I've Reincarnated as a Love Rival !

III

WHAM!!

I felt a heavy force crash into me, knocking me to the ground. The last thing I saw before I fell was a blur of blue-ish hair.

"Elisa!" Erin cried out.

Oof!

I...I'm still conscious. I'd expected to pass out from a impact like that. Luckily, the thief only crashed into my chest, and not my face or head. It sure does hurt, though.

"Elisa, are you okay?" , I hear a frantic voice call out to me. I move my gaze from the unconscious boy on top of me to Erin, who was trying to prop my head up.

"Y-yeah..." I mutter, now holding myself up. I can hear the crowd around us whispering and throwing around questions of concern. However, no one actually tried to physically help me. I can't blame them, it's natural for people to avoid dangerous situations; no one wants to get involved in risky business that aren't theirs. I really hope this doesn't stir up any rumors.

But there's another concern, this boy... my gaze now lies on the fainted teen on the ground. I slowly got back up on my feet thanks to the support of the concerned Erin.

"Out of the way!" I hear more unfamiliar male voices call after us. I look beyond the crowd gathered around us to see our guards dash towards here.

"We're fine." Replied Erin, but now his tone and gaze appeared a lot more serious.

He then turned to me, "Elisa...I'm sorry, I failed to protect you-"

I quickly shook my head and stepped away,

"brother, I do not blame you, so do not blame yourself. Plus, look, I'm perfectly fine! However, this boy-"

"He's a thief!" Yelled a baker who arrived late to the scene.

"He stole my bread! He's the culprit to the missing food cases, get him!"

I was cut off mid-sentence, and before I've realized the full situation, the guards had apprehended the poor thin boy. The bread that he held fell onto the dirty stone pavement. He was obviously still out of it and his appearance was a mess. I could feel nothing but pity as I watched him being dragged away.

"Let's head back into the carriage first, the mirror can wait", Erin finally spoke again, his usual calm attitude has returned.

I silently nod and followed Erin back to where we parked our ride.

Upon arriving, I saw some guards loading the now fully conscious boy into a different carriage behind the one we were going to board. He wore a mean, cold glare, and I could see that his cheek was swollen. Instantly, I felt bad. Did he get that injury when he ran into me?

"Brother Erin." I cling onto my brother's sleeve, but my eyes are still on the carriage behind us.

"What is it Elisa? Are you injured after all?"

"N-no, it's not that. But, what are they going to do with that boy?" I didn't know where I was going with the question, but I asked anyway.

"Oh, the thief? They're probably just taking him into a cellar for some time, it's not like he committed any big crimes. But if he'd injured you, the daughter of Duke Griffith, that would have been a different story."

Wait, was it my imagination, or did brother's voice at the end of his sentence just...

"Come on, let's head home", Erin smiled and his voice suddenly reverted back to how it was.

-

We've arrived back at the mansion, but my mind was elsewhere.

Erin had urgent business to take care of, so he headed back into his study room to help with some documents. As a result, I was left alone with Rose at the entrance.