It’s Not Night - Chapter 178.2

“Lord Airak? He’s been around here a lot lately. The Knight Academy buildings are on the opposite side, though.”

“Lately?”

“Yes, since you returned from the site. It looks like he’s searching for someone… Maybe he’s looking for you?”

Elverika glanced sharply at Andra.

“That smells fishy.”

But Andra was the one who felt uncomfortable at her friend’s suggestion.

“Why would he be looking for me?”

Given that she had almost no interactions with Dustin Airak, Andra waved her hands dismissively at Elverika’s suspicion.

“He’s not looking for me. That’s not it.”

“Really? It seemed like something might have happened between you two at the site.”

“I swear, nothing happened. We were just partners for the assignment. Yes, Lord Airak did carry me to the infirmary when I collapsed, but… that’s all. He was gone by the time I woke up.”

Rather, why was she even explaining this?

“Anyway, it’s not me. Why would Lord Airak be looking for me?”

Convinced by Andra’s firm tone, Elverika dropped her suspicious look, though a bit of curiosity lingered.

“Are you sure?”

Andra sighed and said.

“Did you forget about it? It’s Airak, after all. Even if there were connections, it would disappear at any moment.”

“Still, compared to your families, you and the Lord aren’t on bad terms.”

At Elverika’s words, Andra nodded absently. That was true, but still… Andra turned her gaze back outside to Dustin Airak.

Dark hair, green eyes, well over 190cm tall with a proportionately large frame. A true knight from a military family, his body was sculpted entirely of muscle. Isn’t that why the arts students so often wanted him as a model?

In fact, Andra Avelin and Dustin Airak, despite the infamous rivalry between their families, didn’t really have a bad relationship. They seldom crossed paths, and Dustin was far from the brutish image that was often associated with the Airak family.

Andra was initially surprised by Dustin’s polite behavior when they first met. She had braced herself for the barbaric attitude her father and brothers had warned her about, yet Lord Airak turned out to be more well-mannered than most nobles from the capital.

“We’re not enemies, but that doesn’t mean we’re friends. I don’t plan on becoming close, and I doubt he does either.”

“That would be funny if you two were the only ones friendly in your feuding families.”

Andra was surprised at Dustin’s appearance for a moment but quickly composed herself, maintaining a polite distance. This meant there was no conflict or unnecessary entanglement.

Besides, Dustin’s stays in the capital were so rare they were almost only at annual events.

However, when she heard that Dustin, like her, had chosen to attend the academy, Andra couldn’t help but be shocked.

“Honestly, I wonder why he enrolled at the academy. I came here because I want to study, but him…”

“Maybe he has his reasons too.”

“What could possibly be important enough to leave the North and attend the capital’s academy?”

“Why the sudden explosion of interest in Lord Airak today, Lady Avelin?”

“What? No, it’s just… something feels off.”

“What’s off?”

Elverika’s question made Andra pause, flustered.

“Well… it’s just that I think something happened with Lord Airak back then, but I can’t remember it. Ever since I fainted in Aslan, it’s been like this.”

“Why is that off?”

“I’m not sure if those memories are real, and I can’t remember them? There’s definitely something, but I can’t figure it out. It’s like it’s too far back to remember clearly, yet it doesn’t feel that old…”

Even as Andra spoke, she couldn’t shake the feeling she was rambling and unconsciously fiddled with the necklace around her neck.

“What could it be? What am I forgetting?”

This nagging question, like a puzzle, continued to disturb Andra’s thoughts.

“From what I see, it looks like you’re not in your right mind because of your thesis. Your memory and focus are all over the place.”

“Maybe. I mean, if something significant had happened with Lord Airak, I would definitely remember it. He’s not someone you forget easily.”

Andra glanced out the window, unable to take her eyes off Lord Airak, who was visible in the distance. Elverika, finishing her juice with a slurp, cheerfully offered a solution.

“Well, if it bothers you that much, why not visit him after your thesis is done? He was the one who found you when you fainted at the site. It wouldn’t be bad to thank him over a cup of tea.”

“Hmm… that’s a good idea, Elver. I’ll consider that after I finish my thesis. I need to head back now, though. I just thought of something to add to my paper.”

Andra stood up and grabbed her things. Elverika looked at her with a sympathetic gaze.

“Poor thing. You’ve become a slave to your thesis.”

Andra let out a low laugh without realizing.

“What can I do? But I’m almost done.”

“Alright, just hang in there a bit longer.”

Andra waved goodbye to Elverika and was about to leave when she felt like she momentarily locked eyes with Lord Airak outside the window. It felt incredibly strange.