Chapter 35

The endlessly clear gaze caused her to freeze momentarily. Karina barely managed to regain her composure and retorted.

“Yes, I understand what you mean. But people around us might interpret it as something more.”

However, despite Karina saying this much, Noah’s expression remained unchanged.

‘It’d be faster to teach a newborn how to speak.’

Karina sighed in resignation and turned her head. Just then, a cold wind blew in from outside.

Noah gently pulled Karina by the shoulder. When she looked up, their positions had reversed.

“Lady Karina, look outside.”

Noah, who was standing with his back to the corridor outside, turned to look at Karina as he spoke.

Unlike his calm demeanor, Karina stared blankly into the air. White snowflakes were drifting down little by little.

Within the snow, Noah appeared as pure and white as a single snowflower.

Karina, who had been standing still, moved to stand beside Noah. When she stretched out her hand, she could feel the cold air.

“Noah.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you say you liked me?”

It was a childish curiosity, but she still wanted to know. Karina quietly waited for Noah’s answer.

After a moment of silence, as if he were contemplating, Noah reached out his hand like hers.

“Because it’s you, Lady Karina.”

As soon as the hollow answer came, a large snowflake landed on Karina’s palm.

“…I see.”

When she clenched her hand, the snowflake disappeared without a trace. Karina let out a deflated laugh. Then, when she looked up, Noah was staring at her intently for some reason.

Karina didn’t avoid his gaze for a while. She found herself thinking that the winter reflected in his sky-blue eyes and the man in this moment were quite beautiful.

***

Cornell placed her pen down and lifted her head. White snow was falling outside the window. It was the first snow she had been waiting for, but it didn’t make her happy. After all, she hadn’t been waiting for fleeting snow that disappears when touched.

Cornell stood up abruptly and climbed the stairs, stopping in front of a door.

“Phyllis. It’s me, Cornell.”

There was no response from inside. After hesitating for a moment, Cornell gently opened the door. As she stepped inside, her footsteps echoed softly. She tiptoed toward the bed.

“You’re really asleep. I thought you’d be awake.”

“….”

“Phyllis, I’m here.”

Phyllis was sound asleep. Cornell poked his cheek and muttered softly.

“It’s snowing outside. You know that, right?”

Her quiet voice filled the room. The snow, which had grown heavier, covered the glass window.

A small hand brushed aside the light brown hair scattered over his eyes. His eyelids twitched slightly. Cornell stared at Phyllis for a moment before breaking into a smile.

‘That’s right. He can always see the snow tomorrow morning.’

She knew how much Phyllis had been struggling lately because of his mother. Cornell also knew that holding an engagement ceremony under these circumstances would be nothing but selfishness on her part.

Above all, this moment of being with Phyllis was complete happiness for Cornell. The days she had spent staring outside, waiting for snow, melted away in an instant.

“Just this once, I’ll let it slide. Because it’s you, Phyllis.”

Cornell murmured as she placed her hand on Phyllis’s cheek, which had grown thinner over the past few days. At that moment, Phyllis’s lips moved slightly.

“…Me.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

She responded playfully, but no more sleep-talking followed.

Cornell tilted her head in disappointment and, in that position, looked out the window and closed her eyes.

“This is nice.”

It was a cozy night. The snow falling beyond the firmly closed window and this moment with her beloved were perfect.

Cornell stayed like that for a while before slowly opening her eyes. Her unfinished thesis came to mind, and she realized it was time to return to her room. She rose from her seat.

“Good night, Phyllis.”

She bid him farewell with a hint of regret and opened the door. Although no reply came, it wasn’t a bad night. Cornell headed back to her room.

***

Freshly baked bread was placed on the table. The savory aroma of the bread mixed with the rich scent of the soup, stimulating her appetite. Karina, however, merely stared at the food. For some reason, she didn’t feel like eating.

“What’s wrong? Why don’t you start eating?”

Asis asked curiously. Karina, setting aside etiquette, spoke up.

“Forgive me, Your Highness, but may I ask you something?”

As she turned her head, she caught sight of Noah and Kaya standing silently beside the table.

“I was wondering… why are they standing here?”

“Ah, so that’s what’s bothering you.”

Asis nodded as if he had just realized it and set down the bread he was holding.

“Don’t mind them. Today, I’ve assigned them as my escort knights.”

It was hard not to notice them when their gazes toward the food were so intense.

Karina gave up and picked up her spoon. Saying anything more would only prolong this uncomfortable moment.

Two pairs of eyes followed the movement of her spoon. Asis, eating calmly, added another comment.

