episode_0032

Sigh.

Sigh.

Inside the carriage returning to the palace, only two sounds echoed.

Chewing the same fruit, different sounds.

Lost in thought while looking out the window.

Trying to piece together the situation, it seemed like the female lead had thrown the pattern of the palace gown brought by Kyle on the floor and left the banquet hall.

Leaving abruptly, breaking the promise of bestowing a high score.

It was clear.

“She must be really angry.”

As the final notice, and having failed to lure in all the bait for the fishing expedition, it was expected that she would be angry.

Especially since she had laid out a scheme of reconciliation, even confessing her love to her enemy, it must have dealt a significant blow to her pride.

However, there was no intention to give up, nor to shoulder the burden of the original character for her revenge.

It would be wiser to focus on the pawns she had tied up rather than obsess over the spectator who had crossed the line.

She had already given the withdrawn player an opportunity by breaking free from her leash.

I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t have to use it.

Just hoping that one would consider the possibility of a change in human nature, that even the unchanging nature of the sky could change.

If one couldn’t believe that someone from a different dimension had possessed her, then at least understand that possibility.

Of course, I didn’t wish for all her plans to fail because of me.

But I also didn’t wish to be dragged into her plans.

There was no desire to repeat the struggles of the past in injustice and frustration.

And there was no desire to provoke her.

It was just a struggle to avoid taking the bait she threw out, and even if it provoked her, there would be no turning back.

There was no intention to engage in petty drama to appease her.

The moment a flaw was revealed, the moment a weakness was shown, she would attack more persistently and openly.

It was better to confidently show the modern man, Lee Jun-woo, and instill the possibility of change in her unchanging nature.

Even if a modern man who had been possessed by a wicked character without knowing English was scheduled to appear in the future.

For the possessed one who just wanted to find happiness and admiration, it was the best way.

That’s why.

Nothing would change.

If she shoots arrows, I will open an iron umbrella. If she shines the scorching sun, I will seek shade. If she brings a storm, I will retreat into a cave.

By enduring, avoiding, and resting, the confrontation would eventually end, and we would each go our separate ways.

“…What are you thinking?”

Lost in thought while watching the passing scenery, Rachel’s voice suddenly brought me back from my reverie.

“Oh, nothing. Just some random thoughts.”

“I see. This was delicious, thank you.”

Rachel handed me the fruit that had turned sour.

Not really wanting to accept the gratitude, I absentmindedly nodded, but Rachel spoke up again.

“Master, may I ask you a question?”

“Of course.”

“You’ve been acting strange lately.”

“A common question. Boring. Next.”

“… ”

Rachel was taken aback by the joking response, and her rare reaction made me chuckle.

“Haha. Just kidding. Looks like the master has finally taken an interest in the disciple?”

“It’s just for educational purposes.”

“How does it look to the master then? Does the disciple’s change seem somewhat genuine?”

After spitting out my words, a feeling of discomfort arose from within me.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that it was the frustration that had been quietly building up inside me that had erupted.

No matter how many times I shouted, there was no one who believed that I was Lee Junwoo.

I tried to cover up the unnecessary question, thinking that I had spoken foolishly, but…

“Yes.”

Unexpectedly, a response came from Rachel’s lips.

Contrary to my expectation that I would have to concede a hundred times to hear a response like ‘I don’t know,’ Rachel answered without hesitation.

“…Is that so?”

At the unexpected response, an awkward greeting slipped out.

Rachel touched the awkward fruit and continued speaking.

“It felt strange as if you had become a different person, but thanks to that, there is a great liveliness even in the annex. The maids are smiling as well.”

The annex that was ruled by Elden was naturally a continuous storm every day.

There was never a day without screams, cries, and disturbances, and the maids had to quietly clean up the aftermath every morning.

Knowing well about those misdeeds, I had to turn my gaze out the window as if I felt like a sinner for no reason.

“…I’m glad to hear that.”

“May I ask what the reason is?”

Reason.

There was no grand reason for it.

It wasn’t about living a new life out of regret and reflection as a sinner.

That’s why I answered while looking at the dazzling scenery.

Looking at the dazzling, brilliant white light breaking through.

