Chapter 137 - Baring oneself
“You are not the real Scarlett Hartford?” Arlene gave her a long, inquisitive look. “That is an odd thing to say, if you ask me. What does that mean?”
“…It is exactly as I said. I am not the real Scarlett.”
The two of them observed each other for a while, and a strange sensation wound itself up Scarlett’s spine, like a faint tingle. She wasn’t sure if it was because of worry, uneasiness, or simple nerves.
She never thought she would truly tell anyone about her identity in this world.
“If I recall correctly,” the woman said, “you introduced yourself as ‘Scarlett Hartford’ just a couple of days ago. Was that a lie, then?”
Shifting her hands to her lap, Scarlett had her jaw set as she moved her gaze across the village square and to the houses there. “…To a certain extent, yes. The truth is that I share the life of the woman known as Scarlett Hartford. Not only her appearance, but her traits and emotions all remain within me to some degree or other. To most people, I may very well be considered Scarlett; however, in truth, I am but a stranger in this body, as well as its prisoner.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Arlene studying her closely. “So that is what you mean when you say you are not the real Scarlett Hartford.”
She lowered her head. “Yes.”
She wasn’t sure how this would sound to the woman. Was it perhaps something inconceivable even in this world of swords and magic? Or could it be something she had encountered before?
Actually, what if Arlene thought she was possessed and tried to exorcise her?
“Alright. I’ll believe you,” the woman said in a casual tone.
Scarlett turned to her, eyes slightly widened.