Crunch-.
Munch, munch-.
Inside the carriage making its way back to the Grand Duchy, only two sounds echoed.
The sound of two people munching on the same fruit.
Lost in thought, I gazed out at the snowy landscape beyond the carriage window.
Piecing together the scenario, it seemed that the female protagonist had unceremoniously tossed the crest that Kyle had brought into the venue onto the ground and left the event.
She had abruptly departed, abandoning her promise to bestow great rewards.
That meant,
She must be fuming.
I had somewhat expected her to be angry after all, considering her ultimatum had flopped.
Especially since she had even gone so far as to ‘confess’ her love to an ‘enemy’; her pride must have taken a serious hit.
Nevertheless, I had no intention of rescinding my withdrawal, nor did I plan to shoulder the burdens of the original characters for her revenge.
I felt bad for her, but honestly, it was wiser to focus on the instigators rather than get fixated on an uninvolved observer.
She had already given me ample reasons to use against her in the future by fixating on the withdrawer who had slipped from the leash.
I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t have to turn it against her.
What she needed to understand was that human nature can change. Even if the heavens themselves were to tear apart over it, a determined human might very well be capable of proving them wrong.
If she couldn’t accept that a different soul had taken residence in this body, perhaps she could at least grasp the fact that people are capable of transformation.
Of course, I didn’t want all her plans to derail just because of me.
But I certainly did not wish to be dragged into that chaos.
I had zero desire to replay my previous life where I wallowed in unfairness and resentment.
And I had no interest in deliberately provoking her.
I was simply struggling to avoid biting the baits she had cast. Even if my efforts inadvertently irked her, I wouldn’t be budging an inch.
There was no need to perform some absurd act just to placate her.
As soon as she caught on to any cracks in my facade or any show of weakness, she would undoubtedly double down on her relentless pursuit.
Thus, it would be better to simply present to her the unapologetic self of Lee Jun-Woo, instilling the notion that even the heavens might be challenged.
Of course, a modern-day human, who had been unwittingly possessed by a malevolent character, could care less.
All I wanted was to seek happiness and fulfillment, which would be the best path for a vessel yearning for a new beginning.
Thus,
Nothing would change.
When she unleashed a rain of arrows, I would open an umbrella. When she scorched me under the midday sun, I would find the shade. If she conjured a tempest, I’d retreat into a cave and rest until her storm blew over.
By merely enduring, evading, and waiting it out, I’d witness the end of this Betrothal Contest, and then, we would part ways.
“…What are you thinking about so seriously?”
I must have been in deep thought for quite a while, as Rachel’s voice jolted me from my reverie.
“Oh, just a little bit of random thinking.”
“Is that so? By the way, thank you for the fruit; I really enjoyed it.”
Holding up the withered fruit core, Rachel expressed her gratitude.
I simply nodded, not seeking her thanks, when Rachel struck up another conversation.
“My lord, may I ask you a question?”
“By all means.”
“You seem a bit off lately.”
“Ah, that… I’m tired of hearing that same old question. Next.”
“……”
Rachel appeared utterly confounded by my joking response, and I couldn’t help but chuckle at her expression.
“Heh. Just kidding. It seems my mentor has taken an interest in her disciple’s affairs?”
“It’s purely for educational purposes.”
“Then what about you, mentor? Does the transformation in your disciple seem genuine to you at all?”
The moment I asked the question, an odd feeling surfaced within me.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that it was the frustration that had been steadily accumulating inside me.
The exasperation of knowing that no matter how many times I shouted the truth, no one would believe that I, Lee Jun-Woo, was stuck in this situation.
Feeling embarrassed for having asked such a silly question, I attempted to redirect the conversation when…
“Yes.”
Unexpectedly, I received a response from Rachel.
I had anticipated something along the lines of “I’m not sure,” so this came as quite a surprise.
Rachel answered without a hint of hesitation.
“…Really?”
Oh no, a clumsy response escaped me.
Rachel continued, fiddling with the fruit core.
“Honestly, it’s felt quite strange, like you’ve transformed into someone else. But thanks to that, the annex has been buzzing with life. The maids are smiling again, too.”
The annex where the original Elden reigned was, needless to say, engulfed in chaos daily.
There hadn’t been a day without shouts, screams, and bedlam, and the maids had to tiptoe around each morning tidying up the scene of destruction.
Knowing quite well about those transgressions, I couldn’t help but turn my gaze back to the carriage window.
“…That’s a relief to hear.”
“May I ask what the reason for your… transformation is?”
The reason.
As far as reasons go, there wasn’t anything grand to speak of.
I wasn’t an evil man who had repented his past sins and was seeking to lead a new life.
