Chapter 131: Red Eyes (4)
As soon as the class ended, the lecture hall quickly beca noisy.
While slowly tidying up his desk, I looked up at Allen, who had co to stand beside
before I realized it.
“It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
At his half-smiling comnt, Allen also grinned broadly.
“I’ve been a little busy lately. Did you perhaps miss ?”
“What are you saying…? Are you crazy?”
Seeing my appalled expression, Allen burst into loud laughter.
At that mont, I could clearly feel that Allen’s deanor had changed a lot from before.
As if sothing had been released from him, he seed incredibly unburdened.
It felt like he’d beco more solid, more grounded as a person...
No, maybe I should say he’d beco deeper.
‘Well, whatever it is, it's a good thing.’
Just as I thought that and stood up from my seat—
“…I thought my eardrums were going to burst. Laughing so vulgarly and loudly.”
Soone muttered as they quickly brushed past the two of us.
It was clearly directed at Allen, but he looked like he couldn’t care less.
“Whatever.”
Allen shrugged.
“You know those old stories.”
“…The one about the animal friends in the forest village?”
“Yes, that one exactly.”
To summarize, it’s a story about animals who, even knowing their own faults, can’t admit them and just bla others instead.
Allen wore a resigned expression, as if asking, "What can you do?"
“Thanks to the Young Master stepping in, it all disappeared on the surface, but well… that’s just how things go.”
“Hm.”
“Don’t make that face, Lian. I really don’t mind.”
He wasn’t just saying that.
In the past, he would act indifferent and pretend to be fine…
But now, he really didn’t seem to care—there wasn’t a trace of concern in his expression.
“And above all, with the Count coming soon for the Departure Festival, it’s a ti to restrain myself.”
Allen nodded as he spoke.
“It’s not like I can cause a scene and tarnish the honor of the Young Master and the Count. And that of the family as well.”
“…That makes sense.”
I slowly nodded.
I had been quite surprised at how much he had changed—how much he had grown.
“Oh, right. Speaking of the Departure Festival—my older brother is coming too.”
“You an your second brother? The one from the Imperial Knights…?”
“Yeah, that’s him.”
“I thought he couldn’t make it.”
I shrugged.
“I thought so too, but apparently sothing ca up. So now I’ll get to see him for the first ti in a while.”
“…Ah.”
Just then, a soft exclamation ca from beside us.
It was Cecilia.
“Ah, uh… I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop or anything.”
“It’s not like we were discussing any secrets.”
I said, as if to tell her not to worry.
“I was going to tell you anyway, Cecilia.”
“…R-Really?”
Cecilia spoke in a slightly trembling voice.
I couldn’t figure out why she was like that.
“Yes. I rembered you once said you wanted to et him… but if you’d rather not—”
“No, no! I’d love to! I’ve been wanting to et him!”
Cecilia nodded repeatedly.
She was extrely enthusiastic.
“My sister also really wants to et you, Lian…!”
Cecilia took a deep breath and added,
“You know, how friends introduce each other to their families and all. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity.”
It wasn’t a particularly difficult request.
I gladly nodded.
“It’d be an honor for .”
Cecilia nodded slightly with a small smile.
Beside us, Allen had a sowhat conflicted look on his face.
‘…The Count did ask
about Lian, actually.’
But Allen didn’t say anything.
He wasn’t so tactless as to ruin the mood after seeing how happy Cecilia looked.
More than anything, when she gave him that cold glare…
For so reason, only bad things seed to follow after—and truthfully, that scared him a little.
‘But….’
After a mont of contemplation, Allen spoke up.
“Lian, if it’s all right with you, could I ask for a sparring match after a long while?”
At those words, Cecilia flinched for a mont, then slightly twisted her expression.
It was the look of soone who felt like their chance had been stolen.
Allen pretended not to notice and looked at Lian.
“…Sorry, I already have a prior engagent. Today might be a bit difficult.”
