~ Chapter : 30 ~
“Look at that vacant expression. Who would ever think you two are siblings?”
He lightly swung the staff he had hidden beneath his wide sleeve.
At the same time, a magical barrier used to conceal presence activated. The people nearby wouldn’t be able to hear our conversation.
Just what on earth was he planning to say?
“Miss Emel, don’t be so on guard. I’m more sensitive than I look, you know—I get hurt easily. Sitting next to Rosio felt awkward, so I dumped it on the vice-captain and came over here instead.”
Since when did I ever give him permission to call me Emel? Haidev showed me not a shred of the respect he had for Camilla in the original story.
“Oh, Rosio noticed. At this rate, he might even stand up in the middle of it.”
Haidev stared straight ahead and then grinned.
Rosio glared at Haidev as if trying to bore a hole through him, but when his gaze met mine, his expression softened slightly. Even though the podium was some distance away, the fact that Rosio was watching still felt reassuring.
“Miss Emel, smile. We need to look like we’re getting along. The Duke is staring at us.”
“Just get to the point.”
When I replied flatly, he chuckled and said he’d smile for my share, then leisurely crossed his arms.
“All right. That mana stone Lipt gave you—did you research the spell formula?”
It sounded like casual probing, but my breath caught for a moment.
I felt like he might notice even the sound of my breathing if I stayed tense. Swallowing once at his creepy persistence, I opened my mouth.
“I just received it as a keepsake. I don’t intend to research it. I don’t have that kind of ability, anyway.”
“Why not! You should at least take a look. Suddenly, by coincidence, inspiration might strike!”
“You keep going on about coincidence, but if even imperial court mages can’t decipher the spell, how am I supposed to? A commander who leads mages being so obsessed with coincidence—does that make sense?”
His tone was vaguely threatening, so I let out a deliberate scoff, making sure he heard it.
“Strange things have been happening lately. Miss Camilla isn’t an ordinary student either. You discovered her and introduced her to Rosio, didn’t you?”
“Hah. Digging into people’s backgrounds—didn’t think the Mage Commander’s job was that leisurely.”
Just thinking that he had tailed Camilla made my brow furrow. I didn’t even want to bother with polite speech anymore.
“Oh? You finally dropped the honorifics? That’s thrilling—been a while.”
“You don’t respect me, so I don’t see any reason to be polite.”
Rather than being offended, Haidev seemed amused by my reaction and laughed softly. I almost scowled, but instead lifted the corner of my lips in a look of disbelief to appear composed.
“When you put it like that, you really do sound like a noble.”
“Cut the nonsense and tell me what grounds you have for suspecting me.”
If Haidev ever got hold of a weakness, escaping wouldn’t be easy.
“That’s a bit difficult to explain.”
Still, Haidev didn’t seem to realize that I was a transmigrator. He was just probing me nonstop. Relieved by that fact, I relaxed again.
“Difficult? If I’d known I’d be suspected like this, I wouldn’t have reported Venice at all.”
At that moment, a cold, pale hand rested over mine. Though hidden from view by the seats in front of us, Rosio clearly noticed Haidev’s movement—his eyes sharpened instantly.
“…Honestly, so touchy. Both you and Rosio are adorable, Miss Emel.”
Keeping his smile intact, Haidev pressed something into my hand. When I opened my palm, I saw a small piece of paper that looked like a business card.
“Still, I think we should have a proper conversation—just the two of us.”
“I have nothing to say.”
“I’ve written down the time and place. Come accordingly. Alone, of course.”
Haidev dispelled the magic barrier, stood up leisurely, and left the seat—leaving only the paper behind.
***
‘That bastard—does he think he can just say whatever he wants and leave?’
I nearly crumpled the paper Haidev had given me, but stopped myself. Written on it were the words:
〈Two days from now, noon — Orien Bar in the capital〉
Orien Bar was a discreet establishment that accepted guests by reservation only, with private rooms. Judging by the distinctive dotted pattern along the edge, the paper seemed to be an entrance ticket.
By the time I finished examining it, the entrance ceremony was already over. Rosio was once again surrounded by high-ranking officials and nobles, receiving looks of admiration from the new students.
I assumed he wouldn’t have time to talk to me, but after briefly wrapping up his conversations, Rosio walked straight over.
“Lord Rosio, you’re incredibly popular.”
Perhaps because Haidev was still on my mind, my words came out curt even toward him. Rosio’s eyes wavered as he immediately apologized.
“I’m sorry for being late.”
“…No, that’s not because of you, Rosio.”
Rosio glanced toward where Haidev had been sitting, then quietly took the seat beside me.
“Did Haidev make Lady Esmeralda uncomfortable?”
Caught right in the bullseye, I looked away for a moment.
