“I got scolded harshly by my mother. She said it was too dangerous.”

After the wedding suicide commotion, Magnolia secluded herself in the mansion for a while.

I heard she got an incredible scolding from Lady Lining.

Magnolia was quite subdued, finding it hard to believe the harsh demeanor of her usually calm mother.

“She deserved to be scolded.”

Indeed, it was too reckless. Fortunately, the floor was low, but a slight misstep could have resulted in serious injury like a cracked skull.

According to her, she ‘was prepared to die at the time’, but dangerous is dangerous.

“So, did they decide to send Bray Cole to prison?”

At Veronica’s request, Harry immediately repaid the debt of the Lining family that the Cole family had paid off.

They also got back the note with the Lining family seal, and Magnolia could finally break off her engagement with Bray Cole.

In the process, it was revealed that the Cole family was connected to the con artist who had introduced the Viscount Lining, causing another uproar.

More precisely, Bray had colluded with the con artist to deceive Viscount Lining.

Viscount Lining was understandably furious and declared he wouldn’t let Bray Cole off easily.

The Cole family consistently denied everything, but with the Hardness family’s involvement, they couldn’t avoid responsibility.

“No. They decided to forgive him.”

She nearly spat out her tea. Seeing the other’s nonchalant face, Veronica felt a headache coming on. Her naivety was enough to make one’s head spin.

“Did they threaten him? Or intimidate him? Surely Viscount Lining wouldn’t do that?”

“None of that. Father said he would follow my wishes.”

“Then why forgive him? He should be sent to prison!”

“Because it’s a waste.”

Magnolia smiled as she put down her cup.

“It’s a waste of time to think about and resent that man.”

“…”

“Sending him to prison would surely make me happy. I’d feel like I got my revenge. But I don’t think I’d feel relieved. The matters with that man would keep lingering in my heart, and I’d live reminiscing about futile memories and driving myself to rectify my mistakes. I don’t want to do that, so I did this. To forgive and forget everything. So that I can now find my true happiness.”

“…You’ll regret it.”

“I probably will! But that’s okay.”

Magnolia’s face truly looked relieved as she said this.

Choosing future happiness over the remnants of the past, her face showed no signs of regret. She really seemed to be alright.

“Miss Lining, you are a strong person.”

“Hehe. You think so?”

If it were me, I would never have forgiven him. I would have made him pay for his betrayal by any means necessary.

Veronica couldn’t understand the choice, but she respected it as it was the decision of the person involved.

Perhaps if someone had helped her in her life, she might have made a choice like Magnolia’s… Veronica then smiled.

It was a meaningless imagination.

“I persuaded my father. It was our fault for being deceived. Mother also apologized, and my brothers, after hearing the situation, got angry at father on my behalf. Father apologized and promised not to do it again. I heard that Lord Bray hasn’t been showing his face in social circles lately due to the rumors from this incident.”

“That’s to be expected.”

Veronica leisurely sipped her tea.

The incident at the Cole and Lining wedding became a hot topic in social circles.

It couldn’t be completely covered up since there were people who witnessed the scene.

Moreover, as the story spread that ‘the bride must have hated the man so much to jump out the window’, Bray Cole’s conduct also began to come to light.

Of course, there was some impact on Magnolia’s side as well.

In such matters, gossip spreads regardless of gender. For a while, arranged marriages between other families might be impossible, but as time passes and rumors die down, she might be able to dream of marriage again.

It’s not like arranged marriages are the only way to get married anyway.

Besides.

‘I gave that bastard’s head a little tap,’ Harry had whispered in her ear after returning from visiting the Cole family to settle the Lining family’s issues.

Although she hadn’t mentioned it, somehow he knew and had taken revenge on her behalf for the time when that man had grabbed her head and threatened her.

It probably wasn’t just a little tap, but rather something that would make one fear for their life. But such men tend to have tough lifelines.

‘I must definitely repay this debt.’

Thanks to him, she now owed a debt to an unwanted party. Veronica’s face cracked a smile as she thought of the man who never missed such opportunities.

“It’s all thanks to you, Miss Hardness. If it weren’t for you, I would surely have had an unhappy married life. As you said, I might have even died unjustly, confined in some mental hospital. You intentionally said those harsh things back then to make me come to my senses, right?”

“Something like that.”

That was the future she would have actually experienced, but such an explanation was no longer necessary.

“You pulled me out of unhappiness. Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

Veronica firmly rebuked.

“It was just a momentary whim. I told you, this is a one-time thing.”

If she were to go back to being 16 again, Veronica would ignore Magnolia.

She wouldn’t recall old memories to advise her, nor would she help her.

Then Magnolia would marry Bray Cole without knowing anything, have an unhappy married life, and die unjustly, trapped and burned in a mental hospital.

In the countless times of going back, there would never be a time when she became happy.

This was just once. Veronica helping Magnolia would never happen again, neither before nor after. So there was no need for thanks.

“Don’t expect me to help you again.”

Magnolia nodded at those words. I’m not sure if she understood well.

The two got up from the outdoor table to change the atmosphere and strolled through the garden.

It was already a summer day with sizzling heat.

The flower buds that hadn’t bloomed yet were now all stretching, and the garden was full of floral scents.

Standing in the middle of it all with an open parasol, a careful voice flowed in from the side.

“…Can’t we be friends now?”

When I turned my head, I saw an excited face watching for my reaction.

“Why?”

“Huh?”

