EWOWMAIBTYPF – CH072 – RJR Translation

Askart’s face was gradually turning hard as the number of people and gazes poured in, wondering if Lucio’s words were lies.

 

“Yes, library… I have to go.”

 

However, Askart hesitated while answering, as if he had some regrets. As soon as I made eye contact with him again, I asked as if I had been waiting.

 

“Isn’t the academy library really big?”

 

Although the Duke of Elad’s library is very large, it cannot be compared in size to the Academy’s library. When I was living as a beggar and struggling to learn letters, I really wanted to go to the Academy Library, a treasure trove of wisdom. But I couldn’t even dare to go inside the academy, let alone the library. Of course, it may have been possible to sneak in later when I became an informant, but I never went near the academy, which had bad memories.

 

“Then! It’s incredibly big. Do you like books? By the way, the name is…”

 

Askart was pleased with what I said and asked. I was about to say my name, as I wiggled my fingers out of embarrassment when my expression suddenly brightened.

 

“It’s Lia.”

 

It wasn’t me who answered. I looked at Lucio, who had intercepted my words, with a little surprise. He must have known because my name was called several times a day when he was at the Duke’s residence, but Lucio has never called my name even once. Somehow, the last memory of my previous life came to mind and I felt strange.

 

“Lia… Called.”

 

At that time, I heard a voice that sounded like I was going to collapse at any moment. Turning his head, Askart said with a pale face, “Lia.” and called my name. His green-blue eyes under golden eyelashes looked as if they had been moistened with dew. 

 

‘I feel like I’ve seen that somewhere before.’

 

As I suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, I remembered the time I met Bianca after escaping from the orphanage. Even back then, Bianca asked me if my name was ‘Lia’ and she looked so sad. I tilted my head, thinking it was strange, but Askart asked with a bitter smile that seemed as if he would faint at any moment.

 

“If you’re curious about the library, would you like me to show you around?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Originally, outsiders are not allowed in, but today is the festival period, so you can go in if you are accompanied by a current student.”

 

Askart pointed to a large building right behind it, saying that it was not far because it was centrally located so that it was easy to get to and from any academy.

 

When I asked, with sparkling eyes, if that would really be okay, he said, “Hmph! Why come to the festival and visit the library?” And Allen intervened.

 

“Diana, don’t you want to visit the library too?”

 

“Ugh. Sister, come back.”

 

Diana waved her maple leaf-like hand as if she really didn’t want to go to the library after hearing Allen’s words.

 

“Diana! What’s wrong with you?”

 

“Then, lady, I will come back quickly! I will definitely come before the fireworks.”

 

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I answered right away and looked up at Askart. Then Askart asked shyly.

 

“Hey, would you like to hold hands?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“… What if I lose it? There are a lot of stairs in the library.”

 

“Ah.”

 

Now that I thought about it, I remembered how many times I had reminded Diana before leaving that everyone should hold her hand as there were many people around. I felt strange when I saw Askart holding out his hand to me. Normally, I would have been embarrassed and reluctant to be treated like a child… Strangely enough, I didn’t hate it. As soon as I took his hand, Askart opened his eyes wide and immediately smiled brightly.

 

“Ugh!”

 

“Why, what’s wrong?”

 

When I groaned and covered my eyes with my free hand, Askart asked in surprise. I giggled and answered.

 

“He’s so handsome it’s dazzling!”

 

“What? Ha ha ha.”

 

I thought as I headed to the library with Askart, who was smiling more happily than before. I guess I wanted to erase the sadness from Askart’s face.

 

* * *

 

“…It’s ridiculous.”

 

Lucio looked shocked as he watched Lia walking away while holding Askart’s hand. I was thinking of introducing him to the Academy, as his father, the Duke of Elad, had said. His plan went awry from the start. From the moment he greeted me at the front door, nothing went as he expected. Lucio was embarrassed and agitated when he could not see the face he expected to be there. It was ridiculous that he felt relieved when he heard that he had gone to buy drinks with an apprentice engineer whom he had known for a long time since daycare. In the midst of being overwhelmed with discomfort and irritation due to uncontrollable emotions, he felt very uncomfortable when Askart appeared and did something unexpected.

 

It was then.

 

“Anyway, I really told you that a man’s looks aren’t everything!”

 

Allen, who was next to me, started running around and making a fuss.

 

“No matter how handsome he is, does it make sense to grab the hand of someone you’ve never seen and follow him?”

 

Jack nodded his head as if he strongly agreed with those words. When Lucio turned her head as if to ask what she was saying, Allen huffed and said.

