In the VIP section closest to the stage, Ian sat upright, his posture immaculate.
It seemed he had been serious when he said he’d sit somewhere visible, as he occupied the center seat where I could spot him immediately if I glanced down.
Our eyes met, and he tilted his head slightly, his usual calm expression unchanged, almost as if he wanted to remind me of his presence.
‘Seriously…’
Oddly enough, the moment I saw his tranquil demeanor, the heart that had been pounding furiously in my chest began to calm, as though by magic.
‘So that’s what he meant.’
I suppressed the laughter bubbling up and cleared my throat, trying to maintain a composed expression.
My gaze remained locked on Ian.
“It is an honor to deliver the congratulatory speech for the 100th anniversary of Biblos Academy, a true pinnacle of education recognized worldwide.”
As I began my speech, thunderous applause echoed around me.
Though there wasn’t a single cheer, the sheer number of people filling the outdoor venue amplified the sound.
I delivered the speech I had carefully prepared, my tone steady and deliberate.
“I have heard that the first Duke of Biblos founded this academy to provide an equal platform for ambitious youth with exceptional talent, regardless of their circumstances.”
I emphasized the words ‘without discrimination’, thinking of certain students in the audience.
I caught sight of the principal, seated next to Ian, clearing her throat awkwardly.
‘If she hadn’t allowed Brian Merry’s admission, my speech would’ve been meaningless.’
It seemed she finally understood the weight of my words from before I took the stage.
Meanwhile, keeping my gaze fixed on Ian throughout allowed me to recite my prepared speech without faltering.
Watching him quietly observe me brought a sense of familiarity, as if we were simply having one of our usual conversations.
‘I didn’t expect this to ease my nerves so much.’
The corners of my mouth lifted slightly.
“Students of Biblos Academy, I hope you dream boldly and learn all you wish, remembering the ideals of the founding principal. The academy has prepared everything you need to achieve your aspirations.”
At my clear voice, a spark lit up in the eyes of a few students sitting in the front rows.
“Your growth is the pride of Biblos, and your success is its advancement. As long as the dedicated faculty and passionate students cherish this academy, I have no doubt Biblos will continue to thrive and flourish.”
I briefly scanned the audience before fixing my gaze back on Ian.
A gentle smile played at the corners of his lips.
‘What’s with that expression? Like he’s proud or something.’
After a few more minutes, the speech drew to a close. For the final lines, I lifted my head and addressed the entire crowd.
“…Lastly, I wish for the continued prosperity of your esteemed academy.”
As soon as I finished, cheers and applause erupted.
“Wow!”
‘Whew, no way I’m doing this a second time.’
Even though Ian had helped ease my nerves, standing before a crowd this large in such a vast outdoor venue had been enough to make my legs tremble. I quickly descended from the stage, leaving the audience behind.
“You did wonderfully, Your Grace,” Lady Evermore greeted me.
“…There weren’t any issues, were there?”
“None at all. It was magnificent.”
Lady Evermore, waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, gave me a thumbs-up and guided me toward the exit behind the stage.
There, Vivi was already waiting, pacing anxiously.
Wait, wasn’t she supposed to be in the audience? How did she get here so quickly?
“Vivi?”
“My Lady! I’m right here!”
Vivi waved her arms enthusiastically and rushed over, practically bouncing in place.
“I was watching from below, and the moment you stepped down from the stage, I ran right over! My Lady, your speech was incredible!”
“It’s a congratulatory speech, Vivi, not a regular one.”
“Ah, is that so? In any case, you were amazing! So dignified and elegant! Now I understand why His Majesty sent you as the delegation leader!”
Listening to Vivi’s endless stream of compliments, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Thanks, but I was so nervous I could barely think. It wasn’t anything worth all this praise.”
“No, really, you were incredible! My Lady is the best! Oh, and this is a secret, but I even heard some students behind me sniffling during your speech!”
That’s probably just kids with colds.
I almost added a snarky comment but decided against ruining Vivi’s excitement. Instead, I shrugged my shoulders.
“Well, thank you, regardless.”
“I brought some water and comfortable shoes for you to change into. Here you go.”
Noticing my high, uncomfortable heels had been bothering me, Vivi quickly placed the shoes before me. Her thoughtfulness made me laugh again.
“You really do know what I need the most.”
As I reached out to pat Vivi’s head, her cheerful expression suddenly changed. She looked past my shoulder, then quickly bowed her head.
