Chapter 96

■ Chapter 95. A Strange Bond (1) □ ᓚᘏᗢ

I've posted a new fan art in the fan art section! It's of such high quality that I'm going to use it as the cover!

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Time passed, and Adelia seemed to have calmed down to some extent. However, because she had sobbed so intensely, she occasionally hiccuped and burped.

It appeared that she was genuinely shocked, so she hurriedly drank water from a nearby fountain, but there was no sign of improvement. Moreover, her eyes were swollen, and her nose was as red as a strawberry.

Not only was she in no condition to enjoy the exhibition, but if she were to accidentally meet the Ters royal family again, the situation could become even more serious.

"Let's just stay at the mansion until evening."

"But is that okay? There are still many works I haven't seen."

"Although it's a bit disappointing, the highlights start in the evening anyway. I need to calm down before then. If I go like this, who knows what might happen."

In the end, Adelia decided to return to the mansion. Even though I was there to support her, she insisted on going alone.

I can't let her drag me into this, and it would interfere with my enjoyment of the exhibition. Although it was disappointing, her reasoning made sense, so I had no choice but to take her back to the mansion.

On the way, I was naturally anxious about the possibility of encountering the Ters royal family again. Adelia seemed to share my concerns, constantly looking around.

'Should I just write it in the book?'

My feelings towards the Ters royal family have hit rock bottom. No matter how much they deny her as a legitimate child, treating her this way is not right.

Even if they don't recognize her as their child, they shouldn't subject her to emotional abuse. Honestly, it's a miracle that Adelia has grown up as well as she has.

I wanted to include the story of the illegitimate child in the Zyon chronicles, but it lacks plausibility and there's a high risk of the Ters royal family finding out. Since the relationship between Adelia and the Ters royal family is a secret, the list of suspects would be very narrow.

So, although it's disappointing, it's wise to wait for the right opportunity. If I act out of anger, it could lead to danger.

Thus, we moved more quickly towards the mansion, our hearts filled with unease. Fortunately, we didn't encounter the Ters royal family on the way.

"Adel!"

"Yes?"

We soon arrived at the mansion and saw Nicole standing at the front gate. Adelia looked slightly flustered upon seeing Nicole.

I recalled that she had mentioned getting lost while walking with Nicole. As I thought this, Nicole approached us and began scolding Adelia.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you... What's wrong with your eyes?"

"...There's a reason."

Nicole, who was about to scold Adelia, noticed her swollen eyes and became curious. Since Adelia had a complicated situation, it was a secret she couldn't reveal, so she tried to brush it off.

When Nicole saw that Adelia was hesitant to speak, she quickly turned her gaze to me, asking if I could explain. However, I couldn't say anything either, so I shrugged.

Seeing that I wasn't going to explain, Nicole decided to let it go.

"Well, you must have had a reason. Do you know how much I searched for you?"

"...I'm sorry."

"Knowing you're sorry is enough. I came back to the mansion just in case, and here you are with Isaac. Let's go back now."

"Um... Can I rest at the mansion for a bit? I'm a bit tired..."

"What?"

Adelia's cautious request made Nicole's golden eyes fill with curiosity. After all, it was very different from her usual attitude, so it was natural to be curious.

Nicole then looked at Adelia's swollen eyes and her anxious appearance, studying her closely. Nicole is quite perceptive, so she probably had a good idea that something had happened to Adelia.

Sure enough, Nicole slowly nodded and decided to listen to Adelia's request. The fact that she didn't ask for details showed her consideration.

"Alright. Then let's go out together later."

"No, I just want to rest. You can go see the exhibition."

"You're just nervous. If you keep wandering around, you might get lost again."

"But I'll just stay at the mansion. How can I get lost?"

"Enough. Let's go inside. Isaac, what about you?"

Nicole looked at me and asked. Since Cecil and Marie would be back soon, I planned to continue visiting the exhibition.

"I'll keep looking around the exhibition. I still have my group."

"Oh, right. Then Adel and I will be at the mansion. Come back when it's time for dinner."

"Okay."

"But are you really okay, Adel?"

"I'm fine."

Thus, Nicole and Adelia returned to the mansion. I stood there, watching them until they passed through the gate.

Adelia turned back and looked at me, giving me a gentle smile and a nod, as if to say thank you.

'She usually only smiles in a carefree way.'

Anyway, since Adelia has returned, I turned to go back to the exhibition.

It's about time for Marie and Cecil to return, so I plan to go to the town square. I'm not sure what to do until then, but our fief is quite large, so walking around should be fine.

'Oh, right. Should I buy a book?'

Since my father has contracts with various merchant guilds, a variety of items, including books, have been brought in. Our fief has a bookstore, so new books must have arrived.

Thinking that new books might be there, I happily headed towards the shop district, passing by the statues and street vendors I had seen earlier.

Previously, there were only a blacksmith, a simple clothing shop, and a general store, but now there are many more. As I walked, I noticed the bookstore I used to visit frequently before entering the academy.

I have enough money, so I entered the bookstore without hesitation. As soon as I stepped inside, the distinctive smell of paper filled my nose.

"Welcome... Oh, young master. It's been a while."

As soon as I entered, the bookstore owner, an auntie, greeted me warmly. She was in her early middle age, with a face that suggested she was once beautiful, and her kind smile was her trademark.

Her name is Luna. I knew her before entering the academy, so we can be considered acquaintances.

I bowed slightly and replied politely.

"Hello, Luna. Are you very busy today?"

"Don't even ask. So many books have arrived. I'm sure you'll like them."

