Well

Didnt you write it?

I did write it!

However, it had been completely ruined and devoured by a pool of black ink.

And it was taken away.

By Professor Lassen.

Oh.

Ians eyes shimmered. Since olden times, harsh punishments were imposed to anyone who tampered with a letter to the royal family. Such as the death penalty.

Heh, but it wasnt written well anyway.

Louise hastily added.

I dont think thats true.

It is true.Well, what did you write?

Wellin the first line.

Louise carefully recalled the contents of the letter, and let them flow from her thoughts to her lips.I wrotehappy birthday.

Thats a good introduction. And?

I asked you what it feels like to be an adult.

I dont feel anything. Yesterday and today arent much different.

His reply echoed her letter, and she smiled.

I thought so too. So I moved on to the next sentence.

Im looking forward to what you say next.

Dont raise your expectations. So thenLouise hesitated. What she wrote next was completely inappropriate.

I thanked you for tolerating my stubbornness. I mean, when I asked you to

I didnt expect you to say you were thankful for breaking our engagement on my birthday. Thats refreshing.

Well, it was only an accident that I wrote it.

I suppose so. I can imagine how embarrassed you probably looked after you wrote it. And then?

Fortunately Ian didnt seem to take issue with her mistake, so Louise relaxed and spoke more confidently. This was the most important part.

I said I hope you will continue to be good friends with me.Of course I will. Including Simon.

He never left his beloved cousin out of the oath of friendship.

And I signed it. Then letter was finished.

After the ink dried, I carefully folded it.

Now will you explain where the beautiful words in the letters are?

In the introduction?

There seems to be something missing. Hmm, considering Louise Sweeneys writing style

He nodded his head as if he were making calculations, then soon came to a conclusion.

I think you wrote something else down after you promised our friendship.

!

Its something you were surprised byThen you finished the letter and signed it quickly.

D-did you send someone to spy on me?

No, I do my spying myself. But its not a difficult deduction considering your way of thinking, your writing style, and the way your emotions flow.

There was so much he observed about Louise that she sat right up. Ian stared innocently down at Louise, oblivious to what was wrong.

Well, that was stalking. He had such a horrible obsession with her that he could figure out what was in her head!

Am I wrong?

He seemed nervous. She didnt understood what he was so worried about.

N-no, youre right.

I knew it.

Fine, was he happy now?

So what was it? Now Im even more curious.

Its not a big deal. I was wondering if it was okay to write it but

But you wrote it down?

Yes, unintentionally.

The truth, that is.

Yeah.

How much does this guy really understand her.

What was it?

Well, itsI know its not going to happen.

Ian seemed willing to listen to Louises lengthy explanation.

Youll stay at the Academy until this year and then youll be very busy after that. Not as the student council president, but as the crown prince. I know that His Highness has to do a lot of work for this country.

He nodded his head, encouraging her to keep talking.

So what I wrote at the end of the letter was just a little wishful thinking.

She had to do this properly.

So I hoped

Louise delivered the words of the letter as casually as she could.

I hoped that I could celebrate like this next year.

It sounded like a trivial thing, but it was something impossible. There was no such thing in the novel where the villainess and the male lead met afterwards and celebrated birthdays. However, Ian didnt seem to think about the forbidden relationship between the two. Well, he didnt know anything about the original story.

Well, of course

After a short pause, he pecked her lips again.

We can celebrate like this next year too.

This was not what I thought of when I was writing this.

Louise grumbled and covered her hand with her mouth. She had already gotten over the surprise of the small kisses and was worried that she was starting to like it.

Writing isnt always read as the author intended.

Then the readers interpretation is too impure.

I cant help but read it that way. Why not stimulate the imagination?

Honestly, why does the president

Why does the president keep doing this? She didnt finish her question. He wouldnt have understood if she asked anyway.

Thats an interesting start to a question.

Im sorry.

Dont worry. I really dont want to answer any more questions either.

He slowly stroked her ear hidden beneath her hair.

I promised you.

He repeated that days promise in a heavy voice.

A year. Then Ill leave you alone.

I

Louise didnt mean to be alone from him.

Its alright. If you have someone in your heart, someone in your mindif you have that feeling.

The hand caressing her ear paused.

I will accept it.

Louise couldnt bring herself to say that it wouldnt be her that would have feelings towards someone else.

Im looking forward to it.

W-what?

Seeing how far you can run away from me.

His face radiated confidence, as if he was certain that Louise would not be out of his reach. It wasnt even a competition.

Louise really hated losing to Ian.

I might go really, really far.

Maybe. My territory is pretty wide. Just enough that it would take a year or so for my lady to walk.

Well, if I look hard enough, maybe I can find a good-looking guy.

Ians face darkened a little at that. Come to think of it, she would cause quite a stir among other men. Louise Sweeney was smart and hardworking. She was also honest, pretty, and her hair felt amazing. And her lips were so soft and sweet that he wished he could taste them some more right now

If he went there, hell have to endure being scolded by Mrs. Sweeney during summer vacation, but he could put up with it.

Ignorant of the complicated emotions swirling in his mind, Louise let out a small yawn. The exhaustion from today was catching up to her now. It was incredible that she bore that heavy burden on her shoulders.

He hugged Louise close and patted her back like before. He heard another yawn.

Do you want to sleep like this?

Im cozy and comfortable, so its okay, but

When will this girl stop being so vulnerable?

Im sorry you have to be on the hard floor on your birthday.

Louises words started to slur, following the gentle rhythm of his patting.

Its okay.

He whispered in a small voice so as not to disturb her sleep. A muffled laugh came from his arms, followed by her steady breathing. Ian listened to it, breathing perfectly in time.

Finally, Louise succumbed to slumber. Ian leaned his face against Louises hair and murmured into it.

Im cozy and comfortable too.

Before they knew it, a short dawn arrived at their feet.

*

*

*

Early morning the next day.

Louise swallowed nervously as she stood in front of Professor Hewitts office. The teachers assistant probably didnt come to work, and the professor was busy with his own private study. He may take offense at this unscheduled visit. However, there was no other way.

Knock knock.

She struck up the courage to knock on the door, and she heard permission given from inside. Louise carefully opened the door, holding herself as the example of the most polite posture in the world. Polite, not patronizing. Professor.

Ah, hello, Professor Hewitt.

Louise carefully looked up and examined the professors expression. Despite her perfect manners, he was glaring daggers at Louise.

Why are you here?