Chapter 10.5

“…What is going on? I had no idea you’d be assigned to my class.”

On the quiet hallway, Brienne, who hadn’t even looked at Herace, suddenly spoke. Walking beside her, Herace lowered his voice and whispered,

“I only found out this morning. To be precise, I realized it when I looked at the student list Professor Ruyten gave me.”

“Then you could have told me through Aaron…”

“I wanted to surprise you.”

With a playful smile, Herace took the box from Brienne’s hands. Now that no one was watching, there was no reason to make her run errands for him.

But Brienne took the box back from his hands.

“If that was your intention, you succeeded. I was really surprised. Of course, I was also surprised by your popularity.”

“…Popularity?”

Brienne’s shoulders flinched as she regretted saying the last part, but she forced herself to nod as if nothing was wrong.

“Yes, people just wouldn’t let you go. I waited outside because I figured if I waited my turn, the day would be over.”

At Brienne’s slightly curt tone, Herace’s eyes narrowed. He seemed to think for a moment, then let out a soft laugh and asked,

“Could it be, Brienne, are you trying to say you’re jealous?”

“…What? Jealous?”

Brienne, who had been walking quickly, came to a sudden stop at those words. Blinking in confusion, her face stiffened awkwardly.

“No…! There’s no way. I would never get jealous.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really.”

Brienne nodded desperately and turned away, starting to walk toward the administration office again. Herace’s lips curled into a delighted smile as he fixed his gaze on Brienne’s back, hurrying ahead.

Catching up with her in a few long strides, Herace said, as if regretful,

“Brienne, if I misunderstood, I apologize. It seems I mistakenly assumed you felt the same way I do.”

“What do you mean?”

Brienne, unable to resist her curiosity at his ambiguous words, turned halfway toward him. Herace didn’t miss the opportunity and continued with a wistful expression,

“When I saw the young master of Viscount Myers talking to you, I almost did something bad.”

“…Something bad?”

At that small question, Herace sighed and nodded.

“For example, I might have accidentally lost his test paper, or written on his evaluation that he’s a student who needs to work much harder. Or maybe I’d keep him after class every day to clean the classroom—those sorts of bad things.”

He didn’t bother mentioning that he wanted to poke out the eyes that dared look at Brienne, sew up the mouth that dared to ask her to dinner, or even break his legs so he’d have to rest for a year and couldn’t be in the same class with her.

If he said all that, Brienne might truly be shocked.

“Such…”

But even with those mild words, Brienne seemed quite taken aback. She pursed her lips, furrowed her brow, and looked up at him.

“Herace, how could you think of such things in that short time… That really is bad.”

Was it really so bad?

Herace hesitated for a moment, unsure how to answer, but then decided to just agree. He thought it would be better to admit it now than to surprise her later.

“That’s true, but I’ve always been a bad person.”

At that, Brienne stopped again and stared at him as if trying to gauge his intentions. Then she took a step back and shook her head.

“No, the Herace I know is a good person. I know you’re just teasing me again.”

“…”

Her eyes held such deep trust that Herace could only nod, hiding his slightly embarrassed heart.

“Yes, it was… just a joke.”

Somehow, it felt like she was the one reining him in.

But when a relieved smile appeared on Brienne’s face, Herace thought that was enough.

He smiled along with her.

At least until Brienne glanced at the administration office at the end of the hall and handed him the box.

“Well, we’re here. Go on in. I’ll head back to the dormitory now.”

“May I come find you when I’m done?”

He asked, a bit disappointed by the sudden farewell, but Brienne shook her head without hesitation.

“No. Sorry, but I have to review tomorrow’s lesson. And… let’s keep some distance for a while.”

“…Keep some distance? What do you mean?”

“I just want to be careful. If you keep looking only at me in front of everyone like today, people will find it odd. There are others from Rontiano, like those people earlier.”

Herace’s expression darkened.

“Brienne, does that mean…”

“Well, I look forward to working with you for the year, Assistant.”

Brienne gave a polite bow to the flustered Herace.

But as Brienne walked away toward the dormitory, her face grew redder the farther she got from Herace.

Just thinking about what he’d said regarding the young master of Viscount Myers was frightening. Her heart pounded uncontrollably, and she couldn’t stop herself from letting out little laughs. It was all just too absurd.

