NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34
“Yeah. It must all just be a coincidence.”
“We’ve ignored the original story so far and managed just fine. Surely…”
“Right, right. Milady is also trying, right?”
Trying to shake off the looming unease, the friends forced a laugh and continued the conversation.
“The third prince of Laten must have an unofficial business for not leaving. Being royal, he probably has a lot of matters to attend to while visiting another empire.”
“Yeah. As much as the men here can be problematic, would a prince from another kingdom really change his schedule just for a woman?”
“Right, right. It’s all just a coincidence.”
Selleana actively agreed. It was partly to reassure Michi but also for herself.
While the other friends had always avoided the original story, Selleana had lived a life accepting it for a long time. It took great courage to go against that. Having chosen the life she wanted after much deliberation, she was now unwilling to compromise with anything.
If it weren’t for the incident with Collin, I might be preparing for an imperial marriage by this time next year…
Ah. What had been a tolerable future until recently now seemed utterly dreadful when imagined. Therefore, she would not be swept away by a fate unrelated to her will.
“Destiny will find its way.”
“No.”
“Lea?”
“That really won’t be the case.”
Agnesia and Michi looked at Selleana’s pale face with concern.
“Let’s ask Doli to find out for sure. The purpose of the third prince of Laten’s stay.”
That purpose had to be unrelated to Michi.
* * *
“
Knock, knock, knock
,” Selleana announced her presence at the door to the tower master’s partially open office with her voice.
Hearing her, sounds of rustling came from inside.
“May I come in?”
Pushing the door open, she found Rakrensius sitting on a sofa, seemingly flustered. Surrounded by what appeared to be books, he had likely been lounging and reading. Today, too, he hurriedly adjusted his robe and pressed down his hood.
“Am I interrupting your rest?”
“When has the Lady not interrupted me…”
“Saendi told me you’d be resting around this time, so I timed my visit.”
“…I was unaware that my aide’s duties included leaking my schedule.”
“It’s about managing your schedule. If I just show up anytime, I’d be interrupting your work, so it’s to match your rest time.” Selleana smiled and sat opposite Rakrensius.
“So, why are you alone today? Lady Branto is…?”
“
Uh
, Michi is a bit sick.”
More accurately, they had decided to restrict her outdoor activities until the purpose of the third prince of Laten’s stay was confirmed.
Selleana, changing the subject, placed the two books she borrowed from Rakrensius on the coffee table.
“Did you already read both books?”
“I just skimmed them. Actually, academic books aren’t really my thing.”
“I see. Does that mean Lady likes novels?”
“To be precise, novels written by Wilshe. I’m not really interested in others.”
“Is that so?”
Although this world’s literature was too classical for her, and since she couldn’t attend the academy, she wasn’t interested in academic books. Instead of explaining further, Selleana brought up a question that had suddenly occurred to her. “But how did Master of Tower know? That Wilshe was going to stop writing.”
“
Ah
! That,
um
…” Rakrensius was taken aback by the sudden question.
The publishing house had planned to release an article announcing his retirement, but it was stopped.
Either way, it was a clear mistake.
Rakrensius, trying to change the subject, began fumbling with the book Selleana had put down without much direction. “
Ah
, that…
um
, perhaps this bookmark is…”
“
Ah
, you do care about that as expected.”
“Yes?”
“I thought you might, so I made sure to put the bookmark back in its original place.”
“
Ah
, yes…”
What kind of person worries about that? Though he felt slightly mocked, Rakrensius let it slide. It was an excuse to change the subject, after all. Even so, Rakrensius continued to shuffle through the book, pretending to check its condition.
Really, such a solid character.
Watching him, Selleana chuckled softly and stood up to browse the bookshelves.
“Planning to borrow more?”
“Yes.”
“But Duchy Elard’s library should have a more diverse collection than my shelves…”
“The Elard library doesn’t have these interesting books. Plus, I’m currently on the run, right?”
