CHAPTER 56: IT’S JUST A COINCIDENCE.

She had never bothered to participate in any extracurricular activities; she also never made any friends. For her, it was all just a waste of time.

As the second princess of Liora, she had a duty to fulfil.

How could she waste her time on trivial things that wouldn’t prove beneficial to the kingdom?

"What an eyesore..."

Eula muttered under her breath, turning her focus away from the first year’s request for her classmates to her book in hand.

The Eclipse had made it mandatory for the third years to act as guides to their juniors in the Class Allocation Examination today.

Eula didn’t want to act as a babysitter to a bunch of brats. She had only come because Rinna was also taking this exam. And as a good elder sister, she came here just to cheer her up.

But as soon as she entered the library hall, she attracted attention. Occasionally, she could hear whispers from her juniors talking to each other.

"Hey, should we ask Princess Eula to act as our guide?"

"Are you nuts? She would never accept. Just look at Princess Rinna—even she asked her sister, but she was rejected."

"Sibling fight?"

"What rubbish, they’re not ten!"

"Oh? My mother and aunt still fight, though."

"...nobody asked. And that’s messed up."

"..."

Eula sighed, listening to their conversations. Sure, being a princess brought attention, but at the same time, people would think ten times before ever approaching her.

’The only good thing about being a princess.’

With that in mind, Eula relaxed and continued reading her book.

She flipped the pages with her graceful fingertips, her eyes glued to the text with a straight face.

She had been reading this book from the moment she stepped into the library. This made others wonder exactly what she was reading.

But they couldn’t see the title, because Eula had hidden it under a cover.

Almost all of them thought it was some kind of secret book, the secret to Eula being this powerful at such a young age must be because of that book.

"Good afternoon, Princess."

A voice called out to her from the front.

Lifting her gaze, she saw a pair of golden pupils staring at her in a weirdly polite manner.

"May I have a moment of your time?" Leon asked, presenting himself elegantly.

Eula’s eye twitched at the sight.

’I nearly forgot about him...’ Her eyes shifted towards the group of stunned third years behind him, then returned to Leon.

’What is he up to now?’

That look on his face wasn’t helping matters. The confidence in his golden eyes seemed almost predatory, as if he knew something she didn’t.

Around them, murmurs began to ripple through the gathered students.

"Is that guy seriously approaching Princess Eula?"

"Does he have a death wish?"

"Wait, isn’t that Leon Valentine?"

"How does someone like him have the guts to—"

"Maybe he’ll ask the princess to be his guide."

"Hahaha... that would be foolish."

Leon ignored the whispers entirely, his gaze fixed solely on Eula. But something was unsettling about his composure.... It was too calm.

Eula sighed, closing her book with deliberate slowness.

"What is it?" she asked, her tone carrying the weight of royal authority.

Leon’s lips curved into the faintest smile.

"I’d like to request that you act as our guide for the Class Allocation Examination."

The entire hall fell silent.

Everyone gasped in unison. Even the third years stopped their conversations to stare.

"Did he just—"

"No way!"

"He’s actually asking Princess Eula?!"

Alice, who had been standing a few steps behind, came running to Leon’s side, her face flushed with panic.

"Deepest apology, princess! Please don’t mind this idiot!" she said, bowing hastily to Eula.

Then she grabbed Leon’s arm, hissing, "What the hell do you think you’re doing?! Let’s ask the others instead!"

But Leon didn’t budge.

His eyes remained locked on Eula’s, and for the first time, she found herself genuinely curious.

There was something different about Leon from their last encounter that night.

Everything had gone according to his plan, exactly as he’d wanted. The Primordial was killed, and Eula had also discovered that he possessed Light Affinity, not to mention that three-line incantation spell he’d provided her on the spot.

They had much unfinished business.

Among all their matters, the most important was inviting Leon to the Twilight Order. After the incident, she had proposed him to the rest of the members. They’d been doubtful at first, but Eula convinced them that he would work solely as a strategist.

It was unprecedented since the Twilight Order only comprised warriors and assassins. Taking in a non-combatant had never been done before.

’Perhaps through this examination, he’ll show me his combat ability,’ she mused.

This would be beneficial to her.

Eula thought back to that night. Leon had played a crucial role in killing the demon, but he’d barely raised his sword. He’d used some special ability to stop the demon’s movement, but this wasn’t combat, it was simply a skill.

But it was also possible that he was hiding his combat strength. Wasn’t it?

"Do you accept the proposal, Princess?" Leon asked, his voice cutting through Alice’s frantic attempts to drag him away.

Eula studied his face for a long moment.

The murmurs around them grew louder, but she barely heard them. Something in Leon’s expression reminded her of Lady Veronica.

After a second that felt like an eternity, Eula said, "Alright."

"WHAT THE?!"

The reaction was immediate and explosive. Students throughout the area turned to stare, their faces displayed genuine shock.

"Did Princess Eula just say yes?!"

"To Leon Valentine?!"

"This has to be a dream!"

"Pinch me!"

Even Alice was flabbergasted, her mouth hanging open as she stared between Leon and Eula.

"Princess... you’re serious?" Alice managed to stammer.

Eula rose gracefully from her seat, tucking her mysterious book under her arm.

"I said what I said," she replied coolly. "Now, shall we proceed? Time is limited, and I have other matters to attend to after this examination."

Leon’s smile widened just slightly.

"Thank you, Princess. I believe this arrangement will prove... mutually beneficial," he whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

Eula smiled back.

"Likewise."

As the three of them moved toward the Resonator setup area, whispers still followed in their wake.

"H-Hey, when was the last time someone saw Princess Eula smile?"

"This is the first time."

"Did Leon Valentine just charm Princess Eula?"

"Are you nuts?!"

"H-Hey, don’t kick—ouch!"

"Maybe he is talented, and the rumours about him being adopted were wrong..."

"Nah, I highly doubt that."

Leon’s cheeks flickered at the comment. ’Who the hell is spreading these rumours?!’

Alice walked between them; her mind was racing. The exchange she’d just witnessed had felt calculated somehow, like Leon had expected Eula to say yes. But that was impossible, wasn’t it?

’This guy... who is he really?’ she thought, stealing glances at Leon’s satisfied expression.