the worst. But this? This was beyond cold shoulder. It was like being deliberately avoided.

She didn’t know why she was being avoided. That was exactly why she was furious.

"What the hell do you want with me?!"

Before her stood the group of boys she’d seen in the cafeteria a few days prior.

Their eyes were different now—no longer the same casual glances from when they’d first spoken. They were whispering among themselves, and one in the center finally steeled himself, stepping forward to speak.

"You're the daughter of the Vanklyft Family, right?"

"That's right. So what? Do you really think this kind of thing is okay?"

The boys weren't exactly poor. They'd entered the Knight Academy, but they were still commoners at heart.

Raffilia's words made them flinch—but instead of backing down, they pressed in closer, demanding something else.

"You're a commoner, aren't you?"

"...Yeah."

Are they gonna start on about how she’s a commoner again?

But just as Raffilia thought they’d be just as bad as she was, she was hit with an unexpected reply.

"It's a hassle!!"

"...Huh?"

"It's *your* fault we're actually having to deal with this mess!!"

"W-why is it my fault!?"

Raffilia was a lady-in-training. She had no business even speaking to boys from the Knight Academy. She didn’t understand why they’d accuse her of causing trouble—especially not now, and especially not like this. She felt her patience snapping.

“You’re the reason the nobles are laughing at us! Commoners! Commoners! Every time you act like an idiot—!”

“W-what…?”

“The Vanklyft Family’s the one that produces the Knight Corps’ commander! They’re our role models! So why the hell is someone like you there?!”

“Eh…?”

“Lady Amiel said you don’t understand what it means to be a noble because you’re a commoner, but you were acting all noble around Kai-senpai, weren’t you? And you were guarding a noble’s retainer, too! I can’t even believe you’re from that family!”

“…………”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a commoner—once you’re a noble here, you *are* a noble! Act like one! Don’t cause trouble for us!”

“B-but… I…?”

“But what? Ah… you’re probably just gonna say something dumb again. Yeah, you’re famous, I get it.”

“Famous?”

"Right after stepping into a noble household, she’s already a spoiled brat, running wild with her mother. They say she’s ditched her studies entirely, switching governesses like socks. And the rumors about how she treats the maids? Absolutely tyrannical."

What’s that?! Nonsense!!

"Ridiculous? We saw how you treated Kai-senpai, so we thought the rumors must be true, didn’t we?"

"...because..."

"Come on, come on, come on—what the hell are you even doing? At least take responsibility for your own actions. Isn’t that what nobles are supposed to do?"

"Lord…"

"Sure, if you ditch your studies, you probably wouldn't know what nobles are all about. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't get yelled at for that."

Raffilia remembers, in the boy’s words. How she’d been scolded constantly by her father.

But she refused, wouldn’t listen to a word.

But Mother had said it’d be fine like this.

"Mother's... gonna be fine..."

"Ha!? Why the hell do you even know what a noble is supposed to be? Your mom’s just like us, isn’t she?! Listen to your dad, damn it!!"

"Bu-but... I mean..."

"Aaaargh!! But but but?! Is that all you can say?! Seriously?!"

Raffilia felt tears welling up as the boy erupted in anger. She didn’t understand—why was she being blamed like this?

She’d only done what her mother said.

"Aaargh, damn it!! Just don’t cause us trouble, okay?!"

The boys said nothing more, then walked away.

＊＊＊

Left alone, Raffilia stood frozen.

They’d said it was her fault. That she was causing trouble.

If you’re a noble here, act like one.

But what the hell did that even mean?

They’d said she was being mocked—called a commoner—because of her own actions.

And me? I’m mocked by the nobles too. “Commoner, despite all,” or “Just a commoner, after all,” they say…

"I’m acting like a noble… even though I *am* a noble? I mean, I *am* a noble, right? Me…"

I was lost in thought, asking myself questions, when I felt someone approaching from behind.

I turned around, and there was Amiel.

She’s not bringing her usual entourage today, apparently. Raffilia cut off her thoughts midstream and glared at Amiel.

"Is the meeting with the multiple lords finally over?"

"…huh?"

You’re supposed to be learning what it means to be a lady in ladyship class, yet your head refuses to learn anything at all, really.

...

After hearing that, I can't help but recall the scene from earlier.

Raffilia was alone in the backyard, surrounded by several boys. She finally remembered that and turned pale.

"Thought you were dumb, thought you were dumb, but really, you're just plain dumb. Feeling relieved? The rumor's already spreading."

Raffilia thought, *Oh no.*

Now she'd be even more isolated. A disgrace. Probably end up getting called in by the teacher.

"Let me tell you the answer to that earlier question."

Raffilia tilted her head at Amiel, who kept giggling. What answer was she even talking about?

"You might have noble blood, sure, but your attitude? Not noble at all. It's a commoner acting spoiled, bullying other commoners. That's you."

"A spoiled commoner...?"

"You brag about being noble without even bothering to learn the customs. That's not arrogance. That's just annoying. Everyone—commoners and nobles alike—thinks you're a nuisance. You get that, right?"

"..."

"Your attitude’s exactly like a commoner mouthing off about nobles and then bullying other commoners. To a noble, someone like that’s just a stain on the entire noble name. Honestly, it’s infuriating."

"…………"

"Can you just get out of here already? You don’t belong here. Not at all."

"…………"

"Ah, right—apparently you don’t have a place even in your own territory? Deservedly so, isn’t it?"

Raffilia felt her vision go black as Amiel chuckled softly.

She never thought she’d end up in this position—defying her father’s words and now being cast out like this.

So that’s why he’d been so strict with her, as a noble.

But Mother had said she’d be fine. Then why…?

It finally clicked into place.

And suddenly, she understood why she and her mother were so isolated in the manor.

"Such… such… "

Stunned, Raffilia sank to her knees right there.

Amiel was laughing again, clearly enjoying herself.