Chapter 40

These days, Judith had a habit whenever she entered the accounting classroom. She would look around for the owner of the orange hair.

She spotted the girl she was looking for at the back of the classroom.

Without hesitation, Judith walked over. Just as she was about to greet Rodesha, Rodesha sensed her presence and turned around first.

“J-Judith! Hi! It’s been a while!”

Rodesha seemed very flustered, and her voice cracked slightly at the end of her greeting. Her smile appeared somewhat forced.

They had seen each other just yesterday, so what did she mean by ‘it’s been a while’?

It was a reaction that raised a lot of questions, but for now, Judith smiled and returned the greeting.

“Hello.”

Then she pulled out the chair next to Rodesha and sat down. Sitting next to Rodesha during accounting class had become routine.

“Ahem.”

Rodesha covered her mouth with her hand and cleared her throat. She seemed to be gauging Judith’s reaction.

Why is that?

Could it be that Rodesha had found out about what happened between her and Rodein yesterday?

Originally, she intended to hand over the summary notes she brought as soon as they met. But for some reason, she hesitated.

She was worried that Rodesha might feel uncomfortable with her.

While Judith was internally conflicted, Rodesha picked up the accounting textbook.

She began flipping through the pages busily. Although she seemed to be studying diligently, Judith could feel that Rodesha was actually sneaking glances at her.

Judith didn’t know how to react to the orange-haired gaze fixed on her face.

She wondered if Rodein badmouthed her to Rodesha, saying that as a mere commoner, she was presumptuous for giving strange advice.

Of course, the Rodein Judith knew was a polite and courteous junior. He didn’t seem like someone who would gossip.

However, Judith couldn’t completely dismiss the possibility, having been deceived by people who were different on the outside during her freshman year.

She could just straightforwardly ask if she was curious.

But Rodesha only gave her curious looks without saying a word.

Deciding to wait until she asked a question, Judith rummaged through her bag and took out her books and stationery.

Even after neatly arranging her study materials on the desk, Rodesha continued to glance at Judith.

Feeling too awkward to ignore it any longer, Judith finally mustered the courage to ask.

“Do you have something you want to say to me?”

“No!”

Rodesha replied instantly. But despite saying no, she kept glancing at Judith, as if she still had a lot to say.

Judith looked at Rodesha silently. When their eyes met, Rodesha flinched.

“The weather is really nice today, isn’t it? Ahaha.”

The sky she saw while walking from the dormitory was indeed clear without a cloud in sight. Judith nodded in agreement.

Perhaps relieved by her calm response, Rodesha relaxed her stiff posture and leaned back comfortably in her chair.

“Since entering the academy, I’m glad I can spend even summer comfortably. The magic keeps the temperature well controlled.”

Rodesha continued chatting.

“Sometimes, I don’t even want to go home. After not feeling the heat here, it’s too hot when I go back.”

“I see.”

“Of course, the academy’s temperature control magic is better than the magic at the mansion, so it’s inevitable.”

Listening to Rodesha’s complaints, Judith suddenly thought of the Fedelian mansion.

The grand and elegant mansion where she could distinctly feel the changes of the seasons.

The Fedelian Ducal residence could probably maintain a constant temperature year-round like the academy.

But for some reason, the Fedelian mansion didn’t do that.

Thanks to that, Judith could fully appreciate the beautiful scenery of the four seasons within it.

The large mansion seemed to change clothes with each season, leaving new impressions on Judith.

Once I graduate, I’ll have to say goodbye to that mansion too.

From the green buds blooming in the garden to the white snow piled on the roof.

Those scenes flashed through Judith’s mind. And someone who was always with her in those scenes…

At that moment, Rodesha lowered her voice.

“The academy’s excellent temperature control magic might be a wicked scheme to make us study without feeling the heat or cold.”

Rodesha muttered a conspiracy theory and shivered as if creeped out. Meanwhile, she kept sneaking glances at Judith.

Even if she pretended not to notice, Rodesha’s awkward behavior clearly showed there was another meaning behind it.

Judith stifled a sigh and spoke.

“That’s not really what you want to say to me, is it?”

“See…I knew you weren’t someone to be underestimated.”

Rodesha looked surprised, her orange eyes wide. She glanced at Judith again, then closed her eyes tightly and exclaimed.

“Judith. I’ll sincerely apologize again. I’m really sorry for approaching you initially just to get the summary notes.”

Judith froze for a moment, unsure how to react to such a sincere apology. But she soon patted Rodesha’s shoulder.

“I told you before, you don’t have to feel sorry for me.”

“But still—”

“It’s okay. And you already bought me lunch because of that, right? That’s enough.”

With an expression of admiration, Rodesha suddenly grabbed Judith’s hand.

“You really are an angel!”

Judging by her reaction, it seemed she didn’t hold any negative feelings towards Judith, which relieved Judith.

“Actually, I heard about what happened between you and my brother.”

So that’s what it was.

It seemed Rodesha had remembered her own actions after hearing about her brother and was apologizing. But Judith was really fine with it.

A slightly hesitant Rodesha looked determined.

“And Judith, I don’t know exactly what conversation took place between you two yesterday… But you don’t have to worry about Rodein anymore.”

After saying that, Rodesha opened and closed her mouth a few times before speaking again.

“You might not know, but he can be a bit immature… After hearing about yesterday, I talked to him. I’m sorry for not stopping him from causing trouble several times.”

At that, Judith waved her hand dismissively. In fact, she was deeply relieved inside.

That Rodesha wasn’t blaming or hating her because of Rodein.

“No, it’s not trouble at all. I was actually worried that I spoke too harshly yesterday. By the way, is Rodein okay?”

Hearing that, Rodesha finally managed to smile.

“Harsh? Thanks to what you said, he finally came to his senses. Of course, he won’t be joining the remedial class or lunch anymore…”

Despite her words, there was a hint of concern in Rodesha’s tone, reminding Judith that siblings are siblings after all.

Rodesha often complained that she didn’t get along with her brother, but it seemed she was worried about his well-being.

Did I speak too harshly yesterday? From Rodesha’s words, it seemed he was quite hurt.

Judith sighed and handed over the summary notes she had deliberately brought.

“Give this to Rodein. I promised yesterday. It’s a shame he can’t attend the remedial class anymore, but this will be more helpful to him.”

At Judith’s words, Rodesha’s eyes welled up slightly with tears. She looked as if she had witnessed an angel.

“What are you talking about? Just you taking care of him like this is more than enough.”

Taking the notes, Rodesha once again warned Judith.

“And if Rodein can’t give up and tries to bother you again, let me know. This time, I’ll tell Father and have him sent to another school or something.”

“Okay.”

Judith nodded quickly to reassure Rodesha, even though she didn’t think Rodein  would trouble her anymore.

Then Rodesha turned back towards the front of the classroom with a smile.

Come to think of it, it was almost time for class to start. Suddenly, Judith looked at the seat to her right.

Why hasn’t Chase arrived yet?

Chase was surprisingly punctual.

Recently, he had even been arriving at the classroom before her, waiting leisurely for Judith.

‘Judith, what if you end up late for class by cutting it so close?’

She vividly remembered him nagging her in his smug tone.

But to Judith, his overconfident attitude was nothing short of absurd.

What was the point of arriving early for class? He didn’t even bring his accounting textbook or stationery, yet shamelessly asked to borrow hers.

At that moment, Rodesha, noticing Judith’s gaze fixed in one place, released her hand and spoke.

“Come to think of it, Chase hasn’t arrived yet.”