NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16
“No, speak properly. Does my expression look that fierce?”
The expression “crushed by a disaster of my own making” suited the situation best. Dokan could only sigh inwardly.
Although it was dangerous, it was true that Dokan needed to confirm it. If there was something that displeased her, he had to empathize with her and soothe her anger.
But stepping on a landmine right from the first step… Dokan was deep in thought, but he found no sharp way to escape.
Having dated a few women, he knew that there were no answers to this kind of question. No matter what sweet talk he tried, it usually just earned him their wrath.
So, Dokan tried to lower himself to escape the situation.
“…I’m sorry. I asked a stupid question.”
“No, what could you possibly be sorry for? I just want to see what kind of expression I’ve been making. So please, tell me.”
Does my expression look fierce? Dokan truly felt weighed down. It was impossible to predict what would happen if he told her the truth, especially since she already seemed upset.
But he hadn’t added that last remark, so he still thought it wasn’t entirely over yet when the final blow hit him.
“I won’t get angry.”
How could she act in such a way that it could only be described as the worst? Dokan felt a tinge of wonder.
Having never known anyone who said they wouldn’t get angry and then didn’t, that statement felt like a threat—if he didn’t respond immediately, she would explode.
But if he did respond, it would burst forth in a different way—a classic “Do you like Mom or Dad more?” scenario. Knowing that no matter what he said, it would only further diminish her affinity for him, he felt pitiful but couldn’t help but ask.
“…You really won’t get angry…?”
“What do you take me for? I always keep my word. So there’s no need to worry. I’m genuinely just curious about how I come across.”
Despite Ho-yeon’s considerate intentions, each word felt like a tightening barbed wire to Dokan.
He wanted to hold off on providing an answer, but with Ho-yeon saying that, he could no longer delay.
“…I thought so because you’ve only smiled when we were at the shelter.”
“Then, you’re saying that outside the shelter, I’ve been wearing the same expression all along.”
Dokan awaited her judgment like a prisoner being dragged to the gallows. How exactly would she express her anger? Would she scream? Or would she be the type to throw a punch first? It would be better if it ended neatly like that.
While he projected his past experiences with women onto her and despaired about the future, what he imagined didn’t occur.
“…Is that so? When I met her… then be specific. Exactly what kind of person do I seem like?”
Ultimately, it only intensified Dokan’s anxiety. While Ho-yeon went through an embarrassing realization, to Dokan, her action seemed like lighting the fuse on a bomb.
“I think I look… angry.”
“Angry expression, you say.”
Her mumbling about just looking angry without saying anything made Dokan feel an urgent need to do something immediately.
“…How about trying to smile?”
“You want me to smile?”
Even Dokan thought this was a terrible suggestion—more of an excuse than advice. It was something he blurted out in a rush to dodge the situation, but to Ho-yeon, it sounded surprising.
What he didn’t know was that Ho-yeon saw him as a master of human relations—an absurd being who could charm women and gain favor from others with everything he said.
So, Ho-yeon tried to smile at Dokan.
“Is this how it is?”
What she intended was a naturally benevolent smile, but the result was tragic.
Her eyes were still narrowed, her eyebrows furrowed in anger, and she exuded her unique black aura, with only the corners of her mouth awkwardly lifted, making her look rather threatening.
Dokan kept pondering what to say, but eventually gave up. No matter what he did, it would only put him in a worse spot, so he just wanted to affirm whatever she did and escape this situation.
“Yes. You look much better.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
In the end, she ended up looking even more threatening than before he pointed it out, but neither of them held any grievance.
“…Right. I asked if you had anything unpleasant happening. If I were to answer that, then no. Nothing special.”
Despite feeling drained from speaking poorly, Dokan somehow managed to return to the main topic.
“Really… then is there anything uncomfortable that you feel?”
“Something uncomfortable?”
Ho-yeon thought for a moment before readily answering.
“The air is unpleasant. To be precise, I should say the magical energy is unpleasant. It’s so suffocating I can hardly breathe.”
“Magical energy? You mean not mana…?”
Magical energy? Was there an explanation like that in the original story? While magic was mentioned, he couldn’t recall the term magical energy.
“Don’t you find the air here stifling?”
“No, it’s not unpleasant.”
“Not at all? With this twisted oppressive magical energy all around? Not even a bit?”
Dokan found himself at a loss for words. He’d never felt it hard to breathe or sensed any foul odors.
“Yes. Maybe it’s because it’s an alley? Even if it’s called an academy, it’s hard to keep places like this clean.”
“…Let’s treat it as that then.”
Dokan thought something felt off, but he didn’t have the energy to ponder it further. Not long after, they found themselves near the dormitory.
– – – –
The creature wrapped up in improbability was right next door.
“…So, it’s your next room.”
“…I see.”
Room 45 in Building 4. It was the room assigned to Han Dogon. He didn’t know who was originally in the next room, but why was he right next door?
No, more than that, since a little while ago, she’d been sounding chummy and familiar—it was concerning him much more than not knowing what magical energy was.
That sneaky one, would they keep inching closer until one day he didn’t realize and completely dropped the pretense? With their rooms right next to each other, the probability was certainly high.
But it wouldn’t be too nice to push aside someone who had also informed him about his expression in the alleyway.
If Dokan hadn’t said anything, he probably would’ve been walking around with an angry expression all along.
Speaking of which, when he spoke to Anastasia, she seemed a bit uncomfortable too, right? But Stephanie didn’t look uncomfortable at all.
It was less about his expression and more that Anastasia might have felt awkward around someone like him. While he knew her through the story, it was normal for her not to react well since it was their first encounter.
More importantly, what should he say to Dokan? Let’s get along as neighbors? I look forward to working together? He couldn’t think of a decent greeting.
If he waited for her to greet him first, it would seem like he was trying to be nice. Then that harem-master might not miss the chance to approach him immediately.
Given that the noble Northern Grand Duchess Anastasia was able to act so cutely from her bed, he couldn’t afford to lower his guard. If he didn’t stay sharp, he could easily find himself in her place.
“Now that we’re neighbors, let’s treat each other well.”
That dirty social butterfly. Stealing the greeting. Of course, he hadn’t intended to greet her first either, but having her greet him made him feel like he’d lost somehow.
While he was mulling over how to greet someone, he envied someone who could greet others so easily.
No, more so, if she’s coming on so strong, did she have feelings for him? Approaching him from the first day? Could it be that regardless of what disguise he wore, he was the main character of a harem story?
“…Yeah.”
In the end, without even deciding what to say, he left with just a “yeah” and went into his room.
Inside the room were unpacked belongings and furniture. The luggage and furniture must have been arranged by the soldiers who accompanied him.
If he had a holiday, he might go thank them.
Since this was an academy for nobles, servants and attendants were generally not allowed. Thus, the soldiers his father assigned to guard him stayed in accommodations around the academy.
There were probably some establishments that emerged naturally around because nobles attended the academy. He felt a little bad for them, coming all the way from a distant place to protect just one person.
Wouldn’t it be hard work? Since this wasn’t a command from God, but merely his father’s orders, it wouldn’t be strange for them to even harbor some discontent without showing it.
Well, he could always ask when he met them later. For now, he had to unpack. As he began to unpack, it took quite some time due to the amount, but once everything was settled, it started to look like his room.
The details were different, and more than anything, the smell in the room was different, but he felt a little more at ease.
After unpacking alone, he noticed the sky was dyed in crimson hues.
Was it nearing evening now? Since he couldn’t find anything delicious at lunch, he headed out with a determination to find something decent this time.
By the way, did Dokan wake up? While tidying up the room, he realized he could still hear him snoring from the next room. No amount of money would make it possible to soundproof a room with the technology of this era, it seemed.
The academy’s dining hall didn’t charge any money, but it operated on a time-based system, so if he was late, he would have to go hungry.
He thought of it as a reward for what happened earlier.
He knocked on the door to wake Dokan.