Chapter 80
“When I revisited the Aslan Ruins according to the dungeon attack strategy, we had a brief quarrel, and he happened to catch me.”
Lies came out of her mouth. Andra answered skillfully. But Jonathan’s gloomy mood was still there. Without avoiding Jonathan’s gaze, who nodded for her to explain more, Andra added an explanation.
“Lord Airak used his power, and it was just because I didn’t want to lose. You know, if I get involved with Airak, my pride soars higher.”
“…I know.”
Jonathan, who had always remembered the relationship between Andra and Dustin, finally relieved his stiff expression. Andra then sighed in relief. Even though she had done nothing wrong to the prince, a corner of her heart was uncomfortable.
“The power. Are you able to control it?”
“I am still very immature. There are some things that I didn’t reveal because of that. I have a few ancestors who are mages, so their blood flows in my veins. But that doesn’t mean I’m a mage myself.”
Among Avellin’s distant ancestors, mages often intermingled the family’s history. Is it because of that? Their descendants, including Andra, were more sensitive to magic than other people. As a child, she was proud of that part. But now, it doesn’t seem like a good thing since she went into heat first in the dungeon for that reason.
“But if you had revealed it, you could have asked the wizards for help and learned to wield that power. It’s a thing of the past, but Anna, you used to admire mages.”
“It was just a young lady’s dream. Reality is not a fairy tale. Mages today are treated like freaks. Above all, I wanted to refrain from attracting attention. I will do my best…”
“To have a peaceful daily life, yes.”
Before Andra could finish speaking, Jonathan responded. He had a slightly crumbling expression.
From time immemorial, Avellin’s famous daughter always kept pursuing ordinary dreams compared to what she possessed in her hands. It was obvious just seeing how much she wanted to live in the East more, where she could ride her horse through golden wheat fields. She wanted that more than a life at the capital, where she set trends and become the center of high society. It must have been the reason why she chose this Academy rather than the National Academy.
Considering how the young ladies and young lords, who were the same age as her, were so anxious to join the capital’s social circle for one more day, Andra’s choice was a strange one. She herself is none other than an Avellin.
“I like the East. I still want to enjoy the peaceful daily life unique to that place. I am grateful for your concern.”
Andra, shyly declined Jonathan’s suggestion of staying in the capital. He didn’t hate it though. Because it was so beautiful to see her running through the plains on her horse, with a simple attire and a straw hat woven by the maids.
Her curvy blonde hair getting blown by the wind and shimmered like stars, her blue eyes were as refreshing as the sky, and her lips drawing a fine curve captivated the viewers.
At that moment, Andra seemed more noble than anyone else. She was a precious existence that he dared not even to touch.
From that day on, Jonathan gradually developed feelings for Andra.
“You remember.”
“Of course. That’s why you always refused my request. Is it still like that?”
Andra nodded her head towards Jonathan, who crumpled his mouth in a playful way.
“Since I came to the capital, I never stopped yearning for the East. Even now, after graduating from the Academy, I just want to leave for the East. Of course, it has become difficult now.”
Will she be able to graduate? No, she was most worried about whether she would be able to get rid of the spell on her and return to normal. Andra smiled bitterly as she touched her wrist without realizing it. Noticing Andra’s feelings on the matter, Jonathan took her hand with a regretful touch.
“I’m sorry, Anna. I should have taken care of you more.”
Andra looked down at Jonathan’s hand that took hers. It was a neat and smooth hand. Unlike someone else, it was a flower in a greenhouse-like hand. The warmth radiated from the place where they touched. Andra covered the back of his hand with her other hand.
“It’s not your fault, Prince. Please take back your apology. Above all else, Your Highness is still caring enough about many things. That alone is enough.”
To Andra, Jonathan was like a cousin. They’ve known each other since childhood and they got along. Since she did not step into the capital except for big imperial events, Jonathan often traveled to the East with the third princess.
On top of his rational side, Andra liked Jonathan. He had a different charm from Andra’s older brothers. Above all else, the prince was a person who did not put his position first and looked at the other person equally. He did not have the arrogant characteristic of the imperial family. It used to ease Andra’s mind.
“But as long as you are in the capital…”
“I heard from Ansel. I can’t bear the worry out of people who are desperate. And don’t forget, Your Highness. I am also Avellin. I will always be by your side.”
Andra smiled widely, as if giving Jonathan her strength.
The two stopped the carriage in a secluded place in the academy and started walking for a while.
Andra kept a certain distance from Jonathan and walked. Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since she took a walk with Jonathan. Her steps were a little heavy. It was as if she felt uncomfortable even though she had done nothing wrong to him.
