Chapter 97

A few days after returning from the Cardandy estate, Chase left for the Imperial Knight Order’s group training.

Judith, who came to see him off, sighed deeply.

Once they parted, she wouldn’t be able to see him for the next few weeks.

Judith tried her best to imprint the image of him in his knight uniform in her mind.

The pure white uniform suited his silver hair so perfectly that even passing students couldn’t help but turn to look at him.

‘He’s already so popular now. Will he be alright when he joins the Knight Order?’

The image of the female knight, whom he had called his senior, came to mind, and her expression darkened unconsciously.

…In the group training, Chase would likely be spending time with that female knight he had mentioned.

As she imagined Chase talking and laughing with that female knight while she wasn’t around, her head started spinning.

As she adjusted the collar of his uniform, Judith cautiously asked.

“By the way… are there a lot of female knights in the Imperial Knight Order?”

“Huh?”

Chase’s eyes widened, as if wondering why she was asking such a question all of a sudden.

“Oh… I just found it fascinating when I met that female knight last time. It’s not very common, is it?”

“Well, that’s true.”

Since society generally didn’t view women taking on rough jobs favorably, there were far fewer female knights compared to male knights.

“Still, you could say it’s an honorable position, and it’s also a government job. From what I’ve heard, most of them seem satisfied with their work.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“And honestly, it’d be a waste to let skills like that go unused.”

Chase then excitedly talked about the skill levels of the knights serving in the Imperial Family.

However, the more he spoke, the darker Judith’s expression became.

“Judith, why do you look like that?”

“…I’m just worried you might get hurt during training.”

Judith hesitated for a moment before adding another comment.

“Please be careful. If you get injured, get treated immediately.”

Chase, reading the subtle worry in her calm tone, smiled brightly.

“Are you worried about me?”

“Well, that’s part of it…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Chase stretched out his arms and pulled her into a tight embrace.

He then nuzzled his cheek against the top of her head, savoring the moment in her arms.

Chase let out a deep sigh and said.

“…Ha, I really don’t want to leave.”

When he finally raised his head, his red eyes gazed intently at Judith’s face.

“You won’t forget me while I’m gone, will you?”

“What kind of question is that?”

“…You’re so beautiful that I’m worried.”

Is he teasing me right now?

Although Judith had never thought of herself as unattractive, she was certain she didn’t draw as much attention as Chase, who turned heads wherever he went.

Still, hearing such flattery from someone she liked wasn’t unpleasant.

Judith chuckled softly and responded.

“You should worry about yourself.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, you’re the better-looking one.”

“…You think I’m good-looking?”

Chase asked with a curious expression, and this time, it was Judith who was puzzled.

“You didn’t know?”

That couldn’t be possible.

When she first met Chase, he had been fully aware of his own popularity, brimming with confidence.

“Well… I didn’t think you saw me that way.”

Hearing Judith call him handsome seemed to please Chase, as he smirked and once again buried his face in her shoulder.

“If that’s how you feel now, then I’m glad.”

His low voice tickled Judith’s ears, and she felt her cheeks grow warm.

Judith quietly patted his back and thought to herself.

‘Somehow, these two weeks are going to feel really long…’

After spending quite a bit of time saying their reluctant goodbyes, they finally managed to part ways.

“Take care, Chase.”

“Yeah, you take care too.”

Since it was a holiday morning, the main gate of the academy was bustling with students heading out.

Amid the crowd, Judith waved toward the carriage carrying Chase away.

From inside the carriage, Chase stretched out a hand through the window to return her wave.

It was only a few weeks of separation, but why did it feel so melancholic? Perhaps it was because Chase had become such an integral part of Judith’s life.

Eventually, his figure grew smaller and smaller until it was nothing more than a dot in the distance.

After seeing Chase off, Judith felt utterly drained.

Among the crowd of students, sending Chase off left her feeling empty and lonely.

…She already missed him.

‘Will he be alright?’

Ever since returning from the Cardandy estate, Chase had been particularly downcast.

After coming back to the academy, the two of them had sat together and talked for a long time.

