IPSC 30

Chapter 30

My mind went blank. My heart pounded unevenly with anxiety. I wanted to see Jerome’s face, but it was too dark around us to read his expression.

I carefully pulled my lips away.

“…What kind of connection is it, that you can’t forget them for your entire life?”

“If it weren’t for that person, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Perhaps because of the heavy silence around us, Jerome’s already low voice sounded even deeper.

In that atmosphere, it felt like there was a wall I couldn’t cross.

I wanted to ask if that person was a woman, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it. Even I, who had never dated anyone in my life, knew that asking that would make me look truly pathetic.

But why did I feel so bad even after getting the answer I was curious about? Countless thoughts tangled in my head.

What if the person Jerome was looking for was a woman?
What if she was the one he could never forget?
What if that was why his affection level wasn’t rising?

Vivian was a real person, so I could compete with her somehow.

But what could I possibly do against someone whose whereabouts I didn’t even know?

Did I even stand a chance?

Could I really go back home?

…Well, what if I didn’t stand a chance? Was I just not going to go home?

If there’s no chance, then I’ll make one.

I still had Theodore—my hidden trump card. I didn’t know what the “last resort” he mentioned was, but that was better than having nothing, right?

I’d try relying on Theodore once. If that didn’t work, I could shift my focus to the Crown Prince.

I had a backup plan, so there was no need to feel intimidated.

With a lighter heart, I spoke.

“They must have been a truly wonderful person. I hope you find them.”

“I will.”

Honestly, whether he finds them or not isn’t my problem.

Just because there’s a goalkeeper doesn’t mean you can’t score a goal.

And I’m not scared of a goalkeeper who isn’t even on the field. Hmph.

Just then, Jerome, who had been quiet, asked,

“You seem close to Sir Blair.”

“Huh?”

Why was Theodore suddenly coming up?

“You explored the cave together, and you even treated his injuries. You seem quite close.”

“Oh, the cave was something we happened to discover, and I treated him because it looked necessary—”

Right. I had used Jerome’s handkerchief to treat Theodore.

He said I didn’t need to return it, but I had used it without asking the owner’s permission. I felt awkward about it.

Feeling a pang of guilt, I spoke up out of courtesy.

“…I’ll wash the handkerchief and return it to you.”

“Very well.”

Huh? That’s not what I expected.

Last time he said I didn’t have to return it!

Bloodstains are hard to remove. I instantly regretted bringing it up.

As my eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, I began to make out the outline of Jerome’s face across from me.

A sharp yet masculine jawline. Full, smooth lips. A nose that stood tall like a sculpture.

His looks truly were a work of art.

Admiring him inwardly, I absentmindedly lifted my gaze—and met his blue eyes, glowing in the dark.

Jerome’s eyes held a mysterious beauty, like stars sunken at the bottom of a deep lake.

The surroundings were still shrouded in darkness, but his blue eyes stared at me clearly.

It felt as though his gaze was pushing away the dark and illuminating me.

‘Oh? Is that how it’s going to be?’

Not backing down, I stared right back at him.

A staring contest is all about momentum.

The moment you flinch, you lose.

As I continued to look at him steadily, Jerome twitched—then looked away.

I win!

I’ve never lost a staring contest in my life.

If there were a university for staring contests, I’d have written a thesis on how never to lose and studied abroad for it.

I was smiling in triumph when I suddenly felt a rapid heartbeat through the chest pressed against mine.

Whose heart is beating that fast?

It’s definitely not mine.

I looked at Jerome again, but since he had turned his head away, I couldn’t see his expression clearly.

Just then, a faint vibration and a rattling sound echoed.

Don’t tell me… a wyvern?

Was one of them still alive?

Judging by the tension in Jerome’s body, he seemed to be thinking the same thing.

As I swallowed nervously, light seeped through the cracks in the piled stones.

The rattling continued, and soon a familiar face appeared through the widening gap, bathed in bright light.

“Lady!”

“Master—ugh!”

The sudden brightness blinded me, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

When I finally opened them, Lowell came into view.

He was looking at me with a mix of worry and relief—then his expression hardened.

Huh? Why that look…?

As I wondered, the gap widened further. Through the opening, I could see Theodore and the knights as well.

Overjoyed to see him, I greeted Theodore.

“Sir Blair!”

“Aisha, thank goodness! You’re safe—”

He suddenly paused. After scanning Jerome and me from head to toe, he let out a whistle.

“I’m not sure where to look.”

Only then did I realize how we must have looked.

We had squeezed into a narrow crevice in the wall to avoid the collapsing ceiling, but that meant Jerome and I were pressed tightly against each other.

I hadn’t thought about it in the dark… but in the light, it looked rather embarrassing.

I quickly slipped out of the crevice. Jerome cleared his throat and stepped out as well.

As I dusted off my clothes, Lowell approached me.

He was smiling—but why did it feel so chilly? His eyes weren’t smiling at all.

“Lady. Do you think it’s wise to touch a magic circle so carelessly?”

That tone is even scarier. I’d rather he just yelled!

I took a step back and answered,

“I-it wasn’t like this when I first touched it—”

Lowell closed the distance again, stepping even closer than before.

“I believe I told you to stay by my side. Or perhaps you couldn’t hear me?”

“…No, Master. I heard you clearly.”

“Then why does my lady insist on acting alone despite knowing that?”

Without realizing it, I avoided his gaze.

So much for my undefeated staring contest record.

But my instincts told me—avoid those eyes.

“…I’m sorry. I won’t act on my own again.”

As I bowed my head deeply to escape his gaze, I heard Lowell sigh.

“I wasn’t asking for an apology. Still, I’m relieved you’re unharmed.”

His voice had softened compared to earlier. I lifted my head again.

Seeing him return to his usual generous self, I cautiously said,

“…You said it would take half a day to break the magic circle, but you came early.”

“How could I take my time when you were in danger?”

Then Lowell shot a glance at Jerome and continued,

“I thought it was fortunate you were with the Duke of Winston…”

Jerome was checking with the knights to see if any wyverns remained.

Watching him, Lowell muttered quietly,

“…I didn’t expect that.”

“What did you say?”

At my question, Lowell shifted his gaze back to me and smiled gently, as if nothing had happened.

“It’s nothing. More importantly, what happened? We heard the cave collapsing.”

I explained everything—how the wyvern emerged from the portal, how we used Jerome’s signal flare to collapse the ceiling, and how we ended up trapped in the wall.

Lowell looked shocked. He examined the portal blocked by rubble and the wyvern crushed beneath the rocks.

“You accomplished this, Lady?”

“Yes. Together with the Duke.”

“You made a great contribution to this expedition.”

Lowell walked over to the portal and examined the surroundings. After chanting a spell for quite some time, he closed the portal completely.

“So the source of the sudden surge in monsters was this portal. It would be unwise to assume there aren’t others like it.”

With a serious expression, he continued,

“This incident will be reported to the Imperial Palace. His Highness Caliton will personally commend you for your achievement.”

Caliton Greil Heart.

How long had it been since I’d heard that name? Hearing it again felt strangely nostalgic.

Was it about time for me to meet Caliton?

“Have you ever met the Crown Prince, Lady?”

Why wouldn’t I have? I’ve seen him countless times—through a screen.

The Crown Prince of the Belcadia Empire.

And my former fiancé, who drank poison and died.