The party ended as all noble gatherings do: with fake smiles, sweet wine, and cold glances once backs were turned.
I was tired.
Not from the walking or the conversations, but from playing a role I'd worn once before. The "Evelyne Ardent" they expected—the one who smiled with perfect posture and hid her soul behind her lashes.
I slipped away into the manor's servant wing, a part of the estate I never would have dared to enter in my first life.
This time, I followed instinct.
The voices were low, angry.
"She spilled on the Countess' shoes!"
"She's a charity case, that's what she is."
"She won't last a week here—"
The sound of a slap echoed.
I turned the corner sharply.
A group of girls stood in a tight circle—well-dressed, but not nobility. Likely daughters of lower-ranking knights or merchants, brought in to serve and learn court etiquette.
At the center of the circle, on her knees, was a small girl with ash-blonde hair and trembling fingers. Her pale blue dress was stained with juice. Her cheek was red.
She didn't cry.
She just kept her head down, as if shrinking would make her invisible.
"Enough."
My voice cut through the hallway like frost.
The girls startled. One of them gasped when they saw me.
"L-Lady Evelyne—"
I walked forward, slow and measured. "Are you aware that assaulting another girl on Ardent grounds is punishable by removal from the program?"
They paled.
"She's just a—"
"I don't care what she is," I said sharply. "Clean up your mess and leave. Now."
They scattered like leaves in the wind.
Only the girl remained.
I crouched beside her slowly, reaching into the sleeve of my dress for a handkerchief.
"Hold still," I said softly, pressing the cloth to her cheek.
She flinched—but didn't pull away.
"…thank you," she whispered. Her voice was light and trembling.
"What's your name?"
"…Elisse."
The name struck me like lightning.
Elisse Marwen.
In my past life, she had risen from a common girl to the Crown Prince's most beloved companion—the star of every banquet, the light of every room.
And the one they said I hated most.
"I'm Evelyne," I said. "You'll be seeing me often."
She looked up, confused. "Why?"
"Because I've decided something," I said, offering my hand.
She stared at it. Then, slowly, took it.
"I'm going to protect you," I told her.
No one would hurt her again.
Not like before.
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