“……”
You heard everything and yet you came all the way to my room? Why?
Nigel looked at Eden Lake, who was carefully examining his complexion. Although he’d followed Nigel around like an assistant for a year, this was the first time he’d come all the way to his dormitory room.
Since different grade levels used different floors, from Eden Lake’s position as an underclassman, there had never been anything urgent enough to warrant coming to Nigel’s room.
Or perhaps, Nigel had been so thorough in his school life that he hadn’t created such situations in the first place.
“I was worried…”
Eden Lake broke the subtle silence between them and spoke.
“I came because I was worried. I wondered if you were unwell somewhere.”
“…I’m just a bit tired. It’s nothing to make a fuss about.”
Did he really come all the way here just to check on my physical condition? Nigel looked at his junior standing with his mouth pressed shut, imagining how exaggeratedly Lios must have explained things to Eden Lake.
Though he couldn’t yet discern the intent, he couldn’t keep leaving a guest standing like that.
“If you’re going to stay longer, sit there.”
“Yes.”
As soon as permission was granted, Eden approached the bedside as if he’d been waiting. And then he sat in the chair where Rowen had been sitting just moments ago.
“……”
“……”
Eden seemed like he would just sit there until the end if left like this.
Nigel stared for a moment at his stubbornly straight eyes behind his glasses, then let out a hearty laugh and said,
“It seems like you came here because you have something to say to me. Say it.”
“What? Ah, I didn’t come here for that…”
“Eden.”
Eden was silent for a moment. He avoided eye contact, pretending to adjust his glasses slightly with his right hand. At that behavior, Nigel thought, ‘That guy really does have other business.’
When Nigel gestured with his chin as if telling him to say something, only then did Eden speak.
“I heard a rumor. I’m curious if it’s true.”
“What is it? Is it a rumor about me?”
Nigel asked while roughly combing back his bangs that had come down slightly over his forehead, since he hadn’t prepared to go out.
“The rumor about you and Rowen Ashfield, Your Highness.”
Abruptly, Nigel’s fingers stopped combing through his hair. It wasn’t a topic he’d thought Eden Lake would come all the way to his room to ask about.
Nigel spent a moment choosing what to say about where to start explaining.
“……”
But if he didn’t explain all of those things, it would be difficult to make his being discovered in Rowen’s room understandable. The leisurely smile he’d been wearing in front of his junior crumbled slightly. True to being a perceptive junior, Eden Lake noticed it.
“Lord Nigel?”
“…Eden, I don’t know what rumor you heard, but.”
“Right now there’s a rumor going around the school that you two are dating.”
“Ah, that.”
“Senior Lios also said he didn’t know when it started.”
“……”
Lios Cesare. Surely if it was Lios, after roughly grasping the situation, he would have figured out that Nigel and Rowen weren’t truly in a ‘loving’ relationship.
“When did it start? To the point where I didn’t notice either… I didn’t know you two were in such a passionate relationship.”
Passionate. A strange light flickered in Nigel’s violet eyes. Rowen Ashfield and me.
No matter how openly Kaiserion recognized same-sex couples, Nigel had never once thought he would have a male partner. Not even now, when he’d spread the false rumor that he was dating Rowen.
The future companion Nigel had envisioned in his mind was clear. A small, delicate woman who would smile lovingly in his arms. Someone with a petite figure that would fit snugly in his embrace, someone suited to fragrant flowers. An existence he should protect and guide.
But Rowen Ashfield?
‘It’s absurd.’
Nigel nearly scoffed. Rowen was slightly taller than him, with broad shoulders forged by swordsmanship. His hands were rough with calluses, and he was a guy who smelled of sweat and iron. Far from being held, standing side by side with such a large frame that felt as stifling as two walls standing there—as my partner?
He was the existence most distant from, positioned at the complete opposite of, his ideal.
‘The guys who believe that rumor are even more impressive.’
Even if they themselves said so, does that mean everyone would readily believe it? Certainly, viewed separately, Rowen Ashfield was definitely handsome enough for everyone to aim for and had a solid background as a potential partner.
