Chapter 15

Is he really under such a delusion?

No matter how much of a delusion king he is, could he really be under such a bizarre misconception…?

Judith looked at Chase with a pale face, drained of color, without realizing it.

But Chase, feeling her gaze, turned his head to meet her eyes and chuckled again.

He shook his head as if he couldn’t be helped, propping his chin and staring at Judith.

“Even now, you’re staring at me like a little chick. Judith, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere without you.”

“Chase, you’re misunderstanding something…”

“Or what? Should I hold your hand?”

Judith was so taken aback that she couldn’t speak.

It seemed she needed to set aside a day to correct Chase’s bizarre delusions.

Of course, if it could be resolved in a day, that would be a relief…

Meanwhile, Axel, who had been pondering something alone, calmly murmured as he lowered his gaze.

“So that’s how it was.”

His long eyelashes cast a deep shadow.

“Hearing about Judith through someone else isn’t always joyful.”

“That’s unfortunate. But try to get used to it. From now on, you’ll have to hear it from me for the rest of your life.”

Chase mocked. But Axel, as if blocking out Chase’s words entirely, didn’t respond at all.

He seemed lost in his own thoughts.

“Why aren’t you responding? Can’t you hear me?”

Again, Axel didn’t reply.

Ignoring Chase’s exasperated sigh, he continued to look at Judith with an inscrutable gaze.

“Judith, for now, I’m satisfied with hearing your side today. But I think we need to talk about this again later. It’s hard for me to accept.”

Saying this, Axel mouthed quietly.

If possible, let’s talk without that guy.

But Judith couldn’t give any response to his words.

Of course, she understood Axel’s feelings.

To say that they should draw a line overnight because they live in different worlds, despite the relationship they had built over many years, would be hard to accept.

But what would change by meeting and talking again?

Axel would just end up getting hurt again, seeing Judith pushing him away.

Therefore, Judith decided to end it firmly today.

“I have nothing more to say.”

“I do.”

“Axel, don’t make this difficult.”

Judith stood up abruptly. Then she spoke to Chase.

“Let’s go, Chase.”

At her call, Chase stood up as if he expected it, looking down at Axel with a smug look.

In contrast, Axel looked up at her with eyes filled with disbelief and hurt.

Judith tried hard to calm her wavering heart.

Axel was someone who knew well the power of his appearance. And he didn’t hesitate to use that power given to him.

He probably thought that by acting pitiful and forlorn, Judith’s heart would soften.

But that had to end today.

“I’ll take care of the bill. Goodbye, Axel.”

She tried to speak calmly on the outside, but inside, it felt like she was being torn apart.

But this was a process she had to go through eventually.

Turning away from Axel more coldly than ever, a corner of Judith’s heart ached painfully.

* * *

Entering her dorm room, Judith was startled. As soon as she opened the door, she was met by Hannah standing there.

Could she have been waiting for me to come back?

Judith froze, holding the door, blinking her eyes.

But Hannah, with a bright smile that reached her cheeks, pulled Judith into a hug.

“Judith! I heard the news. Congratulations!”

Caught off guard by the warm and cozy embrace, Judith thought. It seemed Hannah had found out that Professor Karel offered her a probationary teaching position.

“What a great event! Aren’t you the first commoner to become a professor at the Prussian Academy?!”

Hannah, overjoyed as if it were her own news, held Judith’s hands tightly and jumped up and down.

Judith tried to calm Hannah down and sat her on the bed. Since their room was on the second floor, being too noisy might cause someone from the first floor to come up and complain.

“Hannah, thank you. But…”

“What are you hesitating for? It’s a much better opportunity than an engagement without love!”

Hannah grabbed Judith’s shoulders and shook her excitedly. Judith’s vision spun.

“Honestly, it’s great. What? He says he’ll get engaged but will never love you? Is that something you say? Is being handsome everything? Does a good face make everything forgivable?”

The hands shaking Judith’s shoulders paused for a moment.

“…Most things would be forgivable, but still!”

Judith called out to the overly excited Hannah cautiously.

“Hey, Hannah.”

“Of course, I’m worried too. It’s not just any professor, but the infamous Professor Karel. Ha, thinking about it, Professor Karel is as formidable as Chase Cardandy.”

Judith tried to say something, but she kept getting interrupted. She felt a sense of déjà vu.

It seemed similar to her previous conversation with Professor Karel…

“Anyway, it’s good that your options have expanded, right?”

“Yes, thank you for congratulating me.”

Of course, it was a good offer. Not just anyone could become a professor at the Prussian Academy.

Moreover, the possibility of a commoner becoming a professor was even rarer.

But because of the Duke’s wife’s wish for Judith to distance herself from Axel after graduation, Judith couldn’t accept the offer.

Of course, Hannah didn’t know these circumstances, so she could smile about it.

Then Hannah, studying Judith’s face carefully, clicked her tongue and asked.

“But Judith, did something happen? Did Chase bully you or say something bad?”

At that, Judith raised her hand to touch her face.

Judith was pretending to be calm, but perhaps it showed on her face. Even though she was smiling as if everything was fine, her complexion probably wasn’t good.

“No.”

But Judith’s poor complexion wasn’t because of Chase. Her mind was just complicated.

It was the day she first firmly cut ties with Axel, who had been a long-time friend and like family.

She had drawn a perfect line, saying not to acknowledge each other anymore.

There was no way she could feel normal.

Judith recalled the saying that time heals all wounds.

Would my current emotions gradually improve as time passed, like leaves fading before time?

Would I be able to look back one day and laugh, thinking I was upset over nothing?

After pausing for a moment, Judith managed to speak in her usual voice.

“Hannah, I’ve met him a few times, but Chase doesn’t seem like a bad guy.”

Hearing this, Hannah made a somewhat dissatisfied face. She scrutinized Judith’s expression before speaking.

“…You know he’s definitely not a good guy either, right?”

Judith inadvertently thought of Chase.

The red eyes staring at her, the reddened ears visible through his silver hair, the arms flailing in panic.

The grumbling tone but surprisingly considerate actions came to mind.

Judith muttered to herself.

“He’s closer to being a good guy, actually. Honestly, just the fact that he didn’t look down on me for being a commoner is quite nice.”

She didn’t know why she was defending Chase…

Though he was somewhat delusional and occasionally showed off, it was within the range Judith could tolerate.

But hearing this, Hannah’s green eyes widened. Like young leaves swaying in the wind, her eyes started to tremble.

“Judith, you…”

Hannah covered her mouth with her hand, looking shocked.

“Is that why you asked about unrequited love last time?!”

“Why are you bringing that up now?”

“I didn’t realize… Sorry, I was so clueless back then.”

Hannah, who had been hesitating, grabbed Judith’s hands tightly and exclaimed.

“Judith. Don’t try to forget. It’s too early to give up! Even if Chase is arrogant, you can conquer him.”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

“No, I understand your feelings completely. Yeah. What’s personality compared to looks? It’s all about the face.”

Hannah went on for a while, giving a strange lecture about how looks and personality can’t be inversely proportional, and how not all men in the world are like Axel Fedelian.

Then Hannah paused. She trudged to her bed and grabbed a red-covered novel lying there.

Hannah spoke resolutely.

“I’ll definitely help you.”

Judith, who had been blinking in response to Hannah’s sudden, storm-like words, finally spoke.

“You’re under some kind of strange delusion.”

“You trust me, right, Judith? I may look like this, but I have more indirect experience than anyone else.”

Hannah placed her hands on her hips and declared confidently.

Judith hesitantly tried to say something, but Hannah didn’t seem interested in listening to her.

She was lost in her own world of imagination.