Chapter 26

“That much shouldn’t be a problem, right? People go through all sorts of things in life. By the way, Father doesn’t know you didn’t come home yesterday. I made up a story that you stayed over at a friend’s house.”  

“Are you sure he bought it?”  

“Oh my, do you not trust me? Even if you don’t have any friends here, what could Father possibly do? Do you think he’d go and visit that household himself? With his personality?”  

Vanessa confidently rested her chin on her hand, staring straight at Hazel.  

“So, what’s your relationship with Lord Meyer? Are you going to marry him?”  

“Marry him? Absolutely not!”  

Wait a second. How does she know I met Enoch?  

“Don’t tell me, you knew Enoch was coming here?”  

Vanessa didn’t answer. Her silence was confirmation enough.  

Hazel let out a hollow laugh in disbelief. She couldn’t fathom how Vanessa had found out Enoch was coming here or how she had planned all this.  

“So, are you two just casually seeing each other? Well, I suppose that’s not so bad either.”  

“Vanessa!”  

Vanessa’s nonchalant tone as she changed the subject made Hazel sigh deeply.  

Dealing with Vanessa’s relentless curiosity was exhausting, but at the same time, Hazel thought it might be better to sort out her feelings properly now that things had come to this.  

However, it was too personal and complicated to think about in front of Vanessa. Hazel took a sip of tea, trying to suppress the deep sigh threatening to escape her lips.  

“If it’s not that, then what exactly is your relationship with him?”  

Vanessa’s storm of questions left Hazel exasperated. She glanced at her sister with a tired expression.  

“He’s just a regular Academy classmate.”  

“Really?”  

“You sound like you’re hoping there’s something more.”  

Vanessa’s words seemed to assume that there was something between Hazel and Enoch, which made Hazel purse her lips.  

Vanessa, who had been staring at Hazel’s sulking expression, shrugged her shoulders.  

“Well, I can’t say I’m not hoping for something. If you and Lord Meyer get along, it would make things easier for my husband in the capital, wouldn’t it? As I’ve always said, having political backing is important. Just being acquaintances with Lord Meyer, who is close to His Highness the Crown Prince, would be a huge opportunity.”  

Even though their family’s status had declined a little, they had received the same noble education. How could their thinking differ so much?  

Still, Hazel didn’t think Vanessa was entirely wrong. After becoming a full professor at the Academy, Hazel had realized the importance of having connections.  

The Hoover Earldom, though its finances had weakened, was still a well-regarded family in terms of lineage. However, lineage alone wasn’t enough to hold any real influence.  

Attending parties or banquets required expenses for dresses, carriages, coachmen, and jewelry for adornment. Even if she wore the necklace passed down through generations, there were still countless other necessities.  

It was ironic. Hazel taught proper noble behavior and values at the Academy, yet here she was, thinking about such practicalities.  

‘By that logic, I shouldn’t have said those things to Enoch.’  

Hazel’s gaze darkened.  

Vanessa, noticing her sister’s mood, tapped the table lightly.  

“That’s one thing, but this is another. Hazel, what do you think?”  

“What do I think?”  

Hazel blinked in confusion, not understanding the question. Vanessa pointed her finger directly at her.  

“Yes, your thoughts. Forget about everything else—what do you think about him? In a way, this is an opportunity, isn’t it?”  

Hazel couldn’t answer Vanessa’s question.  

What did she think of Enoch Meyer?  

He was her first love and the man she had spent the night with. He was also the aide to the Imperial Knight Commander and her classmate from the Academy. What else could there be?  

As Hazel’s lips moved wordlessly, her face filled with confusion, Vanessa smirked and lifted her teacup.  

“Think about it carefully. There might be something different from what you initially thought.”  

* * *  

By the time Hazel came to her senses, the calendar had already turned to the next month.  

She had worried that thinking about Enoch Meyer after returning from her family’s estate would distract her from her work.  

However, her concerns turned out to be unfounded. The sheer amount of work that came pouring in kept her too busy to think about anything else.  

Just as she thought she could finally catch her breath, an unexpected summons arrived. She couldn’t think of any particular reason for it, but she obediently followed the instructions.  

On her way there, countless thoughts ran through her mind. 

Could it be that my relationship with Enoch had been discovered? Or perhaps the guardian of a student I had scolded for breaking the rules had come to complain?  

Neither possibility was good.  

By the time she opened the door, lost in her thoughts, and saw Enoch Meyer already inside, her mind went blank.  

She hadn’t seen him since that day, so she awkwardly bowed her head in greeting. Enoch returned her greeting with a subtle expression, but that was the extent of their interaction.  

And just a few minutes later, Hazel found herself in a situation that made her want to question the gods about why her life was so twisted.  

“Therefore, this matter will be handled by Professor Hoover and Professor Meyer.”  

“Excuse me? What did you just say?”  

“I understand that you’re busy with your current workload. However, this is a directive from the Imperial Family, so I ask for your understanding. To assist with your existing duties, Professor Anderson will be available to help.”  

Without any preamble, the dean explained that a new practical curriculum had been added to the general education course. This involved visiting the capital as part of the lessons.  

The purpose was to go beyond theoretical learning and practice within the Academy, allowing students to experience the atmosphere of the capital firsthand.  

The fact that the visit had already been approved by the Imperial Family meant that, no matter how overworked she was, she had to carry it out.  

Hazel couldn’t even remember leaving the dean’s office. Her mind was a haze.  

The only silver lining was that she could return the tasks Philip had assigned her.  

While she wouldn’t have to endure his nitpicking over every little mistake, her workload remained unchanged due to the new responsibilities.  

‘So, in short, I have one more thing to do. And I have to do it with Enoch Meyer….’  

Why does this keep happening to me?  

It felt like someone, somehow, was deliberately tying her and Enoch together.  

‘Could it be that old fraud?’  

Even as she dismissed the idea of the swindling old woman doing something, Hazel found herself wishing it were true. At least then, she’d have someone to blame.  

“Please take care of me, Professor.”  

Even in this situation, Enoch seemed as composed as ever. Hazel stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before letting out a sigh and shaking it.  

“…That’s what I should be saying.”  

Hazel forced herself to maintain a neutral expression as she responded.  

She didn’t even wonder why it had to be him. As someone who knew the capital well and could teach the etiquette of knights, Enoch was the perfect person for the job.  

Even if there had been a more suitable candidate, she would still have to work with Enoch.  

Since His Highness the Crown Prince had personally appointed the professors, there was no room for objection. She just had to grit her teeth and follow orders.  

All she could do was hope that no one caused any trouble and that the practical lessons ended smoothly.  

As she scanned the surroundings quickly, Hazel whispered in a low voice.  

“Will this be okay?”  

Enoch tilted his head slightly, as if to ask if she was talking to him.  

Hazel stared at him intently. After a moment of contemplation, he let out a small hum and shrugged.  

“It’ll be fine. There’s nothing to think about. Orders from above are absolute, and the purpose is clear.”  

Even though he was temporarily serving as a professor at the Academy, Enoch was fundamentally a knight.  

He was accustomed to hierarchical relationships, so the dean’s sudden orders didn’t seem to bother him much.