Academy Professors (2)
It was the first ti I felt the urge to shut the door as soon as I saw the other persons face.
I did consider actually shutting the door. However, I forced myself to keep it open as I feared it might look like a joke if I did so.
I didnt want to give him the slightest impression that I was lenient.
What business do you have with ?
Um, can we talk for a mont?
The way he behaved towards was noticeably different from before.
However, that didnt an I felt any pity for them. After all, it implied that behind the scenes, that was how shady the Zeronia Household was.
It is already quite late at night.
When I answered him just like I did with Erica, Gideons expression darkened even more.
I-Itll only take a mont.
I do not even want to waste a minute.
I tried to shut the door, but Gideon quickly grabbed it. After making a big move, he bit his lip and said.
My household truly has no connection whatsoever with the recent assassination attempt on His Majesty!
Truthfully speaking, its true that weve secretly exchanged money to maintain close ties with the higher-ups of the Church. However, its utterly unfair to accuse my family of being accomplices in the assassination attempt just because of that!
S-Soul Whisperer, I heard that you are leading the investigation into this incident. If, by any chance, my household is suffering because of my past actions
This is ridiculous.
Creak.
On the contrary, I threw open the door and glared at Gideon, warning him.
You do know that it was an attempted assassination on the King, right? Due to such an incident occurring, do you really think your household is under investigation solely because of the personal relationship between the two of us?
Th-thats not what I!
It is a fair and just execution that is being carried out. His Majestys blade will naturally spare your household if they are blaless in this matter.
Gideon shut his mouth and clenched his fist, unable to find the right words to say.
Then thud.
He fell to his knees.
I have nothing else to say regarding this matter. However, there are no households without flaws in this Kingdom.
The King seems to want sothing other than that from us. But we dont know what it is!
Gideons voice trembled. It seed like he was not only concerned about his household but was also pressured by them.
The businesses of my household are being seized one by one, especially the pink salt business in the Paruiere Sea, which is the lifeline of my household!
Its not just a simple seizure. All the finances of my household have been frozen as well. Anyone who engages in business with my household will be accused of treason, and the fiefdom citizens refuse to pay their taxes. His Majesty already considers my household to be one of the culprits!
I had heard that the Zeronia Household was involved in various businesses here and there.
Just as they were heavily investing in their businesses to expand them, they were seized without warning. And along with sanctions from the Royal Family, the situation must be quite devastating for them.
Each day must have brought along a series of significant losses.
I-Insight. Please, share so insights with .
Seeing how Gideon bowed his head deeply, I hesitated for a mont. I guess the Zeronia Household must have reached out to ask for help from here and there to save their business.
In my opinion, it wasnt just a simple business issue. They must have been entangled in matters related to the Royal Family, they shouldnt have been involved with.
I definitely did have things I wanted from them, and strictly speaking, I had a fairly good idea of what the solution could be as well.
It is already quite late at night.
I stepped back again, pulling the door along. Perhaps the Zeronia Household could still be pushed even further.
Just like releasing the fizz from a carbonated drink, I calmly waited, intending to draw out all the information.
Please!
However, Gideon lunged forward and stepped into the doorway.
Being a Magic Swordmaster, he possessed considerable physical strength, causing to nearly let go of the door handle.
Light.
A chilly voice of a woman casting a spell ca from behind, followed by a faint beam of light.
The blow struck Gideon directly on his chest, causing him to bend 90 degrees as his back collided with the railing behind him.
Cough!
The impact wasnt that powerful, but it was more than enough to push him away. Gideon, wearing a perplexed expression, opened his eyes wide.
E-Erica Bright!
Erica Bright, who had co to visit first, cast a spell and sent it past .
She looked down at Gideon with a cold gaze and spoke.
I am the one who ca to visit him first. If youre here to visit him as well, you can co back later.
Erica brought her hands together to adjust her pajamas, covered herself, and then slamd the door shut.
I watched her blankly as she did so before saying sothing to her as well.
You should leave as well.
Erica turned her body slightly and pursed her lips. This fiance-like expression was sothing she occasionally displayed during the three months I attended the academy.
If I leave now, I will run into Gideon, you know?
Now that Gideon has seen with you, he probably wont demand anything from anymore, right?
Erica nodded her head in satisfaction. Knowing she probably wouldnt listen even if I asked her to leave, I turned around and sat on the bed.
