Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 65: Breaking News: I Apparently Have a Fiancé and a Booth to Prepare

Chapter 65: Breaking News: I Apparently Have a Fiancé and a Booth to Prepare

The chatter in the classroom was livelier than usual. Katherine could hear the murmurs even before stepping through the doors—her name, whispered alongside another.

"Did you hear? Lady Katherine and Lord Adolfo—"

"His fiancée? I thought the princess was—"

"No announcement, but someone saw the gifts being delivered—"

Katherine sighed as she made her way to her seat, ignoring the not-so-subtle glances thrown in her direction. If she had known that one casual tea party would turn into the latest social scandal, she would have stayed in bed.

The moment she sat down, a familiar voice broke through the noise.

"You’re awfully popular today, Lady ’Katherine’."

Katherine didn’t need to turn to know who it was. Adolfo took his seat beside her with the same composed grace as ever, utterly unfazed by the whispers surrounding them. He set down his books and greeted her as if nothing had happened—as if their supposed engagement wasn’t the most talked-about topic in the entire academy.

"Well, if it isn’t my thoughtful and ever-considerate betrothed," she muttered, keeping her voice low. "You couldn’t have warned me?"

Adolfo hummed, tilting his head in faux thoughtfulness. "I figured you enjoy surprises."

Katherine rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do. But not when they involve me being the subject of noble gossip."

"Think of it as an opportunity," he said smoothly, resting his chin on one hand. "Youdon’t seem to hate these gatherings, and now you’re the star of the show, my dear Lady Noraleigha."

"Stars tend to burn out, my lord."

"Then burn brightly." He smirked before shifting his attention to the front of the room as the professor strode in.

Katherine exhaled, choosing not to dignify that with a response.

***

The lecture proceeded as usual until, near the end, their professor clapped his hands together. "Now, I know it’s still early but I have an announcement to make regarding the ongoing Symposium."

The room quieted, students sitting up a little straighter.

"The academy will be hosting the Symposium Fair—a grand event where students will present booths showcasing their research, magical developments, or practical applications of their studies. You may work alone or in groups, but your project must be approved in advance."

A wave of murmurs spread across the room. Some students looked excited, already whispering ideas to one another. Others groaned at the thought of additional work.

Katherine frowned. A booth? Is this like a Foundation day? Will there be students dancing too?

"Projects will be evaluated not just for their academic merit but also for their creativity and usefulness," the professor continued. "More details will follow, but for now, I suggest you start considering your options. Dismissed."

As soon as class ended, Katherine stretched, rubbing her temples.

"Something on your mind?"

She turned to find Adolfo watching her, amusement dancing in his crimson eyes.

"Other than my newfound status as your alleged fiancée? Not much," she said dryly.

"Then surely you have time to think about what you’ll present at the fair."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "I haven’t decided yet."

Adolfo merely smirked, tapping his fingers against his book. "No rush. I’m sure whatever you come up with will be... interesting."

Katherine crossed her arms. "Why does that sound like a threat?"

"Not a threat," he said smoothly. "A promise."

She groaned. "You’re insufferable."

"And yet, here we are." He gave her one last knowing look before heading toward the door, leaving her standing there with far too many things to think about.

***

The café’s familiar warmth greeted Katherine as she stepped inside. The scent of fresh pastries and brewed coffee wrapped around her like a comforting embrace, momentarily easing the weight of the day’s events. She spotted Ruel at his usual corner, effortlessly slouched in his seat, sipping a dark roast as if he had all the time in the world.

"Katherine." He acknowledged her presence without looking up, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me."

She slid into the seat across from him with a sigh. "Siyempre hindi. Ikaw pa? (Of course not. You, of all people?)"

Ruel chuckled, finally meeting her gaze. "Good. I was about to start feeling unappreciated."

Katherine rolled her eyes before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice. "I have news. I found a way into the Northern Territory."

That caught his attention. His cup paused mid-air before he slowly set it down. "Oh? That fast? That’s impressive, even for you."

"Well, I can’t take all the credit." She tapped a finger on the table. "Adolfo is taking me there."

Ruel blinked, then let out a low whistle. "Wow. And here I thought you and him are not like ’that’, but you’re already traveling together? Ang bilis ah. (That was fast, huh?)"

She groaned, rubbing her temples. "Not like that really."

Ruel grinned, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Lady Noraleigha."

Katherine took a deep breath. "Anyway, we need a good reason to bring you along, and I have one."

Ruel raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Enlighten me."

