Chapter 102

“This semester, with all of you students—.”

What was expected to be a short closing ceremony dragged on for quite some time due to the principal’s lengthy speech.  

Glancing to her side, Judith saw Chase standing there with a face that screamed exhaustion.  

But once the speech was over, the ceremony would finally conclude.  

She had hoped to see Rodesha’s face one last time before leaving, but her seat was still empty.  

It seemed her meeting with the professor was taking longer than expected.  

Just as Judith was lost in her thoughts, someone began pushing through the students.  

Hearing the murmurs, she turned around to see Rodesha, her face flushed, approaching as if she had run all the way there.  

“Judith! I thought I’d leave without even seeing your face. The meeting with the professor took forever!”  

Judith, delighted to see her, grabbed Rodesha’s hand and replied.  

“I heard from Rodein. But for the meeting to take so long… Did something happen during the consultation?”  

Judith, worried that some unexpected issue might have arisen, looked at Rodesha anxiously. But Rodesha shook her head, as if to reassure her.  

“Nothing like that. The professor was just concerned about dormitory arrangements. Apparently, since most graduate students are commoners, it’s standard to share a room with someone. So, they were asking if I’d be uncomfortable with that and suggested it might be better for me to commute from home.”  

Judith leaned in and whispered.  

“That makes sense. You had a single room while attending the academy. Will you be okay sharing a room?”  

“Yeah, staying at home would just make me feel awkward, so this is definitely better for me. Oh, right. Judith, where are you planning to stay once you start working as an assistant professor?”  

Rodesha’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as she continued.  

“You know, I heard that graduate students share the same dormitory as academy students, though they’re assigned different wings. So, if you’re planning to stay in the dormitory, why don’t we share a room?”  

At that moment, Chase abruptly interjected, declining Rodesha’s proposal on Judith’s behalf.  

“Sorry to burst your bubble, but Judith will be working as an assistant professor, so even if she rents a room, she’ll be provided with staff accommodations. And besides, Judith and I are planning to find a place to live together.”  

“…Really? Well, that’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. Instead, make sure to invite me over once you’ve settled into your new place.”  

“Of course. You’ll be the first person I invite.”  

Judith squeezed Rodesha’s hand tightly as she made the promise.  

While they chatted, the speeches concluded.  

Following the professors’ instructions, students began leaving the auditorium one by one, and Judith walked outside with Rodesha and Chase.  

“Oh, Rodesha. This might not be my place to ask, but… have you still not told your parents about graduate school?”  

“…Ah, no. I already know how they’ll react if I tell them now, so I’m planning to inform them on the day I move into the dormitory.”  

Rodesha’s face darkened. Though she had already taken action, it was clear she was deeply worried.  

“But won’t they be really shocked later?”  

“I think so too. But what can I do? Every time I try to bring it up, they just scoff and refuse to listen. This is all because of them.”  

“I get how you feel.”  

Chase, unusually, chimed in enthusiastically, agreeing with Rodesha. She turned to him with a scowl.  

“Did you eat something weird today?”  

Judith laughed and answered on Chase’s behalf.  

“It’s not that… Chase has his own share of issues with his parents.”  

“Why?” 

“Well, it’s personal, so I can’t say much… but that’s why I’m planning to visit his family again this weekend. I think we need to have a proper conversation.”  

“…Didn’t you just visit them recently? You really go through a lot because of him, Judith.”  

At Rodesha’s comment, Chase looked indignant but didn’t say anything, as if he felt guilty.  

As they chatted, they eventually reached the school gates. Judith turned to Rodesha and asked.  

“Are you heading straight home?”  

“Yeah, I should. I need to pack my things and sort out what I can sell.”  

“Sounds like you’ll be busy.”  

“What about you, Judith?”  

Before Judith could answer, Chase cut in and responded for her.  

“Judith and I are going on a date in the city.”  

“Ah, I see.”  

Rodesha nodded indifferently before turning to Judith and bidding her farewell.  

