Chapter 165 (1/2)
Chapter 165
Chapter 165: Center of Attention
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Despite spending a large portion ofhow to behave properly—what to say and how to say it in various situations—I was still unable to muster up the appropriate words to respond to Claire
I could only see any sort of apology or consolation co off as pitiful or insensitive; after all, how could I dare tell her ‘it’ll be okay’ after coress in the one part of her life she’d never be able to get back, let alone improve?
To h
“I’m sorry—it’s just your expression If I didn’t know better, I would’ve thought you’d just sed a bug or so my confusion “Don’t worry I’ve pretty much come to terms with it”
“But still…” Iher head “I’ve already toldout where I can at the Bladeheart Sword Institutionnew soldiers could beout in this war”
I didn’t—couldn’t respond She was the one who alic, yet she was the one trying to lift the mood while I stood here, disheartened
“Claire!” a clear voice suddenly booazed up to see the eldest son of the Glayder family and his sister at the top of the steps Prince Curtis’s eyes were locked onto Claire, his sharp brows furrowed in concern and frustration Princess Kathyln, wrapped in a shi+ expressionless, had red eyes lined with tears, her delicate pale hands clenched by her sides
Before Claire could even say a word, the two of them rushed down and e you both, too,” Claire puffed, struggling to breathe
Prince Curtis released Claire, his expression still a er “Do you knoorried all of us were? You being here ht?”
“What happened?” Kathyln added
I took a seat and watched the three of them catch up Claire told Curtis and Kathyln the sained that I must’ve looked very similar to them now
Just like me, Curtis froze, unable to form a response after Claire revealed her inability to manipulate mana However, to ,” she responded
She lifted her watery gaze and locked eyes with her fore obstacle and move forith a smile says much more about you than the color of a mana core ever will”
Stunned at her powerful words I shi+fted aze to see that Claire had stiffened fro down her cheeks “Huh?”
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Surprised at her state, Claire hurriedly wiped them aith her pal I can’t believe I’ her cry as Princess Kathyln eain Curtis turned to me and dipped his head but otherwise, the two of them remained silent
Claire’s sniffles soon turned to chuckles as she laughed at her own state “Look at me I was barely presentable before, and now I’ to be presentable for?” I teased, eliciting a laugh out of the three of them Like that, the ice had melted and I walked to them
“Princess Tessia,” Curtis s you right away”
“Princess Tessia,” Kathyln echoed, dipping her head
“No problem” I smiled back “And we should be able to be a bitere once schoolht,” Curtis grinned “And yes, it has been a while, Tessia”
“It’s nice seeing you again,” Kathyln said with a smile so faint that I’d almost mistaken it for a twitch
The three of us eventually settled around a patio table nearby I wasn’t particularly close to them but all four of us had a mutual friend that helped us quickly bond: Arthur
The three of theh, ere sharing laughs about stories involving hiether andweird things, like fighting over the meat on his plate with his bond at the cafeteria”
“Tell me about it I’ve known hier on what he’s thinking,” I sighed
“What was Arthur like when he was younger?” Kathyln asked
I had to think for athe tiether and teased each other, there always seemed to be some restraint on his part Of course, I had no clue back then, but looking back now, Arthur has co way as a decent person”
“There’ve been h,” Curtis ad his cheek in euys would be jealous of when it co in other aspects,” I replied
“And what aspects rinned deviously “Is it perhaps knowing the female heart?”
“I didn’t have a specific aspect insky wouldcheeks
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Claire turned her head to the quiet princess “Your s, Kathyln”
“What? Rival in love?” Curtis exclai to his sister as well “Who? Arthur?”
The princess’s once pale face turned such a bright shade of red, I feared she ht pass out “N-No I mean, it doesn’t matter I think Arthur suits Princess Tessia much more”
“That won’t do!” Claire continued to tease “You can’t give up without a fight”
Curtis ju to date, while Kathyln denied all accusationsquick peeks atlook at the princess sitting across fro, thick lashes on a face so small you could cover it with one hand Milky complexion and such a small, delicate body that even I wanted to protect On top of the fact that she was an extreifted deviant conjurer, she had no flaws