Chapter 26
*
* * *
*
[Valentia] “I need to pay attention to the lecture now, so please be quiet.”
With an unthinkably cold voice, Valentia turned away from him, feeling strange after suddenly realizing the softer emotions she held for the man beside her.
But thanks to that, Lexus had no idea what she was thinking, instead just calmly turning quiet. Valentia didn’t spare the one she realized she liked a single glance until the lecture was over, staying focused as best she could.
And once the lecture was done and the professor was clear and gone, Lexus turned to Valentia.
[Lexus] “You don’t have another lecture after this, do you?”
[Valentia] “You would know that better than I do.”
[Lexus] “Then do you want to go on a walk with Goldie?”
She spoke to him like she always did—using an unintentionally cold tone, to the point of shocking herself. But this man didn’t seem to notice that, simply making his gentle offer.
[Valentia] “Now?”
[Lexus] “Goldie was depressed since he couldn’t see you for the past two days. I told him I’d bring him to see you early today.”
She held back the words, wondering if he was also bored without her or if he missed her. Those were things she was free to think as much as she wanted, but saying them with her own mouth was a completely different story.
[Lexus] “Ah, but obviously I spent time with him. I played with him and stuff…..”
This man was entirely in the dark about the complicated change that was happening within her, and so he quickly added in another word, afraid she would think he was neglecting the dog in her absence.
[Valentia] “I’d love to go on a walk.”
He smiled brightly, ignorant of the feelings hidden behind that casually given agreement. Seeing such a smile, Valentia’s heart sank. She’d seen him smile so many times by now, and not once did any kind of thought come to her when she saw it.
But now that she was realizing how she felt, afraid to put a name to this feeling, she thought it was blindingly brilliant.
Later, Goldie was brought to them by a servant. The dog was overly excited, barking as he ran to Valentia with a wildly waving tail. As he barked and barked, hopping around like crazy after not having seen her for several days, Valentia spoke a light excuse.
[Valentia] “I’m sorry. I was a little busy.”
Valentia crouched down, stroking his fur freely. It was very different from how she treated him as a stray. He rolled on his back, showing off his belly like he was ordering her to give him a few quick pats.
Once he was satisfied with all his pets, Goldie took the lead, standing up and wagging his tail as he started off. Seeing his confident back, Valentia also took a step.
[Lexus] “I have a question, Valentia.”
[Valentia] “Ask away.”
[Lexus] “Why are you studying so hard?”
Why did he ask her so many questions? Still, unlike before, she did not hate his curiosity.
[Lexus] “I just thought, since you’re a noble, you’re going to get married anyway so there might not be much point.”
When he asked her this before, she moved on quickly, simply explaining that she required no particular reason to fulfill her obligations as a student. She just felt like she did not owe him any kind explanation about her life goals.
But maybe she could say it now.
[Valentia] “I have something I want to do.”
[Lexus] “What is it?”
[Valentia] “I want to become the chief administrator of the Imperial Palace.”
It was a little embarrassing to mention the Imperial family in front of him, but she answered honestly.
If she were to become the chief administrator, she would receive the honorary title of a baron that could not be inherited. The yearly wages were good and the treatment was acceptable as well. It was the kind of job that could set her up for the rest of her life, even if she lived alone.
However, it was not the kind of position that would be carried by the nobility.
It was more common for nobles to marry and live happily with a good family. If she were lucky, she would get married to someone she liked, but the chances were greater of being married off for political reasons.
[Lexus] “Why would you want that?”
[Valentia] “Does one need a reason for their dream?”
Valentia blinked, asking as if she thought his question was strange.
[Lexus] “Oh, I guess you’re right.”
Lexus replied awkwardly, a little embarrassed by Valentia’s matter-of-fact tone. In the end, this was merely a matter of perspective.
[Valentia] “Can I ask you something?”
[Lexus] “Go ahead.”
[Valentia] “How do you wish to live, Lexus?”
[Lexus] “Oh……”
And he was also briefly stunned by a question he’d only ever heard just now.
[Valentia] “If it’s difficult, then it’s alright. You don’t need to answer.”
[Lexus] “No, it’s not that. It’s just that I’ve never really thought that deeply about it, so I’m not really sure what to say.”
The woman before him was studying with all her might to achieve a very clear and concise goal. So, lacking a clear answer himself, he felt somewhat awkward and ashamed.
[Valentia] “How have you lived thus far?”
[Lexus] “Well, you know. I just want to have fun and be happy.”
[Valentia] “Then that’s enough. Everyone lives with the ultimate goal of being happy. So good for you. You’ve already achieved your dream.”
At the sound of her indifferent but calm voice, Lexus immediately felt goosebumps forming on his skin. Out of all who deigned to evaluate his life, there were none who came to that conclusion. And so he wasn’t quite sure how to describe this feeling.
Lexus was aware of it, too.
The people admired him and loved him, but they were secretly pointing fingers at him and laughing. They said he shouldn’t live like this, and that sacrifices should be made for the sake of his title as a Prince. Exist with dignity and discipline, they would say.
But Valentia was different.
She told him it was okay. She validated him.
It was okay. He was okay as he was. So long as he was happy.
What the hell kind of woman is she? Lexus clenched his fist, silently enduring feelings he did not understand.
[Lexus] “………Your dream will come true, Valentia. Your hard work will mean something in the end.”
[Valentia] “That’s nice to hear.”
Valentia smiled.
It was a soft and bright smile—the kind he’d never seen from her before. Lexus felt his heart drop once more, and he could almost hear the sound of it thudding in his ear.
