Please Don’t Die, My Lady

Chapter 24

The next morning.

When I opened my eyes, the sun was already up.

I turned my head, feeling the emptiness beside me, only to find the space vacant.

From the direction of the wardrobe, I could hear the soft sound of Ariana’s footsteps, as though she was trying not to wake me.

It seems I overslept.

I often stay up all night in my own room because I can’t fall asleep, yet I managed to sleep soundly in Ariana’s room.

Although my dreams were slightly unsettling, that wasn’t anything new for me.

Perhaps the negative impression I’d built up toward her crumbled completely in just one day.

Oddly enough, I found her space to be inexplicably comforting.

“Hmmph…”

I stretched lightly as I sat up.

The sensation of my stiff muscles loosening and blood beginning to circulate felt oddly pleasant.

A faint groan escaped my lips.

Ariana, who had been fastening the buttons of her shirt in front of the mirror, noticed me stirring and quickly finished before approaching.

“Good morning.”

“…Oh, uh, yes. Good morning.”

I froze for a moment, caught off guard by her sudden greeting.

It had already been unusual for her to invite me to stay the night, but I chalked it up to the late hour.

I didn’t expect the same atmosphere to carry over into the morning.

Apparently, it wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Taking a step closer, she continued.

“Are you feeling okay?

If you’re experiencing any side effects, let me know. I can treat you.”

“No, I’m fine. Perfectly fine, uh—”

“You seem like the type to endure pain without saying anything.

Excuse me, but I’ll check just to be sure.”

With a swift but deliberate touch, Ariana’s hands began probing every part of my body.

If you know it’s intrusive, don’t do it.

I felt an unpleasant, crawling sensation, as if bugs were skittering up my nerves, and I tried to swat her hands away.

Of course, with my strength, I couldn’t even push her back, let alone stop her.

Once again, all I could do was try reasoning with her—something I’d never seen anyone actually take seriously.

It was an utterly futile resistance, one I repeated only because I didn’t know how to stop.

Just as before, my voice drifted aimlessly into the air.

“I’m really fine, so stop touching me.”

“……”

“I said I’m fine. I’m okay.”

“……”

“I said no, didn’t I? Stop it, I told you.”

“……”

“Stop.”

“……”

“Please… just listen.”

“……”

“For god’s sake, please, please, please! Enough already!

I’m telling you to stop, aren’t I? How many times do I have to say it!?

Why does no one ever listen to a word I say!?”

“There’s only a little left.”

“…Ha, haha.”

Normally, I would’ve kept my reactions in check because of the princess, but today, for some reason, my emotions felt particularly raw.

It was almost as if the princess and I were sharing the same feelings.

In the end, I couldn’t hold back.

For the first time since this body became mine, I shouted.

I foolishly hoped that maybe things would change, even just a little.

But of course, all I got in return was a few curt, businesslike remarks.

I laughed bitterly without realizing it.

After that, I stopped talking altogether.

Fine. This is always how it ends.

No matter what I do, no matter what I think, whether the other person has goodwill or ill intentions,

my so-called free will doesn’t exist.

It’s not even a joke—I really might be a puppet.

Every time someone treats me like this, it feels like I’m inching closer to something worse than death.

“There don’t seem to be any major issues.”

“…I see. That’s a relief.”

“I’ve washed your uniform.

Can you dress yourself?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll help you put it on.”

“……”

What am I even talking to right now?

The air?

I don’t know.

But one of us isn’t human, that’s for sure.

After her probing hands withdrew, they were quickly replaced by hands holding my uniform.

The fabric of my uniform, pristine and white, began to layer over my bare skin.

Though I let my body go limp, Ariana dressed me with practiced ease.

She spread my arms, slipped them into sleeves, and fastened the buttons.

She guided my head through the collar, adjusted the neckline, and slipped on the skirt.

She moved me as if I were a doll, and before long, I was dressed more neatly than I could’ve managed myself.

“All done. There’s nothing uncomfortable, is there?”

“……”

“In that case, I’ll brush your hair.”

As if there wasn’t a moment to waste, the hand holding the comb approached without hesitation.

The comb slid gently through my hair, smoothing out the tangles.

Despite its stark white color, reminiscent of an old man’s hair, my hair glided like freshly woven silk under her meticulous care.

Even though I hadn’t washed it, the areas the comb passed over appeared moist and glossy, as if touched by water.

She must have used some kind of magic.

How convenient.

The magic I can’t use always seems useful.

