Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 26: Lost in Athens… and Adolfo’s Eyes?

Chapter 26: Lost in Athens... and Adolfo’s Eyes?

Adolfo still felt the lingering drowsiness from using the portal twice in one day. His mind felt foggy, and he couldn’t understand why he had rushed to Albania the moment he heard Lady Katherine was looking for him. He sighed softly, trying to shake off the sensation.

"Young master, I believe the store we need to go to is on this street," Roiselin’s voice cut through his thoughts.

They stood in the heart of Athens, a vibrant district buzzing with merchants selling everything from luxurious fabrics to cutting-edge technology. Adolfo busied himself with buying school supplies, yet his focus wavered.

"I believe the guests for the Summer Symposium should have arrived today, master. We should return to the academy before long," Roiselin continued, his tone steady and formal.

But Adolfo wasn’t listening. The academy had become unbearably dull since his master left. It was always the same—Antennor and Florante, over and over again.

At least he had seen Katherine before her trip. He didn’t know why she unsettled him so much, why she lingered in his thoughts even now.

What is happening to me?

Then, a flicker of red caught his eye. His heart skipped a beat. His steps faltered.

"Master, where are you going?" Roiselin’s voice called out, but Adolfo ignored him, already moving toward the familiar sight.

"Master?!" Roiselin’s tone turned frantic, but Adolfo barely heard him.

Ahead, a bright, melodic voice chimed through the marketplace. "Lady Katherine, look at this! Wouldn’t this look wonderful on you?"

Something in him tightened. That voice—

He turned just in time to see a familiar cascade of dark curls and bright crimson fabric swaying in the sunlight.

"It’s beautiful, Your Highness, but I think it would suit you better," Katherine’s voice came in response, light and gracious, tinged with amusement.

A chuckle.

His lips twitched before he even realized it.

It really is her.

Without hesitation, Adolfo took a step forward. His exhaustion, his scattered thoughts—everything else faded. Right now, there was only her.

***

"You scared me, Master. You suddenly walked away," Roiselin complained, his voice a mix of irritation and concern as they moved through the grand corridors of Athens Academy. The hum of busy students and staff filled the air around them.

Adolfo barely registered his words, still lost in thought.

"Today is the start of the Summer Symposium, Roi?" Adolfo asked, his tone distracted, his gaze unfocused.

"Yes, Master," Roiselin replied, raising a brow. "You know that."

Adolfo frowned, a nagging feeling creeping in—something important had slipped his mind. "Why didn’t you tell me?"

"I did. You just weren’t listening," Roiselin sighed, clearly exasperated. "Stop thinking about your lady in Albania and focus on your work and studies for once."

Adolfo blinked. Wait. Lady Katherine... traveling to Athens?

A rush of happiness and relief swelled in his chest. She was here, in Athens. The thought of seeing her again sent a warm, unfamiliar feeling stirring inside him—unexpected, yet welcome.

"What are you dozing off for again, Master?" Roiselin’s voice cut through his thoughts, sharp and irritated. "Stop daydreaming already."

Roiselin exhaled, shaking his head. "Focus, young master. You need to present tomorrow."

Adolfo snapped out of his reverie. He had to excel in the Symposium. Even without his master, he was confident in his abilities.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. The thought of seeing Katherine again had clearly distracted him, but knowing she was in the same city filled him with quiet joy.

"Right..." he muttered, forcing his focus back on the present. The Summer Symposium was about to begin, and there was work to be done. But in the back of his mind, he couldn’t shake the quiet anticipation of running into Katherine again.

***

Katherine stepped into her room and immediately approved. It was simple yet elegant, with just the right balance of luxury and comfort. No excessive frills, no overwhelming gold accents—just classy

The princess’s room was down the hall, and judging by the lively chatter spilling through the corridors, the other noble girls from the tea party were also nearby.

In total, 200 young noble ladies, ages 12 to 16, were attending the Summer Symposium.

Which meant this event was either going to be a charming fairytale or a social battlefield filled with passive-aggressive smiles and fashion sabotage.

Though she had yet to step into the academy itself, the marketplace had already blown her mind. Athens was light-years ahead of Albania in terms of technology, all thanks to the students’ innovations—or so Princess Laura had proudly declared.

Katherine had nearly screamed when she spotted objects straight from her old world:

A typewriter—sturdy, beautiful, and absurdly expensive at 100 gold. Why must literacy come at such a cost?

An iron—finally, no more wrinkled dresses! Civilization had arrived!

And, most importantly—

A ballpoint pen.

She had snatched up two immediately—one for herself and one for Maestro Eldritch. Because clearly, nothing said thinking of you quite like stationery.

Now, twirling the pen between her fingers, she stared at it.

Why did I even buy two? Maestro probably has one already.

...But still, it reminded her of him. And that alone made it worth it.

A little sentimentality never hurt.

Her mind drifted to him next.

Adolfo.

The way he had spotted her in the crowded marketplace. The way he had recognized her instantly.

Being the marchioness’s niece must make me more well-known than I thought. Not bad for a supposed side character.

With his silver hair and red eyes, he looked like he had stepped straight out of a fantasy novel. If his eyes had been blue, he would’ve been the perfect fairytale prince.

But red?

Oh, no. That was prime villain material.

