Chapter - 28 : Am I missing something here?

(Continuation…)

(Third Person View)

.

In a cozy corner of the café, Kavir, David, and Maya nestled into comfortable seats.

.

The air around them was charged with curiosity-

…at least around a certain someone.

"So, what's the deal between them?"

David leaned in toward Kavir, his attention unwaveringly fixed on the exchange between Rai and Rosalind.

Unlike David's initial encounter with Rai, where the latter's identity and background remained a mystery, Rosalind was a familiar face.

However, he had been genuinely surprised to discover Rai's true identity, even suspecting that it might be some elaborate prank.

That's why, when he aced(:barely passed) the Entrance Test for the Elite Class, David took it upon himself to memorize the faces and names of the important players.

In order to avoid any unnecessary trouble due to a lack of awareness, he made sure to know everyone who was ranked above a hundred in the Test and also the high profile figures, irrespective of their rank.

So when David learned Rai's identity from Rai himself, he couldn't believe how he had missed someone of his background.

Later, he was almost convinced to believe that he was really being pranked when Rai informed him that he didn't take the Test.

Because from what he knew, the Nobles would advertise all and if any Privileged Accommodation into the Academy, exhibiting their position in the Empire.

However, during his Test, forget about the grand news. He didn't even hear a rumor about having any Privileged Accommodations.

On top of how Rai behaved well mannered, simple, and respectfully towards him, he simply couldn't think of a high profile person who would be friendly towards a commoner just because he was a roommate.

In fact, David thought he shouldn't even be Rai's roommate.

In the end, all the facts were totally against Rai.

But David's doubts were fully put to rest when Rai received the invitation from the Second Ranker-Viviana Rosalind.

Though there were chances that it might be fake, he was at ease as the person who brought the invitation was Maya, whom David regards as Rosalind's closest aid.

Rosalind held the top spot on David's list of most significant figures—outranking even the highest scorer on the Entrance Test.

Although their interaction had been only brief he had met with Rosalind once during the test in their first round where he was teamed up in Rosalind's team randomly and proceeded to the next round.

That encounter offered a glimpse into Rosalind's prowess and intellect.

These all factors inevitably reshaped his perception of Rai.

In the Military Academy, an unspoken rule governed.

Tread carefully around the Nobles.

While the Academy frowned upon serious injuries, the bullying of commoners by the Noble students was distressingly common.

There might be exceptions for those exceptionally talented, perhaps within the top 50 ranks of the Academy.

However, David, ranked 503, knew he didn't belong to that category. He was well aware of the limitations of his talent.

Alternatively, there is also an unsung opportunity many commoners hope for—to become allies with a Noble.

To put it more bluntly, to become a Noble's lapdog in exchange for a better life.

And David wasn't averse to this path.

Nevertheless, he wasn't about to pledge loyalty to just anybody. His standards were higher than that.

So even though it was risky, he was trying to gauge Rai's reactions by being close to him.

David was well aware of what he was getting into by asking such questions directly to someone's Shadow.

And not to forget the presence of Maya.

Moreover, he was a little more afraid of Viviana Rosalind than Rai or Kavir.

David was well aware that being on Rosalind's bad side was not a desirable place to be.

Maya's keen ears inadvertently picked up David's question, though she managed to maintain her composed demeanor.

She hadn't anticipated such a direct query from David, a commoner, about Rosalind and Rai.

While the question surprised her, she didn't dwell on it extensively. After all, as she herself wasn't aware of the depth of leniency the three have with each other.

Sure, they looked more than acquainted, but she was under the impression that their familiarity didn't extend beyond being roommates at the academy.

From her viewpoint, it appeared to be rather harmless.

As for the nature of David's inquiry, she didn't view it as an earth-shattering matter.

She surmised that he was likely trying to gauge the extent of Rai and Rosalind's acquaintance, an ordinary curiosity rather than a probing investigation into their personal matters.

However, as David brought up the topic, she found herself reflecting on their relationship.

To deny that she hoped to see them together would be untrue.

Maya knew that Rosalind wouldn't easily open up to anyone beyond her family, a trait she thought Rai shared.

Perhaps that's why their friendship had flourished so quickly.

Yet, recent unforeseen circumstances had caused Rosalind's interests to shift towards pursuing the throne.

She fully supported her master in this endeavor, desiring the world to recognize her greatness.

However, she had overlooked the fact that goals often come with challenges, and these challenges can foster strength and isolation.

In light of this, she wished for a source of support upon which Rosalind could lean.

Rai seemed like the obvious choice.

Nonetheless, she detected mixed emotions from Rosalind towards Rai, which ultimately led to the suspension of the engagement proposal put forth by the Lotuscrest family to the Silverthorne family.

She was well aware that Rai and her Lady were simply friends.

...at least for the time being.

However, she chose not to step into the conversation, instead electing to quietly observe the unfolding scenario.

On the other hand, Kavir, upon hearing David's inquiry, initially contorted his face into an expression that clearly screamed.

'F*uck Off'

But within the blink of an eye, a thought sprang to mind as he recalled the counsel his Lord(:Rai) had offered—

-To try to get along with David-

As the unwaveringly loyal subordinate, Kavir decided to take that advice to heart…

Little did Rai know, his offhand words to Kavir were about to rebound on him with ten times the impact, biting him right back.

At this very moment, Kavir's expression shifted into a thoughtful mask, his features etched with seriousness.

This unexpected shift piqued David's curiosity, drawing him further into the unfolding scene.

David has initially decided to retreat the moment read Kavir's disapproving glance.

The signs were clear. He had ventured too deep into waters unknown.

And he was wise enough to recognize the limits of his inquiry.

He had already danced on the precipice by prying into Rai's personal affairs.

To push further would be akin to digging his own grave with a golden shovel.

However, the sudden shift in Kavir's demeanor was a curveball that couldn't be ignored.

Unconcerned by the reasons behind this shift, David found himself further intrigued, his curiosity stoked anew.

Amidst this backdrop, Maya's keen observation didn't waver.

Her watchful eyes stayed fixed on Kavir, puzzled by his intense contemplation over something that seemed rather straightforward.

[Why is he so overthinking this?]

Maya pondered, studying Kavir with subtle scrutiny.

Yet, she refrained from voicing her musings.

In a sudden twist, Kavir's thoughtful expression shifted, as though he had remembered something crucial.

His swift change in demeanor snapped David's focus onto him.

With a straight face, Kavir delivered his response-

"His Highness Rai proposed to Lady Rosalind-

"But she didn't give an answer."(Kavir)

Kavir's words concealed an entirely different layer of meaning that he and Maya heard from outside the chamber when Rosalind proposed Friendship between her and Rai.

His interpretation derived from an overheard snippet where Rai had said-

[Am I supposed to think I was ruthlessly rejected now?

[Don't keep me hanging.]

The misinterpretation was a result of his lack of experience in relationships.

However, the nuances were lost on him, and he remained blissfully unaware of his error.

Maya, upon hearing Kavir's statement, registered surprise and bewilderment.

Completely catching her off guard—an accomplishment in itself.

Her surprise and confusion were palpable, as her inner thoughts echoed.

[Am I missing something here?]

Yet, amidst this unfolding tableau, it was David who exhibited the most dramatic reaction.

His eyes widened like saucers, his face a mix of astonishment and disbelief, as he tried to process the unexpected bombshell Kavir had dropped into the conversation...

.

(To be continued…)

(Chapter END)

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