Chapter: 383
I evaded my friends and caught a glimpse of my face in the mirror tucked away in a corridor. And I understood why everyone in the dining hall looked at me with complicated expressions.
Seeing the girl trying hard to smile while tears streamed down her face would make anyone feel that way.
I shook off the tears building at my eyes and recklessly returned to my room, leaping onto my bed.
In the room filled only with the tap-tap of the cold wind knocking on the window, my sobbing only deepened my gloom. Gradually, my emotions began to consume my reason.
[At times like this, it’s better to move your body than to lock yourself in the room.]
‘Do you think I’m not aware of that?’
If I rolled around desperately enough to the point of not being able to think, the melancholy would surely slip away naturally.
But for that, I would have to go to the training grounds, and if I went there, countless people would stare at me with those complicated eyes again.
It was obvious that both I and others would become uncomfortable, so I chose to stay locked in my room.
[You really are quite bashful.]
‘So what? That’s just who I am.’
[I’m not saying anything bad, you know.]
Ignoring the grandpa’s chuckle, the voice I had momentarily forgotten crept into my ear.
“The sight of a beautiful person in anguish. This is also a form of artistry.”
As I turned my head to follow the grotesque tone, I saw the Sloppy Fox with a grin stretching across her face.
Normally, she would have been rushing over to lick up my tears, but the current Sloppy Fox simply wore a perverted expression and didn’t move. She had been consumed by lethargy due to the arrival of winter.
I stared at the sluggishly wagging tail of the perverted fox for a moment before rising from my spot.
“Hmm? While I appreciate the tear-filled gaze, why are you coming closer? Why are your hands squirming? Stop! You wouldn’t want to get close to a beast like me!”
Even if she were a spirit, her origin was that of a beast. As long as the lethargy invoked by hibernation, a beast’s instinct, was present, the Sloppy Fox’s resistance was feeble.
Caught far too easily, the Sloppy Fox spewed nonsense as I held onto her thick fur and warmth.
Sigh.
In the end, the Sloppy Fox surrendered her resistance, allowing my touch to guide her.
“Since the lady likes you, I will offer one piece of advice.”
I remained silent and waited for her to continue. Excluding her perverted tendencies, it was rare to find a being as wise as the Sloppy Fox.
“Emotions do not vanish just by ignoring them. They only grow larger. So face them and accept them. That is the only way to move forward.”
Her voice, infused with the wisdom of the forest’s ruler, made me chuckle. Why would such an impressive creature only show a beastly form on normal days?
If she continued to act like this throughout winter, perhaps the Sloppy Fox would need to be sealed away for life.
“Ah. Of course, it would be appreciated if you could ignore any disgust directed at me. Your dislike-filled expressions boil my heart, you know? Hah. Yes. That expression right now is the best. I feel like I could die from happiness.”
Forget what I just said. This creature needs to be sealed away for life.
*
Arthur sat blankly in the dining hall while others prepared for training, recalling the earlier scene. The image of Lucy, trying hard to smile while tears fell, lingered in his mind.
The usually confident and haughty Lucy displaying such vulnerability led to numerous thoughts in Arthur’s mind.
Right. That girl definitely possesses ridiculous talent. No matter what disaster strikes, she seems utterly reliable, as if she could never crumble.
Even facing her own death, she is vividly drawn laughing that annoying smile.
However, she is a person. No matter how strong she pretends to be, she is still human.
“Joy.”
Joy, peeking out from behind a pillar, panicked upon hearing Arthur’s voice, trying to hide but slipping and falling to the floor.
Thud! The sound filled the dining hall, clearly indicating it hurt, but Joy quickly got up, her face flushed, pretending everything was fine.
“Don’t worry. Everyone else is busy preparing for training.”
“…Can’t you just pretend you don’t see me?”
“If I pretend not to see you, that whiny one will throw a tantrum.”
“Ugh.”
Hearing Arthur’s nonchalant tone, Joy, sulkily walking over, plopped down opposite him.
“This is perfect timing. There was something I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Do you know what Lucy Allen was searching for in the archipelago?”
As Arthur’s question hit, Joy stiffened for a moment, but her confusion lasted only briefly. She made a face using her magic.
“Is it related to her regaining her expression?”
However, the next question swiftly dismantled the expression Joy had just crafted.
“…Did you know all along?”
“Of course, I did.”
Arthur maintained a calm demeanor, just like when he was in the Allen Knights in the archipelago. He desperately explored her books to win a bet with Lucy.
So how could Arthur possibly be unaware of Lucy Allen’s outings?
The same went for her expressions. How could he not notice when someone who usually wore a grumpy face suddenly broke into a bright smile?
“We’ve spent enough time together, haven’t we?”
“Wow. That was a really romantic line just now.”
“Joy, do you expect me to start using vulgar language?”
“I’m sorry.”
