‘You must really want to know why you failed botany….’
Tap, tap.
Evan drummed his fingers on the table.
“Is there any need to rush so much?”
“Huh?”
“I’ll ask Professor Patren. He’s in charge of swordsmanship, but he’s also quite knowledgeable about spirits.”
“Is he, perhaps, a spirit mage…?”
“If he were, he’d be locked up in the Imperial Palace.”
“Oh….”
“I’ve never thought about the effect spirits have on plants, so I’m not sure. But you can ask Professor Patren about that. Or…”
His eyes, lost in thought, turned to look at me.
“You could also ask Professor Ternum. He’s a renowned scholar, after all.”
“…….”
Seeing him again… I saw him so many times before I returned, so I felt a bit reluctant.
It wasn’t Professor Ternum himself I disliked, but the memories from back then.
“Do you know Professor Ternum?”
“I just learned he’s the botany professor.”
“Well then, is your curiosity satisfied?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Not that I gained much.
“Haha.”
Evan let out a low laugh.
Why are you laughing, suddenly? You’re not the type to laugh out loud like that. What is this!
“That’s odd.”
“What is?”
“You smile quietly, but your eyes look dissatisfied.”
“No way.”
‘That can’t be.’
Startled, I blinked, and Evan laughed for a while longer.
“Honestly, there probably isn’t much Professor Patren can teach you.”
“……Right.”
It’s a field that’s all but abandoned at the Academy anyway, so even learning a little would be enough.
“So why don’t you come to the palace?”
“The palace?”
“Yes. While choosing the tribute to present to His Majesty, you can see things here and there.”
“…….”
“What’s wrong? You don’t want to?”
I doubt you could refuse.
Evan wore a smug smile, as if he was sure I couldn’t say no.
Wait! That thing you said in the capital—was that for real?
“If you don’t want to, it can’t be helped. I’ll see you tomorrow, then. We’re bound to run into each other.”
“Wait.”
You’re not actually leaving, right?! He looked like he was just pretending to go, but I was too anxious not to stop him.
Evan turned back slowly, smiling, as if he knew I’d try to stop him.
“I’ll go.”
But since I’d be the one to lose out, I forced myself to swallow my pride and spit it out.
“If you don’t want to, that’s fine. There’ll be someone else with a good eye.”
“…It would be hard to find someone better than me.”
“Hahaha! Alright, then I’ll invite you when the tributes are presented. Shall we go?”
“Hahaha.”
Evan flashed that infuriatingly charming smile.
‘Let’s put the past behind me! Forget about how annoying he is—just focus on my goal.’
I laughed along.
Instead of retracing our steps, we headed toward the adjoining garden with an exit near the dorms.
“Liana.”
“Yes?”
“Not that way.”
“Oh.”
“Are you bad with directions?”
“……No.”
I just get confused if I don’t pay attention!
This area was filled with massive trees, providing excellent shade and making it a popular summer spot.
Which meant, right now, it was a bit too chilly to be here.
“I hear voices.”
Which means no one should really be here.
“Did you get that flower? You’re carrying it around so carefully.”
“It’s for Cecilia. Someone asked me to deliver it.”
“Oh? Now that I see it, the blue tint does suit Cecilia.”
“It does, doesn’t it?”
As I strolled, watching the swaying ribbons, I heard voices.
“Oh my, really?”
“Yes! So please take a good look.”
“Cecilia….”
A familiar voice. I turned my head in the direction of the voices and saw an unexpected group.
Cecilia, Madam Ferolten, and Daisy were together. On the table were half-eaten pastries and empty teacups.
“Cecilia?”
“Liana? Sir Evan! Why are you two together?”
Cecilia stood up awkwardly, then smiled brightly at Evan.
“Madam Ferolten, good afternoon.”
I answered Cecilia’s question with a smile and greeted Madam Ferolten. She looked startled, hurriedly got up, her necklaces jangling noisily with her quick movements.
“Daisy, you’re here too.”
I greeted her with a smile, and Daisy bowed her head, avoiding my gaze.
It felt like I’d walked in on a secret conversation. The air itself seemed to push me away.
Evan’s gaze lingered on Madam Ferolten for a long moment.
“Evan, could you go ahead? I have something to discuss with Cecilia.”
“Of course.”
Evan nodded.
“Th-thank you both for sharing your opinions on the dormitory management. Miss Liana, since you’re with Sir Evan, I’ll ask you next time. Sir Evan, have a pleasant afternoon.”
Ahem. Madam Ferolten cleared her throat, lifted her teacup, realized it was empty, set it down with an embarrassed look, and left first.
“Cecilia. Paul asked me to give this to you.”
I approached and handed her a bouquet of white anemones. Cecilia looked surprised.
“From Sir Paul?”
“He asked me to deliver it.”
“Ah… Um, Sir Evan!”
You’re still here?
For some reason, Evan was still standing there as if waiting for me.
“Just a moment, please!”
Cecilia handed the bouquet back to me and scurried over.
“Sir Evan, there’s something I want to say to you.”
