ILTV - Steam Punk Loop

Chapter 16 - To Move On or...

*** Based on the original I'm in Love With the Villainess novel

*** Some content is similar to the original so can be considered as SPOILERS

*** This is purely FANFICTION. I do not own any rights to I'm in Love With the Villainess

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**Rae's POV

"Rae... you've been acting weird for days now. You know this can't go on..."

"I know... it's just... "

"Ready to tell me what happened?"

"I..."

It was the third day after my first and last date with Lady Claire. I had sleepless nights. Her words haunted me as I lay on my bed. I went to talk to Misha since I can't really talk to my parents about this yet. At first, I didn't tell her any details and just spoke to her like usual. Misha listened attentively without asking any questions about the date. She obviously knew something was wrong, but Misha is an angel and knows when the time is right to ask. 

"Misha... you see what happened was..."

Today, I decided to tell her everything that transpired. I was crouching below the fence I was usually sitting on and hugging my knees after I told her what happened. All the strength in my legs gave up. Ralaire was sitting on my shoulder and patted my cheeks.

"I feel pathetic that I let myself get my hopes up and believed that Lady Claire and I actually had a chance."

"Getting depressed over someone you weren't even dating, doesn't that make you sound more pathetic?"

"Your words are quite harsh, Misha, and here I thought you were going to comfort me."

"Am I wrong though? I can't comfort someone who is despairing over someone who was never their lover."

"..."

Right in the guts. I understand what Misha is trying to say. I really do, but her words hurt more than getting hit by that Giant Slime before. Sadly, she's not wrong.

"So, what happened after she told you the truth?"

"I congratulated her. What else can I do?"

"You could've told her to elope with you, right?"

"Of course not! Why would I even ask that?"

I was surprised at Misha's suggestion. Lady Claire and I, run away together? That's absurd! Though, part of me considered the idea...

"It's just a thought, in case you were desperate enough."

"Well, I'm not!"

Misha always enjoys teasing me. However, today I can feel she's scolding more than teasing. She crosses her arms and continue to ask questions. I can't tell if Misha is angry or disappointed or just annoyed with me right now.

"So, then what happened?"

"Then, I didn't dig deeper and took her back to the station. We didn't talk as we rode the cable cart back to the Upper Class. When we got off at the station, she told me that we should separate from there. I agreed and we said our goodbyes."

"She probably didn't want to make things more awkward than it already was."

"Yeah... probably... She tried to return the hooded cape, but I decided to give it to her."

Misha looked at me with surprise and concern. 

"Wait, when you say hooded cape, is it that same cape your mother gave you?"