After the argument with Rumi in the Empress Dowager’s palace, I decided to give up on being her supporter completely.

I was tired of being dragged along by Rumi’s pace and realized that no matter how hard I tried, I never received any appreciation.

I concluded that there was no need to maintain a relationship with Rumi, especially since my initial goal of taking her back to the real world was wavering.

Whether it was conquering the prince or anything else, she could try it on her own. I decided to step back.

My feelings towards Rumi had moved beyond anger to a sense of emptiness and even betrayal.

But if I’m to be precise, Rumi never really wanted my help from the start. I had interjected myself into her plan to conquer the villainess novel on her own. From Rumi’s perspective, my intrusion was just something to be exploited to her advantage.

Likewise, while pretending to help her, I had only been scheming to return to the real world.

Our relationship falling apart was an inevitable outcome.

After that, Rumi disappeared for a while.

When I casually inquired about her from a passing maid, it seemed she had really quit her job as the Empress Dowager’s aide. Reportedly, the Duke of Mecklinger himself had met with the Empress Dowager to submit Rumi’s resignation.

I thought she might engage in other social activities even if she didn’t come to the palace, but apparently, she had cut off all external activities and was staying shut in.

Once, I overheard a conversation while passing by.

“The proud lady seems to have been seriously scolded by His Highness, doesn’t she?”

“She’s locked herself in her room and doesn’t come out at all, they say.”

I was struck with fear. Could she be attempting suicide?

Although I had completely withdrawn from helping Rumi, I didn’t wish for her to fall into despair and turn her back on the world again.

Rumi in this world had much more than the Rumi in real life.

She was the sole daughter of the Mecklinger family, considered the noblest among the empire’s aristocracy, and possessed stunning beauty. Even her frivolous jokes were met with roaring laughter and admiration in social circles.

Even if she missed out on Klaus, she could lead a glamorous life here.

“So why can’t she open her eyes and see what’s around her!”

I was frustrated. In real life, Rumi’s vision was always focused solely on herself. Though she was a bit better when undergoing hospital treatment, she was always inconsistent about it, receiving treatment sometimes, and other times not.

The most pitiable people, in my eyes, were Rumi’s parents. Unlike my friends and me, who could simply sever ties in the worst case, her parents didn’t have that option.

They desperately tried to make their only daughter function properly, clinging to me, her last remaining friend, and asking me to kindly take care of Rumi. I couldn’t turn a blind eye to Rumi’s parents.

But this wasn’t real life. Rumi’s parents weren’t here. So, there was no one to console Rumi in her despair and anchor her to life.

“It’s worrisome.”

I didn’t want Rumi to give up on her second life. And I definitely didn’t want Klaus or me to be the reason for it.

After all, wasn’t it Klaus who was tormented all night just for having respectfully rejected Rumi’s feelings? If, by any chance, Rumi did something drastic because of her broken heart, Klaus would blame himself even more. He might live his life feeling like a criminal for rejecting her feelings.

“I have no choice.”

In the end, I headed to the post office.

I had to prevent Rumi from doing something rash. Not for me, not even for her, but purely for Klaus.

I didn’t want to see him suffering because of Rumi.

After sending a telegram to Rumi, I went to the knights’ training ground for the first time in a while, seeking solace for my troubled heart.
It was late at night and no one else was around. I quietly picked up a bow in the empty training ground.

With a sharp twang, the arrow soared and hit the target perfectly.

“Ha, haha.”

Archery was the one thing in this life I couldn’t control, where everything went as I intended. It helped clear my mind and was excellent for physical training.

I took a deep breath and, holding it, I released another arrow.

“Phew…”

Only after releasing the bowstring did I exhale. The arrow had again hit the center of the target.

I walked over to the target and pulled out the arrow with effort.

“You’re here, Myuzel.”

Startled by the sudden voice, I turned around. Klaus was standing there, casually dressed, with his arms crossed.

“When did you arrive?”

“Just now. I felt someone’s presence while taking a walk and decided to check it out.”

Klaus sat down on a chair placed in a corner of the training ground.

“It’s late. Haven’t you slept yet?”

“There’s too much on my mind.”

Klaus smiled faintly.

“You seem troubled too, coming to the training ground at this hour.”

“Haha.”

I laughed it off.

But Klaus didn’t seem to buy it.

“Is it because of that friend from your hometown?”