MTLNOVEL Chapter 66
“Erik-sama… Lunch break is about to end.”
“Huh? It’s already that late? Thanks for waking me up.”
In front of me, Erik-sama rubbed his sleepy eyes and stretched his body.
Just like last week, he seemed quite busy with something.
“Alright, time to tackle the afternoon classes!”
As I watched him psych himself up by lightly slapping his cheeks…
“Um, if you don’t mind, some classmates and I are planning to have tea after school. Would you like to join us, Erik-sama?”
Recently, Erik-sama had looked exhausted.
I thought of offering him some herbal tea with restorative effects, hoping it might help, but…
“Sorry, I have something to do after school.”
He looked genuinely apologetic as he bowed his head.
“N-no… it’s alright.”
As I stepped back, Erik-sama turned to leave the classroom.
But I couldn’t help calling out to him.
“Erik-sama, please don’t overexert yourself.”
The reason I said this was that, at this moment, Erik-sama reminded me too much of my father when he collapsed from overwork.
“Huh?”
Erik-sama blinked in surprise, then looked at me and…
“Thank you. I’ll try to hold on just a little longer, so don’t worry.”
He said this with a smile.
“Today’s tea party is at Angelica-sama’s room, right?”
After school, one of my classmates who was planning to attend the tea party spoke to me.
“Yes, I’ll be stopping by the store first. If you could visit a little later, that would be ideal.”
“Understood. I actually have some cookies from my family home—I’ll bring them along.”
After exchanging those words, I headed toward the store.
On the way…
“Is that… Erik-sama?”
I spotted him entering the facility known as the Research Building.
“If I recall correctly, that place is used for alchemical synthesis…”
I remembered hearing that during the academy tour.
“What is he doing there?”
I was curious, but my classmates were waiting for me.
For now, I needed to focus on my errand.
“Angelica-sama, please have some cookies.”
As I took a bite, the rich flavor of butter spread through my mouth.
“They’re delicious.”
When I expressed my thoughts, my classmate beamed with joy.
That was when I noticed her ring.
“Oh? That ring…”
For something worn by a noble, its craftsmanship was rough, and the gemstone’s color was dull. As I was contemplating that…
“Actually, this was a gift from my fiancé.”
Yet, she lovingly stroked the ring.
“From your fiancé…?”
Noticing my confusion, she added an explanation.
“It’s currently a trend in town to give handmade accessories to one’s beloved. When I returned home last weekend, he gave me this. I’ll never forget that moment.”
She must truly love him.
Her cheeks flushed, and she smiled sweetly.
“Angelica-sama, do you have someone special?”
“I… No, I do not.”
For me, curing my mother’s illness took priority over everything else.
I couldn’t afford to spend time on romance.
Even if I harbored feelings for someone…
“Some of our classmates seem to have feelings for you, though.”
I was aware of such gazes directed at me, but I had no intention of responding to them.
In the end, the tea party mostly consisted of listening to my classmate’s love story before we disbanded.
The next day, with the weekend approaching, the class was in high spirits.
Unfortunately, I had been summoned back to the castle and had to return.
As I packed my textbooks, feeling a little envious of the lively atmosphere around me…
“Angelica, can I have a moment?”
“Erik-sama, of course.”
Though it had only been a few days since we last spoke, it felt nostalgic.
Dark circles had formed under Erik-sama’s eyes—he was clearly exhausted.
“You seem very tired. You should take the weekend to rest.”
Honestly, I would have liked to spend time together and deepen our friendship, but I had matters to attend to at the castle.
Just as I was thinking that…
“I know it’s sudden, but could you take me to your family’s estate this weekend?”
“Huh? Why?”
His unexpected request made me reflexively ask in return.
Since I had already been summoned home, taking him along wouldn’t be a problem.
But I couldn’t understand why Erik-sama wanted to visit my family home.
Questions naturally arose in my mind, and I gave him a questioning look.
Then, in the next moment, Erik-sama dropped a bombshell.
“I want to meet your parents.”
Seeing his serious expression, all I could do was nod.