At this moment, Luke and Lux—who did things without thinking about the consequences—were walking down an empty hallway.
It was so quiet around them it was practically dead silent, as if this huge campus belonged to only the two of them right now.
"I mean, sure… but we can't just leave the school, can we?" Lux said.
Her heart was beating a little fast.
Because even though she caused plenty of trouble on a normal day, she'd never skipped class like this before.
And for her… it was kind of thrilling.
Luke, on the other hand, looked completely unconcerned. He even yawned. "Then we find somewhere to sleep. I'm pretty tired anyway."
Lux hadn't slept enough either. She nodded. "Yeah. I want to sleep a bit more too."
During breaks, she could wake up whenever she wanted and laze around as long as she liked.
But today, first thing in the morning, Lady Crownguard had been exhausted and still had to get up and prepare.
Luke asked, "Is there somewhere that's usually empty and quiet?"
Faced with that question, Lux thought for a moment. Then her eyes lit up. "How about the library? I remember people don't really like going there."
It was a noble academy—there were already more books at home than anyone could ever finish.
So after coming to the academy, having to read even more? Naturally, nobody was eager to run to the library.
"Alright. Library it is," Luke agreed.
A library—just hearing the name made it sound like the perfect place to take a nap.
The two of them carefully avoided classrooms with people in them, as well as any passersby, so they wouldn't be spotted early. They made their way toward the library.
The whole trip went smoothly.
When they arrived, Luke looked up.
The library in front of them looked like a massive mansion. The décor was a brownish-tan style with a heavy, old-book atmosphere. If the academy's families had funded it, then yeah—of course it would be extravagant.
"Wait. There isn't going to be a teacher guarding this place, right?" Luke suddenly realized, right before going in.
"No," Lux said. "The library is usually managed by students a grade above us, on rotation."
"You've been here before?"
"Nope."
"Then how do you know?"
"Just trust me, okay!"
Lux pushed the door open with that inexplicable confidence and walked in.
And the result really was just like she said—no teacher in sight.
It was quiet inside. After walking through a short corridor, they entered and saw a circular counter—probably where books got checked in and out.
Behind the counter sat a slender figure. She was holding a yellowed book and turning the pages quietly.
She looked very familiar.
"Lady Laurent?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Fiora couldn't help lifting her head and looking over. When she saw it was Luke, she looked slightly puzzled.
As if she couldn't figure out why Luke would be here.
"What a coincidence. You're here too," Luke said with a smile, greeting her.
"Mhm. It's my turn to manage the library this week," Fiora replied. She glanced at Lux beside him and spoke politely. "Hello, Lady Crownguard."
"Hello." Lux looked between the two of them, then asked with curiosity, "You two know each other?"
Lux and Fiora naturally knew each other. They were both nobles, and they had both lived in High Silvermere before—there were even connections between their families.
But their relationship was, at most, mutual acquaintance.
So when had Fiora gotten to know Luke? Lux was genuinely curious.
"We happened to run into each other a few times recently," Fiora answered with a faint smile.
"Oh." Lux didn't ask any more.
Fiora looked at the two of them, still confused. "Isn't it class time right now? What are you doing in the library?"
So Luke answered, "Sleeping."
Fiora: "…"
She really was speechless.
How could he say that so confidently?
Wasn't this the Royal Academy?
Sneaking in here to sleep during class?
Lux looked at her with hopeful, sparkling eyes. "Is that okay?"
"It's… okay. I guess," Fiora hesitated as she was stared at like that. "But you'd better not tell anyone you were here."
She didn't mind bending the rules a little.
What she did mind was getting sold out by these two idiots later.
If that happened, she'd be punished too, for letting them into the library.
Even though, in her eyes, Luke and Lux were… brave. Warriors, even.
No matter how she looked at it, they didn't seem like the kind of people who should be here at a time like this.
But as for why they were here, she didn't plan to pry.
Her instincts told her it was better not to get involved.
"Don't worry, we absolutely won't say anything!" Lux immediately promised with complete sincerity.
Luke was yawning again already, walking deeper into the library.
Fiora watched him, then didn't say anything else.
"Thank you, Lady Laurent," Lux said gratefully, hurrying after him.
Behind several huge bookshelves, Luke found a table and chairs by a window. A breeze blew in from outside—perfectly comfortable.
The chairs were better than the bench from earlier, too—soft, cushioned seats.
Luke started moving chairs one by one. About six chairs, set opposite each other and pressed together. Before long, a crude little bed was put together.
Before he could even lie down to test it—
Lux, who had been watching from behind the whole time, climbed onto it without hesitation. She closed her eyes comfortably and delivered her verdict: "Not bad at all. This is my spot."
Luke's eye twitched at her shamelessly claiming the results of his hard work. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore.
He reached out and pinched that soft, tender cheek.
"Ow, ow, ow! What are you doing?!"
"If you've got any sense, you'll get up right now."
"I won't! Even if I die today, I'm dying right here!"
"Heh. Then don't blame my ruthless iron grip!"
Behind the counter, Fiora heard the playful noise coming from that direction. She lowered her book and glanced over.
After thinking for a moment, she still didn't say anything, and simply went back to reading.
In the end, it was Lady Crownguard who won.
She was stuck to that chair-bed like glue. No matter how he pulled, she wouldn't come off. Even when both cheeks were pinched red, she didn't beg for mercy.
Luke could only retreat, then go haul over more chairs and build another makeshift bed.
It took a bit of effort, but he finally got it done.
When he turned around, that blond brat was already curled up comfortably—like a little cat—tucked into the chair-bed, sleeping sweetly.
Sunlight spilled in through the window, draping over her.
It was a beautiful scene… which only made Luke even more annoyed.
But he didn't have any energy left to argue. He lay down on his own makeshift bed. Warm sunlight spread over him too, and it didn't take long before drowsiness rolled in.
Looks like he could finally sleep comfortably for a while.
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