Ch. 119 Something That Cannot Be Erased or Covered (3)

Louise let herself complain as they left the Marquis and Teresa in the office.

Louise shouted at him indignantly, and Claire explained the rest.

It was the best they could do to prevent her from being dragged away. Now it was up to Teresa to negotiate with her father.

Claire stopped and looked alternately between Ian and Louise.

Louise shrugged and smiled. When her and Ian’s palms brushed against each other, there was a moment. It was the same at the arts center.

Claire spoke disbelievingly, and Louise nodded.

Ian gave her a wary look and pulled Louise’s shoulders towards him.

Claire protested and pulled Louise’s hand.

Louise’s head swiveled between the two.

Claire let out a giggle. Louise was happy to hear the sound, as her friend had been struggling with her personal life over the past few days.

Claire left the both of them.

Then, two court officials appeared in the hallway. Perhaps they had been watching the three of them since they left the office. The officials were not working, as noted by the absence of their usual writing instruments.

The older court official approached Ian.

Ian took the older court official into an empty classroom to share privately what happened. Meanwhile, Louise was left alone with the young official in an empty hallway.

It was beyond awkward. Probably because of what had happened last time.

The young official sighed.

Louise smiled. Ever since she was a child, she had always been involved with some trouble or another with Ian or Simon.

The court official lingered on how Louise emphasized her connection with Ian.

Louise continued to smile.

He frowned.

Louise clenched her fist. The signal of his trust still lingered on her palm.

Louise chuckled.

Even if the court officials wrote down only one event, they couldn’t encapsulate the whole scope of their life and relationships.

He continued on assertively.

Louise smiled softly, holding her hands together. She would make a bet on it if she could. The records would be protected by magic for centuries. It would be another time when everyone living was not here anymore.

*

*

*

Ian sighed and scratched his head.

The official replied with a teasing smile as he moved his pen. They were leaning back against the door of the classroom, eavesdropping on the conversation outside.

The both of them shared a laugh. Being a court official and a prince they would often overhear ridiculous conversations together.

Ian glanced at the official’s notes.

The official set down his pen for a moment, his expression suddenly grim.

The official blinked back at his writing.

Ian looked regretful, but he couldn’t change it. He didn’t have the right to censor anything.

*

*

*

Ian and Louise saw the two officials off together, then Ian turned towards her.

Louise nodded at his proposal. As they headed side-by-side towards the dormitory, a thought entered Louise’s head and she suddenly grabbed Ian by the sleeve.

He stopped and looked back at Louise, who was boring her gaze into him.

Ian couldn’t help but feel awkward at her intense stare.

Louise looked at him wondrously, and Ian scrunched up his face and asked, “What is?”

Louise clung to his arm and giggled out loud.

He turned his head, and Louise turned back and stared at him.

He continued on with a grin.

This time he stared at Louise. Oh, now he was trying the reverse on her…

It was Louise’s turn to avert her eyes.

They continued to argue as they climbed all the steps towards the dormitory roof. Just as Ian said, the student council was gathered there together, the sounds of laughter coming from the group.

Ian once again expressed his gratitude to them.

None of them doubted it, and they all nodded.

That was fortunate, as the new semester was about to start.

Everyone clapped their hands, and Louise glanced at Ian.

Stella Lapis. He said her name so easily…

It was so strange that she was coming back. The real female lead in this world who should have been Ian’s girlfriend.