I’m Reincarnated In Otome Game?

Facing Cecilia, who demanded Liz's freedom, Randy scratched his head with one hand, searching for words.

"Uh, could you… wait a moment…?"

He tried to find the right words and a reason for her demand but came up with nothing. Looking to Liz for help, all he got was a confused shake of her head.

(I have no clue.)

Since thinking wasn't getting him anywhere, Randy decided to be honest. "I… don't understand what you're talking about."

"Are you seriously going to play dumb at this point?" Cecilia's voice rose in excitement.

She then started elaborating on the baseless rumors circulating about how Randy was forcing Liz to obey him.

He had allegedly dragged her to the academy, flaunted her as his attendant, and even caused a commotion over her dormitory problem.

"Stop forcing Liza into obeying you!"

Glaring at him sharply, Cecilia left Randy no choice but to mutter a feeble, "Uh… okay?" He couldn't make sense of the rumors. 

To him, they were groundless, but Liz's unusual character lately seemed to have fueled the gossip.

"Lady Cecilia, they're just rumors, aren't they? You don't have an evidence," Randy pointed out.

"Oh, I have proof!" Cecilia exclaimed, pointing at the bracelet shining on Liz's left wrist.

"You gave Liza a handmade bracelet, pairing your color with hers! What more proof do I need?"

It was only then that Randy realized the crimson hue of the bracelet could be interpreted as representing his own color. But by the time he understood, it was already too late…

"Some people are even saying the two of you are engaged!"

"En-engaged?!"

"No, that's—!"

Their faces flushed simultaneously, and they awkwardly averted their eyes from each other.

"See? Isn't it obvious? If you're not even engaged, what other explanation is there for forcing her to wear something with your color?"

Cecilia let out a deep breath as if she had delivered her decisive blow, then spoke again with a slightly calmer tone.

"I am grateful that you saved Liz. However, if you're forcing her into something she dislikes, I cannot forgive you for that."

With a serious expression, Cecilia stood firm. Randy sighed, scratching his head, and turned his gaze back to Liz.

"Liz, I'll leave this to you."

His face clearly expressed his unwillingness to deal with the situation. 

Liz shot him a glare of protest, but Randy sighed tiredly, as if to say, "She's not going to believe me anyway."

Understanding his reasoning to some extent, Liz let out a small sigh of her own and finally spoke.

"Lady Cecilia, it's been a while."

With a graceful curtsy, Liz delivered her opening words.

"You say to release me, but I have not been forced to follow Lord Randolph," Liz said, shaking her head.

In response, Cecilia also shook her head vehemently, signaling her protest.

"Why are you speaking to me so formally?"

"I must, Lady Cecilia. You are the daughter of an earl, and I am merely a civil servant. If I do not deliver propriety, it would bring trouble to Lord Randolph and yourself."

"I don't think it would be troublesome!"

"It is not a matter of thinking it or not. The fact remains that we must avoid creating situations that others could exploit."

"I… I understand that. But at least when no one else is around…"

Cecilia's earlier energy visibly diminished as Liz spoke calmly.

(Great. Things just got even more complicated.)

Randy let out a heavy sigh, gazing up at the sky as Cecilia hung her head.

"Liz—"

"Yes?"

"This time it is your fault," Randy said bluntly.

"Huh?" Liz and Cecilia's voices overlapped in surprise.

"Didn't Lady Cecilia call you 'Liza' because she was your friend?"

At Randy's words, Liz slowly nodded.

"There's no one else here. Surely, you can consider the effort of Lady Cecilia put into bringing us to a place like this."

Randy gestured around. Cecilia had deliberately chosen a secluded spot, likely to allow Liz to speak freely. She could have confronted Randy publicly, cornering him with no way out, but she prioritized creating an environment where Liz would feel comfortable.

"Besides, she had the courage to face the villain from those rumors all on her own for your sake. You should respect her intentions as a friend."

Liz's expression shifted, and for the first time, she looked startled. 

