Chapter 31
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: Ruena Became Even Stranger (1)
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The air in Ruena's room had turned sharply chilling, as if hoarfrost was about to scatter.
For a moment, I thought a window had opened and glanced sideways.
But the windows were firmly closed, and the weather outside was mild for early autumn.
‘Then...’
I casually turned my gaze.
Sure enough... the cause of the temperature drop was slumping its shoulders.
Should I offer some supplementary explanation?
The moment I reached out toward her shoulder, Ruena's low, subdued voice rang out.
“......What did you say?”
The tone instantly brought back memories of our first meeting.
Cold and chilling,
carrying the distinctive pressure of House Eliad that made listeners' legs go weak.
Was it because it came out of nowhere?
The pressure I'd felt at our first encounter was fully revived.
Cold sweat trickling down my back.
My hand, extended toward Ruena, froze midway and pulled back.
My mind raced to find a way out of the situation.
This time, I hadn't even done anything wrong.
Because...
Ruena's icy gaze was piercing straight through me.
‘Whoa... it's been a while.’
Over the past three years, she'd gradually brightened up.
She no longer froze in front of her father like before,
and now she could even smile quite naturally.
Moreover, unlike in the past,
she spent her time at home relaxed, without tension or holding her breath.
Once the dam had broken with the Grand Duke... he was no longer just a cold father.
He was still taciturn and didn't approach first, but
Grand Duke Eliad treated Ruena much more gently than before.
‘Of course, not toward me...’
If anything, his gaze toward me had grown fiercer with each passing day.
Like he was just waiting for an excuse to erect my tombstone in the mansion's backyard.
‘Lately, he looks at me like I'm some sworn enemy...’
A sigh escaped me involuntarily.
Even someone as shameless as me found enduring the Grand Duke's ill will burdensome.
At that moment—
the temperature in the room plummeted once more, felt through my entire body.
‘Right... there's one right here too, an Eliad.’
I quietly donned my iron mask that I hadn't used in a while.
Then I reached out again and brushed the crumbs from around her mouth.
“Why do you still eat with crumbs all over your face?”
“...Why? Why can't you come often starting next month?”
“Well, I need to start preparing for the academy entrance soon. That means there's a ton of stuff I have to learn.”
Even as I said it, I truly couldn't understand.
To enter the academy, a place of learning,
you had to learn all the subjects in advance.
‘Then what's the point of going to the academy at all?’
But—
according to my father, you had to learn everything beforehand or you'd fall behind.
My brothers and sister nodded in agreement.
They said the academy wasn't a place of learning,
but a place where those who had already learned everything proved their skills.
Apparently, very few started from the basics,
and almost all noble children received private tutoring at home before enrolling.
The reason—
was that there were more than a few who pretended to learn for the first time despite knowing it all,
or acted like natural geniuses despite having prepared everything in advance,
strutting around in front of others.
As those types increased,
advance private lessons eventually became the norm...
Anyway, I just couldn't comprehend the pretentious behaviors of nobles.
‘...Ah, right, I'm technically a noble too.’
For that reason, I was starting private lessons next month.
Honestly, I had no real thirst for knowledge,
but since it benefited me in various ways, I decided to go along with it.
The more I acquired, the larger the vessel I had for stealing.
Over the past three years—
I'd been stealthily using Eclipse.
On a knight nearing retirement,
on a seasoned musician who'd spent a lifetime performing at our mansion,
on a skilled artisan blinded and unable to craft anymore, and so on.
I stole their shining talents and made them my foundation.
Of course, I didn't assimilate every one I took.
My vessel was far too small; being greedy would backfire.
So I established my own rules.
Only assimilate talents that were absolutely necessary,
or ones no one else could use anymore.
For the rest, I'd borrow them when needed or use them as manuals for learning.
And in the process, I realized—
the more I used others' talents, the more they became mine, and my vessel grew.
It was different from assimilation.
Both felt engraved into my body, but
this was my body naturally learning and mastering it.
‘Much slower than assimilation...’
Still, the more effort I put in, the more I could engrave it into my body, rivaling assimilation.
So—
these private lessons would be a huge help to me too.
Having sorted that out in my mind, I shrugged nonchalantly.
