LGT Chapter 12

The first class had ended, leaving Adrian with free time until the afternoon. He quickly gathered his things, leaving Mikhail Rus Inehart still sitting at his desk, and began to think about what to do until the next class.

“Are you two having lunch separately again today?”

Adrian paused mid-pack and turned at the sound of a voice directed at him. It was a bright, though somewhat blunt, tone.

“Oh? Hello.”

Adrian replied, turning fully to face the student who had spoken to him. As he did so, he brushed back his disheveled blond hair. The student had been seated behind him during the lecture.

“What do you mean by that, exactly?”

The student, gesturing to the back of the room, responded, “The students in Garnet usually eat lunch together every day. I heard you guys always eat separately, so I figured I’d just ask.”

“…Really? I’ve never actually declined such an offer,” Adrian said loudly enough for Mikhail, who was packing up nearby, to hear.

“Seems like Mikhail’s been turning them down on my behalf.”

So, he’s been blocking my social interactions for me? How thoughtful. Adrian smiled outwardly, deciding to do something that Mikhail would likely dislike.

“We’ll join you today,” Adrian announced, grabbing Mikhail by the shoulder and pulling him into the conversation. Mikhail shot Adrian an irritated look at the word “we.”

“What? No way. I’m not—”

“You’ve got to eat lunch anyway. Or wait, do princes need to dine more elegantly than the rest of us?” Adrian teased, taking advantage of the situation to mock Mikhail a little further.

“Who told you to cancel my lunch plans, anyway?”

“…They’re the ones who misunderstood,” Mikhail muttered, referring to the students who had misinterpreted his response of “I’ll eat separately” as meaning he would have lunch alone with Adrian.

Sensing the conversation could drag on, the girl who had first approached them spoke up again, as the other students waiting to have lunch were urging her along.

“So, are you coming or not?”

“I’m going.”

“I’m not.”

Adrian gave Mikhail a light pat on the shoulder, signaling him not to be difficult. Adrian had made up his mind—he would help Mikhail develop some social skills. As a future leader of the Rustabaran Kingdom, the prince needed to set a good example, yet he barely interacted with others.

Suddenly, an idea struck Adrian like a bolt of lightning.

Mikhail was the prince of Rustabaran and would one day make important decisions. And since they were stuck as roommates for the next year, why not make it his mission to help Mikhail make some good friends? Adrian could practically hear the sound of his own “piercing insight” lightening the burden already.

Yes, that was it!

While he was lost in thought, a dozen or so students from Garnet had already filed out of the classroom. Adrian leaned in and whispered quietly to Mikhail.

“Are you planning to spend the next four years without making any friends? This is your chance—just be quiet and follow me for once.” 

Adrian confidently patted Mikhail on the shoulder before forcefully pulling his arm. Although Mikhail managed to shake off Adrian’s grip, he didn’t resist walking alongside him. Since it was lunchtime and they had to eat anyway, it was inevitable that they were heading in the same direction, as the academy had only one dining hall.

When Adrian and Mikhail announced they would be joining Garnet’s students for lunch, the group was delighted.

“Oh, finally, the whole group is eating together!”

After all, they would be studying together for several years, and it must have piqued their curiosity that the two had been doing their own thing for days without eating with anyone else. As they walked toward the dining hall, the group began introducing themselves.

“My name is Yusi Sandria. Just call me Yusi.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Adrian Heather. And this is—”

“I know. You two are already famous around here.”

Adrian turned to the student walking beside him, curious about what he meant by “famous.” The girl who had initially spoken to them chuckled and explained.

“Don’t worry, it’s not in a bad way. You’re both just so good-looking, and…”

She lowered her voice slightly, as if trying not to let Mikhail hear, but it was loud enough that even he would have caught it.

“…I mean, he’s Mikhail Rous Inehart. Of course, people would notice.”

Adrian nodded in understanding, realizing that their “fame” likely stemmed from the combination of a prince and his companion. 

