Pride and Sanctimony

Chapter 14

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She could feel someone sitting next to her. When she looked to her side, the same man as always took his usual seat.

[Lexus] “Hello.”

His greeting was refreshing today. His blond hair was well kept and his golden eyes were sparkling. Even Valentia had no choice but to admit the blinding nature of his handsomeness.

She wondered if he would come again today, but just as she was thinking, he really ended up coming. In the back of her mind was the vaguest, most distant thought that she didn’t actually hate it that much.

[Valentia] “Will you be listening to this lecture again?”

[Lexus] “Yup. That’s right.”

[Valentia] “Don’t you take your own lectures?”

He must have his own lectures that he needed to attend, and yet somehow, he always managed to make his way here.

[Lexus] “Thanks for being so concerned about me.”

Come to think of it, this wasn’t something she needed to think about. She turned her head, just about to bite back by telling him she wasn’t concerned at all, but pulled back, thinking that might be too pathetic.

[Lexus] “What should we name the dog?”

[Valentia] “It’s your dog, Your Highness. That is up to you.”

[Lexus] “Lexus.”

[Valentia] “Excuse me?”

[Lexus] “Call me Lexus.”

[Valentia] “Oh, right……..Then take care of it, Lexus.”

[Lexus] “Didn’t I tell you yesterday? I would take care of him, but the dog’s owner is you. He didn’t wag his tail for me at all yesterday.”

[Valentia] “Please stop talking.”

Valentia cut him off the moment she saw the professor entering the lecture hall.

Thanks to all the students who came here to follow Lexus, the lecture hall was more crowded than usual. But no matter how many people were in the room, it was difficult to ignore the handsome man sitting directly in the front row.

The professor spoke naturally.

[Professor] “Things are lively today because of such a handsome student. Did you come to listen to my lecture today, Mister Lexus?”

[Lexus] “That’s right, professor. My presence isn’t a hindrance, right?”

[Professor] “Of course not. The hall is brightening up all because you are here.”

[Lexus] “Thank you. Your lecture was enlightening yesterday, sir.”

[Professor] “May I ask what you found to be so enlightening? It would make for a good reference for future lectures.”

There was no way he could have remembered anything. This was a lecture he was taking for the first time and he was far too busy staring at the woman right next to him to listen properly. It was doubtful he even knew what this lecture was for.

Valentia turned to him with an interested expression. She thought maybe this was finally the moment where she could see him be utterly humiliated.

But Lexus responded very casually, without a hint of panic.

[Lexus] “It enlightened me on how I couldn’t understand a thing, so that’s why I came back.”

[Professor] “Was my lecture difficult?”

[Lexus] “No. It’s my own inadequacies.”

[Professors] “Listen carefully today, then.”

A gentle laugh spread across the hall at those words. Even the professor laughed briefly, hearing such humble and witty words coming from such a handsome and powerful man.

And as he always did, Lexus would spend the entirety of the lecture either staring at the woman sitting next to him or getting lost in his own thoughts—all without paying a bit of attention to the contents of the lecture.

After the lecture, the professor left but most of the students remained. As Valentia organized her things and stood up, Lexus also stood up, naturally standing next to her as he spoke.

[Lexus] “Should we continue our conversation from earlier?”

[Valentia] “What conversation?”

[Lexus] “The dog’s name.”

He was a very sociable man who wasn’t the least bit intimidated.

If someone acted this coldly towards you, normally you would step down even if your pride was hurt. But maybe it was because this man was one that was loved by all and lacked nothing that he was able to be so strong against criticism.

[Valentia] “I told you to do it on your own.”

[Lexus] “I need the owner’s permission.”

[Valentia] “You’re the owner….”

[Lexus] “Guess there’s no reason for me to take care of him.”

Lexus cut off her words before she could finish saying he was the owner.

[Valentia] “Excuse me?”

[Lexus] “If that’s how it’s going to be, then I can’t raise him since the only reason I’m taking care of him is because his owner can’t.”

A dog living at the Prince’s palace versus a dog left to wander on the street. It was obvious which sort of life would be more comfortable.

She didn’t think he’d actually toss the dog out, but she didn’t know what he was capable of. So maybe it would be better to just try to get along with him while accepting his words about giving the dog a name.

[Valentia] “A name. Do you have anything in mind?”

[Lexus] “How about Goldie?”

[Valentia] “Goldie?”

[Lexus] “Yeah. ‘Cause his fur is gold.”

He wants to name the dog Goldie….because his fur is gold? 

Actually the dog was more cream colored than gold. That would be a more accurate descriptor of this man’s hair—something shiny and brilliant looking.

[Valentia] “Isn’t that a little insincere?”

[Lexus] “When it comes to a name, it’s good to be direct.”

[Valentia] “Well, it’s not as though I dislike it……”

[Lexus] “Then what do you want to name him?”

[Valentia] “I’m not sure.”

[Lexus] “You haven’t thought of anything?”

[Valentia] “……..Not really.”

It was human nature to want to pet stray dogs when they acted cute. But this woman was one made of iron, who never once pet this dog even as she fed him food, so obviously she never considered a name for him.

[Lexus] “And you say I’m insincere?”

