Chapter 30
Chapter 30
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 30
Chapter Title: Storytime with a Friend
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Flip, flip.
The sound of pages turning regularly echoed through the room.
Worried that Lianus was playing too much—or rather, concerned that he'd run out of playthings too quickly—Nihil had suggested they read instead. So Lianus had pulled out a book he'd given up on earlier because it was too difficult.
Then he snuck a glance at Nihil.
Truth be told, he wanted to read a fairy tale, but he was seven now—eight come summer—and he wanted to look a bit more dignified in front of his friend. That was why he'd chosen this one.
There weren't many books in the 2nd Prince's Palace, surprisingly enough. Partly because Lianus didn't have many he loved enough to keep, and partly because his excellent memory meant he didn't need to own them.
Of course, it took him time to understand the contents, so his reading speed was slow. But when he needed knowledge, he'd borrow from the royal library, and return finished books right away.
Lianus had handed one of his few owned books to his friend—and unfortunately, it was a thick, difficult history tome. The kind of essential primer every noble house had a copy of.
Nihil took the book without a word, flipping pages with a blank expression. His pace was suspiciously fast; clearly, he wasn't reading.
Gazing at his friend's white eyelashes, pale as a new moon crescent, Lianus wondered.
What is Nil thinking right now? Come to think of it, commoners rarely encountered books since they were so precious. Were the words too hard? Or had he even learned to read?
Noble primers loved to show off, packed with complex words and metaphors.
As his thoughts deepened, Lianus grew worried.
What if he can't read but is too embarrassed to say? Have I not considered Nil at all?
It was easy to overlook, given his friend's aura—languid yet aloof, sometimes imperious. Just recently, he'd been a homeless wandering orphan, after all.
Lianus left his book open on his lap, forgotten, and began pondering how to switch books without bruising his proud friend's pride.
Meanwhile, oblivious to Lianus's deep concern on his account, Nihil was mildly flustered for entirely different reasons—though it didn't show on his face.
He'd expected a few fairy tales, but Lianus had grabbed a thick tome titled something an old academy professor might write: Human Reflections on Coexistence with Non-Human Races and Perspectives on Mutual Divergences. And for him? A thousand-plus-page monster: Human Life and History After the Heavenly Demon War (Vol. 1).
Royals must read such advanced books from childhood, Nihil thought, chastened for underestimating Lianus.
But minutes later, skimming the history book, he noticed Lianus failing to focus on his own reading, stealing glances his way.
Sensing Lianus had something to say, Nihil spoke first.
"Why?"
Nihil's low voice startled Lianus like a spooked cat, his body jolting.
"Uh, well, um... the book's awfully thick, right? I mean, isn't it heavy...? If it's too heavy, I could switch it..."
As he stammered, Lianus avoided Nihil's eyes, his heterochromatic gaze darting everywhere.
Nihil paused, puzzled by the intent behind it.
If thin and light was the standard for readability, the book in his hands would take a lifetime. Plus, it had (Vol. 2) and (Vol. 3) waiting.
Unless Lianus had suddenly grown curious about the Heavenly Demon War, this was clearly an attempt to nudge him toward something slimmer.
A bit of thought revealed it: Lianus was being considerate of his "wandering orphan" past. Most commoners lacked schooling, so maybe he assumed Nihil was illiterate.
The roundabout excuse—to spare his pride—was "Is it too heavy?" Amusingly clumsy, but Nihil felt his heart soften at the earnest, awkward kindness.
As Nihil's silence stretched, Lianus's mismatched eyes fidgeted wildly.
Just as anxiety crept in—Did I offend him?—Nihil's gaze softened.
"Yeah, it's too heavy. Got something lighter?"
"Y-Yeah! Hold on, I'll grab some quick!"
Beaming at the thought of easy, fun fairy tales, Lianus hopped off the bed.
Watching the small, fluffy dark-green head bob away, Nihil's lips curved into a soft, unconscious smile.
At the bookshelf, Lianus dithered over what fairy tale Nihil might like, eventually grabbing five or six and heading back.
Returning with an armful, he was startled to see Nihil smiling so prettily—but it vanished quickly. Still, feeling spot-on, Lianus grinned brightly and offered the fairy tales.
Nihil nearly laughed again at the sight. He'd expected simpler books, but fairy tales? Unforeseen. They were well-worn, corners frayed from frequent reads.
His recent reflection—that Lianus wasn't childish—needed revisiting.
This kid is still so young.
"Thin, light, and so... colorful. Thanks."
"Yeah!"
Relieved, Lianus clambered onto the bed and snuggled up beside Nihil.
These were his favorites, so Nihil would surely love them. Fairy tales were for babies, but even he—sometimes, often—found them fun.
Sure enough, unlike the history book, Nihil turned pages slowly. Despite only three or four lines per page versus dense text.
In truth, Nihil was admiring the illustrations, not reading—but Lianus, clueless, swelled with pride and returned to his own book.
But resolve faltered; the fairy tale's vibrant pages fluttering in Nihil's hands kept stealing his gaze.
He knew them by heart, but peeking made them fresher, more fun.
As Nihil finished the first and reached for the second—Lianus's favorite, the hero rescuing a princess from a witch—he waited eagerly for the next page.
Unaware of Lianus's side-glances and grin, he simply anticipated.
"Rian."
"H-Huh? Yeah?"
Nihil's soft call made Lianus flinch. Caught peeking, he flushed.
Pretending not to notice, Nihil continued.
"Rian, I'm not great at reading aloud. Mind checking if I get it wrong?"
"Huh? S-Sure! Of course. I'll watch right here!"
Ecstatic—fairy tales and helping his friend—Lianus beamed.
Nihil cleared his throat and began reading aloud. His voice was calm and soothing, like his own. No nursemaid flair, but tension melted, mind quieted.
Lianus was meant to check for errors, but lost in the gentle timbre, he'd forgotten.
Soon lounging comfortably, he drowsed off unaware, catching a faint "Good night" at the end.
That night, Lianus dreamed of becoming a hero.
"Asleep?"
Sir Evan asked quietly. Nihil nodded silently.
"Lights out?"
It was early yet; Evan sought Nihil's preference.
Nihil pondered briefly, shook his head, and spoke.
"Did you bring books?"
"Yes. Now?"
A light nod; Nihil slipped carefully from bed. Tucking the canopy snugly for Lianus's sleep, he added thoughtfully,
"Pen and paper too."
"Got it."
Evan fetched them from a drawer, then leaped via terrace to his room below for the books, returning swiftly.
"Here. Anything else, just say—I'll fetch it."
Nihil took the two hefty tomes and sat at the small tea table near the bed. He could return to his room, but if Lianus woke alone and felt neglected, trouble.
As he lit a candle, Nihil asked Evan,
"Kid's asleep—head back and rest?"
"Too early to sleep, and nothing to do there. I'll stay till you're settled. Problem?"
"Doesn't bother me. If you're staying, wash up and change into something comfy. Don't waste time."
Evan hesitated, then nodded and retreated to his chamber.
Returning washed and changed, he eased the door open. The room was dim, fire only flickering in the hearth.
Assuming Nihil slept, Evan planned a quick check on the prince before leaving—and flung the door wide.
Light flared briefly from the adjoining study.
The "sleeping" Nihil had moved there, writing by candlelight.
So solemn and pious for a child—Evan debated leaving, then murmured,
"No need to stay so dark."
Without looking up, pen scratching steadily, Nihil replied indifferently,
"Light disturbs deep sleep."
"......"
Evan's expression turned subtle.