Chapter 55
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: The Grand Duchess, the Lady Knight, and Me (3)
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Between the first semester exams and summer break, while the world hadn't yet heated up, a festival was scheduled.
The Northern region, home to the Frozenheart Ducal Family, wasn't particularly hot even in summer, but the central region where the Academy was located would surely be sweltering.
Of course, this was just something I'd heard. I'd never experienced a summer at the Academy myself.
In any case, the time until the festival wasn't long. Considering how quickly time had flown by so far, it would probably pass in the blink of an eye.
"Come to think of it, what happened in the original story...?"
It had been over ten years since I'd read the original novel, and my memories were so hazy they were full of holes.
Racking my brain through those memories, I recalled one important fact.
On the final day of the three-day festival, there was a student banquet. It was a gathering to celebrate the hard work of the first semester and motivate everyone for the second.
Like most banquets, it carried a similar meaning, so nothing particularly special about it.
If not for that one tradition.
"Toward the end of the banquet, the orchestra starts playing. Legend has it that anyone who dances to that music falls into eternal love with their partner."
Erze explained softly, flashing a meaningful smile.
I could boldly predict that she already knew about the drama unfolding in the gardening club. More precisely, it was the three idiots' battle for Elena.
Her words just now were surely meant to pique their interest.
And sure enough, the three idiots' eyes sparkled like they'd found a gem. They were so transparent, it was like they wore their thoughts on their sleeves.
"Their intentions are obvious..."
They were clearly planning to use this festival as a chance to make a move on Elena. Even someone as disinterested in romance as Elena couldn't ignore a tradition like that.
"What happened in the original story again...?"
In the original, Elena had her heart firmly shut away. While everyone else was enjoying the festival, she was the only one in a funeral atmosphere.
The banquet was no different. She stood alone on the terrace, gazing at the moon in the night sky.
Someone approached her, opened her heart, and danced with her...
But I couldn't remember who that someone was.
Of all the crucial parts, that was the one missing. It felt like biting into a hot bun full of anticipation only to find it empty inside. At least it should have had custard or red bean paste.
Did that frustration show on my face? Elena tilted her head.
"Luke, is something wrong?"
"Just a displeasing thought crossed my mind for a moment. Sorry."
"It's fine. I wasn't trying to scold you; I was just curious."
"Thank you for understanding."
I said that and glanced sideways at Yubel, Cain, and Evan in order. Maybe seeing their faces would jog my memory.
Unfortunately, no such convenient miracle happened. Of course not— I'd skimmed their illustrations back then, so it would be weird if they suddenly came to mind now.
"Well, it's not really important to me anyway."
I didn't like the idea of them chasing Elena, but I had no right to stop it. Unless Elena herself felt uncomfortable, that is.
It felt a bit off, but best not to dwell on it.
Sighing inwardly, I turned my gaze and locked eyes with Erze, who was looking right at me.
"Do you have something to say...?"
"No, nothing in particular."
Though she looked pretty intrigued for someone saying that...
It piqued my curiosity, but I didn't voice it. No reason to pry, and she wasn't the type to chat easily with anyway.
"A festival, huh..."
I shifted my gaze to the window. Warm sunlight and butterflies flitting among flowers. The scenery outside was perfectly peaceful.
I desperately hoped this atmosphere would last.
But sadly, it didn't hold for long.
"As you all know, Luke's tea brewing is top-notch. So I think our gardening club should offer tea and pastries."
At Ivi's passionate speech, all the club members nodded—
Everyone except Elena, that is.
"Is that so? I think Luke's sandwiches are excellent too. The harmony of freshly baked bread and homegrown vegetables was superb."
Elena explained calmly, and everyone except Ivi nodded. The three idiots were especially vigorous.
"Does that mean Her Ladyship finds Luke's tea and pastries lacking?"
"Do you find Luke's sandwiches lacking?"
The two growled at each other like they were about to fight, just like before.
The only difference was that Ivi had grown from a chihuahua to a large dog.
Of course, watching it all, I was just dumbfounded.
Wasn't brewing tea, baking cookies, and making sandwiches all my job? Why were they fighting when the person in question was sitting quietly?
Part of me wanted to give them a piece of my mind...
"Why don't we let Luke decide? After all, he's the one brewing tea, baking cookies, and making sandwiches."
It was like she'd read my mind.
Startled, I whipped my head around to see Erze smiling meaningfully.
"Can she actually read minds...?"
There had been several suspicious instances before. At this point, it wasn't a wild guess but a reasonable inference.
But unfortunately, there was no way to prove it. If the princess denied it to the end, a mere baron's son like me was powerless.
"Princess Erze, can you really read minds?"
I tested it on a whim, but Erze just smiled as usual.
But giving up now felt premature.
"Erze, you idiot..."
No, no, that wouldn't do. Not even close.
I'd thought a provocative word might change her expression, but I hadn't considered what if she actually read it.
Relieved I'd stopped midway, I glanced at Erze's reaction.
"Luke, I think you should give your answer to them, not me."
"Yes, Princess."
Erze's expression was unchanged. Her signature half-closed eyes were calmly shut, her lips curved softly.
If she'd read "idiot," there surely would've been a crack in that composed look, so I'd probably overreacted.
"Not entirely satisfying, but..."
Best to follow her advice for now.
Sighing inwardly, I looked at Elena and Ivi. They'd stopped fighting and were awaiting my response.
"Why not sell tea and pastries along with sandwiches? I think all three go well together."
Modern cafes sold pastries and sandwiches side by side. No need to pick sides.
Convinced by my words? The venom faded from Ivi and Elena's eyes.
"You're right. I was short-sighted. Sorry."
"I didn't think of that either. Sorry, Miss Ivi."
The wolf and large dog apologized and sipped their tea.
The situation wrapped up decently, but one big problem remained.
In the end, I'd have to handle tea brewing, pastries, and sandwiches all at once as the tea house clerk.
Was this part of Erze's plan too?
I shot her a look, but she just smiled as always.
Did all half-closed-eye characters hide their thoughts this well? Impossible to read her.
Late at night, as darkness fell over the world, a yellowish magic stone lamp illuminated a luxurious room.
In that room sat a woman deep in thought: none other than Princess Erze.
"Luke Nineheart..."
Muttering, her gaze turned to a small book on the desk. It contained every detail about Luke Nineheart.
From birth year to height, weight, family, and house history—everything.
"I really can't figure it out..."
Erze moved the fountain pen in her hand. Neat, precise writing etched onto the small book.
[Mind is difficult to read.]
Staring at the sentence for a long while, Erze sighed and closed the book. She set down the fountain pen properly.
"Are you the one who will upend the empire's history...?"
Muttering, Erze's gaze drifted to the window.
Her eyes reflected in the glass looked like a galaxy embroidered over a golden background.
The golden cosmos. If such a thing existed, it would surely describe her eyes.