Amid the noise, her thoughts gradually drifted far away.
The Great Emperor of St. Romanvia and Grand Duke Lucifiel were discussing important matters.
"Your Majesty, the encroachment of the abyss-kin is becoming increasingly terrifying."
"You've worked hard, Roman," the Great Emperor of St. Romanvia said slowly, putting down his imperial majesty before his old friend. "Compared to us, the situation on the dragons' side is even more precarious, but..."
...
"Who are you?"
"Why are you in my family's garden?"
The boy, who was admiring the flowers, slowly turned his head to look. A girl of a similar age stood not far away. With short golden hair and azure eyes, even at such a tender age, she had already displayed the budding air of a future breathtaking beauty, like a flower bud about to bloom.
"..."
The boy did not respond.
After looking her over, his golden eyes refocused on the gorgeous flowers, which held far more attraction for him. Though his face was youthful, it bore a composure and indifference unbefitting his age. The girl's arrival failed to move him in the slightest; it was as if, in his eyes, she was not even as important as a pretty blossom.
Seeing his cold attitude,
the girl pouted, her displeasure written plainly across her face.
Ever since she could remember, everyone revolved around her, and no one ever ignored her. It had even given her young mind the illusion that the world revolved entirely around herself, and that everyone else viewed serving her well as an honor and a privilege.
"Why aren't you answering me?"
The girl put her hands on her hips and spoke angrily.
At this, the boy merely turned his head back again. Only after a long moment did he speak: "I came with my father."
It was a very short sentence, devoid of emotion.
"Are you Uncle Roman's son?"
Hair as pure as white snow and golden eyes—these distinct features immediately made her think of Grand Duke Lucifiel, who often came to visit her imperial father.
"Mhm."
"My name is Sylvia y Romanvia. What about you?"
A childish, pure voice rang out.
"Roland Morningstar Lucifiel."
"I heard my imperial father say that Uncle Roman's magic is amazing," Sylvia chattered away before asking curiously, "So you must know magic too, right?"
As soon as the words left her mouth,
under Sylvia's excited gaze, a gem-like prism of frost slowly condensed in Roland's palm. It spun in his hand, reflecting the sunlight. For a moment, the light reflected into the girl's eyes, and the figure mirrored within was none other than Roland.
"Do you know anything else?"
"Like... something that goes boom!"
"I do."
"Then can you show me?"
"No."
"Fine." Sylvia huffed discontentedly, then asked, "Do you want to be friends with me?"
"..."
Roland said nothing.
However, the subtext was obvious: he did not.
Seeing his increasingly cold attitude, Sylvia felt a wave of grievance. Her rims turned red, and she asked, "Why? There are so many people who want to be my friend... and I even took the initiative to be friends with you."
"That's them. I am me."
Roland spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He did not soften his words in the slightest for her feelings.
Repeated rejections made Sylvia doubt herself. Pure, mixed emotions took root in her young heart. Her eyes gradually shimmered as tears welled up within them. Her vision blurred, and tears betrayed her, spilling from the corners of her eyes.
"Why are you like this?"
Her voice trembled, thick with tears.
Having never been treated like this before, Sylvia could no longer contain herself. She wiped her tears continuously with her hands. The commotion drew the surrounding servants, and the Great Emperor of St. Romanvia and Duke Lucifiel, who had just finished their discussion, shared a knowing smile at the sight.
"Oh my, who made my little princess cry?"
The Great Emperor of St. Romanvia stepped forward and picked Sylvia up directly, his tone gentle yet laden with subtle implication.
"It's him, this big meanie!"
Sylvia pointed at Roland.
"Is that so?" The Great Emperor of St. Romanvia stroked her smooth golden hair and asked with interest, "What did he do to you?"
"I just wanted to be friends with him."
Sylvia's eyes were red.
At this moment, Grand Duke Lucifiel stepped forward, patted Roland's head, and gave him a gentle nudge forward. "Apologize to Her Highness the Princess at once."
"Sorry."
In truth, neither the Great Emperor of St. Romanvia nor Grand Duke Lucifiel was angry; instead, they found it amusing. After all, it was just childish bickering.
Sylvia looked at Roland's eyes, which still lacked much emotion.
Stubbornly, she buried her head into her imperial father's chest.
Here, the memory ended. Sylvia's thoughts returned to reality. She looked toward the young man in the corner of the banquet hall. As if sensing her gaze, he turned to look at her at that exact moment. For a brief instant, time seemed to stand still, as those golden eyes overlapped perfectly with the indifferent gaze in her memory.
Except this time, there was a touch of amusement in his eyes.
She lowered her head, pretending as if nothing had happened.
For all these years, Sylvia had been keeping an eye on Roland. She scoffed at the rumors about his lack of talent. How could a genius capable of completing spellcasting at such a young age be talentless? It was merely the work of jealous minds.
"There are so many people here, why keep looking at me?"
In the corner, Roland muttered casually.
He had naturally noticed her gaze casting over to his side from time to time. Unlike the flattering looks from others, hers held an inexplicable meaning. Thus, Roland quickly sensed this emotionally charged gaze, feeling somewhat bewildered in his heart.
"Have I offended her before?"
Soon, the exchange gathering was half over.
Philip would return every now and then to chat briefly with Roland.
He also brought other nobles over to discuss questions regarding the entrance exam.
"Don't know."
"Not clear."
"Not familiar."
"I don't need to take the exam."
Roland bypassed them directly with these all-purpose answers.
In reality, he truly didn't know or care.
Of course, this referred to the test that Roland originally didn't need to take.
Asking an exempted student to study this year's tough questions—and ones that might not even be on the test—was, setting aside whether it had any point, far too much fuss over nothing as far as Roland was concerned. He couldn't even be bothered to converse with them. Just as the others departed, several figures stepped up to stand before him, instantly casting shadows across the entire table.
"Roland?"
"Hmm?"
Roland looked up in confusion.
The voice belonged to Aixi Winster. Beside her stood the aloof Princess, accompanied by a knight girl.
"May we sit down?"
"Go ahead."
Roland did not refuse.
"Thanks, then."
Aixi gave Roland a sweet smile.
A scheming woman who's very good at socializing. Roland looked at them, evaluating Aixi in his mind. Then he shifted his gaze to the knight girl named Zena Carroll. She had few expressions on her face, leaning toward seriousness, making him think to himself: Indeed, she looks simple-minded.
As for Her Highness the Princess...
Not very familiar.
Rate on N.U.
