The more I spoke, it somehow felt like I was desperately holding onto an ex-boyfriend.

Did I come across as clingy?

“I just said that because Sabine seemed upset. Don’t feel too pressured.”

I hastily added, worried I might have burdened her.

“Whatever decision you make, I’ll respect your opinion.”

“Miss.”

Thinking about it, my words seemed too impulsive.

Sabine and I had only spent a year together, but she had been with Leonora since they were very young.

She had stayed by Leonora’s side for a long time, caring for her poor health.

‘I can’t just take her away for my own sake.’

My emotions had gotten ahead of me, and I’d unnecessarily burdened her.

Perhaps I wanted Sabine to come with me because I was reluctant to say goodbye to the Chadmon family.

“No, Miss. Thank you so much for saying that.”

“No need to thank me.”

Sabine pressed the back of her hand against her flushed cheeks and continued.

“I suddenly remembered you cutting that dress with scissors.”

“Haha, there must have been many better moments, why that one?”

“Just because. I was so surprised when I found out His Majesty had sent that dress.”

Yes, just a few months ago, I was like that.

My stomach was so full of anger toward Ainberg that I was on the verge of exploding at the slightest touch.

I never expected today’s outcome.

“Yes, perhaps it was a small hatred. I might have nursed it alone, making it grow bigger.”

I scratched one cheek as I spoke.

“Let’s stop talking about this. I’m embarrassed by how foolish I was.”

“But I really liked that side of you, Miss.”

“You don’t secretly want to do the same, do you?”

Sabine waved her hands frantically, but her face was cheerful.

“It’s really fun being with you, Miss.”

“Thank you. Just say the word anytime. I’ll make you laugh.”

When I made a scissoring gesture with my fingers, Sabine burst into laughter.

“Want to cut a dress? Just say that too.”

Though I was joking, I really wanted to hear Sabine’s answer.

Just then, Sabine slowly erased the smile from her face and spoke.

“I know no one will cherish me more than you, Miss. My heart wants to follow you right away. But.”

I swallowed nervously.

“…I don’t know how to tell you. It’s not something I can decide on my own.”

“Sabine, think about it slowly. And tell me whenever you’re ready.”

“Yes.”

“You know I can help with whatever you want, right?”

This time she just nodded without giving any particular answer.

I scratched the back of my neck with an awkward face and spoke again.

“Sabine, I realize I don’t know much about you.”

“…Me?”

“Yes, you’ve always listened to my stories and shared my worries. But I don’t actually know much about you.”

At my words, Sabine sniffled once, seemingly embarrassed.

“Why would you want to hear about a maid like me?”

“Where are you from? How did you come to work for the Chadmon family?”

Though Sabine initially waved her hands saying there was nothing special, at some point she opened up and talked at length about her past.

Thanks to this, I learned for the first time about her hometown, her parents, her string of younger siblings, and the fact that she had first come to the Chadmon household eight years ago.

“…I see. I thought you were mature for your age, but I didn’t realize you had so many siblings.”

“Thanks to the master’s consideration and help, it wasn’t too difficult. If I had worked elsewhere, my family couldn’t have all survived.”

“I understand.”

“They’re truly wonderful people I’m grateful for. Even if I work for the Chadmon family my whole life, I couldn’t repay their kindness.”

I finally understood, at least vaguely, why Sabine had to hesitate at my proposal.

“Yes, they’re all good people. But that’s because you’ve always worked hard too.”

Sabine nodded with her lips pressed together.

“Thank you, Miss.”

I couldn’t make her uncomfortable just for my sake.

But.

“Sabine, don’t forget what you promised me.”

“…..?”

Sabine twitched her eyebrows as if she couldn’t remember what promise I was referring to.

“Promise…?”

Her confused look was quite cute, and I wanted to tease her more, but I had to resist.

When I silently mimicked sewing with my hands, Sabine finally seemed to remember and slapped her knee.

“Ah.”

“You didn’t forget, did you?”

“Of course not. Absolutely not. I definitely didn’t forget, Miss.”

“Good, you promised to teach me how to knit.”

I needed to knit a scarf for Ainberg before winter came.

If that was too difficult, I should at least learn how to do proper embroidery.

“Yes, Miss. I’ll definitely teach you.”

“Good, I’ll invite you as my knitting teacher, so just wait.”

Sabine smiled brightly for the first time since entering the room.

“Yes, Miss.”

“Now go back and rest.”

After Sabine left, I walked around the silent room for a while.

I couldn’t know exactly, but I felt that it wouldn’t be long before I returned to Sienna’s body.

On what might be my last night, I was pacing with a somewhat empty heart.

Knock knock.

Who could it be?

I turned my head, thinking Sabine might have returned.

Soon the door opened, and Soniel walked in carefully.

I was already feeling unsettled, so I was glad Soniel had come.

“My lady, are you… still awake?”

Judging by Soniel’s hesitant expression as she entered, she seemed to be in a similar mood to mine.

“Of course. It’s still early evening.”

“That’s good. I was worried I might be disturbing your rest.”

“It’s fine, come in. I was feeling lonely anyway.”

Just as I was thinking about walking in the garden together, or how riding horses at this hour would be too much, Soniel suddenly spoke with a determined expression.

“My lady, would you like to play chess with me?”

Though I thought it was random, I nodded as if enchanted.

“Yes, let’s do that.”

We sat facing each other with the chessboard between us.

But I didn’t think I could concentrate. I wondered if I could really play chess with such a complicated mind.

‘This is better than I expected?’

Rather than sitting face to face exchanging sighs and conversation, focusing on the chess pieces was much better.

We played chess for a while without saying much.

Soniel’s skills had improved.

At first, she didn’t even know the names of the chess pieces, but now she had improved so much.

“My lady.”

After a long while, Soniel was the first to speak.

When I raised my head to look at her, Soniel smiled faintly and said.

“Thank you for everything, my lady.”

“…Why so sudden?”

Soniel just smiled without saying anything more.

An uneasy feeling came over me, and I put down the bishop I was holding.

“You’re not thinking something strange, are you?”

“Something strange?”

“Like ‘I don’t want to be a burden anymore,’ or ‘Since my father committed treason, I’ll leave and live in hiding quietly,’ and so on.”

Soniel shook her head and laughed.

“What are you saying? No.”

“I’m telling you this in advance, just in case. Though Lord Viper did adopt you, since it’s clear he did so with impure intentions, that piece of paper can be dealt with anytime by court order.”

“……”

“So there’s no need to worry too much or be afraid. Understand?”

“Yes, my lady.”

But Soniel’s face as she answered wasn’t entirely bright.

This is really concerning.

Just as I placed the bishop I was holding in a suitable spot and looked at Soniel again.

“Don’t worry, my lady.”

“……”

“I’ll stand firm as you’ve taught me so far.”

“Good.”

“But you let your guard down.”

“…?”

“Checkmate.”

After a triumphant Soniel left, I lay in bed with an improved mood.

A slight uneasiness remained, but I deliberately ignored it.

Would Father return tomorrow?

Once the situation was resolved, I could return to my body.

On the other hand, I was also worried about Ainberg, who must be having a hectic time.

‘Let’s think only good thoughts. All difficulties will disappear, and only peaceful days lie ahead.’

I slowly fell asleep with such expectations.

Not anticipating at all what situation would unfold the very next day.