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Chapter 192: Academy Heroine's Right Diagonal Back Seat

Chapter 192



Was that simple reassurance truly what she had so desperately needed?


It took quite a while for Scarlet to calm down after she started crying.


Watching her wipe away her reddened eyes, Sylvia couldn’t help but feel curious.


The incident today must have been caused by the witch that had become a part of Scarlet.


Although she had never shown any signs of this before, Sylvia wondered if Scarlet had been struggling with it all along.


So, taking advantage of the moment when Scarlet seemed a bit calmer, Sylvia asked cautiously.


“Scarlet, I have something I want to ask... Was this the first time you've experienced these symptoms?”


“What do you mean by those symptoms?”


“Like losing your mind, like today. Have you experienced something like this before?”


Seeing Scarlet avert her gaze slightly at the question, Sylvia could guess that Scarlet had been hiding something from her all this time.


And as if confirming Sylvia’s suspicion, Scarlet hesitated for a moment before speaking.


“...Honestly, it’s not the first time I’ve had similar symptoms. Sometimes I hear voices in my head, telling me to burn everything, or thoughts that don’t seem like my own suddenly pop into my mind. If that counts, then no, this isn’t the first time.”


“...So, these symptoms have been happening for a while?”


Sylvia held her breath as she watched Scarlet nod slowly.


Not because Scarlet had hidden this from her, but out of guilt for not knowing anything about it.


“...Have you been suffering because of this for a long time?”


To her question, Scarlet responded with a bitter smile.


Sylvia realized just how foolish her question had been.


Was it hard? Of course, it must have been.


She tried to imagine it.


Hearing hallucinations out of nowhere, having thoughts that aren’t your own intrude unexpectedly.


It was terrifying enough to imagine, despite never having experienced it herself.


Had Scarlet been fighting against the fear that the witch might take over her at any moment, all this time?


And yet, Sylvia hadn’t noticed anything.


Not even when they lived together at the estate.


Even when she, tired from her own work, had asked Scarlet to pat her head, whining like a child, Scarlet had been suffering far more than she was.


The thought filled her with shame and guilt, and a surge of emotion rose up within her.


How should she apologize to Scarlet for this?


Overwhelmed with that unbearable guilt, Sylvia bowed her head and blurted out her apology.


“...I’m sorry. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know you were suffering like this. Every time I was struggling, I would ask you for comfort, but I never noticed you were suffering too...”


It wasn’t just that. The fact that the reason for her suffering could be traced back to Astra made her feel even more sorry.


Sylvia felt the guilt stabbing at her heart grow even larger.


But Scarlet, as if telling her not to feel that way, reached out and patted her head while speaking.


“You don’t have to feel sorry for me. I didn’t show any signs because it was bearable before.”


“Then...”


Although Scarlet said it was okay, Sylvia could read the hidden meaning in her words.


“Then today, it was so unbearable that you couldn’t help but show it.”


When Sylvia pointed that out, Scarlet gasped in surprise.


She recalled the sight of Scarlet crying in her arms, unable to hold back.


For someone who always put on a brave face, to cry so much, how much pain and suffering must she have been through?


The thought was so heartbreaking that Sylvia almost burst into tears herself, but she bit her lip hard.


Crying about it wouldn’t change anything.


If she wanted to prevent Scarlet from going through such suffering again, she had to find out the cause and how to prevent it. With that thought in mind, she asked Scarlet.


“...Then we have to find a way to make sure something like today never happens again. Scarlet, do you have any idea why this happened today?”


Scarlet thought for a moment before answering.


“...I’m not sure. This was the first time I’ve completely lost my mind like today. But if there’s a reason, I think it might be because I lost my mana when I left the barrier and then returned...”


Sylvia tilted her head at her answer.


That couldn’t be the only reason, because Scarlet had left the barrier before.


She could recall at least two times: once when she was kidnapped by Sator and again when she was kidnapped by the witch.


