Chapter 44
After bringing Ria to the drawing room, Duke Cavelic paced by the window without even sitting down. Watching his back, Ria carefully spoke up.
“…Father.”
“Haah…”
Instead of a reply, a low sigh came. Ria bowed her head deeply.
“Is what His Highness said true?”
“Well…”
Ria squeezed her eyes shut.
If I tell the truth, he’ll worry even more, and above all, he’ll probably tell me not to see Zen anymore. But judging by the situation earlier, if I completely turn my back on the palace… something serious could happen…
Unable to continue speaking, the duke finally spoke.
“…I’m glad you returned safely.”
“…Father.”
“I won’t ask further. I believe you’re not a child who acts without thinking.”
Hearing the kind yet unwavering voice, Ria bowed her head even lower.
“However, I hope nothing like this happens again. I don’t mean staying out overnight or associating with the Crown Prince. I mean I hope you don’t create any dangerous situations.”
“…Yes. I’m truly sorry.”
The duke slowly approached and patted Ria on the shoulder.
“Did you tell your mother…?”
“I intended to. If you had been even a little later…”
Ria unconsciously exhaled in relief. Her mother, already unwell, must have stayed up all night worrying about her.
“First, wash up, eat, and rest well. Tomorrow, we’ll have breakfast together.”
“…Yes.”
To cheer up still-sullen Ria, the duke added, teasingly:
“Honestly, if you had been even a little later, your brother might have stormed the palace. He was furious.”
Finally, a faint smile appeared on Ria’s lips. Seeing it, the duke allowed himself a relieved smile as well.
After the brief conversation, Ria left the duke’s study, washed up, ate her fill, and collapsed onto her bed. Fatigue washed over her entire body, and sleep threatened to pull her under.
I’m back…
Though it had only been one night, it felt as if she had gone on a long journey.
As she glanced around, she noticed Lucina by the window, casually gnawing on a chicken leg.
When did she even get here?
Ria still felt uneasy, but exhaustion outweighed her irritation.
Tomorrow, I’ll have to confront Lucina again when I see Zen…
Ria closed her eyes, drowsy.
And… tomorrow is Monday already…
The thought of having spent the weekend struggling without rest made her feel unfairly treated, and she suddenly bolted upright.
Monday?
She muttered under her breath:
“This is insane…”
The exams were just a week away.
Ria buried her nose in books at the library reading room, completely absorbed. She looked as if she might be sucked right into the pages. Fortunately, with almost no classes during exam period, she could devote most of her time to studying.
Next to her were tall stacks of books on Herbology and History, subjects she particularly struggled with. She had both her Herbology textbook and the plant compendium open, comparing leaf shapes one by one.
Isn’t that the same thing?
Having grown up in the city her whole life, she had no idea what counted as weeds versus grass; Herbology was a completely unfamiliar world.
“Ha…”
Ria sighed softly and finally stood up. Her chair creaked in the quiet reading room, filled only with the rustling of pages and scratching of quills.
Feeling awkward, she hurried toward the exit, only to meet Darren’s red eyes glaring at her.
What now?
She frowned. It seemed he had been staring at her for a while, not just coincidentally.
Whatever.
Ria spun and left the reading room, heading for the chair in the lobby where Zen had been sitting a few days ago. Though just a few days had passed, it felt oddly distant. She sank into the sofa and rubbed her stiff eyes.
I need to finish my Herbology notes today. Even if I can’t memorize them… At least I’m done with Basic Magic and Potions, so I have some time. Then I’ll do History…
As she muttered her schedule, someone pressed a finger to her furrowed brow. Startled, Ria lifted her head to see Darren standing in front of her.
“…What?”
Rubbing her tense brow, she asked sharply. Darren sat across from her without permission. Meeting his cold red gaze, Ria stood abruptly.
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t want to stress myself until I rest.”
Ria tried to pass him, but Darren’s lips parted to speak Zen’s name, and she froze.
“What did you do to His Highness Zen?”
“…Do what?”
