SPO 35

Chapter 35

“Back to the dorm…?”
“Are you planning to go back?”
That’s right.
I opened my eyes wide and nodded vigorously.
Then Lena smiled, tilting the corner of her eyes.
“Leaving me in a place like that, all by yourself?”

I was momentarily caught off guard by the choice of words that didn’t match her innocent smile, and I inadvertently swallowed.
I had a strong premonition that I needed to make the right choice here.
I didn’t want Lena to dislike me even a little, so I put on an unconvincing act.
“I think my head hurts a little… Coming to such a nice place, I’d feel bad dragging you along.”

Hmm, she doesn’t look convinced.
Still maintaining a cold atmosphere, I placed both hands on my knees and averted my gaze. Then, I felt a warm sensation on my forehead.
Startled, my eyelashes fluttered, and Lena, looking slightly concerned, spoke.
“You don’t have a fever, though.”

Before I knew it, my face had turned bright red. Surprised, Lena furrowed her beautifully shaped eyebrows.
“Are you okay?”
“Mm, I think I’ll be fine if I go back and rest.”

Honestly, if you just let go of my hand, I’d probably return to normal.
I mumbled quietly to myself, barely audible, struck by an unexpected flutter in my chest.

Lena narrowed her eyes and took a seat opposite me.
Even now, she still didn’t seem pleased that I had tried to leave her alone; her aura hadn’t changed much.
‘She says it’s boring. I’ve never seen anything so lavish before.’
With decorations dazzling to the mind, massive structures I’d never seen, and hundreds of types of food…
‘All I wanted was to go home quickly.’

What are the male candidates doing? Missing such a good opportunity.
I stared at Lena looking out the window across from me.
Pale skin, smooth nose, red lips, and above all, an elegant aura no one could imitate.
Surely, if Lena hadn’t come out with me, she would have drawn all the attention at the banquet.
But…

“Does it hurt a lot?”
Lena noticed my dazed expression and asked, concern in her voice.
The warmth behind her smooth, cool voice made my heart swell softly.
‘It’s nice being with Lena.’

I got up from my seat and plopped down next to her. I looped my arm through hers and pressed close.
“I think it doesn’t hurt this way.”

Suddenly, Lena stiffened.
I assumed she wasn’t used to physical contact with others.
Unlike in my previous life, nobles here valued decorum and etiquette. Even if you knew each other since childhood, it would be difficult to act completely casual.
‘Besides, Lena doesn’t really have any friends other than me, does she?’

Although we had only exchanged letters, Lena had never mentioned any friends in them.
‘I don’t have any friends either, except for Lena.’
Even though physical contact might feel unfamiliar, she didn’t tell me to move away or leave. Lena truly liked me.
We really are a pair destined for each other.
A strange sense of satisfaction washed over me.

I pressed my body as close as possible to Lena, leaving no gap between us.
The rose scent tickling my nose was unbearably pleasant.
Like a pervert, I buried my nose in her shoulder and drifted off to sleep.

The banquet hall of the Loiters family was still bright as if it were daytime.
Aven, who had applied for an overnight stay, headed not to Judea’s dormitory but to his bedroom in the Loiters mansion.
As the lively congratulations, endless music, and fireworks boasting massive wealth faded away, a quiet stillness settled.

Aven passed by a room stacked high with gifts that had arrived over the past few days without much thought.
In his hand, he held only the book that Archel had given him.
“Archel is really strange.”

He took out the postcard tucked inside the book and read it over and over.

Happy Birthday, Aven!
We haven’t known each other long, but I’m glad I can celebrate your birthday like this.
Unfortunately, this isn’t your actual birthday present. I’ll give the real one later. But before that, I have a favor to ask.
I hope you can complete this book. And if it’s okay with you, could you lend me the finished book for a little while?
I hope you can lend it as soon as possible. I’ll be waiting.
—Archel, who wants to be your true friend—

“This is the first time I’ve received such an informal and thoughtless letter.”
I had always received letters filled with flowery words.
Even if the recipient’s name changed, no one would notice the formal letters.
So Aven didn’t dislike this short note, which was hard to even call a letter.

