If They Get Obsessed, I’m Doomed - Chapter 75

Chapter 38.2

Lexius had an expression that seemed deeply engrossed in thought. His gaze wandered here and there, searching for empty spaces, until, in the end, it settled on her.

He picked up a sandwich and handed it to her.

“You’ve observed well. I’ll give you a compliment, here.”

Ariel stared at the sandwich that was handed to her as if it were a prize before accepting it.

“Thank you.”

Lexius didn’t reply.

She also didn’t try to continue the conversation. Ariel took a bite of the sandwich she received from him while looking at the lakeside. Sitting next to her, he was chewing on grapes.

It was a quiet meal.

̊ · : * ✧ * : · ̊

Lexius walked her to the front of the library and then left. Although he had been indifferent and quiet during the meal, he waved goodbye warmly when they parted.

Ariel watched his figure disappear into the distance until she could no longer see him, then returned to the library. Thanks to the two hours of sleep, her mind was quite clear. She had to continue with the material she hadn’t managed to finish on her own. However, there was something she needed to check before starting.

She sat down at her desk and picked up her phone.

『 A target has been detected nearby. 』

『 Lexius Créssien

▷ Favorability towards you: ♥♡ (He feels favorably towards you and might even talk to you first.)
▷ Current Location: Academy Building 1. 』

‘One and a half!’

It was just half a heart away from Skylar, who had the highest favorability. It seemed that the effort she had put in with Lexius hadn’t been completely in vain. She looked at the screen with pride and then grabbed her pen.

However, she soon set it down.

Since she hadn’t made much progress today, there wasn’t much to review. She also wasn’t able to prepare for the next lesson. After barely an hour, she closed the book.

It wasn’t efficient. It seemed better to take a whole day to rest instead.

At the thought, Ariel gathered the books she had spread out and got up from her seat. As she left the library, the bright daylight unfolded before her. Sunlight sparkled between the leaves and at the edges of the shadows. She found it strangely fascinating. For the past week, she had mostly seen dark or sunset scenery, so the bright sunlight felt oddly unfamiliar.

Ariel walked along the shade of the trees at a steady pace. She had been looking only at the ground until she reached the door and looked up.

Strangely, a peculiar sense of tension hung in the air.

She sensed someone’s presence at the back door, which she always used. Just as she was about to step back, the door opened, and she came face-to-face with the owner of the presence.

The frontrunner of the two hearts she had been avoiding, Skylar.

He stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, blocking her path. There was a crack in his otherwise neat eyebrows. Judging by his expression, it seemed that he was displeased with her.

‘I should’ve checked my phone…’

Ariel regretted her complacency, but it was already after she had confronted him.

Skylar tilted his head slightly as he looked at her.

“I was wondering where you had been slipping away to, and it turns out you’ve been coming here all along?”

“Why are you here…”

“Why? Am I not allowed to come here?”

“I didn’t mean it that way. I was just a bit surprised to run into you suddenly. Please forgive my rudeness.”

As Ariel took a step back and lowered her head, his expression contorted into an angry scowl.

“You always act like this towards me…”

Skylar’s growling voice gradually faded as time went on. Although he was angry at Ariel for maintaining her distance and showing proper respect, her actions were justified. It was appropriate as a display of courtesy towards the imperial family, leaving no grounds for further questioning.

As he straightened up from leaning against the wall and uncrossed his arms, he took a step closer to her, who had stepped back.

“I heard you’ve been going out early and coming back late lately.”

“Yes? Oh… Yes. I’m lacking in a lot of basics, so I’ve been studying on my own so I don’t fall behind in class.”

“Well, if that’s the case, I could teach you.”

Skylar raised his eyebrows and subtly boasted as if he thought that Ariel would immediately beg and accept his offer.

“I really appreciate the offer, but I already have someone teaching me…”

“What? Who?”

He interrupted her sharply with a question as she was speaking. Following that, he widened his eyes with an angry expression. His face was tense, like an animal whose territory had been invaded.

Ariel hesitated for a moment before eventually confessing under the intense gaze directed at her.

“The Grand Duke is helping me with my studies.”

“Grand Duke… Are you saying you’re learning with Lexius?”

“Yes. I’m learning for about two hours on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and on weekends.”

“So, you’ve been spending that much time together?”

“I’m lacking in knowledge, so the Grand Duke has spent a considerable amount of time to help me.”

“….”

His eyes, which had been persistently questioning, suddenly grew cold. Somehow, the chilly air seemed to emanate from his blue eyes.

For some reason, Ariel felt her heart sink.

‘…Is he jealous?’

Upon guessing the reason, she felt a chill run down her spine. Would it have been better not to mention Lexius? However, even if she had tried to hide it, it would have been discovered soon enough.

‘Avoiding him as much as possible was the best option.’

It was unclear when Skylar had figured out her schedule. Her senses heightened as she braced herself for a sharp interrogation that might come her way.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“Two hours each on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends. Then, I guess you’ll see him tomorrow as well?”

Skylar’s voice, which had broken the silence, was surprisingly smooth and calm. Ariel, a bit taken aback, took a moment to respond.

“Yes. I have an appointment tomorrow as well.”

“Okay. Then…”

He trailed off at the end of his sentence and leaned forward. After bringing himself to roughly her eye level, he whispered the rest of his sentence softly.

Ariel hesitated, looking troubled, and then nodded her head.

Please consider sending some love either through the translator’s Ko-fi or by leaving a rating/review for this series on novel updates~!