It’s Not Night - Chapter 179.1

“Your Highness?”

It wasn’t long after Andra had completed her first draft of the thesis when Jonathan arrived with important news. His face was tense as he began to speak. Andra nodded and climbed into the carriage he had arrived in.

“You’re going to the Morgennis region?”

“You’ve heard that the way to the uncharted continent has opened. It’s time to raise the Empire’s prestige once more.”

While Andra was busy preparing her thesis, many things had been happening outside the academy. The hottest topic currently was the uncharted continent. Recently, the path to this untouched land, inaccessible to humans for thousands of years, had suddenly opened up.

The Mezei Mountains were no longer a barrier that swallowed people, and the previously turbulent sea routes had miraculously calmed. As a result, the entire world’s attention was now focused on what lay beyond. The uncharted continent promised endless potential for development. If managed well, it could bring untold wealth.

The Empire swiftly decided to send an expedition team to explore this new land. The Morgennis region, which included the Mezei Mountains, lay on the path to the continent and was part of the Empire.

Naturally, this drew not only the imperial family’s interest but also that of the nobles, who were all eager to invest in the expedition.

“But Your Highness, it’s too dangerous for you to go there directly…”

“My sister is going too. It’s not just me.”

“Is this by Her Majesty’s command?”

“Yes.”

“It seems the Emperor has finally made her decision.”

Jonathan’s words left Andra silent. She had been aware, through her brothers, that the battle for the throne was nearing its climax, but she hadn’t expected the Emperor to make such a bold move.

Noticing Andra’s worried expression, Jonathan laughed softly. It looked quite reassuring.

“Don’t worry, Anna. There’s nothing for you to be concerned about.”

“You seem relieved, Your Highness.”

“It’s the end. We won’t have to do these things anymore. But more importantly…”

Jonathan pulled a small case from his pocket. When he opened the lid, a ring adorned with a blue teardrop-cut gemstone was revealed.

“It’s a gift. It reminds me of your eyes.”

“Your Highness, I…”

“Don’t misunderstand. It’s just a graduation gift. Once I go to Morgennis, I won’t be able to return to the capital for at least six months. I’d love to be there to congratulate you at your graduation, but since I can’t, consider this an early present.”

Can you give me your hand?He extended his hand toward Andra, prompting her to give him hers. As soon as she did, he slipped the ring onto her ring finger. The beautiful ring gleamed brilliantly, but for some reason, it left Andra feeling uneasy.

It was happening again. The feeling that she had forgotten something important.

With a sunken expression, Andra stared at the ring, unable to take her gaze away. What was it that she had forgotten?

“What’s wrong? Don’t you like it?”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just so beautiful… I was thinking it’s too much for someone who only stays at the academy.”

“Graduation is not far off. Even if you don’t wear it now, you can wear it then. You’ll be staying in the capital even after graduation.”

At Jonathan’s words, Andra nodded involuntarily. After all, she had enrolled in the academy with that very promise. To join the central social circles after graduation.

Originally, Andra was supposed to debut in the central social circles following the footsteps of Lady Venetolia on her coming-of-age day. However, she ceded that spot to Lady Jewelie and returned to the East without any regrets.

Many still wondered why, but the truth was, there wasn’t a specific reason. She simply wanted to at the time.

“Anna.”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

“…”

“I still feel like the capital isn’t where I belong.”

Andra told Jonathan with honesty. He gazed at her for a moment with a gentle expression before speaking with a slightly bitter tone.

“So, you’re still considering my previous proposal.”

Andra knew well what discussions had taken place between Jonathan and herself. He had already opened up to her once. Back then, she hadn’t given it much thought, but now things felt a bit different.

Jonathan was as kind and good-hearted as her brothers, but Andra realized that she couldn’t love him. This realization left her feeling strange, as if she was already in love with someone else and couldn’t share her heart with Jonathan.

“I’m sorry, it’s not that I don’t like you, Your Highness. It’s just that…”

“I understand, you don’t have to explain. I don’t want to burden you.”

Jonathan said, reaching out to gently arrange her hair.

“Still, I’ll wait. Whenever you have an answer, just let me know, alright?”

Andra lowered her gaze. She couldn’t answer. Her heart throbbed too much to utter a lie.