NYM 8

Chapter: 8

For some reason, Dante came to mind.

“I don’t need to become Lady Sebtina’s private tutor. However, there is something I would like to ask of you.”

“…What is it?”

“If I speak honestly, will you consider it? If not, I think it would be better for both of us if I remain silent.”

The beginning was different, but asking for help felt exactly like Dante.

What could Klazen possibly want to ask Sebtina, who had only just awakened?

‘No. That can’t be.’

There was no way even Klazen was trying to save Julai.

Still, she had to be sure.

Her mind went cold.

Considering something and accepting a proposal were two entirely different things.

“Regardless of whether I consider it or not, I’d like to know the list of candidates to become my tutor. Along with that, I’d also like to review your background, Sir Klazen. I’ll choose the teacher who would be the most helpful to me.”

Klazen nodded in agreement at Sebtina’s words.

“Understood.”

“Then please tell me what kind of help I can offer.”

Klazen set down his teacup and let out a quiet breath.

With his fingers interlaced, he lowered his gaze slightly. Unlike before, it was a natural, unintentional movement.

“I’ve heard that you are acquainted with Miss Julai Rive.”

Again.

Again.

“Why bring up Miss Julai Rive?”

“To be honest, Miss Julai is a friend of mine—someone who has fallen into a coma, much like you once did, Lady Sebtina.”

“M-My… what?”

Sebtina was certain she had misheard him.

But she hadn’t.

“My friend.”

Klazen repeated himself, this time even more confidently.

Barely suppressing a hollow laugh, Sebtina stared at him with icy eyes.

‘Since when were we that close?’

“We met regularly. Took walks together in the park. Dined at restaurants as well. If you’re curious, you may ask other nobles. Most of them know.”

“……”

That was merely how it looked on the surface.

Those meetings had existed solely for Klazen’s benefit.

“It feels like just yesterday that we spent time together…”

Klazen’s expression darkened little by little.

Anyone watching would believe it was real—it was that convincing.

Goosebumps rose across her skin. Sebtina clenched her fists tightly.

He was worse than Dante.

There was no way he truly cared about Julai.

This was nothing more than an emotional performance meant to win Sebtina’s favor.

‘As expected of Klazen.’

Had she not been Julai Rive herself, she might have been fooled by his smooth words. His concerned attitude, his gestures—everything was flawless.

Klazen was a perfect actor.

And the more she watched him, the angrier she became.

“Since she collapsed, I’ve missed the time we spent together terribly. Her smiling face when we ate together, how fondly she followed me… I couldn’t bring myself to let things end like this, so I’m searching for every possible solution.”

Anyone listening would think he was a devoted friend.

“When I heard that you had awakened, Lady Sebtina, I hoped that after growing closer to you, we might examine your condition more thoroughly and attempt to restore your memories—”

That was the last straw.

All the emotions she had bottled up since Julai’s collapse burst out at once.

“Shut up.”

She lost her composure.

Klazen’s eyes widened.

His stunned expression, frozen by her words, came into view.

It felt… refreshing.

“…What did you just say?”

She had spoken without thinking, but she knew she couldn’t afford to be that rude to Klazen.

In an instant, Sebtina fabricated an excuse. Her quick thinking was something she had developed while dealing with Yulia—just to avoid upsetting her.

“I might get hurt. I’m afraid something will happen to me—during examinations or memory restoration. And I already declined through the mage.”

“……”

“I believe I’ve heard enough. I understand how much you care for her, Sir Klazen.”

Sebtina lowered her gaze and scrunched her face as if she were in pain.

“Perhaps we talked for too long. I’m feeling rather tired. May I retire now?”

“…Will you at least consider it?”

Klazen had sensed Sebtina’s sharp mood. When he asked carefully, she forced herself to nod.

“Please send me the list of tutor candidates. It was nice meeting you today. Thank you.”

Sebtina rose from her seat.

She knew it was impolite, but she couldn’t remain in the same space as Klazen any longer.

She had no idea what else he might say if she stayed.

Lowering her head, Sebtina bowed.

“Please excuse me.”

After closing the door behind her, Sebtina left Klazen behind and headed to her room.

Klazen remained seated, watching her retreating figure.

“…I’m not usually the type people dislike. Am I?”

For reasons he couldn’t understand, the youngest daughter of House Zeros—who had only recently awakened—seemed to despise him.

It had been a long time since he’d been met with such undisguised hostility.

