Aaron snuck up as he stared at Ian, who was different from usual.

"Oh, as expected of Annabelle. You recognized Ian right away. Seriously, you're a fool who only knows Ian Wade..."

"Cough, cough!"

Ian was trying to say something, but suddenly began to cough when Aaron said, 'a fool who only knows Ian Wade'.

Aaron naturally continued to talk.

"You are sad that you are being abandoned because they didn't need a water bottle used by the Knight Order for eight years. No one knew until now, but it must have been because of Ian's attachment to water bottles."

"Ah... Is that it?"

I said while looking at the water bottle rolling under Ian's feet.

"Why don't they need it anymore?"

"We're going to install a drinking fountain under that zelkova tree over there."

"Yeah. It was a little uncomfortable because there was no drinking fountain. It seems good for the knights."

"Oh my. I feel like you're talking to a complete knight. Eight years must not have been wasted. In that sense, aren't you going to fight today?"

"It's okay. What kind of confrontation will it be with a person who looks like he's been abandoned because of his attachment to water bottles?"

I bent down and picked up the water bottle.

I then put it in Ian's hand as it was. It was my last favor to give to those who would have nothing more to see.

"I didn't know you had an attachment to a water bottle. Be happy with it."

Finally, he tapped the back of his hand, and he was surprised and breathed.

"What? What is it?"

"Why are you... Your...hand...touch..."

We were all shocked to see him surprised. I said with a puzzled blink.

"Hmm... Is it something to freak out about even though I touch your hand during a match?""

Ian's ear tips, neck, and even cheeks were red.

"I like to tease Ian but..."

Aaron sighed lightly and said.

"If I tease him in this situation, it will be a personal matter, not a matter of sense. Now he's a bit shocked by his attachment to the water bottle, but he's still a great person."

"For example, this thief... When I keep looking at him, I remember."

He clapped his hands with an admiring look.

"My physical ability was pretty good, but Ian eliminated me in the first round. As expected, Ian, your eyes are amazing. How did you do it right away?"

Aaron's attempt to change the subject was successful.

Knights began to buzz and say things like, "'as expected, Ian, you're amazing,' and 'you have a precise human eye'.

"Let the Wades dispose of it first. I'm sure he's the criminal who sold the name."

Ian spoke bluntly while managing his facial expression.

Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any scratches on his pride.

I came to see Ian frustrated, but I only saw him grow taller and fuller.

"Then I'll get going."

Suddenly everything was boring, I roughly handed over the thief to Aaron and yawned.

"I'm not here to hear praise for Ian. I'm not really curious about what's after this."

"Wait, Miss Annabelle!"

Marilyn grabbed my arm.

It was a time when I was determined to say that they had no manners toward those who would dispose of criminals.

"Let's go together."

Marilyn said without hesitation.

"I am not interested in what will happen after that either."

Really... She was a person who really got along well with me.

~*~

When we left the thief there and sat in the wagon, it became quiet again.

Originally, the two of us had never been together alone since we always have been with Leslie, so it wouldn't be a very comfortable relationship, but there was a strange sense of unity, so it wasn't bad to be together.

"Is Nadit's mansion in Orbia? I'll drop you off there."

Marilyn spoke softly and I nodded.

Because there was no time to wander around anymore.

"Thank you so much for today, Miss Annabelle."

As she looked at me, she formally expressed her gratitude.

"Really, if Miss Annabelle had not come to the area by chance, he would not have been taken away. That thief was too fast for the servants to do anything."

"He was. But you must have been very surprised. It was a while, but you and the criminal were alone in the drawing room. It would have been better if Oscar had come."

I said as I recalled Oscar who I had seen at the Duke of Wades a long time ago.

He was a man of a great poker face, and the skill of handling a knife was really dazzling.

"Oscar? He wouldn't be able to do anything."

Marilyn looked into my eyes once and replied as if booing.

She seemed to have a different thought contrary to his sharp-looking appearance.

There was a slight silence in the carriage, as I had nothing more to say to her.

I too was just looking out the window while holding the sword for nothing.

"Miss Annabelle."

She looked at me and suddenly called my name quietly.

"I have one thing to confess."

The sun was setting, and the red sunlight was casting dark shadows on Marilyn's face.

My pale purple hair, which had a bunch of reddish tint, even looked like Marilyn's purple hair at first glance.

"For me? What?"

I asked without thinking and she smiled a little sadly.

"In the very beginning, I lied saying that I met Miss Annabelle about seven times."

Marilyn said calmly.

"Actually, I've seen you countless times. Even in the crowds in the street, you would stand out. As you saw earlier, our house and the Duke of Wade's residence are close. It is unavoidable that the lines overlap. But every time I just didn't feel good about you... so I just pretended not to know you."

"It's alright. Almost everyone thinks of me as an idiot..."

"No, it's not that, of the two children born that day at the hospital, my child died and only Caitlyn's child survived. I know, it's a nonsensical story. So please don't criticize me."

I had no intention of criticizing her, but Marilyn immediately shut down.

She was well aware of her shortcomings, but she had a reckless will to not to listen to others.

'Like me.'

Being able to understand her mind more than anyone else, I waited for the next words without criticizing her.

"If I were her, I wouldn't have raised my daughter like that, I wouldn't have made her so unhappy, but I would've just loved her plain existence..."

"..."

"If Miss Annabelle was growing up well with love and care, I wouldn't have had any thoughts, but I felt more unfair because you didn't. Looking at Ms. Annabelle reminded me of my daughter who died."

She swallowed a sigh and calm words followed.

"Whenever I saw Miss Annabelle, I was alone and hurt the whole time. After meeting Leslie, you were just an ordinary lady who was good to hang out with, but I was rude. After getting help from Miss Annabelle, I felt more embarrassed about myself."

There was a slight silence in the carriage.

I hesitated and courageously asked.

"Excuse me, but why did you have to say that to me?"

If it were me, I wouldn't tell you what I thought because I didn't have to.

"In order to treat a person sincerely, I don't think there should be anything hidden, no matter how dark the mind is. Don't you think we'll see each other more often?"

Nadit's mansion was visible in the distance.

Marilyn held my hand and smiled.

"Congratulations on your paternity test. You'll get recognized by your long-awaited family. Tomorrow, I will sincerely congratulate you."

Suddenly, my heart felt emotional.

Until now, I thought I was the only one who sincerely wanted my paternity test.

It was obvious that Marquis Abedes as well as Robert would be thinking of using me.

Reid also heard rumors and was not very happy to see if a sword competition bet would be made.

Of course, it was not good for me to be recognized by my family, but I also liked it because I had my eyes open only to inheritance rights.

But I couldn't believe there was someone who would sincerely congratulate me.

"On the day of the paternity test, Annabelle will wear my dress, right? There's clothes that I made for you."

Marilyn said with a smile.

"I'm happy that my clothes can be with you at a special moment. Tomorrow, I will sit in the front seat and bless Miss Annabelle's future."

Strangely, my heart tickled, and I blushed without realizing it.