Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 32: The Capricious Lady

Crunch-.

Munch, Munch-.

Inside the carriage heading towards the Grand Duchy, only two types of sounds could be heard.

The sounds of two people eating their fruit.

As I stared at the frozen landscape beyond the carriage’s window, I became lost in thought.

After a while, I managed to piece together the situation. It seemed that Lumia had thrown the crest Kyle had recovered onto the ground and left the venue.

She simply left, forgetting about her promise of rewarding the winner.

That meant,

She must be furious.

I somewhat expected a negative reaction from her, after all, her ultimatum had failed.

Especially since she went as far as ‘confessing’ her love to an ‘enemy’, her pride must have taken a severe blow.

However, that neither changed my decision to remain as a withdrawer, nor did it convince me to repent for the sins I didn’t commit.

While I felt sorry for her, it would be much better for the both of us if she focused on those three instead of obsessing over a harmless bystander.

Thankfully, her actions until now have given me a good pretext to use against her in the future.

However, I sincerely hoped that it wouldn’t reach such a point.

What Lumia needs to understand is that human nature can change. Even if the very heavens deny such truth, a resolved human could prove them wrong with his change.

If she couldn’t understand that an innocent soul had been transmigrated into this body, then she would need to understand that people can change.

Of course, I didn’t wish for all her plans to fail just because of me.

But I refuse to be dragged into that mess.

I had no desire to pay for the karma that wasn’t mine.

So, my main goal wasn’t to be deliberately antagonistic.

I was merely struggling to not bite the baits she had thrown. And if this enraged her, well, so be it.

There’s no need to stage a complicated farce just to appease her.

The moment my shallow act would be seen through, the moment I showed any weakness, she would become relentless in her pursuit.

Therefore, I would show her the sincere personality of the man known as Lee Jun-Woo. And if this ‘change’ in character cracked her sky open, then it wouldn’t be my problem, but hers.

For most, being transmigrated into a villainous character was a good trade-off.

But for the possessor, whose main objective was simply to have a good and happy life, this was nothing but a curse.

So,

My plans wouldn’t change.

If she starts pelting me with arrows, I’ll seek cover. If she uses the sun to scorch me, I’ll unfold a parasol. And if she unleashes a typhoon, then I’ll retreat into a cave and wait for the storm to die out.

By enduring, dodging, and being patient, I would see the end of this Betrothal Contest, and then, we would go our separate ways.

“My Lord, what are you pondering over so deeply?”

I must have been lost in thought for a long while if Rachel felt the need to call me out of my reverie.

“Ah, just some random matters.”

“Is that so? Regardless, thank you for the fruit, I enjoyed it.”

Rachel held up the fruit’s core as she thanked me.

Since I didn’t offer her the fruit seeking her gratitude, I simply nodded. But Rachel then said,

“My Lord. May I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“You’ve been quite strange lately.”

“Ah that, I’m tired of hearing that question. Next one please.”

“......”

Rachel became utterly perplexed at my little jest, and I couldn’t help but snicker at her reaction.

“Heh-. Just kidding. Can I take this as you being interested in your disciple, teacher?”

“For educational purposes, yes.”

“Then what do you think, teacher? Does the change in your disciple seem sincere?”

Just as I asked this, a strange feeling bubbled within me.

I quickly realized this feeling was the frustration that had been slowly building up till now.

The frustration of realizing that no matter how many times I yell the truth, no one would believe that I, Jun-Woo, am stuck in this predicament.

As I felt ashamed for asking such a foolish question, I was about to switch topics, when...

“Yes.”

An unexpected reply came from Rachel.

I honestly expected something like an ‘I’m not sure’, so this caught me off guard.

And Rachel herself said so without hesitation.

“...Really?”

Ah, I let something uncool slip out.

Rachel fiddled with the fruit’s core as she continued.

“At least for now, the annex has become a peaceful place. Even the maids and other servants now have smiles on their faces. It’s almost as if another person has taken over your past self.”

Naturally, the annex where the original Elden stayed was enveloped in a constant storm of chaos.

There wasn’t a single day without shouting, screaming, or turmoil. And most of the time, the poor maids were the ones dealing with the aftermath.

Despite not being responsible for these deeds, I couldn’t help but turn my face away, looking at the carriage’s window instead.

“...That’s good to hear.”

“My Lord. May I inquire about the reason for your...Change?”

The reason.

I wasn’t an evil man who repented his past deeds and sought to turn a new leaf,

Nor do I have some grand reason,

So, while I looked at the dazzling white expanse, I answered her.

“I just want to have a good life.”

My past life was akin to a dark dungeon, where I constantly yearned for a little bit of light.

