Unrequited Love, Lost for the Better - Chapter 2

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

“No one knows. The Exploration Squad’s standards are fickle, after all.”

There was not a single person within the Magic Tower who was unaware that Collette Lowell Verna had been repeatedly rejected from Labyrinth exploration support.

“You know… perhaps they’re deliberately preventing her from going?”

“But why? At best, researchers like us can only enter the initial perimeter.”

“It seems even that initial perimeter is out of reach for her.”

“Hmm…”

Exchanging knowing glances, they stole a glimpse at Collette, who had set down her coffee cup. She was tying up her chocolate-colored hair, perhaps to eat the baguette sandwich resting on her plate. The nape of her neck glowed pale and luminous.

“It is rather unfortunate. She made such a name for herself at the Academy as a patent collector…”

Among the Magic Tower’s researchers, who spent all seasons shut away in their laboratories, Collette was exceptionally fair-skinned. Her pallid complexion, stark against her chestnut-brown hair, drew the eye with peculiar insistence.

The small face peeking through her abundant chocolate locks, the delicate features that harmonized so perfectly upon it, the modest stature—and despite her petite frame, the volume that even her researcher’s gown could not fully conceal.

In any case, hers was an undeniably striking appearance. A junior researcher, who had been covertly observing Collette, posed a question to his seniors.

“Excuse me… but whom are you referring to?”

“What? Naturally—ah, right. You haven’t been here long, have you?”

“There exists such a person. You will likely come to know soon enough.”

As his seniors shrugged ambiguously, the bewildered junior truly did come to know—and soon enough.

—Thud.

From not far away, a firm and weighty footfall resounded. Collette’s earlobe twitched, even as she focused on her baguette.

“Wintergreen.”

A murmur from someone sparked a cascade of hushed whispers. Earlier than anticipated, the Frost Rose, the Labyrinth Destroyer—such private utterances rippled across the plaza like a swelling tide. But for Collette, only a single sound rang out, clear as a great bell.

Thud. Thud.

Following the rhythmic footfalls, Collette’s shoulders turned slowly. Her green irises caught sight of jet-black hair cutting across the plaza.

The man, a full head taller than most, nodded in acknowledgment to those greeting him. His elongated, sturdy legs carried him forward with long strides, and his inverted-triangle physique stood out even among the Exploration Squad, where well-built individuals gathered. Not a few admirers lingered nearby, flushed faces betraying their desire to catch his attention.

His popularity was as undiminished as ever. Though her heart pounded fiercely, Collette could not help the slight pout that crept onto her lips.

Just as her mouth formed that petulant curve, the man’s crimson eyes fixed precisely upon her. Soon, following the gentle arc of his gaze, his firmly set lips traced a graceful bow.

“……!”

Watching him approach with a smile directed at her, Collette’s eyes sparkled with the fresh green of a summer’s day.

He must be mad. Smiling like that in public—who is he trying to seduce?

She whipped her head away and swiftly brushed the baguette crumbs from the corner of her mouth. Meliano Somerset, observing Collette’s reaction, wore an expression of subtle complexity.

“Se—”

“There you are, Collette.”

Just as Meliano was about to call her name, Valerian spoke first from behind her back.

At the voice sounding from above her head, Collette swallowed dryly. That deep baritone, heard after so long. Merely hearing it sent a tingling thrill down her spine.

Stay calm, Collette Lowell Verna. Do not show how glad you are.

Turning her head slowly, Collette met the gaze of the man offering her a tender smile.

“Valen?”

Praying that my voice sounds as it always does.

“What happened? I was under the impression that the Exploration Squad wasn’t due to return for quite some time.”

At Collette’s question, Valerian answered with a faint, warm smile upon his face.

“I had something to give you, so I hurried back a little.”

“To… me?”

An odd inflection slipped from her mouth before she could stop it. As Collette covered her lips, that deep baritone carried a trace of laughter. At the same time, his large hand approached her cheek.