---
Upon hearing these words, Relia dropped the paper from her hands and turned her head toward Regis with resentful eyes.
"And who decided to say that you have no importance?!" Relia said angrily.
"What…?"
"It's not their right to determine your worth or not! Your path is still long; no one can know! Perhaps you will become someone great in the future!" Relia said heatedly to Regis, who remained stunned as he watched her.
"And what makes you so sure I'll become someone great in the future?"
"Because… I don't know either. But as long as there's even a chance you'll be someone wonderful, then it's worth holding on to."
Those big words from Relia made Regis's eyes sparkle for the first time in a long while.
"You really are…" Regis said, looking at Relia with shining eyes.
"I think I got a little carried away," Relia murmured, rubbing her face in embarrassment as she realized what she had just said.
"Thank you," Regis said with a warm smile.
"I-I didn't really do anything," Relia stammered, shocked by his warm smile, yet she couldn't help but feel happy that she had managed to encourage him.
"So then, I guess we're friends now," Relia said cheerfully.
"Of course!" Regis replied with a smile.
---
"It seems I'm late!... I must return before the banquet ends," Relia said as she realized how much time had passed.
"So… this is farewell?" Regis muttered with a frown.
"Unfortunately… it is," Relia replied quietly.
"Can't we meet more freely? Outside the Imperial Palace?" Regis asked.
"What?"
"I mean… we could meet and chat from time to time, if it doesn't bring you any trouble."
"Oh, that's fine… where could we meet?"
"Anywhere you wish," Regis answered. Relia thought for a moment about a suitable place, and then remembered the café near the Orbil Newspaper headquarters.
"What about Spoon Café? We could meet every two weeks," Relia suggested. Regis froze for a moment before replying.
"A good choice."
Relia was puzzled by his odd reaction.
Why is everyone acting so strangely today? she wondered inwardly, but decided to ignore it.
"Then, goodbye… see you in two weeks," Relia said with a gentle smile, and Regis returned the same smile.
---
"Do you feel better now?" Rosalyn asked with concern.
"Yes… don't worry. I feel much better than before," Relia reassured her.
"There's little time left before the banquet ends. What do you think about speaking with Bernard now?" Rosalyn whispered into Relia's ear, reminding her of their agreement.
"Oh yes! Thank you for reminding me, Rose."
"My pleasure."
---
"Good evening, Mr. Bernard," Relia greeted him with a smile.
"Oh, good evening, Miss Relia," Bernard replied with a broad smile.
Mr. Bernard is an old acquaintance of mine, so talking with him will be easy, Relia thought confidently.
"Could we talk privately about what Rosalyn mentioned to you?"
"Yes, of course. We can talk on the balcony—there's no one there."
"Then please," Relia said, and they walked to a balcony on the second floor of the hall.
"About the Orbil Newspaper," Relia whispered.
"Rosalyn told me you've been inquiring about it."
"Yes… in fact, I wanted to join, and I heard you're also deeply involved with it."
"Oh yes… actually, I'm the assistant to the chief editor of Orbil," Bernard admitted, leaving Relia stunned.
"W-what??"
Bernard is the assistant to the chief editor of Orbil?! Relia thought, unable to fully believe it. And why would he so carelessly reveal such a secret to her?
"I know it's surprising… but it's the truth."
"But why did you join the newspaper?" Relia asked, her mind full of questions.
"It's because of a contract between me and the chief," Bernard said honestly, and Relia understood.
"So that's how it is… but why trust me with your secret?" Relia murmured in embarrassment.
"Simply because… I know Relia would never betray a secret. Relia is sincere and hates hypocrisy," Bernard said softly, making Relia blush.
"Ahh… thank you. But I'm not really such a great person…"
"The lady underestimates herself… such humility," Bernard smiled, which made Relia even more flustered.
"A-anyway… how can I apply to join the newspaper?"
"You may come anytime you wish and sign the contract… but why does the lady wish to join?"
"It's… it's for the sake of my own dream," Relia murmured. Bernard was surprised for a moment, then smiled warmly.
"That sounds wonderful," he said, and Relia smiled back.
"Then, Mr. Bernard… I'll see you in two weeks from now."
"Alright then, farewell. I must be going now," Bernard said as he left. Relia waved at him.
---
"Could it be possible… that my dream might one day come true?"
Relia whispered to herself as she stood alone, gazing at the calm, cold night.
Then she smiled faintly, answering herself.
"I can reach it… I can reach the road to freedom."
She whispered softly, just before hearing footsteps approaching.
Without turning her head, she already knew who they belonged to.
"Oh, my beautiful little Relia~ You've grown so much since the last time we met."
"Hello, Aunt. Of course, it has been a whole year since our last meeting."
Relia turned toward the woman with brown hair and violet eyes—her aunt Beatrice, the Count Peros's wife.
"Ahh yes, it's been so long. You must have missed your aunt as much as I missed you~" the beautiful woman said with seemingly innocent eyes.
"Of course! How could I not miss my only aunt?" Relia said with a fake smile on her face.
For she knew her aunt was as sly as a snake… never revealing what lay beneath. So Relia always put on the act of a sweet, affectionate niece in front of her.
"I'm glad Relia feels the same way I do!♡" Beatrice said with feigned kindness, before turning her gaze toward the boy who had come looking for them.
"And I believe James also misses Relia."
As soon as her aunt spoke those words, Relia turned her head toward the boy who greatly resembled his mother.
"Hello, James," Relia said enthusiastically, hiding her indifference toward them both.
"H-hel…hello R-Relia," the boy stuttered nervously, fidgeting with his clothes.
Honestly… how pitifully naïve, Relia thought inwardly, though she kept her cheerful expression.
"Well… James seems a little nervous, so I hope you'll forgive him," the woman murmured awkwardly.
"That's alright… I know James is a little shy, so please don't be nervous. I understand perfectly," Relia said gently, her eyes full of understanding—though deep down, she only wanted to leave them both as quickly as possible.
---
What do you expect for the upcoming events? (: