Chapter 141: Was that... a Confession?

I looked at Lucas bewildered, but he only had a satisfied expression as he looked at me buried among the flowers he summoned.

"They're much prettier than that flower."

"Aren't they the same flower though?"

"They're not the same?"

Hey, is this guy playing with me right now? These flowers are obviously the same, how can they be different!

But this is really strange. Come to think of it, wasn't it like this in the carriage at that last picnic too? After I removed my gloves, he had done the same thing.

At that time, the gloves, which touched Ijekiel, were dirty, and now, he doesn't like the flowers Cabel Ernst gave me...

At that moment, I suddenly thought, 'What?'

"Lucas, you... ..."

"Oh, what? You don't need to be so thankful, it's not a big deal to me anyway."

"That's not it... ..."

"So, if you want something, just tell me. Don't go accepting stuff from someone else for no reason."

After hearing those words, I was like, 'Huh?'. Now I'm more curious.

"And don't give anything to anyone else either. It's annoying to have to go and deal with it."

As he said that, Lucas narrowed his brows for a moment as he thought again about what he was thinking. I was stunned and suddenly asked a question.

"What did I give to who?"

"You gave experimental materials to that old man in the tower."

Oh, you mean the hair? The tower head's grandfather said he was experimenting with it these days, I guess Lucas also heard the news. But what do you mean by deal with it? What the hell is this?

"When I first heard about it, I felt even worse than I had expected."

Lucas said, pulling a single flower out of the pile. He still had a smile on his face, but I was startled to notice the coldness in his eyes. It wasn't until then that I realized that the reason he came here today was to say this.

"Well, it's just a strand of hair."

"Yeah, it's just one strand of hair."

I made excuses without realizing it. Honestly, whatever I give to anyone is my choice! Uh-huh, but I was honestly a little scared since Lucas' mood right now was unusual.

"So I thought I'd just kill them all."

Lord, you wanted to kill? Who? Chief Grandpa?!

"In the end, I just overturned their lab."

I was relieved to hear that. Of course, I didn't think that Lucas would really kill Chief Grandpa, but what he said just now seemed a bit sincere so I guess I got nervous without realizing it.

"I had a feeling that you wouldn't like it if I killed them all."

"Yes! A person must be able to control their anger to become a true adult..."

"But thinking about them has made me feel terrible again."

What?!"

Who's this unpredictable guy? Why do you feel bad when everything's going well?! But at Lucas' next words, I felt strange.

"This means that, without my knowledge, you have become like a 'restriction' to me."

"Lucas..."

"It makes me feel uncomfortable because I feel like I've got a weakness."

"It makes me uncomfortable since it feels like I have a weakness now."

I was speechless and just stared at the face that was facing me.

"So, don't take anything from anyone and don't give anything to anyone."

Whoa.

The flower in Lucas' hand instantly turned into white ash and flew into the air.

"Since I don't know what I'll do next."

As he finished that sentence, Lucas looked at my face again and disappeared. On the empty seat he left, the petals of ash fell silently.

I thought blankly while buried among the piles of flowers.

Lucas... Hey you, did you just confess to me...?

* * *

Huh, really Lucas, are you saying you don't know him even if you do know him?

I was contemplating that travelogue of Lucas I saw yesterday. The obvious nuances of confessions are absurd, but the truth is this, 'This is a confession! Verdict! Tang-tang!'. But then, something made me tilt my head.

Perhaps it's because the target was Lucas, who has received the nickname "Kamto". Since I'm usually the one who says that's his or her own, I wondered if he was only doing that out of possessiveness.

However, the moment the word "possession" came to mind, I was startled. Gee, is it because of the mood? Doesn't that word sound a bit strange? Does it feel any good? Besides, those subtle words that implied I was his weakness...

"Princess, how have you been? May the prosperity of Obelia be with you."

While I was walking alone, deep in thought, someone from the other side greeted me.

"Long time no see, Duke Alpheus. How have you been?"

I smiled at Duke Alpheus, who I had met in the Imperial Palace after a long time. Then, he looked at me and started talking with a smile on his face.

"Thank you for your concern. I just can't help but admire the Princess' beauty, which is getting brighter day by day."

"It seems like Duke Alpheus is also getting younger day by day."

Hahahaha. We briefly greeted each other in a seemingly friendly way.

"Are you going to see the Chief of the Tower?"

"Yes, that's right."

At the same time, Mr. White coughed heavily and said in a soft voice.

"Actually, my son is in the Imperial Palace right now."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I heard that some members of the delegation met alumnis who they studied together with while studying in Arlanta."

