Chapter 131: Red Eyes (4)
As soon as the class ended, the lecture hall quickly became noisy.
While slowly tidying up his desk, I looked up at Allen, who had come to stand beside me before I realized it.
“It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”
At his half-smiling comment, Allen also grinned broadly.
“I’ve been a little busy lately. Did you perhaps miss me?”
“What are you saying…? Are you crazy?”
Seeing my appalled expression, Allen burst into loud laughter.
At that moment, I could clearly feel that Allen’s demeanor had changed a lot from before.
As if something had been released from him, he seemed incredibly unburdened.
It felt like he’d become more solid, more grounded as a person...
No, maybe I should say he’d become 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.”
Someone 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 blame 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 time 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 mean 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 something came up. So now I’ll get to see him for the first time in a while.”
“…Ah.”
Just then, a soft exclamation came 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 remembered you once said you wanted to meet him… but if you’d rather not—”
“No, no! I’d love to! I’ve been wanting to meet him!”
Cecilia nodded repeatedly.
She was extremely enthusiastic.
“My sister also really wants to meet 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 me.”
Cecilia nodded slightly with a small smile.
Beside us, Allen had a somewhat conflicted look on his face.
‘…The Count did ask me 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 some reason, only bad things seemed to follow after—and truthfully, that scared him a little.
‘But….’
After a moment 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 moment, then slightly twisted her expression.
It was the look of someone who felt like their chance had been stolen.
Allen pretended not to notice and looked at Lian.
“…Sorry, I already have a prior engagement. 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 time.”
‘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 same went for Cecilia.
Drip.
A thin trickle of water echoed in the quiet garden.
The tea in the expensive porcelain cup shimmered subtly in the light.
Soon, a strong fragrance that could seize a person’s breath spread through the air.
Even someone 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 beamed brightly.
“That’s the first time you’ve responded.”
“……”
I knew her smile was nothing more than smoke and mirrors.
She was a schemer.
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 meeting 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 movement, 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 me 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 immediately.”
“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 me up from the inside in the most gruesome way.
‘What is it?’
What exactly does she want?
What is she trying to coax out of me?
“There’s really no need to be so formal.”
Velita laughed lightly.
“It’s a little disappointing to see you so tense at a meeting like this. After all, we’re tied by the strong bond of being on the same 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 immense 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 merely expressing my reverence to Your Highness for graciously inviting me to such a humbling occasion.”
“……”
Velita stared at me 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 some proof of that reverence.”
“What would Your Highness like me 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 me?”
“Nothing.”
“Did I do something wrong?”
“No.”
“Then why do you hate me?”
At her direct question, I paused for a moment.
Velita looked at me quietly.
“Hatred, disgust, contempt… Whatever it is, it’s not a good feeling, is it? I’ll ask again—did I do something to you?”
Eventually, I let out a small sigh.
“You haven’t done anything.”
“Then?”
“You’re going to do something.”
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 metaphors so literally, this conversation will go nowhere.”
I glanced at her.
Velita nodded, as if she understood.
“All right, I was in the wrong. Come 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 me?”
“Hm, half and half?”
Velita shrugged.
“For the Departure Festival, we needed someone 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 me feel suddenly exhausted.
“Well then, shall we get to the main topic?”
Still smiling, Velita continued.
“There is something 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 something 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 something I can give, I will.”
“Aha.”
Velita’s eyes curved gently.
The look of someone just about to get what they wanted.
“What do you want from me?”
“You.”
Velita said.
“I want you to become my person.”
For a moment, I thought I’d misheard her.
But I hadn’t.
Velita was looking at me with such an obvious gaze that anyone could tell what she meant.
“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 me 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 me.
For a moment, I thought maybe she had discovered the Brand and was pretending…
But—it seemed she didn’t even know about it.
That’s what my instincts were telling me.
That Velita had no idea I bore a Brand.
“I don’t think I’m worth all that…”
“That’s for me to decide.”
Velita said.
“So, your answer?”
“……”
After a brief moment 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.