🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 33
“I don’t think I can hold back any longer.”
When Rune, who was far smaller in build than them, stepped in front to block the way, the two quickly grabbed her arms.
Hey, why are you stepping in now?
Daniel, who just a moment ago hadn’t been able to contain his anger, now looked flustered as he shook her wrist. Rune lightly patted the back of his hand, as if to say don’t worry, then stood firmly in front of the man.
“I don’t know who you are, but apologize for your rude behavior just now.”
“What?” The man’s face twisted horribly.
“You don’t know who I am? You don’t know me? You dare not recognize Alfonso Liechtenstein? You’re the one who should apologize for your insolence!”
Ah. So that’s whose son he was…
Clicking her tongue at the sight of his well-groomed hair, Rune thought it made sense. The Liechtenstein Marquisate—certainly a name worth boasting about.
The Marquis was the Emperor Leonard’s closest aide, the very pinnacle of knighthood that all Imperial knights aspired to. For over a decade, he had served as Commander of the Royal Knights stationed in the Imperial Capital.
On top of that, Marquis Liechtenstein had extended his influence far and wide into both politics and high society through strategic marriages.
Didn’t they say he had six older sisters?
If what she had heard was correct, then Alfonso Liechtenstein was the only son—the youngest child—of that prestigious household.
With such a status, his reaction was understandable.
Even so…
Rune narrowed her eyes slightly and asked again,
“Must I necessarily know you?”
“What?”
“I’ll remember your rudeness. From the look of it, you have no intention of apologizing.”
Her dry voice left Alfonso dumbfounded. Soon his face flushed red and purple as he shouted furiously,
“You insolent brat! I said apologize at once!”
“I don’t think there’s any value left in continuing this conversation. Let’s go.”
Who was supposed to be apologizing to whom here? Rune turned coldly away.
“My words aren’t finished yet—where do you think you’re going?!”
Unable to contain himself, Alfonso lunged and stretched out his hand toward the back of Rune’s neck. His fingers, sharpened like claws, were about to seize her collar when—
What?!
He froze, eyes wide, as a black figure suddenly stood before him.
“Uaaaaagh!!”
Alfonso screamed, clutching his wrist and rolling on the ground as if his bones were being crushed.
Clang—!
At the sharp resonance of a blade, Rune covered one ear and turned her head.
There stood a tall man in a black uniform, a sword in hand exuding pitch-black aura.
He must have struck with the sheathed blade, for the sword belt had snapped, dangling near the hilt.
Recognizing the face marked with displeasure, Rune’s lips parted in surprise.
“…Lord Cailian.”
“I already knew the Academy was falling apart, but I didn’t think I’d have to fix even the holes in its walls.”
Oh no… Rune bit the inside of her cheek in dismay.
Don’t tell me… he saw me crawling out through that hole?
Just imagining Cailian having witnessed her squeeze through like that made the back of her neck burn hot.
“P-please, stand up, Sir Alfonso.”
His followers, who had been hesitating, quickly helped the collapsed Alfonso to his feet.
Clearly, they too were stunned by Cailian’s sudden appearance. Alfonso, pale-faced, stammered,
“L-Lord Cailian, what brings you here…?”
Cailian slowly walked up, placing his hand lightly on top of Rune’s head.
“Disciplining delinquents.”
*
This time, Alfonso spouted things like I’ll let you off for now, but next time… before hurriedly retreating with his group.
Watching him leave, Rune let out a disbelieving laugh. Demanding apologies one moment, then running off the next. He was like a clumsy villain straight out of a children’s book.
“What on earth was that commotion?”
Ethan, who had followed Cailian, shook his head.
“You know using swords within the Academy is forbidden.”
“This isn’t the Academy grounds, and what I used was the sheath. Is there a problem?”
“Haah… Do you realize how much trouble it’ll cause if Alfonso starts running his mouth? Sometimes it’s best to avoid filth altogether, you know.”
“Be grateful I didn’t unsheathe it.”
“…Excuse me?”
As Ethan frowned, Cailian added in a low voice,
“Because I might have cut his wrist off.”
…True. It had been fine up until he tracked Rune outside the Academy and found her in the plaza. He’d been ready to scold her harshly.
But then Alfonso—that despicable brat—had reached his hand toward Rune. Before Cailian knew it, his sword was already out.
He himself was startled at how his body had acted before reason.
Covering his brow with one hand, Cailian exhaled deeply to calm the simmering anger.
“Ethan, take these two back to the Academy. I imagine you brothers have quite a lot to talk about.”
“Ah, yes. Finally, a proper conversation.”