"Okay."

And now, it was obvious as to why Roger Alpheus was saying this since he didn't get the reaction he wanted. When I answered solemnly, Duke Alpheus wrinkled his eyebrows once.

Now that I look at it, it's like he's going, 'How dare you react like that to our Ijekiel! I can't believe it!'. After all, there's no other person, besides me, who would have such a boring reaction to Ijekiel being nearby.

If it were any other young girl, then they'd be running with their skirts fluttering right away.

But I was having more fun making of fun Mr. White. However, Roger Alpheus, who realized that the news of Ijekiel's visit did not affect me, played a different card.

"Hmmm. Jennette, that child, is with him right now as well so if they called for me, I'd happily run there."

"Is Miss Margarita in the Imperial Palace right now?"

"Yes, that's right."

This worked a bit better. In fact, after the last tea party, Jennette didn't come to the Imperial Palace for various reasons, even when I called.

That's why I wanted to visit her myself for once, but in the end, Claude gave me the 'Let's use the magic formula to grow seeds as efficiently as possible!' quest, so I wasn't able to meet her since I was busy with that.

"The Imperial Palace is large so it's difficult to find someone here, but if you send people..."

"Since my magic powers aren't restricted within the Imperial Palace, it'd be easy for me to find someone if I wanted to. Actually, I don't normally use magic, but..."

Whoops. Frankly, it wasn't really my style to speak out like this and show off, but it was different with Mr. White.

"That won't be necessary. After all, if you use your magic, then you'll immediately be able to tell where someone is."

Maybe I unconsciously wanted to warn him that I'm different from the Athanasia in the novel, who had no powers or abilities, so he shouldn't act hastily with me.

"She's in the gymnasium used by the Knights."

That's why I'm using my magic like it's for a performance! As I flicked my fingers, a dazzling flash of light erupted like flames and swiftly passed by in front of Duke Alpheus.

I smiled broadly at him, who was looking at the afterimage of that light and said. Then he immediately looked at my face for a moment without showing his thoughts and smiled broadly as well.

"As your subject, I'm truly happy that the Princess' already exceptional abilities are improving day by day."

Hmm. I looked at him for a moment with narrowed eyes, then turned away with a smile on my face.

"I think it'd be a good idea to stop by the gymnasium for a walk. You should go see Alpheus before it's too late. Then, may Obelia's blessing be with you."

"Peace be with you in Obelia."

I started walking away after talking with Mr. White.

"Princess, are you going to the gym?"

"Well..."

When Felix, who was following behind me, asked that question, I answered shakily. I only wanted to meet Jennette but because of Mr. White, I was embarrassed.

For some reason, looking at what they've been doing for several years, it would seem like they were very friendly to me but still. Besides, Jennette isn't alone, Ijekiel's also there...

I was originally on my way to the Tower but to get to my destination, I had to pass by the grounds used by the Imperial knights. But until I reached there, I decided to think more about it and kept walking.

What? By the way, if Jennette and Ijekiel are together right now, then that means they'll meet Cabel Ernst, right?

Huh, so it's finally time for the female protagonist and second male lead's first meeting? Then, this is when Cabel Ernst says 'Fall in love!' to Jennette, right? I'm curious why!

"Felix, let's stop by the gym for a bit."

"Yes, Princess."

Just stopping by means that I want to go along with the attendants behind me. I wanted to satisfy my curiosity, but I really didn't want them to stand out.

"Ha! Yap!"

At the gym, the knights were training hard today too. I moved quietly as I listened to the roaring cheers.

Oh? Is it because of the mood? Does it seem like the knights' spirits are stronger today for some reason?

But when I got a little closer, I realized why.

Aha, a pretty girl is watching them so that's why they're so full of energy, right?

When I saw Jennette, with her long brown hair fluttering under her lace parasol, I thought she looked even prettier next to the knights.

After all, even if the courtiers came and took a look at the hall, one could very clearly see that the knights were keeping this angel under close watch, even more so if the target was Jennette, a lady even among ladies.

Why isn't something like that in romance novels? A fantasy where a knight makes a vow to a noble lady. I thought of that as I recalled the romance novel I read just yesterday.

"According to the command! One, two!"

"One, two!"

"Horizontal cut! Ouch!"

"Ugh!"

However, unlike the Imperial Knights, who were training according to commands, there was a group of people who seemed to be doing a free match in one corner.

Oh, that's Cabel Ernst and Ijekiel, right? Now that I look at it, they're the ones Jennette is looking at. So all these Knight Oppas are doing so much for nothing right now! Aww, how salty!