“Are you speaking of Lady Ariel?”
Gelwood asked, his expression one of confusion.
No, to be precise, ever since the final candidates had been selected, a series of puzzling situations had been unfolding one after another.
The four candidates weren’t exactly known for their good reputation to be suitable for the Grand Duke’s family, and ironically, they all shared the commonality of having graduated at the top of their class from the Royal Academy in the same year.
Duchess Lumia, known for her keen observational skills, was always the one who made the right decisions based on solid reasoning.
However, Gelwood began to worry if there was something wrong with her decision-making process.
But the Duchess’s decisions were not something a mere advisor could interfere with; all he could do was hope that she would choose the lesser evil among the four.
And then came the declaration of withdrawal from one of the final candidates.
Following the incomprehensible decision made by the lady they served, another incomprehensible decision ascended from the chosen candidate as well.
Questions began to pile on top of questions.
Moreover,
“Please assign a watcher to Lord Elden.”
Another layer of doubt started to unfold.
Elden was the one who declared his withdrawal.
There were absolutely no regulations in the participation rulebook regarding withdrawals, so there was no way to compel him to stay or to impose any restraining measures.
Most importantly, there was no reason to accept or reject his withdrawal.
In a contest such as this, there was no purpose in forcing someone who had lost the will to participate to remain in their seat.
Thus, Gelwood found it incomprehensible that the Duchess wanted to cling onto a withdrawer, and even more perplexing was her decision to place a “watcher” on him, following his every move and gesture.
Out of curiosity, he tried to investigate if anything strange had happened during Erenscia Velroc’s time at the academy, but he couldn’t find any leads.
The Duchess, however, showed no interest in the other three candidates and only inquired about Elden.
He speculated if Elden’s withdrawal was some sort of elaborate plan, but the sincerity in Elden’s eyes contradicted that theory, and his subsequent actions made his intent to withdraw crystal clear.
He seemed entirely disinterested in the Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest.
Elden Raphelion showed no inclination toward preparing for the official schedule; instead, he was either cooped up in the library giggling over books or venturing out into the town to savor the common people’s food.
Gelwood had even reported this bizarre behavior to the Grand Duke, but he merely received the reply that all decision-making authority was delegated to his daughter, Lumia.
What was the reason behind the Duchess’s fixation?
Why was she so focused on a candidate who had already withdrawn?
Moreover, even in the case that Elden won the contest, since he had previously declared his withdrawal, there was no legal basis to enforce a betrothal upon him.
Regardless of the power of the Grand Duchy, one could not force marriage on someone who was unwilling, nor would they want to be the subject of public ridicule at any cost.
Especially when there were still other candidates in play.
Gelwood was left with an increasingly growing pile of questions.
Eventually, he had no choice but to ask directly:
“My Duchess, I apologize for my impertinence, but may I inquire about why you are monitoring Sir Elden Raphelion despite his withdrawal? I fear I might have overlooked something important.”
Lumia responded with a question of her own:
“What are your views on Elden’s declaration of withdrawal?”
As the mastermind behind the Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest, Lumia had likely noticed some peculiarities in Elden’s behavior, prompting her question.
“Well… if this withdrawal was just a strategic play to exploit flaws in our regulations, it appears he would have succeeded brilliantly. However, it doesn’t really feel like a strategy to me.”
“Do you think he might be sincere?”
“Yes. As of now, I do believe so.”
“And what about the peculiar changes he has been exhibiting?”
Hmm.
Gelwood swallowed hard, contemplating.
There were distinctly clear changes, strange alterations.
It was something even his brilliant powers of perception found challenging to define.
“I don’t know. It feels like there might be some preparations for utilizing the withdrawal as a strategy… but then again, those changes look like they’re genuinely heartfelt, making it hard to pinpoint.”
His withdrawal seemed genuine.
So did those changes.
He couldn’t fathom how Elden Raphelion graduated at the top of his class, but one thing he had seen was the illustrious disdain Elden had for books.
Yet as he read within the Grand Library, his expressions of laughter, sorrow, and inspiration suggested a deep honesty.
Especially during the discussions he had with Lady Ariel, which were often serious and quite passionate.
This made the watchers’ reports difficult to believe.
One could dismiss it as perhaps he had discovered newfound interests, but such a vague conclusion felt decidedly unsatisfactory.
“Right?”
It appeared as if Lumia had anticipated his response.
“Excuse me? What do you mean?”
“Right now, we know absolutely nothing about Elden. Despite placing a watcher on him, we remain oblivious to his intentions, thoughts, motivations…everything.”
