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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 249: Confession Under the Starry Sky

It had already been two days since that day I was outsmarted by Kamael.

After finishing shopping with Mother, I hurried straight to Kamael’s room, but there was no one there; just a letter and what looked like documents were left on the table.

‘I’ve decided to leave, having seen something good last time. You can ask the Saintess for details about the Clan Kingdom. And I’m leaving behind the evidence documents obtained from the Clan Kingdom, so you can do as you wish. Oh, I haven’t forgotten about the reward either; make sure to handle that when the time comes. Well then, have a great summer vacation. From Kamael, who will never forget your utterly regretful expression.’

“Damn it. That guy just ran away!”

I was left with a feeling of frustration due to being effectively defeated, so I burned the letter to release some of that pent-up emotion and took a deep breath to clear my head.

After glancing over the remaining document, I called for Sephiria, who also looked tired, and listened to her discuss the Clan Kingdom, then reported back to Father along with the documents.

In the next two days, I was called by Mother at every opportunity and turned into a dress-up doll in the form of Luna, while Father watched our exchanges with amusement, leading to quite tiring days.

Today, Mother took Fiera and the others to the lake to cool off, and I finally took the chance to relax, lying in bed without moving an inch.

“Lewis, are you in there? I’m coming in!”

Without knocking, the door swung open as Sonia entered, unreservedly.

“Huh? What’s up?”

“Your attitude really stinks.”

“Shut up. I’m tired thanks to Kamael.”

“Geez. I think that’s partly due to your daily actions.”

Sonia approached the bed, sat on the edge, and leaning on her hands, looked down at me.

“Your hair is tickling me.”

“Oh please. Just touching my hair should earn you some gratitude. I don’t let anyone but family or maids touch it so casually.”

“Is that so? By the way, why are you here? Didn’t you go to the lake with Mother?”

I didn’t remember the details of what was discussed, but yesterday, Mother said she’d take everyone to the lake, so Sonia shouldn’t have been here.

“I turned that down.”

“You turned it down? Why?”

“I thought to go out with you instead.”

“Huh?”

“I thought to go out with you instead.”

“Yeah, I heard you loud and clear.”

I couldn’t tell if she was misunderstanding something or doing this on purpose, but she repeated the same thing while staring intently at me.

“What I want to know is why I have to go to town with you.”

“Well, maybe it’s a date?”

“That makes even less sense. You don’t like me in a romantic way, do you?”

“I do! If you ask me if it’s as heavy as with Fiera and the others, I’d say it’s a bit different, but ever since that day you helped me, I’ve admired and longed for you, the magician named Lewis. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have thought to follow you to the Suzette Imperial Academy.”

“That’s just confusing admiration for romantic feelings.”

“Who knows? But even if that’s the case, what’s wrong with that? Sure, typically people consider admiration and romantic feelings separately, but that’s just a general idea, right? Like how you might find yourself unconsciously attracted to someone you initially hated as you get to know them better; I bet there’s a romance that starts from admiration too.”

“Ugh. That example feels a bit off.”

“Who cares? There’s no clear answer or shape to human emotions. Deciding what those feelings are is up to the person, and it’s up to me. So, this feeling is definitely a liking for you and is romantic. After all, I want to be with you more than anyone else.”

Indeed, Sonia was right; there was no clear answer or shape to emotions.

In reality, one could mix up fear-induced palpitations with those felt after being rescued, mistaking them for romantic feelings.

However, Sonia, who so clearly understood her feelings, seemed unrelated to such misunderstandings, leaving me questioning if it was really romantic affection.

“So what if I said I was leaving you and going far away?”

“Of course, I’d find and chase after you. Honestly, I might even consider kidnapping you beforehand.”

“Ha ha. Kidnapping, huh?”

“Well, rest easy, I really have no intention of doing that. I know you don’t like being tied down to anything, and I like free and fun Lewis. I won’t force my opinions on you like I did in the past. I intend to witness the end of the path you walk.”

“I see.”

Thinking back, it had been a while since I had talked like this with Sonia. Compared to our time at the magic academy, it felt like her values and way of thinking had broadened and freed up significantly.

“So? Will you go on a date with me?”

“Ugh. I guess I have no choice. Then, can we consider this your promised reward?”

“Sounds good.”

“Got it.”

Since I had promised everyone that reward, I had no reason to refuse if Sonia wanted this date as her reward.

Seemingly satisfied with my answer, Sonia got off the bed and said she’d go prepare, then left the room.

“Ugh. I should get changed too.”

After rolling around on the bed for a bit, unable to get my heavy body up, I finally changed into some commoner clothes, used my disguise magic, and waited in front of the mansion for Sonia to arrive.

“So, where are you taking me today?”

“I didn’t decide on anything special since it was sudden, but let’s start with a bookstore.”

“A bookstore?”

“Yup. You like wizardry books, right? We have plenty at the mansion collected due to Father’s hobby, but a bookstore might have the latest or hidden gems. It’s perfect to kill some time.”

“I don’t like your expression of ‘killing time,’ but okay.”

Lately, it seemed Sonia had been learning close combat from Fiera and the others, but it was clear she still fundamentally loved magic.

She always read books about magic in the past, and even now, she was often seen reading whenever she had time, so her thirst for knowledge about magic hadn’t changed.

“By the way, why are you dressed so noticeably?”

“Noticeable?”

“Very much so! Look around—girls’ eyes are all on you.”

Today’s disguise involved tying my bright red hair back into a ponytail and coloring my eyes deep orange.

