Chapter - 37 : Then…?

(Continuation…)

(Third Person View)

.

"Come on, I am one of your House members."(Rai)

Rai declared, his words carrying a hint of playfulness as he accompanied them with a wink.

"You are?"(Rosalind)

There was a subtle raise of her eyebrows as she questioned Rai again, and oddly enough, it felt as though she was genuinely surprised by Rai's revelation.

"Wait, you still haven't invited me to join your House, have you?"

Rai's inquiry carried a tentative note, as if he had just remembered not receiving an invitation.

A soft sigh escaped Rosalind's lips, and she gently shook her head.

"...No, I haven't."(Rosalind)

She replied, her response tinged with a hint of hesitation.

"Why though?!"

Rai's confusion was palpable.

He was trying to piece together the puzzle of Rosalind's intentions.

In the world of the Novel, Rosalind had asked him to join her House during the Orientation Ball.

[So, what is she hesitating about this time?](Rai)

Rai found himself wondering about her unexpected delay.

Oddly, Rai's present situation left him grappling with an unusual sense of defeat.

Yeah, he felt he was constantly losing and coming up short compared to his character in the novel.

And not just once, but twice.

The engagement that should have taken place had been inexplicably delayed.

Now he was again not invited as a House member, as per the story.

It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially since he believed he had become a better version of him.

"I assumed you wouldn't join any House at all."

Rosalind clarified her thoughts.

"Heh? Why would I do that?"

Rai asked, genuinely puzzled by her assumption.

"Well, I thought that you would prefer not to involve yourself in this political ploy and simply–

"...laze around."(Rosalind)

In that straightforward statement, Rosalind's honesty shone through.

…Especially in the later part.

Upon hearing her comments, Rai's expression shifted briefly, his face seeming to convey–

'Is that last part necessary?'

"..."(Rosalind)

For which Rosalind's response was a blank look, unaffected by his silent query.

Aside from all this, her reply just now caught Rai by surprise, without a doubt.

But it also cleared up a lot of doubts that he cramped in himself.

Giving him a more clear view of what is exactly happening in his relationship with her.

In the Novel-Rai's–character, at that particular point, couldn't offer much assistance beyond his title.

Nevertheless, she offered Rai an invitation.

Or, to put it more plainly, she simply wanted to use Rai's title.

She did this without a second thought about how or what Rai's opinion was on this matter.

Because she viewed him as a simple tool to be used.

[Huh? Is she actually considering my feelings?

[She really backed down, respecting my nature?

[Is this a change? If so, I might really have a chance.]

[Does it mean that she chose not to respond to the engagement to prevent our relationship from being built solely on strengthening her position as a candidate for the Emperor?

[I don't know.](Rai)

However, this revelation offered Rai a glimmer of hope.

"I wish I could simply laze around just as you said-

"But you do remember I am also a Prince, right?"

Rai's words held a touch of wishfulness.

"*chuckle~, when did you start caring about that?"

Rosalind's amusement was evident as she chuckled at Rai's newfound consideration of his royal title.

"Damn, Viviana, can't you just see the change in me?"

Rai retorted playfully, with a hint of mock woundedness in his tone.

"No. You haven't changed a bit."(Rosalind)

She stated it with absolute certainty.

Maybe she is the only one who would say something like that to Rai.

After all, she never knew the 'old' Rai from the start.

"Haven't changed, huh…?

–Rai's tone shifted, taking on a more contemplative quality as he leaned in slightly, narrowing the physical gap between them.

–He gazed directly into Rosalind's golden eyes, framed by her glasses, without hesitation.

"It's funny, though.

"You seem to have changed quite a bit, Viviana."(Rai)

Rai mused, his words laced with sincerity.

This statement by Rai really meant what he was saying.

According to what he has noticed in the following days.

[She became more-Bossy-with people.

[...and maybe a little possessive?

[What the heck happened during those two months?](Rai)

Rai really doesn't know what happened, as the Novel also did not reveal any as the story only started from the Academy.

"Hmm, I suppose you could tell the difference."

Rosalind acknowledged him after a brief pause, maintaining eye contact with him.

"It seems I can."(Rai)

A sense of pride infused Rai's response.

With that quiet admission, he returned to his seat

"*nod, So you are willing to join my House?"

Rosalind asked in a conformist tone.

"Yeah, about that...

"Are you sure you want me in your House?"

Rai's question appeared to challenge his earlier sentiments.

A small furrow creased Rosalind's brow as she processed his words–

"What's that supposed to mean, Rai?"(Rosalind)

Accordingly, Rosalind's words hinted at a growing frustration.

[...she is angry.](Rai)

Rai noted the shift in her mood.

"Hey, don't be angry just yet!

"Hear me out."

Rai requested, for a moment, to explain himself.

"I am not angry."(Rosalind)

"Are you, uh, sure?"(Rai)

Rai's inquiry held a tinge of skepticism, and his playful persistence was evident.

"I am."

Rosalind's response was firm, as she noticed his sarcasm in it.

"...if you say so."

Rai conceded, choosing to accept her response even when he believed he was in the right.

–THUD!

"Just.Explain.Already."(Rosalind)

Rosalind's words were accompanied by a forceful stab of her pen onto the table, inadvertently breaking its nib in the process she had used to sign documents until now.

[Poor pen! Someone has to vent their anger at a lifeless thing.

[But I better open up.](Rai)

Rai's inner thoughts revealed his contemplation.

"Okay, what I'm saying is–

"Wouldn't it be more beneficial if I joined another House, and conquered them completely from inside?"(Rai)

Rai finally revealed his underlying thoughts.

Taking over a House.

It might sound arrogant and far-fetched if it were heard from anyone else, but Rodalind knew Rai was confident in what he was saying.

…and he might make it possible if given a year's time or even less.

Even Rai thought Rosalind would propose the same thing, like joining another House.

Most probably around Sixth rank and below.

Yet Rai had his own perspective on the matter.

If he was going to do it, he was committed to going all the way.

Like targeting a higher Rank House.

Especially a certain Fifth Rank one.

Why? well, just so that he can pick on an arrogant bastard.

However, the lingering question was whether he was truly willing to engage in such tiresome work or not.

"That way you will be having two Houses under our grasp."(Rai)

Rai posed this idea to her, his expression reflecting deep contemplation.

It is undoubtedly the most efficient and effective method for expanding one's influence, and Rai understood that Rosalind is more than smart enough and likely already considered this strategic approach.

Given what he knew about her character, Rai believed it to be the logical choice.

[Is she expecting I would reject this idea regardless and therefore choose not to bring it up?

[No, that should not be the case either.

[Even if she's extremely confident, Rosalind would still be the type to give things a try before giving up.

[So the point is what she is trying to hide?](Rai)

"...It's true, I did think about it."(Rosalind)

Rosalind's admission carried a note of uncertainty, her voice revealing the internal conflict she was grappling with.

"Then…?"(Rai)

Rai's response hung in the air, his curiosity piqued by her admission.

.

(To be continued…)

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