Chapter 23
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The weekend was long.
The day they were splashed with all that water was on the last day of the week, so he had to wait two more days before he could return to the Academy. Time was moving so slowly, Lexus agonized whether or not it was even possible for time to be this slow.
I want to go to the Academy, Lexus thought.
But he shocked himself by thinking something like that.
Am I going crazy? Or am I crazy already?
Members of the Imperial family usually didn’t attend the Academy. His decision to go was a choice he made out of pure boredom. And yet, even after enrolling, nothing brought him any sense of joy.
Do I actually have fun when I’m with her?
Rather than fun, it was more dumbfounding to be with Valentia. Yeah, she was always shocking him.
She rejected him time and time again, and he even ended up taking in a stray dog because of her. Even the experience of being slapped in the face was a unique one.
When he was with her, he felt like he was going through so many new things all at once. It was also the first time he’d helped a lost child find his mother, or even bought things for someone like that. Though it was a little surprising it was candy of all things.
The candy store owner filled a box to the brim, almost to the point of it bursting, packing it tightly with a strong ribbon. All the while, they did not stop staring at his face.
When he told them they were putting in too much, the owner just laughed and said it was a bonus since he was buying so much. Then, after finishing the packaging, he put extra candy into a small bag and gave him that, too.
It was a little refreshing since it was his first time experiencing that. When he wanted things in the past, the merchants would always come to him and display their wares, just like that.
And he never had to buy anything like sweets, either. Since he was young, the Imperial Palace’s patisserie made things whenever he needed them, so what point was there buying anything?
Come to think of it, it was my first time buying clothes for a woman, too.
But that couldn’t be helped. He didn’t like seeing her have to wear such muddy clothing, and he certainly wasn’t enough of a piece of trash to let a woman leave while looking like she’s just been through the wringer.
He washed up and got changed himself, but even after he left the dressing room, Valentia hadn’t come back yet. Even after he spent some time drinking tea, she still did not return.
He was starting to get bored, so he played with Goldie for a little bit with a cat toy brought to him by an employee. He connected a thread to the end of the rod and killed some time by watching the dog try and catch the bundle of fluff at the end of it.
Then he lifted his head up once he heard Valentia was finished getting ready.
And when he saw her, he was struck with the strangest sensation. The feeling of his heart falling.
Has she always looked like that?
Her hair was a light brown color. He used to think it was very dull looking since she always kept it neatly tied back, but now it looked like a galaxy cascading down her back. Even her once vacant and blurry pink eyes, lacking in presence, were exceedingly lovely.
And right then he had to physically restrain himself from slapping himself at that thought.
The clothes that were wrapped around her figure suited her too well. Even though her new attire wasn’t anything extraordinary, it was different from her usual, loose fitting look.
Right then, he felt embarrassed, like he was seeing something he wasn’t supposed to, so he instinctively looked away and covered his eyes.
He’d seen women wearing dresses with necklines that dipped down to their hearts, and some who wore dresses with their entire backs exposed. Hell, he was once invited by the primadonna of the Tuwallet opera house to watch her bathe.
And yet, suddenly he was getting all embarrassed seeing a woman who was completely covered from neck to wrist, wearing a mermaid cut skirt. It was completely unbelievable.
It was fortunate her legs underneath her skirt were being covered by stockings.
[Lexus] —’Ah, oh……Yeah, you’re pretty.’
He stuttered like a fool, struggling just to tell her she was pretty.
He could admit that she looked much prettier than usual, but it wasn’t also though she was some great beauty originally.
So why am I getting so weird about this? Lexus couldn’t understand himself.
When they left the boutique, a gust of wind blew past them. In that breeze, her free flowing hair unexpectedly tickled the back of Lexus’ hand, and the sensation sent chills down his spine. The wind blew through her rich, long, and beautiful hair, messing it up, and it was hard for him to resist the urge to reach out and tuck it behind her ear.
But after enduring the long and boring weekend, when he went to the Academy, he couldn’t find Valentia.
She ran like clockwork, so she was always right in her seat at the exact same time every day. At first, he wondered what could be causing her to run late like this, but at the time, he still felt calm.
However, Valentia did not show up even after the lecture started. He asked around for her, talking to the students who took the same studies as her, and apparently she was absent today.
That was how the first day went.
He thought for sure she’d be here by the second, but again, Valentia was absent.
[Tex] “Your Princeliness.”
He also learned that she’d never been absent before, but no one could tell him the reason for why she suddenly wasn’t showing up. By now, the lecture was over, but since Lexus was still around, other students lingered as well.
Someone called out to him as he entered the lecture hall, and it was obvious who it was. Tex was the only person who could call him with that kind of cheeky tone.
[Lexus] “What is it, young Duke?” (1)
Tex took the seat next to him, whispering quietly.
[Tex] “I heard you’ve been busy working on that bet these days.”
Oh, right the bet. Yeah, we made a bet.
Things were so crazy and hectic these days that he’d forgotten about it for a minute.
[Tex] “Have you heard? The Academy’s going nuts, talking about whether or not you fell in love with the Iron Maiden.”
Hearing the term ‘Iron Maiden’, he frowned slightly, but he didn’t say anything. Well, there was nothing anyone could do about what people called others at the Academy.
Instead, he was more concerned about the content of this particular rumor—one that said he was in love with her.
[Lexus] “Are you crazy?”
[Tex] “It’s because you seem like you’re putting a lot of effort into this.”
