[Interlude] The Lady of Stone 3

He said he’s returning today.

What a thing to say! Only Taro can destroy the magic stone attached to my body right now.

I took off my clothes. I did it impulsively—slightly embarrassed, but I can’t miss this chance.

Taro looks away and tells me to put my clothes back on.

What are you doing?! Hurry up, please!

Taro carefully peeled off the magic stone from my back. Though it was quite embarrassing, especially around the front and waist area, he did it neatly.

The remaining stone was attached to my head. Taro seemed a little hesitant.

What was he afraid of? We'd come this far already.

Upon hearing my resolve, Taro also steeled himself and began the task.

My answer remains unchanged.

I think Taro said something after we finished collecting the crystals, but I couldn’t hear it.

I staggered over to the mirror.

I couldn’t wait to see. I was filled with the desire to be freed from those terrible days of nightmares.

It had been years since I’d walked without the crystal, and the unfamiliar sensation made me sway. My body felt incredibly light. So this is what it’s like to be changed so completely.

The reflection in the mirror was one I hadn’t seen in a while. Yet it felt like seeing myself for the first time.

Is this really me? It’s hard to believe—overnight, all the magical stones in my body vanished, and now I can move freely. It feels like I’m dreaming.

I sway my body left and right, examining myself closely. Amazing—my body is truly healed.

I turn back to Taro and express my gratitude. The emotions I’ve held for Taro suddenly feel overwhelming, almost embarrassing in their intensity.

I’m so happy with my gratitude that I can’t even walk straight, stumbling around instead. I open the chest and randomly rummage through clothes.

Predictably, I trip and fall onto the floor.

Taro catches me.

How long has it been since I last clung to a man like this? Perhaps the first time since my father. It’s a little embarrassing.

That's right! I should try asking for that. Since there aren't many men my age around, I want to make my dreams come true while I still can.

"Taro-san, after I get better, there are so many things I've always wanted to do—like dancing. I've always been envious watching people at the party happily dancing in the garden. Would you… perhaps be my dance partner?"

Taro looked momentarily flustered, but then agreed.

He wasn’t exactly a skilled dancer, but I wasn’t exactly graceful either—so we were evenly matched.

It was a bit lonely without music.

Before I knew it, I was humming along naturally.

Our joyful time ended when I grew tired and stumbled with my feet.

Taro-san is said to be leaving this town soon. Just yesterday he was so exasperating, yet already after just one night I feel lonely. I realized how childish I still am.

The topic turned to payment.

I braced myself, wondering how much I might be expected to ask for, but he said he didn't need anything. I asked if there wasn't something at all, since that wouldn't set a proper precedent.

Then I was asked to write a letter. He said he wanted to go to the Royal Library. Apparently, he's researching the Legend of the Hero. Hero legends these days... quite an unusual person.

Since he didn't have much time, Tarou quickly disappeared.

I, who usually don't do much activity like this, soon grew tired and fell asleep.

But since I had been sleeping nonstop until just before Tarou arrived, I woke up again as the sun began to rise.

As soon as I woke up, I took off all my clothes and checked my entire body. There was no gemstone anywhere on me. It hadn't been a dream after all.

Relieved, I carefully examined my body again, then suddenly felt self-conscious about being naked and quickly got dressed.

The morning sun streamed through the window. It was just like any other morning, yet I felt reborn.

Lost in emotion, I didn’t notice Anne coming in from behind.

Anne let out a cry the moment she saw me—like she'd seen a monster.

"Miss! Are you alright? Has your condition changed at all?"

She rushed toward me in alarm.

Right, I suppose it's natural to be shocked if someone's appearance changes in just one day. I told her about what had happened the previous night.

"That adventurer, showing up outside of hours, doing whatever he pleased and then leaving—what an selfish fellow. He could've just come around noon like a normal person."

Anne, your tone is slipping. He summarized everything he's done this time and all that's been confirmed so far. He said that as long as you live according to this, there won't be any worsening.

Even something like this document.

I gazed at the sheets of paper gathered together, several in number, belonging to Anne.

Miss Anne, is something wrong!

