"This is yours?
"Yes, so give it to now"
As I stood there, bemused by the absurdity of the situation, it beca clear that this wasn't just a simple misunderstanding. This girl, with her unabashed deanor and unwavering determination, was adamant that the book in question belonged to her.
But as much as she insisted, the truth remained glaringly obvious: the book was not hers. Tears of Chronos was a unique item that wasn't specifically designed for her scenarios, although later on her story she will stumble her very own unique item together with Lucas. With a shake of my head, I attempted to reason with her. "I don't think so," I replied, hoping to diffuse the tension that was beginning to bubble between us.
Her response was swift and forceful, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Huh! What are you talking about? That book is mine! Give it to now!"
Despite her persistence, I couldn't help but find the situation more comical than anything else. It was clear that she truly believed what she was saying, regardless of the glaring evidence to the contrary.
But then again, she had always been one to follow her own convictions, no matter how unconventional they may seem.
As I glanced at the book cover, her sudden outburst caught off guard.
"Ah, wait, don't look!" she cried out, her cheeks flushing with embarrassnt.
But it was too late. My curiosity had already been piqued, and I couldn't resist taking a closer look.
Dodging her futile attempt to snatch the book away, I couldn't help but almost chuckle as I read the title aloud, "How to Win Over Your Childhood Friend's Heart...?"
The realization washed over , and I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in amusent.
'So, this really wasn't the Tears of Chronos I was looking for?'
I muttered inwardly; my disappointnt evident as I examined the book in my hands.
'But the color and the cover of the book were the exact match as it was in the ga though...'
Despite my certainty that the color and cover of the book matched exactly as it was in the ga... to think it was just so random romance book.
"G-give it to please...." Janica's voice trembled with embarrassnt, her anger palpable despite the blush that still stained her cheeks.
As the onlookers in the library began to take notice of the commotion, she ignored them completely, her focus solely on reclaiming her misplaced dignity.
Did she actually buy such an embarrassing book?
Sohow, I felt a sorry for her... I knew she would do anything to win over Lucas's heart, but to rely on a book about it... sohow, it made her look both sad and cute at the sa ti.
Though, I didn't think she shared the sentint with right now, given the death glare she was giving .
In the ga, there really wasn't much to show about her personality as it was quite open and not open at the sa ti?
But I didn't think she would be doing things like this just behind the screens. Even if you pursued her route in the ga, things like this weren't shown, although so were ntioned, it was never really shown.
Romancing her in the ga wasn't exactly rocket science as well.
As a bona fide 'Tsundere' deciphering her true feelings was often a delicate dance of decoding her words and actions. Despite her tendency to spout off the most cutting remarks, there was always a hint of vulnerability lurking beneath the surface.
But this ti, there was no mistaking the hostility in her gaze.
'She hates now.'
And for her, it was undoubtedly a double blow to her pride. As a noble, even if she was on the lower end of the hierarchy, she still clung to the dignity and poise expected of her station.
It wasn't just her pride as a noble that was wounded-it was her sense of self-worth. To be caught in such a vulnerable mont, especially in public, must have been devastating for her.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy. Despite her tough exterior, she was still human, with feelings and insecurities just like anyone else. And now, faced with the fallout of this embarrassing revelation, it was clear that she was struggling to maintain her composure.
Now that I found out sothing like this, she probably either wants to kill now or herself in embarrassnt.
To think she would go this far though... I didn't think she would be doing things like this behind the scenes. After all, I couldn't imagine her acting in such a manner with all the prideful acts she puts on.
Now I understood why she cried so much in the ga when you cut off her route and choose another girl.
The way she begged for forgiveness, the way she tried her best to get back with the main protagonist, and the way she offered herself as a sacrifice for Lucas in the end... This girl really was madly in love with Lucas to the point where she would rely on a book like this.
At first, I thought her tsundere antics and possessive personality were just annoying.
But thinking about the amount of effort she puts into ensuring her love cos true, makes appreciate her more now.
If only she were a bit more honest with her feelings, then a smoother relationship progress with Lucas would've happened.
As I slowly handed her the book, her reaction caught off guard.
The disdain in her eyes was palpable, her glare cutting through like a knife. But as our eyes t, I was taken aback by the sight of her flushed cheeks and lowered gaze.
"You... you're a classmate, right?" she stamred, her voice barely above a whisper.
I nodded silently, unsure of what to say in the face of her obvious embarrassnt. "Don't tell anybody about this, got it?" she said, her tone serious, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.
Despite her stern warning, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusent at the sight before . Here was this girl, so fierce and proud, reduced to a blushing ss over a simple misunderstanding. It was almost endearing in its own way, like catching a glimpse of her
vulnerable side.
Suppressing a chuckle, I nodded solemnly. "Got it" I replied, doing my best to maintain a serious expression despite the urge to smile.
And as she hurriedly snatched the book from my hands, her cheeks still afla with embarrassnt, I couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of fondness for her.
Despite her harsh exterior, she was just like anyone else-vulnerable, flawed, and desperately
trying to protect her pride.
Initially, I hadn't planned to get involved in the intricacies of the other girls' routes. But now that I found myself inadvertently caught up in Janica's dilemma, I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility to set things right.
