‘Hey, cut it out. Not every woman in the world is like you.’
[This is so unfair. I’m serious! I was just sharing some information that I thought you should know.]
‘Information like Elda being a masochistic pervert like you?’
[Yeah. It seems like this woman also has some feelings for you. Wouldn’t it be useful to know that? When you hit her earlier, I sensed a faint feeling of excitement from her. She probably wants to be dominated by a strong man.]
Cheonryeo diligently explained.
Is this for real…?
I’m speechless.
When I read the original, there was no such perverted setting.
After hearing Cheonryeo’s words, my head started spinning.
It feels like I’m gradually discovering new sides of the heroines that I didn’t know before.
Not that it’s entirely bad.
As I continue to learn things about the heroines beyond what I already knew, they don’t feel like characters from a novel anymore.
Thinking like that naturally led to a question.
Is this world one that originally existed?
Or is it a world created by the author based on the novel?
When I read novels before transmigrating, the protagonists never cared about such secrets.
Personally, I think I know the reason.
Because thinking about such complicated things gives me a headache.
Well, anyway.
Right now, the secrets of this world aren’t important.
No, they are important.
But that’s something to think about later.
For now, there’s something more urgent.
I opened my mouth to check on Elda’s condition.
“I’m sorry. Is your stomach okay?”
“Hoo… Yes. I’m fine now. And there’s no need to apologize. This kind of thing can happen during sparring.”
Elda straightened her back and wiped the saliva from her mouth.
I’m glad she’s okay.
The slight blush on her cheeks must be my imagination.
But while I was relieved, she pointed to Cheonryeo at her waist.
“Wait a minute. That sword you have now… it doesn’t seem like an ordinary sword.”
“Ah… this is the Heavenly Demon Sword. I bought it recently at a weapon shop in the capital. As I mentioned earlier, I’m still taming it.”
“Oh my. The Heavenly Demon Sword? That’s a cursed demon sword. Are you really okay carrying it around?”
Elda made a fuss.
Well.
It’s a bit annoying that it keeps spouting nonsense, but it’s not particularly troublesome.
I looked at Elda and said,
“Don’t worry. I’ve already resolved that curse.”
“No way. You succeeded where countless knights have failed. That’s amazing.”
“Hmm. You don’t have to flatter me.”
“No, I really mean it!”
Elda’s black pearl-like eyes sparkled.
For some reason, it felt like a wolf’s tail was wagging from her slender waist.
Dangerous.
I need to maintain the dignity of the Grand Duke.
Looking at the heroine’s adoring face, the corner of my mouth kept twitching.
I naturally tried to change the subject.
“By the way, shall we continue our sparring? Is that okay?”
“Yes. This time, I won’t lose.”
Elda said confidently.
Hmm. A masochistic female who gets excited from a punch to the stomach, acting all tough.
Slap!
“My lord? Why did you just slap your own cheek?”
“It’s nothing. I just scratched an itch. Anyway, let’s begin. I’ll let you take the first move again.”
“Uh… okay. Then… here I come!”
Elda took a stance and gathered mana.
Her figure was burning with fighting spirit.
By the way, she’s been calling me ‘my lord’ since the day of the Sword Demon Tournament.
Surely she doesn’t believe that ridiculous lie I told during the finals, does she?
‘Well, whatever.’
I’ve heard that women from the northern tribes are proactive.
Besides, it sounds nice, so I’ll let it slide.
After organizing my thoughts.
I kicked off the ground and clashed with Elda, who was charging at me with all her might.
***
That evening.
In the academy dormitory.
Inside a spacious but neatly arranged room, a girl stood in front of a mirror.
“He came as a visiting professor… Could the rumors really be true?”
Her lips, naturally pink without any makeup, moved slightly.
Soon, a glimmer filled her starlit eyes.
The Star Maiden, Eileen, recalled the story she had heard at the dining hall today.
Hey, guys. Today, near the main building, I saw Her Highness the Princess and His Grace the Grand Duke together.
-What? Is that true?
-Why would His Grace the Grand Duke come to the academy?
-Well. From what I saw, Her Highness was guiding His Grace to the faculty residence. Maybe he’s coming as a visiting professor?
-If that’s the case, it would be amazing. To receive teachings from a Sword Master. I must sign up for his class.
-You’re not the only one. There will definitely be a flood of applicants. Honestly, I’m a fan of His Grace the Grand Duke. He’s so handsome, right? Ah, I want to see him from the front row in the lecture hall as soon as possible.
‘Ugh…’
Remembering the girl who was blushing and talking in the dining hall, Eileen clenched her hand.
Although she was the one who overheard it, she couldn’t help but feel down.
His Grace the Grand Duke Behirit is the man she has feelings for.
Is it wrong to want to monopolize such a person?
Anyway, since the Sword Demon Tournament ended and she could see him again so soon.
Just as she was making a resolution to get closer to him, a knock interrupted her thoughts.
Knock knock-
“Student Luke, are you there?”
“What is it?”
“A letter has arrived from the Starlight Baron family. It’s urgent, so you should receive it directly. Are you busy?”
A woman’s voice echoed from outside the door.
The owner of the voice was Margaret, the maid managing the dormitory.
She wondered who would knock at this hour. It was her.
But an urgent letter from the family?
