“There are no traces of that book being leaked to the outside.”
“That means…….”
“That it’s still inside the Academy.”
I nodded.
“I happen to be attending a ceremony at the Imperial Academy this week. I’ll take a chance and look for it.”
The timing seemed almost too perfect as if it had been carefully arranged.
‘I’m glad Cardien is coming with me.’
When looking for the book, it would be difficult to focus solely on Vincent.
Moreover, now that I know the title, I should be able to find it quickly.
“And there’s also the request about the ancient temple.”
Lemon’s expression changed slightly when he mentioned that.
He spoke with a displeased expression.
“I couldn’t find it.”
“You couldn’t find it?”
Lemon nodded. His lemon-colored eyes turned cold.
“Scholars, mages, priests, and even ordinary people who had any connection or even the slightest interest in the ancient temple—all of them have disappeared without a trace. Their families don’t even know where they’ve gone.”
“…Someone is erasing all traces of the ancient temple.”
“We can’t be sure that the book is still safe. And…”
Lemon’s gaze turned toward me.
“You’d better be careful, Miss Livia.”
“…….I’ll change the request. Find out who they are.”
Listening to the conversation, I became convinced.
‘It’s them.’
The ones who had been sending those anonymous letters to Cardien.
‘Clearly, it was magic.’
They were wearing robes adorned with the patterns of the ancient temple.
They’re covering their tracks.
‘Who are they?’
The more their identity remained a mystery, the stronger the sense of unease grew.
‘Now I can’t even ask Cardien.’
He had forgotten his memories about his past.
‘Bringing back those memories…’
Suddenly, I wondered if I could revive past memories through dreams, like hypnosis.
But…
‘That would definitely make it more painful.’
Now I understand.
The chilling glances Cardien had occasionally shown at the festival and the disdainful words aimed particularly at the District 4.
They were all directed at his past self.
‘Self-loathing…’
Cardien despises himself based on his few remaining memories.
But if even those remaining memories were resurrected…
‘And it’s not even what he wants.’
I can’t impose my will on Cardien when it’s not something he desires.
‘At the very least, I need to find out what they did.’
Maybe it had something to do with Cardien’s death in the original story.
I looked at Lemon again. He had been silently observing me for some time.
Facing him, I said, “I’ll provide you with new leads at the next meeting.”
Lemon slowly nodded.
That’s how the first meeting after the alliance came to an end.
* * *
Early in the morning, I stood in front of the mirror, inspecting my appearance.
Unlike during the festival, I was dressed formally.
My dark chestnut curls were neatly tied back into a single ponytail. I wore a sober blue suit dress, with a brooch adorned with a pumpkin pinned to my chest.
By the way, I had bought this pumpkin brooch hastily in town.
Once I had finished preparing, a mature atmosphere emanated from me.
I had always had a calm demeanor, but how should I put it?
‘I feel like a successful president visiting my old school…….’
Above all, the most significant change was my face.
I looked at myself in the mirror and sincerely admired it.
“Chelsea, it seems like your makeup skills have improved.”
“Is that so? I did practice.”
Chelsea nodded while holding a brush.
Even with more pronounced makeup this time, it still suited me naturally.
Dressed up like this and with makeup done, I finally felt the reality of going to the academy.
‘I’m getting nervous for no reason.’
After exchanging greetings with Chelsea, just before leaving the room, I paused for a moment. I approached the desk and opened a drawer.
A silver pendant glinted in the sunlight.
‘I was worried about losing it, so I kept it here…’
After a brief hesitation, I made up my mind and picked up the pendant.
Thanks to the long chain, putting it on by myself was no problem.
I placed the pendant inside my dress, and with a slight tap on my chest, I turned to leave.
I headed straight for the front door.
This time, we had agreed to meet in front of the carriage.
Clack, clack.
Due to the high-heeled shoes I was wearing, the sound of my heels echoed through the corridor with each step.
I had worn these shoes for etiquette classes and formal gatherings, so they weren’t uncomfortable, but it did feel a bit strange after wearing comfortable boots for a long time.
