Chapter 65

At first, things that seem daunting become familiar if you keep doing them. That's why there's a saying that the heart's triangle will eventually wear out.

"Mar. I'm here."

"Come in, Karl Yeong-sik. Good morning."

And that's how I am now. No matter how much effort the Academy puts into the confectionery club room, it's fundamentally not a place for people to stay. It's just a place used for confectionery purposes.

In such a situation, I got a taste of the comfort of the vice president's office, and it just so happened that I was feeling bored with spending long hours alone in the club room. I was even considering getting some books to pass the time, but it was somewhat refreshing to spend time with someone.

Since it seemed that Margareta was fine with me coming over anytime, I've been checking in every day, despite the intrusion.

"Here I am again today."

"Thank you always. You really don't have to bring anything."

"Could I really come empty-handed?"

Of course, it's a problem to keep the title of 'an adult who plays around while a younger lady works hard.' On the other hand, helping Margareta with her work is difficult because it's not in my domain, unlike during the fair preparations.

So, after much thought, I started bringing snacks every morning. It's the least I can do right now. Snacking in between thinking can help, and cookies are convenient to eat.

However, Margareta even declined that.

"I'm fine. It's enough to come over without anything."

"I wouldn't feel right if I didn't do something. I might not even come if I felt embarrassed."

"In that case..."

And with my earnest persuasion, she finally started accepting the cookies. Even when staying in a cheap inn, you have to pay, so it feels wrong to stay in such a luxurious room without contributing anything. At first, Margareta hesitated, but now she eats them naturally, which is satisfying.

'Maybe I can bring more.'

Today, I asked Louise to make more than usual.

***

Karl brought cookies again today.

'Really, you don't have to come empty-handed.'

Actually, when Karl first brought cookies, a bad memory flashed through my mind. The incident in the confectionery club room before the fair. I experienced a terrible taste I had never encountered in my life and the fear that Karl might push me away.

Fortunately, I was relieved to know that Karl had given them out of kindness, but the terrible taste still lingered in my mind. So, I initially refused firmly, but unfortunately, Karl said he wouldn't come if I didn't accept them.

Choosing between eating terrible cookies and spending time with Karl or protecting my taste buds and being alone, the former was obviously the better choice. I could endure a moment of pain for the happiness that followed. And when I ate the cookies, I realized it was a meaningless worry.

'Why are they delicious?'

Today, I took a new cookie from Karl and bit into it. It was delicious. I still don't understand why, but it's really delicious. It's not just relatively good compared to the worst; it's delicious even compared to other things.

On the first day I received the cookies, I was prepared for the worst, but they were delicious. I wondered why he gave me such normal cookies then, when he had given me those terrible ones before. Was he trying to push me away and then welcomed me the next day when he felt better?

In the midst of extreme confusion, Karl's words still echo in my mind.

"I brought more because I thought Margareta liked them."

He said he brought the cookies because he thought I enjoyed them. His expression wasn't a joke.

I can understand why he thought I enjoyed them. I managed my expressions in front of Karl. But if he thought I liked them, why did he bring cookies that clearly tasted different? It wasn't just a one-time mistake.

I glanced at Karl, who was lying on the sofa. I know that people who have experienced war often report strange symptoms. As a member of the Baranetti family, I've heard a lot. And I can see one of those symptoms in Karl now.

'How sad...'

It's a pity. I want to hug and comfort Karl, but does he deserve it when he acts like nothing is wrong and doesn't say anything? What if I approach him clumsily and he retreats even more?

So, I've been thinking and hesitating from the first day to now. But there will be an opportunity. As time passes, Karl will show his wounds, and I will be able to soothe them. Yes, I will definitely do that. I will always be there for him to confide in when he's ready.

'...So why are they delicious?'

I understand why Karl brought different cookies, but I still don't know why those different cookies came from the club room. Karl always brings what he usually eats, so why would the taste be so different?

***

Near the end of club time, Louise handed me a jar full of cookies.

"Here! I made more than usual!"

"Thanks. Margareta enjoyed them too."

"Hehe, that's great."