I answered with a short sigh.
It was obvious that I truly didn’t want to.
Seeing that, not even Allen—let alone Cecilia—could bring themselves to say “Maybe next ti.”
‘But still…’
Who could it be that makes him pull such a disgusted expression?
And not just anyone, but Lian of all people.
Allen found himself curious but couldn’t bring himself to ask.
The sa went for Cecilia.
Drip.
A thin trickle of water echoed in the quiet garden.
The tea in the expensive porcelain cup shimred subtly in the light.
Soon, a strong fragrance that could seize a person’s breath spread through the air.
Even soone without expertise would instantly recognize it as a top-grade tea.
“……”
But I only rested my hand on the teacup without lifting it.
At my gesture, Velita simply smiled with elegance.
“Is it because you suspect I’ve played a mischievous trick?”
She whispered in a subtle voice.
“If you’d like, we can switch cups. Or would you prefer I taste it first?”
At her blatant suggestion, I withdrew even my fingertips from the cup.
I had no intention of playing along.
Seeing that, Velita rested her hand against her cheek and murmured.
“Hm, usually in this kind of situation, people take at least a sip, pretending to give in…”
She shrugged as if it couldn’t be helped.
“Then at least enjoy the aroma. The tea leaves are quite rare, you know.”
“…I will.”
At my reply, Velita bead brightly.
“That’s the first ti you’ve responded.”
“……”
I knew her smile was nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
She was a scher.
A person who concealed a blade sharper than anything behind sweet words and a beautiful face.
“So, how do you like the tea?”
Her voice was soft.
But I could tell this eting wasn’t simply a friendly get-together.
The more cunning the strategist, the more they control the flow of a situation.
And the favorite weapon of such strategists was none other than words.
She was no exception.
“It has a fine aroma.”
I answered briefly.
Velita set down her teacup with a small smile.
Her every movent, from beginning to end, was filled with elegance and grace.
It was a clear reminder of how noble her status was.
“Have I done anything to make you uncomfortable?”
She asked, looking at
with an air of subtle sincerity.
I shook my head.
“Not at all. This is just how I am by nature.”
“Hmm, in that case, if you ever need anything, please say so. I really would like to get along with you, Lord Gwendil.”
She glanced lightly around with her eyes.
Expensive teacups, furniture adorned with gold and ivory, even exotic-looking sculptures…
She gave a slight shrug.
“It’s a bit materialistic, but if it’s a financial issue, I could help you imdiately.”
“Thank you for your words. But I’m quite all right.”
I bowed politely, as if grateful, though I didn’t feel so at all.
Her kindness… to put it dramatically, was like swallowing a razor blade.
It would surely tear
up from the inside in the most grueso way.
‘What is it?’
What exactly does she want?
What is she trying to coax out of ?
“There’s really no need to be so formal.”
Velita laughed lightly.
“It’s a little disappointing to see you so tense at a eting like this. After all, we’re tied by the strong bond of being on the sa team, aren’t we?”
She lightly lifted her teacup.
“That’s why, as a gesture of consideration, I sent away the escorts and attendants so we could speak alone. You do realize it’s an incredible honor to be served tea personally by a Princess?”
“…I already consider it an imnse honor.”
“Do you really?”
“Yes, I’m simply grateful for Your Highness’s kindness.”
Velita smiled.
“Then as a return for that kindness, don’t you think we could share a little more of what’s really on our minds? I’ve already begun to do so.”
I gave a faint smile.
“I am rely expressing my reverence to Your Highness for graciously inviting
to such a humbling occasion.”
“……”
Velita stared at
for a while before lifting her teacup again.
Her gaze was gentle, yet there was a sharp glint within it.
“Reverence…”
She murmured while tilting her cup slightly.
Looks like she’s getting a little irritated.
I thought.
“In that case, I’d like to see so proof of that reverence.”
“What would Your Highness like
to do?”