Next time that person tried to talk to her, she’d have to turn him down tactfully. She wouldn’t even greet him. Who knew what might happen if she incurred Herace’s displeasure.

Brienne rubbed her hot cheeks with the back of her hand, shaking her head and hoping nothing like that would ever happen to that person. The heat in her face finally faded late that evening as she looked over the timetable she’d received that day.

From then on, Brienne’s days were filled with nothing but study from the moment she woke until she went to sleep.

The aftermath of the explosion made her jump at even the smallest sound, but Brienne steeled herself, determined not to fall behind after starting her studies late.

The only things that had changed in her daily life were that she could no longer open the curtains facing the library, and that she continued to wait for news of Diashi.

It was several days later, on a weekend, that Brienne, who had barely managed to focus on her studies, finally heard good news about Diashi.

“Miss Brienne, they say Miss Diashi was found by the western river!”

* * *

“Is it here?”

Brienne, following Lusell out of the carriage, looked up at the building with a tense face.

Seints Medical Center.

Brienne’s eyes passed the old sign, worn by the years, and landed on the aged wooden door, pitted here and there. The exterior looked quite shabby, but it was a large building.

“Yes, that’s right. She regained consciousness this morning, and the medical center sent word to her family. That’s what Miss Diashi’s family told me.”

“That’s a relief… truly a relief.”

Brienne clutched her chest, her face on the verge of tears. Herace had been right. The thought of seeing Diashi soon made her steps lighter.

“Let’s go in quickly, then.”

“Wait, I’m coming too.”

But just as she took a step, a familiar voice came from behind.

“Sorry I’m late. I had to meet with the King.”

“Zen…!”

Brienne turned around in surprise. Garzen, flanked by knights, was approaching with a smile.

“How have you been, Miss? How’s the Academy treating you?”

He wore the royal uniform, not bothering to hide his identity today either. His bangs, which usually covered his eyebrows, were neatly brushed back.

Honestly, Brienne hadn’t expected Garzen to show up, since he was so busy, so she was a bit flustered. But she was also happy to see him.

Because Garzen had sent a royal carriage, she’d been able to arrive here as soon as she heard the news about Diashi.

“I’ve been well. Thank you for your concern. And you, Zen?”

“Well, I guess? I haven’t had a moment’s rest since that damned entrance ceremony incident…”

Garzen shrugged and waved the paper he was holding.

“It’s not all bad. I’m getting some rare attention from the old man.”

“What’s that?”

“An investigation warrant from the King. Shall we talk inside? You keep glancing at the door, so I guess you’re eager for the hospital visit.”

“Ah…”

Brienne managed a smile, apologizing, and Garzen chuckled as he led the way. Brienne followed after him.

As soon as they opened the door to the medical center, a nurse, already informed of the prince’s visit, rushed out to guide them.

When they reached the large hospital room, Brienne quickly spotted Diashi among the beds lined up on both sides.

“Miss Diashi…!”

Brienne ran to Diashi. Diashi, who seemed to have been dozing, rubbed her eyes and sat up to greet Brienne.

“Oh, Miss…?”

Diashi, still groggy, yawned loudly, looking just as she always did. Thank goodness. Brienne was overwhelmed with relief that Diashi, whom she’d worried about so much, was safe.

Without realizing it, Brienne’s eyes filled with tears as she tightly held Diashi’s hand.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? I came as soon as I heard. What happened? I was so worried…”

“Ah, Miss? Are you crying? Why are you crying! I’m fine!”

Seeing the tears in Brienne’s eyes, Diashi’s eyes widened in surprise. At that, Lusell, who had been standing a step behind Brienne, answered for her.

“Miss Brienne was very worried. She ran straight to the library after the accident, and it was quite a shock…”

“No way…”

Hearing Lusell’s words, Diashi’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

“Miss, you should worry about people who need it! I’m tougher than I look!”

Diashi raised her voice and hurriedly rolled up the sleeve of her patient gown. Flexing her arm, she put on an exaggerated grin.

“Here, look. Really sturdy, right? With this muscle alone, I can beat most men! Miss, so stop worrying!”

But Brienne simply couldn’t bring herself to laugh along.

Because Diashi’s navy hair, which had once reached her waist, was now unevenly cut just above her shoulders.