Ch.74Honest Conversation (1)

The festival was essentially a holiday, so students had no reason to be confined to the Academy. Yet they chose to stay on campus rather than roaming the streets because everything they needed was contained within the grounds.

Not only was there abundant food, but various performances were also hosted using the Academy’s facilities.

“Eshtiel would probably be interested in the performances. Especially theatrical shows about the Northern Grand Duke—he’d be licking his lips at those.”

Meanwhile, Serin showed no interest in theater. She’d always been that way. She never cared for opera or plays, and on the rare occasions she did attend, she spent the entire time bothering me in the seat next to her.

Apparently, Lady Rupenter was the same. Luca had expressed concern about the noblewoman’s complete lack of interest in entertainment.

So Luca and I were carefully observing the two women.

“You’re lucky. Her Highness beams with joy just seeing your face.”

“That can’t be true. Serin is just kind, so she smiles often.”

Our meeting was purely coincidental. We hadn’t made any plans, yet fate brought us together at the same food stall. Though the Academy was vast, we shared the same grounds, so it wasn’t particularly surprising.

“Rahilt… haven’t you noticed how people react to you? Don’t you realize how handsome you are?”

“I’m embarrassed to say it, but I’m aware. My parents were the same, and when I beat up that would-be kidnapper, he was trying to abduct me because of my looks.”

“You know this and still say such things?”

“Serin isn’t someone who shows affection based on appearance alone. So her smiles likely have little to do with my looks.”

At my response, Luca performed a strange facial contortion while pounding his chest, as if trying to force down a sticky sweet potato.

“Sigh… fine, let’s say you’re right. But what if Her Highness actually adores your appearance?”

“If that’s the case… hmm.”

If Serin had a strong attraction to my appearance… how should I respond?

I suddenly found myself in serious contemplation, but quickly shook it off.

I gave Luca my confident answer.

“If Serin likes my appearance… I’d certainly be happy.”

“Oh?”

“I had resigned myself to living as if my face didn’t exist. So if a part of me I once abandoned becomes a source of attraction, I’d gladly accept it.”

From the beginning, even when I wore a mask, Serin had done her best for me. If I could earn her affection, would revealing my face be such a big deal?

“Perhaps you’re just one step away.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well… it’s something. Please don’t ask me such difficult questions, Professor!”

“Ahem! I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tease me, Luca.”

“Heh, alright.”

While we engaged in this trivial conversation, Serin and the Lady were happily chatting away. They seemed to connect well, likely due to their shared gender and common ground.

“Sigh, I had so many things I wanted to do during the festival… I envy Sister Narin. She must have enjoyed herself thoroughly.”

“Come on, haven’t you heard that Korea University festivals are notoriously boring?”

“Wasn’t that just a joke?”

“Unfortunately, it’s a brutal fact.”

“Oh my…”

I struggled to follow Serin and the Lady’s conversation topics, but as usual, I let it slide. Even when talking with Serin alone, I often had trouble keeping up.

“Then you must be bored now too, Sister?”

“Looking at just the festival itself, I suppose so. Above all, this world lacks so much entertainment.”

“True, there are no movies or smartphones, so it’s extremely dull.”

“You know what? I still don’t understand what’s so enjoyable about opera or theater. I recognize they’re considered cultured, but I can’t grasp why the masses are so enthusiastic about them.”

“I agree. I’d rather lie in bed watching dramas, but we don’t even have those… At least Rian’s face is like a drama, so that gives me some relief.”

“Seriously… what if he had never removed his mask?”

“What else? I’d have to live with someone whose face I’d never seen.”

The Lady remarked, “That’s a bit scary…” but I lowered my gaze and blushed.

It was nice that Serin liked my appearance. But I was even happier that she paid attention to other aspects of me.

“Living together forever…”

Serin probably said it without much thought. But the expression could be interpreted in different ways, which made me embarrassed.

Separately, I reflected heavily on reality.

“It’s… impossible.”

Serin must reign as the Empress of the Empire.

This meant she would eventually have to welcome a consort and produce heirs. Therefore, my time by her side wouldn’t be long.

Perhaps because I’d been avoiding this thought.

Suddenly, I became afraid to envision our future.

Imagining myself paying respects as Grand Duke to Serin and her consort beside her… such a future made my chest tighten.

If only we could face each other as equals forever, I would want nothing more.

“I wish she wouldn’t leave me…”

I knew all too well that Serin showed me excessive favor. Only a fool wouldn’t notice.

But the scars left by Rashera pulled me back to cold reality, preventing me from deluding myself.