[Lexus] “She’s a difficult woman.”
She was an iron wall, stronger than any mere shield. No matter how he attacked it, he would be repelled with ease. If they stationed her to defend the Empire’s borders, no one would dare invade their lands. That’s the kind of strength she had.
But she did have some unexpected weak spots. Like how she appeared to be weak towards children and dogs.
[Tex] “I thought so. Do you think you have a chance?”
He wanted to believe he was whittling his way down to heart just a little bit. But then again, that could just as easily be chalked up to his imagination.
[Lexus] “Well, I don’t know. She’s been gone for the past two days.”
[Tex] “What? She wasn’t here?”
[Lexus] “Yeah. You don’t think something happened, do you?”
[Tex] “What’s the point in worrying about that?”
He was technically right. Why would something like that matter? Lexus felt a subtle displeasure wash over him, but he shoved it aside, muttering his agreement.
[Tex] “Anyway, if you’re not going to be with the Iron Maiden today, then let’s hang out. We couldn’t go to the social club at all since you were so busy with her.”
[Lexus] “A club…..”
Lexus looked lost in thought. Tex thought he’d immediately say yes, but he started feeling impatient, seeing how Lexus just kept thinking.
[Tex] “I’ve been so bored since you weren’t around.”
[Lexus] “Well…..”
[Tex] “C’mon, let’s go!”
Lexus glanced at Tex whining next to him, then he shook his head.
[Tex] “Why not?”
[Lexus] “I have to walk my dog.”
[Tex] “Your dog?”
Tex repeated his words, almost like he was asking for confirmation because he was certain he misheard him.
[Lexus] “Yeah.”
[Tex] “Why would you do that? Just get a servant to do it.”
[Lexus] “It’s just……I have to…..”
[Tex] “What’s up with you?”
[Lexus] “It’s a stray I picked up, so I just think it’s my responsibility to take good care of it.”
He…picked it up? It wasn’t a dog he rented or even a dog of a good breed that he got? He just picked it up somewhere? Was Tex hearing him right?
[Tex] “Is that the same dog you’ve been walking with the Iron Maiden these days?”
[Lexus] “Yeah.”
[Tex] “Is it a hybrid?”
[Lexus] “Mixed breed golden retriever.”
[Tex] “So basically a hybrid. Are you trying to tell me I’m less important to you than a dog? Or that I’m not as cool?”
Tex groaned and complained. Again, Lexus stayed quiet, not bothering to answer immediately. He just thought for a little bit instead.
His current behavior felt exaggerated unlike before, to the point where Tex had a feeling Lexus was just pulling his leg. But even though he knew this was a case of intentional provocation, he still felt a little peeved.
[Tex] “Lexus!”
[Lexus] “Well, there’s always room for improvement. I’m not so sure myself, so if you manage to write up a list of a hundred things that are better than hanging out with my dog, I’ll go to the social club with you.”
[Tex] “What? Hey, you bastard Prince! Just say you don’t want to go!”
Lexus left Tex at the Academy. Somehow, today felt very boring and meh.
Lexus went to the carriage that was waiting for him and left for the Imperial Palace. Once they entered within the sights of the Prince’s palace, Hugo was waiting for him.
[Hugo] “You’ve returned. This is the second day in a row you’ve come home early.”
[Lexus] “Yeah, well, I don’t have any plans. How’s Goldie?’
[Hugo] “He hasn’t been moving. He seems a little weak.”
It was probably because he couldn’t go for a walk for the last two days. He had no energy because he couldn’t see his precious owner.
[Lexus] “Goldie.”
Goldie was lying weakly, but at the sound of Lexus’ voice, he turned his head up and ran to him. He never thought there would come the day when this dog would actually be happy to welcome him home. He was even willing to spare him a tail wag.
This whole time, Goldie had been treating him like rotten soup that had gone bad, so this little change of welcoming him back made him a little better.
Goldie hovered around Lexus’ feet, like he was wondering why they weren’t going for a walk.
[Lexus] “Sorry, but I don’t think we can take a walk today either.”
[Goldie] “Woof.”
[Lexus] “Instead, I can play with you.”
Lexus took Goldie outside, throwing a dog toy far off into the distance for him to fetch.
Goldie immediately bounded off towards the toy with excitement, taking it in his jaws and returning quickly. Lexus was sure to give him a small piece of jerky as a reward.
[Lexus] “Do you like it?”
[Goldie] “Bark—!”
[Lexus] “Yeah, well, you should. Do you know what kind of honor it is to have the Imperial Prince play with you like this?”
Goldie grumbled.
Stuff like that really made it feel like he could understand them at times. Lexus pet Goldie’s head, rubbing his forehead with his finger.
[Lexus] “Yes, big sis didn’t come today, either.”
[Goldie] “Woof.”
[Lexus] “Do you miss her, too?”
[Goldie] “Bark—!”
[Lexus] “I’ll be sure to bring you to your favorite sister next time. Or wait, wouldn’t she technically be your mom?”
Lexus was amazed at his own nonsense, conversing with a dog like this. On a day like today where nothing of note happened, he started to feel a little tired.
Sitting in the garden, Lexus laid down on his back. Goldie hesitated for a second, but then he knelt down and curled up next to him in a small ball, and Lexus could feel that soft and comfortable warmth by his side.
And then he closed his eyes.
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T/N: (1) Heirs to a Duchy/Dukedom are often referred to as the young, small, or little Duke.