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

his relationship. The reason why he never wanted someone to accompany him was because that person was bound to become a burden. What if he fell for someone and the royal family kidnapped that person to

Her strength, experience, and talent were far better than

he didn't know whether he could win against Anna or not. Though, he would probably become stronger than her when they both reached the limit of absorption of the Demon Crystals, considering his limit

with Anna. That memory

rationally. Sometimes, he just had to drop everything and

I haven't asked you this question… Have I caused you any inconveniences like acting

Noel's words and raised her head. She had a hard time saying

previous Ardagan's mansion. At that time, Anna was tired because everything she did was never considered by Noel. So, he wanted to know what Anna had to say this

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.

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

could kill her. Yet, he didn't do it. To put it

perspective, she also

biting

would even say something like this. He froze, trying his best to come up

to end everything and

a moment. "As you said earlier, my parents' execution tore me, and my exile broke me apart. When you came to the Demon Banner Army, the only thing

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

become strong? Would my family get bullied to that

we were equal in the past, would all this happen?" Noel scratched the back of his head. "How do

from the beginning. His family might even go beyond this, and his father wouldn't have to

and Anna might be best friends or

nothing could change