Who does she think she is trying to bury someone? If the other knights of the Allen family heard what we just discussed, they would seriously be after my head.
Noticing Arthur frowning, Joy cautiously continued.
“But why did you pretend not to know until now?”
“Because she didn’t want to tell me.”
For reasons unknown, Lucy Allen hadn’t informed him. Thus, out of respect for her, he had pretended not to know. He was honoring her, his benefactor and mentor.
“So why now?”
“For the same reason you came to see me.”
“Huh?”
“You didn’t think I would just leave it be, did you?”
“How… did you know that?”
“It’s obvious. You look fierce but are soft on the inside, like a helpless fool.”
Arthur chuckled at Joy’s grumbling about being called a fool.
“We’ve only received from her. We should at least give back at this point.”
“…That’s what I was going to say first.”
“Haha. Fine. That doesn’t matter. But tell me what you know.”
Sigh. “First of all, I don’t know exactly what the lady was looking for on the island.”
From what other knights had mentioned, they were indeed searching for a hidden dungeon.
However, only Lucy Allen knew what it was that she sought within it. There was no way to know unless she told him.
“But I think I know why she’s feeling down.”
“What is it?”
“The anniversary of Lady Allen’s passing is approaching.”
The loss of her mother. The word “sadness,” which Arthur had experienced firsthand and couldn’t shake, made his lips tighten.
“This could be troublesome. It’s not something outsiders should interfere with.”
Still bearing the remnants of his own scars, Arthur knew with certainty that getting involved in this would only amplify Lucy’s sorrow.
“I was thinking the same, so I was seeking something that could make the lady happy, even just for a moment. But nothing came to mind.”
Arthur understood Joy’s dilemma. Given the size of her grief, anything ordinary wouldn’t be enough to shake her despondency.
No, if it’s that, then surely…
Arthur closed his eyes for a moment to continue pondering.
The answer came quickly.
Since the matter in the archipelago was concluded, fulfilling the promise with that mysterious being could be feasible.
Well, if it turns out I was mistaken, it wouldn’t be a problem. If I displease her, she would make her move.
Arthur used a modified sound-blocking spell and then opened his mouth.
“Joy, listen closely.”
“Yes.”
As Arthur lowered his voice, Joy’s expression turned serious. She figured it had to be an important matter if he cared enough to do so.
“It’s still just a speculation, but Lucy Allen doesn’t seem to be the one seeking coarse words herself.”
Arthur finished his statement and awaited Joy’s response. He wanted to see if her reaction would carry the typical stupidity he was used to.
However, Joy was nonchalant. No, not only that, she even showed a hint of disdain.
“Why are you reacting like that?”
“Excuse me, Your Highness.”
“Do you not believe me? I understand that feeling.”
“No.”
“Then hear me out. There’s a clear basis here.”
“Hey, Arthur.”
Such rudeness, a tone Joy would never use, especially considering her noble upbringing, widened Arthur’s eyes in surprise.
But disregarding that, Joy shed all her usual pretenses and continued speaking.
“Your time with Lady Allen is shorter than mine.”
“Is that… so?”
“I was the first to receive salvation from her; I became her friend first, and I trained under her first.”
“That… is a valid point.”
“But do you think I wouldn’t know that?”
Only then did Arthur realize the source of Joy’s disdain.
Right. This girl isn’t stupid, overly casual despite her sloppy facade.
In terms of relationships, she’s even more capable than he is. This was someone who had worked hard to conceal her sloppiness and become the center of young ladies.
There was no way that Joy, who thrived amidst the social circle, wouldn’t notice what I had picked up while holed up studying.
However.
However, there was one strange aspect.
If she had noticed Lucy Allen’s true self a long time ago, then why?
“Why did you pretend not to know?”
“I’ll return your earlier words: Because you didn’t inform me.”
“…Because you didn’t tell me.”
“Right. Since the lady didn’t inform me, I merely observed her.”
Arthur was unaware, but Joy knew a different Lucy Allen.
The one who stirred up all sorts of turmoil in the social circle.
Joy at that time only considered that behavior as Lucy’s temperament.
But what if that wasn’t Lucy’s true nature?
What if she was merely crying out for help?
What if she’d only been trying her hardest to appear strong amid countless criticisms?
Would it be right to tear off the mask she desperately wore?
As Joy wiped her face, her usual calmness returned.
“Then let’s find another way. Your Highness.”
Joy wouldn’t say a word until she found assurance in her doubts.
She would remain silent to protect the resolve Lucy had once possessed, should it ever emerge.
“…I see.”
Arthur nodded weakly.
“So what should we do?”
Just then, a sudden presence caught his attention, making him turn his head.
Frey Kent was looking up at him with innocent eyes.
“When did you arrive?”
“Just now.”
“The area should have been sealed off.”
“I cut through it. It was sloppy.”
Arthur gritted his teeth at Frey’s nonchalant words.