“So I probably won't be able to come as often now. There's just so much I have to learn.”
“...How often won't you be able to come?”
“Hmm, who knows. Maybe once every two weeks if I come at all? Even that might be tough for a while.”
At that instant—
my body suddenly shivered.
As if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over me.
‘...I think I know the reason.’
I sneaked a sidelong glance at Ruena.
She sat perfectly still, head bowed deeply.
She looked exactly like she needed a sign around her neck saying ‘I'm upset.’
But there was nothing to be done.
As the awkward third son of a count's family, I had to carve my own path.
Ruena, as the heir to House Eliad, would only get busier going forward.
So, it was only natural that our time together would decrease.
She had her path,
and I had mine.
‘Come to think of it, coming to play every day like now is the weird part.’
I forced the most regretful smile I could and patted her shoulder.
“Sorry, Ruena. I'll drop by whenever I get some free time.”
“...When will that be?”
“Who knows... This is my first time getting proper tutoring like this, so...”
Ruena, who had been hanging her head, slowly lifted it to show her face.
Drooping eyebrows,
slightly pouted lips,
eyes brimming as if she might cry any second.
It tugged at my heartstrings a bit, but I had no intention of backing down.
It wasn't something I could decide on my own anyway.
Besides—
my anxiety about Ruena possibly killing me had largely dissipated.
My hunch had been right after all.
Your own home feels comfortable, giving you peace of mind in all things.
Thanks to her improved relationship with the Grand Duke, her future was far more peaceful than before.
A future that had once been nothing but gloomy had gradually brightened,
and now it no longer carried that murderous intent like she'd bury me in the backyard.
‘Obviously, it's just ordinary now...’
I sneaked a peek at Ruena's future and froze.
The peaceful days I'd seen over the past six months—
they had vanished without a trace,
replaced only by a horrific end drenched in death and blood.
Cold sweat poured down again at the future's sudden drastic change.
‘......You're kidding, right? No way just me not coming caused her future to change like this?’
I let out a hollow laugh at the ridiculous thought that flashed through my mind.
But—
looking at her state, it didn't seem impossible at all.
‘Wait. Don't tell me... with this one time, all the peace I've built up so far is going to crumble entirely?’
Cold sweat dripped down my nape,
and ‘I'm screwed’ looped endlessly in my head.
Calm down.
Think, Celen.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened; you've managed to fix it before.
As I rolled my mind trying to think—
“...Celen.”
“Huh? What?”
“Can't you... learn together at my house?”
A completely unexpected proposal.
One that was incredibly tempting at the same time.
Tempting enough to make the bloody future swirling around moments ago vanish in an instant.
“...Together?”
“Yeah.”
Ruena nodded eagerly, eyes sparkling.
Then she sidled up next to me and tightly gripped my hand.
“I don't like it... if Celen doesn't come.”
“Ah... .”
“So... let's prepare for the academy together. By my side.”
Her gaze was utterly resolute.
As if no other path existed besides that one.
Of course, it wasn't a bad proposal for me either.
I wasn't sure yet if staying glued to Ruena would turn her future positive—
but just being able to learn alongside House Eliad's education was a huge opportunity for me.
House Eliad was the kingdom's foremost powerhouse.
A family that could gather instructors our House Noir could only dream of.
Besides—
Ruena was the heir to House Eliad.
Naturally, she'd receive lavish education from the finest teachers.
‘If I could wedge myself in and listen...?’
I didn't know about academy grades,
but my vessel would definitely grow much larger.
However—
“Would your father allow that?”
“I'll make him allow it.”
“...What?”
“I can do it. Somehow, I'll make it happen.”
As she said that, Ruena's eyes held House Eliad's signature chill.
Under the premise of getting the Grand Duke's permission—
we decided to prepare for the academy together at the Eliad mansion.
Honestly, since the Grand Duke disliked me, I hadn't expected much...
Surprisingly, Grand Duke Eliad permitted it readily.
Whether Ruena persuaded him well or his doting nature overrode his dislike for me.
I didn't know which, but it was fortunate either way.
I'd receive far higher-quality education,
and the slightly derailed future would get back on track.
But...
Not long after, the future began veering in a strange direction.