Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 62

Vanessa rubbed her eyes, exhaustion weighing on her. Lina gently nudged her forward.

“Let’s hurry. I’ll feel terrible if I made you uncomfortable earlier.”

“It’s fine. You tease me every day anyway.”

“That’s because I thought you were doing better. But to run into *them*, of all people, in this situation…”

Chebatti sighed softly, her brow furrowed.

“I wonder if Phydom is really this small. Of course, the area near the royal palace is always bustling, so it’s not entirely surprising, but still…”

Fate, it seemed, wasn’t ready to grant Vanessa a reprieve.

Eugenia had always been a kind senior, consistently keeping in touch and genuinely caring for Vanessa. She would recognize Vanessa anywhere, even from behind.

“Vanessa?”

At the sound of Eugenia’s warm, familiar voice, Vanessa managed a weak, bitter smile.

Turning, she saw Eugenia’s eyes widen in surprise, with Gideon standing a short distance behind her, looking equally taken aback.

“Hello,” Vanessa said softly.

“Oh my, what a surprise! You came to Phydom without even telling me! I’m truly disappointed,” Eugenia exclaimed, a hint of playful reproach in her voice.

“I was planning to contact you. I’ve been a bit out of sorts lately…” Vanessa offered, forcing a smile. Lina, ever the observant friend, chimed in, twirling a strand of her hair.

“Are Chebatti and I invisible?”

“Oh my, Chebatti! Still as cute as ever. I heard you’re working under a very famous designer now. Congratulations!” Eugenia said, smoothly glossing over Lina’s comment. Chebatti offered a quiet, polite thank you.

Vanessa, anxious to avoid any introductions between Eugenia and Gideon, quickly steered the conversation. “I’ll contact you soon. I’ve been meaning to see you; I have so much to thank you for. But it looks like you have plans today, so we should be going.”

Vanessa hoped her smile looked convincing. Fortunately, Eugenia seemed to buy it, returning a bright smile. “I’ll be waiting! It was nice to see you too, Lina.”

“The honor is all mine, really,” Lina replied dryly.

Ignoring Gideon’s gaze boring into her back, Vanessa turned and walked away with her friends. Chebatti gently patted Vanessa’s waist in a comforting gesture.

“It’s okay, you know,” Chebatti murmured.

“Easy for you to say. Should I show you a mirror?”

“No…”

Vanessa tried to cool her eyes, which felt like they were about to betray her, in the wind.

“It’s a good thing I’m a mage. I can summon the wind like this,” she said, attempting a light tone.

“That’s really amazing,” Lina replied, though her voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.

“Why did I have to fall for someone like that?” Vanessa lamented.

If she had fallen for someone more ordinary, someone more like her, would she have been able to enjoy the relationship, to expect something in return?

But Lina, hearing the self-deprecating words, responded firmly. “Even then, you probably wouldn’t have expected anything. You always underestimate yourself. When are you going to stop doing that? You’re a great person, you know.”

Seeing Vanessa’s gloomy expression at her stern tone, Chebatti looped her arm through Vanessa’s and gently pulled her toward the road leading to her mansion. “Let’s sleep at my house tonight. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight if I leave Vanessa alone.”

“Yeah! Let’s go to Chebatti’s house tonight. And let’s all get together again around next weekend. At my house!” Lina added, her voice regaining its usual energy.

Vanessa finally nodded. It would be better to cry in a place where it was okay to cry.

Vanessa did cry a little in the Milot Dotti mansion’s luxurious guest room. But she had improved considerably, so she managed to keep it to just a tear or two.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Vanessa, who had briefly lowered the wall she kept around herself, now rebuilt it even stronger and higher.

The feeling she had experienced the moment she saw Gideon standing with Eugenia was difficult to put into words.

After finishing her duties at the Magic Department and arriving at the Special Task Force building, Vanessa retreated into herself, guarded and wary. She avoided his gaze and spoke only when absolutely necessary.

“Vanessa.”

“Yes.”

Gideon sighed softly as he watched Vanessa, who refused to even make eye contact. Vanessa flinched slightly but kept her head down.

