Before fully comprehending what Ernoa had said, a heavy feeling sank into my chest.

So, he was asking where the original Rosebelia who was in this body had gone?

Slowly exhaling, I combated the dizzying sensation that clouded my vision.

Focus, focus. Repeating the mantra in my mind, I spoke.

“What are you talking about? I am Rosebelia.”

“Ah, I should have said this first.”

Ernoa began, his tone composed as if he had expected my reaction.

I observed his unflustered face, now increasingly anxious about what he might say next.

“Actually, I can see souls.”

See souls? Is that even possible?

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. As I blinked, Ernoa continued with a faint smile.

“Soul is not a grand term; it’s like a thin membrane, perhaps a band, that wraps around each person. I can see it, and each one carries its own unique color and texture. I’ve always thought of it as that person’s soul.”

“…”

“Initially, I didn’t notice. The soul originally in that body and your soul had very similar colors. Then I realized at some point.”

“Realized what?”

“That the colors are similar, but the textures are slightly different. And that your soul hasn’t fully integrated with this body.”

“…I don’t really understand what you’re talking about.”

I felt my forced smile trembling. My mouth dried as I worried about exposing my internal turmoil.

“The color of the soul is remarkably similar, but its texture is subtly different. It’s as if someone forcibly fitted it into that body. I thought it unnatural and pondered on its cause…”

“…”

“The conclusion I came to is that a different soul has entered that body. One very similar to Rosebelia’s original soul, but different.”

For a moment, a tidal wave of silence drowned my ears. Only after blinking did goosebumps wash over my body.

So… right now…

My thoughts mired in temporary shock.

I woke up in a world from a book, living as a character I’d always admired. It was a story no one would believe if I honestly shared it.

But to have someone see through me so precisely.

“Well, it’s truly surprising that you have such an ability. But I am Rosebelia.”

“Is that so?”

I faced Ernoa, whose thoughts were unreadable. He revealed his own cards easily, but I had no intention of readily conceding my secret.

“I’ve felt a bit off since recovering from a serious illness. My aura, once stable, has become unstable.”

“What kind of instability?”

“I mean my aura has changed.”

I purposely tossed out the topic of aura, but Ernoa’s face remained stoic.

Did he even predict that I’m a Swordmaster?

“So you were a Swordmaster.”

A delayed reaction drew an awkward smile from me.

Regret filled me, but what was done was done. He had already suspected that my soul had changed. So I had to divert the topic accordingly.

“…Can a severe illness twist a soul or something? I’ve been struggling to control my aura since then.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Anyway, there’s no other soul in my body. If there were, how would I recognize you?”

Thinking he would pry further, Ernoa simply nodded.

“Hmm, if you say so, then it must be true.”
Ernoa took a bite of the dessert and sent me a suggestive glance. My heart was still fluttering, but I feigned calmness and took a colorful muffin in my hand.

Taking a bite, the muffin crumbled crisply in my mouth. I couldn’t taste anything, but I pretended to savor the dessert, busily smacking my lips.

“Will you be returning to the Knights?”

“Yeah. What about you?”

“I plan to visit home. I have to finish today’s work first.”

“Alright, see you later at the Knights.”

Slowly getting up, Ernoa leisurely descended to the first floor. As soon as he was completely out of sight, the muffin that had tasted like a mound of dirt strangely began to taste sweet.

With a wistful smile, I put down the muffin and exhaled a light sigh. My clouded mind, swept up in relentless waves, seemed to be slowly coming back.

“……Did he actually believe me?”

“Emily, good job.”

After lightly patting Emily’s neck, I handed the reins to Roy. The sight of Emily’s retreating figure trotting into the stable made me chuckle; she looked just like a petulant child.

Seems like she wanted to run some more after that quick sprint.

I left Roy with instructions to take good care of Emily and hurried on my way. Despite my haste, the sun was already slanting low.

Upon entering the main building, the gathered maids hesitated before greeting me. Anne was not among them.

“Anne is probably in Miss’s room. She always cleans up late.”

The maid who spoke to me was Nancy, who was close with Anne. Acknowledging her with a nod, I proceeded to the second floor. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Anne wiping the table in front of the sofa.

“Miss?”

“Anne, where’s Mother?”

“Madam went to the Grand Duke’s residence today.”

The timing couldn’t be better.

The Grand Duke’s residence was not far from the Winters’ estate. Perhaps that’s why Olivia frequently went back and forth between the two.

It had become a monthly ritual for her to visit the Grand Duke’s residence.

“Anything else?”