Both times had been related to Astra, which left a complicated feeling in her, but that wasn’t the issue now.


If they didn’t find the root cause, this could happen again, so Sylvia asked Yoon Si-woo.


“There might be another cause that Scarlet isn’t aware of. Do you have any ideas, Yoon Si-woo? You’ve been living with her, so maybe you noticed something?”


Since he had been living with her, he might know something.


That’s what she thought, so she asked him. After a moment of hesitation, he answered.


“...There is something I suspect.”


Had he been hiding this from Scarlet?


As if that thought had crossed her mind, Scarlet’s gaze turned sharply toward him. Yoon Si-woo, avoiding her eyes, continued in a small voice.


He told them that he had spoken to the witch who had taken over Scarlet’s body a few days ago.


He suggested that this incident might mean that she had gotten even closer to the witch than before. Sylvia, while shocked, couldn’t help but think that it wasn’t an unreasonable explanation.


But before she could think of a way to address the situation based on this theory, Scarlet’s voice rang out.


“...Why didn’t you tell me about that?”


Her voice, asking Yoon Si-woo that question, was filled with betrayal.


“It’s not like you’re just any other person... If something like that happened, you should have told me!”


Seeing Scarlet cry out in betrayal, Sylvia realized that there was something between her and Yoon Si-woo that she didn’t share with either of them.


If they felt so betrayed just by hiding something from each other, how close were they normally, without any secrets between them?


As Sylvia was pondering this, she heard Scarlet’s tearful voice.


“...Why did you hide it from me? Why didn’t you tell me?”


Yoon Si-woo frowned and answered.


“...Because I knew it would be hard for you to handle, Scarlet.”


Scarlet hesitated at his words, seemingly at a loss for what to say, and Yoon Si-woo continued.


“...With so much on your mind already, I thought knowing that the witch had taken over your body, even if just for a moment, would scare you even more. I wanted to spare you from worrying about it, but... I guess I was wrong. I’m sorry...”


Sylvia felt a little left out as she listened to Yoon Si-woo’s words, realizing that he had known Scarlet was struggling, while she hadn’t.


Had Scarlet confided in him about her situation and sought his help, while keeping her in the dark?


But before she could voice her disappointment, she saw Scarlet apologizing to Yoon Si-woo.


“N-no, I’m sorry... I’m sorry...”


If it had been a simple apology for her own mistake, it might have been a heartwarming scene, but that didn’t seem to be the case.


“I got angry without knowing anything, and I’m sorry... I yelled at you, I’m really sorry... I’m so sorry...”


Scarlet’s voice trembled as she apologized.


After everything that had happened today, her self-esteem was already at rock bottom.


And now, yelling at Yoon Si-woo seemed to have triggered her, filling her voice with intense self-loathing.


Tears dripped onto the floor as she hung her head, breathing heavily.


Sylvia could sense that if they left her like this, her condition might worsen.


She worried that the spirit’s power, which opposed mana, might have a negative impact on Scarlet, but right now, the immediate situation seemed more urgent. So she placed her hand on Scarlet’s head and used a calming spell.


“...Scarlet?”


When Scarlet turned her head to look at her blankly, Sylvia spoke.


“It’s a calming spell... I was hesitant to use it because I wasn’t sure if the spirit’s power would have a bad effect on you, but you seemed really unwell just now... Are you okay?”


At her question, Scarlet slowly nodded and then bowed her head in gratitude.


“...Thank you. I think I’m feeling better thanks to you. If it’s not too much trouble, could you stay like this with me for a little longer?”


“O-of course!”


Sylvia nodded eagerly, her face lighting up at Scarlet’s request.


She was thrilled that her spell had been helpful to her. As she felt happy about this, she noticed Scarlet speaking to Yoon Si-woo.


“Thank you for being considerate. I think if I had known what you said, it would have been even harder for me today.”


“N-no, there’s nothing to thank me for.”


“But you did it for my sake. Thank you.”


