If They Get Obsessed, I’m Doomed - Chapter 72

Chapter 37.1

What was so difficult about it? Skylar, unable to even meet her gaze, reluctantly agreed. Despite that, he acted as if he was showing magnanimity.

She had now grown accustomed to such mannerisms from the higher classes. In any case, a yes was a yes, so Ariel wondered how he would smile. She gazed intently at Skylar’s face, hoping that she might finally catch a glimpse of that precious smile. However, contrary to her expectations, he abruptly stood up with a stern expression.

“Next time.”

With those words, he vanished as swiftly as the wind.

“When is next time…”

The unfinished conversation hung in the air, drifting alone. As the space beside her suddenly became empty, Ariel, who was left standing idly, got up from the sofa after assessing the situation.

‘If it was hard for him, he could’ve just said no.’

Although she felt a bit disappointed because she had some expectations, it was a feeling that quickly dissipated. Skylar’s one-sided announcements and sudden departures happened almost every time they met, so she wasn’t particularly surprised.

Rather, the promise with Lexius was more important.

‘…Tomorrow at nine o’clock.’

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Skylar stood in front of the mirror as soon as he entered the room. With his arms crossed, he tilted his head and studied his reflection. The face staring back at him had a sharp, sensitive expression.

He couldn’t believe he looked like this when he faced Ariel.

Biting his lip, he gradually changed his expression. He relaxed the furrowed brows and eased his tension, but as his face became expressionless, it somehow appeared even colder. He wasn’t trying to scare her.

‘It shouldn’t be like this.’

As he slowly tried to curve his tightly closed lips into a smile, the awkwardly raised corners of his mouth twitched. It wasn’t a particularly charming smile; rather, it felt forced and unnatural. He couldn’t maintain it for long, and his expression naturally hardened again.

Even then, he couldn’t maintain it for long, and his expression naturally returned to a frown again.

“Ah… seriously!”

He swept his hands over his face before roughly ruffling his hair. Frustration welled up inside him as things weren’t going his way. Why was he even practicing this in the first place? Whether it was a sneer or whatever, he could just smile and be done with it.

Irritated, Skylar kicked the mirror and then slumped into a nearby chair. His tousled blond hair fell messily over his face as he couldn’t contain his frustration.

“It seems like I’m just doing everything she asks me to do.”

Skylar lamented with a blank face.

Despite everything, he didn’t entirely dislike what he had just said. If there was something she wanted, he wanted to fulfill it. It would be nice if he could use that as an excuse to keep seeing her face.

“Should I wait around again tomorrow?”

If so, he would need some preparations.

At the thought, he pressed the bell button on the table to summon his aide. The aide, who had been waiting outside, entered after knocking three times.

“You called for me, Your Highness?”

“What does my schedule look like this week?”

“Aside from the academy classes, there’s only the regular Friday dinner and two meetings.”

“Not much going on. Clear everything.”

“It’s not a big problem, but may I ask for the reason?”

“Felix, not knowing the reason shouldn’t stop you from getting it done.”

“My apologies.”

Felix quickly noticed his master’s displeasure and immediately lowered his head.

After his aide finished his silent bow, he gave a slight nod. It was a signal for him to take the schedule that was there. Felix gathered the schedule and a few documents from the table and withdrew.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Wednesday.

As soon as the day dawned, Ariel got up and finished her preparations early. She planned to head to the library before Lexius arrived.

Canon tilted her head when she saw Ariel, who had been busy since morning.

“Young Lady, do you really need to go this early?”

“Just in case the Grand Duke might arrive early.”

“I don’t think he will.”

“I think so too, but it wouldn’t hurt to go early, read some books, and prepare more thoroughly. I think it would be good to show that I’ve put in a bit more effort. Also, it’s a chance to adjust my routine to be more diligent.”

“Well, if you say so. Should I wake you up at this time every day from now on?”

“Ung. Please do.”

Ariel lightly asked Canon and then slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped out the door. Since it was still dim outside between dawn and morning, the hallway, bathed in a blue light, was quiet.

The tranquility of the early hour was a calm she rarely experienced. It wasn’t too bad, but considering how flustered she was, Ariel couldn’t help but sigh. Due to her unintentional lazy habits, even getting up was a struggle. She was already a little tired, thinking this was something she had to get used to.

‘Come to think of it, I was so busy preparing that I didn’t even look at my phone.’

Before setting off, she turned on her phone in the hallway, intending to get a rough idea of Lexius’s location.

『 A target has been detected nearby. 』

『 Skylar von Aither Lévretin

▷ Favorability towards you: ♥♥ (He’s strongly conscious of you and will often initiate conversations with you first.)
▷ Current Location: Academy 1st Dormitory Building — 1st Floor Central Lounge. 』

Ariel wondered if she had seen it incorrectly and wiped the screen with her sleeve. However, the screen was still the same. Skylar’s portrait appeared exactly as it had the day before.

‘Why is he…?’

And so early in the morning.

‘What time did he come out?’

Ariel gasped and quickly held her breath. It seemed like she wouldn’t be able to use the corridor on the second floor today, either. At the thought, she quietly followed the same path she had taken the day before and left the dormitory.

Her startled heart only calmed down once she entered the library.

‘Just like yesterday, why is he there?’

It didn’t seem like he was waiting for someone because he had left after meeting her yesterday. He wasn’t doing anything in particular. He was just sitting in a spot that gave him a clear view of the wide corridor, almost as if he were keeping watch.

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