Chapter 9
I bit my lip and sat up, opening my book. This is nothing. I can handle it.
But no matter how much I studied day and night, I couldn’t make any progress.
“Ugh!”
In the end, I reached my limit and grabbed my head, screaming.
This isn’t working. Isn’t there another way?
Then I remembered that Arno had a summary of the entrance exam subjects from Mr. Hermann.
I saw it once when I secretly entered his study. If I can just get that…
Without hesitation, I rushed out of my room and went to Arno’s study.
When I opened the door, I saw something unexpected.
A handsome man was sleeping soundly in the sunlight.
Why is he here?
I was so stunned by his good looks that I forgot why I came. I just sat on the couch and stared at his face.
From his forehead to his nose, every part of his face looked perfectly shaped, like a sculpture.
I had been watching him for days, but since our last strange conversation, I hadn’t noticed anything unusual.
Even when I asked the servants around him, they only said he was very kind and generous.
What part of him is real, and what part is an act?
While I was lost in thought, I heard a small groan.
Did he feel my staring even in his dream?
I tried to quietly stand up, but he started groaning more and sweating.
Is he having a nightmare?
I thought about ignoring it, but remembering how he treated my injured knee and how sad he looked, I walked closer and gently shook him.
“Mr. Valdeon?”
His eyes were still closed.
“Mr. Valdeon, wake up.”
I shook him harder and called louder, but he kept struggling in his sleep.
He must be having a really bad dream.
I raised my hand and slapped him lightly.
Once, twice, three times.
He still didn’t wake up.
“Wake up and come back to reality!”
Four, five, six, seven… I stopped counting.
Just when I was about to slap him again, his cheek twitched a little.
“Mr. Valdeon?”
“…”
“Are you awake?” I asked in a shaky voice, lowering my hand.
I was thinking about sneaking out before he fully woke up, but then I remembered — he’s a royal.
What if he reports me for hitting him?
I shivered. My poor skin!
I looked toward the door, trying to plan my escape.
Then I saw his red eyes slowly open.
A tear fell from his eye.
He casually wiped it away.
Was he crying?
Did I hit him so hard that he cried? That would be really bad.
I wanted to shout, “Don’t make me look like a terrible person!” but I couldn’t say it out loud.
What if I left a bruise on his chest? I couldn’t even check.
As I stared nervously, he tightened his clothes even more.
“I could feel how excited you were.”
“Me? No, never!”
“You sure? Your rhythm was so steady, I thought maybe you were born to play the drums.”
“You misunderstood! I really just wanted to help!”
“Right. That reminds me of a saying — ‘Pure intentions are not so different from evil.’ I don’t mean anything by it. It just came to mind.”
“My intentions are 100% pure!”
“Huh?” He chuckled.
“But, Agnès…”
“Yes?”
Is he going to report me now? I swallowed nervously.
“Why are you so scared? You think I’d report you?”
He was so sharp. I pressed my palm nervously.
“You’re not going to, right?” I asked carefully.
“You really thought I would?”
“A little?”
He couldn’t hold it in anymore and started laughing with his hand over his mouth.
Stop laughing and answer me!
“You’re really not going to report me?”
“As if I would.”
“Phew… good. Keep laughing then.”
Now that I had a clear answer, I felt relieved and relaxed a bit.
He laughed gently.
“Haven’t seen your face like this in a while.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“How’s your leg?”
“It’s okay.”
He looked at my leg.
“Still bandaged, huh? Makes sense. So, did you come here looking for me?”
Why would he think that?
I tilted my head, confused.
“I came here to find a book.”
“Want help finding it?”
“I can do it myself.”
“Alright.”
I thought he’d leave if I said that, but he leaned back deeper into the couch.
“You’re staying here?”
“Arno’s not here and I’ve got nothing to do. You don’t like it?”
“I thought I might distract you if I walked around looking for books.”
“I’m not reading right now.”
That was even worse.
He just kept watching me, so I couldn’t search Arno’s desk freely.
I awkwardly stood in front of the bookshelf, pretending to look around.
“Still haven’t found the book?”
“No, not yet.”
“What kind of book?”
“Just… a novel?”
“A weird book you can’t name?”
I stuttered, and he smiled playfully.
A weird book? Really?
All this misunderstanding is Arno’s fault.
“No! I’m looking for the summary Mr. Hermann gave us.”
“Oh, the one from your tutor.”
He nodded. So he knows about it? Maybe he knows where it is!
“Yes! Do you know where it is?”
“Probably in the Franteya mansion in Rua province.”
What?
Ugh, Arno! He’s so useless.
“Probably?”
My hope vanished. I looked down sadly.
I’m doomed.
“Why do you need it?”
“To study.”
“Study?”
“I have an exam next week…”
“So, you don’t have time to study the whole book and just need the summary?”
“Yeah…”
I had no energy left to argue. It felt like a pile of books were crushing me.
“You’re a lazy student.”
“I’m not! It’s all… all…”
All because of Arno and worrying about you!
“But sadly, the summary isn’t here.”
Ugh, I didn’t have time for this.
“Fine, I’ll go study then.”
As I tried to leave, he blocked the door.
What now?
I frowned, clearly annoyed.
“I heard your teacher is scary.”
“Exactly why I need to study quickly!”
I puffed my cheeks and motioned for him to move.
“Want help?”
“How?”
Is he going to steal the test? Or maybe kidnap the teacher for a week?
“I’ll teach you. I’ve seen the summary notes before.”
Suddenly, it felt like a light was shining behind him.
No — focus! I pinched my thigh to calm down.
I looked up, ready to say no.
“I—”
Then I stopped and looked away.
If he’s trying to use me for something, maybe I can use him too.
“I really need to pass this time.”
It’s not because I can’t do it alone. Definitely not.
“That’s easy.”
