Chapter 92: Worries (2)
Leopold sat at his empty desk, staring at an open book. For a while, he scribbled something with his pen, then let out a long sigh and set it down.
On the paper, five letters spelled out Astrid.
“…I just can’t seem to focus.”
Leopold’s gaze fell on the chair across from him, turned to face him directly. As he stared at the empty chair for a moment, another sigh escaped his lips.
“At this rate, I can’t seem to muster any motivation…”
Leopold had been dragging Astrid to empty classrooms every day after lessons, forcing her to study. Now that Astrid had left for the north, the seat across from him was unoccupied.
He recalled those quiet moments when Astrid would nod off, pen in hand.
The way she sometimes drooled in her sleep.
The way she’d snap to attention, hastily wiping her mouth, when he called her name softly: “Astie?”
With those memories, Leopold felt drained of energy.
“It’s only been a day, and I’m already like this.”
Even to him, it was absurd.
But perhaps it wasn’t so strange. When they first arrived at the academy, they had been at each other’s throats, both plotting ways to break the engagement. They hadn’t just disliked each other—they’d nearly hated one another.
“Fate sure has a sense of humor…”
“Indeed it does.”
Leopold’s eyes snapped open at the sudden voice. He was certain the classroom had been empty. Yet, sitting across from him, smiling brightly, was Veracien.
“…When did you get here, Cadet Veracien?”
“Just now.”
“I didn’t hear a sound.”
“Sisters of the Sun God train to silence their presence.”
“Why would you need such a skill?”
Leopold wasn’t well-versed in the doctrines of the Sun God. Although Einthafen’s state religion was centered on the Sun God, the nation maintained strict separation of church and state.
There was no need for Leopold to study theology, let alone know what kind of training nuns received.
But training to erase one’s presence? That sounded suspiciously like something an assassin would do. Narrowing his eyes, Leopold gave Veracien a scrutinizing look, full of suspicion.
“Oh my, you’re making me blush with that gaze,” she teased, though her smile didn’t falter. Instead, she leaned in closer, her face only inches from Leopold’s.
“What is it you want?”
“Nothing, really.”
Their gazes locked. Though they shared no special feelings, they had served together in the same squad during training. That bond, however faint, prevented the situation from feeling overly awkward.
“I was passing by and noticed you looked lonely, so I thought I’d drop in.”
“Is that so? I should get back to my studies.”
Leopold’s response was pointed, and he picked up his pen again, hoping Veracien would take the hint and leave. To reinforce the message, he began scribbling aimlessly on the paper.
“Oh my, you even wrote Astrid’s name on your paper. You must miss her terribly. Then again, given how much affection Astrid has for you, that’s only natural.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Leopold subtly slid a book over the paper with Astrid’s name on it, concealing it. He couldn’t deny it—he did miss her.
It had been only a day, but it felt much longer. He longed to hear her voice, to see her flustered, endearing expressions.
But he had no intention of indulging Veracien’s teasing.
“Well, it’s not surprising. After all, there was that commotion during training…”
“That was nothing unusual. When men and women train together, such incidents are bound to happen.”
Leopold pretended nonchalance, writing textbook content onto the paper as though it were more important than the conversation. Veracien, however, watched him with quiet amusement.
Humans were fascinating. Unlike demons, who schemed only to stab each other in the back, these humans had an entirely different charm.
Even compared to Astein, who was always concocting some convoluted plan, Leopold and Astrid’s actions were far more entertaining.
As a succubus, Veracien found the potential to witness true human affection and interaction utterly captivating.
“Well, I suppose. Still, I didn’t expect Astrid to succumb to that magic so easily.”
Her soft chuckle hung in the air. At her words, Leopold’s pen froze mid-stroke. He couldn’t recall if Veracien had been present during the incident. Yet, her tone suggested she’d witnessed everything firsthand.
“You even know what magic affected Astrid?”
“Of course. It was an emotional amplification spell, though you seemed to think it was something as crude as a lust spell.”
Leopold slowly, very slowly, set his pen down. His gaze locked onto Veracien, unwavering.
“…How do you know that? Whether you were there or not, how do you know I mistook the spell, or that it was an emotional amplification spell?”
The magical bracelet on his wrist hummed softly, its mechanism beginning to activate. This device, brought by Baizik for testing, amplified magic beyond its natural limits.
“My, how intimidating. But you can turn that off.”
Veracien’s eyes curved like crescent moons, her smile brimming with delight as she stared back at Leopold.
“Not that something like that could scare me. Surely, a composed Crown Prince like you knows what’s more important right now.”
Leopold’s gaze remained fixed on her, his hand resting on the hilt of his ceremonial sword.
Yet, after a tense moment, he lowered his hand back to the desk, and the humming of the bracelet began to fade. The light from its activation dimmed.
“Are you more curious about how I know, or who I am? Isn’t it the latter?”
Her voice brimmed with excitement, like someone who could no longer contain their secret.
“I’m just a Sister of the Sun God. As for how I know… well, of course, I know. I’m the one who cast the spell.”
Clang!
In an instant, Leopold’s sword was unsheathed, its blade aimed at Veracien’s throat with unerring precision.
Standing abruptly, Leopold gripped the sword firmly in his right hand while his left hand hovered over the bracelet, its low hum returning.
“…Reveal your identity.”
“Oh my. Didn’t I just tell you? I’m a Sister of the Sun—”
“Are you mocking me?!”
Leopold’s face flushed with anger. The magical bracelet radiated power, its energy coursing through his limbs, ready to unleash spells at a moment’s notice.
“I thought we could have a nice conversation. I even confessed to casting the emotional amplification spell to approach you,” Veracien said nonchalantly. Despite the blade at her throat, she remained composed. She casually pushed the sword’s tip aside with her finger.
“This doesn’t scare me. Now, wise Crown Prince, why don’t you sit down? By now, you’ve realized that harming me wouldn’t be a smart move. Do you think I came here to hurt you? Me? To a Crown Prince who didn’t even notice my arrival?”
“…”
Leopold maintained his wary gaze.
“Sit down, Your Highness.”
It was only after Veracien’s repeated prodding that Leopold reluctantly sheathed his sword and returned to his seat. Even then, his eyes never left her.
“Well, I figured you’d be surprised. I mean, who wouldn’t be, hearing someone casually admit to casting a spell on their beloved fiancée? Fascinating, isn’t it?”
Veracien exaggeratedly gestured as if she were marveling at the situation. To Leopold, however, her antics were anything but amusing.
“Don’t be so hostile. I’m rooting for your love with Astrid. After all, how could I hate something so beautiful? That single spell showed such intense passion, such raw emotion. How could I not want to see more?”
“…If you’re scheming something, you’d best come clean.”
At Leopold’s icy tone, Veracien feigned a crestfallen expression.
“Scheming? All I want is to witness human love in its purest form. Is that so wrong?”
Leopold, at a loss for words, could only gape at her in stunned silence.