episode_0007

The Artena Express, which should have been comfortable, turned into hell.

The reason was solely because of the person who ended up sharing this two-person compartment with me.

“You know, what’s your name?”

“Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Helena Clark. Feel free to call me just Helena!”

“I’m Yukal. No last name.”

“Yukal! What a cool name.”

‘Of all people, why did I end up with her…’

The girl in front of me, who kept chattering incessantly, introduced herself as Helena Clark, just as she said.

Her neatly arranged blonde hair in twin braids gives off a mischievous vibe, and her blue eyes are beautiful as if they hold sapphires.

The black dress with frills slightly exposes some skin but suits her lively image well.

Even if you ask any Imperial citizen, they would surely praise her as the epitome of a noble lady.

As the daughter of Count Clark, who is said to possess more wealth than the Emperor, she is also rich.

One might wonder what could be unsatisfactory about a kind and sociable lovely girl.

‘That’s all an act, so it’s not a problem.’

Since she originally considers everyone except those selected by her standards as trash, subtly undermining those who do not please her is second nature to her in school life or scenario progress.

With a good reputation among professors and students, and being unobtrusive, there is no way to stop her.

‘It’s best not to get involved as much as possible…’

“Yeah, looking at it that way makes me feel embarrassed, hehe.”

“….”

While showing a slightly embarrassed expression, the way she looks at me with shining eyes…

It seems like I’ve already fallen for it.

“Yukal, are you on your way to take the Ardent Academy exam?”

“Yes.”

“We might even take the exam together! Where are you from, Yukal?”

“I come from a small mountain village not far from the Borea Territory.”

“Really?! Have you ever hunted wild animals with a bow or a sword?”

“I worked at the village inn, so I don’t have such experience.”

“I see! Since you’re from a rural village and have a sword at your waist, I thought you were a hunter, Yukal.”

“Is that so? Miss, may I ask why you chose to travel alone in a two-person compartment instead of a single one?”

“Huh?”

“Nobles usually prefer single compartments. It seems like you came alone without any escorts or attendants to share the space with strangers you coincidentally met on the train.”

“My father gave me permission in advance. I wanted to talk to someone I met by chance on the train!”

“….”

“Don’t think we’re alone! In fact, the escorts are watching us.”

I couldn’t help but admire her slightly blushing face as she wrapped her arms around herself.

‘I wonder if she can maintain this concept even in front of Cineria.’

“More importantly, why does Yukal carry a wakizashi instead of a jingum?”

“Was your hair color always black?”

“What’s in your pocket?”

Unable to withstand the waterfall-like bombardment of her questions, I interrupted her.

“Miss Helena, I apologize, but I haven’t had proper rest for a few days and have been traveling on the train. May I take some rest?”

If a commoner did this to a noble, they could face punishment for insulting nobility –

“Sure, go ahead! I must have talked a lot without realizing how tired you must be… I’m sorry.”

“No, thank you for your consideration.”

‘She must be acting as a kind noble lady now, so there’s no other way.’

Helena finally closed her mouth and closed her eyes in relief.

Relaxing against the soft backrest of the chair, she soon fell asleep.

’12, 17, 15, 13, 14′

In the case of a healthy person, breathing during sleep occurs between 10-22 times per minute, and the irregular pattern clearly indicates that she has fallen asleep.

Observing Yukal intently for five minutes, Helena finally wiped away her smile as if throwing off a mask.

“Weird.”

When she turned her head, the expression reflected in the window was an expressionless, lovely blonde girl.

Even objectively evaluated, there is no lack in her appearance.

Most men, upon seeing her, make considerable efforts to engage in conversation to win her favor by recounting their own stories or trying to sustain a conversation in any way possible.

To the point where they can’t hide their sordid desire to have her if she just plays along a little in the conversation.

“But he didn’t do that.”

Instead, unusually, he continued the conversation without probing questions as if hanging on to her.

Even that was cut short by his direct refusal due to fatigue.

There were only two things he brought up first.

The question of why she was in a double room and a request to consider letting him sleep well since he was tired.

“Is it a man’s taste…?”

If a viscount who enjoys an unfamiliar shade of blue couldn’t maintain composure upon seeing her, even if she likes men, she might be able to shake his heart a bit.

Yukal did not show any favor towards her from the moment she entered the room until she fell asleep.

It is highly likely that he simply answered questions posed to him because she is a noble.

However, it is unsettling how accustomed she seems to be in dealing with nobility, considering she is supposedly just a simple girl from a rural village.

Having never encountered a woman of such beauty before, his lack of interest is also strange.

Although his composure was broken when she first entered the room and told him not to harbor mischievous thoughts, it wasn’t a good sign.

Though momentary, his eyes looking at her contained a faint annoyance and disdain.

“It’s been a long time since I received such a look.”

While his pride is hurt by the lack of even a hint of interest from her, perhaps it’s somewhat okay since it’s evidence that he’s not ‘trash’?

Staring at Yukal like a toy that won’t move as she pleases, Helena soon turned her gaze back out the window.

“I hope you have the skills to match the attention I’m giving you.”

That way, it will be enjoyable while attending the academy.

Imagine Yukal, who will fall head over heels for her within four years, and a smile gradually appeared on Helena’s previously expressionless face.

“Wake up!”

“Uh, mm.”

“Yukal, you have to wake up. We’ve arrived at Arde.”

After being awakened twice by Helena, she could finally open her eyes.

“Thank you for waking me up.”

‘I’m lucky she woke me up.’

Grateful as he may be, it’s still better not to get involved further. It’s probably best to exchange pleasantries and part ways.

Especially since the butler and guards are coming to escort Helena.

“It would be an honor to meet you at the Ardent Academy. Well then, I’ll be going now.”

About to turn and leave without hesitation, Helena tightly grabbed my left arm.

“We’re both going to take the exam at the Ardent Academy, right? So let’s go together!”

“Yes…”

‘No way, right?’

Looking into my eyes, she smiled brightly and said something unexpected.

“This is fate too, so come with me!”

The servants who were assisting me and her seemed nervous, but I could feel their liveliness from behind.

The vitality emanating from the bodyguards standing behind her and the steward felt like they were saying, “This bastard is trying to deceive our innocent young lady!”

“I didn’t do anything wrong, you know that.”

Though unfair, it seems Helena has taken an interest in me, so I must distance myself appropriately now.

“Miss Helena.”

“Hmm? Are you coming with me?”

“Miss Helena is the beloved of Viscount Clark, while I am just a commoner.”

“If rumors spread that Miss is seen with a common man, it could block your path. Please reconsider for your future.”

Seeing her gaze at me hesitantly brought a sense of joy within me.

The steward behind also seemed to approve of my attempt to persuade her, subtly nodding in approval.

After some hesitation, she suddenly smiled, took my hand, and said, “Then, Yukal will take responsibility for me, right?”

“…I’ve really lost.”

Some of the bodyguards behind were already drawing their swords.

I must choose my move before being divided by Yukal.

“Miss Helena, I’ll accompany you to the Academy exam hall, so please heed my final words.”

“Alright, I understand. But do you promise to go together?”

“I understand…”

Feeling as if being led to the slaughterhouse, I headed to the Ardent Academy entrance exam hall with her.