There hasn’t been any news for a while. What could it be?
Eileen tilted her head in curiosity and answered.
“Yes. Just a moment. I’ll be right there.”
Creak-
After making sure her clothes weren’t disheveled, she opened the door to find a young woman with a graceful appearance standing there.
In her hand was a letter bearing the seal of the Starlight family.
It was very thin, indicating that the content was likely brief.
Sensing something unusual about the letter’s appearance.
Margaret handed over the letter.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Have a good night.”
Margaret smiled kindly and left.
As her footsteps faded away.
Eileen immediately took the letter inside and sat down at her desk.
“As expected. The envelope is thin.”
As she broke the seal bearing the emblem of the Starlight family—a sword and a constellation—Eileen muttered softly.
Letters were often used as a means of communication instead of the astronomically priced communication magic crystals.
Usually, when delivering various stories or news, the envelopes were thick.
Seeing such a thin one now, it was undoubtedly from her father, the family head.
For her father to send an urgent letter.
What could it be?
She would know once she read the contents.
After organizing her thoughts.
Eileen swallowed dryly and unfolded the letter.
=====
Your brother has awakened.
Return to the family as soon as possible.
=====
“…..”
Eileen’s eyes widened as she read the letter.
And a heavy silence fell over the room.
The letter contained only two lines, but the weight they carried was anything but light.
It was the news that the real ‘Luke Starlight’ had awakened.
“My brother… has awakened…?”
Eileen muttered in disbelief.
Countless thoughts crossed her mind.
Her brother, who had been lying in bed like a vegetable due to a severe illness.
The memories of spending time with him as a child were peaceful.
So, she was happy to hear that he had awakened.
Curious about how he had recovered.
At the same time, she was worried about how her academy life would proceed.
And among the myriad of thoughts passing through her mind.
The one that occupied the largest part was about His Grace the Grand Duke.
‘If I return to the family… will I get another chance to meet him?’
A perfect opportunity to get closer to the man she has feelings for.
If she returns to the family during this time.
And can no longer attend the academy?
Her connection with him would completely disappear.
As her thoughts reached that point, Eileen’s chest ached sharply.
Why, despite being born a woman, did she have to give up living as one?
And why must she now lose the starlight that has come into her life?
Amidst the chaotic emotions, Eileen felt suffocated.
“…I need to swing my sword.”
A clear voice flowed from her soft lips.
Perhaps moving her body would ease her troubled mind.
With that thought, Eileen left her room.
Step step-
On the way to the training ground.
Looking up at the night sky, the summer constellations had already spread out.
‘Beautiful.’
The faintly glowing dots against the black background.
The everyday scenery of the academy she walked through daily.
Perhaps because she might not see it anymore.
Eileen diligently stored everything she saw on her way to the training ground in her memory.
After walking and walking.
As she entered the training ground, Eileen froze upon seeing the face of a man she encountered as if by fate.
“Oh. Luke Starlight. It’s been a while since the Sword Demon Tournament. Are you here to train at this late hour?”
“…..”
“Yes…”
“Don’t just stand there, come in. Have you been well?”
The man with lethally beautiful red eyes asked.
He was smiling faintly, as if pleased, and that smile pierced Eileen’s heart.
Because it was too dazzling.
And because she might never see that smile again.
Thump thump-
Her heart, full of holes, pounded helplessly.
Even though she had to quietly sort out her unrequited love.
Her heart stubbornly refused to listen to her head.
As Eileen remained silent, the man in front of her looked puzzled.
Oh no. If this continues, I’ll be rude.
Eileen forced herself to speak.
“I’ve been well. Have you been well, Your Grace?”
“Yes. There have been various things, but I’ve been well.”
“I see. But what brings you to the academy?”
“Ah. I’ll be staying here as a visiting professor for about a month. I haven’t done much teaching, but it should be fine. By the way, you could be considered my first student, Luke Starlight.”
As he spoke Eileen’s fake name, the man with red eyes drew a smile at the corner of his mouth.
In response, Eileen’s heart pounded even more fiercely.
Why must she return to the family now?
If only she had a little more time…
As the Star Maiden’s heart filled with regret.
“!”
Behirit’s eyes widened slightly.
An incomprehensible reaction.
Suddenly, he made a serious expression and silently tapped the black sword at his waist.
‘Your Grace… suddenly seemed startled by something?’
Eileen watched Behirit’s expression and quietly swallowed dryly.
Even though he rarely gets surprised, to see him like this.
It must be something out of the ordinary.
There are only two of us in the training ground.
Could it be… did he notice something about me?
A heavy silence filled the training ground.
Behirit looked around with a troubled expression, confirmed that no one else was there, and then hardened his expression as if he had made a decision.
“Luke Starlight. Let me ask you one thing.”
An extremely serious tone.
The sweet baritone voice pierced Eileen’s eardrums.
‘Ah.’
The Star Maiden realized.
That she was holding onto a faint hope.
Feeling anxious that even this relationship might completely end, yet still harboring hope.
Perhaps he might understand.
Perhaps her wish might come true.
And a moment later.
In the quiet training ground.
Behirit took a step towards Eileen.
Very carefully.
And secretly.
In a low voice, as if whispering, he asked.
“Are you… by any chance, a woman?”