When she came to her senses, Fia was already walking on the street outside the slave trading guild.
She vaguely remembered that when Claire suggested going for a walk together, she instinctively agreed.
It wasn’t that she lacked willpower, but rather that she couldn’t find a reason to refuse someone like Claire, a moon elf.
To be honest, she really needed someone like Claire, an outsider, to provide her with advice.
As the saying goes, “the onlooker sees more clearly,” and maybe Claire could give her an answer that would satisfy everyone.
The night was deep, and the street was almost deserted, with only the moonlight and the candlelight from a few windows illuminating the scene, making it feel particularly desolate.
But Fia was content with this; the night was always a time for reflection, and her thoughts were clearer when no one was around.
“So you’re saying that you’re not actually the original noble lady, but a soul that has possessed her body?” Claire asked, tilting her head to look at Fia’s face with an inscrutable tone as they walked slowly.
Unlike Anastasia, Claire was an outsider, so Fia didn’t explain the real situation but used a similar example instead.
She replaced the identity of the elf princess with that of a noble lady, and herself as a soul that accidentally possessed the noble lady’s body.
In this world, the concept of souls existed, though not well-liked, it was still somewhat acceptable.
It’s worth noting that souls are different from ghosts; they are two separate concepts.
Looking down at her feet, Fia sighed helplessly.
“Yeah.
If I were just a noble lady who lost her memory due to a serious injury, as Anna said, I could accept that.
In fact, I’d be happy to accept it.
But I have memories that clearly don’t belong to the noble lady, which means she died in the accident, and I’m the one who came later.”
Anna referred to Anastasia.
Since Anastasia was the captain of the second squad of the guards, there was no guarantee that Claire wouldn’t know about these things, so it was better to keep it covered.
It didn’t affect her recounting of the events anyway.
“So what’s your view? Do you want to become your original self, or continue living as the noble lady? From what you said, you didn’t voluntarily possess this body, right?”
“Of course.
I just woke up and found myself in this body.
As for my view,” Fia paused, and although what she was about to say was shameless, Claire was a stranger, so it didn’t matter if she was disliked, “I actually want to become the noble lady, to experience things I never did before.”
She almost let slip the word “warmth.”
If she had really said it, it would have been too shameless, making it seem like she wanted to be cared for.
To cover up the awkwardness of her temporary change of words, Fia continued speaking.
“However, I find it hard to accept just pretending to have amnesia and starting from scratch.
I don’t know if Claire can understand my thoughts, but I feel that accepting others’ care under the guise of the noble lady’s identity is just self-deception.
Those people truly care about the noble lady, not ‘me.’ When the night is quiet, I feel empty because of my hypocrisy, knowing it’s all fake.”
“Surprisingly dignified, but not unlikable.”
“So I plan to tell Anna the truth when I get back.
It’s better to rip the band-aid off quickly; it’s better for both of us.
I can search for what I want in this world, and they don’t have to waste their feelings on someone unrelated.”
“Do you think that’s okay, Fia?” Claire’s question puzzled Fia.
Generally speaking, at this point, others would think “that’s okay,” because impersonating someone else is not accepted in any era or world.
Fia couldn’t help but frown and turned to look at Claire.
At this moment, Claire was looking straight ahead, with an indifferent expression.
“What do you mean by ‘that’s okay’?”
“Of course, I mean your true thoughts.
You don’t actually want this, do you?”
“People can have desires, but they can’t pursue them endlessly, or they’ll be no different from beasts.
You can’t compromise on matters of principle.”
“So, stopping here makes you feel satisfied, Fia.”
“Exactly.”
“Ha,” suddenly, Claire sighed deeply, crossing her arms in front of her chest, speaking as if instructing a junior, “What about Anna? What will happen to them?”
They would probably be heartbroken.
Fia could easily come to that conclusion without thinking.
Even when she stood in front of Anastasia, Anastasia would sob and plead for her forgiveness, let alone when she found out that the elf princess was truly beyond saving.
Before Fia could answer, Claire pressed on.
“What do you think of Anna?”
“Very reliable, trustworthy, a capable assistant.”
“Do you think it’s okay to let her be sad like that? Forgive me for being blunt, but I don’t agree with your approach—it’s a way that leaves you with a clear conscience.
But on the other hand, it’s too cruel to others, and even to yourself.
Lies can be either malicious or benevolent, and a benevolent lie won’t burden you psychologically.
After all, you don’t need to play the role of the noble lady; you can be yourself.
Isn’t gaining others’ recognition through your own abilities also an option?”
“What do you mean?”
Without using a lecturing tone, but rather as a suggestion, Claire replied.
“From my outsider’s perspective, you’re overthinking it.
If you see Fia possessing the noble lady’s body as a blessing from the gods, then the gods’ intention shouldn’t be for Fia to play the noble lady, but to comfort the living for the soul that has passed.
Of course, this is hard for Fia to accept, but don’t you also yearn for the bonds that the noble lady had?”
“Listen, amnesia is a reasonable explanation, but for those who truly understand, it’s just an excuse to seek solace.
Because they can’t accept reality, they would rather believe the noble lady is just amnesiac than truly dead.
However, as time goes on, they will eventually understand and accept everything.”
“Are you suggesting I lie, Claire?”
If she thought about it from this angle, she should indeed play the role of the elf princess.
She would experience bonds she never had before, and Anastasia and the others wouldn’t grieve over the elf princess’s death.
When everything was over, Anastasia and the others would peacefully accept the fact that the elf princess had died, achieving the best of both worlds.
But Claire decisively rejected Fia’s question.
“No, I have no intention of telling you what to do, Fia.
I’m just offering you a suggestion from another perspective.
Besides, I’m more concerned about you, Fia, than that girl named Anna.”
At this point, Claire’s face was already filled with a teasing smile.
Even though she knew she was being teased, Fia couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat.
It’s hard not to be moved when someone as beautiful and elegant as Claire jokes around, especially since Claire’s personality hit Fia’s sweet spot—Fia liked mature women.
“…Can I take that as ‘the moonlight is beautiful tonight’?” Fia retorted, unwilling to be outdone.
Feigning seriousness, Claire suddenly distanced herself, her pure green eyes widening.
“I have no such intentions, okay? What I mean is, compared to the Fia I talked to at night, I’ve never even met that girl named Anna.
So rather than considering Anna, I’m more on Fia’s side.
It’s better for Fia to think more about herself.”
“Is that so…”
Lost in thought, Fia lowered her head, pondering until they almost reached the end of the street.
Then she looked up, as if to release all the worries in her chest, exhaled deeply, and finally smiled at Claire.
“I have my answer now, thank you, Claire.”
“You’re welcome.
This is a return gift for Fia helping me save that beastman girl earlier.
If I could help you, that’s even better.”
As if resolving a troublesome matter, Claire clapped her hands on her dark dress, and the waterfall-like silver hair behind her danced along.
“I should be heading back now.”
“Is that so? I still wanted to ask Claire about the curse you mentioned earlier.”
Walking with someone she just met at night like this was a first for Fia, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.
This is Claire!
