Chapter 7

At that moment, as if trying to stop her thoughts from turning negative, Axel firmly held her cheeks and whispered.

‘You don’t have to cry.’

‘……’

‘I’ll do the crying, so you just focus on smiling.’

Her empty heart still felt cold.

But because of that, the warmth she felt was even more comforting.

Did Axel know?

How much that simple phrase meant to Judith.

* * *

Judith was now at the training ground where Chase practiced his swordsmanship.

Although she had attended the academy for four years, this was her first time visiting this place.

And it made sense since it was located underground, which was far, and swordsmanship was a subject unrelated to her major.

Nevertheless, the reason she visited here was due to a request—if it could be called that—from Chase.

On the day Axel, Chase, and Judith unintentionally faced each other.

Chase had called out to her as she was returning to the dormitory.

‘Since you’re my fiancée now, you have to help me out.’

Of course, it wasn’t a very polite request.

He told her not to bother calling him out, yet he seems fine calling her out himself.

His attitude flipped like turning a hand, but Judith nodded for now.

‘I’ll listen and help if it’s something I can do.’

Chase got straight to the point.

‘Then come with me to the swordsmanship training ground tomorrow.’

‘Why?’

‘You’ll find out when you get there.’

It didn’t seem like a difficult request. So Judith answered.

‘Alright.’

After all, she had received unexpected help from Chase, so she could gladly do this much.

Besides, after the recent encounter, Judith realized that Chase was quite a suitable match for dealing with Axel.

Axel, being the student council president and of high status, had no one in the academy who could easily confront him.

However, Chase showed hostility towards Axel. Moreover, he seemed displeased with Axel associating with her.

Judith, who wasn’t confident in continuously dismissing Axel’s advances, decided to rely on her new fiancé.

She did feel a bit guilty, though.

Chase probably never imagined he was being used with such intentions.

So, with a sense of apology, she decided to comply with whatever Chase requested today.

Chase spoke with a sharp tone.

“Just in case, listen carefully.”

A warning? What kind of warning could he give in a training ground?

Was it to not touch his sword or not to disturb his practice? Something like that?

But Chase’s words were far from her expectations.

“Don’t fall for me just because you see me practicing swordsmanship.”

“……”

Judith couldn’t respond. She wondered if Chase was joking.

Meanwhile, Chase added.

“Absolutely not.”

Was he serious? 

It was hard to believe, but surprisingly, he seemed sincere. Chase was looking down at Judith with a serious face.

Judith, unable to hide her bewilderment, asked.

“Is that what you wanted to request?”

“No, that’s just a warning. You’ll find out the request later.”

Chase reminded her of what he had said before.

“Anyway, remember that. Of course, it might be difficult. But at least try.”

“Try not to fall for you?”

“Yes.”

With that, Chase picked up his sword as if he was about to start training.

His movements, even to Judith, who knew nothing about swordsmanship, looked strong yet gentle.

Every time Chase swung his sword, his silver hair fluttered like a butterfly’s wings in the air.

His warning not to fall for him was still somewhat amusing. But seeing him like that, she could somewhat understand.

Chase looked much better when he was silently focused on training than when he was speaking.

“Judith.”

Chase’s voice brought Judith out of her thoughts.

“I’m practicing swordsmanship in front of you right now.”

“Yeah.”

Judith looked at Chase. Chase was also looking down at Judith.

Even though this place was underground, it was bright everywhere thanks to magic.

Under the white lights, Chase’s red eyes seemed to shine particularly brightly.

As he stood there silently, Judith asked again.

“So?”

“Why are you daydreaming instead of watching me?”

Judith didn’t know how to react and just opened and closed her mouth. She asked just in case.

“Chase, do you need attention?”

“No, I absolutely hate that.”

Chase frowned as if he truly hated it. 

Then why was he asking for attention while claiming not to need it?

Perhaps realizing the contradiction, Chase hastily added.

“What I mean is, isn’t it too carefree of you to daydream while someone is sweating and practicing right in front of you?”

Chase had certainly told Judith not to bother him and just sit quietly. She was following his words well.

But now he was saying not to daydream either, which was a bit overwhelming. She couldn’t understand his intentions.

Strange person.

Judith evaluated Chase like that and leaned back slowly in her chair.

“Alright. I’ll watch you.”

“Yeah, watch closely.”

Despite claiming to hate attention, Chase seemed to need it desperately.

Well, according to what Hannah said yesterday, Chase seemed to have lived in the spotlight.

Even if it was unwanted attention, living like that all his life and suddenly not receiving it might feel awkward.

Of course, Judith didn’t understand Chase at all, but she decided to accept it with broad-mindedness.

Chase glanced at Judith and straightened his posture.

Was he planning to show some amazing technique? 

But contrary to expectations, Chase just stood still with his sword.

Judith blinked, wondering if that was training.

It was then. Suddenly, there was a sharp sound of air being sliced, and the straw dummy in front of her collapsed in an instant.

Into exactly five pieces.

What just happened?

Judith was dumbfounded.

“Did you see that?”

“Yeah, how did it suddenly end up like that?”

“Of course, because I cut it.”

In the blink of an eye, it had become like that. She realized that Chase’s swordsmanship skills were incredibly impressive.

Judith inadvertently murmured.

“Amazing…….”

Chase’s lips curled up slightly, seemingly pleased with the compliment.

For the sake of a peaceful engagement life, Judith decided to add a bit more praise.

“You’re amazing.”

It was certainly a simple compliment. The swordsmanship genius Chase must have heard more extravagant praises than this.

Moreover, Judith’s tone was utterly calm as she gave the compliment.

But suddenly.

Clang.

Chase dropped his sword.

The sound of the sword hitting the ground was loud.

Startled, Judith looked at Chase. He was expressionless, but his ears visible through his silver hair were red.

He bit his lip. It seemed he was embarrassed to have dropped his sword in front of her.

Chase hastily made an excuse.

“It’s because you suddenly started watching after not paying attention. I never make such mistakes usually.”

“Really?”

Judith got up from her chair and approached Chase.

As Judith suddenly approached him, Chase reflexively stepped back. But Judith reached him first.

“That must hurt.”

Judith murmured, looking at Chase’s right hand. She had seen that he had cut his palm on the blade when he dropped the sword.

She pulled his hand to check. As expected, it wasn’t a deep wound, but a thin line of blood was oozing from the wound.

“Where’s the medicine?”

While fiddling with his hand, Judith looked up. But Chase snatched his hand away from her, almost roughly.

Glancing up at Chase, she saw that his ears were still bright red, glaring at her with a fierce look like a blazing sun.

“Are you trying to use this as an excuse to hold my hand?”

“No.”

Chase was overly paranoid. Of course, she was at fault for grabbing his hand without thinking.

Knowing that Chase was wary of people, she hadn’t considered it. She clicked her tongue inwardly.

Judith first checked the shelf on the wall. There should be medicines prepared for injuries.

After a while, Judith brought a white ointment and quietly handed it to Chase.

She didn’t intend to apply it for him anyway, but she added to reassure Chase.

“Apply it yourself.”

Chase took the ointment. Yet, he still looked at Judith with a suspicious gaze. He had a subtly tiresome personality.

Judith spoke to Chase, who was applying the white ointment to his palm.

“So when are you going to tell me about that request?”

She thought that the ‘request’ couldn’t possibly be just to watch him practice swordsmanship.