[TTH] 29 – ⚝ Zinon's perspective: I've been patient for two years while dealing with a lady who requires a lot of effort. ⚝ (1)

These chapters include Zinon's reminiscences, so the timeline goes back and forth a bit.

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Rewinding the clock, one year back.

“Uwaaaa!!”

A man’s scream echoes, his body shaking and sweat drenching his clothes in fear.

“I’ve been careless,” he murmurs.

Following the swift sound of the air being sliced, slim throwing knives are embedded one after another into the wooden wall.

Deliberately aimed just around the man’s outline, dozens of them fuelling his terror.

“I was distracted by other things and overlooked it.”

In the darkness of the sealed room, the dazzling sunlight filters through the lattice, intermittently illuminating a handsome profile.

“Zinon, that’s enough. You haven’t practiced throwing knives in a while, right? Your aim must be off by now.”

“Considering you’re throwing in this darkness; your skills are impressive. If the prince learns to interrogate too, I’ll be out of a job.”

“Right. You need to balance your zeal for learning. It’s about time for your next official duty, Zinon.”

The man’s fear intensifies with the calm words from Patrick and the palace magician, who had been silently watching from behind.

“In that case, we better finish this quickly.”

His pure blue eyes flicker like a cruel flame.

Without hesitation, he smoothly swings his arm, throwing the 15-centimeter-long knives with force, one after another.

“Hiiee! I can’t take it anymore!”

“Please, I beg you, I didn’t do anything to anyone... Hiii!”

Perhaps the terror of the gleaming blades spinning and vigorously piercing the wall at a dangerously close distance has reached its limit. The man, cornered against the wall, wets himself in fright, and tears stream from his eyes.

Zinon ruthlessly aims, tilting his head while looking at the man.

“You’ve done well to survive without being disposed of until today. I should thank you.”

With a swish, another knife is thrown.

“Hiiee! Stop it! Get me out of here!”

“Then, you have one chance only.”

Zinon’s blue eyes blaze intensely.

“Start talking, now.”

***

(What on earth is she thinking, that fool!)

With my undoubtedly furious face in her rear-view sits a crestfallen Richeli.

At the table in Richeli’s garden at the Morgan Duke’s residence, there's a truly incomprehensible group is gathered.

Wanda and Mira, thrilled that Richeli brought a female friend for the first time, prepared more than usual, which only fuels my sighs. The number of sighs is countless.

Julian and Abby join us as always, taking their usual spots at the now-familiar table.

For some reason, Axel is also here. Perhaps he heard about the first day of the magic academy from a butler, or maybe he timed it to coincide with our return. Either way, he was already chatting with Julian and the others.

Then, there’s Patrick, who couldn’t bear to watch today’s unusual guest and came along.

Trying as much as possible not to meet gazes, next to Richeli, across from me, sits...

A shy-looking Baroness Berkeley, her mint-green eyes lowered, staring at the teacup being filled.

No matter how I look at it, I can’t stop glaring at Richeli.

((...Zinon... Your face is scary. Can’t you make it a bit softer?))

Seemingly unable to bear my ill-tempered state, Richeli whispers in my ear in a tiny voice.

Of course, I dismiss her with a glance, expressing my rejection. As if I could, idiot.

She brought the root cause of my blood-curdling patience over the past two years right before me.

“It’s the first time your sister has brought a friend over, right? Right, Julian?”

“True. Sister, it was a good idea to go to the magic academy after all, wasn’t it?”

Julian and Abby, who had been waiting cheerfully for Richeli’s return, exchanged glances, their faces filled with anticipation.

The two twelve-year-olds still spend most of their time together, getting along well. Or rather, borrowing Richeli’s words, they are lovey-dovey. Abby is a commoner, but if she becomes a court gardener, she’ll get a decent position, making it easier to marry Julian.

“Oh, the Berkeley Baron’s house... Their territory is quite far from the royal capital, isn’t it? But I see, they have such a cute daughter.”

“You flatter me... Thank you.”

Immediately, the curious Axel starts chatting with Baroness Berkeley in a friendly manner, and the baroness blushes in response.

Richeli watches this as if studying them while Patrick and I, unable to stop sighing, exchange silent glances.

(Well, I can roughly guess how it came to this.)

Patrick’s hazel eyes tell a story and a hazy prediction begins to form in our minds.

Richeli, who ended up in the same class as Baroness Berkeley due to their weak magical powers, was likely apologised to by her after all the lectures.

Naturally, I bet she not only forgave her but also offered words of comfort. Unable to bear the awkward atmosphere, Richeli probably invited the baroness, about to return to her dormitory alone, for tea on a whim.

Really, what is she thinking?

Sending salt to her enemy, what’s she going to do?

From the unusual agitation Richeli showed when she first saw Baroness Berkeley, I understood. Ah, so this is the one.

I’ve been seeing Richeli almost every day for two years, kissing her almost daily because she’s my fiancée – a reason Richeli has been reminding herself of every night.

Richeli is convinced that this world operates on a predetermined storyline.

Whether I like it or not, I’m beginning to understand.

According to Richeli, over the two years since she and Rin switched places and were reborn, her nightly monologues to Muguet have given me more than enough time to grasp everything.

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