Avoiding Death in an Otome Game

Chapter 44: Chapter - 44: Suspicious Approaches

[Warning:- This Chapter contains uncensored hand holding.]

”Why don’t you ask Lisa or Tina for help? Your highness...”

Elena replied before I could say anything and her tone wasn’t at all friendly, neither are her eyes which seems to be glaring at princess Kajol.

*Now this is a troublesome situation.*

”Actually they are busy choosing the team members for the test so I am left on my own.”

Princess Kajol replied naturally like she didn’t even notice Elena’s tone and glare, which is weird for any girl to do.

”I promise I will not be a hindrance so please.”

She further insisted and honestly I don’t have the option to say no to the empire’s guest over such a small matter.

”You don’t have to request so much your highness. We would love to help you, right Elena?”

I asked Elena but I made sure to first hold her hand which has almost turned into a fist.

She sensed my touch and relaxed her fist as blush returned to her face but instead of shying away, she held back my hand like trying to keep me with her.

”Why not. If princess Kajol needs help then me and my ’fiance’ would love to do so.”

Elena said, this time with a sweet tone but her emphasis on the word ’Fiance’ seems too obvious.

Not like I mind. Instead for some reason, I prefer her this way.

.....

The academy library was considerably quieter than the rest of the campus.

The moment we stepped through the entrance, the noises from outside seemed to disappear. Though several students could still be seen occupying tables near the windows, quietly studying or searching through books.

We silently headed towards the section which contents the information about the Yona Kingdom’s forests and the monsters that largely occupy them.

”These should suffice.”

I said as I took three books from that section, two containing information on different kinds of creatures those are abundant in the kingdom’s forest while the third is about the Viridian forest’s topography.

”It’s good that we came early before the good stuff was taken.”

Princess Kajol said as she held one of the books and looked around for a desk. Of course the students, I meant the guys who saw her, voluntarily came forward to offer her a sit.

”Your highness please sit here, I have cleaned this place especially for you.”

One of the boys said as he gestured at the desk besides him which is amazingly so clean that I might have to use the horizon eye to spot dust on it if there were any even remaining.

*Is he a cleaning mage or something?*

”What is a clean desk useful for? Your highness, you should come to my desk, I have already prepared all the notes needed for the test.”

Another guy chimmed in from the side, trying to appease princess Kajol. Honestly it’s not surprising at all given her beauty and her popularity among the first year, I wouldn’t be surprised if boys would be fighting over her in secret.

”It’s a good offer. Your highness, I think you should accept their generosity. Kai, princess Kajol don’t need our help anymore, so let’s bid farewell to her.”

Elena asked me with a smile but her eyes seemed to hold a certain kind of pressure which was almost telling me to agree with her words.

It seems like she has been waiting for such an opportunity to quickly get away from princess Kajol.

”What are you saying lady Elena? How can I turn away from you and sir Kai after you accepted my request? I will return the favor with my knowledge, you know I got full marks in theory.”

Princess Kajol replied with a wink but Elena doesn’t seem to be any happy by her words. Instead her eyes were glaring at the princess.

”Thank you for the offer but there’s no need to trouble yourself, and also we need a desk for three so your desk will not be enough anyway right sir Kai?”

*Why are you asking me after deciding everything?*

Just as I expected, now I am the one who is getting glared at by all these boys.

It’s not my fault that she got weirdly interested in me!

”Look there’s a one empty desk. It’s big enough for three of us.” She pointed to a desk in a corner as she gestured Elena and me to follow her lead.

I sighed internally as I gestured Elena to follow the princess’s lead and was make with her angry eyes as she pouted.

”Just bear with it for a while.” I whispered to Elena as I led her to the desk.

”Lady Elena please you first.” Weirdly enough, Princess Kajol request Elena to sit first. Which Elena unwillingly followed....

And somehow I ended up sitting in the middle of the two girls?

Now I feel even more angry eyes darting towards me. If the eyes could kill, I have been dead by now.

