Chapter 3

“Actually, if you only look at his actions, he doesn’t seem like a completely crazy person. But I have no idea what he’s thinking.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“When it piles up like this, it’s really…”

Iberia trailed off, rubbing her temples with her hand. Her gesture was filled with unease. Cynthia watched her carefully before casually suggesting,

“How about avoiding him?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, avoid him. The Young Master.”

It was a simple yet direct solution. A shadow passed over Iberia’s eyes. As she stared at a corner of the room, her voice came out low and hoarse.

“Anyway, we probably won’t meet much because of the project.”

The nobles she had worked with on projects before had never properly participated. There was even a time when she left the work to them, only to end up doing everything herself. It would’ve been easier if she had just done it alone from the start, but she had to finish things the hard way.

After several repetitions of this, Iberia had openly complained to the nobles and the professors, but nothing changed.

It was a learned distrust. Cynthia tilted her head curiously.

“Well, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

“No, but… Hmm, is that so?”

Iberia’s expression grew complicated. Even she didn’t understand her own feelings.

Why had she vaguely assumed she’d encounter Young Master Nesferos often because of the project?

Setting aside his unusually proactive attitude, her mindset was different from usual. Instead of thinking about how to handle the project alone, she had been wondering how to cooperate with him.

In any case, the reason he ended up in the same group as her was probably similar to the reasons with the other nobles. It had to be.

It was clear that, in whatever way, Young Master Nesferos was not a welcome presence to her.

***

Yes, she had certainly thought so.

Iberia hid her surprise skillfully and looked at him.

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Alone…”

“No, does it even make sense to say you’re doing a group project alone?”

He cut her words off so confidently.

Young Master Nesferos’s purple eyes curved slightly as he looked at Iberia. When he tilted his head, his fine silver hair shifted smoothly.

From her perspective, Iberia couldn’t understand Young Master Nesferos. If she was willing to do the project alone, why would he insist on doing it together?

Was he worried about the grade? If he was concerned that she might ruin the project and lower the grade, she could very easily reassure him.

“Don’t worry about the grade. I mean, so far…”

She was about to say she had been the top student, but his gaze stopped her mid-sentence.

Who, in front of whom, dared to say such a thing?

Iberia opened and closed her mouth a few times before firmly shutting it. Young Master Nesferos smiled as he looked at her face and sat down on a bench along the path.

The change in height was sudden. Feeling unfamiliar with looking down at him, Iberia lowered her gaze to the ground.

“Iberia Del, how do you see me?”

Was that a question that needed an answer? If so, what kind of answer was he expecting? Iberia glanced at his face.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem to be a question requiring a response. Young Master Nesferos ran a hand through his hair and continued speaking.

“We’ll do the group project.”

“…”

“So, let’s set a date.”

Iberia nodded slightly.

As she avoided meeting his eyes, Young Master Nesferos persistently watched her and then raised the corners of his mouth.

“Aren’t your legs tired?”

“No.”

“Well, my neck does. So sit.”

He was truly an incomprehensible person. His words sounded like commands, but his tone was so kind. Worried she might upset him, Iberia slowly sat down next to him.

“Can you even hear me from over there?”

“Yes. I have good hearing.”

Seeing Iberia sit far away from him, Young Master Nesferos chuckled softly. Iberia glanced at his face for a moment before quickly averting her gaze.

An awkward and suffocating atmosphere lingered.

Though he had asked her to sit, he said nothing. Iberia cautiously turned her head to check his expression. That’s when her eyes met Young Master Nesferos’s purple gaze.

Iberia froze for a moment. His cheerful voice filled the air.

“Now you’re looking at me.”

“Yes.”

“So, when should we meet?”

“Whenever it’s convenient for you, Young Master.”

Young Master Nesferos rested his elbows on his knees and propped his chin on his hands, gazing at the trees across the path. The sound of swallowing seemed unusually loud. Iberia clenched her hands into fists and looked at his profile.

Even the sight of his hair blowing in the wind was as beautiful as a painting. Every line of his form seemed like the result of meticulous calculation. Iberia couldn’t take her eyes off him. It was strange.

Young Master Nesferos tilted his head slightly, resting his cheek on his hand, and turned his eyes toward Iberia.

“You don’t have to be considerate.”

It wasn’t consideration but a desperate attempt to survive, yet Iberia didn’t bother correcting him.

***

Iberia arrived at the agreed meeting place, the front gate of the academy, earlier than the appointed time. Surprisingly, Young Master Nesferos was already there.

“Hello.”

“Hello, Iberia.”

