Chapter 13: The Encounter I Didn’t Want

“Hey, are you okay?”

At the same time as I heard something fall from the box, I felt a hand grab my arm.

Suddenly, dizziness swept over me.

My vision blurred for a moment, and then a face appeared close to mine.

With eyes set close together and a narrow space between the brows, it was a beautiful, yet masculine face—Evan’s face.

I nodded, but he didn’t release my arm.

Instead, he set the box down—more like dropped it—and carefully gripped my shoulders with both hands.

“Why are you like this all of a sudden?”

“…It’s anemia, I’m dizzy.”

I gave a suitable excuse and tried to catch my breath.

Evan nodded gravely.

Why hadn’t it come to me before?

That unpleasant memory that surfaced the moment I saw Hawkins.

My unpleasant… no, wretched memory concerned all three of them.

Hawkins, Evan, Benjamin—three men who loved Cecilia almost as much as I did.

A faint feeling of resentment rose up.

Could a man this considerate… really abandon a fellow Academy student, a friend of the woman he loved, so heartlessly?

Could he truly not even try to look for her?

As I gazed into those deep eyes tinged with a bit of worry and kindness, I squeezed my eyes shut.

“Are you all right? Is it really bad? Are you okay?”

Love can reject even common sense.

To love is to throw away even the most sensible expectations.

The love I knew, the love they knew, was exactly that.

So I should let go of expectations.

“What do I do? Hey! My Lady!”

I slowly opened my eyes.

Evan’s face, now much more serious than before, called out urgently.

The faintly amused, easygoing smile was gone, replaced by a completely different impression.

He really did look like His Highness the Crown Prince.

“Are you back with us? What happened?”

“I’m fine. Would you please let go?”

“There should be an infirmary in the dormitory. I’ll take you there.”

He slowly released my shoulders as he spoke.

“No, I need to deliver this first.”

I gestured toward the scattered items and toppled box on the floor, starting to bend down, but he blocked me.

“Is Mrs. Perolten the dorm mistress here? Is this her errand?”

“Why do you ask?”

“So it is? To make a student with anemia run her errands….”

His expression turned displeased.

Don’t be so upset, Evan.

It’s not really anemia.

He let out a sigh, still holding my shoulder and wearing the same frown.

“Why?”

“Pardon?”

Why what?

Blinking at his sudden question, I saw he looked confused.

Excuse me, Evan?

“Riana Credere. Why would the Lady of a Duke’s house, who’s not even feeling well, run the unreasonable errands of Mistress Perolten? That’s the vice mistress’s job. There’s no need for a new student to do it. It’s not even anything important.”

Evan gestured at the ink and quills scattered on the ground.

Well, that’s because… I just wanted to see Mistress Perolten’s flustered face….

But I can’t say that.

I only wanted to play a small prank because Mistress Perolten was so irritating with her constant teasing.

It’s not really anemia.

I was dizzy because of memories I didn’t want to recall! Because of you, Evan.

Of course, I couldn’t say that either.

As I failed to answer, he let out another sigh.

“Rumors really can’t be trusted.”

“What rumors?”

Rumors?

What rumors could there possibly be about me, who hasn’t even debuted in society?

It was the first I’d heard of it, so I unconsciously leaned in closer to him.

He drew back in surprise, but even then, he didn’t let go of my shoulder, so I ended up getting pulled along.

“Ah!”

“Goodness.”

I nearly stumbled right into Evan’s arms.

He hurriedly let go of me.

Instead of retreating, I looked up at him.

“So, what kind of rumors?”

“…It’s probably better if you don’t know.”

“If so, then you shouldn’t have mentioned them in the first place.”

I crossed my arms and glared at him.

Getting me all curious only to say I shouldn’t know?

In the past, I would’ve just let it go, pretending not to care, telling myself that was the mature and considerate thing to do.

But not anymore!

Whether this is a dream or not, I came back after a senseless death, and now I refuse to hold back my curiosity.

No, I won’t!

“…I heard you like to boss people around. Satisfied? Now, step back a bit.”

Evan took a few steps away.

I nodded.

“Not completely wrong, I suppose.”

Isn’t that the mark of a noble?

If I could boss people around well, that would be a compliment!

