Chapter 31
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 31
Gasp.
I realized my mistake.
Right. Schuls Schmidt had never said anything like that.
But I was quick to recover.
“Who else would the most brilliant Pneuma teach if not the Imperial family?”
Wait, was that too much? Was I being too obvious with the flattery?
Schuls Schmidt stared at me for a moment before bursting into a fit of incredulous laughter.
Fortunately, he didn't press further and answered my original question.
“I just received word that the Empress is heading directly to the White Ivory Tower, bringing both the Crown Prince and the Second Imperial Prince with her.”
“What?!”
“Why do you look so surprised?”
Because I was going to the Imperial Palace specifically to meet the Crown Prince, and now you’re telling me he’s not even there!
I had only asked Schuls Schmidt to take me to the palace; I hadn't shared the specific details of my plan.
But now, I had to say something.
“Actually, I really need to see the Crown Prince.”
For once, Schuls Schmidt looked genuinely taken abroad.
“Lady Tulia.”
No, let me correct that.
His expression turned grave.
“Are you... perhaps interested in His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Am I interested in the Crown Prince?
Of course I am. Extremely interested.
My very life depends on it.
“I don't know about anyone else, but you, My Lady, really shouldn't be...”
“I have my reasons! It’s complicated!”
“Romantic reasons?”
“Just reasons!”
When I barked back at him, Schuls Schmidt let out a low chuckle.
It was absurd to see that usually cold, expressionless face soften, with the corners of his eyes crinkling as he laughed.
Was this really the same cold, handsome, genius scholar I knew?
I thought we had just become a bit closer while decoding the Ancient Language letters, but I suppose that was enough for him to show me this side of himself.
Maybe he felt a sense of intimacy because we shared a bit of family history—specifically about my father—that isn't easily told to others?
...Wait.
A sudden doubt flickered through my mind.
Schuls Schmidt had sought me out because I got a perfect score on the exam. Up to this point, it was the same as the game.
However, in The Milk Bread, no matter how many times Corico got a perfect score on the Direct Line Examination, Schuls Schmidt never... showed her his father’s letter.
...Huh?
What was going on?
Why?
Why was I seeing things as Tulia that I never saw while playing as Corico?
What was the difference?
I looked at Schuls Schmidt, feeling a deep sense of strangeness.
The usual cold, intellectual light in his eyes was now tinged with a faint trace of playfulness.
In The Milk Bread, Schuls Schmidt hadn't become close with Corico this quickly.
Yes, that was definitely the case.
Something was different.
Did the Grand Duke go around telling everyone I’m some kind of Ancient Language genius?
No, surely not. That man would never do such a thing.
“Then, do you plan on stopping by the White Ivory Tower as well, My Lady?”
Schuls Schmidt’s voice snapped me back to reality. I blinked a few times before asking.
“Would I be allowed to go there?”
“If you accompany me, you could certainly take a tour. The problem, however, is His Grace the Grand Duke.”
Right.
I nodded and immediately marched toward Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
Taking several deep breaths along the way, of course.
“Grandfather.”
Grand Duke Asis Frezier, who had been conversing with Luc Kelposher and a few aides, turned to look at me.
“What is it?”
“Well...”
“We are almost at the Imperial Capital. We’ll arrive in half a day, so just be patient a little longer.”
No, that’s not it...
Wait, was the Grand Duke always this capable of saying such warm things?
I thought he was a man like a bird of prey, radiating nothing but coldness and fury toward everyone, whether they were his own children or grandchildren.
It was strange, but that wasn't what mattered right now.
“Um, well. You see. I...”
As I made it painfully obvious I had something to say, a faint look of curiosity crossed the Grand Duke’s brow.
“If you have something to say, speak.”
“Um, Grandfather. May I... may I go tour the White Ivory Tower with Pneuma Schuls?”
The Grand Duke’s expression turned subtle as he asked.
“Tulia Frezier.”
“Yes, Grandfather?”
“Did you perhaps hear that the Crown Prince and the Second Imperial Prince are heading to the White Ivory Tower?”
“Ah. Yes. I heard.”
