Chapter 95: A Curious Fate(1)
Chapter 95: A Curious Fate(1)
I've posted new fan art in the fan art section! The quality is amazing, so I'm going to use it as a cover!
*
As time passed, Adelia seemed to regain some of her composure. However, perhaps because she had been wailing so hard, she would occasionally let out a sharp hiccup.
It seemed her stomach was quite upset, so she hurriedly drank some water from a nearby fountain, but there was no sign of it getting better. Moreover, her eyes were severely swollen, and the tip of her nose was as red as a strawberry.
She was in no state to enjoy the exhibition, and if she were to run into the Ters royalty again, things could get even worse.
"It might be better for you to just rest at the mansion until evening."
"Would that be alright? There must be many works you haven't seen yet."
"It’s a bit disappointing, but the highlight starts in the evening anyway. I’ll just meditate and calm my mind until then. I don't know what might happen if I keep going like this."
In the end, Adelia decided to return to the mansion. Even though I offered to stay by her side, she firmly declined.
She said she didn't want to drag me into her mess and felt she would be a hindrance to my viewing of the exhibition. It was a shame, but her words made sense, so I had no choice but to escort her back to the mansion.
Naturally, I was on edge the whole way back, worried we might run into the Ters royalty again. Adelia seemed to feel the same, as she was constantly looking around, her mind clearly elsewhere.
Should I just write about them in the book?
In my heart, my opinion of the Ters royalty had already plummeted through the floor. No matter if she was an illegitimate child, treating her with such contempt was never right.
Even if they didn't recognize her as their own, they shouldn't subject her to emotional abuse. Honestly, it was a miracle that Adelia had grown up to be such a decent person.
I wanted to include a story about an illegitimate child in the Xenon Biography, but it lacked probability and there was a high chance the Ters royalty would catch on. Since the relationship between Adelia and the Ters royalty was a secret, the list of suspects would be very short.
So, while it was frustrating, the wise choice was to wait for a better opportunity. Striking first out of anger could bring unnecessary danger.
With anxiety in our hearts, we hurried toward the mansion. Fortunately, we didn't encounter the Ters royalty on the way.
"Adel!"
"Huh?"
Before long, we arrived at the mansion and found Nicole standing in front of the main gate. Adelia looked slightly flustered when she saw her.
Come to think of it, she had mentioned getting lost while she was with Nicole. While I was thinking that, Nicole strode over and began to scold Adelia.
"Where on earth have you been! I've been looking for... wait, what's wrong with your eyes?"
"...There were circumstances."
Nicole, who was about to scold her, stopped and expressed her confusion upon seeing Adelia's swollen eyes. Since it was a secret Adelia couldn't reveal due to her complicated situation, she gave a vague answer.
When Adelia hesitated to speak, Nicole's gaze briefly shifted to me. It was a look asking if I could explain instead.
However, I couldn't say anything either, so I simply shrugged. Seeing me play it off, Nicole decided to let it go for now.
"Well, I'm sure there's a reason. But do you have any idea how long I've been looking for you?"
"...I'm sorry."
"It's fine as long as you know. I came back to the mansion just in case, and it turns out you're coming back with Isaac. Let's go back out now."
"Um... if it's okay, could I rest at the mansion for a bit? I'm feeling a little tired..."
"What?"
At Adelia's cautious request, bewilderment etched itself into Nicole's golden eyes. It was understandable, as this was far too different from Adelia's usual behavior.
Nicole stared intently at Adelia's swollen eyes and her somewhat anxious demeanor. Nicole was sharp, so she likely suspected that something had happened to Adelia.
And sure enough, Nicole slowly nodded and decided to listen to Adelia. The fact that she didn't ask for details seemed to be her own way of being considerate.
"Alright. Then let's head out together later."
"N-no. Only I'm resting; you should go see the exhibition."
"I'm doing this because I'm worried. What if you wander off and get lost again?"
"I'm only going to be in the mansion; how could I get lost?"
"Enough, let's just go inside. What about you, Isaac?"
Nicole asked, looking at me. Since Cecile and Mari were likely to return soon, I planned to continue viewing the exhibition.
"I'll keep looking around. I still have company."
"Ah, right. Then Adel and I will be at the mansion, so come back around dinner time."