I’d never actually done it, but it didn’t seem like a rumor worth worrying over.

“Hah.”

He let out a snort and bent down to start picking up the items and putting them back in the box.

I thought about stopping him, but it felt too bothersome, so I just started gathering things with him.

He paused to look at me, but when I looked back as if to ask what he was staring at, he just shook his head and went back to work.

What’s with the head shake?

And now he’s carrying the box himself?

“I’ll carry it.”

Honestly, I doubted he’d hand it over, but I offered out of courtesy, reaching my hand out.

He just snorted.

“It’s fine. I’ll be happy if you don’t collapse.”

“Who said anything about collapsing? Also, why are you speaking so informally?”

“…Do you want me to use formal speech?”

Do I?

I looked at Evan, his expression crooked.

Brilliant blond hair, the emblem of the Imperial family, and deep green eyes.

A solid build and suitable height.

He sometimes seemed arrogant, but his demeanor wasn’t unpleasant.

His face had an oddly idle air, so I didn’t think I’d particularly enjoy him using honorifics with me.

“Not really.”

After a moment’s thought, I replied.

He gave a laugh that I’d lost count of.

“Then why ask?”

“Well, it’s probably the same feeling as mentioning a rumor you don’t intend to share.”

“You don’t give up, do you. Let’s just go.”

Evan turned and began walking away leisurely.

I stood there, staring at his back, and he turned to look at me with a what-now expression.

There’s a lot wrong.

This first meeting is all wrong.

If I follow Evan now, I’ll probably run into Benjamin, too.

Then I’ll get dizzy all over again, stumble all over again, and end up being treated like a patient.

How annoying. Yes, annoying.

In the past… yes, I wanted to get close to them.

Honestly, I still do.

It would be a lie to say I don’t.

“Riana Credere.”

But even if I did, those who once abandoned me aren’t going to change.

Because I’m still the same me.

The carriage accident hasn’t happened yet, but if it does, I’m sure things will turn out the same.

So I don’t want to mingle with them.

What I need are new friends!

I don’t want to be left shrinking and lonely, drowned in Cecilia’s beauty and overshadowed by her brilliance.

Really, just today alone, how many times have I been swept along by her?

Lady Margareta might even have taken a dislike to me.

This isn’t the time for this.

I shouldn’t be chatting idly with Evan!

I don’t need relationships that will just be thrown away!

Of course, he was probably just being nice, but even kindness was unwelcome.

“Riana, Credere. You’re making me say your name twice.”

He frowned.

“Oh, are you getting dizzy again all of a sudden?”

He seemed to remember something, his tone softening a bit.

Ah! That’ll work.

I purposely staggered, pressing a hand to my forehead.

“Ah, yes. I suddenly feel dizzy again.”

“…”

Why… aren’t you responding? How awkward.

Evan narrowed his eyes.

“And your stomach doesn’t seem well, either….”

“Either?”

Why are you trailing off?

“So, I’m sorry, but I think I should head back to the dormitory.”

“This box?”

“That…”

As I trailed off and smiled, he gave me an exasperated look.

“You want me to deliver it?”

“Or I can take it back myself. I’ll explain to Mistress Perolten.”

“I’ll take you to the infirmary.”

Why is this man so persistent?

I couldn’t help but make a distasteful face.

He let out a sigh.

“Fine. I’m not so idle as to cling to someone who wants to leave. It’s on my way, so I’ll just drop this off.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Your Highness? That sounds so stiff. Just call me by name.”

“All right.”

Sure, I will.

Now, can I go?

I want some distance, but what’s in a name? Anyone can call him that.

If I don’t, that’s all.

As I nodded and smiled brightly, he made a face as if something was still bothering him.

Ah!

I gave a gentle curtsy.

Evan shook his head again.

“Riana Credere.”

“Yes, Your… Highness?”

“Don’t even dream of acting.”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t even dream of acting. It’s so obvious… Who are you even trying to fool? It’s embarrassing to watch.”

He even clicked his tongue.

Then, grinning widely, he turned his back and walked away.

I stood there for a long moment, watching him go.

Good grief, really.

“Who says I can’t act!”

I started to touch my face, then stopped.

Whatever. I got rid of him, so it’s fine.

Time to head back.

Dragging my feet, I headed for the dormitory.