“I just want to live a dazzling life for once.”

A life lived in a dark underground room.

A life that sought light so desperately but only carried debts instead of light.

Now, I will put down the debts and carry the light.

That was the answer that I blurted out from such thoughts, and once again, an unexpected response came.

“I will support you.”

…But today, you seem unusually affectionate.

The usually blunt mentor, who rarely added a word, kept asking questions one after another.

“Thank you. But, didn’t you think of me as ‘lowly’ just a few days ago?”

Unable to tolerate the unfamiliar feeling for long, I had to turn my gaze beyond the window, where Rachel raised her sword towards her chest with a contemptuous look.

“That hasn’t changed.”

Ah.

Hmm.

I see.

As expected, you are firm in your judgment, aren’t you?

**

Snap!

Today, Arielle, who was engrossed in reading while starving herself for lunch due to Elden’s second evaluation match, raised her head.

She then looked at the empty seat across from her.

It was the seat where Elden had been sitting for the past few days.

From a chance encounter to yesterday.

‘….’

They had only read together for a few days, but why did the empty seat across from her feel so empty?

It had always been an empty spot since she started reading, but why did the thought that it should be filled suddenly come to her mind?

There was no reason to wait today, but why did she feel like waiting?

It was a mystery.

‘….’

Arielle, who was staring blankly at the empty seat, turned her gaze back to her book.

It had only been a few days.

It’s funny.

I might be able to read books with Elden again tomorrow.

It’s ridiculous.

With a self-deprecating smile, Arielle brushed off her distractions and continued reading.

Swoosh.

Swoosh.

Swoosh.

Thud.

‘….’

But her gaze unconsciously shifted towards the entrance of the library.

In that gaze, it seemed like Elden, holding the book she had recommended, was approaching.

‘….’

She then sat down, expecting him to say how much he enjoyed it, how impressed he was, and ask for similar recommendations.

Arielle tilted her head.

‘I should…’

She went too far with her daydream.

I should stop reading. Really.

Reading and sharing together is just as joyful and fun as reading itself, I now realize that’s the case.

It’s a happy thing to recommend a book to someone and hear their thoughts on it, I now understand that.

Elden Raphellion, a classmate, was just a passing acquaintance, a chance encounter.

Excessive expectations and grand hopes.

“Moreover, didn’t I personally deliver the confession to the Grand Lady? By now, she must be doing her best to win the second evaluation match.”

Even in the morning, sincerely cheering for him to become the son-in-law of the Grand Family.

And now, feeling regretful about the empty seat across from me?

Feeling regretful about a seat that had been empty for thousands of days, only filled for a few days?

Nonsense.

It was simply about returning joy to the one who had brought joy to him, not about leaving behind regrets or disappointment.

It was all done to help the Grand Lady, to help Elden.

Now, Elden only had to become the husband of the 3rd Grand Lady, and she only had to become a lonely guest who sat alone in the stillness of the library, as before.

However, before that, there was one simple, humble wish.

“Until the end of the Engagement Tournament, can we read and talk together?”

But.

Arielle quickly realized that it was a big mistake.

“Oh… it won’t work.”

The reason Elden could read in the library was all because of the “forfeiters.”

Now that he was a strong candidate for victory, he wouldn’t be able to spend time reading novels for the remaining evaluation match preparations.

He lacked the qualifications, but the gracious and merciful 3rd Grand Lady willingly embraced him.

So, after the Engagement Tournament ends, becoming the son-in-law of the Grand Family and not being able to meet face to face, she could just return to her previous daily life.

To the ordinary.

Those days.

“Yeah.”

It’s a shame, but what can you do.

It’s a good thing that the reading companion she had found had passed by shorter than a midsummer night’s dream.

Honestly, it was unreasonable to forfeit in the final round, right?

And so what.

What can I do about feeling regretful.

“Yeah. What, uh, about you?”

Not possible.

Yeah.

Then read a book.

“Yeah.”

With that thought in mind, Arielle refocused on reading, and as the sudden commotion rose, she heard the words “Kyle Gongja won” and her toes began to tap slowly.

They said his score was the highest in the 2nd evaluation match.

“Fool.”

Did he lose?