Randy was right—rumors about him were swirling around the academy, and although Liz knew they were baseless, Cecilia didn't.

Even so, Cecilia had stepped in for Liz's sake, putting herself in an awkward and possibly risky position to confront Randy.

Realizing this, Liz softly murmured, "You're right," and smiled at Cecilia.

"Cecily, it's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Liza—!"

Cecilia threw her arms around Liz without hesitation. For a noble lady, her emotional expressions were surprisingly straightforward.

Liz looked accustomed to this, she welcomed Cecilia's embrace as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

After a moment, the two separated but continued holding hands as they began exchanging updates about their lives. Cecilia, in particular, repeatedly apologized to Liz for being unable to do anything during the incident that had led to Liz's exilement.

(So that's why she acted so recklessly.)

Randy finally understood the reason behind Cecilia's seemingly irrational actions. However, the exilement had been orchestrated and executed before even the marquis could intervene. To put it bluntly, there was no way a single young woman could have changed the outcome.

Cecilia probably understood that too. But understanding and accepting it were two entirely different things.

(Her stone-headed nature is a bit much, but I guess I can't blame her this time.)

Watching the two friends occasionally laugh, express surprise, and continue chatting, Randy muttered softly to himself, "Please, Ellie, don't interfere."

To his relief, Ellie didn't show up, and after the conversation between Liz and Cecilia had run its course, Cecilia brought up the subject of the expulsion.

"About your exilement…"

Liz hesitated, her gaze clouded not just by the memories of the exilement but also by thoughts of Eleonora. Both the truths behind the exilement and Eleonora's involvement were must be kept secret

If she chose to share this with Cecilia, it would inevitably drag her into the situation. Worse still, the uncertain nature of the exile's hidden circumstances meant she couldn't speak freely about it.

She didn't want to involve Cecilia on this matter

Caught in the conflict between wanting to share and knowing she couldn't, Liz lowered her head, visibly troubled.

"What's the matter?" Cecilia asked, leaning in to look at Liz's face.

"Lady Cecilia, please understand," Randy interjected, his voice unusually serious. His tone and expression startled Cecilia, who stiffened slightly.

"This isn't just about you—it could also greatly affect your family."

Cecilia's worried expression turned toward Liz, and it seemed she understood the gravity of the situation.

"Liza…"

"I'll be fine. I have plenty of allies," Liz said with a reassuring smile.

Moved by Liz's words, Cecilia hugged her again, saying, "I'm one of them. I'm your ally too."

After a moment, Cecilia released Liz and turned to Randy.

"Lord Randolph Victor, I deeply apologize for causing trouble due to my misunderstanding."

Cecilia bowed deeply, and Randy returned the gesture with a polite nod. "No worries."

"It's a relief to know that Liz has allies here at the academy," Randy added, exhaling a small sigh of relief now that the misunderstanding was cleared up.

Cecilia and Liz agreed to continue interacting as they always had, at least when no one else was around.

"Well then, I'll be on my way," Cecilia said, offering a graceful curtsy before departing.

"She's a good friend," Randy remarked.

"…Yes," Liz replied, her expression softening slightly.

"Don't worry about it," Randy said with a smile. "Hanging out and talking isn't going to cause any problems."

His words gently reminded Liz, who had been overly cautious about her position, not to overthink things. If they had been friends before, a simple conversation here and there wouldn't attract much attention.

This time, Liz nodded with genuine relief, and Randy responded with a satisfied, "Good."

"Alright, let's head back to class. I'd rather not stand out any more than we already have."

"Agreed."

As Cecilia disappeared into the academy building, Randy and Liz began walking as well.

"Come to think of it, Ellie's surprisingly kept her nose out of this," Randy remarked.

"Unlike you, I do have friends, you know," Ellie chimed in unexpectedly.

"Hey, I've got friends too!" Randy protested.

"Randy, please don't shout in the academy," Liz scolded, with a small smile tugging at her lips.