“…But is it strictly necessary to unravel this? If it was merely a strategy to win your favor, staying uninvolved might serve us well, and if he is sincere, we could simply let him be, couldn’t we?”
“No. I cannot allow even a single withdrawal.”
Lumia’s voice rang with unwavering resolve.
There was an undercurrent of something deeper in her tone that Gelwood began to grasp as the root of her obsession.
Anger.
A rage that might have stemmed from a twisted love or a profound sorrow.
What experiences from the past had shaped the Duchess into what she was? What calamities were intertwining their fates?
Gelwood carefully ventured to speak.
“However… even if we force the participation of those who abstain, I doubt the outcome will be altered.”
To his surprise, Lumia smiled radiantly at him.
It was the smile fueled by relentless determination and a quest for the truth.
“I have no intention of forcing anyone.”
“Excuse me?”
“I will awaken his will through encouragement and persuasion.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
Perhaps the concept of [Love] could lead her toward a solution for this peculiar dilemma.
Having discovered a flaw in the seemingly impervious fortress of his heart, she would seek to unveil the truth hidden beyond its walls.
There was no challenge in this world that lacked a solution.
No inquiry that couldn’t be answered.
As she continued her warm smile, Lumia handed Gelwood a note.
“Please deliver this to Elden Raphelion.”
“And may I ask what this is, My Duchess?”
The note contained a [Secret] regarding tomorrow’s event, a biased encouragement poised to entice him—a temptation he couldn’t possibly refuse.
Click~ Clack~
“Hmm~ hmm~”
Cheerful footsteps.
A refreshing rhythm.
And a lively tune.
Noticing such a joyous air, the guard stationed at the Library’s gates couldn’t help but ask,
“Something wonderful happened, My Lady?”
“Huh?”
“You appear to be unusually cheerful today.”
Typically, Ariel would leave the library at closing hours, looking worn out.
Her expression would be fatigued, and her steps heavy.
Therefore, her radiant demeanor today inevitably piqued the guard’s curiosity.
Creak-.
Halting mid-stride, Ariel turned around and pointed at herself with her finger.
“Me? I look lively?”
…Was that even a question?
As the guard nodded, Ariel tilted her head in confusion.
“Hmm~ Really? I feel… normal?”
“While your spirit may be lively, your body looks tired.”
“Is that so?”
Perhaps it was the meal that kept her energy up.
Though it was a somewhat late lunch, the meal she enjoyed in the Great Hall was splendid.
For a lady of Elrond County, the meal was ordinary, but the company and discussions about books made it feel extraordinary.
At least she wasn’t starving any longer, making it easier to focus on her reading, which enabled Ariel to surpass her reading goals.
Despite the time lost during her meal, her reading speed had notably improved compared to yesterday.
This ironic realization brought her joy.
With a faster reading pace, Ariel could achieve her goals in the North and progress to the next stage of her reading journey, eagerly anticipating the warm embrace of the Southern region.
I wonder if Elden enjoyed his training?
Suddenly, her thoughts drifted to Elden.
There was no denying that her reading time had improved thanks to him. Since he’d become her reading partner, it was only natural for him to occupy her thoughts.
And it was equally natural for her to feel a twinge of something amiss when she noticed Elden heading to the training grounds with Knight Rachel.
To add to that, his escort was a figure of admiration—a hero who had captured many hearts with her story.
Meeting Elden was a delight, but encountering a hero from the novels in real life was an immense pleasure for a bookworm.
Since he had an evaluation tomorrow, they wouldn’t be able to meet. Perhaps I should watch his training the day after instead?
Yes.
That sounded like a splendid idea.
After all, wasn’t she curious?
How graceful was [The Purple Knight] when she wielded her sword?
It would be an exceptional opportunity to witness it firsthand. After seeing it for herself, she would share her experience with her maids.
They’d undoubtedly be astonished and envious, wouldn’t they?
With such determination, Ariel quickened her pace toward her quarters.
Her initial thought was to go straight to her room and take a bath.
After finishing her bath, Ariel was in the midst of her evening snack when her maid approached her.
“My Lady?”
“Hmm?”
“You have a visitor?”
“At this hour? Who could it be?”
Indeed, who could it possibly be?
After all, there was no one Ariel knew who would visit her at this hour in Northern Lands.
“They were cloaked in a deep hood, so I couldn’t see their face, but they claimed to be your classmates from the Royal Academy?”
Ah.
“Elden?”
Thud-.
Forgetting about her snack, Ariel, her face alight with joy, put down her spoon and went to greet her visitor.
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