“...Hmm.”
The Grand Duke furrowed his brows, staring at me as if trying to read my thoughts.
It seemed he had already been informed that Schuls Schmidt had abruptly changed his destination from the palace to the White Ivory Tower.
Of course, there was no reason for me to be included in that change of plans.
What if he thinks I’m just being impulsive?
Just as I was preparing a mountain of excuses...
Grand Duke Asis Frezier, who had been watching me intently with his dark green eyes, said something entirely unexpected.
“Tulia Frezier.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Have you perhaps been spending your time in the library reading romances about star-crossed lovers from different social classes?”
“What? Romances?”
“You know, the kind young people these days are said to enjoy. Stories about lovers separated by status.”
Romance between different classes?
Was it just my imagination?
The Grand Duke’s words felt strangely similar to what Schuls Schmidt had just implied.
No way.
Does the Grand Duke also think I want to go to the White Ivory Tower because I’m interested in the Crown Prince?
Of course, Tulia was the Grand Duke’s granddaughter and a Marquis’s daughter, so even if there was a status gap with the Crown Prince, it wasn't an impossible relationship.
However, since everyone knew Tulia wasn't Marquis Aster Frezier’s biological child, he might have been referring to that.
I quickly shook my head.
“Absolutely not.”
I’m not Corico, for heaven’s sake.
Besides, the Crown Prince in The Milk Bread is... never mind.
In this genre, the ones who usually execute the villainess are none other than the male leads.
No, wait. Tulia gets executed by everyone.
Tears threatened to well up, but since the Grand Duke was staring at me in silence, I shook my head vigorously once more.
“It’s really, really, really not like that, Grandfather.”
“Ahem.”
Ahem?
As the Grand Duke cleared his throat, Luc, who was standing behind him, spoke up with a smile more benevolent than I had ever seen.
“Lady Tulia. Romance in books is merely romance in books.”
“No, I’m telling you, I’m not interested in that.”
“What he means is that there is no reason to endure unnecessary trials and tribulations for the sake of a mere romance,” the Grand Duke added.
“...Huh?”
“Is there any need to engage in a forbidden elopement with a handsome man just because he caught your eye, despite the difference in status?”
“...?”
Excuse me? Elopement?
Was it just me, or was this conversation getting weirder by the second?
“In the Summer Continent, there are royals who gather many beautiful and talented men in a place called a ‘harem.’ It is said to be similar to the ancient concubine quarters.”
Why was the Summer Continent suddenly being brought up?
The Summer Continent was a neighbor to the Spring Continent, where the Brillant Empire was located.
The fact that some kings there kept harems was something I’d already read about in The Milk Bread, so it wasn't news to me.
“...Is that so?”
I looked at Luc with an expression that clearly said I had no idea why he was telling me this.
“I just thought you should know. It’s an interesting story from the Summer Continent, even if we don't have formal diplomatic relations with them yet.”
“...?”
When I continued to look baffled, the aides standing nearby let out a soft chuckle.
Usually, whatever Luc said reflected the will of Grand Duke Asis Frezier.
Surely they aren't telling me to start a harem and throw that terrifying Crown Prince into it...
I tilted my head. Grand Duke Asis Frezier, who had been observing my confused reaction, finally spoke.
“I will send Luc and some knights with you. Go and see the tower.”
“Really?!”
My eyes went wide, and I impulsively grabbed both of the Grand Duke’s hands.
“Thank you, Grandfather! Have a safe trip yourself!”
It was an action I would never have taken normally, born out of pure reflex.
The Grand Duke’s eyes widened ever so slightly in rare surprise, but fortunately, he didn't pull his hands away.
Was it because his aura felt a bit softer toward me than before?
I found myself feeling more comfortable around him.
To think that only a few weeks ago, I was trembling in fear that he might chop my head off.
I gave a cheerful bow and turned around, humming a little tune.
“We will look after her well, so do not worry...”
“And I’ll make sure that Pneuma fellow doesn't try to wag his tail at the young lady, so rest easy...”
The words of Luc and the aides drifted away, scattered by the wind before they could reach my ears.