"Okay."
"But Adel, you're really okay, right?"
"I'm fine."
And so, Nicole and Adelia went back into the mansion. I stood still and watched until the two of them passed through the gate.
Just before disappearing, Adelia turned back and looked at me; she gave a gentle, grateful smile and nodded.
I thought she only had that tomboyish grin.
Anyway, now that Adelia had returned, I turned my steps back toward the exhibition.
It was about time for Mari and Cecile to return, so I planned to head toward the town square. I wasn't sure what to do until then, but our territory was surprisingly large, so wandering around would be fine.
Oh, right. Should I buy a book?
Since my father had signed contracts with various merchant guilds, many different goods had been brought in, and books were likely among them. There was originally one bookstore in our territory, so new books should have arrived there.
At the thought of new books, I quickened my pace with a joyful heart. I passed the statues and stalls I had seen earlier and entered the shopping district.
Previously, there were only blacksmiths, simple clothing shops, and general stores, but now there were many more. And then, the bookstore I used to visit frequently before entering the Academy caught my eye.
Having plenty of money, I stepped into the bookstore without hesitation. As soon as I entered, the distinct scent of paper filled my nose.
"Welcome... Oh my. Young Master. It's been a long time."
As soon as I entered, the middle-aged woman who owned the bookstore greeted me warmly. Though she was entering middle age, she had the kind of face that suggested she had been quite a beauty in her youth, characterized by a benevolent smile.
Her name was Luna. Since we had become acquainted before I entered the Academy, we were on fairly friendly terms.
I bowed my head politely in response to her greeting.
"Hello, Mrs. Luna. Are you very busy today?"
"Don't even ask. So many books have come in. I'm sure you'll like them, Young Master."
"Thank you. Where are the new releases?"
"They're in that corner over there."
I thanked her again for her kindness and turned away. My jaw dropped as I saw the bookshelves and display stands packed with books.
Just as Mrs. Luna said, there were piles of new books. It seemed many merchant guilds had indeed been coming and going.
Wow. The new volume for this explorer series is out? And there are history books too.
Since packaging technology wasn't advanced, I could look at the books immediately. Of course, if caught, one would be kicked out, but I was the son of the Lord. Mrs. Luna would likely turn a blind eye to me standing and reading.
Still, my conscience pricked me, so I planned to just skim the beginning before choosing. I intended to pick based on travel journals and history books...
...There are too many.
The history section alone was vast, with at least ten volumes. I didn't even know where they had gotten them, but there were history books not only of humans but of other races as well.
Human history aside, history books of other races were very hard to come by, so I had no idea where they had found them. Driven by growing curiosity, I picked up a history book related to Elves and read the title.
Let's see... Culture and History of the Elves...
I had read plenty of books about Elves in Professor Elena's lab, but I wondered if the ones in a bookstore would be different. Honestly, the books in the lab were more like research materials and were difficult to understand.
I would have to read it to see if this book was easier to understand than the ones in the lab, or if it was just kind of trash. I looked over the seemingly recent publication and was about to turn the page.
"Ahem. Ahem."
"Hmm?"
Just before I turned the page, I heard someone clearing their throat next to me.
It was a deliberate cough, as if meant for me to hear, so I turned my head toward the sound. There, I found someone standing well below my eye level.
I didn't know when they had arrived, but they were wearing a pure white hood, making it difficult to see their face. I wore a puzzled expression.
"Forgive me, but it would be best if thou didst not read that book."
If Cecile's voice was one that tickled the ears, this girl's voice was clear and pure, like rolling jade beads.
I was momentarily captivated by the voice, then I looked up and met the eyes of the girl staring straight at me. Uniquely, she had eyes and hair that were a harmonious blend of silver and gray.
She had an aura like a celestial maiden descended from the heavens, exuding a mystery that seemed non-human.
"...Huh?"
"It is a book filled with nothing but flowery words that look good on the surface, yet it contains nothing of actual use."
Her way of speaking was the refined language typical of nobility. I immediately realized that this hooded girl was the child of a noble family.
Perhaps she didn't know I was a noble, as she was speaking down to me, but maybe she held a rank similar to the Ters royalty from earlier. Otherwise, there would be no reason to speak so informally upon a first meeting.
