Chapter 10

Long eyelashes cast shadows over Iberia’s gaze. Just before she could sink deeper into her thoughts, Young Master Nesferos asked,

“What do you do when there’s something you don’t want to do?”

It wasn’t a question that could be answered with a simple yes or no. Iberia thought for a moment.

“If it’s something I must do, I do it.”

“I see.”

With her gaze fixed slightly downward, Iberia continued walking. Both their steps kicked against small stones in their path.

Young Master Nesferos asked again,

“Then, what if it’s something you must do, but you absolutely despise it?”

“I’d still do it.”

“Hmm, I see. That’s how you are.”

His voice, tinged with a peculiar hint of amusement, was carried by the wind. Iberia frowned slightly, as if displeased. It felt as though he was mocking her circumstances—her belief that she had to do even the things she hated.

Perhaps it was just her paranoia. After all, most of Iberia’s feelings toward Young Master Nesferos were far from positive.

With a dry laugh, Iberia brushed her hair back. Her dark hair fluttered in the wind.

The Young Master, who had been silently observing her, answered his own unasked question in a slightly husky voice.

“I never do things I don’t want to do, no matter what.”

“Yes, I see.”

Iberia nodded and fixed her gaze straight ahead.

The Young Master smiled. His profile, visible from the side, was so strikingly beautiful that Iberia found herself momentarily captivated despite herself.

“Just so you know, I never do things I don’t want to do….”

The Young Master trailed off as he stared into the distance, then locked eyes with Iberia. The moment her blue eyes met his violet ones, she instinctively looked away.

Shifting his gaze to the empty space near her, he finished his sentence.

“No matter what consequences I have to face.”

Iberia nodded and subtly distanced herself from him. Watching her retreat, his smile deepened.

If one were to interpret his words in reverse, it could mean that everything he did was because he wanted to.

Iberia let out a faint sigh.

What exactly did he mean by that?

Throughout dinner, Young Master Nesferos kept a constant watch on Iberia, though she failed to notice, lost in her complicated thoughts.

Barely touching her food, Iberia returned to her room, her mind heavy with contemplation.

She had too much to think about. Her overworked brain screamed for rest, but Iberia ignored it and sat at her desk. Her stomach churned as if something heavy weighed on it.

The Young Master’s words.

His advice to live without regrets about the things given to her.

“…I have to be the top of my class.”

Iberia buried her face in her hands.

Why had the Young Master said such things? Did he pity me for struggling so desperately to surpass him? Was he aware of the things those nobles often said about commoners at the academy?

“So annoying….”

Her thoughts spiraled out of control. Self-loathing crept in. She felt pathetic for being unable to think of anything else.

Rubbing her face with her hands, Iberia suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth and rushed to the bathroom.

“Ugh… ah.”

After retching everything in her stomach, Iberia staggered back to her desk and sat down again.

Her condition was far from good.

***

“Are you eating properly?”

“Yes.”

“You’re not just eating dinner, are you?”

“No.”

Iberia responded to his words with a hint of irritation.

Sleep deprivation and stress had soured her temperament, as it often did during exam periods. Everyone who knew Iberia even a little was aware of this. Coupled with the issue caused by those students’ remarks, Iberia let out a small sigh.

Despite her curt tone, Young Master Nesferos replied without a trace of offense. For a moment, his expression seemed almost innocent.

“Make sure you eat well.”

“Yes.”

“You look so thin; it worries me.”

Iberia glanced at him with an unreadable expression.

Last time, he had thrown out an odd question, and now he was suddenly expressing concern.

Iberia couldn’t figure out what the Young Master thought of her. That uncertainty made her even more sensitive.

Sometimes, he would ask strange questions. Other times, he would meddle in her life or express concern. All these facets of him coexisted simultaneously.

If it weren’t exam season, she might have indulged in all sorts of speculation. But Iberia didn’t have the energy for that now. Her stomach continued to churn.

She poked at her salad with the tip of her fork, eating small bites here and there.

The Young Master rested his chin on one hand, watching her. Feeling his gaze, Iberia glanced at him briefly. Her eyes flickered with a mix of emotions.

