The library, after spending the vacation, had a slightly mustier smell than before, and some books on the shelves were missing or rearranged.

However, overall, there was no significant change, just as it had been for decades.

The last semester felt vivid as if there were no summer vacation. Neris quietly went to the secret spot on the 5th floor of the library.

She had planned to come here today or tomorrow, but as she selected a suitable book from the shelf and started reading, she suddenly found a familiar man sitting on the floor, looking up at her.

“If you come, call me.”

Neris knew how indifferent she could become to her surroundings once she immersed herself in a book. Although she felt like she had waited for a long time, when she casually remarked about it, Cledwyn smiled.

“I don’t want to disturb your reading.”

“I wouldn’t want to waste other people’s time. Why did you come? If you came to communicate, can we postpone it for a while?”

Since she was in a position to ask for a favor, Neris showed consideration first. Cledwyn, sitting on the floor with his desk legs on, raised his head.

“I came to meet you. Wasn’t there something you needed from me?”

So he knew so quickly? It seemed like Cledwyn’s subordinate was closely monitoring the area around the library. It was understandable since there was a meeting point nearby.

As Neris was about to ask for his help, she suddenly felt that she didn’t like Cledwyn’s expression. And she soon found a reason for such a feeling.

“Are you injured?”

Cledwyn smiled slyly. It was suspicious that there was no response. He was always a man who spoke well, except when he was trying to joke.

Neris sighed. The image of a nearly perfect boy, with one larger in stature, a slightly thicker jawline but still a fairy-like face… A relaxed smile.

He was almost a perfect boy, so if he had been born into an ordinary noble family, he would have had an endlessly joyful school life. Why did he have to go through such a difficult growth process?

After looking at his seemingly intact but clearly problematic face, Neris admitted, albeit slightly, that she was worried about him.

Really, just a little.

No, wouldn’t it be awkward for us if he died?

“Is it a wound that can’t be healed, or is there no one to heal it?”

She had guessed the answer even before he opened his mouth. It would be the latter.

Neris, who had seen all sorts of things at the palace, knew very well that there were very few wounds that could not be healed. Although injuries due to lingering diseases or long-lost body parts could not be recovered, wounds from external factors could be resolved with the power of sanctity and medical assistance.

There were also magical things that could achieve similar effects.

Of course, there were fewer magicians than priests, but it wasn’t to the extent that the heir of the Mainland Grand Duke couldn’t hire a single one.
Cledwyn didn’t change his expression, but Neris caught a slight dissatisfaction in his eyes.

“How do you know everything?”

That was always supposed to be her line. Neris narrowed her eyes.

“You didn’t have to come if you were in pain. No, you shouldn’t have come in this condition in the first place if it’s difficult to receive treatment due to the presence of a spy inside. Do you know you’re sweating cold right now?”

Cledwyn casually wiped the cold sweat on his forehead as if picking up an almost forgotten item. Neris stood up.

“Come on. I don’t know where Ren is right now. No, it doesn’t have to be Ren. Just go to the theology department, grab any teacher and threaten them. How about letting someone know that the heir of Mainland has been injured? As long as everything is okay when the rumor spreads.”

In her confusion, she even forgot to attach ‘senior’ after Ren’s name. She realized that fact only after finishing her sentence.

“Surprisingly reckless.”

Cledwyn didn’t stand up to follow her but just quietly chuckled. Neris opened her eyes widely.

“Who is surprisingly reckless around here?”

“Are you worried?”

“Do I need to worry?”

“Not really.”

“Then I won’t.”

Although she acknowledged that she was worried about him, there was no need to reveal that to the other party. There was nothing good in showing the weak point that could be exploited. Neris raised her chin and spoke clearly.

Even though she had realized that she had forgotten to add ‘senior’ after Ren’s name, she had already finished speaking.

In Cledwyn’s strangely calm tone, Neris noticed that she had forgotten to address Ren properly. She realized this only after finishing her words.

“Unexpectedly, it’s careless.”

Cledwyn didn’t stand up to follow her but just quietly chuckled. Neris opened her eyes widely.

“Who is surprisingly careless around here?”

“Are you worried?”

“Do I need to worry?”

“Not really.”

“Then I won’t.”

Even though she acknowledged that she was worried about him, there was no need to reveal that to the other party. There was nothing good in showing the weak point that could be exploited. Neris raised her chin and spoke clearly.