I stared at the girl for a moment, then showed her the book in my hand and asked.
"Have you read this book before?"
Since she was wearing a hood, she seemed to be hiding her identity, so I figured there was no need for me to use formal speech. Even if she tried to make a diplomatic issue out of it, I wouldn't be at fault. Rather, the girl would be the one in trouble.
The girl didn't seem to mind my informal speech and explained the book in her distinct, clear voice.
"Of course I have read it. However, it made me frown as I did. It is a book written by someone who knows nothing of us, solely to disparage the Elves."
"Hmm... I get that, but 'us'?"
"...Ah."
When I pointed it out, the girl seemed to realize her mistake, covering her mouth with both hands and stepping back. Looking at her, I asked tentatively.
"Hey. Are you an Elf by any chance?"
"N-no! Absolutely not! And I am not a 'hey'!"
"Denying it like that only makes it more suspicious."
The girl flapped her arms in panic like a bird fluttering its wings. Both her appearance and her behavior made her seem like a child pretending to be an adult.
In the end, the girl seemed to decide that the milk was already spilled, let out a deep sigh, and spoke quietly.
"Ugh... Anyway, that is not what is important right now. Put that book down and look for another."
"No."
"W-why?"
The girl was flustered again when I refused without a moment's hesitation. She must have thought I would simply follow her words.
But I had no intention of putting the book down. What I wanted was 'diverse history,' not someone's 'subjective opinion.'
By nature, historical records are always subjective. As the saying goes, history is written by the winners; unless one is a god, history can never be truly objective.
Therefore, one must encounter many books and find the commonalities among them for history to become history in the true sense. Furthermore, since the girl in front of me was presumably an Elf, she could never view it objectively.
"That's just how perspectives work. If you really are an Elf, you might hate this book. But for us humans, it could be a very good reference. After all, history books about other races are quite rare."
"Humans call Elves 'walking libraries.' I can boast that I possess far more knowledge than thou, at the very least."
"That might be true. But in the end, that knowledge is also written from an Elven perspective, isn't it? The content in this book and the knowledge you have are bound to clash. And since Elves live much longer than humans, they're often quite set in their ways. It means they don't change much."
"I-I am not like that."
The Elf girl weakly protested, as if I had hit a nerve. I smiled faintly at her small, grumbling response.
Is she the daughter of a family that snuck out of Albenheim?
I knew that Albenheim was ruled by the Elder Council and the Queen, who kept each other in check. According to Cindy, they were on very bad terms, constantly maneuvering to maintain their vested interests.
The Elder Council, if compared to humans, could be seen as a force where nobles surrendered all their titles and united as one. Of course, influential families weren't only in the Elder Council; some also supported the Queen.
This girl probably snuck out from such a family. Judging by her speech, she was definitely no ordinary Elf.
"By the way, are you here for the exhibition too? To see the Xenon Biography?"
"Of course. An exhibition for the Xenon Biography is being held; how could I possibly ignore it?"
The girl answered with a hint of excitement. She really seemed to be a fan of the Xenon Biography.
Feeling a sense of pride, I felt my liking for her increase and knelt down slightly. It was to match her eye level.
The girl flinched slightly when I met her eyes, but soon her silver-gray eyes sparkled as she faced me. Looking into her mysterious eyes, I asked quietly.
"My name is Isaac Ducard Maishal. I'm the second son of the Maishal family, which is hosting this exhibition. And what is the little lady's name?"
At my introduction, the Elf girl hesitated for a moment before answering in her characteristically elegant tone.
"Arwen. Thou mayest call me Arwen."
Arwen. It was a very common name for an Elf.
So common, in fact, that it could easily be used as a pseudonym without any issue.
While I was thinking that, the girl who introduced herself as Arwen grumbled to me.
"And I am not a child. Despite how I look, I have lived nearly ten times longer than thou."
"I understand, Grandmother."
"How dare thou!!!"
Even her scolding was just like a child's.
Shiver—
"Huh?"
Suddenly, a chill ran down my spine, and I turned my head. But there was no one behind me. Only the bookshelves packed with books met my eyes.
I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a strange sensation, and muttered softly.
"What was that...?"