When it comes to disguises without a specific goal, I just decide based on my mood for the day, hence this coloring today.

“Well, it seems you’re noticeable too.”

“Ha ha. I hate to say it, but I have a decent face. Well, not as good as Lewis’s, though.”

Sonia had braids falling to her shoulders and wore some round glasses that I assumed she got from somewhere.

“How do I look? Do I seem a bit more pure?”

“Well, you look like a girl who reads a lot of books, for sure.”

“Good to hear.”

Sonia said that and casually wrapped her arm around mine, leaning close as if to flaunt it to those around us.

“You’re getting a bit too close.”

“Come on, it’s better this way to avoid annoying stares.”

Indeed, as she had said, by linking arms, those who had been watching us seemed to give up and looked away, lightening the unwanted feeling we previously had.

“Ugh. Fine, whatever.”

“Ha ha. I love how quickly you understand, Lewis. Now, let’s hurry to the bookstore!”

“Alright, alright.”

So I took Sonia, who was grinning happily, to the bookstore, spending quite a while there until the sun began to set, and then we left the shop.

“Ah, I got some good purchases.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Yup. Thanks for the great bookstore recommendation! So, what should we do next?”

“Not particularly thinking of anything.”

“In that case, let’s explore the town! I heard there’s a festival at the Adventurers’ Guild today!”

“A festival, huh. I do remember something about that.”

In the Valentine Duchy, due to many people gathering in summer, a summer festival is held to entertain them.

(Nostalgic. I had been too uninterested to remember, but I recall going with Iris once.)

That was during a time when my relationship with Iris was still good, so it was probably before attending the second cycle of the academy, but I remembered taking Iris along to check out that festival.

“Unbelievable. It’s your own territory, and you forget about a huge event like this?”

“Can’t help it. I wasn’t that interested.”

“Geez. Well, whatever. More importantly, let’s enjoy the festival together!”

I had no idea what would be enjoyable, but being pulled along by Sonia, I ended up diving into the crowd, buying whatever she wanted or felt like eating.

As the sun set and the sky darkened, large flowers bloomed in the night sky, coloring it brightly.

“Beautiful… What is that?”

“Fireworks. By applying fire magic to a special magical tool, various shapes can color the sky like that.”

“So magic can be used that way too.”

“Yeah. But it might be a bit hard to see.”

Fireworks launched at the end of the festival are a main event, so many people stopped to gaze up at the sky.

As a result, Sonia, who was shorter than me, had a bit of trouble seeing, stretching herself up to get a better view.

“Guess I’ll have to help. Sonia, wrap your arms around my body.”

“Huh?”

“Do it quickly! Otherwise, you’ll miss it!”

“F-fine!”

Though flustered, Sonia leaned into me and wrapped her arms around me. I then held her waist tightly and used flight magic.

“Eek!”

Sonia gasped in surprise at suddenly floating but was quickly engulfed by the view before her.

“It’s really beautiful…”

“How’s that? Easier to see now?”

“Yeah! Much better!”

“Alright.”

We floated in the air, enjoying the fireworks until they ended, lingering in the sky for a while afterwards.

“Thanks, Lewis. This has been a wonderful memory.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Your final gesture was perfect too… Really, I like that about you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

After a quiet while of Sonia staring at the night sky, she slowly began to speak, almost as if confirming something.

“I really do like you, Lewis. Sure, I admire your magic, but putting that aside, I want to be by your side. At first, I couldn’t understand you, and my inability to accept it led to dismissal, but now, I think your way of living is wonderful.”

“Interesting. A death wish like mine? You were so dismissive before.”

“True. But I realize now that my world was just too narrow. Meeting various people as an adventurer and leaving the country to gain worldly knowledge made me realize that I had only been living in my small bubble.”

“Have you changed since then?”

“Well… It’s hard to say if I’ve changed perfectly. The values from my past are still part of who I am today. But my inner world has definitely broadened. At least, I’ve realized that constantly fleeing isn’t an option, and that if I’m going to kill someone, I have to gamble with my own life as well. But still, I doubt I’ll ever understand the mindset of someone like you who wishes for death.”

“I see.”

Sonia’s perception isn’t wrong; rather, the lifestyle of someone who seeks death, like me, is probably incorrect in essence.

Yet, she was now trying to accept my values without denying them, and it seemed like she was genuinely thinking about the differences in our perspectives.

“That’s why I want to stay by your side and understand you better from now on.”

“Well, you can do as you wish. Just know that I’m not going to reciprocate your feelings.”

“I know. But, just like my values have changed, I believe I can change your thoughts someday.”

“Is that so?”

“Hehe. One day, I’ll definitely make you fall for me, and after I die, I’ll make you cry from loneliness. So this is just the first step towards that.”

Sonia said this and brought her face close to mine, gently kissing my cheek.

“You…”

“How was that? Did it make your heart race?”

“…Ugh. Not at all.”

“Oh dear, that’s unfortunate. It was my first kiss after all. But then again, I haven’t managed to get to Fiera and the others yet, so I guess it can’t be helped. But I want to enjoy this sky travel a little longer. Today isn’t over yet, and I’d like you to escort me more.”

“Fine, fine.”

Wishing with no real regret despite her disappointment, I thought how selfish she was, then took her along on a journey through the night sky.

Tonight, the moon was hidden due to the new moon, but despite that, the night sky sprinkled with stars was beautiful, and Sonia chuckled joyfully as she gazed at those stars.

 

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