IVPCB 27

Chapter 27

But Juran’s expression was nothing but serious.

“With three university-graduated tutors clinging to you and studying like your life depends on it for three years, anyone can pass.”

Juran added in a casual tone. He was so matter-of-fact that it was actually more pitiful.

Telling him to cheer up seemed like the best thing to say, but the words wouldn’t come easily. For someone like me who had seen Juran’s story through the original work, anything I said felt like too shallow a consolation.

For a moment, I lost my words and just stared at Juran’s face. A deep emotion briefly clouded his pretty amber eyes.

To me, it looked like raw, unrefined hatred toward someone.

Just then, the maid came in pushing a cart loaded with a tea set and simple desserts.

I spotted scones with lemon zest, a pie with strawberry jam and sprinkled with powdered sugar, and slice cake. The black tea was a premium grade, judging by its rich red color and fine aroma.

After setting the table, the maid turned and placed the vase holding the sweet peas on Juran’s desk. The green glass bottle matched the pink sweet peas beautifully.

At that moment, Juran, who had been gazing at the flowers, murmured quietly.

“Glass.”

Instantly, the maid’s face went pale.

“I’m so sorry, Young Master. I mistakenly brought in a newly acquired vase……!”

“Enough. It’s not your fault. You may go.”

At his dismissal, the maid hurriedly bowed and left. The door closed silently, just as when she had entered.

“…….”

After the maid brought the vase, the atmosphere surrounding Juran grew noticeably darker.

Was it simply because a servant had failed to match his tastes, like any other noble?

But the Juran I knew from the game was someone who would just smile and overlook a servant’s small mistake. He never showed such emotions.

Yet now, though he was trying hard to suppress his feelings, he seemed somehow angry. I grew curious about the identity of the emotion that the fifteen-year-old Juran had briefly revealed.

“Do you hate glass vases?”

I couldn’t help but ask carefully.

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“……It’s just my taste.”

The answer that came back was a beat late.

At the same time, Juran took a gulp of his tea and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the shadows on his face were gone.

“More importantly, Anis, what are those flowers in the vase? They look like butterfly wings—they’re pretty.”

Juran even wore the gentle smile he usually showed me, trying to change the subject. It was a subtle signal that he didn’t want to talk about the vase anymore.

The vase was probably an uncomfortable topic for him. I was curious about the reason.

‘……Ah.’

After a moment of thought, I realized something.

And I also had a vague sense of why there were no decorations in the room at all.

One scene from the original work came to mind. In a dim room, a boy with a younger face than now, curled up, uneasy piano background music, sharp crackling sounds through earphones.

On the heavily scratched wooden floor, a glass vase, spilled water, and mangled lily-of-the-valley flowers lay scattered, and in front of them stood a large man in black clothes.

*Crunch!*

The man’s large foot in black boots stepped on a picture frame lying on the floor. The glass that had protected the picture inside had long since shattered into pieces. When the foot lifted, even the wooden frame was smashed to bits.

“Don’t you think you can’t focus on your studies because you keep such useless things in your room?”

The man sighed and muttered lowly. His dark whiskey-colored eyes were filled with contempt for the boy.

“Father, please don’t break that one. That’s what Mother left behind…….”

The boy, his face pale, staggered to his feet and reached toward the ship model.

“Ah, so this is your weakling mother’s keepsake? Good. Then let’s get rid of this too, while we’re at it.”

The demon called ‘father’ by the boy smiled coldly.

“No! Please……!”

The boy cried out and lunged for the model, but the sound of shattering glass came faster than he could reach it.

*Crunch!*

The glass model shattered in an instant.

The boy sobbed and picked up the already broken glass shards. Shards were embedded in his hands, blood flowing freely, but he didn’t care. His face was dazed, as if he had even forgotten the pain in his palms.

……Juran’s father, Duke Willow, had a habit of throwing things when he got angry.

The reason Juran had briefly shown discomfort toward the glass vase was also because he pictured it being destroyed by Willow.

Realizing the identity of the emotion Juran had revealed through that cutscene, I felt a pang of unease in one corner of my heart.

“Anis, why are you staring off into space?”

Just then, Juran asked.

Now I had to decide. Should I change the subject as Juran wanted and avoid the uncomfortable topic, or should I reach out to him, knowing the full truth?

‘Right. There was the kitchen incident too, and the fact that he didn’t attack me when we first met……. I owe him one way or another, so let’s help him!’

I decided to think simply, without weighing too many pros and cons. I’m just the type of person who can’t stand owing anyone.

“Um, Juran.”

