The next day, at high noon, the sun hung directly overhead.
Having slept soundly through the night, Ailundun was in excellent spirits today.
He invited Luofulei to join him for a stroll through the Wen’erdun Western District.
The area boasted many distinctive buildings of the Wen’erdun Empire.
The shadows of two rows of diverse architectural styles stretched into long, slanting lines, hinting at a corner of Wen’erdun’s long history.
There were also numerous magic shops selling simple magical furniture and the like, though neither Ailundun nor Luofulei were particularly interested.
They could make such things themselves, so they weren’t a novelty.
Thus, they merely entered the shops, chatted with the owners for a bit, and then left.
After their leisurely stroll and sampling many delicious foods, both of their moods had lifted.
On the way back to the academy, Ailundun went to the library alone, wanting to learn more about this world.
He chose a good spot to sit.
Compared to the slightly dim surroundings, sunlight happened to shine right here, making him feel very comfortable.
He fetched a copy of World History Overview and prepared to read it carefully.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.”
A familiar voice sounded, very close, coming from the seat next to his.
Ailundun turned his head and realized it was Isabella.
Isabella’s pale golden eyes held a hint of amusement.
She wore ordinary-looking clothes, like a girl next door, but the fabric’s quality and the unique brand label exposed the garment’s considerable value.
She seemed to have just noticed Ailundun as well, hence the eager greeting.
“I just came to the library too. I didn’t expect you to be here either.”
Considering they were in the library, she kept her voice as low as possible to avoid disturbing others.
“Princess.”
Ailundun gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
“Are you here to study as well?”
Isabella smiled gently.
Her attire today was relaxed, adding a touch of approachability.
Her golden hair was braided into an intricate plait, elegantly coiled into a bun at the back of her head.
“You could say I happened to pass by and decided to come in and study a bit, to improve my knowledge base.”
Ailundun replied.
“I see…”
Isabella nodded, propping her chin on her hands as she gazed at Ailundun.
‘It seems the Princess is in a good mood today.’
‘Is she trying to take a more down-to-earth approach?’
Ailundun thought, looking at the smile on Isabella’s face.
“Are you studying the laws of the Wen’erdun Empire, Your Highness…”
Ailundun glanced over and noticed the book on Isabella’s desk was about Wen’erdun Empire law.
“To be precise, not studying, but reviewing. Studying law has been a required course for the Princess of Wen’erdun since childhood.”
Isabella blinked.
“How did you do on this examination?”
Isabella tilted her head, asking curiously.
She was always the type who didn’t discuss answers after an exam.
Ever since she was scolded by a royal tutor as a child for comparing answers with Leisha once, she had developed this habit.
So after the exam, she came straight to the library to study.
She hadn’t heard any rumors about Ailundun outside.
This was an exception; she was somewhat curious about Ailundun’s exam results.
Ailundun fell silent for a moment, seemingly pondering how to answer.
“I bled for Her Holiness the Holy Maiden…”
Recalling that phrase, he couldn’t help but feel his response was perfect.
It explained the method of passing and demonstrated his loyalty.
This was what you called social savvy.
He swore, if the Wen’erdun Empire had civil service exams.
He would definitely come out on top.
“Indeed, Her Holiness the Holy Maiden is a truly great person, worthy of us shedding blood for.”
Isabella seemed to think of something, nodding in agreement, her pale golden eyes dimming slightly.
Holy Maiden Jia Nai had always been her idol.
Jia Nai was the only person in her heart truly worthy of the title Holy Maiden, because Jia Nai truly embodied the duties of a Holy Maiden.
She would rather sacrifice herself to save all her people.
Both the Church and the Wen’erdun Imperial Royal Family praised such a being.
She had always taken Jia Nai’s actions as her example, earning unanimous recognition from the royal tutors.
Looking at Isabella’s expression, Ailundun suddenly felt a sense of foreboding.
‘This kind of personality is probably what leads to the “Princess Defeated” CG appearing.’
‘I didn’t expect a casual remark to make her empathize like this.’
He had to properly correct this mistaken thinking of Isabella’s!
By the time the future arrived, it would be too late when Isabella was threatened by Luofulei using the people of the Wen’erdun Empire.
“Uh, it’s not that you must bleed…”
Ailundun paused, having something to say.
Isabella looked up at him, puzzled.
“It’s about bleeding slowly, bleeding cautiously, bleeding correctly, bleeding conditionally…”
“I believe there’s always another way at any time. Nothing is difficult in the world if you’re willing to give up. When you encounter a problem you truly can’t solve, self-sacrificing sentimentality is useless. It’s better to just give up…”
Ailundun said with a serious, earnest expression.
“Huh?”
Isabella’s pale golden eyes stared blankly.
Was Ailundun sure he hadn’t misspoken?
How was this completely opposite to the Church’s teachings?
Ailundun didn’t say anything more, turning instead to pick up the World History Overview beside him and start reading.
He was afraid if he continued.
He’d be arrested as a heretic.
He could only go this far; the rest depended on Isabella’s own understanding.
Seeing Ailundun start reading, Isabella could only turn her head away, pretending to continue reviewing her legal knowledge, though her eyes remained filled with confusion.
“Nothing is difficult in the world if you’re willing to give up…”
Looking at the law textbook before her, she couldn’t help but silently recite Ailundun’s twisted logic, as if pondering it.
For some reason, she felt the more she repeated this phrase, the more flavor it seemed to have.
It seemed Mr. Ailundun was quite the philosopher as well.
Subsequently, she stopped paying attention to Ailundun.
Focusing wholeheartedly on studying Wen’erdun Empire law.
Soft sunlight fell into the warm library.
The library was incredibly quiet; even the chirping of birds outside the window could be heard clearly.
In the vast library, only the soft rustle of turning pages remained.
The days passed in such warm, gentle time.
The moment he stepped out of the library, Ailundun felt a wave of relaxation wash over him, a sense of comfort suffusing his whole body.
He still held the World History Overview in his hand.
The book was well-organized; he planned to return to his residence and study it further.
“Wait, Ailundun, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
Princess Isabella followed him out the door, calling out to him in time.
“What is it?”
Ailundun asked, puzzled, and deliberately slowed his pace by half a step to walk side-by-side with the Princess.
The two walked side by side along the edge of the huge artificial lake beside the academy, a light breeze gently swaying the willow trees by the shore.
“If your friend becomes overly close and devoted to you, to the point where it becomes troubling, what would you do?”
Isabella bit her lip, speaking hesitantly.
Her coiled-up hair was tossed behind her, revealing her smooth shoulders on either side.
“Actually, I have a friend, and it seems she has some issues with her ability to handle emotions… I’d like you to tutor her on emotional matters.”
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