Episode 43
Since it had been a while since I met Raymond during the day, we decided to spend some time together over lunch. So instead, I had his subordinates go buy a few books for me.
Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to visit the bookstore myself, which meant our meeting had to end earlier too. As we walked together along the forest path to say goodbye, I remembered something I needed to ask the now-gentle-again Raymond.
“Raymond, by the way, what was it you wanted to ask me earlier?”
“Oh.”
It seemed he had forgotten for a moment, but then he turned to me.
“I was wondering if there were any new prophecies about me.”
“There haven’t been any yet.”
“I see.”
Things had been going smoothly so far, so I didn’t have any advice to give him for now. The truth was, I wasn’t sure how things would turn out—especially since I couldn’t predict how the emperor would react.
That worry reminded me, so I spoke carefully.
“It’s not a prophecy, but… people have been saying bad things about him lately.”
“I know. He’s probably getting nervous because things aren’t going his way.”
Raymond must’ve heard the rumors too. He seemed to understand the emperor’s reaction to losing ground in their quiet power struggle.
He should be well-prepared now. After all, Ohn is still protecting him from the shadows. That’s enough.
Feeling relieved, I nodded. But then Raymond looked like he had something more to say. He opened his mouth a few times but didn’t speak easily. I waited patiently, and finally, he spoke in a slightly anxious voice.
“Eilene… you go to the palace sometimes, right?”
Just asking that seemed hard for him—his words came out slowly, one by one. It wasn’t a pleasant topic for me either. I had always avoided it on purpose.
I didn’t want anything to do with being the emperor’s fiancée. But unfortunately, that was my current position, and just thinking about it made me feel trapped.
So even now, I couldn’t answer properly and just nodded slightly.
Did he notice how I felt? Raymond stopped walking, and I stopped with him. He turned toward me and gently took a handful of my hair, softly running his fingers through it.
My pale-pink hair danced between his large fingers like cherry blossoms in the wind.
His gaze followed his hand slowly, and soon his eyes met mine. I looked at him with trembling eyes.
“Be careful. Always keep Koa with you.”
“Yes.”
Maybe it was the chilly wind blowing through the forest, but Raymond’s voice sounded more lonely than ever.
Back in my room at the mansion, I looked at the books Koa had placed there.
The titles were:
- Following the Footsteps of Great Saints
- Political Relations Between the Empire and Neighboring Countries
- The Rise and Fall of Nations Depends on the Advancement of Mathematics
…
Each one was a guaranteed cure for insomnia.
What do Raymond’s subordinates think of me?
Do they believe the rumors that Eilene is smart and scholarly? They must, or they wouldn’t have chosen such terrifying books. What terrible taste!
I grumbled and shoved the books deep into the bookshelf.
Knock knock.
“Young Lady.”
Claire came in with news. Father had come to the duke’s mansion after a long time, and we’d be having dinner together later.
“Father’s here? I should go say hello.”
Dinner could wait—I wanted to see him right away.
I asked a passing maid, and she said my parents were talking in the study, so I headed there.
When I got close, the door was half open. I could see my parents inside. I was about to walk in happily when I suddenly heard something that made me stop.
“Sigh… I’m really worried about Eilene,” said my mother.
Huh? What’s wrong with me?
My whole body tensed up.
It’s human nature: if someone talks about you when you’re not around, you automatically stop and listen. I pressed myself against the wall and sharpened my ears.
“The new teacher said that?” Father asked.
“Yes. I think the kidnapping really affected her. She seems… dumber now. I’m really worried,” said Mother.
“Hmm… you may be right.”
What the—?! D-Dumber?!
Sure, I wasn’t doing great, but did she have to say that?
It shocked me to hear them talking about me behind my back, especially in such a genuinely worried way.
“But seeing all the books she brought back today made me feel a little better. I think she can improve if she follows the teacher’s advice.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Yes. I’ll have her write book reports from now on.”