No, it’s the opposite.

The things I can use are just useless.

I already know that; no need to rub it in.

Still, facts need to be clarified when it comes to such things.

What a nuisance.

“All right. Next is…”

Even after setting the comb down, Ariana didn’t seem to think her task was done.

She must have decided to do everything she possibly could for me.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, the nausea I’d been suppressing reached its peak.

It felt as though I might actually vomit everything right there.

Desperate, I called out her name.

Thankfully, this time, she responded.

“Ariana.”

“Yes, I’m here.”

“Could you stop now?

I don’t know what you heard yesterday, but please treat it all as the ramblings of a madwoman. Please.”

“I can’t, Princess.”

“…It’s too much. I can’t handle this. I’m going to fall apart.”

“I’m sorry. But it’ll be fine.

Soon, you’ll get used to it.”

“…There’s no way that’s true.”

“It will be, I promise.”

“……”

I lowered my head to hide the tears that were threatening to spill.

No, they were already blurring my vision.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to stop them from falling.

If I didn’t, she’d probably try to wipe them away, wouldn’t she?

And if that happened, I might really collapse, spilling out everything inside me before fainting.

No matter what, I couldn’t let her see me like that.

She’d undoubtedly take it as an opportunity to get even closer.

I swallowed back my tears and the ragged breaths that came with them, forcing them down into my throat.

Fortunately, Ariana didn’t seem to notice anything, continuing to touch around my hair.

I guess that’s a relief.

“……”

“……”

Even though I stayed completely silent, the strange atmosphere persisted.

The distance between us and even her tone felt awkward.

It wasn’t just me who was off—she seemed just as out of sorts.

We’re not supposed to have this kind of relationship.

I’m the victim, and you’re the perpetrator.

If you weren’t hiding behind a particularly thick mask, your conscience alone should stop you from acting like this.

If you’d just kept tormenting me the way you used to, this wouldn’t be so hard.

I was even starting to feel a faint sense of familiarity toward you.

I don’t know anymore.

I’ve never been the perpetrator before.

Ever since coming here, I’ve always been the absolute weakling.

I can’t begin to understand how they think.

“…It’s done.

I’d love to do more, but any more, and we’ll be late. Shall we go?”

Her voice, signaling the end, brought me back to reality, and I opened my eyes.

A single tear had escaped down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away with the back of my hand.

Thankfully, it didn’t lead to a flood of tears.

I’ve cried a lot recently.

Maybe I’m starting to dry out.

“Princess, give me your hand.”

Ariana reached out to me.

I stared at her for a moment before placing my hand in hers.

As if waiting for this, she pulled me up with a gentle yet steady tug.

She held onto me, keeping me steady as my trembling legs found their footing.

Her unnecessary attentiveness only added to my torment.

She’s not going to save me anyway.

People don’t change overnight.

“…Hypocrite.”

I never thought you’d turn into this.

I muttered softly as I let go of her arm.

Whether she didn’t hear it or simply pretended not to, Ariana began walking toward the door without reacting.

Either way, it didn’t matter.

Whether she ignored me or didn’t notice, it was clear she had no intention of changing this relationship.

I stood there for a moment before finally following her out of the room.

The mood that had been fine when I woke up had plummeted to rock bottom by now.

I should’ve just gone back to my own room last night.

At least then I wouldn’t have known about this situation until morning.

All that remained in my mind was regret, swirling endlessly.

Despite my foul mood, I figured being with Ariana might at least help me avoid running into anyone else.

That hope was dashed less than a minute after we started walking.

From the other end of the hallway, an all-too-familiar voice called out to me.

Turning my head, I saw a girl looking my way, her expression worn compared to before.

The girl—Sena—ran toward me and grabbed my shoulders.

“Princess!”

“…Sena?”

“Where on earth have you been!?

You left in the middle of class and didn’t return to your room all night! We were worried sick!

The maids and I searched everywhere, but you were nowhere to be found, so I was so, so…!”

As she continued her tirade, Sena suddenly trailed off, her gaze landing on Ariana, who was standing beside me.

“Ariana Warton…?”

“…Princess. Who is this girl?”

Sena, knowing what I’d been through, seemed to recognize Ariana as well.

Ariana, on the other hand, apparently didn’t know Sena, as she lightly tugged on my sleeve.

It was clear that neither of them was happy about this encounter.

I had a bad feeling that things were about to get complicated.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

In my head, something snapped.

Please, just stop.

I’m at my limit.