“I’m sorry, Countess. It’s my fault that the mood has dipped.”
I apologized to Countess Mellison in a small voice.
“Not at all. You did well.”
To my surprise, the Countess encouraged me, saying I did well. The tea party, which had fallen into a brief silence, regained its vibrancy after Countess Mellison brought up a new topic of conversation. I tried not to let my dampened spirits show and remained seated until the tea party ended. Afterwards, I returned home with gifts and words of encouragement from the Countess.
My mind was restless after attending the tea party. To soothe my disquiet, I decided to go out. The scenery outside the swiftly moving carriage was changing rapidly.
As I looked out, I thought about the flow of time, and Caern came to my mind. Thinking about him, curiosity and concern began to rise.
‘When will he return?’
He couldn’t possibly be in a dangerous place.
No, he’ll be alright.
It’s Caern, after all.
With these thoughts, I tried to calm my worries by deliberately recalling pleasant memories.
While lost in thoughts of the past, Amy, my maid, approached me.
“Miss, what are you finding so amusing?”
“Just reminiscing about old times.”
“The old times?”
“Yes.”
“You must be thinking about the times you spent with Miss Adelia. I saw that smile on your face.”
“Oh, is that so?”
I was actually thinking about Caern, but Amy, unaware of my feelings for him, assumed otherwise.
“Yes. Miss Adelia must be doing well too, right?”
“Of course. She must be spending happy times with the one she loves.”
“You miss Miss Adelia a lot, don’t you?”
“I do. Very much.”
Since becoming friends with Adelia, we spent a lot of time together. Whether playing, eating, studying, or resting, we were always together. Even though her beloved now stands by her side, we remain each other’s one and only friend.
Soon after, the carriage came to a halt.
“Miss Helena, we have arrived.”
I quickly got out of the carriage.
“Wow, it’s been quite a while.”
Looking at the white marble academy building, I was filled with nostalgia. I surveyed the surroundings, reminiscing about my time there, and then moved forward.
I had come to the academy today to search for memories stored in the library, hoping that finding these traces would settle my troubled mind.
“Amy, stay in the carriage since it’s cold outside.”
Upon reaching the building, I turned back to Amy.
“Yes, Miss. Take care.”
“I won’t be long.”
With that, I entered the building.
‘Nothing has changed.’
Having graduated only a year ago, the academy looked just as I remembered it.
It’s not a place easily forgotten.
Nobles of the empire, unless they receive private tutoring or study abroad, spend most of their childhood at the academy.
This period lasts for 8 years, from age 12 to just before turning 19.
Adelia, Caern, and I were all academy graduates. While we graduated at nineteen, Caern, a prodigy, graduated much earlier. His intelligence was exceptional, but he also had to take over the family after his parents, the former Duke and Duchess of Laverion, met with an accident.
Of course, there were options like entrusting Laverion’s family business to relatives or vassals until Caern became an adult, but he chose not to do so.
He completed a course that takes others three years in just one, and started managing the family affairs before he was even an adult.
Moreover, Caern was also outstanding in swordsmanship and always returned with honors from the battlefield.
‘He truly is an extraordinary person.’
Once again, I found myself thinking of Caern as I walked through familiar corridors towards the library.
The library was located at the far left end of the building, and I didn’t see a single student on my way there.
‘Of course, there are no classes during this period, so students shouldn’t be at the academy.’
During our breaks, everyone used to travel. Adelia loved exploring new places and always wanted me to accompany her.
Thanks to her, I visited many places I wouldn’t have seen on my own.
Once, when her brother, who had been away from the capital for a long time, said he missed her, we went to see him.
At that time, I was already fond of Caern, so when Adelia said we were going to see him, I couldn’t contain my excitement.
The whole journey was filled with anticipation and overwhelming joy.
When I finally met Caern, I pretended to be calm, but inside, it felt like the world was mine.
Although Caern looked at me, who had come with Adelia, in a strange way.
It was the first time I saw him make such a face.
Surprised and with an indescribable expression, I still don’t know what it meant.
Of course, where he was, was always a battleground, so I got scolded for being in such a dangerous place.
‘But it was a meaningful experience. If I were alone, I wouldn’t have thought of going to such a dangerous place and would only know about war from books.’
Being with Adelia always led to new experiences, which I enjoyed.
Still, the best part was seeing sides of Caern I wouldn’t normally see.
Ah, wait.
I feel like I’ve seen that face of his recently.
When was it?
Was it at Adelia’s wedding?
I think he looked at me like that.
“Maybe not.”
Why would Caern do that?
Soon, I dismissed the thoughts of Caern from my mind and continued walking.
Shortly after, I arrived at a large door made of light brown wood.
As I pushed the door open, it creaked, and the smell of books wafted over me.
The distinctive scent of the library somehow calmed my mind.
The library, like the academy, was empty except for the caretaker.
I strolled slowly between the bookshelves, looking at the books.
“Ah, I read this book before.”
It was a book I had read reluctantly for an assignment, so boring that it was a struggle to finish.
“This one was pretty interesting, though…”
As I was reminiscing and browsing through the books, I found the one I was looking for.
“Here it is!”
I quickly took the book from the shelf.
It was at the bottom shelf and covered in dust, seemingly untouched by anyone.
After dusting it off, I savored the title.
“On the Value of History and Culture.”
Just looking at the title, it’s no wonder no one was interested.
‘That’s why I chose this book, though.’
I opened the book and skimmed through it before turning my attention to the spine.
My reason for seeking this book today wasn’t just to read it.
It was because Adelia and I had hidden something in it known only to us.
The book had a hardcover, creating a small space between the spine and the cover when opened.
I slipped my finger inside and pulled something out.
“Found it.”
It was a small note.
I promptly put the book back on the shelf, then carefully tucked the note into my inner pocket before leaving the library. I planned to read the note thoroughly once I was home.
But just then, something unexpected happened. As I stepped out of the library, feeling better and smiling, the door suddenly opened, and someone walked in.
‘What?’
Is that Evelyn?
“Evelyn?”
“Helena?”
Evelyn, recognizing me as well, approached.
“Helena, what brings you here?”
“Evelyn, what about you? Why are you at the academy?”
Surprised to bump into each other in such an unexpected place, we both asked each other questions at the same time.
“Me? I came to see a professor.”
“Oh, I see.”
“And you, Helena?”
“I suddenly wanted to check out a book in the library.”
“So, have you finished reading it?”
“Yes, I was just about to leave. How about you, Evelyn? Did you meet the professor?”
“Yes, I met them. Then I thought of a book I wanted to read, so I decided to stop by the library too. It’s really nice to see you here.”
“It is, isn’t it? It’s really great to see you.”
“Do you have some time? Maybe we could sit on a bench and talk for a bit?”
“That sounds nice. Let’s do that.”
I joined Evelyn and we found a bench near the fountain inside the academy to sit and chat.
Why She Is Still Unmoved (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: He uses various methods to seek her affection, but she remains unmoved.
Synopsis:
Si Qingyu is a doctor who has saved countless lives and enjoys tranquility.
Luo Shaoxuan is ruthless, deeply scheming, and the top young master in the capital. He admires Si Qingyu.
Luo Shaoxuan: I want to be the only one in your eyes and heart.
Features a cold and calm female lead vs A noble and scheming male lead.
There will be both sweetness and torture towards the male after their marriage.
