Day Twenty-five
I must sincerely apologize for my behavior the other day.
Allow me to record the events of the past few days once more.
Recently, a massive swarm of mysterious monsters suddenly appeared within Luminous Academy, plunging the campus into a state of panic.
While the creatures—which appeared to be small crabs—were not particularly strong on their own, their overwhelming numbers and the element of surprise threw both students and teachers into chaos. The casualties were numerous.
Lord Zenon was among those caught in the tragedy, falling into a deep, unconscious stupor. Fortunately, his life was not in danger, and because he was brought to the infirmary early on, he regained consciousness quickly.
To my surprise, I learned it was Lord Yugo who carried Lord Zenon to safety. For that, I feel a sense of profound gratitude toward him.
The Magic Armor Beasts were eventually repelled after a group of students took command and executed an Extermination Operation, bringing the incident to a close shortly thereafter.
However, the damage sustained by the academy, including the sheer number of injured, is extensive and cannot be ignored.
Lord Rush also went missing during the turmoil, a fact that further illustrates the severity of the crisis.
Perhaps the shock of losing a friend combined with the humiliation of being caught off guard was too much to bear, for Lord Zenon has retreated into himself once more.
He refuses to listen to my calls and continues to act frantically on his own.
The students who once lauded him as a Hero for defeating Lord Yugo in their duel are now enamored with the individuals who actually led the way in resolving the crisis.
That shift in public opinion must be driving his heart into a corner.
The traces of the kindness Lord Zenon once possessed have faded away, and he has become desperate in his pursuit of his lost honor.
I believe that it is by supporting him in this precarious state that I can truly repay my debt to him. I shall remain by your side and serve you until the very end.
So please, do not push yourself any further. For me, it is enough just to spend peaceful days with you...
Day Twenty-six
I have been informed that Lord Zenon departed for Mount Yumyum to participate in a request. He said nothing of this to me.
While part of me hopes this will be a much-needed change of pace, I feel incredibly anxious seeing how he has refused to speak with me at all these past few days.
I understand a man's pride—the desire to hide his failures from the woman he loves.
However, it feels as though the current Lord Zenon is obsessed with something beyond mere pride.
"Hero," "Protagonist"... I have seen him many times, muttering those words under his breath.
The look on his face at those moments was truly frightening—so much so that even I hesitated to speak to him.
Come to think of it, this may all be my fault.
To stand beside me requires a certain level of power. To secure a future with me, a man must make that power recognized by the world.
Perhaps Lord Zenon is obsessed with the title of Hero and his honor for that very reason. When I consider that I might be the one who drove him to this state, a chill runs through me.
Perhaps I possess some dark influence that drives the men beside me to madness.
When I see Lord Yugo, who has been spending peaceful days with Fee and Lady Melt since I left him, I cannot help but feel this way.
I thought Lord Yugo had become a free man after being disowned by the House of Clay and having our engagement annulled, but the shackles of nobility still bind me.
If Lord Zenon cannot demonstrate sufficient power, my father will find a new fiancé candidate and assign me to him.
To avoid that fate, Zenon has no choice but to continue proving his strength. For a man without a prestigious family name, there is no other path.
When I spend time alone in my loneliness, I realize that the current Lord Zenon is beginning to mirror the Lord Yugo of the past.
Is he seeking honor for my sake, or is he seeking me for the sake of honor? Watching him move with such bloodshot eyes, I no longer know.
I want to believe it is the former. I want to believe that everything he does is for the sake of our future together.
So please, when you return, talk to me. Let us discuss how the two of us shall walk forward from here.
I will be your ally until the very end... Lord Zenon...
Day Twenty-seven
I have received news that is utterly beyond belief.
Word has reached me that Lord Zenon was caught in an incident during his mission on Mount Yumyum.
He was defeated by a Magic Armor Beast and sustained grave injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
Fortunately, his life is not in danger this time either, but I cannot fathom the depth of the shadow this defeat will cast upon his heart—especially in his current state of desperation.
Furthermore... though it is difficult to believe, reports have come in stating that Lord Zenon cut down and killed a person.
The students are in an uproar over the scandal, and whatever respect they had for him has completely vanished.
I want it to be some kind of mistake. I want this to end with the realization that there were no victims, and that the story was simply exaggerated.
I beg of you, God. Please, grant this one selfish prayer...!