“Well…”

I quickly scanned my appearance, rolling my eyes. I was dressed in my White Knight’s uniform with the pristine white cloak, the symbol of the White Knights, draped neatly over it.

I should have worn something more ordinary.

Coming dressed like someone desperate to show off being a White Knight, and then claiming to be just a passerby – as if anyone would believe that.

“Sir Knight?”

“Please don’t mind me. As a knight, I merely assisted you because you seemed to need help…”

When I suddenly stopped speaking, Daisy’s cheek twitched. Seeing the hint of agitation on her pale face, I gave her a reassuring look before gripping my scabbard.

The burly man, who had regained his senses by now, was trying to crawl away stealthily. I lightly stepped on the man’s chest and placed the tip of my scabbard near his chin, causing him to squeeze his eyes shut.

“I’m not going to do anything to you.”

Just then, spotting some patrol officers nearby, I waved them over.

“What’s the matter, sir?”

As the patrol approached, Daisy flinched and grabbed my cloak again. Noticing her hunched shoulders, I subtly blocked her from view and replied.

“These three men were harassing a lady in broad daylight.”

“Are you perhaps a knight of the White Knights?”

Meeting their somewhat burdensome gaze of admiration, I cleared my throat and nodded.

No matter how I looked at it, wearing the uniform and cloak was overkill.

“It seems severe punishment is necessary.”

“Could you explain the situation in more detail?”

“These men threatened to kidnap me!”

Hearing the sudden shrill voice, I glanced back. It was Daisy who had spoken.

Though she had seemed tense earlier, it appeared her will to speak up had suddenly surged.

“They threatened you?”

“I heard it too. They said something about only looking ahead in life. They threatened the lady, saying what could she do if they just took her and ran away.”

Come to think of it, despite me conspicuously wearing the White Knight uniform and cloak, these men hadn’t even guessed my identity.

There shouldn’t be anyone in the Phonnese Empire who doesn’t know about the White Knights.

“They’re truly despicable fellows.”

“Please investigate their backgrounds thoroughly, just in case.”

“Yes, understood.”

As the patrol officers dragged the three men away, Daisy let out a sigh of relief.

“It seems the situation is resolved, so I should be on my way.”

“Thank you so much. I’d like to repay you somehow, if you could tell me your name…”

“It’s fine. I don’t want any repayment.”

“But still…”

Daisy couldn’t finish her sentence before breaking into a cough. What started as a light cough quickly turned into a severe fit that seemed to nearly take her breath away.

I can’t just leave her like this.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry. I just felt a bit chilly.”

After coughing continuously, Daisy’s eyes were moist as she looked up at me.

Noticing that even her shoulders were trembling slightly, I immediately took off my cloak. Then I carefully draped it over her.

“This is…”

Daisy looked at the cloak on her shoulders and then at me with round eyes.

“If it’s alright with you, it would be better to keep this on. Where are your maid and attendants?”

“Actually, I snuck out through the alley because I wanted some free time, so they’re probably looking for me right now.”

Ah, right. That’s how it was.

From the beginning, the jewel was just an excuse, and Daisy had slipped away from her maid and attendants to secretly look around the square. That’s how she ended up getting involved with Ian.

“Then I’ll escort you to the main street.”

“No, it’s okay. My maid will be here soon. I can’t trouble you any further…”

Daisy tried to catch her breath while suppressing another coughing fit.

In the original story, Daisy seemed quite spirited, so her terminal illness didn’t feel very real. But seeing her suddenly pale complexion now filled me with a sense of pity.

If only I could change the ending that awaits Daisy.

Suddenly caught up in that thought, I recalled a part of the original story.

“My lady.”

“Thank you for helping me. For helping me without expecting anything in return…”

“That’s not entirely true.”

Edwin, who had been looking out the window, suddenly turned to face me.

“What? What do you mean…”

“For me, just one small smile from the lady would be enough.”

What does he mean by just one small smile being enough…

“Could it be…”

“You’re quite perceptive.”

Now I understood. Why I always felt a tender feeling towards Edwin, who was always smiling. Why I sometimes felt sad looking at that beautiful smile that was almost blinding.

Edwin liked me.

To realize this only on the verge of death, how pathetic you are, Daisy.

I looked up into Edwin’s eyes with a bitter, self-deprecating smile. His eyes were already brimming with tears.

“If there’s a next life, then…”

“…”

“Would you be my friend?”

