Valerie...she is no longer your enemy and also stays away from your Lord. You need to retain your calm and behave like an adult. You are not a hopeless maiden in love who will glare at the woman who once was after your Lord. You need to be forgiving and move forward. Yes, you have to!
"Did I do anything wrong?" Rhea couldn't help but ask the violette with a helpless sigh, "You are intently staring at me so I thought...."
"I am not staring at you. It's my normal gaze." Valerie fought back however, even Austin could tell that Valerie was being anything but normal at the moment.
However, that's what makes her adorable.
He hooked his arm with hers before responding to the pinkhead, "Thank you. Are you out here to work out?" He asked to cool down the atmosphere a little.
After conversing with the Protagonist, he realizes that all pink heads aren't evil, and this Protagonist isn't unbearable like some other reverse harem protagonists he has heard about from his online friends.
Rhea also removed her eyes from Valerie, seemingly accepting her fate to be always scorned by her, as she said, "Yep, wanted to shake off the tension a little. Anyway, how old did you turn this year?"
"Seventeen." Smilingly he responded.
"So any plans today?" Saying so, Rhea glanced at Valerie, only to find a subtle excitement appearing in her eyes, making it evident that the disciplinary chief must have planned something.
"I was thinking of going to the market and buying a few things today."
Rhea again glanced at Valerie and found that subtle panic in her eyes now, urging the pink head to say,
"Uh-I heard there would be a major sale on clothing items today, so the rush in the market would be quite chaotic. Why don't you go there on the weekend?"
Another glance and Rhea was relieved to see the serenity returning to Valerie's gaze.
'Phew~'
Austin was surprised, "A sale? Off-season? It's unexpected..."
Seeing Austin suspecting her words, Rhea suggested, "You are injured, Austin and the Headmaster have also said to stay indoors for the time being."
The blond Prince nodded, "Yes, you are right. Thanks for the advice."
The pink head gave a smiling nod before she excused herself, "I will see you in the class."
Seeing the girl depart, Austin said, "We should also return to our rooms and prepare for the classes."He was resuming classes after a long time, so surely he wouldn't want to arrive late."
"Uh-" Valerie had something to ask; however, she forgot what it was. However, she knew it was something important.
"Yes?" Austin's brows were raised as he looked at the girl.
However, soon she shook her head, "It's nothing. Let me escort you back to the dorm."
Austin didn't resist since every minute with Valerie was bliss for him.
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*Knock*
Austin was getting ready in his room when he heard the knock, "Come in, Sebas."
The door was unlocked, only to reveal the grey-haired man standing on the other side with a soft smile on his face, "Happy birthday, young lord."
Austin raised his brows, "Did you wake up late?" Generally, it has always been Sebastian who wished him first. However, today he arrived late.
"I was about to approach you, but when I heard Lady Valerie's voice from your room, I took the cue and stayed away until she was around."
Austin paused while he was tying his shoelaces and looked at the man with his eyes slightly parted wide,
"Sebastian...you know you are a great man, right?"
The man couldn't stop himself from chuckling, "I am aware, my Lord."
Stepping towards his master, the butler knelt before him and helped him tie his shoe laces.
Since Austin's leg was injured it was a little difficult for him to perform some of the trivial tasks.
While tying the shoe laces, the older one said, "It always warms my heart to see how brilliantly you have grown up, my lord. You have made several mistakes, but the fact you learned from your shortcomings makes me feel relieved."
Looking up at him, the butler took out something from his pocket before handing it to Austin, "This is a small gift from me. Happy birthday, my Lord."
Austin raised his brows in surprise seeing the detailed design on the small pocket watch.
"This is something I got from my father when he passed away—an artifact that will allow you to pause the time for a few seconds. However, you can use it only once a month since it takes the Lunar essence of a full moon to recharge."
Austin was thoroughly surprised, "Isn't it a very dangerous thing you are giving me?" Just thinking about gaining a few seconds of pause was quite terrifying. One single second of pause can conclude a battle.
Something like this should be a national treasure easily, and here...Sebastian was handing it to him? The second Prince and an academy student no less? Was it some kind of test?
However, Sebastian sighed in relief as he spoke, "I was told by my father to hand it to someone worthy of it. And now, you are wise enough to know its use, My Lord."
Austin was...taken aback. He continued to look at the man for a long time before he leaned forward and wrapped his hands around the man.
Sebastian smiled fondly, like a father comforting a child, he softly patted Austin's back as he heard him saying,
"Thank you, Sebas...thank you for trusting me." It has been so long for Austin to feel so...accepted by someone. Having a loving fiancée was one thing, but Sebastian gave him familial comfort.
Austin retained the original owner's memories but not his feelings. Yet, he knew that if the original had ever felt familial warmth, it must be akin to what he was experiencing now.
The butler continued to smile as he said, "If I don't trust you, then who will?"
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A/N:- Thanks for reading. I am so thankful for everyone who wrote a review and regularly posted comments. All those collections, PS and GT, I am so thankful to you all.