“Oh, I have something to tell you.”
Jonathan pulled something out of his arms. It was a ring case. She handed the case to Andra for her to open it.
Andra suddenly opened the lid. It contained a ring with a drop-cut blue gem.
“Why a ring?”
“I came to see you after a long time, so I can’t come empty-handed. Besides, becoming an Awakened is something to be celebrated.”
Come on, give me your hand. Jonathan took out the ring and urged Andra to hold out her left hand. Jonathan put the ring on her ring finger.
The size was just right, as if it was made for Andra. Above all, although the blue gem was not large, it shone so transparently that it could be seen from afar.
“It resembles your eyes, so it’s a jewel that I bought a while ago.”
“It’s pretty.”
“I asked the mages to put a small spell on it.”
Andra lifted her hand into the air and looked at the ring glistening in the sunlight, and then tilted her head at Jonathan’s words.
“What spell?”
“A spell to make someone fall in love.”
“What?”
Was there a spell like that? Andra’s eyes widened, and Jonathan shrugged his shoulders and burst out laughing.
“It’s a joke. Joke. How can there be such a spell? It’s weak, but it has a body temperature maintenance magic on it. Anna, you catch colds easily.”
“Oh, I was almost surprised to know that it really exists.”
“Why, if there really is, would you fall in love with me?”
Jonathan asked with a mischievous look. Andra couldn’t help but laugh at those words. Because she knew very well how he felt for her.
“I cannot accept this precious gift. I will be grateful even with just the sentiment.”
It was when Andra was about to take the ring off. Jonathan stopped her in a rush. This allowed the ring to stay on her finger.
“Don’t do that. It’s like I’m forcing you. It really was just a joke. If you do that, I’ll feel uncomfortable.”
“Prince, I…”
“Let’s just stop here.”
Jonathan was uneasy about the words that would come out of Andra’s mouth, so he cut her off quickly. He was acting as calm as possible, but he could not hide all his complicated expressions. The two walked slowly forward again.
“Anna.”
Suddenly, Jonathan called out Andra.
“Yes, Prince.”
“Do you think I will be Mother’s successor?”
Andra blinked her eyes in a moment at the sudden question. Because his question was on a fairly high level.
Andra delayed answering for a moment. She wished Ansel and Adego were here. If so, they would have spit out an answer that would satisfy Jonathan without any problems. But it wasn’t like that for Andra. Jonathan knew it, too, and waited patiently for her answer.
“…Do you want to become the emperor?”
“Is that your answer?”
“I really don’t know. And I wonder if the prince wants it too…”
Andra was honest with Jonathan. They had been quite close for a long time, and at one time, Jonathan deliberately asked Andra not to lie and it was okay to be rude to him.
“I’m not very good at politics compared to Father and Brothers. I am not used to seeing plans either. But I’m not so dull that I can’t even read the room.”
Although the battle for the throne was taking place, it was Her Majesty the Emperor who would ultimately choose the next person who’d sit on the throne. What the First Princess and Second Prince did under the name of the succession race was merely an act of appealing to Her Majesty to show her how well they were fit for the throne. There was no other meaning beyond that.
Most nobles immersed in politics were well aware of it. Including Avellin and Airak.
Therefore, the nobility could properly participate in the board, receive appropriate profits and losses, and work hand in hand with the imperial family.
“Different from the beginning, the Princess doesn’t try to interfere with Your Highness’ affairs anymore. So she brought Ansel to the capital center. She needs someone on her back to match your hand, Prince. You want it too. Perhaps you want to end the succession battle as soon as possible.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Even if Her Highness throws a move to attack using Airak as a weapon, if you aren’t there to counter that move, the board will be tilted. And that’s not the picture Her Majesty wants. So far, I know that Adego has been a good adviser to you, Prince. But this time he came to Ramhafzel, so Ansel hastily inherited the Marquis title from Father. And this was possible only with the tacit consent of Your Highness and Her Majesty.”
After Ansel left, Andra thought about the situation in her spare time. Dustin and the thesis were messed up, but as Andra Avellin, she had to learn how to take care of herself. If she can’t even do this, she can’t be called Avellin.
“What changes happened to you in the middle, Prince? A change of heart that hastened Ansel to the capital. There are two Avellin in the capital now. It was out of balance and the board got bigger than before. It’s for a ten-year cycle, but that’s not enough. Because the size of the board has been maintained in the meantime. Or is it all in Her Majesty’s will? In the end, Her Majesty…”
Andra stopped walking for a moment as she spoke. Because she felt a gaze staring at her and Jonathan.
It was a look of hostility.
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