Leaning his head on her shoulder, Chase had spoken at length about his childhood.

‘…That’s why I don’t want to see Father again. It’ll only make things worse.’

‘But can you really go the rest of your life without seeing him?’

‘Of course. As long as I have you, Judith.’

‘…If that’s how you feel, then I’m glad.’

At the time, Chase seemed to harbor so much resentment toward his father that Judith couldn’t bring herself to suggest reconciliation.

It seemed the rift between Chase and the Earl was deeper than she had imagined.

However, based on what Chase’s brother had said, the Earl seemed to have some affection for Chase…

As Judith thought about it, she resolved to meet the Earl of Cardandy again someday, even if it was on her own.

The thought that she might be the reason for the permanent estrangement between father and son left her feeling uneasy.

But not long after making that decision, a letter arrived for her.

It was from the Earl of Cardandy.

“The Earl… sent me a letter?”

Judith froze with the letter in her hand, her body stiff.

Countless thoughts raced through her mind.

Surely, after their last meeting, when he had been so angry, he wouldn’t contact her for a good reason.

For example, he might be writing to annul her engagement to Chase…

A series of ominous thoughts flashed through Judith’s mind.

Hurriedly, she opened the envelope. Contrary to her worries, the contents of the letter were surprisingly gentle.

[To Judith,

I apologize for my disrespectful words and behavior toward you during our last meal.

If it’s alright with you, I’d like you to visit the estate again. Could you let me know when you’re available?

I’d like to have another conversation with you without Chase present.]

“…”

Judith quietly gasped.

Did I read this wrong? Or am I dreaming?

To think that the Earl, who had seemed so stubborn, would apologize to her first.

Judith bit her lip nervously, unsure of how to react.

‘But it’s too early to think positively.’

For all she knew, he might use this meeting to demand that she break off her engagement with Chase.

Even if that were the case, Judith had no intention of backing down easily.

She couldn’t imagine her life without Chase either.

‘In any case, I should meet with the Earl of Cardandy again and apologize for my own rudeness last time.’

Having made up her mind, Judith picked up her pen and began writing her reply without hesitation.

***

And so, Judith visited the Cardandy estate again on a day when snow was falling heavily.

As soon as she stepped out of the carriage, her breath turned white in the cold air.

The butler, who greeted her, quickly took her belongings and urged her to warm herself indoors.

“The Earl is waiting for you inside as well.”

Judith nodded slightly and followed the servant’s guidance.

When she went up to the second floor, which she hadn’t visited during her last visit, she could see the snowy landscape through the windows.

The sight of the hills below, covered in a blanket of white, was breathtaking.

As she waited by the door, admiring the scenery, the servant knocked and announced her arrival.

“Miss Judith has arrived.”

Shortly after, the door opened gently, and the servant gestured for her to enter.

Inside, she saw the Earl seated at his desk in his study.

“The weather is harsh. You must have had a hard time getting here.”

“…Not at all, Your Lordship.”

“Please, have a seat.”

He stood and gestured toward the sofa, inviting her to sit.

As they sat facing each other, a brief silence hung between them. The Earl, who had been clasping his hands together, finally spoke after some time.

“Chase must have left for group training by now?”

Judith was surprised to see that he was aware of his son’s whereabouts.

“Is he adjusting well?”

“Oh… From the letters I’ve received, he seems to be doing fine.”

“Hmm. That’s good to hear.”

As the Earl sighed heavily, Judith fidgeted with her gloved hands and cautiously opened her mouth to speak.

“Um, Your Lordship.”

She began to say the apology she had been rehearsing in her mind during the carriage ride.

“I deeply apologize for my behavior during my last visit. Leaving without properly greeting you left both Chase and me feeling very uneasy.”

The Earl nodded at her words, though his expression remained indifferent.

“Well, I doubt you were the one feeling uneasy. Chase doesn’t seem like the type to regret his actions.”

“…”

“If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you for his sudden actions.”

Judith, caught off guard by his words, could only sit there sweating nervously, unable to respond.