Irregular Curved
Chapter 21: Disruption

Taps.

Taps.

Taps.

Being in the middle of the reading, Light was a little distracted by the tread steps coming from the stairs that were not far from the reading table he occupied.

No one was around him. Most visitors who want to borrow or just read choose to take a seat on the first floor.

The first floor is very spacious, not only bookshelves that have very diverse contents, but reading tables are also more widely available on the ground floor. It is much different from the second and third floors which are each devoted to special books and only have a limited reading table.

That was why, at most Light was only accompanied by one or two people as he read, although that was also very rare. Mostly, people who have needs on the second floor prefer to borrow his books because they need them for a relatively long period of time.

"Oh..." Selene was a little surprised by Light's presence in the corner of the room right next to the window, "I didn't think you were here, Light."

Selene carried a rather thick book, perhaps almost twice the thickness of the history book that was in Light's lap.

"So is it with me, Your Majesty." Light was about to stand up to show his respect, but stopped because Selene raised her hand so she wouldn't do it.

The conversation was interrupted. The atmosphere of the second floor was quiet again, only a few times the sound of the page turning a little loud because of the thickness of the paper material.

Selene chose a reading table not far from Light. The girl held her cheek with her left hand. Selene's movements are so graceful that Light occasionally steals a glance at her due to her unsettled feelings.

Not because of nervousness, it was natural to remember the position of Selene who was one of the higher-ups of the kingdom as well as a person with great influence.

The sun had slipped from the top, the scorching atmosphere behind the windows gradually fading away with the appearance of shadows on the east side of the building.

Both Selene and Light, both of them read in serenity. The nervousness that Light felt before slowly disappeared after he got used to the presence of Selene nearby.

"What are you going to do after graduating from this place, Light?" Selene broke the silence, but her eyes remained fixed on the book as if to show that she was just making small talk.

There was a bit of surprise, Light thought that Selene's cold, untouchable personality in the classroom would not make her talk.

"I don't know, Your Majesty." Light recalled his father's words, he did not think of a career as Allain's successor, "Maybe... I will apply for jobs in several vacant positions available at one or two institutions owned by the empire..."

"Aren't you the heir to the house?" Selene turned to Light and had a strange look.

"Yes, and my father prefers my half-brother."

"so."

Selene's attention was turned back to her book. Unlike Light's book barrier which still remains in the middle, Selene's reading speed has kept her at the end of the book, light doesn't know if Selene read the book in its entirety or is just looking for a specific part she needs.

The silence came again, one, two, a few minutes both of them did not go to continue the conversation, until at last Light did not feel resistant and decided to break the silence, "May I ask about something, I said, Your Honor?"

"Of course." Selene answered indifferently.

"Did you... also not like me like your other two brothers?"

Buk.

Light was confused, very nervous because Selene did not give the answer she expected.

"No. It's just that there's a rumor that says His Majesty's family doesn't like me because I'm a descendant of the rebels..."

"The rumors are true." Selene's reply was quick, she gave Light a meaningful smile, "But, I myself am not that kind of person."

"Uh..." Light is confused as to how to respond.

"I know my way of thinking is different from others, but wouldn't it be ridiculous to judge someone just from something like that, Light?"

"That's right, Your Majesty."

Selene smiled satisfied with Light's reply, "However, I myself do not regard intergenerational punishment as strange because I understand the reason why the law was created."

Light and Selene live in an era where a child's closeness to his parents is so close, that it is quite natural that a child's way of thinking is identical to both parents and even to his grandparents.

Because of this, identical to the earth in medieval times, intergenerational punishments were imposed. Not only because it has a similar view, but also to break grudges and the chance of problems that have a high possibility to appear in the future.

One of the reasons for the solidity of the imperial foundation was that the palace would indiscriminately eliminate groups that threatened the integrity of the country, even if they were one of the families that had the highest contribution in the establishment of the empire.

After a brief silence, Selene rose from her seat, leaving Light without saying a word by hanging the heavy book she had read with her right arm.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty." Light rose from his seat and bowed deeply to Selene. Light, however, appreciates Selene who does not hate him as much as Prince Arthur and the girl's brother, Prince Leon.

However, Selene's steps came to a halt, she turned to face Light as if she remembered something, "That's right. Doesn't that mean you yourself don't have a job after graduating from here, Light?"

Light turned his head, looking puzzled as to why Selene asked about it, "Yes... Your Honour..."

Selene somehow revealed a smile, "Are you interested in joining my sister's ranks, Light?"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty?" Light did not want to believe what Selene had just said. For Light, the action was like visiting the habitat of a starving lion.

"Are you interested in supporting Prince Leon as the imperial crown prince?" Now, Selene said it plainly.

Light freezes. Not only was Light's position alone not allowing him to answer something unpleasant for Selene who was the imperial princess.

"I thought, if you actively supported my brother to achieve the title of crown prince, your own life would be safe even if it was only from the essence of my brother's faction." Selene kindly gave good consideration to Light's future, "If you yourself prefer to be alone and end up without influence or political power... I know you must understand what I'm worried about, Light."

In short, Light would never live safely if he remained in the empire and had no influence that made him valuable among the nobility.

Selene implied that Light had a high probability of being killed at any time because he himself had entered the imperial intelligence radar as a rebel.

"... Please give me a little time to answer this, Your Majesty. I'll think of your words more maturely." For a moment of delay, in the end Light chose to buy time without giving an answer.

Against Light who once again lowered his head, Selene turned around, coming down the stairs with a smile that looked as if having fun.

......................