Chapter 16 “ Second Princess” part 1
Nox looked at the others.
Alber glanced at him and asked, “Why don’t you join the Wind Ball Club?”
“I don’t like sports,you know I'm lazy” Nox replied simply.
Scarlet opened her mouth to speak, but Nox cut her off immediately.
“I don’t want to join the Noble Manners Club either. It doesn’t suit me,” he said.
Scarlet blinked.
“I… I haven’t even said anything yet. You really need to learn how to talk to girls,” he added, looking away.
Liora didn’t say anything. She simply observed quietly.
Sisbell tilted her head and asked, “Why don’t you join the Alchemy Club? I saw some alchemy books on your table.”
Nox considered it. She’s not wrong. Alchemy is part of my specialty, he thought.
“Lady Sisbell,” he said with a smile, “I like your idea. Can you introduce me next time? To alchemy club ”
Sisbell beamed. “Why not?”
Alber looked at both of them, slightly jealous.
“Don’t act like that, with other” Sisbell muttered, but Alber grumbled anyway.
Nox shook his head. Great… another fight brewing.
Scarlet ignored them completely this time. She slid a small piece of cake toward Nox.
“Eat this,it's not good to stay empty” she said slowly.
Nox hesitated. “I don’t have money…why are you doing this”
Scarlet smiled faintly.“are you sure you didn't want
Nox, glup and look at her scary smile
“No? I mean… okay, okay. Don’t give me that look.”
Liora looked around at them all.
“By the way… are you all going to join the horse-riding lecture arranged today?” she asked.
Scarlet and Alber nodded immediately.
“We already know,” they said in unison.
Sisbell shook her head.
“I don’t like horses.”
Nox glanced at the cake in front of him.
‘I don’t need this either, i also know’he thought.
He looked at Liora.
“I see…you all already know”
Actually, he realized, she wanted them all to join with her.
She’s trying to include us…
Scarlet and Sisbell, unaware of Liora’s intentions, thought: We broke the cutie pie’s heart…
Scarlet coughed lightly.
“Well, I hear, sir Nox, was also thinking of joining the horse-riding lecture,” she said.
Nox choked.
When did I say that?
But his eyes betrayed him. They were fixed on Liora.
He decided to cooperate with Scarlet.
“I’ll join, i also don't know horse riding” he said.
Liora’s face lit up with a bright smile.
A few minutes later, Nox and Liora arrived at the horse-riding lecture.
They were in the stable. Liora’s excitement was palpable.
She loved animals and seemed completely at ease.
The instructors looked like knights—muscular, disciplined—but their clothes were practical.
They instructed everyone to choose a horse first.
Liora had already decided.
She went straight for a very obedient horse. She gently stroked its mane and whispered soothingly.
Other students struggled to establish any connection with their horses.
Nox moved further inside the stable to inspect the horses.
Two stood out: one white, one brown.
His eyes lingered on the white horse. He reached for the lead—but a girl’s hand brushed against his.
Her dress was proper for horse riding, brown hair flowing.
“Special admission,” she said softly, “I hope you didn’t want this horse. I have my eyes on it.”
Nox stepped back.
It wasn’t her words that caught him—it was her presence.
A radiant aura of energy seemed to flow from her as she stroked the horse’s neck.
She’s… Nox thought. Princess Ophelia Arden Vin Nosterio—the second princess. And she bears the blessing of the Dragon King.in this generation
Ophelia stepped closer.
“By any chance… are you angry that I took your horse, Special Admission?” she asked gently.
Nox shook his head.
“No… it’s fine. I’ll take the brown horse.”
Royal family… so close to me it makes me nauseous, he thought silently.
The two of them stood side by side.
Nox’s horse was slightly disobedient.
Does it like her? Or is it me? he wondered.
Ophelia’s gaze flicked between the horses and Nox.
‘I still don’t understand him… she thought. I planned to approach him after gathering information.but i didn't get anything yet no information Did I do the right now? ’She thought
Ophelia tilted her head.
“Are you nervous because of me?” she asked softly.
Nox froze. ”No, not at all…”
…Wait? he thought. Did I just think that out loud?
Ophelia’s voice hardened slightly.
“Is this a side effect of staying with that El Valorios family? Not respecting the Royal Family?”
“I don’t think so, Princess,” Nox replied calmly.
“You’re asking if I’m nervous, or not I'm not nervous”
Ophelia stepped closer.
“Why are you siding with her? Is it because you like her?”
Nox shook his head.
“ugh Why …Everyone thinks that I’m a commoner, so that’s impossible. I also don’t like that sly fox.”
Ophelia laughed softly, then looked away to hide her expression.
Nox turned his focus back to the horse.
Ophelia cleared her throat.
“I see… so you don’t like her either. But still, you’re joining with her and take classes there are a lot of people who see you both Many times are you joining a noble faction why don't you join us ”
Nox nodded.
“princess i don't joined any faction and After what happened yesterday, I don’t intend to get close to the Royal Faction. Pardon my rudeness but this is my answer ”
Ophelia’s eyes narrowed.
“Something happened? What isf it's possible i solve”
Nox looked at her steadily.
