Chapter 72: Even if you don’t remember

When Natalia first heard she had a guest, the first thing she thought of was her father’s face.

Before she was stripped of her nobility, he had once come to the hospital and he planned to send Natalia to his second wife in exchange for a large sum of money.

However, contrary to her expectations, it was Beatrice, daughter of the Marquise of Strydom, who appeared before Natalia.

“Good day, Natalia-sama.”

Beatrice Strydom, with one of her attendants behind her, smiled and said a few words of greeting.

“You must have been surprised by my sudden visit. I’m sorry.”

She was so surprised that she was unable to return the greeting, and this made Beatrice lower her eyebrows, troubled. Natalia came back to herself and bowed her head.

“No, not at all. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I just came by today to give this to Natalia-sama.”

After saying this, Beatrice took a package from the attendant and handed it directly to Natalia.

“..what’s this?”

“I was hoping for Natalia-sama to use it.”

When she opened the package, the first thing she saw was a jar of cream. Below that would be a bag of tea.

“I heard that you are now helping out at this hospital. You know, washing sheets, washing dishes, that sort of thing.”

“Yes. Yes.. oh, could this bottle be..”

“Ah. Yes, it’s a moisturizing hand cream that works well for rough hands. It seems to be a favorite of our maids as well, so I’m sure it will work well.”

Natalia takes the jar of cream and opens the lid.

Then, a floral sweet fragrance softly rose up and gently tickled her nostrils.

“Is this for me?”

“I thought that if you work with water every day, your hands would probably get rough. In that case, it’s okay to have as many as you want, isn’t it?”

“That’s.. of course.”

In fact, Natalia’s hands are chapped.

It is a little better now because it is still autumn, but she was prepared for it to be even worse in the winter.

“I’m glad to hear that. I also went to a store that sold them, and they seemed to be very popular because they were recommended by a maid of honor. There were three different fragrances, so I had a hard time deciding which one to choose.”

“Eh? Don’t tell me you went to buy it yourself?”

“Of course I did. Because it was a gift, I wanted to choose it myself.”

At these words, Natalia involuntarily looked up.

Then, for the first time, her eyes met Beatrice’s and her eyes shook.

ーーーI stabbed this person with a knife.

She was unaware of it until Alejandro told her, and even now, somewhere in the back of her mind, she wished it was all a lie.

But surely, this person who was said to be killed by her also knows this.

Otherwise, after being in the same class for three years, she would not have distanced herself so much from her.

And now that she knows everything, how could she appear in front of her like this?

Until Alejandro told her, Natalia had always secretly wanted to be friends with Beatrice.

But now she was afraid to even look at her because she was afraid that she would be crushed by guilt.

Natalia just stood there, unable to avert her unintentionally entangled gaze.

Perhaps noticing Natalia’s state of mind, Beatrice was the first to open her mouth.

“I’m sorry to interrupt your busy schedule. I just had to.. see you. I wanted to give you this at least.”

“Oh, no, no.”

“Excuse me. This packet of tea leaves is a relaxing herbal tea. Drink it before bed for a good night’s sleep.”

“..thank you.”

Natalia clutched the package she was given tightly to her chest and barely uttered a word of thanks.

“No. Don’t worry about it.”

Natalia looks at Beatrice, who is smiling softly, with blurry eyes.

The reason she went through the trouble of bringing it to the hospital was probably out of concern for Natalia, who has become the target of rumors at the school.

She even chose and bought gifts herself.

I stabbed you to death with a knife.

I was the one who killed you.

I have always wanted to talk to her.

Even now, I find myself still wanting to exchange words with this person.

She held her tongue and was about to bow her head to invite her for tea, but..

“Thank you so much. I will take good care of it.”

I wanted to be friends with you and even talk to you.

Please forgive me.

I am not qualified to say such a thing.

How can I ask for forgiveness for a sin I don’t even remember from someone who remembers it well? That kind of thing.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

That’s just self-satisfaction.

“..I hope you have a safe trip home. Beatrice-sama.”

Beatrice laughed when she invited her out, and then she turned away and walked out.

The attendants followed behind her.

Natalia quietly watched their backs.

In the time, which was gone, I could say that you’re my best friend.

I felt like I could finally understand what I was feeling at that time.

The atmosphere surrounding her is somehow pure, untainted by greed, and clean like a recluse.

Just being near her makes me breathe much more easily.

I thought she hated me. It could be said that it’s inevitable for you to hate me.

Yet, here you are.

“..”

Without knowing it, she held that small package with strength, straining it.