𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞’𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝟐
Maurice continued impassively.
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“Marie Ange-sama despised suicide. She had told me that even if she were to be gone first, I should not follow her in death. That’s why I couldn’t die. I went mad, but not completely. If I had killed myself while mad, I would have broken my promise to her.”
“Is it that thing about not being able to meet in the next life if you commit suicide?”
“Exactly. I couldn’t even shorten my life with drink or bad living. It would lead to the ‘suicide’ she spoke of. I can’t just wait for my natural life to end! I want to see Marie Ange-sama! While I’m here, Marie Ange-sama is being reincarnated and waiting for me!!”
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The ropes binding Maurice creaked tightly. If he wasn’t tied, he would surely be pounding the ground.
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“That’s why I had to be killed! After meeting Dyson, I decided! I crafted poison with utmost care, hoping to be killed by someone who noticed it!”
“To be killed. . . you’re going to kill someone for that?!”
“Yes! If Dyson hadn’t come while I was mad, I would have made arrangements to be killed by some other cause! Of course, I would justify myself for self-defense! But still, I wanted to be killed!”
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It’s unbearable to be targeted for your life.
Maurice’s maniacal laughter continued, and it seemed so eerie that I couldn’t help but step back. A warm hand was placed on my back.
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“Roa-sama. . .”
“I’m sorry, Alice. I’ve involved you again because of my circumstances.”
“No. . . no! The one who’s suffering the most here is Roa-sama!”
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I glared at Maurice, who was coughing from laughing too much, trying to look as intimidating as possible.
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“Then why did you go outside? Even threatening Dyson! If you were being careful, it would have been best not to leave the lab!”
“To search for Marie Ange-sama!”
“What?”
“Marie Ange-sama has been reincarnated and is waiting for me! She must be near me! I couldn’t meet Marie Ange-sama if I stayed in the lab!”
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Marie Ange-sama died 12 years ago.
If she has been reincarnated, it wouldn’t be strange if she was somewhere nearby.
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Maurice stopped all movement and looked at me. Even with a blindfold, I felt a sticky gaze fixed on me.
I clung to Roa-sama without thinking, and he gently placed a hand on my arm.
. . .A warm, large hand. Roa-sama, who never forgets to care, is trembling slightly.
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. . .Yes, the reason Maurice is talking right now is that I am responding to him. If I am frightened, nothing will progress.
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I don’t know if Roa-sama is holding anger or fear, but I want him to stay as calm as possible.
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“. . .Are you, Marie Ange-sama?”
“. . .What?”
“Aren’t you Marie Ange-sama?!”
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Maurice’s body moved towards me for a moment but was quickly restrained.
Scary!! How can he think I’m Marie Ange-sama?!
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“Marie Ange-sama said that she would be by my side if she was reincarnated!”
“I’m 18 years old! I was 6 when Marie Ange-sama passed away!”
“Maybe Marie Ange-sama’s consciousness is sleeping deep inside you?!”
“Eek!”
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I involuntarily let out a scream unbecoming of a young lady, but no one blamed me.
It’s disgusting how it’s still squirming despite being restrained. It’s a bit like a zombie.
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“Marie Ange-sama had said it! Next time, she would become an ordinary girl with brown hair and eyes!”
“Hey, isn’t that a bit rude to me?!”
“You asserted that there is an afterlife! And that you’re by Linus’s side! Marie Ange-sama had said she wanted to spend more time with children! So, aren’t you with Linus now because of Marie Ange-sama’s will?”
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I could feel Roa-sama’s body tensing up awkwardly.
My head heats up in anger, and rage races through my body.
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“Don’t joke around! I’m with Roa-sama by my own will! It’s natural to want to be with the person you love! Even if I could redo the past, I would choose to be a kitchen maid in the Fourth Knight Order! Because I want to meet Roa-sama and everyone else!”
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My whole body is burning. My face is aflame with anger.
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“I stand here now, thanks to everyone I met in the Fourth Knight Order! There’s no room for the feelings of a Marie Ange-sama I’ve never met! I am here of my own will, for Roa-sama!”
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The nails of my tightly clenched hands are digging in painfully.
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“. . .Is that so.”
“Ah. . .”
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Realizing that Maurice is disheartened, my head cools down rapidly.
I blew it! If I had lied about being the reincarnation of Marie Ange-sama, I could have gotten information!
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“. . .I know about reincarnation. Maybe from now on, I might recall something about Marie Ange-sama.”
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Well, I’m not lying.
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“Really?!”
“Yes. If you tell me about Dyson and the poison, I’ll try to remember. After all, Marie Ange-sama might be inside me without my knowing. Maybe she only comes out while I’m asleep at night.”
“Marie Ange-sama!”
“Please don’t come any closer!”
“Alright, I’ll tell you everything I know! Just let me see Marie Ange-sama!”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
“You better, alright?!”
“I’ll consider it.”
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And with that, Maurice was taken away quietly. It seemed to be a hassle for those taking notes as he talked about Dyson.
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“. . .I’m sorry, Roa-sama. I wish I could have done better. . .”
“Alice!”
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I was hugged so tightly, I couldn’t breathe.
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“Alice. . .Alice. . .!”
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Why am I being embraced by Roa-sama. . .?
There’s a firm yet yielding chest before me, and I’m held tight by strong arms. . .! Why?!
I could feel my body stiffening all at once. It’s not discomfort, it’s excessive tension.
It’s impossible not to feel tense when hugged by the person you like! And in such a situation, Roa-sama smells good. . .! My heart feels like it’s going to leap out of my mouth! Help me, Thor!
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“. . .Thank you. Just those words, I am. . .”
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Roa-sama, who had fallen silent after that, was trembling slightly, so I put my hand on his back.
Gently stroking his back, just the act of tightening the hug without saying anything, as if comforting Thor with a pat, pat, on the back, I was abruptly pushed away.
Roa-sama’s face, holding my shoulders, was as red as I’ve never seen before.
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“. . .I’ve shown you a disgraceful side of myself.”
“No, it’s fine, I’m glad you’ve calmed down.”
“. . .I’m going to check on Maurice.”
“Please be careful.”
“Yeah.”
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Even I, watching him go, felt as red as if I had come down with a fever.
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