It was obvious he and Laura didn’t get along, but Katherine suspected his interest in the princess had little to do with actual feelings and everything to do with power and politics.

Which made sense.

He wasn’t looking at me—he was looking at my connections.

A sudden pang of something settled in her chest.

Why does that thought bother me?

...Weird.

Her aunt had warned her to stay away from Adolfo, but honestly? He didn’t seem that bad. If anything, he was more broody than dangerous.

Maybe he just needs someone to ruffle his hair and tell him to lighten up.

The thought made her smirk—until her door suddenly swung open.

"Lady Katherine, it’s time for your bath."

Katherine turned to see Ariane, her ever-diligent maid, standing there with her usual gentle but firm expression.

"Thank you, Ariane."

"I know you still feel uncomfortable having someone assist you, but please, allow me to help this time, my lady."

Katherine held back a sigh. Ever since arriving in this world, she had learned that nobles were bathed by their maids.

It was a bizarre concept.

She had begged Aunt Yevon to let her handle it herself, and somehow, she had gotten away with it—until Ariane became her personal maid.

Ariane was persistent. Always looking after her with quiet dedication. Katherine appreciated it, truly, but the thought of someone else scrubbing her back was still... awkward.

"I’ll only help with your hair and clean your back, my lady. Nothing more than that," Ariane assured her.

Katherine groaned. "Fine. If you insist." At least she’d get a free hair spa out of it.

The bathroom was warm, filled with the soothing scent of lavender. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting soft shadows across the marble floor.

Ariane had already prepared the bath, steam curling from the water like an invitation.

As Katherine slipped into the tub, a pleased sigh escaped her.

...Okay, maybe I can’t complain about the luxury.

Ariane knelt beside her, carefully pouring warm water over her hair. "You’ve been so busy since arriving, my lady. You deserve a little pampering."

"I suppose," Katherine hummed, closing her eyes. Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, "I won’t stop you if you want to braid my hair into something ridiculous after this. Might as well complete the princess experience."

Ariane giggled. "I’ll keep that in mind, my lady."

Katherine let herself relax, her thoughts drifting back to the marketplace.

And back to him.

Adolfo.

Why did her mind keep circling back to him?

He was handsome, sure—but plenty of nobles were. That wasn’t what unsettled her.

No, it was the way he looked at her.

Like he saw something more than she wanted him to.

"Thinking of something, my lady?" Ariane’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Katherine startled. "No, just... the Summer Symposium. It’s a bit overwhelming."

That much was true. The Symposium wasn’t just some elegant tea party for noble ladies. It was a battlefield where friendships were forged, alliances were tested, and reputations were either built—or utterly destroyed.

She needed to stay sharp.

Ariane nodded knowingly. "I understand. It’s a big event, after all."

Katherine hummed in response, letting herself sink deeper into the warmth.

And then—

Ariane’s gasp shattered the calm.

"My lady—you have a scar on your back!"

Katherine blinked. "A scar?"

"Yes. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it’s small and round..."

Small and round.

Her breath hitched.

No.

The scar from... how I died?

Memories surged—flashes of that night.

The sharp crack of a gunshot. The burning pain. The helplessness as her life slipped away.

And now, somehow, the evidence of it had followed her into this body.

A chill crawled up her spine.

What does this mean?

"Lady Katherine?" Ariane’s worried voice snapped her back to reality.

Katherine forced herself to breathe, then, in true fashion, smirked lightly.

"Ah, sorry. I got hurt a long time ago. I didn’t even realize there was a scar." She tossed her hair over her shoulder with exaggerated flair. "Does it make me look more mysterious?"

Ariane still looked concerned. "It must have hurt terribly, my lady."

Katherine let out an overly dramatic sigh. "Oh, it did. Tragic, really. Now I’ll have to make up a good backstory for it. Perhaps a duel? A daring escape? A cursed wound?"

Ariane didn’t seem convinced, but at least she smiled. "Whatever story you choose, my lady, I only hope you’re truly all right."

Katherine chuckled, but as she sank deeper into the water, her playful expression faded.

What else had followed me here?

And worse—

What if this scar wasn’t the only thing?

***

After the bath, Katherine sat by her vanity as Ariane gently brushed out her damp red hair, the rhythmic strokes oddly soothing.

"Shall I braid it, my lady? Or would you prefer to leave it loose?"

"Loose is fine," Katherine murmured absently, her mind still stuck on the scar.

Ariane hummed in acknowledgment and continued her careful work, while Katherine let her gaze wander to the window.

The streets of Athens, once filled with the lively chaos of the marketplace, had settled into a calm hush beneath the moon’s watchful glow.

Lanterns flickered along the cobbled paths, their soft golden light stretching long shadows against stone buildings. In the distance, the hum of music and laughter from late-night gatherings drifted through the cool air, blending into the night.

Katherine rested her arms on the windowsill, rubbing them absentmindedly as a breeze slipped through the crack.

Her thoughts circled back.

Why did the scar follow me here?

Was it just a coincidence? Or... was it something more?

She exhaled, long and slow.

It was too much to think about now.

Tomorrow would be another long day in Athens, and she needed rest.

She pulled the window shut, watching as the glass caught the moonlight.

"...Symposium, huh," she murmured, letting the word settle in the quiet room.

One way or another, this was just the beginning.