Even the butler and guards who had served the household for years came rushing over. All of them had been serving our family since long ago. When they saw me, they were left speechless.

After that, the mansion became completely chaotic.

Eventually, I was summoned by my father, Simon Rolling. How long has it been since I last came here?

I'm sitting in my father's office. My younger brother was also called, but he's standing, unlike me.

Right now, my father is reading the documents left behind by Mr. Taro.

"So, William invited that adventurer to the mansion and treated him without informing me, just acting on his own?"

William's face is frozen with tension—he probably hadn't expected things to go this far.

"No, that's not it. I asked him to do it, and he carried out my request. All blame lies with me."

"Sister, that's..."

I met William's gaze and silenced him with a look.

"Understood. This incident involved not only inviting unknown individuals into the residence but also employing unfamiliar magic. This is far too dangerous. The mansion serves not just as our home, but also as the guardian of the town's safety and financial stability—certainly not a place to recklessly admit outsiders. Therefore, a severe punishment must be imposed."

I expected something like this would happen. Still, considering the new treatment method was practically free and ultimately yielded no results, a reprimand should be sufficient.

I won't be able to move around freely anytime soon. No doubt this person will lock me away again atop that tower.

In the meantime, I'll use the time to properly train my body and prepare myself to move freely once more.

"However, considering the documents and materials that could be used as a new treatment method, we'll overlook it."

"Wait... what!?"

Our voices overlapped. It was me and William.

"What are you so surprised about? Did you really think there'd be punishment for something like this?"

"...Yes, I honestly did."

"Having obtained a new treatment method for free, making contact with a rare and powerful mage, and most importantly, halting the progression of your illness—why on earth would punishment be necessary after all this?"

"...Thank you, Father."

"Step back. I'm busy."

We heard those words and left the room.

In the lord's chamber, the butler rushed over, having come to receive his master's orders.

"Follow the report and replace all the magic stones within Linna's range with different ones."

"I understand... Master, that's wonderful news, isn't it?"

"Yes."

The lord merely replied and looked out the window. His eyes were brimming with tears.

There was one person in the mansion who was reacting excessively to the changes that had occurred today—Dale. He was hunched over in his room, wracked with worry. But someone was there to support him—his mother.

"It's going to be alright, Dale. Nothing has changed from before. Just stay confident and listen to what I say."

"That's right, Mom."

Two or three days had passed since then.

According to the schedule I'd heard about Tarou earlier, he should have passed through this town sometime around yesterday, continuing through to tomorrow. I'm not going to be able to meet him, yet I've climbed up to the tower where I used to live. It's the room I've lived in for years. Now that I've come this far, I might as well stay here and not leave.

It's turning out to be just the right kind of training.

I can't help but dislike my own simplicity. Staring blankly outside without any proof. Thanks to Taro's late-night intrusion, night-time patrols have been unusually frequent for winter. Under these circumstances, even if I managed to get close to the mansion, I wouldn't be able to get inside.

Just as I was about to give up and head back to my newly assigned room, I saw a color of light I'd never seen before swaying randomly outside the wall.

It's Taro. There's no doubt about it—Taro.

I looked around the room, trying to respond, but there was nothing. Everything within reach— even the magic stones—had been cleared away, leaving nothing but empty space until replacements arrived.

I hurriedly descended the tower. My legs were still thin, and it was frustrating how slowly I moved despite my haste. I finally made it to the first floor. But...

"Miss Lina, what are you doing at such a late hour?"

It was Anne.

"You wouldn't really be saying you want to go out just because Mr. Taro is here, would you?"

"If you understand that, then I'd appreciate it if you'd let me through."

"That won't do. This time, it was possible only because Miss's illness has improved—there'll be no leniency next time. You must consider your position and conduct as a noble. Above all, it's nighttime. A lady shouldn't be out at this hour, especially not after recovering from illness."

I probably can't break through her defenses right now. Then...

I asked Anne to deliver a message. Thinking carefully, it's definitely risky for me to go out into the city right now. I'll prepare the environment so I can move about freely and safely.

There's no need to rush. I've finally seen a glimmer of possibility. I won't give up now. I'll do everything I want to do.

With determination in my heart, I returned on my own to my new room.