Chapter 65: Chapter 65 - Heinley’s Specialty (2)

I looked back at him in astonishment. The prince, who was already famous for his handsome face and flirty personality, had become the highest ranked student? If that was the case, then rumors should have spread...

“I’ve never heard this before.”

“It’s not something the academy is proud of.”

“Ah.”

Well, that was a shame.

“Prince Heinley had made a special request, as a matter of fact.”

“What did he ask for?”

“He said not to tell other people.”

“...”

But the dean just revealed it to me? Was that alright? He quickly noticed my puzzled expression.

“But it’s fine. Prince Heinley visited just yesterday.”

“Prince Heinley?”

I was sure he was still in the palace when I left yesterday...although I couldn’t have known when he would have left.

“Yes, he arrived here out of the blue. He came here to enjoy himself, and he said if a guest came by and asked about the empty frame, it was alright to answer.”

“I see.”

The timing was too coincidental, but I passed it over. Rather, the discovery that I found more concerning was that Prince Heinley could use magic.

Prince Heinley...according to Duke Elgy, he had been planning something for years. If he really could use magic, there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to find out what it was, as mages were so rare that the field hadn’t been studied extensively.

After finishing the tour around the academy, the dean saw me off at the main gates. To my surprise, I saw Prince Heinley walking this way with his blue-haired knight. The prince’s expression turned surprise as he spotted me, and he turned to my direction.

“Queen? Oh my goodness. You’re here.”

Prince Heinley approached me with a radiant smile. The prince’s knight, in contrast, looked very unhappy. It seemed directed towards Prince Heinley, as if he had heard something unpleasant from him. The knight shook his head, only to replace his expression with professional solemnity when he saw me. Meanwhile, Prince Heinley kept smiling.

“Isn’t it a coincidence, Queen?”

“It is. I didn’t expect to meet you here, Prince Heinley.”

“I have some business here.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And while we didn’t plan this encounter at all, our meeting seemed to have been fated.”

His talk about fate seemed a bit exaggerated, but I smiled as I enjoyed his unexpected appearance as well.

“May I ask you what you’re here for?”

“The dean wanted to see me.”

“...”

The dean told me that Prince Heinley visited unexpectedly. However, I couldn’t bring myself to contradict and embarrass the smiling prince. Oh...was this part of Prince Heinley’s plan?

While I contemplated this, Prince Heinley spoke in a careful voice.

“This was meant to be. Would you like to have dinner with me, Queen?”

I didn’t have anything else on my schedule, and so I agreed.

“Yes.”

*

*

*

“It’s a drink made from apples and honey. Do you like sweets?”

“In moderation.”

“Then it will suit you.”

Prince Heinley had brought me to what he said was his favorite restaurant, and he recommended me various food and drinks from the menu.

“Have you ever had soup made with beer?”

“Once?”

“This is a specialty here. It’s the best. I recommend it.”

“What if it’s not to my taste?”

“Then you can hit me.”

He smiled and pretended to strike himself on the forehead, then called the waiter to order our food. The knights that accompanied Prince Heinley and I were seated a few tables away.

The waiter quickly set down an appetizer of fried bread. I delicately tore the bread with my fingers, then looked up to see Prince Heinley smiling at me instead of eating. However, I didn’t feel uncomfortable by his gaze. I wondered if he was planning anything that was harmful to the Eastern Empire, although I was doubtful.

“I’ve always had this thought.”

“Say it, Queen.”

“Prince Heinley looks a lot like ‘Queen.’”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, with the blond hair and purple eyes.”

Both man and bird were very handsome as well, but I wouldn’t say that. Prince Heinley’s mouth tipped into a smile, and he leaned over towards me.

“Take a close look. Is is true? Do I look like a bird?”

I looked into his deep purple eyes, and realized why his stare did not make me feel uncomfortable. It was because his eyes were so mesmerizingly beautiful.

“Your eyes are very beautiful. Did you know that?”

Meanwhile, Prince Heinley expressed a thought similar to my own. He smiled and murmured, “They truly are” before leaning back into his seat.

“Do you always compliment women like this?”

“Does the Queen always bewitch people like this? With your eyes?”

“That’s an exaggeration.”

“I know. It was a difficult question, so I just said whatever came to mind.”

A moment later, the waiter brought a small cart loaded with our plates of food. I nervously brushed the skirt of my dressed as the waiter set the plates on the table, and as soon as he stepped away, I addressed Prince Heinley again.

“I hear you are very good at magic.”

I wanted to ask him before, but I feared of appearing too straightforward.

Prince Heinley smiled sheepishly as he pushed an amber drink in front of me.

“You must have heard from the dean. Yes, a little.”

“You were a top student.”

“What, did he tell you that?”

“I don’t know much about magic, but I do know that each mage has different skills. Is that right?”

“I may never be able to do the magic my opponents do, but my opponents would never able to do my magic either.”

I asked my next question as casually as I could.

“What is your specialty, Prince Heinley?”

Some liked to boast about their magic in excess, while others hid it completely. It was not a question I expected Prince Heinley to answer, but if he did, it would be easier to guess whether his plan involved magical power. In addition, depending on what his magical ability was, I might have to stop Sir Artina from investigating him in case of discovery.

Prince Heinley hummed and then softly chuckled.

“I’ll just say—flying in the sky.”

“Flying? That’s wonderful! Can you take someone else with you?”

“It depends on who it is.”

“How about me? Can you take me?”

I said it half-jokingly, but I wanted to find out more about his abilities. I didn’t expect him to take me and fly away, but I wanted to know what he was capable of.

“Oh....”

Prince Heinley mumbled and avoided my eyes.

“You’re kind of, uh, heavy for me to carry, Queen.”

“!”

“Oh, please don’t misunderstand. I don’t mean that you’re heavy, I mean that you’re heavy if I have to carry you in the sky.”

“Alright.”

“Are you angry?”

“No.”

“You’re not saying much. You look upset...”

“No.”