“Do what that caused the rumor you would become Crown Princess to spread?”
Ria forced a calm smile, standing tall and pointing her fingers one by one as if teaching a failing student:
“First, it’s not a rumor, it’s true. Second, it was Zen who proposed the engagement, not me. Third… didn’t I tell you last time? Please, get lost in front of me.”
“Hah!”
Darren sneered and blocked her path, forcing her to look up at him.
“The act ends here, right?”
“What?”
“Go back to your original self—the Ria Cavelic I know.”
“What’s Ria Cavelic you know?”
“Surely, she wouldn’t be buried in the library during exam period.”
Ria let out a dry laugh at his icy tone.
Was that what he didn’t like?
Twisting her lips, she raised her chin:
“Shouting, acting bratty, being foolish, tormenting Ciclaen…”
Darren’s eyebrows twitched at the list.
“Most importantly, the Ria Cavelic who liked you… is gone.”
“…Ria!”
Darren growled lowly and gripped her wrist painfully.
“This is Ria Cavelic now. The play? Being buried in the library acting out some ridiculous play will be proven in grades.”
“Who asked you to prove that?”
“Then what exactly do you want?”
“All I want is to return to normal. Everything back to how it was, naturally, like before.”
Darren’s throat vibrated lowly. He struck the books with his fist, looking somewhat unhinged. Ria tried to step back, but he held her wrist tightly.
“You… won’t let go?”
“Don’t you think you’ve been tormenting Ciclaen? That the wounds she suffered will just disappear if you change your attitude like flipping your hand?”
Ria swung her arm to free herself, but Darren only gripped harder, leaving her wrist red.
“Ugh…”
A pained groan escaped her, and she gritted her teeth. Darren leaned close, his red eyes blazing.
“I’ve noticed Ciclaen acting suspiciously lately.”
“…Suspiciously?”
Darren moved his lips but sighed deeply.
“…I don’t know what influence you had on her.”
Just then, he finally spoke.
“Enough.”
A chilling voice made Darren turn abruptly. Standing there, Zen exuded a dark, threatening aura, hand near the sword as if ready to draw.
“Zen?”
Darren, stunned, released Ria’s wrist and stepped back, bowing.
“Your Highness.”
Ria quickly put distance between herself and Darren. Zen, looking almost shadowed and dark, approached slowly. His calmness made him feel even more ominous.
Why is he so angry?
Having been relaxed seeing Zen resemble his original self recently, Ria was caught off guard by this cold demeanor. She swallowed hard.
Zen stopped in front of Darren, who lowered his head, and spoke:
“What are you doing?”
“…Pardon?”
Darren looked unusually flustered.
“I asked what you’re doing.”
“…Just talking a bit.”
“Is this how the Slanders family handles things? Grabbing a noble lady’s wrist so hard?”
Mentioning the Slanders name made Darren clamp his mouth shut. Zen, thankfully, didn’t draw his sword, but the tense atmosphere remained.
This won’t resolve anything anyway…
Ria stepped forward to block Zen and spoke firmly:
“Apologize.”
Darren’s gaze fell on her reddened wrist. His face twisted as he saw the marks.
“Apologize, Darren Slanders.”
“…Yes, Your Highness. I apologize for your Highness’ sake. I will leave now.”
Darren bowed absentmindedly and strode out of the library. Ria stared after him, blank.
He talks about me changing… but he’s changed too.
She had never seen Darren so blatantly disrespect Zen.
By the way… Ciclaen acting suspiciously? Because of me?
Her expression darkened. She bit her lower lip hard.
Watching her, Zen pressed her lip with his thumb.
“You’ll bleed if you’re not careful.”
Ah!
Ria blushed deeply and distanced herself from Zen. Ever since being stranded in the mountains together, Zen had become noticeably more physically affectionate.
Ah!
She remembered that although she had left the duke’s mansion awkwardly, she had much to discuss with Zen. She glared at him sharply:
“Talk to me.”
Zen shrugged lightly at her serious tone.