He paused for a moment before pointing to the documents spread across the table. “Based on the information we’ve gathered so far, the Darorum Street and Jasaro Market areas are suspicious. Are the patterns that keep emerging similar?”

“Yes, that’s correct. We’ve caught and expelled three mages from Darorum, and among the confiscated items, there are definitely one or two suspected of being used for chimera [a creature made from mixed animal parts] creation. I think we overlooked them because there were simply too many items to sift through.”

Gideon picked up a few documents that Vanessa had meticulously compiled. The organization was impeccable, and the potential areas of interest were clearly marked.

He spoke, his expression unreadable, as he examined the neat, precise handwriting. “Thank you for your hard work. Nothing further will be needed.”

The rest would likely be handled by the Special Task Force. Vanessa had no intention of getting further involved. Her evenings were precious.

“Yes, thank you,” she replied.

So, tonight would be the last time they were together like this. From now on, she would confine herself to the Magic Department, minimizing any chance encounters.

Even if they did cross paths, they could exchange simple greetings and smiles. It was just that managing her expression had been a little difficult today, but she was confident she could smile naturally next time.

Vanessa gathered her things and stood up.

Gideon remained silent. It felt like a distant dream that they had walked the night streets together not so long ago.

“I’ll be going now,” Vanessa said, bowing her head slightly. She turned and walked away without looking at his face.

“Finally, freedom,” she muttered as she left the Special Task Force building, but her heart strangely didn’t feel lighter.

Returning to her cramped lodging, Vanessa leaned against the wall.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Finally, rumors began circulating within the Royal Cabinet that the Special Task Force had issued a notice for personnel recruitment.

“They’re incredibly picky, I hear.”

“Well, it *is* ‘that’ Duke [a high-ranking nobleman], after all.”

“It’s understandable that they’re selective. I heard some people run away as soon as they’re dispatched on a mission. It’s that dangerous.”

While letting the chatter about the Special Task Force’s recruitment, which was the main topic of conversation among the Magic Department staff, wash over her, Vanessa recalled the short letter she had received recently.

She had felt somewhat guilty towards Evan, so she hadn’t been able to bring herself to contact him, but he had sent her a letter first.

「To ‘Friend’ Vanessa Rose,

Vanessa,

How are you?

I heard you joined the Magic Department. Lina Dellina told me about your recent situation while pitying me a lot. Why is she always so quick to notice things?

But my heart, which was wounded by your clear rejection, has now healed very well. We’ll be good friends again. So don’t worry.

I submitted my application to the Special Task Force, but it was rejected because it wasn’t the receiving period yet. Did I give the impression that I was thoughtless?

Since Dalois also said that, I’m even more unsure of myself.

Turns out Dalois and I are soulmates. We do the same things… As you can see.

Anyway, I’m enjoying my free time since I have nothing to do. I’m confident that the Special Task Force recruitment notice will be released soon.

Let’s see each other with Lina and Chebatti next time. Is it true that only those two bought you dinner?

Let me treat you to a meal too!

From Evan.」

Evan’s letter had a calming effect on her.

Vanessa sent a reply suggesting they all meet this weekend. Evan quickly responded in a hurried, almost frantic handwriting, expressing his enthusiasm.

“Vanessa!”

“Ah, yes?” Vanessa replied, startled.

Recently, she had been strangely prone to spacing out. Startled by the voice calling her name, Vanessa turned to face Danny Marlon, his hair disheveled and his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

“Vanessa, are you not interested in the Special Combat Unit? Mages who enter the Cabinet consider it at least once.”

“What are you talking about!” Munia Tran exclaimed, worried that the Magic Department’s precious and hardworking newbie might disappear. Other members of the Magic Department voiced their protests as well.

“Why would you even suggest that!”

Someone crumpled up a piece of paper and threw it at Danny Marlon. Amidst the flurry of paper balls, Vanessa offered an awkward smile.

“I’m not particularly interested…”

“See? I knew it all along and asked anyway. Vanessa likes the Magic Department, right? We treat you very well. Right?” Munia pressed.

“To have to say it herself…”

“It’s pathetic,” someone muttered. However, Danny Marlon straightened his shoulders, unfazed by the criticism.

“I’m honest and unashamed. Right, Vanessa?”