I wanted to tattle on Haidev immediately, but asking Rosio—who gained nothing from being involved with me—to help with this felt wrong. Besides, nothing had actually happened yet.
“Mm, we didn’t really talk about anything. He’s just a trivial guy.”
“It seems Haidev doesn’t know his place.”
“Right? You should scold him for me.”
I joked to smooth things over. But Rosio, who had been carefully watching my expression without smiling, stood up at once.
“Very well.”
“Huh? Rosio, wait—sit down for a moment.”
Like a well-trained large dog, he obediently sat back down. I asked what he planned to do about Haidev.
“I could request His Majesty the Emperor to transfer Haidev elsewhere. But since anyone could do that, I will meet him personally and resolve the matter.”
There was something chilling in Rosio’s clear, concise tone. In dramas or movies, this was usually when someone dragged the other party to a secluded place and threatened them—was Rosio really planning to go that far?
“Please don’t worry. Neither the method nor the outcome will disappoint you, Lady Esmeralda.”
As if sensing my concern, he spoke gently. Gentle yet firm—this was Rosio. His confidence that he could achieve the result he wanted without using methods that would upset me made me call his name with affection.
“Rosio.”
“Yes, Lady Esmeralda.”
“I was joking. I’ll tell you if I really need your help.”
I didn’t want Rosio to get tangled up in something unsavory because of a storyline I had already altered.
A hint of disappointment flickered in his eyes.
“Am I… not someone you can rely on, Lady Esmeralda?”
“That’s not it.”
I waved my hands urgently. Rosio pleaded in a sincere voice.
“Please trust me, Lady Esmeralda. If anything happens, let me face it together with you.”
“All right. But really, we only exchanged trivial words.”
After I brushed it off once more, Rosio reluctantly nodded, still looking unconvinced.
“I don’t wish to doubt your words.”
So he’d believe even my lies? A small stab of guilt pricked my heart.
Rosio carefully reached out toward me, then glanced around. As our conversation dragged on, curious eyes had begun to gather.
Noticing them as well, Rosio silently lowered his hand.
“There are many people waiting for you, Duke. You should get going now. You know—secret romance?”
I lowered my voice slightly. With so many people watching Rosio, it was already a miracle that he had handed Camilla a bouquet earlier.
“Are you going to dine with Miss Camilla now?”
“Yes. We’re planning to go to Dallin Restaurant.”
“Isn’t that a bit far? There’s Seradin Restaurant near the academy.”
Rosio asked, sounding slightly puzzled.
The Seradin Restaurant—once my own little hidden gem—had gained even more fame after the Princess visited and repeatedly praised it at her tea parties. I’d heard reservations were fully booked through next year.
“We wanted to go there, but it seemed unlikely we’d get a table.”
“Ah, I’ve heard business has been booming lately.”
Rosio nodded in understanding, then looked at me and spoke as if it were the easiest thing in the world.
“I’ll arrange a table. I’ll also pay in advance so the two of you can dine comfortably.”
“R-Really? Is that okay?”
“Yes. In return, just let me know through Arl later whether the meal was to your satisfaction.”
Rosio raised one hand to subtly shield his face from the people nearby, then smiled—enchanting and lovely—so that his long black lashes and beautiful violet eyes were fully visible.
Caught in that seductive aura meant only for me, I nodded without thinking.
Resisting the urge to ruffle his hair, I finally stood up first. Then, forcing myself to think wholesome thoughts, I went to fetch Camilla.
An hour later, Camilla and I were seated across from each other at Seradin Restaurant.
Thanks to Rosio arranging an extra table where none had existed, refined and delicious dishes were brought out one by one, making my mouth water.
Camilla’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the steak garnished with asparagus.
“This is my first time at such a wonderful restaurant outside the county…”
“Miss Camilla, it looks delicious, right? Please eat lots.”
I cut off her sentence and slid the plate with the sliced steak toward her.
“Thank you. Now that I think about it, Lady Esmeralda is even more amazing.”
Every time the overpowered heroine exaggerated my worth, I felt awkward. I just hoped Camilla would grow accustomed to such luxury soon.
Taking a sip of wine, I casually asked about academy life.
“You’ll be living in the dorms starting tomorrow, right?”
“Yes. The training grounds are well-equipped, and you can ride horses too. Still, unless something special comes up, I plan to go back to my family home on weekends.”
Camilla followed my lead and took a sip of wine. It seemed a bit bitter for her taste—she furrowed her brow slightly, then slowly blinked.
“It’s bitter, isn’t it? Hehe….”
I almost felt the urge to brag that it was sweet to me, or add some philosophy about how life was even more bitter.
“Not at all. It suits my taste perfectly.”
Without showing it, she took another, slightly quicker sip.
