Chapter 67

Daphnis was in an unpleasant mood.

The reason being…

“Does that even make sense? You’re saying that by treating an unknown disease and dealing with an unidentified monster, some sort of vision manifested?”

“It’s the truth. What can I do? It’s true that I was together with the young ladies, but I did not create that vision.”

“Hmm…”

Yes. It must be because Lady Licheisa has been talking too much with Kalen.

Where has the person who was pressing the issue disappeared to just moments ago?

Though she answers curtly, only Licheisa remains, her interest piqued.

Kalen continues the conversation with her, fitting well to her tone.

It was the scene Daphnis longed for.

The very reason Daphnis chose not to follow Synat was to have moments like this – Kalen talking privately with someone.

“Excuse me… Lady Licheisa…”

“Yes? Oh, a…?”

Finally, Daphnis called out to Licheisa, who had just realized what she was doing.

She had come to monitor Daphnis, suspecting some dark intentions.

Having met a man with whom she could truly converse for the first time, she had gotten carried away.

To her, everyone except Kalen was merely livestock dancing to their own tune.

By contrast, the man in front of her was quite trustworthy.

Most importantly, unlike those brutish ones who couldn’t grasp her high-flown affections, this man did.

“Hmph… This is the first time I’ve met a man I can actually converse with. Sorry, Lady Daphnis.”

“…”

Daphnis had seen Licheisa laugh and talk with various men.

For a brief moment, she tilted her head, wondering what those men she had seen until now really were.

Daphnis then gently touched her hair and approached Kalen.

“I’ll formally introduce myself again, young master. I am Daphnis of House Lerkalin.”

“I’m Kalen.”

Daphnis paused during her polite greeting.

The introduction lacked a surname.

Regarding his outward appearance, he might even dare to discuss the apex of high society.

The manners he exhibited were somewhat lacking, though not to a significant degree that would leave a bad impression; they were nothing in comparison to his face.

If anything, his human-like qualities made things easy enough to laugh off.

Moreover, poise and self-assurance naturally come from management.

It would be almost impossible to have a presence like Kalen’s without a robust family backing him.

In reality, Kalen was involved with Eliana, Serasie, and Synat.

He lived with Synat, and she took care of him, so that was natural enough.

But Daphnis, unaware of this, could only tilt her head in confusion.

At face value, despite being a commoner, Kalen maintained close friendships with the renowned young ladies and possessed an appearance and demeanor that rivaled any noble son.

“Are you surprised that I’m a commoner?”

“Ah…! That’s not it! I was just somewhat intrigued… If it offended you, I apologize.”

“It’s fine.”

Daphnis waved her hands, startled.

She didn’t want any misunderstanding.

Especially not with Kalen.

Daphnis recalled Licheisa.

She had never seen her speak so much with any man before.

Though many nobles approached Licheisa, it seemed she had no intention of maintaining long friendships.

But Kalen was different.

When Licheisa had initiated conversations with him, his responses felt deeply considerate.

Even now, speaking with herself, Daphnis could sense it.

Kalen’s voice was earnest, and his composure matched it.

It was easy to converse with him, and his attentive listening, which showed sincerity, was excellent.

“I… I am also interested in the vision…”

But Daphnis had to choose her words carefully.

The initial reason for approaching was just to strike up a conversation.

Now that the dialogue had started, she found herself without much to say.

In the midst of this, the vision that Licheisa had previously mentioned came to mind.

It was certainly not something ordinary.

The visions of Eliana and Serasie were currently the most famous rumors in high society.

Let alone surpassing Muland, even among those not part of the Ecclesia, there were few who hadn’t seen those visions.

Naturally, the talk of a boy’s figure appearing in those visions wasn’t something one could easily believe.

Of course.

Even Daphnis herself wouldn’t have believed it if she had just heard such news without witnessing the phenomenon directly.

But seeing Kalen this close and hearing Licheisa’s stories gave her certainty.

There was no doubt that this boy was the one in the vision.

Naturally, her interest turned in his direction.

“Let me reiterate, it wasn’t something I accomplished.”

“Still… Can you not guess at all?”

A vision is what every magician dreams of.

Daphnis, who had achieved commendable successes, was no exception.

If she could only uncover the mystery of the vision, her and her family’s standing would rise rapidly.

Of course, aside from that reason, perhaps there would be opportunities to meet Kalen through the vision.

