Chapter 33
Melance's mouth felt dry, so he simply lifted the warm cup of cocoa and took a sip.
"How is it? Cocoa is good, right?"
"It's acceptable. I suppose it's good enough to drink occasionally during lessons."
"Les...sons?"
Kanter's smile vanished for a moment as his brows twitched and he looked at Melance.
This time, the corner of Melance's red lips curled upward.
It was a blatant smirk of victory.
"Her Highness is highly accomplished in magic circles and Ancient Language, so we've been studying together for the past few months."
"What's this? You're actually praising me for once?"
"What do you mean, for once? Your Highness's talent is a treasure of the Empire."
A treasure?
What kind of treasure?
Riena looked at Melance in confusion.
He was always scolding her whenever she got a linked formula wrong, so why was he suddenly praising her?
"Then... do you study together every day?"
Kanter pressed for an answer with an expression that looked as though he might burst into tears if anyone touched him.
His face practically begged her to say no.
But....
"Um. I guess? Though Melance has to return north soon anyway. So I'll probably have to study alone after that."
"Ah...! You're going back north~"
His voice was strangely cheerful for someone wearing such an innocent expression.
Even the corners of his lips had risen slightly.
What an irritating face.
But Melance smiled leisurely and spoke as though he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
"Not quite. I should finish what I've started before returning."
"Then you're not going back north?"
"For the time being, I plan to remain at the Imperial Palace. Father has given me permission, so I'll finish my work at the library, help Your Highness with your studies, and then return."
His violet eyes once again looked toward Kanter with open mockery.
They practically said,
See? I'm different from a little brat like you.
"I'm... truly jealous."
Kanter surrendered far more quickly than Melance expected.
Melance's expression changed subtly.
He wasn't the sort of brat who gave up that easily.
Well, whatever.
In the end, Melance was the one who would remain beside Riena.
"That's unfortunate."
Despite saying so, Melance's lips were filled with a mocking smile.
"Yeah. It would've been fun if we could all study together. Ahaha...."
Riena joined in with an equally empty tone.
"Then... if I happen to remain at the palace, would it be all right for me to study with you too?"
"Of course! Why would that be a problem? Right, Melance?"
"Certainly. Knowledge only grows when shared. There's no reason it wouldn't be allowed. Unfortunately, Young Lord Kanter must return to Count Heyrun's territory immediately."
Kanter's shoulders drooped.
"I suppose we'll have to leave it for another time."
"Right, right. If we get the chance waaay later, then we can all study together."
Melance lifted his cocoa cup for no real reason and avoided Kanter's gaze.
He did feel a little like the villain here.
But he had absolutely no intention of studying together with Kanter.
This was the best he could do.
Knock, knock.
"Um, Count Heyrun is waiting for Young Lord Kanter."
Riena immediately stood, looking strangely relieved.
"We shouldn't keep Count Heyrun waiting. Talk with him and make sure you settle the matter of your title too. Got it?"
"Yees...."
Kanter stood weakly and trudged toward the door.
Watching his back, Melance raised his cocoa cup again to hide the corners of his lips, which refused to stay still.
"Bye~ Be careful!"
Riena even waved at Kanter's back.
She could be rather cruel sometimes.
"He definitely looks healthier than he did at the Harvest Festival. Don't you think?"
"I wouldn't know."
"Wouldn't know? You mean you don't care."
"Of course I don't. What exactly would I gain by taking an interest in Young Lord Kanter?"
His cocoa cup was already empty.
"What? Don't tell me you were lying when you said you didn't like it."
"You said sweet things were good when stressed, so I drank it."
"Were you stressed about something?"
The very fact that Kanter had joined them at the table was stressful.
"Tell me the truth. Did something happen between the two of you? Why do you get along so badly?"
"Nothing at all. I don't even have feelings toward him."
"No way. You looked like you were about to make him cry. Honestly, Kanter is pretty nice. And gentle too."
Although he still said exactly what he wanted to say.
"I barely have any connection to Young Lord Kanter in the first place."
"Then why don't you like him?"
"Then why does Your Highness keep Young Lord Kanter at a distance?"
Melance's violet eyes darkened as they fixed on her.
Riena immediately fell silent.
She couldn't exactly explain that Kanter had been an obsessive lunatic tangled up with her in her previous life.
"To me, it looked as though something had happened between Your Highness and Young Lord Kanter. Otherwise, there'd be no reason for you to practically chase him away."
His sharp, cool words landed without leaving any gaps.
He sounded almost like someone interrogating her about their relationship.
Knock, knock.
The strange tension broke at the sound of another knock.
Melance's cold expression loosened slightly.
The door slowly opened.
And the face peeking through was....
"K-Kanter?"
"!"
Melance's violet eyes shook violently.
He felt an almost irresistible urge to investigate exactly why that wolf in sheep's clothing had returned.
"Um... I've decided to stay at the Imperial Palace for a while! Hehe."
His expression was so impossibly bright that Melance had no choice but to force an awkward smile.
"I have to attend the coronation too, and they said we need to settle the matter of inheriting the ducal title!"
"Ah...! I see. Right."
