There are moments when, even with the ability to rewind time, I hesitate to use it.
If I made a serious mistake, of course, it would make sense to use my ability. If I could prevent someone from getting hurt or save someone who should have died, it would be a win for everyone.
I could also use it to make myself perfect. Rewinding time to study for exams and get excellent scores, or to ensure that I never miss a shot when firing a gun—these things could be done easily.
And I’ve done that. On the battlefield, I took down entire fronts without getting hit, and I already knew the most important military secrets of the empire. While it would be impossible to sketch out naval blueprints or maps perfectly, I had enough knowledge to explain which areas were critical and why.
But when it came to clearing up misunderstandings that had been placed on me, it was incredibly difficult.
Yes, there were no limits to my ability, so I could rewind time again and again and try to explain things. If I thought about the countless time-manipulators I’d seen in my past life, my hesitation would probably seem like an indulgence to them.
But... still.
“...”
Somehow, despite having the ability to rewind time, I found myself in yet another confrontation today.
Alice had at least said that she wouldn’t interfere with my love life anymore. She probably read that I was genuinely annoyed. And, true to her word, Alice didn’t bother me during lunch today either, nor did she offer any advice.
Claire trusts me. If I really were to start dating Leo after saying all this, it would deeply wound her, but there’s no need to worry. I have no intention of dating a man.
Moreover, the general common sense I had from my previous life made things more uncomfortable. To others, I appeared to be a slightly mature girl in her mid-teens, but in truth, I was just an old man inside. Even though I didn’t have romantic feelings, the thought of engaging in such things at my age was... highly unpleasant.
Charlotte had agreed not to interfere further, but as we three walked out of the classroom, she caught my gaze and clenched her fist.
It reminded me of something I’d once thought when I used to watch internet broadcasts: why do people dislike obsessive couples so much? Now, I understood why. I wasn’t involved in internet broadcasting, but still.
*
We ended up in the same bakery as yesterday. The bakery owner’s face lit up when he saw me.
I probably had to buy even more bread today. After all, if we were going to have a conversation, we’d have to clear everyone else out of here.
“...”
As soon as we sat down, I opened my mouth.
“So, you asked me to eat with you today. Can I hear why?”
“Ah— well...”
Before Leo could answer, Sophia raised her hand like a child eager to answer in class.
“Sophia,” I said, seeing Leo nod in agreement. I looked at Sophia.
“I’m not sure why the Princess gave up on Leo yesterday.”
“...”
I glanced at Leo. He was already covering his face with both hands. Thankfully, his face and ears weren’t flushed red from embarrassment.
“I don’t think you need to do that.”
“Well, the premise is a bit strange,” I said, since I already knew she wouldn’t listen to me anyway.
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t give up on Leo?”
“Of course, because love is something you fight for.”
Sophia said with determination, her face hardening with resolve.
...
What’s going on?
Did she sneakily read some romance novels when she was young in a convent? That wouldn’t surprise me.
“If there’s a fight for love, there must also be a way to let go,” I replied.
“I can’t accept that!” Sophia immediately responded to me.
“Fighting for love like that—”
“Fighting?” I asked, confused.
How does someone like her, who’s usually completely oblivious, pick up on such words when it matters?
“Leo.”
I said, turning to Leo with a serious expression.
“Would you mind stepping outside and waiting for us for a bit while we talk? It’ll only take a moment.”
And then I realized how cold it was outside, so I quickly added.
“It won’t take long.”
“...”
Leo gave me a somewhat surprised look but nodded and stood up.
Thank goodness. He was a gentleman, unlike Jake. If Leo had Jake’s personality, he’d probably have smiled smugly and insisted on staying in the conversation.
As Leo left, I pulled my chair next to Sophia.
There was a distinct scent of flowers around her.
From what she had said about “fighting,” it seemed like she had applied perfume for Leo. Honestly, I didn’t know whether it was acceptable for someone in her position—especially someone from the church—to be so proactive in relationships.
“Uh, uh?”
When I sat so close to her, Sophia was taken aback.
“It may be uncomfortable, but let’s talk for a bit like this. This is something that can’t be overheard.”
Sophia nodded, looking slightly apprehensive.
“Sophia, you like Leo, don’t you?”
“...”
She looked like she was about to immediately deny it, but after a brief moment of hesitation, Sophia finally nodded.
“...Yes.”
“I don’t care why you like Leo or what attracts you to him. I’m not involved in your romantic affairs. I have no interest in other people’s relationships.”
While Jake and Lottie tried to help set people up—
—The results were a bit too much, I thought. Those two became a bit too close. If they went any further, the whole genre of the story might change. Mainly in the sense of being rated 19+.
I wasn’t concerned about whether Leo would get a girlfriend. If it ended up being Sophia... I would’ve interfered if it were the original Sophia, but this Sophia didn’t seem to show any signs of that.
It was probably just her attraction to Leo’s appearance.
“But once again, I’ve never had romantic feelings for Leo. I think of him as a friend. If he’s ever in danger, I’ll help him. If there’s a political need, I’ll gladly use my position as a princess to assist. But that’s because he’s a ‘friend,’ not because he’s my type.”
I looked directly into Sophia’s eyes as I spoke.
“Ah. Ugh.”
Sophia’s expression showed that she didn’t know how to react, especially since we were so close.
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Well, that’s exactly why I did it—to make her uncomfortable.
But, it wasn’t like our bodies were touching.
“If I were to help Alice, Claire, Mia, or Lena in similar ways, it wouldn’t be because I think of them as my lovers either.”
“R-really?”
“Really.”
I said, moving my chair back a little.
“Of course, I think the same about Charlotte. But she’s a princess of a country. In fact, she will be the future queen. Even though I’m a princess, when she becomes queen, I won’t be in a position to ‘help’ her anymore.”
“...”
Sophia seemed lost in thought for a moment.
“And you. Sophia Bianchi.”
When I called her name, she blinked in surprise.
“Perhaps, I could help your ‘family’ as well. I could assist a small noble family, at least.”
“...”
Sophia’s expression subtly shifted.
I already knew Sophia’s true identity, and she knew I knew it too.
But the help I spoke of would be limited to the ‘small noble family’—I wasn’t offering to help the Law Empire, but I would help her personally.
Even though Sophia’s thinking was a bit simple, I’m sure she understood exactly what I was saying.
“But if you keep spreading false rumors that make me upset, you might be removed from my list of friends.”
“Ah.”
At my words, Sophia’s face turned pale.
Yes, I knew she was enjoying her school life, but there were things she had to do.
As an agent sent by the Law Empire, she had a mission to fulfill.
And the priority of that mission was to become friends with me, Sylvia Fangryphon.
Looking at the pale Sophia, I felt satisfied that my message had gotten through.