…Somehow, I knew about what Noel was saying .     

“Your safety is secondary to Hamuti-sama, which is not a problem for him . Although I believe there is an added danger of not knowing how the other side would react to the situation . The same things can be said about Otland-sama and Ordias-sama . Right now, you don’t have any real ally around you . ” (Noel)

I bit my lip .

From the beginning, I don’t think Hamuti-sama is kind enough to care about me . I knew he only contacted me because it benefits him .

Until the reality of it was pointed out by Noel, I didn’t really understand it .

It wasn’t shocking that I’m being treated as a “decoy” .

More than that, I’m surprised Noel was trying to be on my side .

Even when I’m in this position, he took the risk to come out at night to try to help me .

…I’m no longer a person worth protecting…

Noel seemed to be annoyed at my silence .

He put his hand on my shoulder .

There is a strong pressure in his hand .

“Haruka, let’s get out of here . We’ll figure things out afterwards . ” (Noel)

At that moment, the bracelet that I’m wearing on my left hand started to light up .

The light was pulsing slowly .

It’s the bracelet that Ordias-sama said to always wear .

Since I wore it like I was told, I almost forgot it existed .

This bracelet will tell Ordias-sama if there is someone dangerous around me .

I’m in danger!

Even when I didn’t explain it, Noel seemed to figure out what it is .

He tsked and released his hand on my shoulder . Isn’t he supposed to be the living symbol of a gentleman?

“Noel, I understand the situation well . ” (Haruka)

“Noel, I understand the situation well . ” (Haruka)

Noel kept silent and continue to look at me .

“But I will not go with you . ” (Haruka)

“…” (Noel)

My answer has already been decided from the beginning .

This life I have now is what I wanted .

No matter what Hamuti-sama or Ordias-sama’s speculations are, that is a completely different problem . I’m here because I want to be here .

Besides, in the unlikely event that a problem arises and I need to find someone to help me, the person I would look for wouldn’t be Noel . No matter how much I’ll dislike it, I will run to Ordias-sama for help .

Noel, it’s useless if you care about me .

So leave me alone already .

With this spirit inside me, I look straight back at Noel .

But Noel didn’t break .

“You’re going to do this by yourself?” (Noel)

“I’m not alone . Ordias-sama and Otland-sama are there . ” (Haruka)

“I just told you that I don’t know how trustworthy they are . ” (Noel)

“But I think anything would be solved by being afraid and doubting people . Although I might be betrayed, I would still like to believe in them . ” (Haruka)

“More than me?” (Noel)

“That’s not the problem here . ” (Haruka)

He doesn’t look like the usual calm Noel at all .

“I trust Noel, but Noel you must protect Aldina . It’s impossible to protect her while protecting me . ” (Haruka)

“…” (Noel)

Noel pressed his mouth shut .

He knew about this as well .

Perhaps, much more than me .

“It’s okay, I’m pretty strong . I won’t be easily beaten . ” (Haruka)

“It’s okay, I’m pretty strong . I won’t be easily beaten . ” (Haruka)

I gave him an awkward smile .

My cheeks are a little tight, but I don’t think he can see it in the dark .

After a while, Noel sighed deeply .

It’s been a while since I heard Noel sigh .

When he was my escort, Noel would frequently sigh a lot .

I think things were different than compare to now .

“You’ve changed . ” (Noel)

Is that so? I don’t think I’ve changed very much .

The thing that has changed is the environment surrounding me .

“…After all this, are you going to go back to your original world?” (Noel)

“…Yup” (Haruka)

For a moment, the diner couple’s faces and Sena’s face appeared in my mind .

But the world I should live in isn’t this one . I can’t afford to spend my entire life here with them . No matter how comfortable it is, it is only a temporary thing .

Even in my short life, I have repeatedly met many goodbyes until I was taken from an orphanage to a relative’s house .

So I know that parting will surely come someday .

It was the same as the previous summoning .

I wanted to stay together forever with Noel, but I returned to the original world . I’m convinced that the original world is where I should be . Even with Noel, I’m supposed to make him disappear in my mind slowly with time .

I don’t know what’s going to happen in my life .

Right now, Noel has a scary look on his face .

“I hate your good idea . ” Noel muttered .

It’s good that you think so . It’s truly not a good reason . If you actually mean what you said, I would like Noel to take me away with him . It’s impossible to misunderstand my feeling for him while I try to hide it desperately .

However, the me now know how to somewhat endure it with a little bit of self-control .   

