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.

everything, but the words stuck in

because that person was bound to become a burden. What if he fell for someone and the royal family kidnapped

Anna was different. Her strength, experience, and

be the one shielding him. Even with this power, he didn't know whether he could win against Anna or not. Though, he would probably become stronger than her when they both

he had experienced a lot with Anna. That

be solved rationally. Sometimes, he just had to drop everything and do what his instincts and

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

had a hard time saying everything

him of Anna's outburst when they were inside the previous Ardagan's mansion. At that time, Anna was tired because everything she did was never considered by Noel.

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.

turned out to be

appeared that you were more considerate. I simply used my strength to force you to be like

With Noel's schemes, there were a lot of times he could kill her. Yet, he didn't do it. To put it simply, he had the strength to do it but chose not

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

closer to Noel while biting her

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 villain

execution tore me, and my exile broke me apart.

are just a human. Both of us

the beginning and worked hard to become

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

actually trained with Ardagan from the beginning. His family might even go beyond this, and his father wouldn't have to create this scheme. In fact, he could openly form a connection with his best friend,

Anna might be best friends

nothing could change