LIGHTNOVELONLINE The Nerd Turned Out To Be The Tyrant
Chapter 114
Luce walked back to the room with heavy steps and sat down on the chair absentmindedly.
‘Did you see me the day the auction was held? Or were you following me even before that?’ It was meaningless to guess the timing now that Princess Aloise had already found her, but the timing was strange. Why, right after learning that Rev was staying in the imperial palace? Princess Aloise wanted to know about Rev. Although she was afraid of being caught by her strict parents, she secretly visited her and the most she asked was about ‘Rev’s background.’ Luce, who was pondering the memory, sighed softly. ‘Princess Aloise has not only met Rev, but she also knows about Rev’s family. So, from the princess’s point of view, it’s clear that she’s pondering why someone she knows is spending time in a rural place like Xenon. She probably asked me if it’s the same person, right?’ Regardless of how pitiful Aloise’s situation was, she didn’t want to ask her for help. This was because she didn’t know what her purpose was and, above all, because she felt an instinctive rejection from her family, the Duke of Ximel. However, looking at the way Aloise emphasized the word ‘my younger brother’, it seemed like she meant to talk in secret like that night when she secretly visited her. Even though she knew the hotel address, she didn’t barge in right away, which seemed to be her intention to give herself a choice. Although she said her background unintentionally put pressure on her. This contact could be an opportunity or a danger. If things go as planned, there could be a lot to gain from Aloise. She might also want information from her, but Luce felt confident she could lead the conversation in her direction. However, for some reason, she felt uneasy about it. ‘I thought she fully understood what I meant when I said I didn’t want to talk about it without the person involved…Is the princess really that desperate to know about Rev?’ Nox, who seemed to have finished exploring the room, jumped up and sat down on Luce’s lap. Luce, who was gently stroking Nox, who was purring happily, moved her hand to the pendant around her neck. ‘I just wanted to tell fun and enjoyable stories like when we were kids.’ This was the reason why she kept silent until now. The situation has become so different from a few years ago that it has made even routine things unfamiliar. Luce thought, maybe it wasn’t the conversation but the person behind the pendant who had become unfamiliar. Rev, who used to grow like bamboo shoots the day after a rain, has grown a lot even while they haven’t seen each other. If he had received rain to grow, Luce hoped that the temperature would have been warm. Luce watched the blue light of the pendant spread. She suppressed her bitter feelings and opened her mouth brightly. “Rev?” 「Luce.」 The immediate answer came back as if he had been waiting. Luce, who smiled slightly, asked. “Did you sleep well?” 「…No. What about you?」 “I couldn’t sleep well either. I guess I was so surprised because I didn’t expect to see both of us there.” After a brief silence, Rev spoke softly. 「I was waiting for you to contact me.」 “I didn’t know you were waiting, why didn’t you talk to me first?” 「I’m afraid… you’ll say…」 The pendant was causing trouble again. His words sounded fragmented. Is it because they haven’t used it for a long time? Luce wondered, tapping it lightly before moving to the window seat on a whim. Nox, suddenly losing its comfortable spot on Luce’s lap, looked grumpy as it moved away, but it couldn’t be helped. “I can’t hear you, can you tell me again?” 「No, Luce. It wasn’t an important story.」 Fortunately, there were no more instances of the conversation being cut off, but despite Luce’s repeated questions, Rev didn’t resume the interrupted story. Luce cleared her throat and decided to tell the good news first. “I told you yesterday, right? I was going to study your medicine. I received the medicine from your attic today through aide Yohan.” 「I see. How are you going to study it?」 “The medicine shop where I currently work as an apprentice has a magic tool that can analyze raw materials. When I insert a drug sample, it checks to see if it matches the raw material sample. It is originally a tool used for recipe research, but after the repairs are completed, I can try using it. They said it would work, so I’m going to try it. The amount of medicine samples is small, so I’ll have to use it carefully, but it will still pay off.” Luce, who wanted to use the magic stones and tools Isaac bought during the auction, asked Arthur. Luce was pleased to hear that he was going to repair the analyzer, and was given permission to use it privately after work hours. This makes things much easier. The person behind the pendant occasionally laughed lowly, perhaps because the use of magic tools was interesting, because there was hope, or because Luce’s story was interesting. It was a dry but gentle laugh. It was good to hear. As expected, Luce, who had been speaking with a smile, looked at the star-shaped tool next to the medicine. The twinkling, beautiful magical tool was glowing red, reminiscent of something she had seen at the bank. “Oh, and Aide Yohan brought me one more thing that he said he found in your room. Isn’t that what you left behind? I’ll give it back to you. It’s shaped like a star, like an ornament you hang on the wall. It’s as big as your palm.” 