“Nothing. Even if there were signs, it’s not something one would willingly choose to experience.”

“Such experience…?”

“A.”

Daphnis tilted her head while Licheisa, too, widened her eyes, asking what he meant.

When talking to Licheisa earlier, Kalen had omitted the part about his life being in danger, giving a casual explanation about something happening with Eliana and Serasie.

“Anyway, it’s not something that can be done by force. There’s also no guarantee that trying it would yield a vision.”

“Ah…”

Daphnis swallowed her regret.

Kalen’s stance was firm. House Lerkalin didn’t have much to boast about compared to Lactus or Hiart.

At best, when compared to information resources, House Lerkalin might be up to par, but the latter two would eventually catch up soon enough.

In other words, there were few ways to become entangled with Kalen.

So, Daphnis tried to find an excuse to keep him company.

Conversations had been much better than expected. Kalen was a proper individual, different from the children of other noble families.

Daphnis, extraordinary enough to be part of the Ecclesia, could distinguish between people.

In her view, there were no issues in becoming friends with Kalen.

Moreover, being friendly with the three houses—Lactus, Hiart, and Drannus—along with personal liking, gave enough reason to make the effort to become acquainted.

Trying to figure out how to continue the conversation with Kalen, Daphnis was about to give up when Licheisa stepped in.

Lowering her head and gripping her skirt, Daphnis asked:

“Won’t you join me for some dessert?”

“…Dessert?”

Finally, that was it.

No matter the talk of House Lerkalin or the Ecclesia.

Daphnis was still a girl who had just passed her coming-of-age ceremony.

Like most girls of her age, Daphnis’ knowledge of making friends wasn’t much different.

Especially in the case of boys, she had always relied on Licheisa.

Romance novels, plays, sweet desserts, and stories.

These were the things Daphnis liked the most.

And almost all young ladies shared the same interests.

Romantic novels and plays she knew catered mostly to women’s tastes or lacked interest as part of their education.

Even their chit-chats stayed within these boundaries.

Thus, the most hassle-free option was dessert.

“Yes… there’s a new place selling chocolate desserts…”

But Daphnis could only regret her hasty decision.

What about dessert, exactly?

The most common thing you’d see at a dessert shop was women.

Women who liked to sit prettily in decorated dessert shops chatting idly.

Kalen was a man.

While there was no proof he didn’t enjoy idle talk like women, the proposition was too random.

Daphnis froze, head bowed, fearing his refusal.

The unfamiliar feeling she had encountered for the first time.

She liked him and wanted to have more conversations with him, but she had never experienced such desire before.

Everyone has fear when trying something for the first time, and so did Daphnis.

She was afraid of the courage she mustered for the first time, and she feared the rejections she might receive.

She only knew how to reject the men who came her way, and was clumsy in pursuing someone of interest.

It was the same at the Ecclesia.

She had tried to take the lead but ultimately failed to steer things her way.

The initiative eventually passed to newer members like Eliana and Serasie.

Failure, failure, failure.

As it is with anyone.

Daphnis also feared failure.

Nevertheless, the weight she carried and the desire to succeed kept her from giving up.

This would be one such test.

Determined not to cry over Kalen’s rejection, Daphnis steeled herself.

She had cried secretly after many disappointments before.

But somehow, if rejected by Kalen, she doubted she would manage to walk away with a forced smile and cry secretly again.

“Yes. Why not. Sure.”

“…Eh?”

“Is there any dessert other than chocolate?”

However.

What she heard from Kalen was completely contrary to her expectation.

Daphnis looked up blankly at Kalen.

He seemed so calm, genuinely making it clear that chocolate would be difficult for him.

As if it was perfectly normal to accompany her to a dessert shop.

Without hesitation, Kalen simply agreed.

“And… ”

Hearing those words, Daphnis could not just casually and composedly laugh it off and cry later.

Because the tears now welling up weren’t tears of sadness she had shed so many times before.

In that instant, Daphnis couldn’t hide the emotion rising within her.

“Trash…”

“…”

Licheisa quietly consoled Daphnis, muttering under her breath.

While Daphnis, struggling to hold back her tears, didn’t hear the words, Kalen, who was of higher status, heard them distinctly.

Had he just said something without thought, as a mere courtesy?

Kalen seriously pondered the disdainful look from Licheisa while considering his own words.