woke up chapter 9

Etheldred Yel Ezekiel Steffen.

Twelve years later, he was the hero of the Ezekiel Empire, having led them to a great victory in the five-year war against Maegul. Holder of the title “Yel,” bestowed upon the “Sword of the Empire.” The cold, austere Duke of the North. These were the automatic responses anyone would give if asked about Etheldred. But to Ariel, he was simply her childhood friend, someone with whom she shared a significant number of memories. After all, it was he and her cousin who had protected her when she’d lost her memories.

Ariel gazed intently at the young, expressionless Etheldred. He must be a viscount now, she mused. He became a duke thanks to his achievements on the battlefield. It really has been a long time. Five years without a single word. Of course, he was at war, so it’s understandable… but still. Couldn’t he have sent at least a letter when he went to the Imperial Palace after the war? He was probably too busy having fun. Ariel grumbled inwardly, her thoughts taking a cynical turn, when a memory of their last meeting surfaced.

“Don’t skip meals. Well, not that you’re the type to…” A gruff face, an indifferent voice, yet eyes filled with concern. A face unbelievably calm for a mere fifteen-year-old heading off to war. And the funny thing is, he was worried about me as he left for the battlefield. A lump formed in Ariel’s throat. Five long years. Five years she had endured alone in Obern, praying for his safe return. She was furious with him for his silence, yet, more than anything, she had missed him. He was, after all, a cornerstone of her peaceful everyday life. Tears threatened to spill, but she fought them back.

Etheldred’s eyes, fixed on her, flickered. He feigned indifference, but a complex array of emotions flitted across his gaze. He parted his lips as if to speak, then abruptly averted his gaze and said, “What are you doing playing in the dirt? You’re filthy.”

In that instant, all of Ariel’s tender emotions vanished. Ha, this brat. Well, Etheldred always did have terrible social skills. Watching him regard her with his usual impassivity, Ariel clicked her tongue. Brushing the dirt off, she stood up and delved into her eight-year-old self’s memories. While not everything was clear, she quickly recalled information about the young Etheldred. He, the heir to the Steffen Viscounty, had been the talk of Obern. Young Ariel, who had never seen Etheldred, despite regular visits from Viscount Steffen, had been curious about him.

“Don’t you remember? You used to follow the young lord around everywhere when you were little.” Rodbrill’s words, about how she had trailed after Etheldred as a child, were the primary reason for her curiosity. But…

“Hello! I’m Ariel!”

“So?”

That initial exchange had plummeted her interest from zero to below. The boy with zero social skills was genuinely unpleasant. Hmm, was this before we became friends? Ariel tilted her head, recalling other memories.

“Don’t talk to me.”

“Are you stupid? I told you to go away.”

The constant rejection. Ariel muttered involuntarily, “…Jerk.” I must have followed him around at first because of his face, she concluded. That face was undeniably her type. Ariel narrowed her eyes, studying him. Why is he so handsome even as a child? Etheldred had the air of a nobleman. His perfectly fitted shirt and black shorts had a subtle sheen of luxury, and his posture was impeccably refined. But Ariel was certain: even dressed in rags, even with bowed legs and a nervous twitch, Etheldred would still be beautiful. Clean, white skin that begged to be touched. His black hair, in stark contrast, shimmered with subtle red highlights. And his eyes… they outshone any jewel with their vibrant, fiery red hue.

Wait a second, he looks like my bias! Ariel recalled a time in her past life when she would practically lick her phone screen, gazing at her favorite idol. Yes, that face, that physique! Exactly like my bias when he was younger. If he looked like this in real life, I would have gone broke. But one look at Etheldred’s disdainful expression changed her mind. My bias is kind, cute, and sweet. This guy is nothing like him. The older(?) Etheldred was also far from sweet. Well, they both have that cool beauty thing going on… But wait, if I move away from him, will the pain come back? The thought made Ariel’s expression turn serious. It was true; the moment Etheldred had approached, the pain had vanished as if it had been a mere illusion. Ariel resolved to stick to Etheldred like glue until she found a proper solution. Right, I’ll take this opportunity to become friends with Etheldred again. But how do I stay close to that little brat? Ariel pondered, then decided to try engaging him in friendly conversation.