Hearing that, I nearly screamed. I remembered the terrifying book titles and felt like my brain was about to explode.
Noooo! You want me to write book reports on those?!
I grabbed my hair in despair.
I needed to survive this somehow.
Next time, I’d definitely choose my own books. Fun, light ones if possible…
With that vow, I decided to delay my reunion with Father for a little while.
My mid-day “dates”—no, fan meetings—with Raymond happened twice a week.
And today was one of those happy days.
When I arrived, Raymond greeted me and continued what he had been doing. Curious, I peeked over and saw him organizing a small box with some envelopes inside.
“Raymond, are those party invitations?”
“Yes, they are.”
He answered kindly.
“Are you planning to attend?”
“Yeah. I’ve been avoiding social events for a while. I should go to a few.”
“Which one are you going to?”
“I’m thinking about Count Logan’s party. The Logan family has always been neutral.”
“Oh, I see. I got that invitation too.”
When he held up the green envelope, I recognized it immediately and felt excited.
“Should we go together?” he asked, a bit shyly.
WHAT?? Go to a party with the Grand Duke?! With my favorite character?!
My heart nearly exploded.
Just imagining him in a tuxedo… it was almost too much for me.
Men in uniforms!! The peak of sexiness!!
That clean, precise look that just begs to be messed up!!
When I was a fangirl, I especially loved the Grand Duke in uniform. But he usually wore casual shirts since he lived in a commoner’s home. I’d been dying for this!
Of course, I wanted to go!!
I screamed it in my heart but tried my best to stay calm on the outside.
I slammed my hands on the table and leaned forward.
“Sure. Let’s go together!”
That was me being calm…
The table creaked, and Raymond blinked, surprised—but I was proud of myself for holding back.
“Of course, I can’t take you as my partner…”
“That’s fine! I don’t care at all!”
Being official partners didn’t matter. Just being there with him was enough.
I nodded excitedly, my eyes sparkling. Raymond chuckled softly at the sight.
“Then… how about we eat—”
“Eh? Oh! No, Raymond. I’m going to the bookstore today! I already ate, so let’s go!”
“Huh? Oh… okay.”
I quickly grabbed his arm and dragged him out. He looked a bit disappointed but followed me out of his seat anyway.
This time, I successfully picked my own books! I chose light, fun ones—none too heavy. The covers were colorful, rainbow-like.
Raymond hadn’t visited a bookstore in a while, so he wandered slowly between the bookshelves.
“All done?”
“Yes. I gave them to the clerk.”
I ran back to him after picking my books super quickly like a ninja. I did it fast so he wouldn’t see the silly titles.
I wondered, What kind of books does Raymond like?
As I followed him around, I saw him holding a book.
“Oh, did you pick one?”
“Hm?”
But before I could see it, he smoothly slid it back onto a high shelf—too high for me to reach.
“I’m not going to buy that one.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Aw. I wanted to see what it was.
The bright-colored cover made me curious.
I waved my hand in the air where the book had been, still curious and a bit disappointed.
While Raymond bought a few books and arranged for them to be delivered, I stepped outside first.
Walking through town with my favorite person—it felt so free and happy!
But just as I was enjoying myself, trouble appeared.
Right as I stepped out of the bookstore… I ran into Adrien.
“Oh?”
“Ah.”
Of all people!
We were face-to-face, so I couldn’t hide. But I tried one last desperate move—I raised my hand to cover the side of my face.
“Ei…lene?”
“You’ve got the wrong person.”
I turned away, trying to escape. But Adrien quickly grabbed my arm and spun me around.
“It is you, Eilene. Were you trying to avoid me just now?”
“Oh? Adrien! What are you doing here?”
My weak excuses fell apart in three seconds.
Caught red-handed, I forced myself to act natural. I hoped he’d ignore how awkward I sounded, like a robot.
“I came to check out some books. What about you?”
“Same.”
“Did you come alone?”
“Eilene.”
And just at that moment—because of course it had to be now—Raymond showed up.