She leaned in, smirking. "I’m hiring you as my personal attendant."

He blinked before breaking into laughter. "Me? Your attendant? You want me to pour your tea and carry your books?"

"More like someone who happens to be around when I need him," she corrected. "Think of it as an official excuse for you to tag along."

Ruel tapped his chin, pretending to consider. "Hmm. I do like the idea of traveling in luxury."

"Don’t push it," she warned, but there was amusement in her voice.

He placed a hand over his chest, looking mockingly touched. "Ah, but my lady, I shall serve you with utmost devotion."

Katherine snorted. "I doubt that."

"Only one way to find out." He grinned, raising his cup in a mock toast before taking a sip.

She sighed but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips. With Ruel around, things were bound to get interesting.

***

The process of registering Ruel as her official attendant had been surprisingly easy. A few documents signed, a stamped approval from the administration, and just like that, he was granted access to areas previously off-limits to commoners. He had even been issued a badge, though he had already pinned it to his collar at an intentionally crooked angle, much to Katherine’s irritation.

"I still can’t believe you managed to pull this off," Ruel mused as they walked through the academy halls. He flicked the edge of his badge, smirking. "I mean, what kind of noble willingly hires me? You do realize I’m not exactly ’polished servant’ material, right?"

Katherine sighed, resisting the urge to fix his badge herself. "I didn’t hire you to serve me, Ruel. I hired you so we have an excuse to bring you along when we travel north. You’re the one who wanted this."

"Oh, I did," he admitted, stretching his arms behind his head. "Doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the perks. No one questioned me at the entrance this time."

She rolled her eyes but let him enjoy his small victory. "We’re here," she said, stopping in front of the grand doors of the academy’s main library. The towering shelves inside held centuries of knowledge—magical theory, historical records, political archives. It was the kind of place that demanded silence and reverence, something Ruel lacked in abundance.

He whistled under his breath as they stepped inside. "Fancy."

Katherine ignored him and made her way toward the older archives. If she was going to participate in the Symposium Fair, she needed research material. Something unique, something that wouldn’t bore her to death. She dragged her fingers along the spines of aged tomes, reading their titles. Most were standard academic works—treatises on elemental magic, accounts of past rulers, detailed studies on mana circulation.

"So, what exactly are we looking for?" Ruel asked, leaning lazily against a nearby shelf.

"I’m not sure yet," she admitted. "Something related to the Northern Territory, maybe something related to us."

He raised an eyebrow. "You think the academy keeps books about that place just lying around?"

She gave him a pointed look. "You’d be surprised what people overlook."

After several minutes of browsing, something caught her eye. A book wedged tightly between two others, its spine almost invisible. The title had faded with time, but when she pulled it out, the weight of it sent a cloud of dust into the air.

Ruel coughed, waving a hand in front of his face. "Stars, Katherine, are you trying to kill me?"

She ignored him, brushing the dust off the cover. The only visible marking was an unfamiliar sigil embossed in gold.

"This doesn’t look like it belongs here," she murmured, flipping it open. The pages were thick, the script inside written in an old dialect she didn’t immediately recognize. Some sections were underlined, but what caught her attention were the strange red markings that ran along the edges of the text—almost glowing under the dim library light.

Ruel stiffened the moment he saw them.

"Put that down," he muttered.

Katherine raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

He clicked his tongue. "That color—it’s not just decorative. Red markings like these are tied to an old kind of magic. They’re usually warnings."

"Warnings?" Katherine glanced back at the page. "For what?"

Ruel crossed his arms, his expression unusually serious. "Depends on the script. Some are sealing magic, some are curses, and some... well, let’s just say people have vanished trying to follow where these kinds of texts lead." He nodded toward the book. "If it’s glowing like that, it means the magic in it hasn’t completely faded. Someone, at some point, renewed it."

Katherine frowned. "So you’re saying this is dangerous knowledge?"

He exhaled sharply. "I’m saying we should be careful."

She ran her fingers lightly over the script, tracing the symbols. At first, they looked incomprehensible, but as she stared, the meaning unraveled in her mind—like a whisper at the edge of her thoughts.

’The path remains closed, but the key is not lost.’

A shiver ran down her spine.

"You just went really quiet, and I don’t like that," Ruel muttered. "You understood that, didn’t you?"

Katherine hesitated before nodding. "I... think so."

Ruel exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Katherine shut the book carefully, a determined glint in her eyes. "This might be exactly what we need."

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