Erica followed with short and quick steps. The childish behavior she displayed didnt match her age or her cold appearance.
[Shes quite cute, isnt she? Is this what they call unexpected charm?]
The Dark Spiritualist tilted her head as she gazed at Erica. Ericas current body language wasnt the cold deanor she showed the students at the academy, nor was it the worried look from before.
I picked up the tea I had been drinking earlier.
Even though it had cooled down a bit, it was much easier to drink.
After quenching my thirst, I turned to Erica, who had been sneaking glances at , and gave a faint smile.
You have changed.
Huh?
Surprised by my words, Erica flinched before smiling subtly.
Does it seem that way?
Though it was rely a vague complint, she felt sowhat shy. Then, she began to slowly recount her story.
I made it clear to my household that I will never agree to get engaged with Gideon, and I wont stay quiet if they try to force .
So, thanks to you, I wont be forced into marrying that man out there. Thank you.
She resembled a child, proudly listing her accomplishnts and seeking praise from .
Apparently, it wasnt just because the Dark Spiritualist also seed to find her cute as she gently stroked Ericas head.
[Oh, well done.]
If Erica could see what the Dark Spiritualist was doing to her, she would have imdiately cast a spell on the latter. So, I pretended not to notice that and continued speaking to Erica.
Sure.
Wasnt sothing like this discussed in the Verdi Household? Like, pushing you to get married?
When she looked at with a questioning expression, I calmly answered her.
Yes, there was no such discussion.
Instead, upon hearing that we planned to break off the engagent, Deia even urged to do it quickly without dragging it out.
I see.
She deliberately displayed her disappointnt. Seeing this, I thought it was a good ti to speak.
Bring the annulnt letter tomorrow. As you are now a woman who can stand independently just fine.
Ah
In my absence, she used our engagent as a shield to engage in a war of nerves with Gideon and the Bright household.
The woman, who was unable to make a proper judgnt under the influence of love, was now living a confident and independent life.
Our engagent would only be an obstacle for her.
No, thats
As I stared at her in confusion, Erica fidgeted with her hands before suddenly standing up.
I-its getting late! Ill see myself out.
And just like that, she left my room while ignoring my words.
[Breaking off the engagent seems quite difficult, doesnt it?]
I am tired.
Anyway, there was no need to get the annulnt letter right away. After all, the engagent with her was also advantageous for .
It even served as a good excuse to politely refuse King Orpheus when he tried to arrange a marriage between and the princess last ti.
I am going to sleep now.
[Yes, have a good dream.]
A dream, huh?
I didnt say anything else.
Slowly, I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes.
* * *
Erica took a deep breath to calm her trembling heart as she stepped outside the room.
In hindsight, werent they alone, just the two of them, in the sa room? Her heart slightly fluttered, thinking that if only she had summoned more courage, todays conversation might have taken a different turn.
Sigh.
But when the topic of breaking off the engagent was brought up, Erica couldnt remain there any longer.
The annulnt letter served to calm her down, yet it also symbolized sothing she wished would disappear.
A piece of evidence that her ties with Deus Verdi had not yet been severed.
Yet, also, a promise that this relationship would soon be severed.
That was precisely the complex aning behind the annulnt letter.
At first, I was planning to ask him about his relationship with Student Aria.
She had seen the two of them holding hands in the corridor. Specifically, it was Deus who held Arias hand first. She wanted to ask him about it, but now it didnt matter.
From the brief conversation with Deus, she recalled the type of person he was.
Given his position as a professor, he would never romantically pursue or engage in a deeper relationship with a student.
It was due to apathy that extended beyond re discernnt, firmly established within him.
In that sense, retaining the annulnt letter would place her in a quite advantageous position.
As long as Erica didnt surrender it, it would be difficult for Deus to date or marry soone else.
Huh?
As she pondered, she realized that it was indeed true.
It felt like she was keeping Deus on a leash, which made her feel sowhat flushed inside.
Be it Princess Eleanor or Aria Rias, her re presence would beco an obstacle to those openly expressing interest in Deus.
Ahem.
Of course, she had no intention of letting anyone know about these vulgar thoughts.
However, if Deus ever truly loved soone and requested the annulnt letter, she would undoubtedly give it up.
As long as its not that.
Yes, as long as that wasnt the case.
Would it be possible for this relationship to continue just a little longer?
That was Ericas thought.
/genesisforsaken
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