After a brief exchange of greetings, Young Master Nesferos turned and began walking toward the academy’s outer gate. After a moment’s hesitation, Iberia followed him, maintaining a distance.

Young Master Nesferos, glancing at her from time to time, suddenly stopped walking. Iberia also stopped, keeping her distance.

“Want to walk beside me?”

“Sure.”

Iberia quickly moved to stand beside Young Master Nesferos. He smiled faintly and resumed walking.

Not knowing the destination was frustrating. Iberia looked around at the paths, trying to guess where they might be going, but nothing came to mind.

If they went straight out of the academy’s back gate, there was a library for imperial citizens. If they turned a block earlier, there was a small bookstore. If they kept going this way, the only place was the nobles-only library…

“Ah.”

“Did you figure it out?”

A faint look of expectation appeared on Iberia’s face. Seeing her sparkling eyes, Young Master Nesferos spoke lightly.

“We’re going to the nobles-only library.”

“Wow.”

Iberia let out a small exclamation.

The nobles-only library. A place accessible only to nobles or those of equivalent status, as well as people guaranteed by them. Even the staff employed there were nobles. It was an extremely exclusive place.

Carrying a mix of anticipation and faint worry, Iberia continued to follow him.

After walking for a while longer, a dazzlingly ornate library came into view.

Young Master Nesferos was already far ahead.

He gestured for Iberia to come over, as if asking why she was just standing there. Snapped out of her reverie by his gesture, Iberia quickly moved to stand beside him.

Her eyes curved with excitement.

Young Master Nesferos held an entry pass in his hand. He hesitated as if he was about to hang it around Iberia’s neck but then handed it to her instead.

“Wear this around your neck.”

“Yes.”

Despite her initial worries about whether the pass would work, she passed through without issue.

From the entrance to the interior, everything was overwhelmingly luxurious. However, none of that mattered to Iberia.

Her heart was filled with excitement at the thought of the books. Even though she was with Young Master Nesferos, her steps were light and eager.

Young Master Nesferos walked deep into the library and stopped in front of a table in a corner.

“Let’s sit here.”

Iberia nodded and carefully placed her bag on the chair.

“Let’s look around together.”

“Yes.”

Suppressing her excitement, Iberia slowly followed him. It was undoubtedly the largest collection of books she had ever seen in a library.

Though she wanted nothing more than to bury herself in the books and read, she reminded herself that they were here for the project.

Recalling her purpose, Iberia immediately began looking for relevant books.

“How is it?”

“It’s great. Thank you.”

Her excitement outweighed her fear of Young Master Nesferos. Iberia gave him a brief response and crouched in front of a bookshelf, selecting books.

Ancient texts. Books written during the era of ancient languages or the early days of the Empire.

“Ah…”

Looking through the shelves, Iberia couldn’t hide her disappointment.

All the books were written by scholars favorable to the nobles and the Imperial Family. They were thoroughly tailored to the tastes of the elite. Even the tables of contents were appalling. It was perhaps to be expected, but she couldn’t help feeling slightly disheartened.

After much deliberation, Iberia selected a few books written from a relatively neutral perspective and returned to the table.

Young Master Nesferos was already seated. He stared intently at the books Iberia had brought before speaking.

“You picked well.”

Iberia looked down at the books she had chosen.

Why did he seem satisfied with her selection? The Nesferos Ducal House was one of the highest-ranking noble families.

The more she interacted with Young Master Nesferos, the harder it became to understand him. Iberia nodded and opened a book.

He rested his chin on one hand and gazed intently at Iberia. His stare was unbearably burdensome.

Unable to turn more than ten pages, Iberia looked up.

“Should we just focus on gathering data today?”

“Sure.”

Iberia refocused on the book. Young Master Nesferos continued to watch her.

Feeling as though his gaze might bore a hole through her, Iberia closed the book.

“Is there something on my face?”

“No.”

“Are you tired? Should we go back?”

“No.”

She asked all the reasons she could think of, but his answers were all negative. Iberia let out a deep sigh.

Young Master Nesferos rested his other hand under his chin. His face now resembled a flower resting on a pedestal.

She had asked if he was tired, but she was the one growing weary. Iberia closed her eyes tightly and then opened them again. Watching her, Young Master Nesferos casually said,

“Because I like it.”

“…I see.”

Iberia gave a vague response and reopened her book.

It was the best she could do in a situation where she didn’t know how to respond. After reading about two pages, she felt his gaze again and pretended to rest her chin while subtly covering her face.

Yes, this man was definitely strange, Iberia thought.