Chapter 58
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
Chapter 58
"Oh!"
Startled by the voice from right beside me, I turned to look, only to find Lahedis standing there—I hadn't even noticed when he'd approached.
He'd just finished bathing and returned, still wearing his robe with a towel draped over his wet hair.
We were simply standing face to face, yet....
'Why do I feel so embarrassed I can't meet his eyes!'
The atmosphere felt strangely awkward.
"Um, well, that is...."
The moment I stammered out words while avoiding his gaze.
Through the slightly parted opening of his robe, I caught sight of his firm, broad chest rising and falling.
'Oh.'
Accidentally making eye contact with his chest muscles, I drew in a sharp breath.
'I must be losing my mind!'
Wait.
I didn't drool, did I...?
Panicking, I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, but fortunately it seemed I hadn't.
Just as I was hurriedly trying to avert my shameless gaze, moonlight suddenly streamed through the corridor, illuminating him brightly.
More precisely, the open space of his robe.
As if it had read my indecent thoughts!
'No! Why is the moonlight shining right there of all places!'
I ultimately squeezed my eyes shut to deny my desires.
My heart raced as if my wicked thoughts had been exposed, and I completely forgot what I was about to say.
If he saw my face now, it would probably be as red as a ripe apple.
"...Vivian?"
Along with his bewildered voice, a large hand touched my cheek.
Startled by its warmth, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
"C-come to the Library later!"
Then I fled, hurrying away.
Unaware that he was smiling as he watched my retreating figure.
* * *
Having fled to the Library, I was still patting my flushed cheeks.
'He didn't see my face turn red, right...?'
The image of Lahedis's chest from moments ago kept flickering through my mind, making me feel hot.
'Stop it! Focus on studying, studying!'
I shook my head vigorously to dispel the thoughts, then pulled out books containing information about each House.
'Let's start light—I'll memorize the symbols of each House first.'
The Imperial Family's symbol is the lion.
House of Edelwein's symbol is the eagle.
Rosewood Marquis House's symbol is the stag.
Tennan Barony, where my hometown is, has the trout.
Scratch, scratch—the sound of my fountain pen accompanied my concentration when it happened.
"Parma Earldom is a ram."
Warmth suddenly touched my back, and a languid voice settled over my shoulder.
The scent of the cold night breeze mingled with soap.
I startled and turned around to find that familiar, yet utterly unadapting handsome face inches from mine.
I was seated at the desk, while Lahedis stood behind me, his hands braced on either side of my chair.
In other words, between us right now was...
'You're way too close...?!'
Before I could even process this realization, Lahedis looked down at me.
"The reason I called you to the library at this hour—"
Our eyes met in that moment.
Even Lahedis, who rarely showed emotion, seemed unprepared for how close we actually were; his pupils trembled.
At the same time, my heart—which I'd only just managed to calm—began racing again in an irregular rhythm.
I feared he could hear it.
Yet for some reason, I couldn't look away from those eyes.
As if I were entranced by them.
Staring blankly into those eyes, I fled before I could be completely captivated.
"Well, studying alone was getting tedious."
The moment I broke the silence, the heavy atmosphere between us dissipated instantly.
Lahedis let out a hollow laugh, his previous intensity vanishing without a trace.
"So you called me for that?"
"You're my escort knight. You should always be by my side."
I patted the seat beside me as I spoke.
Even I thought it was shameless, but I kept deflecting because I was too embarrassed to suddenly apologize for what happened at dinner.
Lahedis regarded me with an expression of utter disbelief for a moment, then quietly sat beside me.
"Are you still afraid of ghosts?"
"Me, afraid of ghosts?"
"You came running to sleep with me because you were scared."
Hearing that, a distant memory I'd forgotten suddenly resurfaced.
The night my father was away from home.
That night I fell asleep with Rachel at the Duke's Villa.
"Rachel told you that?"
"Yes."
"Ugh, seriously. How long ago was that? I'm not a child—adults don't fear ghosts."
"True. Even if you're this short, you're still an adult."
"Kyaaah!"
Again, treating me like a child!
As I trembled with indignation, Lahedis snatched my notebook and began scanning it.
"Studying about the noble houses, I see?"
"The Marquis is handling state affairs. Since he reviews and sorts documents coming from each territory, I thought it would be helpful to familiarize myself with the various houses beforehand."
"It'll be difficult to memorize all the symbols and characteristics of every noble house in a single night, won't it?"
"Still, I have to try my best."
Of course, since I had to leave for the Imperial Palace starting tomorrow, I had no time to study.
But I didn't want to go completely unprepared either.
'It wouldn't be proper courtesy toward someone who's been so kind to me and has taken precious time for me.'
With my resolve strengthened, I reached for my notebook that Lahedis was holding.
However, instead of returning the notebook, Lahedis placed it between us and pulled my chair closer.
"Sir?"
He took the fountain pen I'd been holding and began drawing something on the notebook.
'A map of the Empire?'
In an instant, a map of the Empire appeared, divided into the Northern Region, Southern Region, Western Region, Eastern Region, and the Capital at the center.
"I'm only going to explain this once, so listen carefully."
As I stared at him with confusion, I finally understood his intention.
'He's trying to help me.'
Despite how harshly I'd rejected his words of concern earlier.
He offered to help me without any sign of displeasure.
My heart swelled at his kindness.
He constantly teases and pranks me, but....
'Still, he seems like a good person.'
As I nodded eagerly with sparkling eyes in hyper-focus mode, Lahedis began his explanation.
"As you know, an Aide must understand their superior's work better than the superior themselves. That's why simply having a capable Aide can dramatically change the pace of work."
"I see."
"The primary duty of an Aide is document management. You must read and categorize all documents in advance so your superior can see the important and urgent ones first. To do that...."
In the quiet library shrouded by the darkness of night, his pleasant baritone voice resonated.
I gazed intently at him as he explained each territory of the Empire.
'He seems like a different person from the one who was teasing me just moments ago.'
His appearance was unfamiliar yet strangely familiar, making me keep stealing glances at him.
At some point, I found myself drawn into his explanation and began concentrating earnestly.
* * *
Lahedis's lecture, which began that way, ended concisely within an hour.
After listening intently to his lecture, I was organizing my notes to review when....
'Oh no.'
When did I fall asleep?!
When I came to my senses, I was already slumped over the desk, asleep with a blanket draped over me.
Since I have no memory of covering myself, the person who did this was probably....
'Lahedis must think I'm pathetic...?'
Unable to lift my head from embarrassment and only gauging the situation, I caught sight of Lahedis busily writing something beside me.
In the soft light that gently illuminated the darkness, the scratching sound of the fountain pen and the rustling of paper.
His profile, melting into that peaceful scene, overlapped with the image of Rachel reading beside me during those nights when I couldn't sleep as a child.
Strangely enough.
'This person isn't Rachel.'
Yet why do memories of that boy keep surfacing whenever I look at him?
"You're staring a hole through me."
His voice reached me without so much as a glance in my direction, and in that moment of hesitation—had I misheard?
He turned to face me and drove the point home.
"Have you fallen for me?"
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org