Eljezer was the one most infuriated and causing a commotion about the situation.

“What’s so impossible about it?”

Despite her sister’s words, Cesenia showed no change in emotion.

“You found a relic? Does that even make sense?”

“Why wouldn’t it make sense? Fortunes come and go in life. This incident is just one of those times. Sister, why can’t I have such luck?”

“It never happened!!”

Eljezer, who seemed unable to grasp the situation, shut her mouth as Cesenia shook her head in disbelief.

“Be careful with your words, sister. Others might misunderstand.”

Cesenia’s gaze shifted to her father, causing Eljezer to finally quiet down.

Her face filled with anger, not wanting to tell their father that they had traveled back in time. Her face twisted in frustration, her cheeks reddening.

Sensing the oddity, the Count set down the letter from the temple and looked at both of them.

“I have no idea what the two of you are talking about.”

“You don’t need to know. Sometimes, it’s better not to know certain things.”

“Really hiding something, aren’t you?”

“It’s just a saying, Father. What could we possibly be hiding?”

“That’s right. There’s nothing to hide, Father.”

Eljezer, more than anyone, didn’t want the Count to know about their situation. If she knew the future but still couldn’t outdo Cesenia, it would only reveal her incompetence.

She bit her nails in frustration.

‘I can’t tell. Especially now that things have changed so much from the past.’

“That makes it even more suspicious.”

“What could be suspicious about it?”

Eljezer forced a smile, grabbing Cesenia’s hand.

“I’m truly happy for you, little sister. Discovering such an item, I’m really glad.”

Like the original Eljezer, always seeming to love Cesenia the most in front of the family, she put on her mask.

“Happy? That sounds strange and odd. Especially coming from someone who just called it nonsense. Come to your senses, sister. It’s weirder acting like this.”

The Count nodded as if waiting for this moment.

Cesenia crossed her arms, tilting her head smugly, looking at Eljezer. Was she always so transparent?

“Um… I was just startled at first…”

“Is that all?”

“Of course.”

Then, Eljezer returned to her usual self, smiling slyly.

“In fact, it’s true. Among the noble ladies, I’m almost the only one who didn’t receive the title of a saint. So, I was jealous. A relic, after all…”

“That’s understandable.”

Cesenia nodded, appearing to understand. She knew better than anyone that wasn’t the reason, but there was no need to dig deeper here.

“Either way, it’s a matter for celebration. A relic, indeed. I guess your recent visit to the temple was for that.”

“That’s right.”

“You went to the temple? Why?”

“Didn’t you just hear? I went because of the relic.”

Such an event had never happened in the past.

“Could it be… No, never mind.”

Eljezer tilted her head, looking puzzled.

“Why do you keep beating around the bush? It makes you seem even stranger, sister. If you don’t want to congratulate me, you don’t have to. Anyway, Father, if you called me to discuss the letter from the temple, may I leave now? It seemed you and sister were having an important conversation.”

“Well, I suppose. Haha. And we weren’t having any important conversation, just talking. Don’t misunderstand.”

“Strange. Before, you told me not to mind if I said such things. Now you suddenly make excuses. Don’t worry. Whatever you two were discussing, it’s none of my concern.”
“Even so, I wish you wouldn’t misunderstand. I’ve been strange lately. I keep worrying about you.”

The Count’s words were filled with sorrow. His actions made Cesenia uncomfortable. Since when did he look at her so sadly? Since when did he care about her? To her, the Count was another perpetrator.

A person who knew but did nothing.

A person who discriminated against her openly, beyond just inequality.

The perpetrator who made Cesenia hate herself. That’s why his gaze only brought her irritation.

“I’ll take my leave then.”

“Yes. Finding and sending that relic to the temple was a good deed indeed.”

“…….”

“I’m proud of you.”

Those words she had longed to hear. The words of praise, of pride.

But to the current Cesenia, those words felt indifferent. She turned and walked out without a word.

“Why did you suddenly call me?”

“It seems the relic has been successfully delivered.”

“Ah, I see.”

Lizbeth, tense from the sudden summons by the Count, let out a sigh of relief.

“I thought something had happened again.”

“Was there always something when Father called me?”

“Yes. You never heard good news. If there was good news, it was all about praising Eljezer, and if something bad happened, it was all your fault.”

‘If Lizbeth remembers it that way, I must have had a pretty hated time in this period.’

With the future’s memories being so strong, Cesenia’s memories of this time were faint. Returning to this time didn’t make her childhood memories more prominent.

Memories always tend to favor oneself. Cesenia was no exception. That’s why hearing about the present from Lizbeth felt a bit painful.