TRWTVPS 09

Chapter 9

“Ferdin… is that really okay?”

“I’m keeping an eye on it too.”

From a short distance away, Lilia was watching the two siblings with a subtle, ambiguous smile on her lips.

It was impossible to tell what she was thinking, but one thing was certain—there was no sincerity in that smile.

Derek felt a chill run down his spine.

From the missions they had completed together, he knew very well that this was exactly the expression Lilia made when she was truly angry.

“Erin Rissus and Lilia can’t coexist. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but once this subjugation ends, you’ll have to choose.”

“……”

“No matter what things are like now, the past doesn’t disappear. Especially not when public opinion about her is involved.”

At Derek’s words, Ferdin slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again.

“If that past… is a lie, then who compensates for it?”

“What?”

“Have you ever actually seen Erin committing those cruel acts yourself?”

Derek couldn’t understand what Ferdin was saying.

“There’s a little villainess in the Rissus Marquis household.”

“I heard the servants there change every single day because of her.”

Those were the kinds of stories they had always heard growing up.

Even without paying attention, they had picked up bits and pieces from maids or their parents—stories about how far a child their own age could fall.

But what if, as Ferdin said, those stories weren’t true?

Derek’s hand trembled slightly.

If he were accused of something he never did, and faced criticism from countless strangers… would he be able to endure it?

No—that was going too far.

Derek steadied himself. He hadn’t only heard about Erin’s actions—he had met the victim himself.

Right in front of him stood someone who had been hurt by Erin’s greatest crime.

Derek’s face hardened.

“The biggest victim is right here. She… killed someone.”

“……”

“You shouldn’t say that in front of Lilia.”

But Ferdin didn’t respond.

* * *

The first and second days passed without incident.

Occasionally, monsters appeared, but they were nothing more than small creatures like goblins.

They were easily handled by the trainee knights without the need for actual knights to step in.

During that time, Caron felt a strange sense of unease about Erin.

It wasn’t that she had done anything in particular. There simply hadn’t been any need for her to act.

What bothered him was that she showed absolutely no fear of monsters.

He had mentally prepared himself.

He had been ready for her to scream, cry, or insist on returning to the academy.

But she did none of those things.

Instead, she behaved like a seasoned knight, finding ways to make herself useful.

When monsters appeared, she moved to positions where she wouldn’t get in the way, and in the evenings, she helped the other students prepare meals at camp.

And that made things even stranger.

She can cook?

Caron was shocked as he watched her skillful movements.

And she knows how to ride a horse…

Erin had never done anything in her life beyond what was expected of a proper lady.

Her stepmother valued ladylike behavior above all else, and even rebellious Erin had always quietly obeyed that one rule.

“A lady doesn’t do such things. Erin, you’re a lady.”

Every time she tried to do something, her stepmother would appear and say those words.

Caron scooped up some of the stew Erin had made and tasted it.

Then he was shocked once again.

It’s actually good!

It was certainly a good thing for Erin to try new things with her own hands.

But how could she be so good at things she had never done before?

Caron stared at Erin as she ate her stew.

“How is life in the swordsmanship department?”

“It’s manageable.”

“Isn’t it hard to keep up with the classes?”

“Not really.”

The training in the swordsmanship department was notoriously harsh.

Especially under Instructor Edward, who was known for pushing students mercilessly.

There was no way Erin wouldn’t find it difficult.

At this point, Caron wasn’t even sure who the person in front of him was.

Was she really the Erin he knew?

Or had someone else taken over his sister’s body?

“Seems like your appetite’s just fine.”

Caron’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, arrogant voice.

As always, his sister seemed to have far too many enemies.

Caron let out a deep sigh.

Turning toward the voice, he saw Amon glaring at Erin with undisguised contempt.

Caron answered instead.

Tilting his head slightly, he replied,
“So she’s not allowed to eat either?”

“No, it’s more like… she’s got quite the stomach. Or maybe she’s just shameless. Eating so well even with Lilia right in front of her.”

“Stop picking a fight, Sir Amon.”

Amon smirked.

“Come on, it’s true. A murderer living comfortably is one thing—but watching her eat like that right in front of us makes me want to say something.”

“You know they say even dogs aren’t bothered while eating… Guess you’re worse than a dog, Sir Amon.”

At Caron’s sharp retort, Amon’s expression stiffened.

The atmosphere of the subjugation party instantly turned tense.

The clinking of utensils and the murmur of conversation disappeared as if washed away.

Normally, Caron would have ignored a situation like this.

Erin had done something wrong, after all. If she committed a crime, it was only natural she should bear the consequences.

I can understand why Amon is acting like this.

The trainee knights under Ferdin had spent years together at the Atens Academy.

Lilia and Amon were comrades who had completed many missions together and survived life-and-death situations side by side.

It was only natural that Amon would lash out at Erin, thinking of Lilia’s feelings.

The atmosphere grew more hostile. Some of the knights watching even began to whistle.

Seeing the amusement on their faces made Caron even more irritated.

If his stepmother were here, she would have stopped him from confronting Amon.

“That was Erin’s fault. You have to understand how people feel.”

But Caron didn’t want to do that.

Ever since he was very young, he had been like this.

No matter what Erin did, he didn’t want to criticize her.

If anyone was going to insult her, it would be him—not someone else.

Caron placed his hand on his sword. Amon did the same.

Tension hung thick in the air.

Just as Amon was about to draw his sword—

“Amon, stop.”

Ferdin grabbed his hand.

Amon looked at him in disbelief, his eyes trembling slightly.

“Ferdin… don’t tell me you’re taking that villainess’s side?”

* * *

Erin had never resisted people’s accusations.

She simply accepted her fate in silence.

From living both as Erin Rissus and in the modern world, she had learned one thing—

No matter how much she spoke, people would never listen.

Looking at Amon, Erin recalled the past.

“I… I didn’t kill him.”

But there was one difference now.

Back then, it wasn’t just Amon accusing her—it was a group of unknown swordsmanship students.

They had dragged her, trembling with fear, out of a carriage.

“I didn’t kill Calyps… It wasn’t me…”

“Murderer! Don’t lie.”

“Do you have any idea how much Lilia is suffering because of you?”

“A fake knight, what did we expect?”

Recalling those words, Erin turned her gaze to Ferdin.

Back then, too, he had stood in front of her to protect her.

And then Caron, who had arrived late after understanding the situation, had driven them all away.

Erin knew how that had ended.

The more Ferdin defended her, the worse his reputation became.

As if someone had orchestrated it, it always turned out that way.

This subjugation would be the turning point where Ferdin lost the trust of the knights.

Even now, Amon’s face was filled with a sense of betrayal as he looked at him.

Erin looked at the two men standing between her and Amon.

But there was one thing they didn’t know.

She was no longer someone who would hide behind others.

In this life, she intended to step forward and face every hardship head-on.

“Sir Amon.”

At her quiet voice, everyone’s attention turned to her.

Her steps, slow at first, gradually quickened.

Before anyone realized it, Erin was standing right in front of Amon.

Beside her, she could feel Ferdin watching her with an unreadable expression.