Chapter 16: The End of a Day (2)
“Now, speak properly. Does my expression truly look so severe?”
The most fitting description would be that of being crushed under a calamity of one’s own making. Dogeon couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
While it was dangerous, it was necessary for Dogeon to check. If something displeased her, he had to step up, empathize with her, and calm her anger.
However, from the very first step, it was as if he had stepped on a landmine. Dogeon mulled it over repeatedly, but no clear way out came to him.
Having had some experience with women in the past, Dogeon knew that this kind of question was a no-win scenario. No matter what flattery he offered, it was bound to incite anger.
Thus, Dogeon decided to defuse the situation by humbling himself.
“…I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked something unnecessary.”
“No, there’s nothing for you to apologize for. I merely want to confirm what kind of expression I’ve been wearing. So, speak.”
Does my expression look severe? Dogeon genuinely felt the weight of her gaze.
He couldn’t even begin to guess what might happen if he told her the truth, considering she already looked displeased.
Still, as he refrained from making that final remark, he believed it wasn’t entirely hopeless. But just then, the final blow came.
“I promise I won’t get angry.”
How could she so precisely act in the way he dreaded most? Dogeon even felt a bit of awe.
In his experience, no woman who said she wouldn’t get angry had ever actually kept that promise.
To him, her words were a thinly veiled threat that she’d explode if he didn’t answer immediately.
And yet, answering was no better—it was like being asked, “Who do you like more, your mom or dad?” Regardless of the response, it would only lower her opinion of him. Fully aware that he was likely coming across as pathetic, he had no choice but to ask.
“…Are you sure… you really won’t get angry?”
“What kind of person do you take me for? I always keep my word. There’s no need to worry—I’m just curious about how I come across.”
Hoyeon intended to reassure him, but to Dogeon, every word she spoke felt like a tightening steel wire.
Dogeon wanted to delay his response as long as possible, but given Hoyeon’s insistence, he couldn’t stall any longer.
“…You haven’t smiled once outside the shelter. That’s what made me think so.”
“So, you’re saying I’ve had this expression everywhere except the shelter.”
Feeling like a prisoner dragged to the gallows, Dogeon waited for her verdict. How would she express her anger? Would she raise her voice? Or would her hand fly first? Frankly, he hoped for a quick and clean end.
As Dogeon projected his past experiences with women onto her, he braced for the worst. But what he expected didn’t happen.
“…I see. Even when I met her… Then, be specific. Exactly what kind of person do I seem like?”
Her words only amplified Dogeon’s anxiety. Though Hoyeon massaged her temples in apparent frustration, to him, it looked like she was lighting the fuse of a bomb.
“I think… you look angry.”
“An angry expression, you say.”
Without saying another word, she simply murmured those words to herself, her expression unchanging. Her silence made Dogeon feel like he had to act immediately to salvage the situation.
“…Perhaps, you could try smiling?”
“You want me to smile?”
Even as he suggested it, Dogeon felt it was a pitiful excuse rather than proper advice—a rushed remark to escape the predicament. Yet, to Hoyeon, it sounded like plausible counsel.
Unbeknownst to him, Hoyeon regarded Dogeon as a master of social interactions—a smooth talker who charmed women and effortlessly garnered goodwill.
So, Hoyeon attempted a smile.
“Like this?”
What she aimed for was a natural and benevolent smile, serene like that of a statue of Buddha.
The result, however, was catastrophic.
Her eyes remained narrowed in a scowl, her eyebrows still arched angrily. Coupled with her aura of ominous intensity, the corners of her mouth were pulled upward in a forced grin, making her look more menacing than ever.
Dogeon wracked his brain for a response but soon gave up. No matter what he said, he’d only worsen his situation. All he wanted was to affirm whatever she did and escape.
“Yes, it looks much better.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
Although her expression now seemed more intimidating than before, neither of them expressed dissatisfaction.
“So, you asked me earlier if I was upset. To answer that, no. Nothing in particular.”
Exhausted from the ordeal caused by one poorly chosen word, Dogeon somehow managed to steer the conversation back to the main topic.
“I see… Then, is there anything that bothers you?”
“Anything that bothers me…”
Hoyeon pondered briefly before responding decisively.
“The air. To be precise, the magic power—it’s oppressive. Suffocatingly so.”