“Speak honestly.”
Just as I had expected.
She was beginning to feel a slight, ever-so-slight displeasure at how I kept sidestepping everything.
…Though she was still far more entertained and intrigued than annoyed.
“Will you?”
“…I will.”
Lian nodded.
Velita gave a faint smile.
“Is there nothing you want from ?”
“Nothing.”
“Did I do sothing wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why do you hate ?”
At her direct question, I paused for a mont.
Velita looked at
quietly.
“Hatred, disgust, contempt… Whatever it is, it’s not a good feeling, is it? I’ll ask again—did I do sothing to you?”
Eventually, I let out a small sigh.
“You haven’t done anything.”
“Then?”
“You’re going to do sothing.”
Velita didn’t answer.
She just kept smiling.
“But you wagged your tail first. How could I possibly resist?”
“I’m neither a dog nor a beastkin.”
“Ah, if you take even taphors so literally, this conversation will go nowhere.”
I glanced at her.
Velita nodded, as if she understood.
“All right, I was in the wrong. Co to think of it, you’re in a position where your older brother is practically being held hostage—it’s no wonder your words aren’t exactly soft.”
As she said that, Velita slowly raised her hand.
It was the usual gesture used when making a vow.
“I swear right here that I will not lay a single finger on your brother.”
I let out a quiet sigh.
I had expected as much—but hearing it said outright was another matter.
“……”
It wouldn’t be wise to let emotions show in a setting like this.
I smiled faintly and nodded.
“If you’re willing to go that far, I’ll trust you.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But did you really involve my brother because of ?”
“Hm, half and half?”
Velita shrugged.
“For the Departure Festival, we needed soone from my eldest brother’s side. So while I was at it, I figured… why not.”
“……”
“If your brother were aligned with my second brother, I wouldn’t have called him. Ah, that’s the truth, by the way.”
She gave a slight smile.
Just looking at her face was enough to make
feel suddenly exhausted.
“Well then, shall we get to the main topic?”
Still smiling, Velita continued.
“There is sothing I want from you.”
“Is it the kind of ‘hand it over or die’ deal?”
“Of course not.”
She chuckled.
“If it can be solved with money, that’s the easiest and surest way. If it’s sothing else, I’ll offer whatever is needed. If you refuse and ruin everything, I’d be the one in trouble. So if possible, resolving it fairly and peacefully is best.”
“……”
I nodded.
For now, I thought I’d at least hear her out.
“If it’s sothing I can give, I will.”
“Aha.”
Velita’s eyes curved gently.
The look of soone just about to get what they wanted.
“What do you want from ?”
“You.”
Velita said.
“I want you to beco my person.”
For a mont, I thought I’d misheard her.
But I hadn’t.
Velita was looking at
with such an obvious gaze that anyone could tell what she ant.
“Ask for whatever you want. Money? Honor? Status? I’ll give you anything in return. …Ah, right.”
She nodded.
“Do you have a woman you care for? If you’d like, I could arrange a match for you. Just a few words from
and it’ll be done in an instant. If I stretch a little, I could even get you a concubine or two.”
“……”
I finally lifted my teacup and wet my lips.
The bitter yet warm aroma of the tea filled my mouth, but it still felt dry.
It wasn’t the tea—it was her words caught in my throat.
‘What in the world is this?’
I couldn’t understand why she was acting like this toward .
For a mont, I thought maybe she had discovered the Brand and was pretending…
But—it seed she didn’t even know about it.
That’s what my instincts were telling .
That Velita had no idea I bore a Brand.
“I don’t think I’m worth all that…”
“That’s for
to decide.”
Velita said.
“So, your answer?”
“……”
After a brief mont of thought, I nodded as if I had made up my mind.
“There is one thing I would ask of you, Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
At her eager prompt, I answered bluntly, as if tossing the words.
“Indifference.”
At that, Velita’s expression hardened.
No one had ever treated her like this before.
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