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Episode 19
While Asiel was forgetting everything that had just happened thanks to the sweet cookies Dexter had given her, Dexter still seemed uneasy. Asiel awkwardly smiled and nodded.
Even Asiel sometimes felt embarrassed—Dexter thought very highly of her. Even Allen, who tended to overprotect Asiel, had once said, “Dexter, I’m sorry, but our Asiel isn’t that extraordinary.”
Dexter, however, insisted that Asiel entering the academy without any divine blessing was itself divine providence, and that she was more remarkable than any other student.
“I’m really fine though….”
“I’m upset. I just don’t understand why His Highness Dimarion is acting like that.”
As expected of someone with the power of wisdom, Dexter seemed intent on understanding why Dimarion treated her so coldly. Asiel scratched her head. Maybe it was because their first meeting hadn’t gone well. First impressions were hard to fix…
“Hmm, how should I put it? His Highness seems used to hiding his feelings. He doesn’t really like showing either what he dislikes or even what he likes to others.”
“Hmm.”
“He even always asks me if anything is bothering me, or if anyone is bullying me…”
Dexter seemed genuinely puzzled, but the more Asiel listened, the smaller she felt. So the prince, who never openly expressed anything, had only ever shown dislike toward her. Even someone who treated commoners kindly treated her as the only exception.
“That’s because Dexter, when you first met the prince, acted more aristocratic than actual nobles.”
Allen, who Asiel hadn’t noticed was listening, answered Dexter’s question. He found the two friends seriously pondering something already obvious rather adorable.
“Was I not noble enough?”
Asiel blinked and asked innocently. She was cute, but Allen sighed weakly and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
Yes, you little menace…
“But Asiel really is cute…”
Dexter looked genuinely disappointed. Seeing a friend he had only known for a month worry so much about her made Asiel’s heart soften.
Right. So what if some prince disliked her? The world wasn’t going to end over that!
[Yes, don’t be discouraged. You are the Demon King’s subordinate.]
Hearing the mocking voice in her head only made her feel more deflated. That “Dundun” really had a talent for showing up at the worst moments and messing with her mood.
“Being cute isn’t everything…”
Allen, just like Dexter, also felt troubled. If his heart could be opened, it would probably be in pieces right now.
After the chaotic first day, Asiel had declared to Allen the next morning:
“I’m going to become friends with Dimarion.”
“Suddenly?”
“It’s connections. The academy is a training ground for society. It’s all about networking.”
“That’s true, but…”
“Watch me, Allen. Asiel Windsorberry has been reborn.”
Even without her declaration, Allen—who always watched over her—didn’t notice much difference.
Still, if Asiel really did become friends with Dimarion, it would be beneficial. Her reputation at the academy was practically the worst. After all, she had entered without any divine blessing.
Rumors even spread that she was an adopted child of the Windsorberry family, and people pitied her, saying Geil and Quentin must have made huge sacrifices for her admission. Some even joked they had agreed to 30 years of unpaid labor after graduation—though in reality, it meant being treated like slaves.
But those rumors came from people who didn’t know Geil and Quentin. In truth, they already served Asiel willingly, and no one disliked her attending the academy more than they did.
Fortunately, Asiel and her brothers never heard such rumors… and Allen had no intention of ever telling them.
“If it were me, I’d dislike it too. You’re way too clingy.”
“Ugh, my morning luck is terrible again.”
Meanwhile, Asiel was bickering with Bernard.
Whenever Bernard spoke in that annoying tone, Asiel would snap back that her fortune for the day was ruined.
“You two are close as always.”
Dexter smiled brightly at the usual scene between Asiel and Bernard. Allen, watching his friends, sighed inwardly but couldn’t hide his rising smile.
Even this dull academy life became enjoyable because of them—especially after Asiel arrived.
So…
He wished those who still looked at Asiel with prejudice would remove their biases and see her for who she truly was.
“Oh, it’s Creation Myth class today.”
Asiel’s expression darkened slightly as she checked her schedule. The class was taught by Professor Alec, who clearly disliked her.
Asiel was used to hostile gazes, but Alec was especially harsh—often ignoring her during class. Even cheerful Asiel sometimes felt hurt. He was the only professor like that. Junior professor Larisa, on the other hand, treated her with excessive care.
“You’ll be okay?”
Allen looked worried as he opened his textbook. He hated seeing Asiel treated unfairly, but he couldn’t openly confront a professor.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ll just think about other things.”
“Alright…”
Normally he would have told her to focus, but he didn’t want to say that about Alec’s class. Still, he worried—Asiel struggled especially with mythology.
Unlike other children who had studied myths since age five after receiving divine blessings, Asiel had grown up completely separated from such teachings.
It was the Windsorberry family’s decision, fearing it might harm her as a child.
“Well, I’ll just teach her myself.”
After school, he planned to visit the Windsorberry estate and personally teach Asiel. And then he might even meet Geil, whom he greatly respected…
Asiel sometimes said Allen felt more like Geil’s real brother than Quentin did. Their divine protection, strict personality, kindness, and inability to ignore others all contributed to that impression.
Allen had been delighted to hear that—but also a little hurt. Because when talking about Geil’s brothers, Asiel only mentioned Quentin and never him.
These small things made Allen even more protective of her. If Asiel knew his thoughts, she would probably feel wronged, since she meant none of it intentionally.
“Don’t be discouraged, Asiel.”
Allen thought this quietly, whether Asiel noticed or not.
Meanwhile, Asiel, who had opened her textbook following Allen, was staring blankly at Dimarion’s back in front of her. Thinking about how on earth she was supposed to become friends with him.
How troublesome. In her past life as Yoon Seol, she had never tried to become close with anyone like this. She had given up on maintaining relationships early on. After staring at the fire-engulfed orphanage, she had vaguely accepted it—she probably couldn’t live a normal life like others anymore.
So Dimarion should be grateful and at least acknowledge her effort.
But he showed no sign of doing so.
Still… he had pretty ears. And that slightly lifted hair at the back was kind of cute too…
Her gaze, once fixed on his head, had already turned into evaluation. Asiel even thought that if she were Dimarion, she would devote herself completely to the gods.
They had made him that beautiful, after all.
“…Huh?”
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