Vanessa simply smiled faintly, offering no direct answer. Instead, she changed the subject. “By the way, it seems like the Special Task Force recruiting people is a major topic.”

“It certainly is. The requirement of being a mage is already difficult, but they also strictly evaluate everything from the speed of spellcasting to the presence or absence of specific skills. The standards are incredibly high. But the important thing isn’t even that,” Munia Tran leaned in conspiratorially and whispered. Vanessa blinked in curiosity and leaned closer as well.

“The *leader* of the Special Task Force is the important thing. Gideon Sol Balder!”

Vanessa’s fingertips trembled for a moment.

“The most eligible bachelor in Friba [a fictional country]. The sole heir of the Balder family, and an incredibly handsome man! But there’s not even a single rumor about him dating anyone,” Munia continued.

Danny Marlon jumped in, eager to add to the story. “He’s one of the busiest people in the Cabinet! He probably doesn’t even have time to date. Minister Tellios was even shaking his head about it last time. Anyway, there’s almost no chance of even running into him.”

“There must be people who see the personnel recruitment notice as an opportunity to meet him,” Vanessa commented indifferently.

Munia and Danny nodded vigorously. “Exactly!”

“They’re so busy filtering out people with ulterior motives. Last time, hundreds of unqualified people applied!”

“I wonder if they think they can seduce him just by meeting him,” Munia said with a sly smile. Vanessa quietly swallowed a bitter smile.

He’s a decent person by any measure.

Even superficially, he’s exceptional, and internally, he’s just as impressive.

He was unwavering in his principles, and he was kind and gentle. Even to her, whom he had only met a few times, his gaze was always warm.

It might have been inevitable to fall for someone like that. It was just that she was ashamed of her own shortcomings.

“I admit he’s handsome, but is he *that* great?” someone grumbled jealously, prompting a chorus of boos.

During the sleepy post-lunch lull, the conversation continued endlessly, fueled by the interesting topic.

“I ran into him once while passing by the hallway, and I thought I was dreaming. That eye color under his eyebrows… Wow…”

“I stared blankly at him last time and tripped. He gave me a strange look.”

Laughter erupted from all corners of the room. Only Vanessa remained silent, diligently processing documents amidst the commotion.

“Who on earth is such a great person going to end up with?”

“He’ll meet someone equally great. A major landowner or the daughter of a powerful business magnate? Or a great beauty.”

“Yeah. Otherwise, how could you even stand next to him? I’d be afraid of the gossip.”

“I heard he rejected the second daughter of a certain count family last time. Isn’t that enough?”

Ink leaked from the tip of Vanessa’s pen, which had been frozen in place, and stained the paper black.

As many people had said, he was exceptional in every way.

Therefore, the person standing next to him also had to be without flaws. Orphan Vanessa Rose, who had nothing, was obviously out of the question. She didn’t suit him, who was so radiant.

Would it be like placing a masterpiece sculpture next to a patched-up rag doll?

“Oh, Vanessa! You have ink on your hand!” Danny Marlon exclaimed in surprise, and Vanessa put down her pen.

“You’re right. It’s stained black.”

“Wipe it with this,” Danny Marlon offered, fussing over her. Vanessa smiled awkwardly and accepted the handkerchief, thanking him.

With the completion of her work with the Special Task Force, Vanessa had regained her evenings.

The Magic Department staff tried to lighten the workload for their hardworking newbie. They were terrified of losing her.

“Vanessa, go home early today. Tomorrow is the weekend.”

“Yes? I’ll just finish this up. It’s going to the Minister anyway.”

“I’ll deliver it to the Minister. I have something to report anyway. The Minister knows all about your hard work, so he won’t misunderstand if I deliver it,” Munia Tran said kindly, her hair tied up haphazardly, with strands sticking out in all directions.

Vanessa eventually nodded. It wouldn’t be bad to walk along the sunset road after so long.

She left the Magic Department and started walking home. However, she somehow wasn’t as happy as she thought she would be to have left work early.

Was she going crazy from working too much? But when she returned home, the space felt so quiet and cramped that she felt lonely.

Vanessa didn’t stop by her house and continued walking along the road stretching straight ahead.