I don’t want Noel to know . I want him to never notice it .

However, the me now know how to somewhat endure it with a little bit of self-control .   

I don’t want Noel to know . I want him to never notice it .

“…I understand . ” Noel quietly nodded .

“I’m sure you won’t be coming with me . ” (Noel)

“Yup . ” I instantly nodded .

Another sigh spilled from Noel’s mouth .

“Be good Haruka . ” (Noel)

“Okay . ” (Haruka)

“Stay as calm as possible until you return to your original world . You said you want to believe, but don’t forget that the royal palace is full of people trying to use you . ” (Noel)

Please don’t attempt to plant seeds of distrust .

But it’s true…

“…Please keep it in mind . I cannot handle magic like Ordias-sama . ” Noel’s gaze fell onto the bracelet on my left hand . “But if there is something I can do to help; I will definitely help you so please don’t forget this . ” (Noel)

“…Thank you . ” (Haruka)

Noel finally took his eyes off me .

He gently opens the curtain and check outside the window .

The room I’m staying in is in the back of the shop . There isn’t much traffic outside in the middle of the night since the window faces the narrow backstreet . Still, it’s dangerous to outright sneak into someone’s house . Noel continue to observe the surroundings before opening the windows carefully to not make a sound .

As a dignified knight, he jumped out the window with ease and grace .

I thought I’ll be fine, but the unexpected chest pain hit me .

It’s a selfish feeling .

I must put this to the back of my heart .

Noel glances back to me, but he doesn’t say anything .

In the darkness of the night, his figure disappears .

I didn’t move from the window for a while .  