“…She’s the complete opposite of Julai.”

Julai, who had shown him endless affection, was nothing like Sebtina.

Klazen sat there for a long while, lost in thought.

The private tutor chosen to teach Sebtina basic etiquette and common knowledge was Baroness Lily.

Sebtina had worried that Klazen might say something to the Zeros couple, but there were no signs of that.

At the very least, she knew she hadn’t left a good impression.

Recalling herself telling Klazen to shut up, Sebtina let out a small snort of laughter.

‘Who would ever look at me and think of Julai Rive?’

Baroness Lily was a patient woman. She taught everything from the very beginning without ever frowning.

Lately, they had been learning the waltz. It was harder than expected, so Sebtina practiced the steps repeatedly. Even so, her feet still tangled.

“You’re doing wonderfully!”

Whether Sebtina properly held her cutlery or kept her back straight, the baroness never spared her praise.

Sebtina couldn’t understand it. It felt like nothing special—she couldn’t tell what she was supposedly doing so well. Sometimes it even seemed like a joke.

In her own eyes, she had far too many shortcomings.

She wanted to be more perfect than Yulia.

The more she fixated on that thought, the more she became aware of the gap between herself and Yulia—and the more impatient she grew.

Even though she knew it couldn’t be helped.

And so, today, Sebtina was—

“Lady Sebtina, this way, please.”

Extremely nervous.

Today was the day she would demonstrate everything she had learned in front of the Zeros couple.

“I can’t tell you how hard it was to stop them from seeing you all this time…”

Baroness Lily wiped imaginary sweat from her brow.

Sebtina was guided into the grand banquet hall.

The largest hall in Count Zeros’s castle was dazzling. The ceiling was filled with chandeliers encrusted with diamonds and other brilliant gems, while deep navy wallpaper with an antique feel wrapped around the entire space.

“Wow…”

An exclamation slipped from Sebtina’s lips.

“Sebtina, come here.”

Justian Zeros strode toward her.

After glancing up at the ceiling one last time, Sebtina walked over to where Justian and Jane Zeros were standing.

Cordelia stood beside Jane. Having just finished her duties, she had removed her armor.

Wiping the beads of sweat from her face, Cordelia met Sebtina’s eyes and flashed her a grin.

“Sebtina, I came to dance a song with you. I hope you’ll forgive the smell of sweat.”

Fanning herself to cool down, Cordelia stepped boldly to Sebtina’s side.

At that moment, Justian stepped in front of Cordelia, blocking her.

“It would be better if Sebtina dances with me first. After all, I have far more experience in this area. In my younger days, they used to call me a master of the waltz! Ha ha. Don’t you remember?”

“…Huh?”

Sebtina stared blankly at Justian Zeros’s back.

‘Wasn’t I here to be tested?’

She knew how dearly this family cherished her. But that was separate from the fact that she needed to debut in high society.

Affection and this were entirely different matters. The debut of House Zeros’s youngest daughter was tied directly to their honor.

So she truly thought they were here to assess her dancing skills…

‘And now they’re arguing over who gets to dance with me?’

Sebtina pondered this seriously.

They had to be joking.

She glanced at Cordelia.

But Cordelia looked utterly serious. Pressing her fingers against her forehead, Cordelia cleared her throat and leaned forward in protest.

“Current ability matters more than past experience. When was the last time you danced, Father? At least I attend balls regularly.”

“I dance privately with Jane at the estate—!”

“Enough, both of you. If you’re going to argue, I’ll dance with her too.”

Jane joined the argument without missing a beat.

“…Um, excuse me?”

The moment Sebtina spoke, Justian spun around.

All three pairs of eyes turned toward her.

‘This is overwhelming…’

All she wanted was to show her dance quickly and return to her room.

“I was told I’d be demonstrating my dancing…”

As her voice trailed off, Cordelia immediately stepped forward. She was someone who knew how to seize an opportunity.

“Right! Then we’ll just dance together!”

Declaring it boldly, Cordelia grabbed Sebtina’s hand.

Before Justian could say anything, she pulled Sebtina into the center of the hall.

“Tch—too late…”

Justian looked crestfallen. Jane comforted him from the side.

“It’s not our only chance. I lost the timing with our daughter too.”

“Next time, for sure…”

While Justian and Jane were already plotting when they’d dance with Sebtina next, Sebtina stood facing Cordelia.