And another wave of goosebumps ran across his whole body.
But unfortunately, his words could not come true, though Lexus didn’t know this.
Because Valentia would never be able to achieve her dream.
*
* * *
*
Their walk was peaceful. Goldie wandered around for a bit, taking in the smells as he did. Occasionally he would look back at them and bark.
[Valentia] “Don’t go too far, Goldie.”
Recognizing his name, Goldie ran back, wandering around her as he weaved around Valentia’s legs, causing his leash to get tangled.
[Valentia] “Oh, Goldie. Stay still…..”
But as she tried to calm him, he only moved faster, tightening the leash around her legs. And as Valentia attempted to struggle free, her foot got caught, and she lost her balance. Before she could stop herself, her whole body was leaning forward.
[Valentia] “Kya!”
[Lexus] “Careful!”
Instinctively, Lexus went out to catch Valentia with both hands, causing his palm to brush up against her back. Immediately, Valentia recoiled from his touch, flinching and swallowing a wince from the pain.
[Lexus] “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to touch you.”
[Valentia] “No, it’s not that. I was just a little surprised.”
She flinched because her back still hurt from before, and she didn’t want him to misunderstand.
[Lexus] “Then I’m glad.”
Her body was still a little bit unstable, so he held onto her to support her. And in doing so, she could feel the heat of his body permeating hers, and his natural scent came closer to her.
And then, Lexus pulled himself away from Valentia. She felt strangely relieved, but there was also an even stranger sense of emptiness that came along with it. Strange enough to surprise even herself.
[Lexus] “Stay still. I’ll get the leash loosened.”
Lexus bent down, undoing the tangled leash that was tied around her slender legs.
Somehow it felt like Goldie knew he was the one at fault, his little black eyes tearing up from the guilt. Glancing at him, Lexus scolded Goldie by lightly pressing his finger against his small head.
[Lexus] “You little troublemaker.”
[Goldie] “Woof.”
[Lexus] “She almost fell because of you.”
Whining, Goldie hid behind Valentia.
[Lexus] “Geez, we have to scold him, Valentia. He did something wrong.”
[Valentia] “It can’t be helped.”
Lexus pulled himself to his feet, gesturing at both owner and dog, with an expression that made clear his astonishment at the situation.
[Lexus] “Aren’t you a little too biased towards dogs?”
[Valentia] “He’s just a baby. He doesn’t know any better.”
[Lexus] “If he doesn’t know, then shouldn’t someone teach him? Maybe we should train him.”
[Valentia] “Train?”
[Lexus] “There’s a trainer at the Imperial Palace who trains the royal hounds. He’ll simmer down a bit once he gets through the regime.”
[Valentia] “Won’t it be too difficult for him?’
[Lexus] “I don’t think so. Besides, untrained dogs tend to cause accidents. Come to think of it, he caused a pretty big one already. Like when he dangerously ran out in front of a carriage.”
Valentia nodded.
Now that he was mentioning it, Goldie really could use some training. It would be bad if he were to cause another accident, or if he were to bite someone.
[Valentia] “That would be for the best.”
[Lexus] “Alright. Now that we’ve got your owner’s permission, you get to work hard starting from tomorrow.”
Goldie’s life was peaceful; running around, playing, eating, and sleeping in total leisure however he pleased. But like the bright little puppy he was, he seemed to know his life was over as he jumped around, physically complaining.
Leaving the courtyard, again they earned the gazes of the other students. They were an odd pair, made of the most popular man and the most detested woman at the Academy. They were bound to attract people’s attention like this.
[Lexus] “You don’t seem to care about people staring at you.”
As he looked down at Valentia, Lexus was suddenly amazed at how calm and composed she was.
When she was with the Prince, the woman standing by his side would always earn attention in some way. Most of the women he spent time with enjoyed those gazes, feeling special like that.
But this woman didn’t care at all. That alone was very fascinating and somewhat amazing. When someone was ordinary, when given the chance to be extraordinary, they would want to brag about their existences like brandishing their expensive jewels.
[Valentia] “They don’t have any effect on me anyway.”
Meanwhile she didn’t seem to care who was standing next to her.
[Valentia] “Lexus.”
[Lexus] “What is it?”
[Valentia] “Actually, there’s something I’ve been curious about for a while.”
Valentia still had questions for him? That was surprising, too. And compared to their earlier days when she was so cold to him, it was almost terrifying, now he was getting the feeling she was curious about him.
[Lexus] “What are you so curious about?”
[Valentia] “Why do you speak formally to me?”
[Lexus] “Oh, that.”
Lexus let out a low huff of air, like a puff of laughter at Valentia’s question.
One day, out of the blue, Lexus decided to start using more formal language around her. A small corner of her was curious about the reason, but she swallowed those thoughts. She was afraid asking him might be misunderstood as her taking an interest in him.
But now, it felt like it didn’t really matter if she asked.
[Lexus] “You’ve been curious about that this entire time? I thought you weren’t interested in me at all.”
[Valentia] “I didn’t want to ask back then.”
[Lexus] “Well, it’s good either way. As for the reason why I speak formally, it’s because you said I was rude, Valentia.”
[Valentia] “Is that so? So you decided to speak formally in order to mask your inherent rudeness?”
[Lexus] “So you find me rude either way, huh?”
Pft, Valentia laughed.
He truly was an arrogant and rude man, but for some reason, he seemed so lovely to her right now. She really enjoyed and cherished the time she got to spend with him.
And like the return of a spring long gone, she was starting to feel excited again.
* * *