「Blue?」 “Hmm, no. It’s the color of a ripe apple. Red.” It was when Luce, not hearing any response, once again tapped the pendant. 「Did you say red, Luce?」 Why is it so unbelievable? Luce said to confirm. “Aide Yohan said it was orange when he found it. So, he thought it might be a color-changing toy or ornament. But was it not originally designed to change color?” 「No, if the color has changed, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. However, changing conditions…」 Rev took a deep breath and regained his calm tone as if he had never done that before. 「Will you give it back to me as you said? I think I should check it out. If it’s okay with you, I’ll go to the Osmanthus Hotel tonight.」 Although he said he would do his best to be able to see her face, she didn’t expect him to answer so readily. Anyway, it wasn’t the worst-case scenario she had imagined, so that was fortunate. But more than that, it was difficult to meet him tonight. Luce, who was about to talk about her promise to Princess Aloïse, stopped. ‘Rev doesn’t know that I have a relationship with Princess Aloise that is worthy of being alone.’ Also, he doesn’t know that the person who suffered disaster at Rodante’s harvest festival was not Ximel’s Young Master, but Princess Aloise. Can she talk about it? Luce bit her lip and thought about the line of lying. She could have easily passed it off with a vague “It’s complicated,” but she didn’t want to hide the truth from a friend she hadn’t seen in years. If she were to weigh Rev and Princess Aloise on a scale, undoubtedly Rev’s side would be heavier. The reason she wanted to talk to Princess Aloise was to find a clue, and that clue will be useful to Rev. With that in mind, Luce, who had been pondering, spoke up. “It would be nice to see you too, but I have a prior engagement today. Do you remember the princess of the Ximel family?” 「Mhm. I remember.」 “I think the princess knows something about you. In fact, the night I went to Duke Ximel’s residence, the princess came to me and asked me about you. I did pass it off, saying I don’t like discussing someone behind their back when they’re not present… I’m sorry for only telling you now.” “I’m sorry,” the voice whispered faintly. It sounded like half-explaining, half-mulling over, as if trying to understand something. 「There is no need to be sorry. There couldn’t have been a better response than the one you gave, Luce. Then, is this promise you made with Princess Aloise?」 “Mhm. It’s more like being informed, but I feel like I should go check it out anyway.” 「I see. Can you tell me when the appointment is over?」 “Sure, I’ll tell you everything she said.” He laughed quietly. 「You don’t have to. If it’s something you say based on your judgment, then it’ll always be good for me. I just…」 And he added heavily. 「…I was worried about you, so that’s why I asked.」 The words, mixed with light breathing, settled into her parched mind. That night, after meeting him, Luce had managed to hold back her tears. She focused on the immediate task at hand, even as her vision blurred. But only now, after hearing his words, did the tears she had put off seem to find their way. Her eyes hurt. Luce covered her eyes with her sleeve and took the voice she heard into her heart. 「Luce, I used to think I disliked words that beat around the bush. If there is a main point, it is better to just say the main point, and I thought that indirect language and introductions were not suited to me. That’s what I thought.」 “….” 「Why does everything you tell me sound good, Luce? Why does even the sound of your breathing sound sweet to me?」 She hoped he was asking because he didn’t know. This would explain why he doesn’t know how he feels right now, since emotions are something that even the smart Rev doesn’t know about. Luce, who held back her tears this time by pressing her red eyes, answered brightly in a slightly more serious voice. “Yeah, it’s true. It would be nice if someone could tell us.” And then a friendly farewell was exchanged. Luce looked down at the pendant that was no longer shining for a while and came to her senses when she felt something moist and rough to the touch. Nox was licking her face. “It’s strange, Nox. Why doesn’t my head hurt when I fiddle with you?” When she was talking to Yohan, her head felt like it was going to explode, but now that she was touching Nox, it didn’t hurt that much. It was the same at Dietrich’s farewell party. The effects are too immediate to be considered simply animal therapy. The absurd thought that cat allergy and headaches cancel each other out overlapped with the even more absurd thought that black cats are spirits. Maybe she should examine Nox’s fur? Can medicine be made from animal fur? Luce, who was looking at Nox sitting on a tissue with its tail wrapped around its feet, stopped her hand. ‘Wait a second.’ The tissue logo caught her eye. 「If it’s okay with you, I’ll go to the Osmanthus Hotel tonight.」 ‘…I never told Rev that I was staying at a hotel.’ Was she the only one who didn’t want to lie? Nox cried softly as it watched Luce drop her hand. Meow. Hello! You can also buy the advanced chapter in Ko-fi now, just click the ko-fi button and look for the title of the novel in shop. Thank you for your support!
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