Lexus asked like he was amazed and Valentia had no choice but to agree.

She never thought about a name for this dog. In that way the person in front of her, who thought of a name overnight and asked for her opinion about it, seemed to care much more about it than her.

[Valentia] “I see. My mistake.”

[Lexus] “Now you’re good at admitting when you’re wrong.”

[Valentia] “If you keep acting sarcastic, I’m not going to answer.”

[Lexus] “Alright, alright. So if you don’t like Goldie, then what do you want to pick?”

[Valentia] “Just go with Goldie.”

[Lexus] “Why?”

[Valentia] “I think it suits him.”

And she thought it would probably grant the dog a little more honor to have a name given to him by the Imperial Prince. If she ended giving him a name, the dog might end up being expelled from the palace and ending up back in the streets.

[Valentia] “Then…”

She was about to say she was going to leave now, but his timing was just too good.

[Lexus] “Aren’t you hungry? Why don’t we go eat together?”

He was far more cunning than she gave him credit for—asking her out like this right when it was difficult to refuse him due to the debt of the heart she owed him.

[Lexus] “You must be tired of going to the Academy’s dining hall every day. I know a great place that serves good brunch and tea.”

Valentia peered up at Lexus’ face.

It wasn’t strange for people to stare at him like that. His face was always an object of praise for others and so the stares of others was nothing new.

But her gaze was strangely cold. It was like she was meticulously looking over him. Or maybe like she was making a cold judgment about him was a better way to describe it? Being looked at like this was an unfamiliar feeling, but it was also somehow humbling.

[Lexus] “Why are you looking at me like that?”

[Valentia] “You’ve never been rejected before when you ask people things like this, right?”

[Lexus] “I suppose not?”

[Valentia] “Then today will be your first time. Goodbye.”

Whenever he asked women out for a meal first, he was always met with an eager yes, but what he got this time was a coldhearted and undeniable no. He’d never had such a strong rival before.

But Lexus had been loved his entire life and so he had a strong sense of self-esteem. He wouldn’t give up just because of this minor little setback. 

Lexus bowed his head, looked up, saw her back disappearing as she went on her way, and then came to his senses, immediately chasing after her again.

[Lexus] “Are you done with the dog just because he has a name now? You should be more affectionate than that. Since he was a stray, aren’t you worried about whether or not he’s sick?”

[Valentia] “….He’s sick?”

She didn’t think about that.

He was still just a small, little puppy so his immunity might be weak. Not to mention how he was a stray living on the streets, and there were innumerable illnesses he could have picked up.

She couldn’t even afford to think about it before, but now she couldn’t stop worrying about the pup’s health.

[Lexus] “If you eat with me, I’ll tell you.”

Why is he going this far?

It definitely wasn’t because he liked her. From the start, they did not have a relationship that invited any kind of positive feelings for each other. So was it curiosity?

[Valentia] “…..Okay.”

Lexus smiled brightly once Valentia agreed. His smile without a single wrinkle burned bright like the sun.

Habitually, Lexus held out his hand to escort her, but Valentia also habitually paid no mind to that kind of courtesy, causing Lexus to awkwardly pull his hand back in embarrassment.

Lexus had never been treated like this, so he was filled with a sense of admiration that he could not hide. This level of iron wall she had placed around her was incredible. 

If the Empire had a wall of that strength placed upon their northern border, it would protect them from attackers for over a thousand years.

The place Lexus took her to was not the most popular in the Academy, but it was a pretty good cafe overall. The more popular places had long lines and were crowded with people, so a decent looking place was a good compromise.

And as per usual, this cafe was filled with students who came in, following after Lexus.

As the pair sat together, one of them was normally very popular and sociable, as well as a member of the Imperial family, so he was used to the interest of other people. The other, however, was used to living with the contempt of other people, but she was also very calm.

[Lexus] “Is there anything that catches your eye?”

Lexus handed her the menu, but Valentia just pushed it back.

[Valentia] “I don’t know what’s good here, so just order something small.”

Her attitude was very indifferent. So indifferent that Lexus could easily tell her thoughts, contained in that very attitude of hers.

She really has no intention of looking at me favorably, huh?

That was true, it was obvious she didn’t want to deal with him at all. But what he did yesterday at least gave him the opportunity to have a meal together with her, so at least that was a success.

It didn’t feel completely fair that he risked his life to get something so small in return, but he could take that level of unfairness considering what was at stake for this bet.

More specifically, his pride was on the line.

[Lexus] “Alright, is there anything you can’t eat?”

[Valentia] “None.”

[Lexus] “Then what’s your preferred doneness for steak?”

[Valentia] “Medium.”

[Lexus] “Thoughts on black tea? Coffee? Milk tea? Which one’s your favorite?”

[Valentia] “Milk tea.”

[Lexus] “Do you like sweet things?”

[Valentia] “……I like them.”

He picked up the menu and skillfully ordered based on her preferences. As soon as that was done, that was when Valentia brought it up.

[Valentia] “So, is he alright?”

[Lexus] “Who is?”

Valentia responded with a narrowed expression.

[Valentia] “What do you mean? The puppy….no, Goldie.”

A little astonished, Lexus thought—Is this woman only interested in the dog?

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