Translated by Shufen. Unedited   There’s silence between us again .   This situation isn’t small . In the first place, I’m confused as to why Noel illegally enters my room so late at night . In my state of confusion, he suddenly told me to “come with me” . If I didn’t read the situation correctly, it would’ve caused my heart rate to increase in vain .   However, I immediately understood that the words Noel said didn’t hold any sweet implication .    So…that means it must be because I’m in danger, right?   “…Why?” (Haruka)   I am somewhat annoyed at Noel’s aggressive way of talking . It’s impossible to carelessly take Noel’s hand .      “Why are you not being protected by Hamuti-sama?” (Noel) “…I told him I’ll stand out if he was protecting an ordinary girl like me . ” (Haruka) At that time, I agreed that it was reasonable . However, with the appearance of Noel in front of me, I understood that it wasn’t the right answer . Naturally that made my voice smaller . “With him protecting me, he would’ve made me a new maid in Otland-sama’s mansion . ” (Haruka) “… Hamuti is just using you . He is using the former Priestess to bring chaos to the royal palace . ” (Noel) “I’m not being used . I wasn’t asked to do it by Hamuti-sama . ” (Haruka) “You don’t have to do anything . Rather, it would be convenient if you act like yourself . ” (Noel) “I don’t understand the meaning of your words at all! Clearly explain it to me . ” (Haruka) “In other words, you’re a decoy!” (Noel) . Decoy? Me?   “A girl who resembles the former Priestess enters the royal palace . If the person who summoned you know about it, you won’t be able to stop him from confirming it . Hamuti-sama is trying to hold you there . If you take his suggested action, it will be easier to draw out the opponent’s movements . That’s why you’re being left out . If you’re trapped in a room, you won’t be able to lure them out . ” (Noel)   …Somehow, I knew about what Noel was saying .        “Your safety is secondary to Hamuti-sama, which is not a problem for him . Although I believe there is an added danger of not knowing how the other side would react to the situation . The same things can be said about Otland-sama and Ordias-sama . Right now, you don’t have any real ally around you . ” (Noel)   I bit my lip From the beginning, I don’t think Hamuti-sama is kind enough to care about me . I knew he only contacted me because it benefits him .   Until the reality of it was pointed out by Noel, I didn’t really understand it . It wasn’t shocking that I’m being treated as a “decoy” .   More than that, I’m surprised Noel was trying to be on my side . Even when I’m in this position, he took the risk to come out at night to try to help me . …I’m no longer a person worth protecting…   Noel seemed to be annoyed at my silence .   He put his hand on my shoulder . There is a strong pressure in his hand . “Haruka, let’s get out of here . We’ll figure things out afterwards . ” (Noel)   At that moment, the bracelet that I’m wearing on my left hand started to light up . The light was pulsing slowly . It’s the bracelet that Ordias-sama said to always wear . Since I wore it like I was told, I almost forgot it existed . This bracelet will tell Ordias-sama if there is someone dangerous around me .   I’m in danger!   Even when I didn’t explain it, Noel seemed to figure out what it is . He tsked and released his hand on my shoulder . Isn’t he supposed to be the living symbol of a gentleman?   “Noel, I understand the situation well . ” (Haruka) Noel kept silent and continue to look at me . “But I will not go with you . ” (Haruka) “…” (Noel) My answer has already been decided from the beginning .   This life I have now is what I wanted .   No matter what Hamuti-sama or Ordias-sama’s speculations are, that is a completely different problem . I’m here because I want to be here .   Besides, in the unlikely event that a problem arises and I need to find someone to help me, the person I would look for wouldn’t be Noel . No matter how much I’ll dislike it, I will run to Ordias-sama for help .   Noel, it’s useless if you care about me . So leave me alone already .   With this spirit inside me, I look straight back at Noel . But Noel didn’t break .   “You’re going to do this by yourself?” (Noel). “I’m not alone . Ordias-sama and Otland-sama are there . ” (Haruka) “I just told you that I don’t know how trustworthy they are . ” (Noel) “But I think anything would be solved by being afraid and doubting people . Although I might be betrayed, I would still like to believe in them . ” (Haruka) “More than me?” (Noel) “That’s not the problem here . ” (Haruka) He doesn’t look like the usual calm Noel at all . “I trust Noel, but Noel you must protect Aldina . It’s impossible to protect her while protecting me . ” (Haruka) “…” (Noel)   Noel pressed his mouth shut . He knew about this as well . Perhaps, much more than me .   “It’s okay, I’m pretty strong . I won’t be easily beaten . ” (Haruka) I gave him an awkward smile . My cheeks are a little tight, but I don’t think he can see it in the dark .   After a while, Noel sighed deeply It’s been a while since I heard Noel sigh .   When he was my escort, Noel would frequently sigh a lot . I think things were different than compare to now .   “You’ve changed . ” (Noel)   Is that so? I don’t think I’ve changed very much . The thing that has changed is the environment surrounding me . “…After all this, are you going to go back to your original world?” (Noel) “…Yup” (Haruka) For a moment, the diner couple’s faces and Sena’s face appeared in my mind . But the world I should live in isn’t this one . I can’t afford to spend my entire life here with them . No matter how comfortable it is, it is only a temporary thing . Even in my short life, I have repeatedly met many goodbyes until I was taken from an orphanage to a relative’s house . So I know that parting will surely come someday .   It was the same as the previous summoning .   I wanted to stay together forever with Noel, but I returned to the original world . I’m convinced that the original world is where I should be . Even with Noel, I’m supposed to make him disappear in my mind slowly with time .   I don’t know what’s going to happen in my life . Right now, Noel has a scary look on his face .   “I hate your good idea . ” Noel muttered .   It’s good that you think so . It’s truly not a good reason . If you actually mean what you said, I would like Noel to take me away with him . It’s impossible to misunderstand my feeling for him while I try to hide it desperately . However, the me now know how to somewhat endure it with a little bit of self-control .    I don’t want Noel to know . I want him to never notice it .   “…I understand . ” Noel quietly nodded . “I’m sure you won’t be coming with me . ” (Noel) “Yup . ” I instantly nodded . Another sigh spilled from Noel’s mouth . “Be good Haruka . ” (Noel) “Okay . ” (Haruka) “Stay as calm as possible until you return to your original world . You said you want to believe, but don’t forget that the royal palace is full of people trying to use you . ” (Noel)   Please don’t attempt to plant seeds of distrust . But it’s true…   “…Please keep it in mind . I cannot handle magic like Ordias-sama . ” Noel’s gaze fell onto the bracelet on my left hand . “But if there is something I can do to help; I will definitely help you so please don’t forget this . ” (Noel) “…Thank you . ” (Haruka)   Noel finally took his eyes off me . He gently opens the curtain and check outside the window .   The room I’m staying in is in the back of the shop . There isn’t much traffic outside in the middle of the night since the window faces the narrow backstreet . Still, it’s dangerous to outright sneak into someone’s house . Noel continue to observe the surroundings before opening the windows carefully to not make a sound . As a dignified knight, he jumped out the window with ease and grace .   I thought I’ll be fine, but the unexpected chest pain hit me .   It’s a selfish feeling . I must put this to the back of my heart .   Noel glances back to me, but he doesn’t say anything . In the darkness of the night, his figure disappears .   I didn’t move from the window for a while .