Third Arc: Eighth Chapter

Becoming friends with Lady Remie had given Anje the courage to face this world. And after she parted from Lady Remie, who went on toward Lumelica, she had taken a hard look at herself and, looking for a place to live, come to work at this inn. Anje told me all this with a calm expression.

"So that's how it was..."

"Yes. And so, to put things right for myself, I decided to apologize for everything up to now. I can't ask you to force yourself to forgive me, but... I am truly sorry."

With that, Anje bowed her head deeply again.

"...Please raise your head. I accept your apology."

"Lady Cosette... thank you..."

When Anje lifted her face, her eyes were a little wet with tears.

"A punishment for a crime is meant, at heart, to help the person mend their ways. You have been through so many hard things. You have already served your punishment, haven't you."

If Anje would live from here on with her face turned forward, I thought that would be a wonderful thing. As a fellow reincarnator, I could understand a little of how she felt.

"...Come to think of it, Anje, won't you be going to Lady Remie's wedding? That's what we're on our way to Lumelica for, in fact."

"Ah... the truth is, I have been invited. But I couldn't decide whether it was right for me to go, and I've been wavering all this time. And besides..."

At that point Anje shot me an awkward little glance.

Ah, I see. It was the wedding of Lady Remie, her first friend. Anje surely wanted to go. But since I had been invited, she might have been holding back on my account.

"...If you'd like, why don't we travel there together?"

"Are you sure?! Th-thank you..."

Anje laughed, truly delighted, and I couldn't help smiling along with her.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

"Sissi? What is it?"

"Milady, forgive me for interrupting, but the inn's landlady is here to see you..."

Perhaps because she'd cut into our talk, Sissi lowered her brows apologetically as she said it.