As I arrived at the entrance, I realized that I might have been the first one to arrive since there was no one at the carriage.
‘Wow, the carriage is splendid.’
I stood there in awe, gazing up at the magnificent carriage of the Duke of Mercedes, which exuded an immense sense of grandeur.
It was a four-wheeled, two-horse carriage.
It was covered in crimson fabric, beautifully adorned with intricate embroidery along the edges.
The large arched doors were decorated with the moon and evening primrose, the emblem of the Dukes of Mercedes, and the windows had green curtains.
Even the horses were elaborately decorated.
It felt like attending a grand victory ceremony rather than a commemorative event.
“Well, it’s got to be this grand if it’s from the Duke of Mercedes.”
The previous one had been overly plain, but now it truly felt like the Duke of Mercedes’ carriage.
Just then, I heard a voice that made me turn around with a wide smile on my face.
“Tutor Via!”
I turned around with a bright smile on my face at the sudden voice.
I immediately gaped.
‘Oh my god……!’
Perhaps the term “cute” was now inadequate, but Vincent looked especially adorable today.
‘Vincent in his Academy Uniform!!’
Dressed in the academy uniform with a green ribbon tied around his neck and a gray hat on his head, Vincent was utterly charming.
From a senior’s perspective, it felt like seeing a new freshman for the first time, and it made me even happier.
I smiled warmly, and Vincent ran towards me.
“Wow, Tutor! You look so beautiful!”
Vincent looked up at me with surprised eyes and burst into exclamation.
“Really?”
I giggled and twirled around unnecessarily.
My appearance today was noticeably different from my usual casual look, and I thought it might appear intriguing to Vincent.
Vincent vigorously nodded his head.
“How do I look…?”, Vincent asked, fidgeting with his fingers.
I answered without hesitation.
“You look very cute.”
“But Tutor always says I’m cute.”
Vincent pouted.
Oops, did I make him upset? But he’s just so naturally cute, what can I do?
I couldn’t lie.
“Is it strange…?”, Vincent asked cautiously.
‘Oh, I see.’
It finally dawned on me what Vincent was asking.
‘He’s worried about looking strange since he’s wearing the uniform after a long time.’
With a reassuring smile, I said.
“It suits you very well.”
“Really?”
“Yes!”
Then, with a slightly regretful expression, I added.
“It’s a shame. If we had gone to the academy together, I would have treated you to delicious food every day and we could have participated in club activities together. Don’t you think?”
Of course, I’ve never used the canteen because I’ve been living in the library, and I’ve only done minimal activities to help my grades.
Still, I seemed to have succeeded in distracting Vincent, and his ruby eyes began to sparkle.
Vincent shook his head enthusiastically.
I deliberately continued the story of the academy further.
It was to relieve tension before going.
The description of the fountain in the courtyard, the charming ivy-covered buildings, and the secret spot behind the library building that no one knew about. As our conversation continued, Vincent also got excited and empathized with his knowledge of unique places on campus.
As we chatted, I suddenly noticed a man walking out of a nearby door.
“Your…….”
I was about to greet him warmly, but I was left speechless.
“Wow…”
Even Vincent, who was standing beside me, noticed him and let out an astonished exclamation.
‘Unbelievable.’
I thought I’d gotten used to Cardien’s good looks, but apparently not at all.
‘No, this is just making my adjustment meaningless.’
As he walked out, he looked at me and Vincent, who had blank faces, and gave me a puzzled look.
‘Perfect.’
That was the only word that came to mind.
His silver hair, which looked as if it were exclusively composed of the most elegant moonlight, was neatly styled.
Thanks to this, the exposed forehead was smooth, and the thick and sharp eyebrows emphasized masculine beauty.
Perhaps because his face was so exposed, his violet eyes were particularly vivid.
I slowly lowered my gaze.
He was dressed in a white shirt layered with a gray waistcoat, and on top of that, he wore a thick gray woolen double-breasted jacket.
The trousers, which slid down smoothly, embraced his long legs with a perfect fit, and he had on classic black straight-tip Oxford shoes.
His tie was also black, but then something caught my eye.
‘Uh, that’s…….’
