Blind girl.

"Why did you just leave her there after saving her?"

The sudden voice cut through the silence, making Venzel pause mid-step.

He turned, only to meet the sharp gaze of Professor Ivy, who stood a few feet away, adjusting her glasses.

Her tone wasn't accusatory, but there was something in her eyes—curiosity, suspicion.

"Normally, you wouldn't do that," she continued, her gaze unwavering. "Suddenly had a change of heart?"

Venzel opened his mouth to respond, but before he could form a single word, Ivy spoke again.

"Venzel, this isn't a threat," she said, her voice quieter now, but firm.

"But if you have no real feelings for her, don't approach her. She's been hurt enough."

For a moment, he didn't move.

He expected a scolding. He expected her to look at him with disgust or hate.

But Ivy's words weren't filled with hatred.

They were a warning and a silent plea.

And then, without waiting for his response, she walked past him, making her way toward Karina.

Venzel watched as Ivy knelt down, offering Karina her hand. Karina hesitated before taking it, and though he couldn't hear what they were saying, he saw it—the small nod Karina gave, the way Ivy gently patted her shoulder before guiding her away.

He remained still, watching as the two of them disappeared into the distance.

She's been hurt enough.

A bitter chuckle escaped him.

I know. And I was the one who hurt her the most.

Letting out a slow breath, Venzel finally turned around, ready to leave—but just as he took a step forward, he noticed movement from the corner of his eye.

A familiar figure lingered near the hallway's edge, looking around as if searching for something.

Or someone.

Angie.

Venzel immediately halted, his entire body tensing.

Did she see what happened?

No. If she had, she would have approached by now.

Still, he had no desire to deal with her right now.

Without another thought, he pivoted on his heel and strode in the opposite direction.

The library.

That was a good enough excuse.

Anywhere but here. Anywhere but near her.

Venzel stepped into the library, immediately welcomed by the comforting silence that filled the space.

No whispers. No prying eyes.

Without hesitation, he made his way to a secluded corner and sank into a chair.

Venzel needing to clear his mind. His fingers traced the spines of books until they landed on one at random.

He flipped it open without a second thought.

"Teacher by Day, Farmer by Passion."

"...Huh."

Curious, he flipped through the pages and began to read.

Minutes passed. Then an hour.

Then—

A quiet rustle of fabric as someone sat down across from him.

Venzel barely glanced up, too engrossed in his reading.

The girl across from him also picked up a book, flipping through the pages in a relaxed manner.

Then, after a moment—

"Didn't expect you to be a reader."

Venzel frowned slightly, finally looking up.

"Shush. This is a library," he muttered, eyes still glued to the pages. "Don't disturb me."

The girl didn't seem offended. Instead, she simply smiled and went back to her book.

And so, in comfortable silence, they read.

It wasn't until the distant chime of the school bell rang that Venzel finally looked up again.

"Wow. That was intense," he murmured, stretching his arms.

Then he turned to the girl in front of him.

"Don't you think that period was a little too long?"

The girl cleared her throat.

"Ahem. I wanted to tell you that the bell actually rang quite a while ago," she said, a slight amusement in her tone.

"This is the last bell. Meaning the library is about to be closed."

Venzel blinked.

"...What?"

The girl let out a soft chuckle before closing her book.

"I'm Charlotte, by the way," she introduced herself casually. "And you?"

Venzel raised a brow, smirking.

"Heh. Are there really still people who don't recognize the prince?"

Charlotte tilted her head, lips curving into a small, knowing smile.

She said, tapping her temple lightly. "Oh, Your Highness, I hate to break it to you, but I've been blind this whole time."

Venzel froze.

His smirk faded.

"...Then what were you even reading?"

For the first time that evening, Charlotte let out a quiet laugh.

Venzel took a few steps away, fully intending to leave, but something gnawed at him.

He exhaled sharply, clenching his teeth for a moment before turning back.

With a bit of reluctance, he extended his hand.

"...Here. I'll help you close the library."

Charlotte tilted her head at him, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

"Oh, but I'm not the librarian, remember?"

She tapped her temple lightly. "I'm blind."

Venzel narrowed his eyes.

"Then how did you even get in here without any issues?"

Charlotte let out a small laugh. "Wow… are you actually worried about me, Your Highness?"

She placed a hand over her heart, mockingly touched.

Venzel scoffed, about to pull his hand back, but—

Before he could, Charlotte reached out and grasped it.

Her fingers were slender, cool against his skin, yet her grip was firm.

"How very ungentlemanly of you," she chided playfully. "You were just about to leave me here, weren't you?"

"Uh—No." Venzel blatantly denied, though they both knew the truth.

Charlotte only giggled.

"Take me to the girls' dorm gate," she said simply, as if it was the most natural request in the world.

Venzel didn't respond. He just helped her up, his movements a little stiff, a little awkward.

As she stood, his gaze flickered to the book she had been holding.

"Reborn to Love the Ice Villainess."

Venzel clicked his tongue, muttering under his breath, "Tch. What a stupid title."

"Hey," Charlotte huffed, clearly unimpressed. "It's not good to peek at other people's stuff, Your Highness."

Venzel frowned. Something wasn't right. Her gaze was too direct, too precise. A trick of the light? A coincidence?

Venzel clicked his tongue. "You're not blind, are you?" Charlotte only smiled.

He didn't wait for an answer. He had gotten it.

With a scoff, he turned on his heel. 'Figure out your own way to the dorm."

And with that, he walked away, not sparing her another glance.