Chapter 21 (2/2)

I put on my jacket and prepared to go to work.

*****

I remained true to my daily routine as a professor. First, as soon as I arrived at work, I analyzed my research in the lab, allowing the aftermath of morning training to subside. At noon, I went by car to eat at a restaurant.

After lunch, I came back to the tower and prepared for my 4th-period class. I then thought about alternating Allen’s syllabus books, and it was already 5 P.M. before I realized it.

“Make sure you keep the theories in mind when answering the midterm exam.”

I sat on the chair and nodded. Today, the outline and composition of the exams and the topics of the students’ projects and reports were finalized. The exam’s level of difficulty was brutal. Maybe too much so.

“Ehem.”

This was fun. Bullying the students was so fun. Imagining the wizards who would suffer from the problems I would present, I felt unnecessarily pleased, and when I saw the notebook on my desk, my pleasure turned into a strange feeling.

[Schedule Notebook]

Deculein’s itinerary, my schedule. I sighed as I swept my hair back. Ever since last week, there was an event that had been bothering me.

[9th of April]

[Death Anniversary]

It wasn’t the death anniversary of Deculein’s parents but Deculein’s fiancé, or rather, his ex-fiancé, Yuli. I wasn’t flustered since that event had already been resolved. Some time ago, when I first met Ganesha at the ‘New Year’s Flower Party,’ she clearly said, “Is it because you’re newly engaged?”

Deculein had an ex-fiancé, and I knew the whole out-of-the-game situation all too well. During a vacation’s late evening in a world now too far away, when all the company employees were crunching, the Easter eggs were brought up and discussed. Inspired by it, Yoo Ara then added a small backstory to Deculein, saying she had a brilliant easter egg, which turned out to be his first fiancé.

“After three days…”

Perhaps that was the only trace that reminded me of her in this world, those mischievous pranks she left behind as easter eggs. The things that made her smile so brightly. As I reminisced about her…

Knock knock—

Opening the door using Psychokinesis, Allen was revealed standing behind it.

“Professor, Count Freyden is here— ugh—”

While introducing the guest, he was pushed aside as a big man came in from behind him.

“Oh. I’m sorry. My size is all too large, unfortunately. Are you okay?”

“Ah, yes. Yes. I’m alright…”

Allen bowed and headed outside as Zeit looked at him softly from head to toe.

“Is that your underling?”

I nodded.

“He’s my Assistant Professor.”

“Hmm. Is that so? He seems…vague.”

He muttered strange words with his arms crossed. I looked at the clock: 5:15 in the afternoon. It was still too early for our 7 P.M. appointment. Yet Zeit smiled brightly.

“Ah! We’re going to a prominent place, you see. I couldn’t help myself. I’ve also been wanting to ride in your car.”

I knew it. The man wanted a car as a marriage gift.

*****

One of the most popular restaurants in the Empire, Pon Meschule. It was so famous that even high-ranking nobles found it hard to make reservations. However, we managed to obtain a private room on the second floor.

“Ah— uh—”

Julie constantly wriggled. She was like a baby, babbling from time to time.

“Ugh—”

For her, who had only worn armor before, dresses felt tight around her muscles and were more restraining than handcuffs. The accessories she had to wear were also continuously scratching her body.

“…Are you okay?”

Josephine watched her sister struggle as if she were a cute caterpillar.

“Yes. I’m okay.”

Julie laughed bitterly.

“You don’t look okay.”

“I’m fine.”

Josephine pouted with her hands on her chin and raised an eyebrow.

“…Liar.”

“I can tolerate it.”

“I’m not talking about your dress or this meeting. I meant the marriage.”

“What?”

“You said you didn’t want to get married.”

Her straightforward question left her fumbling for words.

“…I’m fine.”

She shook her head with a darkened expression. Josephine laughed.

“If you hate it that much, would you like to be taught a way to get out of it?”

“What do you mean?”

She placed her lips beside Julie’s ear, who naively tilted her head. She then whispered in a very small voice.

“What if you marry him then kill him? If you did that, the Yukline family would be yours, too.”

Listening to her made her feel like a snake’s tongue was flicking in her ears, causing goosebumps to rise over her body. Julie’s eyes opened wide in shock as she glared at her sister, her face reddening. It was a ludicrous suggestion that she had never even thought about, let alone would dare attempt.

“Sister! How could you say that—”

“It’s a joke. A joke.”

Josephine chuckled so hard she had to place her hand on her shoulder for support.

“There are some things you shouldn’t joke about!”

Julie pushed her hand away and, finding such retribution lacking, tried to smack Josephine with her fist. However, she couldn’t dare hit her, so she floundered around a bit instead.

“I’m just messing with my precious little sister because it’s so regrettable to waste your life on such a man. Don’t be too angry.”

“Shut up! Who in the world would kid about something so serious? That’s more akin to profanity!”

“Hmm~. I just did.”

“You! Seriously! Do you think this is funny?!”

Clang! Clang!

Infuriated, Julie slammed the table as her face reddened even deeper, causing Josephine to repeatedly apologize. Not long after, the door of the private room opened. A serene scent immediately permeated through the air, one so sophisticated that it changed the room’s atmosphere instantly. After that, the man in question appeared.

When Josephine saw him, she let out a ragged sigh, letting the sound out unconsciously in awe. His appearance and style were especially striking today.

“You must have been stared at on your way here.”

She smiled at him, but he didn’t answer. He just casually looked at the two, nodded, and sat down. Zeit, the one who arranged this whole ordeal, squeezed through the door afterward. He tilted his head when he saw Josephine.

“Hmm. You’re here too?”

“I styled my little sister, and we came here together. What do you think?”

Zeit’s eyes expressed every drop of his surprise upon seeing Julie’s dress. She loved her armor so much that this was the first time he had seen her in a dress in about a decade.

“Ah, no wonder you look gorgeous. What do you think?”

Zeit gave Deculein a proud smile as he looked at him. With Josephine’s help, Julie’s beauty was indeed on a different level.

“Julie’s my little sister, but even if she weren’t, I’d still find her beautiful. Meanwhile, you’re the same as usual, but you somehow look cooler today.”

Deculein looked at Julie without saying anything, and she looked back at him. She wasn’t certain if it was a battle of pride or not, but neither of them turned their eyes away. Across those gazes, Zeit turned sideways and laughed quietly to himself.