I turned around and saw Ian standing a few steps away, seemingly having arrived unnoticed.
“…Ian?”
“Yes.”
At my call, he gave a brief nod and stepped closer.
Having already switched to the more comfortable shoes, I cleared my throat and looked up at him.
“…It helped, surprisingly.”
Even without a proper subject, he seemed to understand my meaning and let out a small laugh.
“I told you, didn’t I? You always speak flawlessly when I’m in front of you.”
“……”
“And you did well. Just as you always do.”
His tone was ambiguous, making it unclear whether it was a genuine compliment or playful teasing.
“…You’re not mocking me, are you?”
“Of course not.”
Ian suddenly extended his fair and elegant hand toward me.
“…What is this?”
“I cleared the schedule for the rest of the day. Unless, of course, you plan to stay until the end of the commemorative event alongside the students.”
Just as I was about to ask what he meant, a brief snippet of our earlier conversation flashed through my mind.
“And once your speech is over, let’s go to the hill I mentioned. You’re free now that your busy schedule is done, aren’t you?”
“…Ah.”
A soft sigh escaped my lips almost involuntarily.
Is he really serious about going there?
I looked at him with an expression that screamed Are you kidding me?, but he simply tilted his head nonchalantly, unfazed.
I’d seen that expression before.
The exact same look he gave me one night at the secluded palace, when he suggested we take a walk.
A face that practically said, “There’s nothing else to do anyway, so why not just go along quietly?”
Speechless, I opened my mouth slightly before shaking my head in disbelief.
“I thought you said it was up to me…”
“If you’re planning to say no again, you’d better have a reason convincing enough to change my mind. Otherwise, unless you’re avoiding me like last time, of course.”
As expected, his attitude made it clear he wouldn’t back down even an inch.
Wasn’t he the one who used to refuse anything that wasn’t strictly required? Since when did he get so stubborn about these things?
I looked down and stared blankly at his outstretched hand before finally taking it with a resigned sigh.
Predictably, Ian’s grip firmed as though he’d been expecting it.
“Shall we go?”
He seemed entirely unconcerned by the gazes drawn to us as he confidently made his way through the crowd.
The one left to blush from the unwanted attention, trailing half a step behind, was me.
As we left the backstage area and headed toward the carriage that awaited us, I suddenly slowed my steps.
“Wait….”
What was that just now?
Did I just see… someone who looked like Diana?
Amid the bustle of stagehands, technicians, and academy staff, I thought I caught a glimpse of someone with pale pink hair uncannily similar to Diana’s.
I stopped completely and turned my head to get a better look, but whoever it was had already vanished.
Did I imagine it?
A slight frown crossed my face as I furrowed my brows in confusion.
“My Lady?”
Ian’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to find him watching me.
“Is something wrong?”
“…Oh, no.”
I avoided his gaze for a moment before shaking my head.
Bringing up Diana here wouldn’t do any good.
“It’s nothing. Let’s go.”
❖ ❖ ❖
The hill Ian had mentioned was about a two-hour carriage ride from Biblos Academy.
I had assumed it was close, being on the outskirts of the city, but it turned out to be on the complete opposite side.
By the time we arrived, the late afternoon sun was slanting low, casting golden hues over the landscape.
“We’re just in time,”
Ian said, glancing out the carriage window to check the sky before stepping out first.
He offered me his hand, and with his help, I stepped down onto the ground, letting out a gasp of wonder as I took in the sight before me.
“…Wow.”
The scene unfolding before me was nothing short of breathtaking.
The ancient buildings that looked so grand and imposing from the city center now appeared like delicate miniatures scattered across the landscape.
Standing on this open hilltop gave the sensation of looking down from above the clouds, with the entire city laid out like a picturesque painting.
I was so mesmerized by the fantastical view that I didn’t even think to close my slightly parted lips. But soon, a faint sense of unease crept in, and I glanced around.
“…But wait, isn’t this supposed to be a popular tourist spot? Why is no one here?”
At this time of day, wouldn’t the place normally be bustling with visitors?
Aside from the two of us and the coachman who had brought us, there wasn’t a single soul in sight.
Ian, who had been watching me the entire time, replied nonchalantly,
“I rented it.”
“…Excuse me?”
What did I just hear?
♧♧♧
Merry Christmas (Hope you all have a great holiday) 🎅🎄
I will try to translate 129 and 130 today but not a promise tho (I just translated from 118 to 128 so I’m dying rn)
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Thank uuuu 😭