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Looking at the golden-haired boy, who shone into the room like sunlight, Aemon was momentarily stunned:
“Mu’en… Young Master?”
“What’s wrong? Surprised to see me? Or…”
Mu’en thought for a moment before jokingly saying:
“Are you blaming me for not coming to see you for so long?”
“…”
“Forgive me, I couldn’t find the time this past month, and I thought it would be inappropriate to come before the results came out.”
Mu’en stepped closer and placed the fruits he bought on the table nearby.
“Although I’d love to peel an apple for you, it feels a bit too… intimate, so you should take care of it yourself.”
“…”
“Hmm? Why are you keeping your head down and not saying anything?”
Mu’en sat in the chair, looking at the silent Aemon with his head bowed, and joked:
“Are you crying out of gratitude? Although I’m handsome and charming, don’t fall in love with me, okay? We’re just friends.”
“Mu’en Young Master…” Aemon suddenly spoke, his voice low and choked.
“Hmm?”
“Why did you come to see me?”
“Why? Isn’t it normal to visit a friend?”
“But I…” Aemon suddenly raised his head, regret and self-blame pouring out from his eyes.
“But I…”
“Alright.”
Mu’en seemed to know what he wanted to say and interrupted him by reaching out and patting his shoulder.
“I wouldn’t mind such things; that wasn’t your true intention, was it?”
With that, Mu’en smiled again:
“I don’t have much time to visit, so let’s avoid heavy topics.”
“…”
Aemon stared blankly at the golden-haired boy in front of him, who was exactly as he remembered yet entirely different. He felt all the regret and negative emotions that had built up over the past month beginning to melt away under the gentle gaze of those sapphire-blue eyes, like ice and snow in the sunlight.
“Hmm.”
…
“How’s the food?”
“Not bad.”
“How’s your accommodation?”
“Fine.”
“Is the nurse pretty?”
“…Yes.”
“How’s your family?”
“They wrote a letter saying they misunderstood me, and we’ve restored our relationship. They even made me the first heir as compensation.”
“Family always prioritizes benefits; don’t place too much trust and rely more on yourself.”
“I know.”
In the warm afternoon, the two were casually chatting.
Until the doctor walked into the room with a stern expression and pointed at the time to Mu’en.
“Haha, I guess I should be leaving now.”
Realizing he had lost track of time, Mu’en smiled awkwardly and took his leave.
“Well then, goodbye, Aemon.”
“Hmm.”
Aemon nodded, looking somewhat uneasy.
Just as Mu’en was about to step out of the room, it seemed he finally gathered the courage to say:
“Goodbye, Mu’en.”
Mu’en didn’t turn around; he just paused for a moment and then walked away with a lighter step.
…
…
“What should I do next?”
Once outside the ward, Mu’en stretched lazily, glancing at the overcast sky.
“It looks like it’s going to rain.”
That’s not good.
Tomorrow is the open day.
The day after is the date with the Senior—no, wait, it’s to repay the Senior. If it rains too long, it won’t be pleasant.
“Should I spend money to hire a powerful magician to disperse the rain?”
Mu’en stroked his chin, pondering seriously.
From a logistical standpoint, it could work; dispersing rain is something a magician of the Secret Ceremony level or higher can do.
But this is the imperial capital Bairland, and doing something as disruptive to the weather here could get you arrested for endangering the empire.
Even as the duke’s son, one can’t act recklessly in such a place.
“Forget it, let’s take it step by step.”
Mu’en quickly relaxed and headed toward the dormitory.
The date thing is time-sensitive, and he needs to plan ahead.
“Mu’en?”
Just a few steps later, he was stopped by a familiar voice.
“Is that Shali?”
Mu’en turned his head, looking in the direction of the voice.
And once again, he was met with the familiar pigtails and oversized black-frame glasses.
Shali Fland, the girl he had a small misunderstanding with.
“What a coincidence; you’re also…”
Mu’en was about to say “in the hospital,” but quickly realized he should swallow those words.
Saying “you’re also in the hospital” could get him in trouble.
“Do you need something from me?” Mu’en blinked and asked with a smile.
“No… nothing, just a coincidence.”
Shali adjusted her large glasses, her cheeks slightly flushed:
“Actually, I wanted to ask if the cake I made last time was good?”
“Cake, what cake…”
Mu’en instinctively replied, only to freeze immediately.
The cake!
The cake Shali gave him before!
He threw it all away when he fought with Aemon and didn’t get to eat any!
“Eh? It’s the cake I gave Mu’en, right?”
Shali tilted her head, puzzled:
“Did Mu’en not eat it?”
“I did, I ate it!”
Mu’en exclaimed.
“I ate it all! Every single bit!”
Of course, he wouldn’t admit that he threw it away. He feared that rumors of him breaking a young girl’s heart would circulate the next day.
And he wouldn’t be able to refute them.
“Is that so?”
Shali smiled shyly:
“Then, what did you think of the cake, Mu’en?”
“It was very delicious!”
“Eh? Instant reply?”
Shali scratched her cheek, looking troubled:
“Actually, I hoped Mu’en could think carefully and give me a more accurate answer, like about texture and sweetness…”
“This is my careful consideration!”
Mu’en looked into Shali’s eyes and said seriously:
“Your cake has no flaws at all!”
This was the truth.
Because Mu’en truly couldn’t find any flaws.
“Is… is that so?”
In response to Mu’en’s sincere praise, Shali’s face suddenly turned red, and Mu’en even thought he could see steam rising from her head.
“Mu’en saying that… is a bit too much…”
“No, it’s Shali who is too lacking in confidence. You need to believe in your cake! Believe that it’s the best!”
“Is… is that so?”
After hearing Mu’en’s compliments, Shali felt dazed and was stumbling over her words.
Seeing this, Mu’en decided to make a quick exit; if they continued talking, the little girl might discover something was off, and that wouldn’t be good.
“Do you have more to say, Shali? If not…”
“I have one more thing!”
“Hmm?”
“That…”
It seemed to be something difficult to say, as Shali lowered her head, gripping her skirt tightly. After hesitating for a long time, she stammered out:
“Actually, I thought carefully after going back. Using a cheap thing like cake to apologize for someone like Mu’en seems a bit disrespectful.
It needs to be something more significant to show sincerity.
So… I was wondering if you’re free during the open day, Mu’en?”