“Well then, Judith, write to me often. Let me know once you’ve found a place to live—I definitely want to visit.”  

“Of course. I’ll be waiting for your letters too. I’ll be staying in the capital, so let’s meet up whenever you want.”  

Though she wouldn’t see Rodesha every day during the break, the thought of making plans to meet again filled Judith with joy.  

Ignoring Chase’s grumbling, Judith enthusiastically waved until Rodesha’s carriage disappeared from sight.  

***

That evening, Judith found herself treated to a fancy dinner by Chase.  

As she followed him in her school uniform, not knowing where they were headed, she sat down and looked around the luxurious restaurant in surprise.  

“Are you sure it’s okay to come to a place this expensive?”  

The restaurant seemed as pricey as the one where she had first dined with Professor Karel.  

She worried that Chase might be overextending himself.  

After all, she’d heard he hadn’t been receiving any allowance from the Earl since their fight.  

Noticing her concern, Chase leaned in and whispered.  

“It’s fine, Judith. I have plenty of money.”  

“…?”  

“The prize money from the swordsmanship competition was quite a lot. I’ve saved every bit of it.”  

“Oh, well, that’s a relief, but…”  

Even as she sipped the aperitif brought by the waiter, Judith couldn’t shake her unease.  

“And actually, tonight isn’t just about the dinner.”  

Chase scratched the back of his neck awkwardly before unfolding the napkin in front of him. Judith, watching him closely, grew serious.  

“Do you have something on your mind?”  

Chase shook his head and hesitated before speaking.  

“No… it’s just that, the way we got together was kind of arranged by our families.”  

“Well, that’s true.”  

Judith looked at him curiously as he continued, his tone slower and more earnest.  

“But I wanted you to know that my feelings for you are genuine… that I chose to like you because I wanted to, not because of anyone else’s wishes.”  

“…”  

Judith blinked, unable to respond to his sudden confession.  

Thinking she hadn’t understood, Chase added.  

“What I mean is, our decision to get married isn’t because of our families… it’s because I want to be with you. So, I wanted to ask for your permission properly.”  

With that, he pulled out a small box from his pocket.  

Opening it, he revealed a simple but beautiful ring and held it out for Judith to see.  

Then, with a nervous tone, he asked.  

“Will you marry me, Judith?”  

As soon as he finished, silence fell over the table.  

“Um…”  

At that moment, Judith couldn’t see the sparkling gemstone or the expensive food on the table.  

All she noticed was Chase’s trembling hand holding the box and his tightly closed lips as he anxiously awaited her answer.  

She needed to say something.  

But her mind was a complete mess, and no words came to her. It took her a while to gather her thoughts.  

“Ah, sorry… I just assumed our engagement and marriage were already decided, so I didn’t expect you to ask separately…”  

Chase, his face slightly red, looked up at her intently with his crimson eyes.  

“Well…”  

Feeling pressured, Judith finally opened her mouth slowly.  

“I… I like you too… and… I want to…”  

Her last words were so quiet they were barely audible.  

But Chase, sensing her answer was a yes, immediately broke into a joyful smile.  

“Can you say that again, Judith? I didn’t hear it well.”  

“…I said, I want to marry you too.”  

Judith replied shyly, her face as red as a tomato.  

The dinner that followed was, in truth, no different from their usual meals together.  

But because of what had just happened, both of them felt more excited and happy, making the time they spent together even more special.  

It was the kind of moment that made them think this might just be the happiest day of their lives.  

***

The large fireplace crackled as it burned, and Judith sat alone in the drawing room, sipping tea.  

She was waiting while Chase was in the Earl’s office, having a conversation.  

Given the tension between father and son, the discussion seemed to be taking longer than expected.  

By the time the tea served by the servants had gone cold, the door to the drawing room suddenly swung open, and Chase walked in.  

Judith immediately turned to him and asked.  

“Chase! How did the conversation go?”