I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

3 – 3. Attraction

I took a sip of tea at the Cielline mansion.

The fragrance of various blended tea leaves filled the air.

Ariel looked at me with a puzzled expression and asked, “Why did you suddenly come here?”

I casually replied, “Is it weird for the fiancé to come by? It’s not that unusual.”

Ariel chuckled and said, “We haven’t known each other for that long, why are you so familiar?”

I told her, “We haven’t known each other for long, so I want to get closer. Since we’re going to be a couple, isn’t it better to get along well rather than fighting unnecessarily? You’d be better off getting along reasonably.”

After contemplating my words for a moment, Ariel nodded and said, “Well, that makes sense. So, I came here to improve our relationship. Anything specific you want to do?”

I looked at her, shrugged my shoulders, and said, “Hmm… nothing in particular. Isn’t spending time like this together enough?”

“Well, if that’s the case.”

Ariel snorted with amusement.

I looked at her and said, “What’s wrong?”

“To improve relations with our father, he said this is the best way.”

Ariel, upon hearing those words, made a skeptical expression, then grabbed my hand and spoke.

“What’s this? An engagement ring, you’re wearing it?”

I nodded.

Then, I looked at her hand.

There was no engagement ring on her finger.

“Yeah, since we’re engaged, I naturally wear it.”

Ariel, who was looking at me like that, clenched her fist and said.

“I can’t stand anything on my fingers. And what’s so special about wearing it every day.”

I shrugged and said.

“Still, I think it’s good to wear it. It’s a ring exchanged on the day of the engagement ceremony, so it’s a meaningful ring.”

Ariel slightly wrinkled her face.

“But I still don’t like it. My finger feels uncomfortable, and it’s annoying.”

“Then do as you please, whether you wear it or not. I’ll keep wearing it. I don’t mind.”

Ariel shrugged her shoulders.

“Yeah, I find it bothersome, so I can’t wear it.”

I nodded approvingly.

Then, I asked her.

“Okay, forget about the ring. If you don’t like doing nothing, is there something you enjoy? A hobby or something.”

Ariel, after hearing my words, thought for a moment and then said.

“Well… I do like chess.”

Chess? I had a basic understanding of chess as part of my education, and I had my own confidence in it. It wasn’t something I was extremely passionate about, and my skill wasn’t remarkable, but winning in a match was enjoyable.

“How about a game of chess, then?”

Ariel chuckled and made a mocking sound before saying.

“Regret it? You and I are not on the same level.”

I was taken aback by her clear disregard for me and spoke up.

“What? Alright… I’ll make sure to win and make you cry.”

Ariel looked at me, setting my grievances ablaze, and calmly smiled.

And, as a result of our chess game, I was perfectly defeated.

Even though Ariel could have finished me off by now, she toyed with me, knocking down all the pieces except the king, and I frowned at her actions.

After a while of humiliation and mockery, I managed to topple my king and tidy up the chess pieces.

“Let’s go again.”

Ariel, with a full smile on her face, said, “Oh, the skill difference is too much. I don’t know if this game is fair.”

“Ah, let’s go again.”

Ariel began placing the pieces on the board again.

I made my move quickly.

And, inevitably, I lost to her again.

“Ugh….”

Unable to find a way to release my frustration and annoyance, I gritted my teeth alone.

Looking at me like that, Ariel smirked and said, “It wasn’t bad in its own way. If you practice a bit more, you might be able to hold your own against me to some extent. Of course, you won’t beat me… Well, it was fun. I had so much to do these past few days, and seeing your expression made it a bit easier.”

While it was somewhat annoying to have my face mocked and energy built up, I sighed, then smiled a little.

“Well… I guess that’s fortunate.”

I said that and began to tidy up my things.

Watching me get ready to leave, Ariel brushed aside her silver hair and said, “Next time, shall we play chess together?”

… Her suggesting this meant that our relationship had grown somewhat closer.

Although I felt a bit frustrated about losing, once I thought that I had achieved the purpose of coming here, a smile seemed to form.

With a smile, I answered her question.

“Wait. The next time we meet, make sure to practice hard, I’ll make you cry like a baby.”

Ariel said, chin in hand, her violet eyes glowing.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

…

Since then, she and I occasionally met to play chess.

Of course, it goes without saying that the outcome was consistently me losing.

However, I gradually stopped caring about that. Because the time spent with Ariel itself became enjoyable in its own way.

For both of us, as our responsibilities increased, the time we could take a breath became precious.

Ariel stretched and looked at me.

“These days… I feel like I’m going to die from being so busy.”

I looked at her and asked, “Why?”

“Not only practicing to become a knight but also so many other things to practice. Lately, I’ve been practicing archery, and my fingers are all worn out.”

I grabbed her hand and looked at it. Indeed, calluses were visible on her fair fingers.

In the Empire’s Academy, nobles were required to learn one of the disciplines such as swordsmanship, magic, archery, or theology, dealing with magic or divine powers.

These abilities were the driving force that divided the elite class of nobles and the majority of commoners.

Both she and I were twelve. Entering the academy at sixteen. For that day, she was working so hard.

As I stared at her hand for a long time, Ariel quickly withdrew her hand and said, “You hold a woman’s hand so casually.”

She looked at me with a slightly wary expression.

There was a blush on her face, a shy look.

Was I holding her hand too tightly?

“So what? We’re engaged. Well… your fingers are definitely worn out. Are you okay?”

Whether she felt offended by the comment about her worn-out fingers, Ariel made a sound of indifference and said, “I’m fine, really.”

Ariel turned her head after saying that, looking at me with a sidelong glance.

“What have you been up to lately?” she asked.

I shrugged my shoulders and replied, “Well… I’ve been pretty busy lately, especially with learning magic. It’s quite challenging, you know.”

“Magic?” Ariel seemed intrigued, her eyes sparkling as she asked, “What kind of magic? Show me. I’ve never seen anyone around here who can use magic.”

I hesitated for a moment at her words, then closed my eyes and began to focus on the sensations throughout my entire body.

I felt the power flowing through my veins, causing a tingling sensation as I drew something from within me.

Concentrating my mind, I pushed it out of my body, and a bead of blue light appeared in the palm of my hand.

“This is…” Ariel said with a curious expression. I smiled at her and replied, “It’s magic. Well, it’s not that impressive at the moment. I can’t do much with it yet; it’s just basic, you know…”

“Still, it’s magic. I’m learning archery, so magical training is way down the line for me. It’s impressive,” she said with a fascinated expression, her eyes shining.

Her expression was something I had never seen before.

I considered saying more but decided against it. I didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere when she seemed so delighted.

Soon, the bead disappeared in an instant. My skill in manipulating magic was still lacking, so it was expected. Ariel gazed at the empty space.

“Too bad. It was amazing, though.”

Feeling relieved at her positive reaction, it was the first time Ariel seemed cute to me.

I looked at her, and she smiled, saying, “That was incredible.”

“Later, when you can really use magic, can you show me?”

I could only smile in response to Ariel’s words.

“Yeah. I’ll definitely show you.”