Chapter 31

The reason was simple.

The reading club was different from other clubs. It didn’t require bothersome activities like performances or exhibitions that were held once each semester.

All that was needed was to select a book each session, share thoughts and opinions about it, and spend the rest of the time reading freely.

Because of this, Judith had been involved in the reading club since she was a freshman, studying during her time there.

Axel also joined the reading club following Judith. However, as the student council president, he often held executive meetings during this time instead of participating in club activities.

He was extremely busy, having to oversee various upcoming academy events and student welfare.

So, even though it was the same club time, Judith thought she wouldn’t meet Axel and sat down calmly.

The book to be discussed today was “The Four Great Tragedies of Poatyn.” It was a book about four tragic events that occurred in the Poatyn Empire in the past.

Though she had read it beforehand, Judith started reading the book again to review it thoroughly.

“Judith.”

Suddenly, her hand, which had been busy turning pages, stopped.

The voice that pierced her ears was familiar, but it was a voice she shouldn’t be hearing now.

While Judith was frozen, the familiar voice continued to echo.

“Daisy, Basin, Luke. Hello, everyone. It’s been a while.”

“Axel!”

The club members cheered at the sight of Axel, who had appeared after a long time.

“How did you manage to attend? You must be busy with student council work.”

“Graduation isn’t far off. It might be my last club activity, so I had to attend.”

Axel naturally sat next to Judith and continued speaking.

“I wanted to see you all, too.”

“Wow, you joined just to see us? We’re honored!”

Get a grip. 

Judith straightened herself, having been thrown off by his sudden appearance.

She pretended to focus on the book, keeping her gaze fixed on it.

Meanwhile, Axel chatted warmly with the club members.

“I heard the student council is preparing for the summer party. How’s that going?”

“Yes, we’re remodeling the party hall, so it’ll be more splendid than last year.”

Fortunately, Axel seemed to remember his previous suggestion to keep some distance, as he didn’t speak to Judith any further.

Just as she sighed in relief, Daisy wrapped an arm around Judith’s shoulder.

Why is she doing this?

Perhaps Daisy thought Judith was being left out of the conversation and was trying to show unwelcome kindness.

“By the way, why are you so quiet today, Judith?”

“…Huh?”

Judith was always quiet. She preferred listening to leading conversations rather than participating actively.

However, Daisy’s sudden address to Judith drew the attention of the club members to her.

At that moment, Luke let out an “Ah,” and smiled mischievously.

“Why, are you not talking because Axel is here? Surely that rumor isn’t true, right?”

“What rumor?”

“Someone said they saw Axel and Judith having a big fight.”

Judith held her breath.

“Haha, what a ridiculous rumor! That’s funny, right, Judith?”

Daisy laughed loudly, but Judith couldn’t laugh. She quickly raised her book to awkwardly hide her stiffened face.

How did the rumor spread so quickly…?

Well, Axel was a well-known figure at school, so it wasn’t surprising that any news about him spread fast.

Basin’s surprised voice was heard from the side.

“There was such a rumor? I had no idea.”

“Whoever spread it, it’s a really malicious rumor. Right?”

“…Yeah.”

Judith replied in a barely audible voice. Axel also chimed in.

“Yes, it’s malicious.”

“Right? Besides, no one believes it.”

The rumor was dismissed as a trivial lie, making Judith’s tension seem needless.

If Judith and Axel had really fought, Axel wouldn’t have attended the reading club so calmly.

Soon, Axel’s presentation began. His pleasant, low voice filled the space.

“The implications of Poatyn’s Four Great Tragedies are…”

He spoke calmly, making eye contact with each club member. Naturally, Judith was included.

Unlike Judith, whose pupils trembled, Axel finished his gaze without any trouble. It was a thoroughly professional demeanor.

Judith lowered her eyes, thinking it was unclear who had suggested keeping a distance.

* * *

All presentations were concluded. After a short break, self-reading time would begin, so there was no need to sit next to Axel any longer.

“Judith, wait a moment.”

As if waiting for it, Axel stopped Judith, who was about to leave the library.

“I have something to say.”

Judith looked down at the arm that held her and glanced around.

The club members hadn’t left the library yet. With many eyes watching, she couldn’t ignore Axel.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing special. I plan to visit the mansion next weekend for a family event.”

As expected, Axel’s following words didn’t stray far from a business-like purpose.

“If you have time, how about coming along to greet Mother?”

Sensing that Judith might give a negative answer, Axel quickly added.

“Of course, I understand it’s not the best situation… but Mother would be curious about you.”

“I’ve been sending her letters about my recent activities.”

It was true. Even after her engagement with Chase was arranged, Judith diligently sent letters to Madame Fedelian, like reports.

It was to prove that, as Madame wished, she was smoothly distancing herself from Axel, ensuring the engagement would proceed without issue.

However, even after hearing Judith’s words, Axel wore a worried expression.

“But… even if she’s received your letters, she must be concerned about your sudden engagement.”

Judith internally chuckled. The idea that Madame Fedelian, who had proposed the engagement in the first place, would be worried was laughable.

But she couldn’t reveal this truth, so Judith responded half-heartedly.

“Even if she’s worried, you can explain it well to her. Just let her know I’m doing fine.”

Axel’s eyes widened. It was a natural reaction for him.

Until now, Judith had followed Madame Fedelian’s words more obediently than Axel, her own son.

Normally, Judith would have been the one to suggest visiting the mansion first.

How could she not know the kindness Madame Fedelian had shown to someone like her, just the daughter of an employee?

But Axel, unaware of the situation, would surely find her change surprising.

Judith cautiously glanced around again. As the break time began, everyone scattered, and the library quickly became quiet.

No longer needing to listen to Axel’s words, Judith turned to leave him behind.

But from behind, Axel murmured in a low, sunken voice.

“Did you refuse to meet Mother because you dislike being with me?”

“What?”

She should ignore it and leave, but her feet wouldn’t move.

“Isn’t it?”

Footsteps approached from behind. Axel, who had come closer, blocked Judith’s path.

“If you don’t dislike being with me… do you dislike being with Mother?”

“…”

As she recently learned, Axel was surprisingly perceptive. He often hit the mark with an innocent face.

Judith tried to respond calmly, not wanting to reveal her flustered state.

“How could I dislike the Duchess? She’s the benefactor who allowed me to attend the academy.”

Having said that, Judith tried to push Axel aside. But Axel stood firm, uttering only what he wanted to say.

“Then it must be me who’s the problem.”

“…”

His words sounded as if he was reaching a conclusion on his own. Judith looked up at him with a troubled face but couldn’t deny it.

Axel looked down at Judith’s face with a subtle gaze, then smiled faintly and opened his mouth.

“Basin, did you hear that?”

“…?”

Hadn’t all the club members, including Basin, left the library for a break? Why was he suddenly calling for Basin?

Surprisingly, Basin emerged hesitantly from behind a hidden bookshelf.

As if he had eavesdropped on the entire conversation between Axel and Judith.

Judith was bewildered by Basin’s incomprehensible actions. But the following conversation only added to her confusion.

“You’re the one who spread it, right? The rumor that Judith and I fought.”

“Uh, well…”

At Axel’s words, Basin bit his lip, then quickly lowered his head, seemingly realizing there was no point in making excuses.

“I’m sorry…”

Judith was left dumbfounded.

Basin, who claimed earlier not to know about the rumor, was actually the one who spread it, and Axel had figured it out…