“Before, you might have tried to win my favor because you needed someone to ask for help, but now there’s no need for that. The wedding issue is more or less settled, and there’s no reason for you to cater to me anymore.”

Everyone who approached her had a purpose.

They clung to her looks, background, status, wealth, and everything else useful about her.

What people wanted was clear, and only she didn’t know. She didn’t even realize they were catering to her and just enjoyed it. But Magnolia had no reason for that.

“You won’t see anything good by associating with me.”

Thanks to her quiet life lately, her reputation in social circles might have recovered somewhat from before, but there were still unfavorable views.

Noisy rumors persisted, and considering her future, it was decidedly not a good choice.

Veronica drew on her last bit of kindness to give her a chance to reconsider.

Magnolia hesitated and mumbled. As if she was about to make excuses, Veronica waved her hand. It meant there was no need to make excuses as she didn’t intend to rebuke her.

Veronica lowered her head. The shadow of the parasol roundly engulfed her.

The shadow was even more distinct in the bright light. She stared at her own shadow for a long time.

“…Last time, Miss Hardness, you said that you’re not a good person.”

Magnolia, who had been hesitating for a while, slowly spoke.

“At that time, when I heard that, I thought it didn’t matter if Miss Hardness wasn’t a good person. I’m not in a position to say much since I haven’t known Miss Hardness for long, but one thing is certain. I really like the current Miss Hardness. That’s why I want to become close to Miss Hardness!”

“…”

“Is, is this reason not good enough?”

It was just like her to blurt it out bravely and then immediately look for a reaction.

Veronica stared at the face that showed anxiety about being rejected and a small hint of expectation, then answered.

“No, it’s not.”

“Wh-why?”

“I don’t trust people.”

No one can be trusted. No one should be trusted.

Evidence that the Hardness family had formed a revolutionary army and led the assassination of the emperor always surfaced.

If one piece of evidence was eliminated, another would appear, and if that was eliminated, yet another piece of evidence would surface.

New evidence was continually being created. When there was no evidence, false witnesses were mobilized.

“I don’t trust anyone.”

Traitors existed everywhere.

The servants who had cared for her since she was a baby, the people she believed were friends, those who believed in and followed her father, people she met in distant rural lands, even the guards who protected her today could become traitors tomorrow.

She couldn’t let her guard down anywhere. That was why Veronica no longer had anyone to rely on emotionally.

“I don’t trust you either.”

Even love had betrayed her, let alone friendship, which was more insignificant than a flickering candle. To Veronica, everyone in this world was a traitor.

“So we can’t be friends.”

Every time she returned to being 16, Veronica reminded herself of what she had to do.

Protect her father. Trust no one. Hope for nothing. Don’t give up.

But now it’s different. She’s now just walking the predetermined future. There was no place for a person named ‘Magnolia Lining’ in it.

She had already confirmed multiple times that even if the process changed a bit, the result wouldn’t change.

What’s meant to happen will definitely happen, and one can’t escape the predetermined future. Veronica left an appropriate distance for her to escape.

Magnolia seemed surprised for a moment, then hardened her expression.

“I understand.”

Despite no particular explanation, the atmosphere was surprisingly acquiescent.

I thought she would insist on being friends until the end, but it was a smooth retreat. As Veronica looked at her suspiciously, Magnolia spoke again.

“You don’t have to trust me.”

Her quite serious face, as if it was okay, showed that she was sincere.

Veronica blinked her eyes at this unexpected demeanor. Magnolia mumbled again.

“Even if we’re not friends… can I call you by your name?”

She had already called her name several times, and it was ambiguous to refuse now.

In fact, it wasn’t much of a problem. Veronica nodded lightly. Magnolia’s face brightened up.

“Veronica.”

“Yes, Miss Lining.”

“Call me Magnolia too.”

“Alright, Magnolia.”

When I called her as she wanted, she let out a strange giggle.

I wonder why she’s laughing so happily just because I called her name, her reddened face sparkled under the sunlight.

It was a face brighter than the dazzling sunlight.

In fact, Veronica thought, Magnolia Lining could have been a person who could shine like this.

She wasn’t someone who should burn alone in flames and crumble into ashes.

Soon, she lowered her eyes. Light would never again settle on Magnolia’s life.

The bitterness of one who knows the ending stings the eyes more than the bright sunlight.

While quietly looking at the shadow on the ground, another shadow intruded from the side. Magnolia, who peeked her head out, smiled broadly.

“Even if we’re not friends, can I send you letters?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll reply too, right?”

“Not often, but I will.”

“Shall we go on an outing later? Let’s eat lots of delicious food and buy pretty dresses too.”

“Alright.”

“And let’s go on a picnic too! I know a good place!”

“If time allows.”

After that, she kept chattering about doing this and that.

They were all bothersome things, but not to the extent that I couldn’t listen. When I lightly agreed, Magnolia was genuinely happy.

The two were now standing under the same parasol.

“Even if we’re not friends, can I come over to play again?”

“Yes.”

“Come to think of it, I haven’t thanked the Duke yet!”

“At this hour, he’s probably in his office.”

“Really? Let’s go quickly!”

It wasn’t even an urgent matter, but Magnolia hurriedly pulled Veronica’s hand.

Grabbing the parasol that was about to fly back, Veronica raised her face.

Under the dazzling sunlight, Magnolia was smiling comfortably. A cheerful laugh echoed through the sweltering summer garden.