As Ethan flashed his usual mask-like smile, Ellen stiffened nervously, having avoided his gaze all this time.
Indeed, Ethan had much to say—and he wasted no time scolding them breathlessly as he dragged the two away first.
Oh dear…
Daniel and Ellen looked like dejected puppies being led off—like a golden retriever and a droopy-eared Doberman.
Just as Rune was at a loss for what expression to make at their pitiful figures—
“Follow me.”
“…Me?”
“Do you see anyone else here?”
Cailian jerked his chin at her, striding off languidly.
Great.
It seemed her sponsor intended to personally deliver a lecture to his recommended student.
Off in the distance, Daniel kept glancing back with a tearful expression.
So I’m not exempt after all.
Clicking her tongue inwardly, Rune gave a weak wave before reluctantly following Cailian’s heavy footsteps.
*
Leaving the plaza, Cailian headed toward the central district of the capital, Lepium.
“Um… where are we going?”
“Weren’t you curious about the capital?”
“…Excuse me?”
It seemed he really meant to show her the bustling streets. Considering she’d spent all her life in the Marquisate, it was natural she’d be curious.
Curious enough to crawl through that ridiculous hole in the wall…
Just thinking of that gaping hole below the fence made him click his tongue again.
Oblivious, Rune followed behind, busily taking in the lively scenery.
I thought he was going to scold me… Is he really just taking me sightseeing?
The street was lined with all sorts of shops, colorful flowerpots arranged neatly under their awnings.
Moving as if he knew the streets well, Cailian finally stopped before a fruit shop. The owner, wiping his apron, recognized him instantly and rushed forward.
“Well, if it isn’t Lord Cailian! How many years has it been…? And this young lady is…?”
When the owner’s eyes widened at recognizing Rune, she gave a faint, awkward smile and shook her head.
Please, just pretend you don’t know me.
It was the very fruit shop where she had once thrown an apple at Daniel.
How strange it must’ve looked—just earlier she’d been here with Daniel, and now she was standing beside Lord Cailian.
The shopkeeper, Flute, tilted his head in puzzlement. But Cailian merely gave a brief nod of acknowledgment and stepped inside. Browsing the peaches on display, he picked up one with a fine color.
“Were you planning to eat it?” Rune asked.
“I was going to buy it for you.”
“…For me?”
Startled, Rune pointed to herself. Cailian frowned slightly, tilting the peach in his hand toward her.
“You used to like them.”
“…I did?”
“This is serious. How can you forget something you were so fond of?”
With a grave expression, he handed a few coins to Flute, who passed him the peach while sneaking curious glances at Rune before retreating.
“Come here.”
Suddenly, Cailian pulled her by the shoulder under the awning. After walking under the blazing sun, her cheeks had flushed red.
“Still weak against the heat, I see. Are you sure that fever’s truly gone?”
“O-oh, I’m fine. Perhaps because I was born in winter…”
Flustered, Rune pressed her warm cheeks with the back of her hand. His tone made it sound as though he knew her inside and out.
And truthfully, she had always struggled with the summer heat. Unlike the cool north, the southern capital’s summers were something she’d never gotten used to.
Before long, Flute returned with the peach, freshly washed and gleaming.
Cailian accepted it and naturally held it out to her.
“You won’t eat it, my lord?”
“I don’t particularly care for sweets.”
So he had really brought her all the way here just to buy this for her?
Baffled by the inexplicable gesture, Rune hesitated, staring at the peach. Its rosy blush spread like the petals of a rose.
Finally, she accepted it and took a small bite. Crunch.
Her eyes widened as the sweet juice filled her mouth.
“Oh… I think I’ve had this before. It’s delicious.”
“I’m glad.”
Peaches didn’t grow in the northwest, so she’d never had the chance before. Yet somehow, the sweet, fragrant taste didn’t feel unfamiliar.
Her lips, stained with a peachy hue, kept chewing diligently until the white flesh disappeared quickly.
Walking beside her, watching quietly, Cailian’s lips curved into a faint smile.
“When it ripens more, it becomes the juicy kind you used to love.”
“…I liked that too?”
“Curious?”
He brushed the juice from her lips with his thumb, and Rune froze, staring blankly at him.
“I’ll buy it for you again next time. Try it.”
Cailian lowered his voice, licking the juice from his own finger.
“Let’s see if you remember that taste too. I’m curious.”
…Good heavens.
Marlene had always said sweets were bad for the body. Did that include fruit?
This was dangerous. Her heart was pounding so wildly it felt like it might break. Maybe the peach had made her body malfunction.
Rune finally averted her gaze, unable to meet those deep black eyes head-on.