"I'm truly sorry, milady," I began, bowing my head slightly in deference to her. "To think I would make such a mistake. It's just that the book seed very similar to what I was looking
for."
Her reaction was imdiate, a mix of surprise and confusion. "H-huh? M-milady?" she stamred, clearly caught off guard by the title.
It was one of Janica's many weaknesses-her desire to be treated with the grace and dignity befitting her noble status. As soone who took imnse pride in her lineage, any suggestion that she was anything less than a proper lady could easily fluster her. "U-uh, are you a noble, perhaps?" she ventured tentatively, her uncertainty evident in her
voice.
"Yes," I replied calmly, eting her gaze with unwavering sincerity. "Please don't worry about today's events. Not a single word will co out of my mouth, I swear it on my family's
na."
For nobles, their family na was sacred-a symbol of honor and integrity. By invoking my family's na in my oath, I hoped to convey the seriousness of my commitnt to keeping her secret. It was a gesture of trust and respect, one that I hoped would reassure her of my
sincerity.
Although my assistance didn't alter the situation drastically, it seed to have a calming effect on Janica, at least montarily, amidst the chaos of the ordeal.
"I-I see. Thank you," she said, a hint of relief evident in her voice, though her skepticism lingered. Despite her lingering doubts, she seed genuinely grateful for the reassurance. "Uh-uhm, if it's not too much to ask, may I know your na, sir?" she inquired tentatively, her mannerisms mirroring those of a noble, albeit with a touch of uncertainty. Suppressing a laugh, I introduced myself, amused by her attempt to maintain the facade of nobility. "Riley, Riley Hell," I replied, watching her closely for any sign of recognition. "Riley Hell..." she murmured, her brow furrowing slightly as she attempted to place the na. But as expected, the Hell family wasn't exactly renowned for its prestige or prominence. We were rely counts of a remote border region, far removed from the glitz and glamour of high society.
"I'm Janica, Janica Mortelina," she said, her smile brightening as she extended her hand in
greeting.
In accordance with noble etiquette, I took her hand and placed a gentle kiss upon it.
The gesture elicited a blush from Janica, but her smile remained, illuminating her features
with genuine warmth. It was clear that playing the part of a noble held a special allure for her - a longing born from years of isolation and longing for a world she had only glimpsed from
afar.
Considering there weren't really much noble families close to her hotown this was probably the first ti she could act as such.
With ti ticking away, I knew I had to find a way to gracefully exit the conversation and
continue my quest for the Tears of Chronos. Luckily, I had just the thing to divert Janica's attention and make my escape.
"By the way, Lady Janica, could that book be for Lucas?" I asked casually, hoping to steer the conversation in a different direction.
"H-huh? What are you talking about? How could this book be for L-Lucas? Sure, we're
childhood friends, but there's no way-... wait, how do you know Lucas?" Janica's tone shifted from embarrassnt to curiosity in an instant.
"I've beco acquainted with him recently," I replied smoothly, keeping my expression
neutral. "Based on my initial impression of you two, I thought perhaps the two of you were lovers, but I guess that's not the case?"
"R-really?... I-I an, how could you think such a thing? There's no way I would be like that towards a commoner, you know," she protested, though her eyes betrayed a hint of amusent.
If only she could be more honest with her feelings instead of avoiding eye contact or trying to mask her emotions with that telltale smile. Her reaction was as transparent as glass, and it
only served to confirm my suspicions.
"Do you like Lucas, Lady Janica?" "HUH? Th-there's no way," she stamred, her denial ringing hollow.
It was becoming increasingly clear that honesty wasn't Janica's strong suit. But before I could
delve any deeper into the matter, I decided to throw in one final question to test her reaction.
"Then you're fine with Princess Snow claiming him?"
"Huh?"
Janica's confusion was evident, and for a brief mont, I detected a flicker of sothing in her expression-a hint of uncertainty, perhaps?
But just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished, replaced by a mask of indifference. "What are you talking about?" Janica's question ca quick and sharp, her surprise evident.
"Perhaps you didn't know? Lucas and the princess are having a very splendid lunch date right now," I revealed, a small smile playing on my lips as I watched her reaction closely.
"I see..."
Her response was clipped, and I noticed her grip on the book tightening, causing it to crumple
slightly in her hands.
'Damn...'
I couldn't help but marvel at her strength-just how strong was she? I guess that's to be
expected of a top knight student?
Probably around a C to B rank strength stat?
As Janica slowly made her way towards the cafeteria, she glanced back at .
"Sir Riley"
"Please, Riley is enough."
"Th-then you can call Janica," she added, her cheeks flushing slightly as she bowed her
head.
"Thank you," she whispered softly, her expression one of genuine gratitude, before hurriedly trying to make her escape.
Watching her hurried retreat, I couldn't help but feel a rush of amusent.
She was like a whirlwind of contradictions-fierce yet vulnerable, stubborn yet endearing. It
was enough to make want to laugh out loud, but I managed to restrain myself. After all,
we were still in the library, and decorum had to be maintained.
But as I watched Janica disappear into the crowd, a sense of longing stirred within . She
truly was a captivating woman, and I couldn't help but wonder what drama would unfold with
Lucas right now.
However, I had to remind myself of my priorities.
Tears of Chronos... I made this item wait long enough. 'Now then where is that book?'
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