I had no compelling reason, either.
So, I gazed out at the dazzling white snow and answered her.
“I simply want to experience a brilliant life.”
A life where I had once yearned for light while living in a dark, cramped space.
Even as I sought that little light, I had instead found myself burdened with debts rather than finding relief.
There was no reason to hold onto burdens any longer. The chance to settle past grievances and live brightly lay before me.
And so, I expressed my true desire to Rachel, only to be surprised once more by her response.
“Then, I will support your wish.”
……Is Rachel being unusually friendly today?
My usually stern mentor, capable of spending an entire day without a single word, had suddenly morphed into a chatterbox.
“Thank you. But didn’t you just a few days ago regard me as ‘scum’?”
Not one to linger on such a thought, I felt the need to lighten the mood with a joke,
…But then,
Rachel shot me an icy glare, raising her sword towards my chest, compelling me to return my gaze to the window.
“That hasn’t changed.”
Ah.
I see.
Well.
At least she’s straightforward, isn’t she?
Suddenly, Ariel, who had skipped lunch due to Elden’s second evaluation, finally lifted her head from her messy reading.
Then she gazed at the empty seat across from her.
It was the spot where Elden had been sitting just a few days ago.
‘…’
Why does that empty seat feel so strangely hollow to me?
This space has always been empty since I started coming to the library; why do I feel compelled to have someone there?
And why do I find myself waiting, even though no one is coming today?
I can’t make sense of my feelings.
‘…’
Ariel stared blankly at the seat for a while before turning her gaze back to her book.
How ridiculous to feel this way after just a handful of days!
What a laughable thought!
‘Maybe tomorrow I can read again with Elden?’
It’s utterly absurd.
She slapped her cheeks and tried to refocus on the book.
Swish-.
Swish-.
Swish-.
Glance-.
…
Yet, without her noticing, her eyes kept wandering toward the library’s entrance.
In those moments, she could almost envision Elden approaching with a book she had recommended.
…
He would sit down, gushing about how fascinating and moving the book was.
Then he would ask for more recommendations.
Words that she longed to hear.
Ariel shook her head.
…Really.
Her imagination is running wild today.
Maybe she should stop reading for a bit.
After all, she realized that sharing thoughts with a reading buddy was just as fulfilling as reading a superb novel.
She had come to appreciate the joy of recommending books and listening to others’ thoughts on her suggestions.
Even though Elden was merely a classmate they met by chance, their connection was destined to be fleeting.
It would be unreasonable to expect anything more.
And besides… Didn’t I just cheer him on for the Duchess’ confession? He should be busy striving for success in the evaluations right now.
This morning, she truly wished him well,
But now, why does it feel a bit wistful as she stares at the vacant chair?
Why does that empty space, which has been vacant for weeks before their meeting, leave her feeling so empty?
What am I thinking?
Her morning actions were driven by the genuine desire to repay him for the joy he had brought, not by lingering regrets or disappointments.
She just wanted to help Elden and the Duchess.
Now, all that’s left for Elden is to become the Duchess’ husband and achieve the glory that many could only dream about.
They belong to different worlds.
Their standings aren’t comparable.
And now, it’s time for Ariel to return to her rightful place.
Elden would become the Grand Duke’s son-in-law, and she would revert to being a solitary bookworm confined to a silent library.
But Ariel harbored one petty, albeit innocent wish.
Maybe… they could still read together until the Betrothal contest wraps up?
That was her hope.
Yet, Ariel soon realized that was just a pipe dream.
Ah… That’s not going to happen, is it?
Elden could only loiter around the library because he was a ‘withdrawer’.
Now that he was gearing up to compete seriously, there wouldn’t be room for novel reading with all the preparations for future contests and evaluations.
The Duchess had kindly embraced him despite his ‘lack of qualifications’.
Once the Betrothal contest ends, Elden will be part of the Winterfell family.
And they might never meet again, so it would be best for Ariel to go back to her old routine as quickly as possible.
She would return to those lonely days.
Sigh-.
Though such a notion is disappointing, what can I do about it?
Losing her recently-acquired reading mate may be sad, but it’s for the greater good.
Honestly, it wouldn’t make sense for him to continue as a ‘withdrawer’ with such favorable odds, would it?
So that’s that.
Even if I feel down about it, what can Ariel even do?
Nothing.
Indeed,
She would simply carry on reading her books.
Yeah.
With that thought, Ariel got back to her reading, when suddenly, whispers arose in the library about ‘Kyle Beallon winning the second evaluation’.
As soon as she heard this, Ariel’s feet began to fidget beneath the table.
They said Kyle had scored the highest.
Fool.
Did he lose?
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