He placed the postcard on the desk and gazed quietly at the book beside it.
On the luxurious dark blue cover was written: Aven Loiters.
He wasn’t sure if it was the title or his name, but since it was written prominently in the center, it seemed like the title.
Aven traced the silver letters with his finger as he flipped through the pages.
Every turn of the page echoed softly in the quiet room.

“What on earth is this…?”
A book should convey information, or at least be enjoyable to read like a novel.
But this didn’t fit any type of book Aven had ever read.
It was the first time a book had raised so many questions.

“What is your name?”
“If you could define yourself in one word, what would it be?”
“What makes you happiest?”
“What was the happiest moment of your life?”
“What is your favorite color?”
“What is your dream?”
“What did you eat today?”
“When was the moment your heart hurt the most?”
…

As he flipped the pages, Aven didn’t know how to react to the list of questions.
‘What is this, really?’

Moreover, Archel boldly requested the book to be lent.
That meant revealing every detail about Aven Loiters.
Wasn’t that an audacious demand?

The questions ranged widely in scope and depth.
Information about the eldest son of the Loiters family, controlling the Teersen Empire’s finances.
If the book became known, it was obvious someone would try to exploit it.
‘Who knows? Archel might sell it or use the contents to blackmail me.’

But putting such mischievous thoughts aside, Aven picked up his pen calmly.
Even if he didn’t fully understand, he had decided to get close to Archel.
By following her unpredictable path, he might discover something he had been seeking.
If Archel did anything to harm the Loiters family using the book, the blame would lie with him for not properly discerning people.

Thinking of Archel’s pink hair and the sweet cotton-candy scent, Aven slowly began to write his answers.
“I am…”

As he wrote each word, he found it unexpectedly enjoyable.
Recalling the past and contemplating, Aven’s expression gradually became serious.
That night, the lights in Aven Loiters’ room never went out until dawn.

Finally, the school trip began.
First-year students headed to the famous ruins of the Teersen Empire, Mahalot, the place where the empire’s founding myth began.
‘Even if the world changes, school trips are always similar.’
There was even a nearby theme park perfect for spending time.

“This is the historic site where the first emperor and the first duke, Dicliff, defeated the complete evil Lashum. Though the actual site is far away, it’s enough to speculate on the situation back then.”
Professor Lili led the children through the ruins of the ancient, desolate city.
She explained the Teersen Empire’s history in detail, as if she were a former curator.

“That house, before the final battle with Lashum, the emperor and the duke, along with the so-called hidden contributors…”
“Archel.”

Ugh!
Luckily, I avoided screaming embarrassingly.
I sighed in relief and turned to confirm who had startled me.
“Isazel.”
I called his name as if exhaling, and he bowed deeply, whispering in my ear.
“No matter how I think about it, I’m hurt.”
“Suddenly?”

I covered my ears and stepped back, but Isazel didn’t budge. Instead, he approached as I moved back and continued.
“I mean the courage test. My mind is full of hundreds of plans that could frighten the students right now. And yet, you’ll exclude me? I could be of real help.”

His voice swayed my heart like a sly snake tempting an innocent human.
But his eyes looked like a toy that had been taken away, so I steeled myself.

“I’d rather have you thoroughly prepare for that request I made before.”
I said firmly with a smile, and Isazel shrugged reluctantly.
Then he stepped back, walking beside me.
“So, what do you think about the experiment I suggested before? It’s not a losing deal. It will surely be fun.”

Ah, that mysterious experiment? The one with blood, bones, and carnage?
I pretended to think deeply while listening to Professor Lili’s explanation in the front, then firmly raised my hand.
“I won’t do it.”
“Huh?”

Leaving his confused, handsome face behind, I ran straight toward Lena.
Apparently, I didn’t know well how to refuse persistent requests.