Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 24: Encouragement And Conciliation

“My Lady, you wish to speak with Lady Ariel?”

Gelwood asked with a puzzled expression.

Ever since the finalists had been chosen, a series of questionable events had started to unfold.

Those four men didn’t deserve to become a part of the Grand Duke’s family, and ironically, all the finalists had graduated from the Royal Academy as the top students in the same year.

The Third Northern Duchess, Lumia was a woman of keen insight, as such, her decisions were always made based on logic or for a goal.

However, as time passed, Gelwood became doubtful of her judgment.

But as a mere Advisor, he couldn’t dare to openly question the Duchess’s decisions, he could only hope that she would choose the lesser of evils among the four.

Then, one of the four finalists declared his withdrawal.

Following Her Grace’s incomprehensible decision, one of the finalists was also overtaken by lunacy.

This marked the beginning of his doubts.

Furthermore,

“Ah, one more thing, Advisor. I want him under watch, at all times.”

Another doubt was added to the pile.

Elden Raphelion declared his withdrawal.

Since this was an unprecedented event, there weren’t any rules dictating the proper protocol, so they had no way to either prevent him from leaving or enforce some punishment.

Above all, there was no reason to accept or reject his withdrawal.

In such a contest, there would be no meaning to force someone who had lost his will to participate.

Thus, Gelwood couldn’t comprehend the Duchess’s decision to hold on to a withdrawer, and even more so, put him under watch.

Out of curiosity, he had investigated the events surrounding ‘Erenscia Velroc’s’ time at the academy, but he was unable to find anything of importance.

The Duchess’s interest seemed to be solely on Elden, completely ignoring the other three.

Gelwood wondered if such a thing had been Elden’s plan all along, but his eyes were honest and his following actions strongly supported his claim for withdrawal.

It appeared as though he had completely lost interest in the Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest.

Elden Raphelion forsook any sort of preparation for the official schedule, instead, he would spend his time reading books in the library or venturing into the city to eat commoner’s food.

Gelwood had even reported such findings to his Lord, the Grand Duke, but the man had simply delegated all the decision-making to his daughter, Lumia.

What could be the reason for the Duchess’s obsession?

Why would she show such interest in the candidate who had withdrawn?

Moreover, even if Elden was declared the winner, since he had already declared his withdrawal, there was no legal basis to enforce a betrothal on him.

No matter the power of the Grand Duchy, forcing someone unwilling into marriage was not only legally impermissible, but it would also create a public incident that they must avoid at all costs.

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Especially while other candidates still remained in the fray.

Gelwood’s doubts continued to pile up.

As such, he had no choice but to ask,

“My Duchess, forgive my bluntness. But may I inquire about the reason for monitoring Sir Elden Raphelion even after his declaration of withdrawal? I wonder if I might have missed something.”

Lumia then answered Gelwood with a question of her own,

“What do you think of Elden’s declaration of withdrawal?”

As the mastermind behind the Grand Ducal Betrothal Contest, Lumia must have noticed something strange in Elden’s actions, prompting her query.

“Well...If this was a strategy to exploit a loophole in our rules...I’d say it’s succeeding brilliantly. But that doesn’t seem likely.”

“So, do you believe he’s being genuine?”

“As of now, My Duchess, I indeed do.”

“What about his strange behavior? The changes he’s exhibiting?”

Cough-.

Trying to buy himself some time, Gelwood coughed.

Strange behavior, unexpected changes.

It was something even his prodigal insight found hard to define.

“I...I’m not sure. There’s a possibility it’s all part of his strategy...However, his changes in personality and behavior seem genuine, so it’s difficult to define.”

His withdrawal was genuine.

As well as his changes.

Gelwood wasn’t sure how Elden Raphelion graduated at the top of his class, but one piece of information he easily came across had been his hatred for books.

Yet, the reactions displayed as he read the books inside the Grand Library...How he would laugh, mourn, and be moved was certainly authentic.

Especially his discussions with Lady Ariel, those talks would sometimes be serious and even heated.

And this made his watcher’s report all the unbelievable.

One might think he had simply discovered new interests, but such a conclusion appeared to be unsatisfactory.

“Right?”

It seemed as if the Duchess had anticipated such an answer from him.

“Do you know something, My Duchess?”

“Currently, we have nothing on him. Despite being under watch, his intentions, thoughts, reasons...We don’t know anything about him.”

