"It was a shabby carriage to transport the lady, but it was the best we could get."
I shook my head at the words I said as if I was sorry.
"It's okay. Rather, it is something to be thankful for."
I'm riding a carriage covered in carpet along the streets I used to walk every day until my feet swell.
A cushion filled with soft cotton, a blanket provided on one side, a book to relieve boredom, and even a backrest to lean on comfortably. There was nothing lacking.
As I was looking around the cozy carriage, my eyes landed on an elongated object in the corner.
"It's mine."
Eric, who was fiddling with his well-groomed and shiny black cane, smiled awkwardly.
"I injured my knee a long time ago. It's okay for short distances, but It becomes difficult if I walk or stand for a long time. When activities are prolonged, support is needed."
"Yes."
When I nodded, he asked a question as if he was puzzled.
"Aren't you going to ask any more questions?"
"What?"
"When I tell people about my knee injury, people often ask where I got it, how much pain it was, and if I'm okay now. But the lady didn't seem to be very interested."
"Do I really need to ask about your injury?"
"Yes?"
"It must have been a painful memory. There's no need to remind you of that again."
Eric, who had been silent, cautiously opened his mouth.
"If my use of a wand makes the lady uncomfortable..."
"No, use it. Why are you reluctant to use a cane?"
It's not like I told you not to use it.
He answered while rolling his eyes.
"Is this proof that I have flaws?"
"Is that a flaw?"
I glanced down at his cane once again.
The polished cane showed no signs of use which made it believable that it had been made yesterday.
This meant that when he was injured, he was a person who did not have to work too hard until the wound healed, and at the same time, it meant that he had recovered sufficiently to no longer need to use the cane as often. Eric looked at me curiously.
"You don't sympathize."
"The Baron has too much for me to sympathize with."
"..."
The place where I lived was filled with people with all kinds of stories.
A mercenary who returned from war after losing a limb.
Children born in red-light districts and abandoned. Even those who were kicked out for failing to pay taxes on time. Even if you work to the point of exhaustion every day, earning a living each day is difficult, and even if you get sick, there are many cases where you die from neglect rather than receiving proper treatment.
The slum where I lived was a place where even people with healthy bodies deteriorated after a few years.
Compared to those people, Eric was buried in envy and jealousy, let alone pity, and it was not enough to suffocate.
"Do you really think so?"
I nodded my head without hesitation in response to the low question.
"I have a lot?"
When he asked me several times in disbelief, I answered in a strong tone, as if putting a period.
"Yes. Very, very much."
So, I wish you would stop asking.
Eric was silent for a while, but after some time, he smiled and spoke again.
"What brings you to the Imperial Capital?"
"I'm going to meet my family."
"It's family. Has it been a while since you last met?"
"Yes."
A short answer followed, but Eric did not give in.
Soft and kind words that were considerate of me continued.
"It may be hard to sit in the carriage all the time, but you only have to endure it for half a day. We will arrive at Harrison Manor by evening. It's a wealthy area, so there's quite a bit to see, and there'll be a place for the lady to rest."
"..."
Even the scenery outside the carriage window was refreshing to me, who had never left the place where I lived.
But it is a wealthy area.
I felt strange hearing stories about other territories.
"There is a nice restaurant that I found the last time I stopped by, and the seafood dishes were quite delicious."
"Is that so?"
"I'm sure the lady will like it too."
Seafood dish.
As someone who had never even eaten common pork, there was no way I would have any likes or dislikes about the food.
Isabella's memories do not share the sensation of eating food or the emotions at that time.
"If you want, there..."
Nice restaurant. A scenery full of things to see. Luxurious accommodation for relaxation.
I listened quietly to what he was saying and then opened my mouth.
"Thank you, Baron."
He looked at me with a puzzled expression as I suddenly thanked him.
"I am very grateful because I can feel that you are thinking of me in every favor you show me."
Just because we shared memories or looked like her, I couldn't become Isabella.
I was still Rebecca.
Rebecca is a poor woman who has never received or could expect anyone's consideration or favor.
"Yes?"
"The hand that held my hand when I got on the carriage, the slowing down of the carriage considering my weak body, and the willingness to introduce me to places for me as it was my first time traveling."
It was something I was grateful for.
Because no one has ever treated me with this much respect.
Eric, who looked at me in confusion, soon smiled.
"If you are happy because of my favor, that is enough."
I knew it was too much, but I didn't get hooked just because he was a little nice to me, like worrying about Hugh.
Maybe it's because I know that all of this is not given to 'Rebecca' but to Isabella, who has an elegant and lovely appearance.
"The reason I said thank you like this."
I could see that Eric's eyes were looking at me with some anticipation.
I guess I have to say it at this point.
"I wanted to tell you that you don't need to be more considerate than this."
"Yes?"
The reason nobles are accustomed to receiving favors may be because they can afford to quickly repay someone's debt. There was no way for me now to repay the favor.
"It will be difficult if the Baron's favor increases."
"Why?"
"If you get more than this... I think it would be difficult to just wipe my mouth and get out."
Cough.
At my words, Eric coughed violently and lowered his head.
His gray eyes were full of embarrassment.
"We can't even provide financial compensation. Because I don't have much money."
"Well, lady..."
"I am already grateful enough just for allowing me to accompany you."
Anything more than this was difficult.
Because I didn't want to increase my mental debt.
After my words, there was silence in the carriage.
After a while, Eric, with a listless face, opened his mouth again.
"Lady, what can I say, you have an honest charm."
"It's okay if you don't package it like that."
"I'm so sorry that my favor was too much for you, and that you didn't want it..."
He chose his words carefully and continued.
"It was a refreshing opinion. I've never seen anyone reveal their true feelings so honestly."
He paused for a moment and looked at me with cautious eyes.
"Thanks to your honest courage, may I also make an honest request?"
"..."
"It's okay to refuse if you're having trouble. It's just a request."
"What kind of request is this?"
"I'd like you to be my partner in the prom."
"Prom?"
"A small ball will be held at the Harrison estate, which we will soon arrive at. I wanted to attend because I had an acquaintance who was indebted to me, but there was a condition that I be accompanied by my partner."
"..."
"I was worried because I felt like I would get in trouble if I attended alone."
It's a prom.
I wouldn't be in a leisurely situation to attend such a place.
'No.'
In fact, it might be a good thing.
As Eric mentioned, if the Harrison estate was wealthy, those who gathered there were also likely to be interacting with the central upper class.
'There may be someone who is close to the Count Brium family.'
Besides, isn't the request to attend the ball as a partner a small amount of favor compared to the favor I received?
"Okay, Eric. I will attend as a partner."
Eric smiled happily at my brief acceptance.
"Since the Lady has granted my request, then I will take care of the dress and accessories..."
"I'll rent it."
"I will lend it to you."
***
The carriage, which had been running non-stop, stopped for a moment for dinner.
Hugh, who was sitting in the coach seat, looked around and quickly approached.
"Nothing happened, right?"
"Yes."
Hugh's eyes narrowed at my calm answer.
"Nothing happened?"
"Nothing major happened."
The conversations that took place in the carriage were extremely common sense and ordinary.
Hugh, who was looking at me with suspicion, asked again as if questioning.
"If nothing big happened, does that mean there was something small?"
"It's nothing special, Eric asked me to do something, and I agreed."
Hugh's face crumpled.
"What, please?"
"He wants me to be his partner for the prom."
"Prom?"
"There was a small party being held at the Harrison estate, but since it was a gathering with partners, it would be awkward to go alone. He wants me to be his partner."
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