 

“You don’t know, right? Lia, that person’s real face looks really good. I really like handsome things!”

 

“…okay?”

 

“That’s right. He told me and Jack that he was handsome.”

 

Allen didn’t notice Lucio’s face slowly hardening, and she continued.

 

“By the way, you did it to your brother too. “I look like Diana.”

 

However, Allen said that his taste seems to be toward Askart, adding that this is the first time he has seen Lia react so passionately.

 

“Askal is handsome, but he doesn’t go anywhere. Do you like blonde hair?”

 

“…”

 

“Besides, the Yeongsik I met earlier also had blond hair, although it was dull. I guess the face is the most important. Right, Jack?”

 

Jack, who was still unable to take his eyes off the direction where Leah disappeared after hearing Allen’s words, slowly opened his mouth.

 

“…I’m not sure about that, but if you’re talking about the Yeongsik she met at the front gate earlier, Lia clearly disliked him. She seemed a little scared.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Lucio asked, looking at Allen who was tilting his head.

 

“Who did you meet earlier?”

 

“Huh? Ah, the Count of Petier! He looked fine, but he seemed a bit unpleasant. Diana kicked him out. Right, Diana?”

 

“Huh!”

 

Diana, who was busy looking around the Academy and the people watching whether Allen was talking or not, nodded her head saying yes when she heard my name. It didn’t seem like she had heard or responded properly, but Allen found her so cute that she couldn’t help but hugged Diana and rubbed her cheeks. A low voice sounded in the ears of Jack, who was looking at Diana, who was trying to get rid of her in annoyance, and Allen, who was clinging to her even more.

 

“It’s Kenneth Pettier.”

 

Jack turned his head when he heard Lucio’s voice quietly chanting his name, and somehow had a premonition that the future of the person he met earlier would not be smooth.

 

* * *

 

The road to the library with Askart, who was meeting me for the first time, was extremely awkward.

 

‘What were you thinking when you held my hand?’

 

My body twisted in discomfort. Nevertheless, I couldn’t complain at all when I saw Askart walking slowly, stopping me inside so as not to get hit by people passing by.

 

“Is there a place in particular you want to see?”

 

As soon as we entered the library, Askart whispered quietly. After thinking carefully, I answered.

 

“I want to see the grimoire.”

 

Askart looked surprised, probably because my answer was unexpected.

 

“The energy of mana, ah…”

 

When I released some of the energy that had been stored up for him as he was puzzled, Askart’s eyes, which sensitively sensed mana even at small changes, quickly sparkled with interest. After the commotion at the duke’s residence a while ago, no one who uses me knows that I have mana, and I no longer feel the need to hide it. However, the reason I didn’t bother to inform Askart of Mana’s existence was because I didn’t feel wary even though I saw it for the first time. Was it because his atmosphere is so gentle and gentle?

 

“Then I can go to my place. Now, there are a lot of stairs from here, so you have to be careful.”

 

Askart, who clearly looked at me with a completely different look as he was the heir of the Principality of Belus who owned the Magic Tower, immediately led the way. Seeing him looking a little excited made me feel better. So he spoke as if bragging.

 

“Grand Duke, I actually met Bianca before.”

 

“Huh? With Count Maretta?”

 

When I nodded my head excitedly, he asked curiously.

 

“He is someone who rarely leaves the principality, so what happened?”

 

“Hmm. Somehow I found out…”

 

As he spoke, it seemed that Askart had never heard of Diana’s kidnapping, either from Lucio or through the Duchy of Belus. I hesitated a bit, trailed off, and changed the topic.

 

“After meeting Bianca, I became interested in the Principality of Belus and looked for books. It was a really cool place.”

 

“I see. Yes, it’s a beautiful place.”

 

Askart’s faintly smiling expression faded again as he said that. As he looked at that scene, it felt like his heart was constricting. At the same time, I became curious.

 

‘Why does he make such a sad face when he thinks of his own home?’

 

Diana smiled brightly and loved it when she heard that it was her house.

 

“Now, here.”

 

At that time, Askart, who guided me to a space filled with bookshelves, introduced me as a place where books related to magic were collected. Perhaps because it was festival season, there was no one there. As I went deeper, I saw a very large desk in front of a window with curtains drawn. There was a pile of books spread out on the large desk, probably because Askart was the only one using it.

 

“Oh! It’s so dirty. Okay, it’s not usually like this.”

 

Askart made an excuse, hurriedly clearing the desk with his embarrassed face red up to his ears.

 

—————————————————————

Translator Note:

Translator Note: