Pride and Sanctimony

Chapter 36

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Valentia and Lexus left the meeting room together. As soon as she was clear of that space, Valentia let out a long sigh. Too many major things were happening to her these days—it was exhausting her.

[Lexus] “You did a good job.”

[Valentia] “As did you, Lexus.”

This was something he shouldn’t have to go through, but hearing him tell her she did a good job made her feel both sorry and grateful.

[Valentia] “You had a difficult time because of me.”

[Lexus] “I’m just glad everything worked out. I’ll do some digging on who could’ve done this myself.”

The authorities would definitely have trouble finding the culprit on their own, considering they were most certainly sent by someone else, committing the crime on their behalf.

[Lexus] “Here.”

In the palm of Lexus’ hand was a ring. It was a unique design, with a sapphire looking jewel embedded in the center. The first thought she had when she saw it was about what something like this might mean.

[Valentia] “I can’t accept something like this.”

[Lexus] “What? Oh, haha. No, I’m not giving it to you.”

With that, Valentia’s face flushed crimson again. 

She already knew he wasn’t the sort of man to afford a woman this kind of gift just because he slept with her once, so she surprised even herself by making that kind of assumption.

[Valentia] “But….”

A ring was too symbolic of an item. Considering the kinds of meaning it could hold, it wasn’t the kind of thing that was easy to receive in any capacity.

[Lexus] “When we meet up, you can give it back. Can you do that?”

[Valentia] “Oh……Yes.”

It was a safety measure, intended to prevent something dangerous from happening again.

It was just a token. And when she saw him again, she would need to give it back. Such a basic and normal exchange and yet, somehow, the experience of receiving a ring from the one she loved was very special.

Even if it was ultimately meaningless.

And though she knew his behavior held no deep meaning, she still looked forward to it, her heart pounding with excitement. Excitement that would also lead into disappointment. Valentia didn’t know it was possible to feel such conflict.

Valentia looked down at the ring with a complicated expression, calling out to Lexus.

[Valentia] “Lexus.”

[Lexus] “Yes?”

[Valentia] “I have something I’d like to say, too.”

[Lexus] “Something you want to say?”

[Valentia] “Yes.”

Valentia’s face looked so determined, telling him she had something she wanted to say, that unbeknownst to Lexus, a feeling of nervousness washed over him. And yet, somehow he also felt a little excited?

Is there something she wants to confess?

The subtle change in Valentia wasn’t lost on Lexus. He couldn’t help but notice that this woman’s attitude towards him in recent days had become so soft, the air around them was like pudding. 

And besides, didn’t they just spend the night together? It was probably safe to say she liked him at least a little bit by now.

So apparently, even a woman like this ended up falling in love with him.

He should be disappointed and annoyed like he usually was, but for some reason, his entire body stiffened and his back stood up straight. And, even his thoughts turned strange.

I don’t look weird right now, do I?

Obviously, he just washed up and got dressed earlier, but he wasn’t in the greatest condition to receive a confession right now.

His hair was all messy and he didn’t get a good night’s sleep, so he probably looked pretty awful. Not to mention he was dressed all haphazardly and the location wasn’t optimal either.

Why does it have to be in front of a meeting room of all places? She really doesn’t get the idea of atmosphere at all. But that’s so like her, he thought. Even something like that felt very much in line for such a straight-laced woman.

Valentia had a hesitant expression on her face, like what she wanted to talk about was difficult to bring up. And there was one particular thing that was difficult for all women to talk about—this was definitely a confession.

He didn’t even realize that the bet he made was the furthest thing from his mind right now. Instead, he was actually looking forward to hearing this woman’s confession.

[Lexus] “What did you want to say?”

He listened very carefully to Valentia, feeling like all the hairs on his body were standing on edge for no reason at all.

[Valentia] “That…….”

[Lexus] “What is it? You can tell me. Anything at all.”

Then, Lexus started to quickly push her forward, even though he hadn’t even decided what sort of answer he would give her.

Silent and still, Valentia looked up at Lexus like she’d made up her mind. This woman was sharp and quick, even when it came to her confession. Lexus met Valentia’s eyes with a look of satisfaction in his own.

[Valentia] “It will be the examination period soon.”

[Lexus] “…..What?”

Did I mishear her?

[Valentia] “Exams.”

Exams? Like, exams, exams? Why is she talking about that now?

[Lexus] “Y, yes. That’s coming up.”

He didn’t expect her to bring that up right now of all times. To talk about examinations? With this kind of atmosphere?

[Valentia] “I didn’t get much of a chance to study this time around.”

[Lexus] “Oh, I suppose so. Your point being?”

Is she not going to confess?

[Valentia] “So let’s not see each other until the examination period is over.”

She doesn’t want to see me?

[Lexus] “……Did you just say you didn’t want to see me?”

[Valentia] “Yes. Which means we can’t take walks together.”

Hold up, did I just misunderstand everything? Remembering the incredible delusions of grandeur he was just having, Lexus’ face immediately turned red.

[Valentia] “Lexus?”

[Lexus] “Huh, yes?”

[Valentia] “Your face is red.”

[Lexus] “Oh, it’s nothing.”

[Valentia] “What do you mean, nothing? You must’ve caught a fever from the rain. You should see a doctor.”

[Lexus] “No, no, I’m really fine. So, you were saying you didn’t want to see me until the examinations were over?”

[Valentia] “Yes.”

At such a definite answer, Lexus sighed.

Rather than confessing, she was trying to get away from him. She said it was just a short period of time so that she could focus on the exams until they were over, but Lexus felt kinda nervous.

This woman seemed like the type to forget about him the second he left her direct line of sight.

And it was such a weird thing to say to a man the morning after spending the night with him. What could she possibly be thinking right now? Valentia’s behavior was so unpredictable that Lexus had no idea how to interpret it.

All he knew right now was that he didn’t want to be apart from this woman. He did not want her to forget about him.

[Valentia] “I’m sorry.”

Hearing his sigh, Valentia apologized. Though it felt kind of like she was apologizing because she had no intention of asking for his opinion or compromising.

[Lexus] “Can’t you spare half an hour for a walk?”

[Valentia] “I can’t. I can’t concentrate when I’m with you, Lexus.”

Those words forced Lexus into submission.

She was the kind of woman who would remain stone-faced, working diligently to complete her work without paying any attention to whatever else was in front of her. So if she was confidently saying she wouldn’t be able to concentrate if he was around, what could he do to argue with her?

Besides, no matter how much he tried to persuade her, he was getting the sense she wouldn’t change her mind.

[Lexus] “Alright. I won’t disturb you.”

[Valentia] “Thank you.”

[Lexus] “No. I know how important studying is for you, Valentia.”

He was very fortunate that the woman in front of him couldn’t read his mind. Even now, his face was still very warm from the embarrassment of his wild imagination earlier.

[Valentia] “Your fever doesn’t look like it’s going down. You should really see a doctor.”

[Lexus] “Ah, yes. I will.”

She seemed so sincerely concerned about him that a cold sweat started to run down his back……..And he felt very embarrassed and ashamed right now.

[Valentia] “Then I’ll go…..”

[Lexus] “Valentia.”

[Valentia] “Yes?”

As Valentia was about to turn away from him without any regret, Lexus quickly called out to her. He didn’t like the sight of her turning around, so he ended up calling out to her impulsively……only to realize he didn’t have anything to say.

[Valentia] “Lexus?”

Valentia tilted her head to the side, probably confused why he called out to her and then fell into total silence.

Dammit.

He’d never been in such a stupid situation before.

[Valentia] “Is something wrong?”

[Lexus] “Do you have a partner for the Fall Banquet?”

The onset of his embarrassment was so sudden that he started panicking and didn’t really know what to do, but finally, Lexus managed to find a plausible excuse. And to his luck, Valentia didn’t notice his panic—considering he was someone who had exceptional control over his expression.

[Valentia] “……..I do not.”

[Lexus] “Then, why not be mine?”

The second those words came out of his mouth, he wanted to bite down on his own tongue. Honestly, he must be stupid for asking her to be his partner like this.

The atmosphere was awkward and strange, and now he was going off and begging her to be his partner not mere moments after she told him she didn’t want to see him for a while. 

If he were her, he’d reject something like this in a heartbeat. There were no beautiful words nor was he waxing poetry as a part of his request—he just outright asked her like a total creep. Knowing he had the gall to try and fill the seat next to her in such a sleazy and stupid way filled him with the sudden urge to slap himself in the face.

Even Valentia was looking at him strangely with a stiff expression, like she also didn’t like how he asked her to be his partner in such a way.

It’s funny since he used to laugh like crazy at all those guys who were terrible with women, but now he was getting the sense that he might be no different. He was even feeling an odd sense of guilt and shame that he’d never felt before.

[Valentia] “Would you really be okay with someone like me?”

[Lexus] “Sorry?”

[Valentia] “You must have many other options, Your Highness.”

[Lexus] “I never considered anyone but you.”

And that was the truth. It was the first time he’d ever asked anyone about this.

He never had to ask for a partner for the banquet in the past because the women around him always asked him first. And that habit of theirs caused a funny little joke to go around saying that the position of the Imperial Prince’s partner was on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Naturally that led to some fierce competition, but in the end, it wasn’t something that the first person to come along could take. Obviously the final choice was at Lexus’ discretion, much to their chagrin.

[Valentia] “Is that so?”

[Lexus] “Do you dislike the idea?”

He was pretending to be all casual about it, but he actually felt very nervous.

What do I do if she says no?

He couldn’t shake the feeling, imagining what she might look like as she flatly turned him down. For the first time in his life, he could actually sympathize with the feelings of those who confronted him with this very question.

[Valentia] “I don’t dislike it.”

[Lexus] “Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

Technically she wasn’t saying no, so he quickly responded to her vague answer, even though she also technically wasn’t saying yes. 

And luckily, she seemed to be okay with that. With an ambiguous looking expression, Valentia nodded her head.

Even though this was his first time asking anyone this kind of question, he didn’t quite expect to be met with such a lukewarm response. 

But Lexus was too busy feeling relieved that she agreed despite such a lackluster atmosphere, so he didn’t take the chance to look at her face.

He was just too glad she said yes.

Those feelings were so involuntarily and he was being pulled every which way by them, but he didn’t seem to realize that right now. After all, this was the first time he’d ever swam in the deep end of his own emotions like this.

And so, he was not emotionally mature enough to recognize his own feelings.

[Valentia] “Very well. I will see you once the exams are over.”

The ever hardworking top student, seemingly devoting her whole soul to her studies, said goodbye to him, turning on her heel and leaving.

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