As the atmosphere in the drawing room, which had suddenly been stirred by the mention of the Third Grand Duchess, calmed down again, Ariel had to sit down with an awkward smile.
“Did I talk too much? Sorry about that.”
“…It’s okay.”
“I’ve read the novel featuring the Grand Duchess as the protagonist five times! She’s one of my favorite characters, so I kind of got carried away…”
Scratching her head, Ariel secretly hoped that Lumia would ask about the book’s title. Unfortunately, such a whimsically self-indulgent autobiography didn’t capture Lumia’s interest even for a second.
Eventually, Ariel had to put aside her hopes and return to the main point she had momentarily forgotten.
“Um…What did the Grand Duchess want to tell me?”
What could the Third Grand Duchess, someone she had never met and who might not even be aware of her existence, possibly communicate, especially in the dead of night?
Ariel wrapped her hands around her teacup, attempting to find comfort in its warmth, yet the tea had turned cold by now, just like the mood in the drawing room.
A moment later, Erenscia’s lips uttered another name, and only then did Ariel vaguely begin to speculate the reason for the Grand Duchess sending her a personal message.
“So you’ve been reading with Lord Elden Raphelion lately?”
Considering that her maid had expressed worries about sharing a table with a contender for the Betrothal Contest, it was somewhat similar. But Elden had withdrawn from the contest, and having made that declaration, there would be no reprimands or consequences from the Grand Duchess, nor any fear of being barred from accessing the Library.
It was merely a chance meeting with a classmate at the Academy.
Just a peer enjoying a shared hobby.
A classmate with whom she had a meal due to lack of company.
A classmate beginning to explore the new world of literature.
For Ariel, Elden was that kind of presence.
Of course, the time spent together was utterly enjoyable, and while she frequently found herself captivated by his enjoyment of the books he recommended, it was merely a smile born from the joy of having discovered a reading partner.
Looking forward to their reading sessions had solely stemmed from that reason; feeling that time passed too quickly was the same, and feeling sadness at their parting was all part of it as well.
Their relationship began on a foundation of pure literary admiration, and without it, they might never have connected.
Since Elden showed no interest or affection towards her, this wholesome reading companionship remained safe from any intervention.
Thus,
“Yes.”
Ariel responded comfortably.
Simultaneously, Lumia narrowed her eyes sharply. It was a look suggesting that the serious investigation into the hypothesis of ‘Love’ was about to begin.
“You also share meals together, right?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“Then you must have heard that Lord Elden declared his withdrawal.”
“Yeah, he mentioned it too.”
“Did he say why?”
“He said he lacked the qualifications.”
Hearing this, Lumia gave a slight nod as if confirming what she had already heard.
From the very start, she hadn’t expected to get to the core of his reasons so easily. She was determined to peel back layers to uncover Elden’s withdrawal motives.
“…Is that all? Didn’t he say anything more?”
“More?”
“Well, I thought there might be other reasons for his withdrawal.”
“I don’t think there were.”
“Then, didn’t he mention any future plans?”
This had all transpired over lunch yesterday.
While they were deep in a conversation about books, the topic of future endeavors had popped up.
Since a person who withdrew from the contest couldn’t win it, she had asked Elden what he planned to do once the Betrothal Contest concluded.
To that, Elden answered without hesitation, his face glowing with happiness as he shared his future plans.
“He said he’ll go on a culinary journey.”
“…What?”
Lumia’s brow furrowed. At the same moment, her index finger—still clasping the teacup—began to tap rhythmically.
This was a habit she had unconsciously adopted during their first encounter. Typically, such a thing would happen when she found something interesting.
She had never imagined that Elden had this whole “culinary journey” thing on his mind; it was information as intriguing as it was unexpected.
“A culinary journey…”
“Yep, he even asked me if I could recommend any books on monster cuisine. He lamented that I lacked any particular interests in that area, so I couldn’t help him.”
“…Monster cuisine?”
The moment those words entered the conversation, Lumia visualized Elden ravenously tearing into the leg of a loathsome Red Longuer.
Imagining how he hungrily chewed on the greasy flesh and even sucked the oil off his fingers made her stomach churn.
Could it be that sharing her own horrific experiences with food had somehow awakened his taste buds for adventure?
“No wonder… you really seemed to relish that experience.”
She realized he must’ve felt genuine disappointment as he reluctantly set down the leg the moment he declared he would only take a single bite.
The grip on her teacup tightened instinctively.
Her teeth ground together in a fit of suppressed rage.
The nagging feeling that Elden had unwittingly done her a “favor” was as distasteful as chewing on an insect.
