Chapter 96

1/2

Well, I'm a bit nervous today… or rather, so melancholic that my body feels heavy.

The reason is that today is the day I meet Drossen. It's not as simple as just being released and saying goodbye, considering I was involved in an incident in my territory.

More than Drossen himself, I can't afford to be rude to the Katavaria family. It could tarnish my family's reputation in the noble society.

So, I invited Drossen to my home. Of course, Tanya, Lyle, and the returned Dita are on standby.

I was worried if it would be okay since it's only been a day, but Dita returned today with a fresh and clear face.

Perhaps she had a talk with Tanya and sorted out her feelings.

While I was thinking about all this, I received word that Drossen had arrived. I straightened my posture and waited for him to enter. After a while, there was a knock, and Drossen entered with the attendant.

Perhaps because he had been traveling, he was dressed more simply than usual. When I checked his expression… his eyes were very calm and serene.

"…It's been a while, Lord Drossen. Please, take a seat."

When I said this, he bowed silently and then sat down.

"What brings you to my territory this time?"

While sipping the tea Tanya had prepared, I asked.

"I wanted to know about you."

"Ah…"

I gave a rather foolish response to his unexpected answer.

"I judged you based on what I heard without really knowing you. Now, I have doubts about whether that was right. So, I came here to learn about you from others."

"Really, it's a bit late for that, isn't it?"

I said it bluntly. Well, if you think about it calmly, how does that sound? To learn about me by asking around? Isn't that ultimately the same as judging based on what you heard? And what if you conclude that it was wrong? I don't need an apology or anything from you. In fact, I just felt uncomfortable with you poking around.

After hearing my blunt words, Drossen didn't yell back.

Oh, I thought he would react like that if he were the same as before.

"What did you plan to do after getting to know me? If you judged that it was wrong, what did you plan to do then?"

"I… don't know."

"Then there's no point in talking."

I said this while letting out a heavy sigh.

"…At first, I intended to apologize to you."

"Oh, so the idea that it was wrong changed to the idea that it was right after you asked around?"

"No, that's not it. I thought that apologizing wouldn't change the fact that I hurt you. It wouldn't bring you back to the academy or restore your engagement to the prince. That's what I thought."

"Well, that's wonderful. Indeed, if you had apologized, I would have asked you to leave immediately. …And let me correct you. You can't hurt me. And I have no desire to reconcile with the second prince, so please don't worry about it."

"I meant the time when I restrained you…"

"Yes. So, whether it's my heart or my body, there's no place where you can hurt me."

I said this firmly. It would be a nuisance to be asked to take responsibility for hurting me.

"As you said, there's nothing you can do for me. Because I don't want anything from you. In the first place, why did you go to the eastern region, knowing it was unstable, and get involved in the incident?"

"At least, I wanted to be of help to you."

"That's a nuisance."

I said this firmly with a laugh, and Drossen's eyes widened in surprise.

"You are a knight. But before that, you are the only son of Lady Drouna. If something happens to you, how can I explain it to the Katavaria family? It's already known that you and I are on bad terms. If something were to happen, there's a possibility that I could be rumored to have taken revenge on you, which would be dishonorable."

"That's…"

I sighed again.

How many times have I sighed since meeting him?

"You haven't changed since then. I think having a sense of justice is a very admirable thing. But yours is extremely self-righteous. You don't consider others for the sake of your own righteousness. As a result, people end up being inconvenienced by your so-called righteous actions. Moreover, you don't even take responsibility for the consequences. …It's like a child who is infatuated with a hero's tale."

"That's not…"

"Can you say it's not? Your hesitation towards me is a good example. Even if you say now that your actions were wrong, as you said, I can't return to the academy. The relationship between the Katavaria family and the Armenia family can't be easily repaired. All you can do is accept the consequences of your actions."

Drossen fell completely silent at my words.

"It's time to stop dreaming like a child. In other words, please don't involve yourself with me. If you understand, I would appreciate it if you stopped following me around and left my territory as soon as possible."

I snapped shut the fan I was holding.

I think this is the first time I've smiled since I came here. The best smile of the day.