Louise smiled brightly, happy that someone else was enjoying her cookies. I'm grateful that she doesn't complain even when I ask for mass production. Of course, when I first asked for double, she was surprised.

"Isn't double too much? You won't be able to eat it all in a day."

"I want to give them to Margareta as a gift."

Her eyes changed, and she put away the dough she was making and started anew. I said it wasn't necessary, but she was so determined that I couldn't stop her. Thinking of it as a craftsman's spirit, it was somewhat admirable.

The cookies, filled with Louise's passion, are satisfying for Margareta. It's natural since they are the cookies she usually enjoys, made with even more effort.

"I'll ask for more tomorrow."

"Sure!"

Having such an excellent club leader is so convenient. This advisor is very satisfied.

The vice president's office is attached to the student council room, so I inevitably have to pass through it. With the civil servant free pass, I've built a good relationship with the president, so passing through the student council room isn't a problem, but today's atmosphere was strange.

When I opened the student council room door with a light heart, seven pairs of eyes were fixed on me. What's going on? Why are all the kids who are usually scattered gathered here?

"Ah, Inspector."

The president, who was frowning, relaxed when she saw me. She seemed about to stand up, so I gestured to stop her.

"Am I interrupting something important? I'm sorry."

"No, we just finished the meeting."

"Good."

Finished? It looks like I walked in mid-meeting.

But the president's eyes, aiming for 'the meeting isn't progressing, but there's no reason to end it, so let's end it with the arrival of a superior for a reception,' are so familiar that I decided to go along with it. Seeing her act like this already shows she has the makings of an excellent civil servant.

"Inspector, the vice president will greet you."

"Got it."

And naturally, I was paired with Margareta, my purpose. In a year, such a child will become a civil servant. The future of the empire is indeed bright.

"Sorry, Karl Yeong-sik. I greeted you formally because there was an important matter."

"I'm the one who should apologize for interrupting."

"Hehe, thank you for saying that."

When we entered the vice president's office, Margareta apologized first, so I shook my head. It was my fault just now, so I should be the one to apologize.

"By the way, Mar. What was the meeting just now about?"

"Oh, that?"

Margareta sighed softly and sat down. If a student council meeting was scheduled this morning, she would have told me, and there's no issue that would bring the council together now that the exams are over. So, something unexpected must have happened.

"Usually, the Academy schedule is empty around this time."

"Yes, I know."

After the fair and exams, there's no proper schedule at the Academy. It's a consideration for the students' recovery, both physically and mentally. At least, that was the case until last year.

"Have you heard that school trips are starting this year?"

"Of course."

I know. I checked the Academy schedule as soon as the dispatch was decided. I was surprised to see the bold 'school trip' on the schedule, which didn't exist until last year.

School trip? What kind of school trip in a fantasy world with a European atmosphere? Even if it's a role-playing game for the main characters, this is too much. It's clearly setting the stage for something to happen.

"The first school trip had many discussions about the location. We originally planned to go to a nearby estate for the first time—"

Margareta stopped and looked at me. What's going on? What is she trying to say?

"Then, something came up. We decided to go to Boyar."

"Excuse me?"

I was momentarily stunned by Margareta's cautious words. Boyar? The Boyar I know? No, are there multiple places called Boyar?

"Boyar?"

Hoping it wasn't, I asked, but Margareta, avoiding my gaze, answered firmly.

"Yes, the Boyar you're thinking of."

'Damn.'

I couldn't help but close my eyes at the brutal confirmation. Of course, there can't be multiple places called Boyar. There is only one Boyar in the entire Kepelopen Empire, and the continent.

It's astonishing. I was caught by the Marquis of Boyar within a day and met the Duke of Triumph in quick succession. This happened just a few days ago. I thought I was finally recovering from the shock of the duo of dukes.

'Is it the Golden Duke this time?'

I've hit a triple. Boyar, officially the Duchy of Boyar, the territory of the Golden Duke.

I finally realized the Academy was a trap, and now they want me to go to Boyar on a school trip? This is a bad joke. Unfortunately, Margareta is good at everything except her sense of humor.

Please, I wish it was a joke. Instead of a setup, development, and climax, it's just one crisis after another.