***

The academy’s dining hall was renowned for catering to the refined tastes of its students, sourcing high-quality ingredients every morning and employing excellent chefs. The students took out meal tickets they had purchased beforehand and walked over to fill out their order forms. This marked the beginning of Adrian’s “Get Mikhail Some Friends Project.”

It was the first attempt at improving Mikhail’s social skills.

“Hm… I’ll go with the B course.”

“Oh, really? There’s seabass in the B course. I’ll have the B set too!”

“Me too! B course for me!”

The students excitedly filled out their order forms together. Since it was the first day of classes, they were likely extra hungry after the tense morning lecture. With everyone ordering the B course, Adrian decided to join in.

“I’ll have the same.”

Adrian’s light brown eyes crinkled into a smile beneath his neat blonde hair. The student collecting everyone’s orders blushed slightly at his charming smile.

“A course.”

Mikhail, looking down at the student holding the order form, said this in a commanding tone that seemed more fitting for a prince than a fellow student. The A course, Adrian recalled after glancing at the menu again, was a steak option.

“…But the seabass looks delicious,” Adrian suggested, pushing the B course idea toward Mikhail. It would be more convenient for everyone if they all ordered the same thing, and sharing the same meal often led to more conversation, didn’t it? Adrian didn’t hesitate to indulge in these slightly old-fashioned thoughts.

그러나 Mikhail remained firm in his decision, and one of the students nodded and wrote down his order on his behalf. After choosing their lunch menus, the group found seats at a long table that could accommodate all ten of them.

Soon, the food they had ordered began arriving, one dish after another, in front of the students.

“Wow… I’m glad I went with the B course.”

“Right? It’s cooked perfectly.”

They eagerly grabbed their knives and forks, digging into their meals.

“Mm!”

Yusi, who had also ordered the B course, nodded approvingly.

“This is really good. I wish we could have this every day.”

“Nah, you’d get sick of it if you ate it every day.”

The students laughed and chatted as they enjoyed their lunch. In front of Mikhail was a perfectly grilled, large steak. The prince cut into it gracefully, his movements precise and elegant.

Adrian, who had been talking with the others about the seabass, turned to Mikhail. This was part of his project, after all.

“How’s the steak?”

Mikhail swallowed the steak in his mouth before answering.

“…I don’t really like talking while I’m eating.”

Adrian couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. So this is what it feels like to be a parent in a rush, he thought, amused by the situation. Mikhail glanced at him for a moment before returning his focus to the steak.

After most of the meal had been finished, the server brought drinks and dessert to the table. The students began discussing their favorite after-dinner treats. Adrian, watching Mikhail as he wiped his mouth, decided to try again. Perhaps a refined topic like tea, something that noblemen often enjoyed, would spark his interest.

“For dessert, nothing beats Banar Mountain tea,” Adrian began. “It’s just bitter enough and has a clean aftertaste.”

“Oh, yeah. The tea from Banar is excellent. Have you ever been to one of the tea shops around here that specializes in those leaves?”

“Of course!” someone replied.

As Adrian talked about Banar, he kept glancing at Mikhail, who silently sipped his tea. Even though the tea was still hot, the prince seemed to have no trouble drinking it straight down. Adrian gave him a gentle nudge under the table, trying to engage him.

What is it? Mikhail raised an eyebrow in response to the nudge.

“Tea’s tea. It all tastes the same,” Mikhail replied indifferently. To him, tea was just leaves, and which region’s leaves were best was far from his favorite topic of conversation. His cold response made the students chuckle awkwardly.

“Anyway, when I went to ‘Roxia’ last week—” one student quickly picked up the conversation, trying to ease the awkwardness. Adrian lowered his gaze slightly. Another failed attempt.

Realizing he needed to bring up something Mikhail might actually engage with, Adrian thought for a moment. Then he recalled one subject that had caught the prince’s attention before. 

“The headmaster, by the way—he looked really impressive during the entrance ceremony. I heard he used to be a knight?”

As soon as Adrian mentioned the headmaster, Mikhail’s previously indifferent gaze shifted toward him. 

Got him. Adrian waited silently, hoping for a response.