Rodrick, Eshtiel, and Rashera before I knew the truth—everyone I desperately wanted by my side had left me. So if I strongly desired Serin, I feared she too would go far away, whether by choice or not.

Therefore, it was inevitable.

That I, who shouldn’t covet Serin, would have to surrender her to someone else.

“Hmm.”

Suddenly, Serin thrust her face directly into my downcast field of vision.

“Let’s see, this is the face Rian makes when he’s digging himself into a hole.”

“Serin…?”

“What heavy worries have settled into these fine features? I don’t know exactly, but I sense you’re shoveling away at your self-esteem.”

At Serin’s sharp diagnosis, Luca and the Lady displayed undisguised shock.

“Can you normally read all that from someone’s expression?”

“Shouldn’t you just be able to tell they’re worried or something?”

“Serin doesn’t need conversation…”

“At least they’ll never have to fight.”

Indeed, as they observed, Serin seemed to see right through me with her piercing gaze. Without giving me time to be surprised, she immediately took my right arm and forcibly arranged us in an escort position.

“What’s troubling you so much? I’m not going anywhere, so tell me honestly.”

“No, it’s nothing worth mentioning to you…”

“Perhaps.”

As I was about to politely refuse, Serin suddenly pulled my arm and forcefully brought my ear to her lips.

Her seductive breath and clear voice then tickled my earlobe.

“You didn’t misinterpret my statement about staying together forever, did you? Or think it’s impossible? That’s not what you thought, right?”

“Ugh…”

“I’ve given you plenty of hints all this time. But Rian is still Rian, I see.”

I might have greatly disappointed her.

Seeing Serin’s bitter smile made my chest ache.

“I’m not surprised. Someone who cares deeply about you told me that Rian’s emotions are like freshly sprouted seedlings, with childlike aspects.”

“Who might that be…”

“Hmm, the most beautiful person in the world. Her nickname is ‘mother-in-law.'”

“What an unusual nickname.”

At that moment, my fingertips twitched. The Dragon’s Authority suddenly lost control and squirmed, as if imbued with will.

It must be my imagination.

Anyway, the most beautiful woman in the world.

I could only offer an embarrassingly presumptuous guess.

“Are you sometimes called ‘mother-in-law,’ Serin?”

“Gah.”

Serin showed rare embarrassment. Meanwhile, a piece of Dragon’s Authority that had escaped was strangely trembling. I discreetly grasped the escaped power and quickly extinguished it.

“Ha, haha. Am I the most beautiful in the world?”

I confidently affirmed.

“Yes.”

“Crazy.”

Serin unusually rubbed her face with her hands.

“With such praise, you should be thinking about me all the time, but do you, Rian?”

“Of course, I promised.”

“Promise…? Me? With you?”

“Yes. You definitely did.”

I still vividly remember that moment.

The day when I first encountered Serin and completed the journey taking her to the Imperial Palace.

Serin suggested we explore the island together.

[Rian, have you ever held hands on a date?]

[No.]

[So this is your first date?]

[As you say.]

[They say you never forget your first date. That’s how it will be for me. What about you?]

[I…]

As soon as I hesitated, Serin made a sad face.

[But I’d be so disappointed if you forgot right away. I’d soak my bed sheets with tears every night and be mistaken for having a bedwetting problem.]

[…]

[So don’t feel pressured, just tell me. You know I always respect you, right?]

Serin’s considerate way of speaking was so touching that I firmly held her hand and finally spoke.

[…I won’t… forget.]

[Forever?]

[I will.]

[Then you’ll think of me every day?]

[I…]

[Sigh… I’m already tearing up from sadness…]

[I will, I will.]

Even after this, Serin said with moist eyes:

[If you don’t say it precisely, I won’t understand.]

[…… I will think of Serin every day.]

Only after confirming my vow did Serin show a bright smile. The pure joy conveyed was so dramatic and warm that it remained imprinted in my memory.

When I reminded Serin of that promise, her face flushed with heat.

“R-Rian… you really keep such things in your heart…”

“It was a promise. You wanted it, didn’t you?”

“…I suppose so.”

I briefly got the impression that her seemingly shy eyes lacked focus. It was somewhat frightening yet paradoxically not unpleasant. It was a truly strange gaze.

“What should I do, I can’t hold back much longer.”

Serin seemed to retreat into her own world for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up.

“Rian.”

“Yes, Serin.”

“Let’s find someone.”

“Who are you talking about?”

To my question, Serin soon displayed a desire-filled expression.

“Tesser.”