A Gentle Noble's Vacation Recommendation

Rizel and the others were now being led by Mr. Nahas to the archive room in the white royal palace.

The place, overseen by a master named Arim, was quiet and surrounded by countless books as far as the eye could see. No matter where one stood, books were within arm's reach. If unfamiliar, this room might even feel somewhat eerie.

Quattro looked around curiously.

"Hmm, this one’s new..."

"Don't stop."

Jill called out to Rizel just as he paused, eyeing a book. When Jill caught his outstretched arm and urged him forward, Rizel offered little resistance, and they resumed walking.

Quattro recalled how Rizel had requested books even in prison, confirming his love for them. Walking alongside the seemingly endless shelves, he followed quietly. Yet Quattro still didn’t realize that Rizel’s fondness for books went far beyond mere liking.

"Your Highness, Rizel has come to greet you."

"Yes."

Then, the wall of bookshelves ended abruptly. Quattro blinked.

The small open space at the archive’s center was still surrounded by bookshelves arranged in a circle, but it was the first spot in the room where the view opened up. Following Rizel’s gaze as he called out, Quattro noticed something stirring at the edge of his vision.

"Teacher, you’re early."

"Sorry to intrude."

A bundle of cloth that had spoken rose up suddenly, making Quattro flinch. He recognized the figure from the times it had come to ask questions in the prison, but he still hadn’t gotten used to its appearance.

"Shall we sit and talk?"

"Thank you."

Though claiming it was early to be fetched on the same day the message was sent, it seemed expected. Without surprise, Arim invited them to sit, and Rizel’s group took their seats as usual.

The square table had four chairs. Rizel sat down, and almost simultaneously Arim took the seat directly across—a leftover habit from their ancient language lessons.

Jill sat beside Rizel simply because he was nearby, and Eleven dragged over the remaining chair to Rizel’s side.

"Hey, don’t drag the chair."

"You’re annoying."

Though Nahas scolded him, Eleven only laughed.

Eleven placed his chair considerably closer to Rizel than Arim, resting his elbows boldly on the table. Such behavior before royalty was hardly new now; Rizel never reacted, no matter how often he was told otherwise.

“!”

As Quattro watched nervously, Rizel suddenly turned and beckoned him with a few finger taps. Standing in the bookshelf aisle, Quattro happily approached.

Though there were no free chairs left, it didn’t matter to Quattro. Whether in his homeland or during his time as a slave, he wasn’t used to sitting on chairs. Without much thought, he sat cross-legged at Rizel’s feet.

"You're in the way."

Immediately, there was a sharp scraping sound as Eleven pulled his chair back and struck Quattro hard on the shoulder.

Quattro staggered, placing a hand behind him to steady himself, wincing at the tingling pain. Looking up, he saw Eleven watching him from his seated position as he slowly lowered his foot.

"...Ugh."

"Hey, what do you think you’re doing? Stop it!"

"Well, you see..."

Being looked down on by a man who had gouged out one of his own eyes was genuinely scary. However, when Nahas scolded him, Eleven’s sulky eyes turned away.

Quattro straightened up with relief and glanced at Rizel, unsure what to do next.

"This side’s fine."

Rizel smiled wryly and tapped the other side of the chair.

Quattro brightened instantly and sat down between Rizel and Jill again. Though a little cramped, it wasn’t uncomfortable.

At that moment, his eyes caught a pair of long legs. They were stretched casually under the table, wrapped in black. Following the legs upward, he saw the face moving lips to speak with Rizel.

After a natural blink and a few seconds, Rizel’s gaze flicked to him.

"...!"

Quattro instinctively jerked his shoulder.

From the moment they met, Jill had been an unsurpassable presence in Quattro’s eyes. When Rizel had spoken of the "strongest" person in the prison, Quattro understood immediately it was Jill.