“...My Duchess, is there truly a reason for finding out? If it’s a strategy for currying your favor, we could simply remain uninvolved, and if he’s sincere, there’s always the option of letting him go, no?”

“No. I cannot tolerate even a single withdrawal.”

Lumia’s tone was harsh and decisive.

There was a hint of something in her voice, and Gelwood could sense the reason for her obsession lurking within.

Anger.

Such anger seemed to stem from either a twisted love or a deep-rooted sorrow.

What sort of past experiences compelled the Duchess? What kind of misfortune entangles them all?

Gelwood cautiously opened his mouth.

“However... even if we force participation from those who abstain, I doubt the situation will change....”

Surprisingly, Lumia smiled brightly at him.

It was a smile fuelled by the unyielding persistence of a person seeking the truth.

“I have no intention of forcing anyone.”

“What?”

“I’ll ignite his will through encouragement and persuasion.”

“What does that mean...?”

Perhaps [Love] might clue her in on a way to solve such a bizarre problem.

And after finding a crack in such an impregnable fortress, she would reclaim the answer hiding behind its walls.

There is no problem in this world without a solution.

No question without an answer.

As she continued to smile, Lumia handed a note to Gelwood.

“Please deliver this to Elden Raphelion.”

“And may I know what this is, My Duchess?”

The note contained a [ Secret ] for tomorrow’s event. A biased support that would serve to encourage him, a temptation he couldn’t refuse.

**

Click~ Clack~

“Hmm~ hmm~”

Joyful steps.

A refreshing pace.

And a shooting tune.

Sensing such a cheerful atmosphere, the guard who stood at the Library gates couldn’t help but ask the motive,

“Something good happened, My Lady?”

“Huh?”

“You seem unusually lively today.”

Usually, Ariel would leave the Library at closing time, with a tired complexion.

Her face would be haggard and her strides, heavy.

As such, her cheerful demeanor today was enough to spark the guard’s curiosity.

Creak-.

Stopping in her tracks, Ariel turned around and pointed at herself with her index finger.

“Me? I look lively?”

...Was there any need to ask that?

As the guard nodded, Ariel tilted her head, confused.

“Hmm~ Really? I feel normal?”

“The spirit may have been lively, but the body was tired.”

“Is that so?”

It must have been the meal that had prevented her energy from depleting.

Though it was a somewhat late lunch, the meal she had in the Great Hall was splendid.

Of course, for a lady of Elrond County, it was just an ordinary meal, but the company and the conversation about books made it exceptional.

At least, she would no longer suffer from hunger, making it easier to focus on the books, enabling Ariel to exceed her reading plan.

Despite the time wasted on her meal, Ariel’s reading speed had increased compared to yesterday.

This revelation was somewhat ironic, but Ariel couldn’t help but be pleased.

With a quicker reading speed, Ariel would be able to accomplish her goals in the North and embark on the next phase of her reading journey, welcoming the warm embrace of the Southern region.

I wonder if Elden enjoyed his training?

Suddenly, Ariel’s thoughts wandered towards Elden.

It was undeniable that her reading time had improved because of him. And since he had become a reading buddy, it was natural that she would think of him.

And it was also just as natural that she recalled the feeling of something being amiss when she saw Elden heading to the training grounds with Knight Rachel.

Moreover, his escort was the object of admiration of many, a hero who had swayed countless hearts with her tale.

Meeting Elden was joyful, but for a bookworm, meeting a hero from the novels in the flesh was of immense pleasure.

Since he’ll have an evaluation tomorrow, we won’t be able to meet...Perhaps I should watch his training the day after, then?

Yes.

That was a good idea.

After all, wasn’t she curious?

How majestic [ The Purple Knight ] was when she wielded her sword?

She would have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch it. And after seeing for herself, she would be able to tell her maids how impressive it was.

They’d be utterly astonished and envious of her, wouldn’t they?

With such resolve, Ariel quickened her pace as she reached her lodgings.

Her first instinct had been to head straight to her quarters and bathe.

Finishing her bath, Ariel was in the middle of her evening snack when her maid reached out to her.

“My Lady?”

“Hm?”

“You have a visitor?”

“At this hour? Who is it?”

Indeed, who could it be?

After all, there was no one that Ariel knew of, that would visit her at this hour in the Northern Lands.

“They were wearing a deep hood, so I couldn’t see, but they said they were your classmates from the Royal Academy?”

Ah.

“Elden?”

Thud-.

Forgetting about her snack, Ariel, with a delighted face, put down her spoon and went to greet her visitor.