DHDF 46

chapter 46

“How are you planning to break down the walls?”

“Weren’t they already all crumbling?”

Her tone was light, but it wasn’t merely a joke. Ritema sounded certain.

A nervous, suppressed laugh tickled my throat.

Ah, so she already knew.

Still, I thought I had tried my best not to reveal everything.

“…How did you know?”

“It just showed.”

I was left speechless.

I lowered my eyes and turned my gaze toward Ritema.

My mind was full of thoughts. I felt confused. My heart was in turmoil, and I couldn’t figure out why.

“It’s done.”

While I froze, Ritema brushed through my hair and even placed pins according to her own taste.

It seemed like we had spent the day riding around the city in a carriage, but everything was so overwhelming that I remembered nothing.

Even after returning home, I couldn’t recall what I had done.

‘There’s no way Ritema didn’t notice my strange behavior.’

Yet I mentioned nothing beyond that it had been enjoyable.

Even after preparing for bed, I couldn’t lie down immediately. Instead, I took out my diary.

I recalled the conversation I had had with Ritema and wrote it down on paper.

I want to tear down the walls.

How?

They’ve already fallen.

I moved my parched lips. If the walls had fallen, it meant there were no boundaries.

‘Did Ritema mean it in that way… when she said it?’

Had she noticed my feelings? My heart, which I was too scared to fully understand myself and could only glance at superficially?

My heart raced wildly.

I think I finally understood what I was afraid of.

‘I don’t know how much Ritema has noticed…’

I had become someone at her mercy, ready to be stirred and manipulated.

That scared me more than anything.

Just like the relationship between Verjene and Lahes…

I exhaled sharply, then clenched my fists.

‘It’s okay. Ritema isn’t Lahes.’

At the same time, he seemed indifferent toward me.

Perhaps he was content with our current relationship and felt my feelings didn’t matter.

‘I’d rather it be that way.’

Then I could pretend not to notice, too.

I could stay safe.

Eventually, even my feelings would fade.

No matter how much I speculated alone, there was no solution.

And asking him directly what he thought was frightening.

‘I’m not sure I could handle it.’

If I heard his answer, it felt like my entire heart would be exposed.

That was exactly what I wanted to avoid the most.

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself again.

What Ritema wants is a close friend, someone who can stay near him more than anyone else.

I circled the word “close friend” several times.

If I stay true to that, Ritema wouldn’t try to manipulate me.

Could there be a weaker solution than this?

‘But this is all I can do right now.’

I spent the whole night fretting over it, but from the next day, it became hard to see Ritema.

Only ten days remained until the exam. Since there was no mist chamber in the townhouse, I had to go out for training.

Being on different floors made it even harder to meet.

‘Actually, that’s probably a good thing for me.’

My state was still unstable, and if I bumped into Ritema, I might immediately lose my composure.

Until the exam approached, I spent my time practicing magic.

Ah, in the middle, I did go shopping with Karlin.

Time seemed to pass faster than usual.

“The weather is nice. It’s perfect for a picnic. What do you think, Verjene?”

Karlin adjusted my hat while asking.

“I think so too.”

“Not today, but next time, let’s bring sandwiches and go. There’s a nice park nearby.”

I thought it would be difficult since I hadn’t been to the mansion for the past few days, but Karlin also came along.

She wore a dress in yellow and light green, looking bright and beautiful.

While we planned a small picnic, Ritema appeared for the last time that day.

It was the first time I had seen him in almost a week.

I missed the chance to greet him due to awkwardness.

“How’s your condition today, Youngest?”

“No problem. I feel lighter than usual.”

“Still, don’t overdo it.”

As we left the residential district, the streets were crowded.

Apparently, the Knight Exam was considered quite a spectacle.

Passing the strict checkpoint, we arrived at the stadium-shaped exam grounds.

“I’ll be back.”

Ritema seemed to head straight to the examinee waiting room but quickly returned.

Then,

“I’ll come back victorious.”

He kissed my cheek.

Only after Ritema abruptly left did I realize what had happened.

Dazed, I held Karlin’s hand and sat in the audience.

It was a seat with a full view of the exam grounds.

“I really don’t know how Ritema will act,” Karlin said, smiling as she touched the cheek he had kissed.

“Yes, truly…”

I wanted to know what he was thinking, but now, even looking into his mind, I didn’t think I could understand.

I quietly watched the audience fill the stands.

It seemed noisy, but Rosalyn explained that people were betting on who would pass.

“Interested?”

“It’s fascinating.”

“If you want, you can place a bet, Verjene.”

After some thought, I decided to bet on Ritema.

Honestly, it was more for fun than profit, but I heard someone chuckle nearby.

“Out of all these candidates, that little one? What luck.”

“Guess money means nothing to them.”

I looked around but couldn’t tell who had said it.

I heard there were about fifty candidates left.

The tournament-style exam would select only the top five with the most victories as knights.

Naturally, Ritema was the youngest.

Overwhelmingly young.

‘Wasn’t the next youngest eighteen?’

Ritema had declared he would become the youngest knight, but I hadn’t thought deeply about it.

Being an outsider, I assumed his claim was just a boast.

‘But feeling the heat in this moment…’

The weight of his words felt entirely different. Even I, who had come just to cheer, tensed up.

I watched the candidates enter one by one.

Then, I glanced aside.

‘…No way.’

A figure, unfamiliar yet somehow recognizable, came sharply into view.

I could barely make out his facial features, but his striking presence was unmistakable.

‘It should be the first time we meet.’

Why was my heart pounding so violently?

At the same time, I felt a chill run through my blood.

It was Lahes. That man is Lahes Rendis. A rational deduction.

Otherwise, my entire body wouldn’t be sending such a warning.

“Verjene? Is something wrong…?”

Karlin noticed my stiff posture and turned toward my gaze.

“That person near His Majesty the Emperor. Blonde, wearing dark green attire.”

“Blonde… Ah. You mean the Second Prince?”

Hearing that, I realized I had been holding my breath.

I clenched my fists and calmed my breathing.

“Have you met him before?”

“No. Not really. He’s just… very beautiful.”

“Yes, he certainly is.”

Even though I hastily added an excuse, Karlin didn’t suspect anything.

Understandably so. Lahes had been renowned since childhood for a face no one could pass without praising.

“Is a face like the Second Prince’s your type, Verjene?”

I couldn’t answer immediately. Perhaps if I were truly Verjene, it might be.

My racing heart wasn’t just due to vague anxiety.

“…I think so.”

“My goodness. I don’t want our lovely fairy to be taken by the royal family.”

Leaning lightly against Karlin brought me back to reality.

Feeling Ritema’s intense gaze, I turned my head back to the exam grounds.

Ritema was looking at me. When our eyes met, he immediately smiled.

‘As if he wants to imprint that he’s the one I like right now.’

I smiled, and my heart felt calm again.

Yes. Lahes here doesn’t know me.

Nothing I worry about will happen here.