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.

about everything,

that person was bound to become a burden. What if

strength, experience, and talent were far better

or not. Though, he would probably become stronger than her when they

experienced a lot with

grandfather said about telling him that not all matters could be solved rationally. Sometimes, he just had

troubled face, Noel couldn't help but say, "You see… I believe I haven't asked you this question… Have I caused you any inconveniences like acting as enemies or other things… If

raised her head. She had a hard

were inside the previous Ardagan's mansion. At that time, Anna was tired because everything she did was never considered by Noel. So, he

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

than I originally thought. Instead of asking for forgiveness, I turned out to be forcing you to change. Yes, instead of

been considerate, but it appeared that you were more considerate. I simply used my strength to

lot of times he could kill her. Yet, he didn't

current Noel didn't have the strength and was forced to abandon that thought. Of course, if one looked from her perspective, she also had the strength but chose not to kill him. But the

Noel while biting her lips.

was quite surprised that Anna would even say something like this. He froze, trying his best

acting like this. She wanted to end everything and become his

closed his eyes for a moment. "As you said earlier, my parents' execution tore me, and my exile broke me apart. When you came to the Demon Banner

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

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 back of his head. "How do I say this… would there be

even go beyond this, and his father

he and Anna might be best friends

could