“...Yeah.”


Just a moment ago, they were in such a serious mood, but now they were talking and laughing quietly as if they were enjoying themselves.


...What is this? They’re just laughing together, leaving me out.


Feeling slightly annoyed, Sylvia addressed Yoon Si-woo.


“...Yoon Si-woo, what are you so happy about? You made a big mistake.”


It was me who helped Scarlet just now, you know.


Clinging to Scarlet’s arm as if to protest, she glared at Yoon Si-woo with a defiant look in her eyes.


After all, he was at fault.


Hadn’t they agreed that he would consult her if something happened to Scarlet?


But he had known about Scarlet’s issues without saying a word to her, keeping it all to himself.


Grumbling, she said to him.


“If something like this happened, you should have at least told me, even if you didn’t tell Scarlet. We agreed that we would consult each other about things related to her. You’re guilty.”


“Uh, well, that’s because...”


Yoon Si-woo stammered, clearly caught off guard, and Scarlet, who was watching, burst out laughing.


But she wasn’t without fault either, so Sylvia addressed her as well.


“...And you, Scarlet, are no better. It looks like Yoon Si-woo knew a lot, but why didn’t you say anything to me? Do you think I’m that unreliable?”


To be honest, she felt hurt.


A lot.


If Scarlet hadn’t confided in anyone, she might have understood. But she had told Yoon Si-woo, so why not her?


Feeling a bit bitter, Sylvia expressed her feelings, and Scarlet shook her head quickly in denial.


“No, it’s not like that.”


“Then what is it? You always keep your distance when I approach, and you reject my help when I offer it. I’d like you to explain why.”


She truly wanted to know the reason.


In response, Scarlet gave her a troubled smile and answered.


“It’s just that, as you saw today, I have a lot of problems. Sylvia, you have such a kind and gentle heart. I thought that the closer you got to me, the more it would hurt you later.”


“So you deliberately kept your distance from me?”


Scarlet responded to Sylvia’s question with a bitter smile.


She had distanced herself for Sylvia’s sake.


Sylvia thought Scarlet was being incredibly selfish.


So she addressed her in a reproachful tone.


“...Do you know, Scarlet, that you’re incredibly selfish?”


“Selfish?”


“Yes. You’re so focused on others that you don’t even consider how they might feel. It’s really selfish.”


Scarlet was kind enough to put others before herself.


But unilateral kindness that doesn’t consider the other person’s feelings is nothing but self-righteousness.


“You said that the closer I get to you, the more painful it’ll be for me, right? You’re probably right. If something happens to you, I’ll be devastated. I might cry for days.”


“Then—”


“But.”


Because of that, she no longer wanted that kind of kindness.


“But one thing is certain. If something happens to you and I couldn’t do anything to help, it would be much more painful for me.”


She wanted to help her, even if it would be difficult for her in the future.


No, more than that, not being able to help would be far more difficult for her to endure.


But Scarlet, being so kind and thus selfish, would probably keep pushing her away if left alone.


So Sylvia made a declaration.


“That’s why I’ve decided to be a little selfish myself from now on.”


From now on, she would be as selfish as Scarlet had been.


“...Selfish how?”


“It means that from now on, even if you try to refuse my help, I’m going to help you anyway. This is a threat, understand? If you don’t want to see me crying my eyes out, you’d better lean on me a bit more.”


What could be a more effective threat to someone as kind as Scarlet than the thought of making her cry?


Scarlet smiled helplessly and nodded.


Sylvia beamed.


It seemed that, to get what you want, you have to be a bit selfish.


Having received permission, she would now prove how much she could help her.


Until the day came when Scarlet couldn’t live without her.


With that thought, she was about to pull away from Scarlet.


But then she felt a tug on her hand as Scarlet, who had been letting go, pulled it back to her head.


Startled and more than a little surprised, Sylvia looked at her, and Scarlet, blushing, stammered an explanation.