Cecilia stood on tiptoe and whispered, and Evan leaned down to listen. Evan nodded, then left with Cecilia.
‘What’s going on?’
Wait, hold on! Take the bouquet with you!
“…….”
That’s oddly irritating.
And why did I expect he’d wait for me?
Even though I’d decided to forget it and move on for my own sake—
How foolish it is, to expect anything from someone who, for whatever reason, left me to die.
“I’ll go too.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Lost in thought, staring at where the two had disappeared, I snapped back to reality.
Oh right. Daisy was still here!
When I smiled at her, Daisy quickly turned away and disappeared into the garden.
Now I was the only one left in the shadowy, chilly garden.
“Let’s just go.”
With a sigh, I headed back to the dorm.
* * *
“Now I finally understand why he said that.”
I muttered as I sprawled across the bed.
I ran into Evan at the swordsmanship demonstration at dawn. His sly smile seemed to say, ‘Didn’t I tell you we’d meet in two days?’ I just glanced at him and moved on, but apparently Hawkins had arranged the demo so Cecilia could attend at the same time.
So of course we’d run into each other!
I thought I glimpsed Maon at the demonstration, but he vanished before I could say anything.
“Honestly, how rude… I helped him and he still hasn’t thanked me.”
Because the class was canceled at the last minute, I suddenly had a free day. It felt like I’d slept for ages, but it was still early morning.
“Oh! Maybe I should go today?”
To the shop, to buy a flowerpot!
That incident last time left a bad taste, but what could go wrong? I’ll make the most of today!
“Liana, are you up?”
A gentle voice called out to me.
“Margareta?”
She came out, drying her hands.
The name felt awkward in my mouth as I sat up.
Cecilia was still sound asleep in bed, and Margareta was slouched on the sofa, sipping tea.
There was a simple tea spread on the table.
“Would you like some?”
“Gladly.”
I slipped on a thin cardigan over my pajamas and put my feet into my slippers.
My steps were muffled by the thick carpet.
“Mmm.”
Cecilia mumbled in her sleep and turned over. The hem of her dress wrapped around her legs.
When I sat diagonally across from Margareta, she pushed a teacup toward me.
“Thank you.”
The tea must have just been poured; it was still steaming.
I warmed my hands on the cup before taking a sip, and my whole body felt instantly warmer.
“Looking for sugar?”
“Yes, thank you.”
I blinked as I thanked her.
She didn’t look up from her magazine, just nodded.
I wasn’t sure when she’d gotten up; she was still in her nightgown from the night before, but her hair and makeup were already done. The eyeliner looked especially sharp today.
I dropped two lumps of sugar in and stirred. The sugar melted quickly. Warm and sweet. Hot and sweet drinks really are the best on chilly mornings.
Once I’d drunk about half, my drowsiness faded.
“You’re up early.”
“Are you still groggy in the mornings?”
“…….”
“…….”
We spoke at the same time and were instantly wrapped in silence.
‘Ah….’
‘Miss, how can you be so out of it in the morning!’
Ollie’s voice suddenly rang in my ears.
“I guess I am.”
Wow, I thought I’d completely gotten over this by the time I was sixteen.
Is it because I’m younger now? My morning drowsiness is back… That’s right, botany classes were always hard for me, probably because they were mostly in the morning. Some even started at dawn… though the dew on the plants was beautiful.
“I don’t get sleepy in the morning. But I sleep early and wake up early. Magazines are just a hobby.”
Margareta waved the magazine she was holding.
“I see.”
I nodded and finished my tea.
‘Tea time with Margareta in the morning—never would have imagined that before.’
I really have returned, haven’t I.
I gazed blankly at Margareta. Her hair seemed especially elaborate today.
Her dark brown hair was twisted up like a sausage roll, pinned on either side with gold clips.
It must take at least two hours to get ready like that.
I’d never thought Margareta was pretty—I’d only ever seen her angry. But seeing her now, she was as pretty as Cecilia.
‘Hmm. Something’s a bit different today. What is it?’
“Why are you staring at me like that?”
“Oh… Your hair looks so nice, I just couldn’t help it….”
“……Don’t compliment me like that!”
Ah! It was her calm, quiet voice that threw me off.
Her magically-amplified voice rang sharp in my ears and rattled the teacup. Hearing her usual loudness broke the awkward tension.
“Really… You hand out compliments so easily.”
Margareta’s lips were pursed, but she didn’t seem actually annoyed.
When I laughed it off, she snorted.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“…I’m having lunch with Evan.”
“I see.”
So they’re dating now. Well, of course they would, with all the talk of marriage.
“Ahem. What about you, Liana?”
Margareta’s face flushed even more.
I used to hate how she always bothered me and was so mean. I never understood why she bullied Cecilia, and never tried to. But now I’m starting to wonder if I only ever saw one side of her.
The Margareta before, and the one now, are so different.
“I’ll just relax for once….”
The fireplace crackled softly.
Watching the logs burn slowly, I finished my thought.
“I’m thinking of going into the capital for a bit.”
Margareta’s hand tightened on her magazine.