When I called him, those amber eyes quietly looked at me.

“I’m pretty good at reading people’s expressions. And just now, after you talked about the exam and the vase, your expression darkened.”

“…….”

At my words, the smile vanished from Juran’s face in an instant. He seemed taken aback that I had read his expression.

“So what I’m saying is—if something’s troubling you, would you tell me?”

I approached as gently as possible, so Juran wouldn’t feel pressured.

“It’s none of your concern.”

At my words, Juran drew a clear line. I could see his face slowly hardening with coldness.

“None of my concern—so you do have something on your mind?”

I caught the implication in his words. Juran’s eyes stiffened briefly, and his Adam’s apple moved significantly.

It was a sign of emotional turmoil. And I decided to take just one more step.

I thought for a moment. What would be the best way to let him know I was ready to listen without burdening him too much?

“You know, I really liked seeing you smile.”

At my sudden remark, Juran narrowed his eyes, showing interest. Just as I expected.

“I’ve been thinking about it since that morning we met in the kitchen. You look really pretty when you smile.”

“……Why are you bringing that up?”

“I just wanted to let you know that my concern comes from a simple reason. Because I like seeing you smile, I want to help you not make such shadowed expressions.”

At my words, Juran fell into thought for a moment.

The fact that he was considering my words instead of brushing them off was a positive sign. So I waited patiently until he gave me an answer.

“This is my problem. It’s something I have to endure alone. It’s my responsibility. So don’t interfere any further.”

But Juran’s answer was stubborn. I could vaguely guess the reason.

Juran was a good and responsible person, so he was probably worried I’d get hurt if I got involved.

Because Willow held the high position of Duke Aldebaran, and if his mood soured, I would likely not be safe either.

I appreciated his sentiment, but at the same time, I felt sorry for Juran, who was bearing something that wasn’t even his fault as if it were his responsibility.

He was struggling resolutely to solve a difficult problem alone, and it reminded me so much of myself in the second round.

“Can’t you at least tell me? You never know—I might be able to help.”

“If you get involved, others get hurt. That’s why this is something I have to handle alone.”

Juran’s gaze, fixed on me, radiated uprightness and conviction.

His stubbornness truly was astounding.

That resolve to bear it all alone—fine. But you know what, Juran? You suffer alone under Willow’s violence until you come of age.

When I played the original game, I vaguely disliked that story. But now that I’ve seen you and talked to you directly, I understand.

I hate that story. Because it reminds me of my own story—the one where I was destined to be a ‘supporting villainess.’

I didn’t like my story, so I broke it apart with my own hands. And if I don’t like the changed story, I’m always ready to change it again.

I’m fearless like that, Juran.

“Whether I get hurt or not—we won’t know until we try.”

I summarized my conviction in one quiet sentence.

“No. I’m a knight who protects people. Knowing full well that getting involved will clearly lead to injury—how could someone who holds a sword just stand by?”

Juran’s words remained as resolute as a straight arrow.

But I saw it. The conviction in those eyes had flickered just slightly.

I could vaguely tell that my words had shaken him. I decided to back off for now.

After all, I hadn’t expected to fully persuade Juran today anyway.

“I understand your concern. But Juran, as I said from the beginning—I just want to hear your story. Even if I get hurt in the process, I’ll be fine. It’s my choice.”

I organized my thoughts and conveyed them to Juran.

“Then I’ll be going now.”

At my words, Juran didn’t reply. His gaze had deepened, as if he was mulling over what I’d said.

I deliberately turned slowly toward the basket, took out Juran’s history book, and picked up the basket. I wanted to give the confused Juran some time to think.

“…….”

Juran stayed silent until I placed the tattered history book on the table with a ‘thud.’

I waited a little longer in that state, then rose. Enough time had passed for the warm tea to grow cold.

As I waited for Juran and slowly looked around the room, I carefully picked up the vase on the table.

Only then did Juran’s eyes turn to me.

“Hey. Could you give me this vase? I think it’s pretty.”

I looked straight at Juran and asked. The reason I deliberately and abruptly asked to take the vase was to subtly hint to Juran that I was aware of Willow’s violence.

“……Take it.”

Juran’s answer came slowly.

“Thanks. Next time, I’ll bring you something better.”

“What?”

“It’s a secret.”

As I turned to leave fully, I paused briefly at the door. I remembered one last thing I wanted to say to Juran.

“Think about confiding in me when things are hard. If you’re going to, let it be in a positive way. Definitely!”

I smiled brightly and waved my hand. I felt a heavy gaze clinging to my back, but I pretended not to notice.