“Magic power…? Not mana?”
Magic power? Was that something mentioned in the original story? While the concept of malevolent energy, or magia, was brought up, Dogeon didn’t recall the term “magic power.”
“Do you not find the air here stifling?”
“No, I don’t feel anything unpleasant.”
“Not at all? Even though the air is filled with such suffocating, twisted magic power?”
Dogeon struggled to find a suitable response. He hadn’t noticed any oppressive atmosphere or foul scent.
“Perhaps it’s because we’re in an alley? Even in an academy, maintaining such places might be difficult.”
“…Let’s go with that.”
Though Dogeon found her words curious, he didn’t have the energy to dwell on it. Not long after, they emerged near the dormitory.
***
The one radiating plausibility as if wrapped in it head-to-toe turned out to be my next-door neighbor.
“…So, you’re in the room next door.”
“…Seems so.”
Building 4, Room 45. That was the room assigned to Han Dogeon. I didn’t know who had originally been assigned next to me, but why did it have to be him?
More importantly, what was with the way he subtly ended his sentences with a familiar tone? It irked me far more than not understanding what magic power was.
That sly guy. Slipping closer and closer like this, before I know it, won’t he start speaking.
informally as if we’re best friends? Our seats in class were already next to each other, and now our rooms too. The stage was perfectly set.
Still, it didn’t feel right to outright push away the person who’d pointed out how angry I looked on the streets and even offered advice. Without him, I’d probably still be walking around with a permanently furious expression.
Come to think of it, when I talked to Anastasia earlier, she seemed a little uncomfortable, didn’t she? Stephanie didn’t seem particularly bothered, though.
It’s probably less about my expression and more that Anastasia was just as socially awkward as I was. I mean, I only know about her from reading the novel, but she was meeting me for the first time. Of course, it’d feel awkward.
What should I say to Dogeon, though? “Let’s get along as neighbors”? “Looking forward to being next-door neighbors”? No greeting felt right.
If I initiated a greeting, wouldn’t that look like I was trying to be friendly? That might encourage this harem master to immediately start targeting me.
Even Anastasia, the dignified northern duchess, ended up looking cute and vulnerable in bed because of him. If I let my guard down, I could end up in her place.
I had to stay sharp.
“It’s fate that we’re neighbors. I look forward to getting along.”
That smug extrovert. He even stole the greeting. Sure, I wasn’t planning to say anything first, but now that he’d said it, it felt like I’d lost.
While I agonized over the perfect greeting, he casually greeted me like it was nothing. I envied someone who could talk to others so naturally.
Or maybe… was this his way of showing interest in me? Coming on strong on the first day? No matter what disguise he wore, was he really the protagonist of a harem story?
“…Sure.”
Unable to come up with anything else, I muttered that and retreated into my room.
Inside, only unpacked luggage and furniture filled the space. The soldiers my father had sent as escorts must have arranged everything.
If I get a day off, I should thank them.
Amaurus Academy had a strict policy against bringing personal servants or staff. The soldiers my father assigned to protect me stayed in nearby accommodations outside the academy.
Since it was a school for nobles, it made sense that a commercial district had developed nearby. That was probably how the author had explained it.
Still, I felt a bit guilty. Was this too much trouble for them? They weren’t here on divine orders but because of my father’s commands. Even if they didn’t show it, they might harbor some resentment.
I could ask them about it next time I meet them. For now, I had to unpack.
Unpacking turned out to be time-consuming due to the sheer amount of luggage, but once I finished, the room finally felt a little like mine.
The details were different, and the smell of the room was unfamiliar, but it was enough to put my mind at ease.
By the time I finished, the sky had turned a rich shade of orange.
Was it dinner time already? I hadn’t managed to find anything good for lunch, so this time, I vowed to hunt down a proper meal.
Wait… had Dogeon woken up yet?
While organizing my things, I realized something—snoring had been coming from his room the entire time.
No matter how much money they poured into this place, the technology of this era clearly hadn’t reached the point of soundproofing rooms.
The academy’s dining hall didn’t charge money, but it operated on a strict schedule. If you missed the time slot, you’d go hungry, no exceptions.
Let’s consider this payback for earlier.
I knocked on Dogeon’s door to wake him up.