A life that, no matter how much I sought that little speck of light, I would only get enshrouded in more darkness.

But now, I have the opportunity to settle old debts and have a bright future.

So, I answered her, telling Rachel my sincere wish, and once again, she surprised me with her response.

“Then, I’ll support your wish.”

......Isn’t she being particularly friendly today?

My gruff teacher, who could go an entire day without saying a single sentence, had suddenly become a chatterbox.

“Thank you. But didn’t you think of me as ‘scum’ just a few days ago?”

Since I wasn’t one to wallow for long, I felt the need to throw a joke, so I could lighten the mood,

...But then,

Rachel looked at me with a cold and contemptuous gaze, lifting her sword towards my chest, forcing me to once again look at the window.

“That hasn’t changed.”

Ah.

I see.

Well.

At least she’s very honest, isn’t she?

**

Glance-!

Because of Elden’s evaluation, Ariel skipped her lunch and was currently engrossed in her reading, when she lifted her head.

Then, she looked towards the empty seat opposite her.

That had been Elden’s seat since they met.

‘......’

But why did seeing this empty seat... make her feel so hollow?

That seat had always been empty since she started visiting the Library, so why was she feeling this strange urge to have someone there?

Why was she waiting for someone to show up today when she knew no one would?

Ariel couldn’t understand her feelings.

‘......’

After staring blankly at the empty seat for a few moments, she focused on her book once more.

It’s ridiculous to think that only a handful of days had passed since she had a fateful encounter.

How laughable.

‘Maybe tomorrow I’ll be able to read with Elden again?’

It was utterly bizarre.

Slapping her cheeks, Ariel tried to focus on her book.

Swish-.

Swish-.

Swish-.

Glance-.

......

However, without noticing it, her gaze would always wander towards the Library’s entrance.

And in those times, she could almost see Elden, holding a book she had recommended, approaching.

......

Then, he would sit down sharing how fascinating the book was, and how it had moved him.

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

After that, he would ask for more recommendations.

Saying the exact words she longed to hear.

Ariel shook her head.

......Really.

Her imagination was so overactive today.

Perhaps...she should stop reading for today.

Ariel realized that having a reading buddy to share her thoughts, was as much pleasurable as reading an excellent novel.

She had come to know the joys of recommending books and hearing the impressions on her recommendations.

While it’s true that Elden had been her classmate, and they had met by chance, such a relationship was fated to be fleeting.

It would be unreasonable to expect something more from it.

Besides...Didn’t I tell him about the Duchess’ confession? He should be doing his best in the evaluation by now.

This morning, Ariel had come to offer her genuine support,

But now, why did she feel a slight regret as she stared at the empty seat before her?

Why would she feel hollow while staring at the empty seat, which had stood as such for weeks before their encounter?

I’m being silly.

Her actions this morning were born from the honest desire to repay the happiness he had granted her, not out of a lingering regret or disappointment.

She just wanted to help Elden and the Duchess.

Now, all that was left for Elden was to become the Duchess’ husband and achieve the glory that many only dreamed of.

They lived in different worlds.

Their standing wasn’t the same.

And now, it was time for Ariel to return to her place.

Elden would become the Grand Duke’s son-in-law. And she would return to being a lone bookworm confined in a silent library.

But, Ariel still harbored a selfish but innocent wish.

Maybe...We could still read together until the Grand Ducal Betrothal is over...?

That was her hope.

But Ariel quickly realized it was a vain one.

Ah...That’s not going to happen, right?

The only reason Elden could afford to spend time in the Library was because he was a ‘withdrawer’.

Now that he would be seriously competing in the contest, he wouldn’t be able to waste time reading novels as he prepared for the upcoming events and evaluations.

The Duchess had been kind enough to embrace him, despite his ‘lack of qualifications’.

Once the Betrothal Contest ended, Elden would become part of the Winterfell family.

And they may never meet again, so it would be for the best if Ariel returned to her old routine as fast as possible.

She would return to those lonely days.

Sigh-.

Although such a notion was disappointing, what could she do about it?

Losing her recently acquired reading buddy was sad, but it was for the best.

Honestly, with the odds stacked in his favor, it would make no sense for him to continue as a ‘withdrawer’, no?

That would be it.

Even if she was sad about it, what could Ariel even do?

Nothing.

Indeed,

She would simply continue reading her books.

Yeah.

With such thoughts, Ariel resumed her reading, when she heard people around the Library murmuring that ‘Kyle Beallon had won the second evaluation’.

As soon as she heard this, Ariel’s legs twitched beneath the table.

The people were saying that Kyle had scored the highest in the evaluation.

Fool.

Did you lose?