“Didn’t you say these ones weren’t interesting?”
“Maybe other books will be interesting.”
Just as Selleana was scrutinizing the shelves, Rakrensius asked slowly. “That, Lady.”
“Yes?”
“If borrowing books is your objective, why not send someone?”
“Send someone?”
“It seems cumbersome to come and go. I can prepare a catalog of the library to make it easier for someone to borrow on your behalf.”
“There seem to be at least a thousand books here… why bother? I can just come here myself.”
“As I’ve repeatedly said, I still believe it’s not in your best interest to be seen frequenting the Magic Tower. It draws unnecessary attention.”
There it was again. Selleana bit her lip in response.
That silence must have been unnerving, for Rakrensius quickly added, “Think of it as a request from a friend.”
“…Friend?”
Though she felt a fleeting sense of shyness from him, the word ‘friend’ sparked a sense of déjà vu in Selleana. That is to say… Selleana, with a sinking feeling of dread, turned to face him.
“You didn’t meet my older brother, did you?”
“…”
As expected, Rakrensius looked as if he’d been caught red-handed.
“I’m rather embarrassed to greet Your Highness for the first time in this situation.”
“It’s alright. And it’s been three years since I left the imperial palace. I’m merely a member of Magic Tower now, so such formal titles are unnecessary…”
“No, Your Highness. It’s only proper to show respect to someone who, despite leaving the imperial palace, still carries the blood of the Nepelsian imperial family.”
Rakrensius recalled the encounter with Selleana’s eldest brother a few days ago, who had made his demands in a very polite yet forceful manner.
The heir to Elard, Theonis Elard. It was his first time dealing with nobility, aside from Selleana, and he could not help but notice the inherent dignity of the man before him.
Acknowledging him as a member of the imperial family while showing no sign of deference, Theonis, as the heir of Elard, carried himself with an air of born nobility. His purpose for visiting was…
To sever my ties with Lady Elard.
Remembering that day, a deep sigh escaped Rakrensius.
“The carefree child has claimed to have become friends with Your Highness due to your kindness. It’s embarrassing that she’s insisting on your friendship.”
Even though the ‘angel’ had categorized him as a ‘friend,’ the excitement was short-lived.
By refusing to drop the formal title of ‘Your Highness,’ Theonis continuously reminded Rakrensius of his imperial connection. Despite renouncing his claim to the throne and leaving the palace, the label of the Fifth Prince would forever follow him. He made it clear how politically troublesome it could be for him to be close to Selleana.
Rakrensius knew this all too well. Moreover, the risk to Selleana from their association wasn’t just about the relationship between the imperial family and the Elard family.
“Moreover… such friendship. Is it even plausible between a man and a woman?”
Theonis’s last remark, though Selleana would have vehemently objected, held a certain truth. Even if he were fortunate enough to maintain their current relationship for life, his feelings for her would never merely be a ‘friend’.
“That, Lady… I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?”
“Perhaps I misjudged when we first met at the event…”
“
Ah
, that’s okay. If anything, I’m the one who should apologize. I was the one who approached you too familiarly, even though you were worried…”
Selleana frowned as she crossed her arms. Truthfully, she was infuriated the moment she guessed Rakrensius had met Theonis.
“Sorry about my brother being so troublesome.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“Don’t understand. Really, I’m twenty years old. Who I befriend should not be for anyone else to dictate, right?” And yet, Selleana continued to grumble about Theonis.
Although he knew he wasn’t the target of her complaints, Rakrensius couldn’t help but watch her expressions and posture anxiously. Her scolding posture, her elegant pose, even in anger… Rakrensius saw the unmistakable image of the Elard heir in her. A noble lady who had lived as an Elard all her life.
Yes. Even though he often gave in to Selleana, he knew he needed to be firm for her sake.
I’ll inform you once the detecting magic results are in, so it would be best to limit your visits until then.
It was the moment Rakrensius crafted a perfect sentence in his head.