“Perhaps it’s because they participated in training this morning. They must be quite hungry. Isn’t that right, Noah?”

Noah didn’t respond. He continued to stare at the table with an unwavering gaze.

It must have been a common occurrence, as the atmosphere wasn’t particularly tense. Karina forced herself to respond to Asis.

“You must train quite early in the morning.”

“Indeed. Especially these two, who have been quite busy lately.”

“Especially…?”

“You might not know, Lady, but there’s a hunting competition in the north this winter.”

In the flow of the natural conversation, Karina nodded slightly.

“You must mean the hunting competition in Riku.”

“That’s right. I’ve decided to have Noah and Kaya participate this time.”

Asis smiled broadly, as if he were already looking forward to it.

Karina had heard of the hunting competition hosted by Marquis Pentium. It was a regular event held once every three years and supported by the Imperial Family annually. She vaguely recalled seeing Celine boast about the game her partner had hunted for her.

“Since we’re on the topic, why not attend the competition, Lady Karina?”

Asis suddenly asked.

“If you don’t have a suitable partner, I can lend you Noah.”

There was a sly undertone to his suggestion. Karina flinched internally but cautiously replied.

“…Thank you for the offer, but I don’t particularly enjoy hunting.”

“Attending isn’t the same as participating, is it?”

Asillis shrugged and took a bite of his food.

Even attending was the same for Karina. The act of hunting itself didn’t appeal to her.

Of course, there was another reason. When she raised her gaze, she met Noah’s now resigned expression.

‘He seems more like a butcher than a hunter.’

Asis’s voice echoed in her ears. Karina instinctively avoided Noah’s gaze.

“If you ever feel like attending, let me know. The opportunity is always open for you, Lady.”

“…Thank you.”

Forcing a smile, Karina set down her utensils. As expected, she had barely touched her food.

After the meal, Asis made an unexpected suggestion.

“Now that we’ve eaten, we should go for a walk. Join me.”

Karina tilted her head in confusion. It was too cold for a walk.

“There’s an indoor training hall in the annex. I was planning to stop by.”

As if reading her thoughts, Asis shrugged. Karina reluctantly followed him.

Noah and Kaya joined them, making it a group of three as they left the main building.

However, as they walked along the path leading to the annex—

“Hmm? Someone’s coming from that direction.”

Asis spoke nonchalantly, pointing to the opposite side of the path.

When Karina looked where he was pointing, she froze.

Phyllis and Cornell stood there, wearing the same startled expressions as Karina.

“Now that I think about it, I heard there’s a minor nobles’ meeting today. Do you know them, Lady?”

Asis asked as if he were feigning ignorance. Karina hesitated, unable to answer immediately. The two on the opposite side seemed just as unsure. Finally, Karina averted her gaze from Phyllis and gave a brief reply.

“No, I don’t know them well.”

“Is that so? Well, let’s go.”

Asis glanced back briefly before striding forward. Phyllis and Cornell hesitated before walking slowly toward them. At the crossroads, the two bowed to Asis.

“Greetings to His Highness, the Crown Prince.”

“It’s been a while, Cornell.”

Asis greeted Cornell with unusual familiarity and nodded at Phyllis.

“Are you here for the meeting?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“It’s not even past lunchtime yet. The meeting must have ended early.”

“It hasn’t completely concluded. I was just on my way to the library before returning.”

Cornell adjusted the book she was holding and glanced toward the main building. Hearing that she planned to return was a small relief. Karina let out a quiet sigh of relief internally.

“This is Lady Karina of Duke Edelin’s household. We’ve just finished lunch together.”

“Hello, Lady Karina.”

At Asis’s introduction, Cornell awkwardly bowed her head. Karina followed suit without a word.

“I already asked Lady Karina, but do you know each other?”

Asis glanced between the two women and asked casually. In the uncomfortable silence, Karina bit the inside of her cheek.

Then, one person finally spoke.

“Yes.”

Phyllis answered firmly, meeting Noah’s gaze instead of Karina’s.

“Oh? Is that so? It seems I misheard something.”

Karina lowered her gaze, her heart sinking.

Asis, looking amused, stroked his chin before making another sudden suggestion.

“In that case, why don’t we all take a walk together?”

“What?”

Cornell asked in bewilderment, echoing the sentiments of Phyllis and Karina. All three turned their gazes toward the golden-haired man in the center. In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Asis nodded cheerfully.

“The best parties are the ones you don’t plan for.”

Asis gestured for them to follow and walked past Cornell and Phyllis with a leisurely stride.

Left behind at the crossroads was nothing but despair.