Then suddenly, a flood of emotions overwhelmed her. Acting on impulse, she asked a question.

“Why do you care?”

“Am I not allowed to?”

Iberia quickly tried to recover from her moment of unconsciousness.

“You can.”

“Alright then. Eat up.”

He urged her. Iberia bit her lip inwardly.

Everything about the Young Master grated on her nerves. Noticing the look in her eyes, he straightened his posture, though his upper body still leaned slightly toward her.

“I would never do anything to harm you.”

It was a contradiction.

To her, the very fact that the Young Master had come to Lacanel Academy was harmful. Iberia didn’t respond, biting the inside of her cheek as she silently ate her salad.

After watching her for a while, he tapped the table lightly. When Iberia’s gaze shifted to him, he crossed his arms on the table.

“Oh, and you should keep up with the newspapers.”

His slightly lowered face bore an enigmatic smile.

For the next few days, the Young Master didn’t provoke Iberia or insist she eat untouched food.

So, she had let her guard down.

Iberia reread the article from the beginning. She couldn’t believe her eyes.

Eventually, a hollow murmur escaped her lips.

“…What on earth is he thinking?”

To the Young Master, it seemed like everything in the world was a game. Ordinary people would likely never understand his mind.

Iberia crumpled the newspaper in her hand.

Normally, she didn’t read newspapers during exam periods. But because of the Young Master’s words, she had made an exception in recent days.

And now, it was causing her subtle stress.

The newspaper in her hand crumpled further. At the same time, a sigh escaped her.

“…Why?”

Why had the Young Master told her to read the newspaper? Iberia couldn’t even begin to guess his reasons.

The completely crumpled newspaper contained an article about the Young Master getting into a fight with nobles attending the academy.

The article subtly exposed the improper behavior of the other students, but Iberia’s eyes remained fixed on the parts about the Young Master. Almost one-sided violence. A footnote even mentioned his inability to hide his violent tendencies.

Volodes, Tain, Krilan.

These were the names of the noble families involved. Iberia’s gaze wavered with confusion.

When he first arrived at Lacanel Academy, the Young Master had stirred up all sorts of trouble. But recently, there hadn’t been many negative rumors about him. His words and actions toward her had always been gentle.

Iberia shook her head to dispel her thoughts.

“No. From the beginning, his being here was….”

She recalled what Cynthia had told her—that the Young Master had come to Lacanel because of an incident involving noble violence.

A hollow laugh escaped Iberia’s parted lips.

“I need to be careful.”

To Iberia, the Young Master was a complex figure in many ways.

Thinking about him evoked all sorts of emotions. Most of them were negative, but occasionally, there was pity or even gratitude.

Currently, the strongest emotion Iberia felt toward the Young Master was fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear of the possibility that she might be harmed.

Her sense of caution heightened once more.

He was someone who could do anything without warning.

When dealing with the Young Master, she needed to stay alert. Otherwise, she might end up like the victims in the newspaper. Or worse, she might disappear without a trace. After all, she was just a powerless commoner.

Iberia tossed the crumpled newspaper into the trash and resumed walking.

***

Why aren’t you happy?

He wanted to ask. Why did it feel like there was now a distance between them?

***

“Are you keeping up with the newspapers?”

“Yes.”

He appeared at the academy as if nothing had happened. Despite it being exam season, many were whispering about him.

For a while, the academy had been abuzz with rumors about Iberia and the Young Master, as well as news of his engagement. Now, this was a fresh topic of gossip.

The Young Master seemed unaffected by the rumors, as if they didn’t bother him. A single glance from him could have silenced the whispers, but he didn’t seem to care.

Resting halfway on his desk, he looked at Iberia.

“What do you think?”

“Pardon?”

Their gazes met in midair—one brimming with amusement, the other filled with tension and fear.

Seeing the look in her eyes, his smile gradually faded.

“The newspaper.”

A brief hint.

Instinctively recalling yesterday’s article about him, Iberia stiffened.

“Yes, I’ll be careful.”

“That’s all?”

Her already tense body grew even stiffer.

“No.”