"Thank you. Where are the new books?"

"They're in that corner."

I thanked her again for her kind treatment and turned to go. As I looked at the bookshelves and display stands, I couldn't help but gape at the numerous books.

As Luna said, there were many new books. It seems that many merchant guilds have been coming and going.

'Wow. A new adventurer's book? And a history book too.'

Since the packaging technology isn't advanced, the books can be read immediately. Of course, if I'm caught, I'll be kicked out, but as the son of the lord, I can get away with reading a bit. Still, to avoid feeling guilty, I plan to skim the first few pages and choose from there.

I want to focus on adventure logs and history books...

'There are too many.'

There were at least ten history books, and not just human history. There were also books about other races, which are hard to come by.

I don't know where they got them, but I picked up a book about elf history, curious about its contents.

'Let's see... "Elf Culture and History"...'

I had read many books about elves in Professor Elena's study, but the ones in the bookstore might be different. The books in the study were more academic and hard to understand.

I wonder if this book is easier to understand or just a waste of paper. I looked around the recently arrived books and was about to turn the pages.

"Cough. Cough."

"Hmm?"

Just as I was about to turn the page, I heard a fake cough from beside me.

It was as if the person wanted me to hear it, so I turned my head in the direction of the sound. I saw someone standing below my eye level.

I didn't know when they arrived, but they were wearing a white hood, making it hard to see their face. I looked at them curiously.

"I'm sorry, but you shouldn't read that book."

If Cecil's voice tickles the ear, this girl's voice is like a clear, ringing sound of a jade bead rolling.

I was momentarily distracted by her voice but then looked directly into the eyes of the girl who was staring at me. She had unique silver and gray eyes and hair.

She had an otherworldly aura, as if she had descended from the heavens.

"Um?"

"It's just a book with a shiny cover and empty words. It doesn't offer any real help."

The noble's refined language was evident in her tone. I immediately realized that this hooded girl was from a noble family.

She might not know I'm a noble, but she could be of a similar rank to the Ters royal family. Otherwise, she wouldn't speak so informally to a stranger.

I looked at her for a moment, then showed her the book in my hand.

"Have you read this book before?"

She was hiding her identity with the hood, so I didn't need to use formal language. If I did, it could be used as a diplomatic issue, which would be a problem for her.

The girl didn't seem to mind my informal tone and explained the book with her characteristic clear voice.

"Of course, I've read it. But it made me frown. It's a book written by someone who knows nothing about us, trying to belittle elves."

"Hmm... I see, but 'us'?"

"Oops."

When I pointed this out, the girl covered her mouth with both hands and took a step back. I asked her, curious.

"Hey, are you an elf?"

"No, I'm not! Absolutely not! And I'm not a child!"

"The more you deny it, the more suspicious it becomes."

The girl flailed her arms like a bird flapping its wings, looking flustered. She looked and acted like a child pretending to be an adult.

Finally, the girl sighed deeply and spoke quietly, as if she had already spilled the beans.

"Ugh... Anyway, that's not important now. Put the book down and look for another one."

"No."

"Why not?"

The girl was taken aback by my immediate refusal. She probably expected me to follow her advice without hesitation.

However, I had no intention of putting the book down. What I wanted was 'diverse history,' not someone's 'subjective opinion.'

History is inherently 'subjective.' As the saying goes, "History is written by the victors," and it can never be truly objective unless you're a god.

Therefore, to understand history, you need to read many books and find commonalities. Especially since the girl in front of me is likely an elf, she can't be objective.

"Perspectives are like that. If you're really an elf, you might dislike this book. But it could be a valuable reference for humans. After all, there aren't many books about other races."

"Humans call elves walking libraries. I can boast of having more knowledge than you."

"That might be true. But your knowledge is still from an elf's perspective. The content in this book and your knowledge will likely conflict. And since elves live much longer than humans, they often have a narrow view and resist change."

"I am not like that."

The elf girl seemed to be defensive, as if she felt guilty. I smiled faintly at her defensive tone.

'Is she a daughter of a family from Alvenheim who snuck out?'

Alvenheim is governed by the Senate and the Queen, who check each other. According to Cindy, they have a very poor relationship and are in a power struggle.

The Senate can be compared to a group of nobles who have united and renounced their titles. Of course, not all powerful families are in the Senate; some support the Queen.

This girl might have snuck out from one of those families. Her tone suggests she is not an ordinary elf.

"By the way, are you also here for the exhibition? To see the Zyon chronicles?"

"Of course. How could I miss an exhibition dedicated to the Zyon chronicles?"

The girl answered with a slight excitement. She seemed to be a real fan of the Zyon chronicles.

I felt a sense of pride and my affection for her increased. I bent my knees slightly to match her eye level.

The girl flinched slightly when I matched her eye level but then looked at me with her silver-gray eyes. I looked into her mysterious eyes and asked quietly.

"My name is Isaac Duker Mayshar, the second son of the Mayshar family, who is hosting this exhibition. What is the young lady's name?"

The elf girl hesitated for a moment and then answered in her characteristic refined tone.

"Arwen. Call me Arwen."

Arwen. A very common name for an elf.

So common that it could be used as an alias without any issues.

As I thought this, the girl who introduced herself as Arwen grumbled.

"And I'm not a child. Despite appearances, I've lived nearly ten times longer than you."

"I see. Grandma."

"Hey!!!"

Her scolding was really like a child's.

Shiver-

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the back of my neck felt cold, and I turned my head. But there was no one behind me, only bookshelves filled with books.

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling a bit uneasy, and muttered to myself.

"What was that...?"