System vs Rebirth

"Is she the famous Anna Stargaze?"

"She shouldn't be here."

"She must be trying to ruin everything. Don't forget about that rumor, she was the one who requested the royal family to execute the former master and mistress, and she even tried to kill the current lord."

The people were discussing Anna's appearance. Only a few people, like Dimitri and Rose, knew the truth.

Unfortunately for them, Noel had asked them to pacify the rest of the people while he dragged Anna to the house in the center of the village. They hadn't specified the living quarters of the mansion and other things, so he just used the one in the middle to talk to Anna.

"Seriously… Do you even need to do something like that?" Noel let out a long sigh while closing the door. He even covered the windows with ice, preventing anyone from seeing or listening to their conversation.

"I have to. I don't know if there are any spies or not. And I go all the way here with that kind of excuse, so I should at least put up that kind of show." Anna shook her head helplessly.

"Well…" Noel paused for a moment. "You've gotten good with your acting."

"Thanks to you." Anna chuckled while pointing at the table. "Why don't we have a seat?"

"This is not going to be long. If we talk too long, people will suspect something." Noel rejected the invitation and asked, "Still, what are you doing here? I thought that staying with the royal family shouldn't pose any problems for you, right?"

"Does that mean you don't want me here?" Anna couldn't help but furrow her eyebrows.

"Of course not. I don't mind having you here. It's just… you will be tired if you have to put up the act every single time." Noel explained his concern. It was rare that Noel was this considerate. In fact, she felt Noel had changed somehow.

"I…" Anna scratched the back of her head. She recalled what her father said back then and the realization that came afterward.

to talk about everything, but the words

about his relationship. The reason why he never wanted someone to accompany him was because that person was

different. Her strength, experience, and talent were far better than the

Though, he would probably become stronger than her when they both reached the limit of absorption of

experienced a lot with Anna. That

matters could be solved rationally. Sometimes,

I believe I haven't asked you this question… Have I caused you any inconveniences like acting as enemies or other things… If you're

cut Noel's words and raised her head. She had a hard time saying everything and ended up

patiently waited for her. The current situation reminded him of Anna's outburst when they were inside the previous Ardagan's mansion. At that time, Anna

Anna clenched her fists. Surprisingly, she lowered her head all of a sudden and finally said, "I'm sorry. In the past, you've never wanted me to say it, and the longer I wait, the harder it becomes for me to say it. But… sorry… I apologize for all my actions in the past. I had ordered the execution of your parents and the downfall of your families. Without me, your family would still be intact, and

Instead of asking for forgiveness, I turned out to be

more considerate. I simply used my strength to force you to be

Noel's schemes, there were a lot of times he could kill her. Yet, he didn't do it. To put it simply,

that thought. Of course, if one looked from her perspective, she also had the strength but chose not to kill him. But the problem came from her, not the

to Noel while biting her lips. "I am

was quite surprised that Anna would even say something like this. He

end everything and become his ally like Dimitri and the others instead of playing the

that I have put a big burden on your shoulders." Noel closed his eyes for a moment. "As you said earlier, my parents' execution tore me, and my exile broke

you, the more I realize that you are just a human. Both of us have made

actually pushed aside my laziness from the beginning and worked hard to become

that… if our situation is different… if we were equal in the past, would all this happen?" Noel scratched the

what would happen if he actually trained with Ardagan from the beginning. His family might even go beyond this, and

and Anna might

could change