[Of course some magician’s eyes can kill but luckily none of the angry boys possess that ability]

Ignoring the glares I opened one of the books, I began reading through the contents. It was the one about topography of the forest.

”These maps are surprisingly detailed.”

Princess Kajol commented while leaning slightly closer.....actually little too close.

I could easily smell the faint fragrance coming from her. Definitely some kind of expensive floral perfume.

”I suppose they are” I replied while leaning back a little to create some distance.

On her weird request, I explained her the topography of the whole forest and the effect of the weather changing on it. For example in rainy days, the soil is obviously more damp which resulted in the increase in the movements of the creatures which crawls underground.

”You are very knowledgeable in this regard, and here I thought I could flaunt my intelligence.”

Suddenly the princess gave me a compliment in a very casual tone like talking to some close friends which we obviously aren’t.

Which only made me more cautious.

The red-haired princess was the biggest unknown variable currently present in the academy. An existence that shouldn’t exist according to my knowledge of the game.

Of course her friendly tone didn’t go unnoticed from Elena and I feel the temperature around the table dropping by a few degrees even though she doesn’t possess ice attribute.

Why are women so terrifying sometimes?

Trying to ignore the strange atmosphere, I returned my attention to the book but unfortunately the atmosphere refused to be ignored.

”Someone like you should be in a royal court. I don’t know about Yona kingdom but our Keshan’s royal court would welcome such a talent with open arms.”

Before I could think of any response, I heard a slightly louder flipping of pages from my left.

I glanced to see Elena turning pages with a smile, but her eyes weren’t smiling nor they were on the book. Instead they were staring at princess Kajol with a dangerous glint.

*Not good*

Without thinking too much, I moved my right hand beneath the table and gently grabbed Elena’s left hand which was clenched into a fist.

The reaction was immediate as she froze for a moment and then I felt her clenched fist relaxing.

The dangerous pressure around her instantly disappeared as she glanced at our joint hands. The anger vanished so completely that it was impressive.

*Thank god it worked*

I thought but I didn’t look at the joint hands nor at Elena, instead I turned to princess Kajol to reply.

”I appreciate your praise your highness, but I have no such ambitions. Besides I have a marquisate to inherit.”

Serving in royal court might be a big prestige for others but I already have a title of equal value and besides I prefer freedom over power and influence.

”You don’t even hold back.”

Princess Kajol said with a wry smile. At the same time she seems to have noticed the changed in Elena’s attitude and I don’t know if she noticed the reason as well.....

*It would be really embarrassing if she or anyone sees us holding hands like this*

I thought to myself as I kept down my internal embarrassment and continue reading the book with a calm expression on my face.

”Alright, I think I should leave now. Lisa might be waiting for me. Thank you for your assistance sir Kai and lady Elena.”

Princess Kajol said and stood up.

”You’re welcome, your highness. We are glad to be of help.” I replied keeping the tone as formal as possible. I also signaled Elena who seems to be lost in some other thoughts.

”Huh? Oh right you are welcome”

”If you two don’t mind may I take this book?”

”Of course. I hope it will be useful for you.”

”Thank you.”

She took the book and silently left the library..... Maybe not that silently since several students greeted her and the boys kept presenting her with several appealing offers.

*phew, finally she left*

I took a sigh of relief as I saw her finally leaving the library and relaxed my hand that was holding Elena’s. And it seemed like a spell is broken as Elena’s expression changed instantly.

*Did I made a mistake?*

”It’s not good.” Suddenly I heard Elena’s voice though she was still looking at the book but I know her words were targeted at me.

But before I could say anything, I felt my right hand being hold by her left hand.

”You can’t just always do as you please.” She complaint with pout, though her eyes are still on the book and faint redness on her face doesn’t seem to be from anger.

”Sorry, I will remember from the next time.”

I replied as I let her hold my hand and we silently continued reading the book though neither of us are too invested in reading.

*This is not half bad*