Chapter 24

Judith and Axel were grown adults, and if they were seen together, Axel might get caught up in unsavory gossip.

So, Madame Fedelian must have intended to introduce Judith to a suitable marriage prospect to prevent such misfortune.

It was indeed a wise decision.

An engagement arranged by Madame Fedelian wouldn’t be a bad deal for Judith either. In fact, it might be a very good opportunity.

Yet Axel seemed quite dissatisfied with the situation.

‘So?’

‘I can’t let her get into an unwanted engagement because of me.’

Axel replied with a gentle smile, but Cedric was simply dumbfounded.

In other words, he chose to get engaged himself instead of letting Judith be sacrificed.

Cedric crossed his arms and asked disapprovingly.

‘So, did you want this engagement?’

‘Rather than wanting it, it’s something I would have had to do eventually. And Riana and I discussed it and decided on the engagement, so it’s fine.’

‘…’

Cedric was so taken aback that he couldn’t ask anything more.

Only one question kept surfacing in his mind, which was becoming increasingly rigid.

Why on earth? What is it about that girl that makes him go this far?

In Cedric’s mind, Axel’s actions made no sense.

But until then, Cedric only thought that Axel’s attachment to Judith was a bit stronger than he had anticipated.

However, seeing Axel visibly struggling now, those mysterious feelings from before resurfaced.

Axel murmured, his eyes downcast.

“Should I go back and kneel and beg? Would she see me again if I did?”

“Hey… you.”

If it were just an obsession with a possession, it might be understandable. But this seemed a bit different.

After all, if he saw that girl as just a possession, there would be no reason to be so caught up in her words and actions.

Suddenly, a certain assumption flashed through Cedric’s mind.

An utterly ridiculous assumption.

Cedric swallowed hard and spoke.

“I’m asking just in case.”

Axel slowly tilted his head, as if waiting for the next words. It was a gesture inviting him to ask the question.

Cedric stared intently at Axel and, despite knowing it was unlikely, couldn’t help but ask.

“Do you like Judith?”

Cedric thought it was a foolish question. The answer seemed so obvious.

A humble commoner girl and Axel Fedelian, who had everything.

In fact, the relationship was so imbalanced that even linking them felt apologetic.

Yet Axel’s reaction was a bit strange.

Usually, when asked if you like someone, even if you don’t, you tend to react with some embarrassment.

But Axel showed no such disturbance. He simply looked at Cedric with an expression that seemed to question why he was asking such a thing.

His eyes only held a curiosity about the question, with no other emotions visible.

Axel replied in his usual gentle tone.

“There’s no way I like Judith.”

“Right?”

Even after hearing Axel’s clear answer, Cedric couldn’t completely shake off the lingering discomfort in his heart.

To clear away the remaining doubts, Cedric narrowed his eyes and asked again.

“Then why are you acting like this?”

What? His gray-blue eyes seemed to ask. Cedric slowly added the reason.

“You seem like someone who’s been rejected by a girl you like.”

“…”

After a long silence, Axel finally answered.

“There’s no way. As I’ve said many times, Judith is just a friend.”

Just a friend?

It was unbelievable.

Cedric couldn’t precisely understand what feelings Axel had for Judith.

But it was clear that Axel didn’t see Judith as just a friend.

Because there was a definite difference in how Axel treated Judith and himself.

However, Cedric soon changed his mind.

Perhaps this was for the best.

He thought this situation might actually be an opportunity.

In fact, it didn’t matter what kind of feelings Axel had for Judith.

Given the significant difference in their statuses, even if they were friends, it would be best to start drawing boundaries.

Axel realizing his feelings was unnecessary. It would be better for him to continue living in ignorance, just as he was now.

Having reached this conclusion, Cedric shrugged his shoulders and spoke.

“Axel, as your friend, let me give you some advice.”

“…What is it?”

“It would be best to behave properly so as not to be misunderstood by others.”

Axel tilted his head slightly, as if he didn’t understand. Cedric kindly explained.

“If your family finds out you’re so affected by that girl, wouldn’t it cause trouble for her too? And that’s not what you want, is it?”

Axel’s pupils widened, as if he had realized something.

Cedric patted Axel’s shoulder a few times and then turned away.

Having said this much, smart Axel would surely handle things properly.

After class, the hallway shrouded in darkness was silent. As Cedric crossed it, he quietly fell into thought.

But how did that girl end up getting engaged? Leaving behind the person she liked so much?

Did someone force her? Like how Axel had an unwanted engagement with Riana?

“…”

Thinking that far, Cedric tightly closed his eyes. He then ran his hand through his hair, as if annoyed.

Axel, you should be grateful to me.

Just this once, I’ll help you as your friend so you don’t stray down the wrong path.

* * *

Rodesha Roziena was a person who attracted the professors’ attention for various reasons beyond being an honor student.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons was her brother, Rodein Roziena.

He was also a first-year student at the Prussian Academy, and like his sister, he was an outstanding honor student.

But aside from that fact, there wasn’t much connection between Rodein and Rodesha.

Aside from the crimson eyes and hair they inherited from their parents, they were opposite in appearance and personality.

Especially, Rodein considered his sister, who had never been first in her class, to be quite pathetic.

Likewise, Rodesha detested her brother’s rude attitude, so their relationship was very poor.

“Sister, are you proud to have lost the top spot to a commoner? I could easily put that commoner in their place.”

“You’re still as insolent as ever.”

Rodesha sighed deeply at her brother, who remained as insolent as ever, even after meeting him for the first time in a while.

Rodein had been pampered since he was young for being smart.

However, as if inversely proportional to his grades and character, he began to show a more arrogant side after recently taking the top spot in his first year.

The adults in the family prioritized grades over character, so they didn’t bother correcting his rude behavior.

Rodesha crossed her legs and remarked.

“How do you manage to become more obnoxious as time goes on?”

“You seem to be getting lower grades as time goes on. Isn’t that worse?”

Despite being three years younger, he never lost an argument. Rodesha barely restrained herself from giving him a flick on the forehead.

While Rodesha simmered internally, Rodein continued to speak his mind, paying no heed.

“The top spot in accounting has always belonged to the Roziena family. I can’t let this slide. I need to put that commoner in place.”

So that’s why he wanted to meet. Rodesha had been curious why Rodein, who only pretended to be close for appearances, had personally asked for a meeting.

But since Rodesha no longer harbored any malicious feelings towards Judith, she just shrugged her shoulders.

“Childish. Well, go ahead and try.”

Though she said to try, Rodesha looked at her brother with eyes that said, “Do you really think you can?”

Rodein wasn’t someone who couldn’t understand the meaning behind those eyes. He let out a sigh and said.

“Why are you reacting like this when I’m offering to help?”

“Of course. I’m on Judith’s side, not yours.”

Rodesha replied calmly to her brother, whose face was scrunched up.

“Judith is not only good at studying but also has a good character, unlike you. She even lent me her notes recently.”

“Sister, you’re really dumb, aren’t you? That means she doesn’t consider you a competitor.”

Though he called her sister, Rodein looked down on Rodesha. She was speechless.

“Do you think you’re any different? You won’t be a competitor to Judith either. She’s someone Professor Karel favors so much that she’s been scouted as an assistant professor.”

“…I have a plan. I’ll approach her according to that plan, so just don’t get in my way.”

“Good luck with that.”

Rodesha thought Rodein was just wasting his energy on something unnecessary, but she decided not to stop him, thinking he would eventually tire himself out.

Not long after their conversation, Rodein approached Judith just before an advanced accounting class began.

With a friendly smile, unlike usual.

“I would like to learn from you, Senior. Could you take me as your disciple?”