“Royal Faction members bullied my friend.”
Ophelia froze.
‘What? Why would those idiots do something like that? This is my chance to torment Scarlet! If I take him to my side but this makes it difficult why didn't I know that this happened’ she thought silently.
Nox looked back at her.
“Are you okay? Princess”
“Yeah… I’m alright. And I’m sorry something bad happened to your friends,” she said sincerely.
‘She’s different from the rumors I’ve heard… well it's not that she is unfriendly but because she was a royal family member I don't want to be involved with her and in the report it's still myster why she hates scarlet ’ Nox thought.
‘If Scarlet is a sly fox, then she’s probably a saint with a dark side.’
After a few minutes The students gradually moved outside with their horses.
Liora was already walking her horse slowly, her eyes sparkling as she gently stroked its neck.
She whispered softly, completely absorbed.
Seeing that, Nox decided not to interrupt her moment.
The instructor clapped his hands loudly.
“Alright, students. You’ve chosen your horses. Now mount them and take a short walk. Don’t rush.”
“Yes!”
“Understood!”
Excited voices echoed around the stable.
Nox grabbed the reins of his horse and tried to mount—
only for the horse to suddenly lower its head and start chewing his hair.
“…Oi.”
Seriously?
He pulled his hair free with an annoyed expression.
I really wanted that white horse.
But of course, the princess took it.
When no one was paying attention, Nox quietly released a faint trace of magic.
The horse froze, then calmed instantly.
He mounted smoothly.
Horse riding… I’ve done worse with my family, i mean sister was scary that time he thought.
Nox guided the horse forward at a slow pace.
Nearby, Liora finally managed to sit properly.
“Ah—! I did it!” she said happily.
Her laughter carried lightly through the field.
Some students succeeded.
Others fell flat on their backs.
Nox’s gaze drifted to the far corner.
Princess Ophelia was still struggling.
She tried to mount it again.
Her foot slipped.
“Ah—!”
Before she could fall, a hand wrapped around her waist.
She froze completely.
“W-What—?! ”
“Careful, princess ” Nox said calmly.
Ophelia turned her head sharply.
“Special Admission, what do you think you’re doing?!”
“Saving you,” he replied without hesitation.
“You were about to fall.”
She immediately stepped back, cheeks faintly pink.
“I didn’t ask for help!”
“I didn’t wait for permission, just think you don't hurt ” Nox replied.
She glared at him.
“T-The horse is just too tall, that’s all.”
“I see.”
Nox knelt down in front of her and extended his hand.
“Then step on my hand. I’ll lift you.”
“…Huh?”
“If you fall, I’ll catch you, Again ” he added calmly.
Ophelia stared at him.
‘Why is he acting so natural?
Isn’t he a commoner?
Then why does Scarlet get someone like this… Both are idiots’
“H-Hey, don’t misunderstand!” she said quickly.
“I’m only accepting because it’s efficient!”
“Of course,” Nox replied seriously.
She placed her foot on his hand.
“…!”
He lifted her effortlessly.
She landed on the saddle safely.
Nox looked up.
“Good job, Princess.”
She stiffened.
“D-Don’t call me Princess all the time!”
“You can use my name.”
She quickly looked away, pretending to adjust the reins.
“No,” Nox said calmly.
“If someone hears me, I’ll be executed tomorrow.”
“…That’s exaggerated.”
“History says otherwise.”
She bit her lip.
“Then at least… you have a name too. Why didn’t I use it first? If I call you nox will you call me with my name”
Nox paused briefly.
“…I thought about what you said.”
She glanced at him.
“About yesterday?”
“Yes.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“Hmph.”
He patted his horse’s neck and mounted.
“I’ll go check on my friend.”
She watched his back for a moment.
‘He’s… strange and annoying, did he not really know I'm royalty why didn't he follow my order and help me like I'm damsel’she thought.
After the lesson ended, Ophelia returned to her chambers.
The maids helped remove her riding clothes.
“Princess,” one maid said with a smile.
“You seem very happy today.”
“I am not,” Ophelia replied immediately.
“But you’re smiling,” the maid added.
Ophelia turned toward the mirror.
She froze.
“…When did that happen? Whatever prepare a bath please”
Later, she soaked quietly in the bath.
“No need to wash me,” she said softly.
“I want to stay alone for a bit.”
“Yes, Princess.”
The door closed.
She leaned back.
Classes… nobles… meetings…
“…Nox.”
She covered her face with both hands.
“He called Scarlet a sly fox…”
She laughed quietly.
Why is he like that?
Polite… annoying… gentle…
She turned in the water.
“Why haven’t I received any reports about him?
I want to know more.”
After a few minutes That night, she lay on her bed hugging a plush tightly.
Her thoughts drifted to Scarlet.
Then to Nox.
Only Nox.
She glanced at the mirror beside her bed.
“What if he stood beside me… instead of her?will scarlet suffer or be defeated by me will she think I'm better than her ”
Her face burned red.
“T-That’s ridiculous, but …” she muttered, rolling over.
But she hugged the pillow tighter anyway.