“I’ll do anything for you.”]

It was a passage that made me weep every time I read it. Perhaps because I had now met Edwin and Daisy in person, just recalling that scene made my heart ache.

I hope they can both be happy this time.

“You’ll need this even more while you wait. If you wear this, strange fellows like before won’t bother you either.”

“…Thank you.”

*

Things didn’t unfold exactly as I had hoped, but does this mean the original story has changed?

If I can change something through my choices like today…

I swallowed dryly as I stopped for a moment in the middle of the square. A small hope had sprouted, but I was also gripped by fear that the future could be determined by my choices.

By the way, where on earth did Edwin go? He hasn’t shown his face at all.

And here I was, trying to help him meet his destined partner.

Although the original story had deviated, I couldn’t let my guard down yet. There was no telling when and where Ian and Daisy might meet.

It would be good if Edwin and Daisy could meet first before that.

“He couldn’t have gone to eat, could he?”

Just as I was about to turn towards the restaurant Edwin and I often visited, just in case.

“Rosebelia?”

An unfamiliar face stood before me. Unfamiliar to me, but very familiar to Rosebelia – it was Herman, Rosebelia’s father.

“Sister?”

“Elder sister!”

From the carriage behind Herman, Cayden and Vivian alighted next. And finally, the last to appear was,

“Oh my, Rose?”

Olivia, dressed in an elaborate gown.

They looked like such a harmonious and happy family. However, I instinctively realized that there was no place for me within that circle.

“What brings you to the square at this hour?”

“I had some business to attend to.”

Olivia, who had descended from the carriage with Herman’s escort, approached me with her eyes half-closed.

“Rose, we’re about to go to a restaurant. Won’t you join us?”

“No, I need to return to the Knights’ quarters.”

“We haven’t had a proper meal together in ages. Come on…”

Olivia, who had somehow made her way to my side, linked her arm with mine in a friendly manner. I felt a shiver run down my spine, as if from an instinctive aversion.

“No, I’m fine.”

As I quickly pulled my arm away, I heard Herman click his tongue.

At the same time, I heard a very faint sound of air next to me. As if someone was snickering…

Did Olivia just laugh?

“There’s no need for that.”

“Herman, still…”

“If she doesn’t want to come, we can’t force her.”

Their daughter, who had never been sick a day in her life, had been ill for a whole day, yet they hadn’t even come to visit.

And now, meeting for the first time since then, they didn’t even ask if I was feeling better or show any sign of concern.

Herman’s eyes, as he looked at me, were filled with nothing but displeasure.

“Elder sister, aren’t you coming with us?”

Vivian ran up and tightly grabbed the hem of my clothes.

“I…”

“Vivian, come to daddy. You too, dear, that’s enough. Let’s go with the children.”

“Herman.”

“Come on, hurry up.”

As Olivia took Vivian and headed towards the carriage, Cayden quietly approached and asked,

“Sister, can’t you come with us?”

“I’m sorry, but I have important duties to attend to.”

“I see. It’s a shame, but let’s go together next time, sister.”

“Come along, Cayden.”

At Herman’s urging, Cayden reluctantly moved to Olivia’s side. The family, once again united, entered the restaurant across the street.

Watching this scene stupidly, I let out a hollow laugh.

Ah, it’s been a while since I felt this way, but it’s still miserable.

I couldn’t understand why I felt so empty, even though I hadn’t fully accepted them as family.

Whether as myself or as Rosebelia, I’m still just as inept at dealing with these situations.

If only Edwin were here at a time like this, he would have smoothly covered for me with some plausible words…

After standing there blankly for a while, I turned around, but my feet wouldn’t move easily. For a moment, I felt lost, unsure of where to go.

Get a grip.

As I lightly patted my cheeks and looked up, unbelievably, right before my eyes…

“Senior?”

There was Ian.

Seeing a carriage approaching closely behind him, I grabbed the edge of Ian’s cloak without even exchanging greetings.

“Danger…”

Ian’s pupils dilated slightly, probably not expecting me to suddenly pull him. Soon, his large body lost balance and fell towards me.

With nowhere else to grab, Ian’s hands gently landed on both of my shoulders.

But what’s this?

Finding myself suddenly trapped in Ian’s embrace, I furrowed my brow, feeling something odd.

Clearly, something was touching…

My mouth opened slightly as I realized the identity of the warm and soft sensation resting on my forehead.