It was maddening.
Even so, she had to maintain composure in front of Ariel, so she let out a weary sigh and tried to shake it all off.
“Sigh…”
“Is something wrong?”
“No. Does Elden seem to have any second thoughts about withdrawing?”
“No?”
“…Not even a little?”
“From what I’ve seen, he seems quite resolute.”
“……”
It felt like Lumia was being forced to swallow a heaping plate of bland potatoes with no drink in sight.
Any question she hurled was coming back like arrows against a magic barrier.
As things unraveled contrary to her plans, Lumia decided it was time to bring up her main point.
“…Do you at least have any guesses about his withdrawal? Perhaps he’s fallen for someone else?”
When she voiced her query, Ariel pursed her lips.
Her auburn eyes appeared cooler, dimming somewhat like a winter’s night.
It seemed that even the joyful Ariel could be a bit displeased.
Or maybe she had sensed she was being interrogated.
“Did you come here to share the words of the Grand Duchess or to interrogate me?”
“Ah… I apologize if I upset you. But those were all questions the Duchess instructed me to inquire about.”
To be honest, Lumia had almost spilled her identity as the Third Duchess and demanded answers out of Ariel, but she held back, not wanting to put any undue pressure on an innocent party.
For a virtuous person, it was wiser to ask than to demand.
Her aim here was simply to gather evidence to bolster the credibility of her hypothesis.
As Lumia took a step back and offered an apology, Ariel’s irritation faded somewhat.
“Well, from what I know, it seems Elden is not involved in any scandal.”
“Is that so…”
Lumia carefully assessed every expression, breath, gesture, and subconscious reaction from Ariel.
She was on the lookout for any hints of falsehood in her words, but sadly, none appeared.
Much like her private conversation with Elden, everything she heard seemed to be the truth.
This only deepened her annoyance.
“But why are you asking me these things?”
Ariel had now flipped the script, questioning Lumia.
Since this was something Lumia had anticipated, she didn’t hesitate in her response.
“The Duchess wishes for you not to disclose that information.”
“What information…?”
“It’s the Duchess’ desire that Elden retracts his declaration of withdrawal.”
“Why?”
“Moreover, she sincerely hopes Elden will give his all during the Contest.”
“…Why?”
Up until this point, Lumia had been laying the groundwork for the next phase of her plan.
Now, it was time to move to the next stage.
Chuckling softly, she opened her mouth.
“Because the Duchess is in love with Lord Elden.”
[Love].
Now she would be able to validate her hypothesis.
If Ariel had been enjoying a secret relationship with Elden, or possessed any mutual feelings, she would show a reaction.
No one would welcome a worthy rival for the affections of their beloved.
True to form, Ariel’s face stiffened.
This was the moment Lumia had been waiting for.
The first tangible result of her experiment since Elden’s declaration of withdrawal.
“W-What…? The Duchess loves Elden…?“
Lumia had to work hard to not let a smile crack her neutral expression.
She couldn’t let that happen.
Once Ariel’s shock had passed, either her hostility or competitiveness would emerge.
Then Lumia would know for certain that Elden’s withdrawal stemmed from [Love].
If such emotions led him to give up a pivotal opportunity to rebuild his life, it indicated a strong and profound affection.
At last, she would be liberated from this vexing puzzle.
“Yes. It was love at first sight…”
Sadly for Lumia…
“Wow! So… If Elden revokes his withdrawal, he could become part of the Grand Duke’s family?! Be a member of Winterfell?!”
For a mere bookworm who enjoyed casual reading sessions with Elden, this was indeed a delightful development.
After all, Ariel would be thrilled to have a chance to repay Elden for brightening her days.
“Oh, I understand! The Duchess must want me to convince Elden to rescind his withdrawal!”
Her eyes sparkled with determination, practically radiating the chance to assist her favorite character.
She clenched her fists,
Ariel would surely visit Elden in his quarters before heading to the Library tomorrow morning.
“……”
Snap-.
Like a ship’s captain battling a storm, following the flicker of the lighthouse.
Feeling despair upon witnessing its extinguishment…
In the end, once again, no real progress was made here.
Once more, Lumia tasted the bitterness of failure.
As a fiery rage simmered within her, Lumia found herself once again consumed by an insatiable thirst for understanding.
Just as she had been when her desire for knowledge was unquenchable, and when her obsession for inquiry couldn’t be doused.
“Please tell the Duchess to trust me, Ariel!”
And thus, the night leading to the final assessment before their grand confrontation climaxed in an anticlimactic fashion.
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