“Uh... um, it’s just that, when I thought the spell was over, I felt a bit sad without realizing it... I’m sorry!”


“Heeeh...”


Those words were more delightful to Sylvia than anything else.


Because not once had Scarlet ever shown that she needed her.


A smile that she couldn’t suppress spread across her face.


She must be a very simple person, she thought.


To feel so happy over just one sentence.


“Heeeh, is that so...? You felt sad? Well, since you had such a tough day, you might need my spell more than ever. Ah, there’s no helping it. I mean, this really can’t be helped, can it?”


There was nothing she could do.


This happiness was something she couldn’t just let pass.


With that thought, Sylvia immediately took out her phone and called her servant, Sebastian, making an abrupt announcement.


“Yes, Sebastian. It’s me. Something really important has come up, so I’ll be staying over at a friend’s house tonight. Since it’s very important, please clear my schedule until the afternoon tomorrow. Goodbye.”


[W-wait, my lady?! My lady?! Don’t tell me this friend is a man-!]


Sebastian’s panicked cries echoed from the phone, but Sylvia promptly ignored him.


Come to think of it, Sebastian had mentioned something like that recently.


That due to the recent dangers, young heroes seemed to be adopting a “live while you can” mentality, doing everything they wanted before risking their lives.


He had asked her to hold off on such things until she was an adult. She would explain and apologize to him properly later.


She might even get scolded by the elders of the family, but she didn’t really care.


After all, she knew that, even if they were a bit strict, they wouldn’t strip her of her position as heir, especially now that they understood the significance of being contracted to a spirit.


Because of that, she could confidently tell Scarlet that she was going to act selfishly from now on.


Having made this bold decision, Sylvia smiled at Scarlet.


“There, Scarlet. Now you don’t have to feel sad! We have plenty of time for me to cast spells on you, so let’s sleep together tonight!”


“Huh... you’re staying over?”


Yoon Si-woo, who had been listening, asked in a flustered voice, and Sylvia grinned mischievously at him.


“What, are you jealous that I’m sleeping with Scarlet?”


“J-jealous? Not at all!”


“Sure, sure, whatever you say. Anyway, Scarlet, if you need the spell, just let me know. I’ll cast it for you all night long!”


It was her way of getting a bit of revenge for being left out earlier.


* * *


“G-goodnight, Sylvia.”


“Goodnight, Scarlet.”


As promised, Sylvia lay beside Scarlet and cast the calming spell on her until she fell asleep.


“...I’m so happy. That Scarlet would lean on me like this.”


Muttering to herself, she stroked Scarlet’s head. Scarlet, who had been tossing and turning as if slightly bothered, soon fell into a peaceful sleep, breathing softly.


After confirming that she was fully asleep, Sylvia’s previously bright expression twisted slightly.


The guilt she had been hiding began to seep through her smile.


She knew Scarlet hated being in debt, so she tried her best to hide the guilt she felt, not wanting Scarlet to feel burdened.


Really, she was so glad that Scarlet was relying on her, even in this way.


Being able to help her brought her joy, and it allowed her to alleviate her overwhelming guilt, if only a little.


She didn’t expect forgiveness.


She only hoped to atone for her sins as much as she could.


So please, if you ever need help, just ask me, like you did today.


I’ll do everything I can to help you.


You, who are precious to me, and who have been hurt by our family’s sins.


Murmuring to herself, Sylvia gently stroked Scarlet’s hair until she fell asleep.


--------------


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Comments

  1. "Until the day came when Scarlet couldn’t live without her." What a yandere statement

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  2. I feel like Scarlet should have asked him to kill her. He didn't do it when the witch came out which is understandable because she was friendly, but now she can't fully control her actions. Sure the spell calmed her down but I think she should be thinking that even more so because she knows it's the only way. Also for my preference maybe let her have a fun day using that spell. (Wait from now if Scarlet relies on this spell, then i am willing to say that i am wrong)

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