My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone - Chapter 57

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 57
I had been curious about this Medicinal Tea House anyway.
At first glance, every plant I saw belonged to the Eastern Continent.
‘It’s not just the plants. There are buildings constructed in Eastern Continent style as well.’
The guests of the Medicinal Tea House sipped tea in Eastern Continent-style pavilions, strolled through the Garden, and even took boats on the Pond. It was a tea house of remarkable scale.
‘Operating a Medicinal Tea House of this magnitude would require an astronomical amount of mana stones.’
They said Count Rasphael de Bor was among the wealthiest on the continent, and now I understood why.
‘But then….’
Was he going to keep following me?
I glanced back over my shoulder.
About five paces behind, Raphael maintained his distance while following. Feeling a bit guilty about him trailing after me like this, I spoke up.
“You don’t need to follow me. I can take a walk alone. After all, this Medicinal Tea House is only for nobles, so it’s safe. There are guards stationed throughout.”
Then Raphael replied in his blunt tone.
“If it troubles you, I shall walk further back.”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
That’s not it, rather….
‘What do I even say?’
I pondered briefly, then gave up on explaining. What could I do? Ju-hwa had made her displeasure abundantly clear all this time.
‘Forget it.’
Yet having him walk a few paces behind me, trailing along, was rather distracting.
‘Maybe I should ask him to walk beside me instead.’
If I did that, Raphael would certainly become defensive. Given everything Ju-hwa had done to him, he would undoubtedly suspect she was plotting something sinister again.
‘I really want to apologize properly to Raphael.’
It wasn’t something I did, but my body did it, so it’s my responsibility.
I recalled all the terrible things Ju-hwa had done to Raphael, one by one.
‘Ju-hwa, I really can’t take your side on this.’
Hmm, as I was pondering, the Pond came into view. Several people were riding in small boats, leisurely drifting across the water.
‘Yes, that would be better.’
If we took a boat, at least we’d naturally face each other and have a chance to talk.
“We still have plenty of time. Shall we go boating?”
I quickly spoke up before he could refuse.
“Other people are enjoying themselves on boats too. There’s no reason we can’t. Oh, and I’ll row the boat myself.”
“That is not acceptable.”
Why again!
“Such work is not befitting of the Duchess.”
“Such work? Surely you don’t need qualifications to ride in a boat?”
“I was referring to rowing the oars.”
A brief silence fell between us.
“….”
Ah. I see.
Only then did Kanna realize the truth.
‘Ah, so that’s why he said it wouldn’t work earlier.’
He considered her station far too elevated to be organizing medicinal herbs or rowing a boat.
In other words, Raphael regarded her as a noblewoman.
‘Does my black hair not bother him?’
It was an unusual circumstance in this world.
‘Well, I suppose it’s because I’m Silvien’s wife.’
Yet if he remembered what Ju-hwa had done, he would never see her as a ‘lady’ at all.
‘Perhaps it’s because he’s a former priest—he’s quite the caretaker.’
* * *
Raphael’s rowing technique was masterful.
The small boat glided smoothly through the water. Kanna pretended to enjoy the leisurely boat ride before carefully broaching the subject.
“I’d like to apologize to Raphael.”
She spoke softly, testing the waters.
“I’ve caused you so much trouble over the years.”
Raphael said nothing, continuing to row with an expressionless face.
Kanna pressed on with determination.
“I regret so much of it. I truly don’t understand why I acted that way.”
Ju-hwa, why on earth did you do these things?
Kanna began her earnest apology.
“I’m sorry for dropping that bucket of filthy water on your head.”
It was a true incident.
Remarkably, Ju-hwa had actually done something so despicable—waiting by the window until Raphael appeared, then hurling the bucket down at him.
‘Fortunately, Raphael managed to dodge the bucket.’
But unfortunately, the filthy water had drenched him nonetheless.
‘Ju-hwa must have copied it from some strange delinquent manga she watched as a child.’
Drenched in water, Raphael had simply looked up and stared at Kanna silently, then turned and left without a word.
Not a single curse, not even an irritated groan.
Even now, I could vividly recall his soaked hair and the water droplets falling from his jaw.
‘He’s an extraordinary person. I would have jumped up and slapped him immediately.’
But that wasn’t all.
“And I’m truly sorry for throwing food scraps at you, for cursing you out and running away, for sneaking curse letters into your pocket, for throwing rocks at you….”
To think that her own body had committed such acts!
The more she spoke, the more embarrassment washed over her. Kanna fanned her flushed face with her hand.
Of course, these weren’t things she had done.
But he didn’t know that! So he must think she was a madwoman!
“I’m sorry for all of it.”
Since Raphael’s clothing resembled priestly vestments, it felt oddly like she was making a confession.
“….”
Raphael continued listening in silence.
But did he even hear me?
His expression was so blank that I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
‘He must find it ridiculous. How absurd that I’m apologizing now, after all this time.’
A sigh escaped me unbidden. The sadder truth was that this wretched confession still wasn’t finished.
“And I’m truly sorry for lying about having feelings for you… and for embracing you without permission.”
“That.”
For the first time, Raphael responded. He gazed quietly at the water’s surface as he spoke.
“That was where you were wrong, madam.”
Perhaps it was my imagination, but it sounded as though that were my only mistake.
“I wanted to apologize if the opportunity arose. I was immature back then.”
“Madam.”
“Yes?”
If only he had berated me harshly, my heart would have felt lighter. But Raphael did not.
Instead, he asked something utterly unexpected.
“Can you swim?”
“…Why the sudden question?”
“There is a hole in the boat.”
What?!
He was right. Looking down, water was already seeping into the bottom of the small rowboat!
‘Good heavens, I was so focused on apologizing I didn’t notice!’
“I merely asked for precaution’s sake. If we increase our speed, we shall reach the pond’s edge safely, so do not worry.”
Raphael spoke calmly, then began rowing with renewed vigor.
‘Ugh, how damp!’
As water continued to rise, the hem of my skirt began to soak through.
Just as I was about to grimace, Raphael suddenly stopped rowing and fixed the oars in place, then removed his outer vestment and laid it beneath my feet.
Then he resumed rowing.
“…”
It had happened so suddenly that I had no time to react.
‘There was no need for him to go this far.’
It was fine, really…
But it was already done. It was too late to return it now.
‘Oh, what does it matter.’
After a moment’s hesitation, I gently placed my feet upon his garment. And I understood once more.
Raphael clearly regarded me with utmost respect—as Silvien’s wife, as the Duchess of Valentino, as a noblewoman of the highest station.
‘Even though he must know that my status as Silvien’s wife is merely hollow.’
Yet he treats me with such courtesy, even toward a woman who once behaved like a rabid beast toward him.
‘Though I suppose he never complained, even when Ju-hwa tormented him so.’
He simply avoided her diligently; Raphael never showed displeasure or told her to stop.
‘Are all clergy like this?’

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————