Chapter 85

At the moment when Judith was extremely tense, the door to the drawing room opened, and a woman entered.

It was none other than Madame Fedelian.

“Judith, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Something came up that I needed to take care of.”

Her elegant and graceful demeanor was just as it had been a year ago. Judith quickly stood up, bowed, and spoke.

“I didn’t wait long at all. Have you been well?”

“Why are you being so formal? There’s no need for that between us.”

Madame smiled kindly as always, then gestured for Judith to sit.

Her gentle demeanor showed no signs of anger or displeasure toward Judith. But precisely because of this, Judith felt even more nervous.

“Well, you probably already have an idea from my letter why I called you here….”

Madame continued with a smile.

“First, I want to hear from you directly about what exactly happened. I’ve heard there’s been some unpleasant gossip circulating at the Academy recently—is it true?”

As expected, she already knew about the rumors.

Judith’s heart sank, but she managed to maintain a calm expression.

She considered answering directly, but for the sake of sincerity, she decided to confess all her feelings and thoughts up to now.

After all, she had already completely let go of her feelings for Axel.

Judith began to calmly explain the events that had transpired.

She spoke of how, despite Madame’s kindness, she had long harbored feelings for Axel, but eventually gave up on the impossible love. She explained how she decided to accept Madame’s “good proposal” and agreed to an engagement with another good person.

After pausing, Judith observed Madame’s reaction.

Madame’s face was stiff, and she said nothing, making it difficult to discern her thoughts. However, she didn’t appear to be upset.

“Go on.”

“…Yes. But as I mentioned in my letter, I was determined to move on from Axel and make things work with Chase. Then, Axel invited me to the party as his partner, saying he wanted us to enjoy one last time as childhood friends….”

Judith hesitated, unsure whether to reveal what happened next.

She remembered Axel denying the rumors as false and decided to lie.

“Someone must have seen us together by coincidence and maliciously exaggerated the story into a rumor.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a short silence filled the drawing room. Madame remained quiet for a moment before nodding slightly.

“I believed in you, Judith. I told myself that someone with a fiancé wouldn’t act so recklessly.”

Madame then looked at Judith with a warm, motherly expression.

“So… you’re saying you have no feelings for Axel now?”

“Yes, as I mentioned in my letter, I’ve completely let go of those feelings. More than anything, Chase, my fiancé, is such a wonderful person. …I want to leave my relationship with Axel as nothing more than a fond memory.”

Judith answered with a firm voice, almost as if defending herself. Madame tilted her head slightly and asked.

“Then why is Axel suddenly trying to break off his engagement and opposing your relationship with Chase? He’s not the type to act without reason….”

It was understandable that Madame would find it strange for Axel to reject such a favorable match and instead pursue a commoner girl.

After all, Axel had never shown any clear signs of special affection toward Judith before.

Judith decided to explain honestly this time as well.

“To be truthful, I once confessed my feelings to Axel. At the time, I didn’t receive a positive response, but it seems that he’s had a change of heart since then. However, as you know….”

“Now you’ve come to like Chase instead?”

“Yes, so now I want to live my life keeping faith in Chase. I’m grateful for Axel’s feelings, but anything more would only cause trouble for me.”

Judith answered decisively. Once again, silence filled the drawing room. However, the atmosphere was much more relaxed compared to when their conversation had started.

Madame seemed very pleased with Judith’s response. She smiled warmly—the kind of smile Judith hadn’t seen since she was a child—and then clapped her hands.

“Did you hear that, Axel?”

Startled, Judith instinctively followed Madame’s gaze.

There, beyond the grand piano in the drawing room, someone slowly stood up. It was Axel.

“Madame, what is…?”

Judith, shocked, looked at Madame, who smiled and explained.

“I thought it might be difficult for you to speak honestly in front of Axel, so I arranged for him to listen in.”

Realizing she had been tested, Judith felt a chill run down her spine, but she quickly let out a sigh of relief.

In the end, she had given Madame the answer she wanted, and she was certain Axel would now let go of her completely.

And just as Judith predicted—

“…Judith, do you really mean it when you say you like Chase?”

For the first time, Axel’s usually composed expression wavered.

Facing him directly made Judith feel as though her throat was tightening, but she managed to nod.

“How could that be? How could your feelings change so easily?”

Axel seemed unable to accept the reality that Judith now liked Chase.

In order to give an answer that would convince him, Judith thought for a long moment before speaking.

“…Axel, do you remember when you asked me after graduation what I planned to do? You suggested I work as your assistant.”

“…Yes.”

“And back then, I told you I didn’t want to, but you couldn’t accept my answer and tried to persuade me several times. It was the same when I told you I didn’t like you anymore.”

“…….”

Judith took a deep breath before continuing.

“But Chase is different. He doesn’t impose his opinions on me. Instead, he always asks what I like and what I want to do.”

“…Is that all? I could do that too….”

At that moment, Judith smiled sadly and cut him off.

“Axel, this is exactly why.”

Then, as if she couldn’t believe she was saying such cruel words, she ended with a bitter smile.

“This is why I can’t like you anymore.”

Axel’s face froze in shock, his expression devoid of even the faintest hint of a smile.

But Judith wasn’t surprised. Somehow, she felt she had known about this darker side of him for a long time.

After all, they had spent so much time together. Their relationship had been so precious.

But as people grow older, they inevitably part ways with those they’ve known and meet new people. Such changes are a natural part of life.

Judith resolved not to fear change anymore.

And she hoped that Axel, like her, would open his heart and find his own happiness.

It just wouldn’t be with her.

“Then, I’ll be leaving now, Madame.”

Judith stood up with a calm expression. Madame, who looked slightly troubled, also rose from her seat.

“All right. Thank you for coming. I can’t exactly ask you to stay for a meal after this conversation. Let me know when the engagement ceremony is, and I’ll come.”

Had Madame anticipated this outcome when she orchestrated this situation?

Even now, with her clear, smiling face, Judith couldn’t guess what Madame was truly thinking.

“…Yes, of course, Madame. I’ll send you a letter then.”

Judith quickly left the mansion and boarded the carriage waiting for her.

As soon as she sat down, she was taken aback. The carriage was already filled with beautifully wrapped gifts.

On top of the pile of presents was a single card that seemed to be from Madame Fedelian.

[Congratulations on your graduation in advance. From Madame Fedelian.]

Seeing this, Judith let out a small laugh in disbelief, then closed her eyes in the rattling carriage.

* * *

After the long weekend, Judith returned to the Academy. Over the weekend, she had agonized over and over again.

As Judith debated whether to accept the supplementary professor position, as Chase had suggested, Hannah looked at her in disbelief.

“Judith, what’s there to think about? Becoming a professor at this Academy is such an honorable position! And you said you enjoy teaching other students.”

“Well, yes, but there are practical concerns—”

Hannah, frustrated by Judith’s hesitation, interrupted her.

“And didn’t Chase say he’d convince his family if you wanted to take the position? Your fiancé is supporting you, so why are you worrying for no reason?”