But me and Rowen Ashfield? What kind of combination is that?
Ah, there was one person who didn’t believe it. It was Veil Khalid. He was definitely suspicious of the relationship between Nigel and Rowen.
Nigel erased Veil Khalid’s fishy smile from his mind and looked at Eden before him. His most loyal junior. To deceive everyone, he had to deceive Eden Lake too.
“When did it start? Well…”
Certainly it wasn’t a complete lie. Nigel trailed off, unlike his usual self. It was an ambiguous answer.
“…I see.”
Eden’s voice sank low.
“Your Highness’s taste is like that…”
He paused as if choosing his words, then finally added,
“I never imagined you were that kind of person.”
“He’s a reliable guy to have by my side.”
There was no need to explain his ideal type in detail to Eden and put Rowen down. That wouldn’t be courteous toward Rowen, and he didn’t particularly feel like doing so.
“…Reliable…”
Eden repeated the word Nigel had used once more and clenched both fists placed on his knees tightly.
Nigel, who didn’t notice this fact, waved his hand in the air once and said,
“Anyway, stop talking about that. It’s making my head ring.”
It was a topic that would bring nothing good if continued. Eden Lake seemed to have really come to confirm that. Since when told to change the subject, he pressed his lips shut. Nigel pressed his temples as if tired.
“If that was all you were curious about, we’re done, right? Go ahead and leave.”
“…I understand.”
Eden obediently stood up from his seat.
But instead of leaving immediately, he pulled out a familiar medicine bottle from his pocket. He could see the potion inside the bottle sloshing.
“But I think I’ll feel at ease if I give you this.”
Nigel, who had been pressing the side of his forehead with his finger pretending to have a headache, directed his gaze toward the medicine bottle.
“Please take this. Since you’ve skipped taking it for several days, your headache must be severe. You need to take this to stabilize.”
Eden tilted the medicine bottle over a water glass and dropped several drops of thick, pale green liquid. The transparent water instantly became murky. Nigel stared down at the glass.
After transforming into a frog and regaining his body, the medicine felt harsh as if he were taking it for the first time, and his body was so heavy he had to rely on Hoimok for a while.
Normally he would have gratefully accepted and drunk it before resting, but not today. He had to go meet Veil soon. He needed to keep his wits about him, but if he drank this medicine, he’d obviously be knocked out. Rest was essential after taking the medicine.
But if he outright refused to take it, it would raise suspicion. Moreover, seeing Eden’s persistent gaze, he didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving before confirming the empty glass.
‘…How troublesome.’
Nigel calmly extended his hand and accepted the water glass. A cold chill transmitted to his palm.
“Thanks, Eden. For being thoughtful.”
“It’s what I should naturally do.”
Eden pushed the tray slightly toward Nigel. It was silent pressure to drink quickly.
Nigel brought the glass to his mouth. The familiar medicine smell stung his nose. Just before placing the glass to his lips, he stopped his movement abruptly. But Eden Lake didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving. Unable to help it, Nigel raised his head and looked at Eden coldly.
“…What are you looking at like that?”
“What?”
“It’s not like you’re monitoring me.”
Nigel frowned as if displeased.
“There’s no need to watch me drink medicine.”
“Ah… I apologize. That wasn’t my intention.”
“Will you leave? I want to rest quietly alone for a bit right now.”
Nigel issued an order to leave. Eden hesitated for a moment. But he had no justification to hold out while defying the Crown Prince’s order.
Eden Lake said politely,
“…Then I’ll return to the Student Council room.”
“Alright, I can’t go, but let me know if anything happens.”
Nigel added unnecessarily,
“Even if you speak through the Communication Stone, I’ll answer right away.”
He was letting him know there was no need to come all the way here. Eden Lake listened to those words and nodded very slightly. Nigel couldn’t tell whether it meant he understood or not.
“…I understand. Then have a comfortable night, Your Highness.”
Eden took in Nigel’s back once more as if reluctant, then bowed politely.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Click.
