Chapter 5

The more the girls recoiled and lashed out at him, the more Julian enjoyed it. 

Just as things seemed to be going according to Julian’s expectations, near the end of class, he noticed someone among the female students whom he had never seen before.

‘Who is that?’

The only ones left without a partner were himself and that female student.

Because he’d heard late about the rumor that a seminary exchange student had come to the Academy, Julian ended up attending the potion-making class he had originally planned to drop.

“Malek.” 

“What?” 

“Why did Beatrice come to the Academy again?”

Julian was still holding the potion in his hand, turning it this way and that.

“How many times do I have to tell you? Try to remember it now. Beatrice, that is, the exchange student, was supposed to be assigned to the Central Temple, but the priest who was supposed to teach her the method for making holy water is on sabbatical this year, right? So, it was arranged for her to learn potion-making at the Academy instead, since it’s similar to making holy water.”

“She’s going to become a priestess?”

“Yeah. She looks like a model student just from her face, and it seems she’s a rising star over there too. They’re expecting her to become the youngest priestess ever.”

Malek’s eyes narrowed as he spoke.

“You’re not planning anything weird, are you?”

Julian gave no reply to Malek’s question. Seeing Julian’s reaction, Malek grew anxious and warned him.

“Other women are fine, but not that exchange student. If you mess with her, it won’t be wrapped up as easily as usual. If things go wrong, it could become a problem for both the Academy and the seminary. I heard she’s also connected to the High Priest. Even if you’re the Marquis’s son, you’d be in trouble. Hey, I get that your pride is hurt, but let it go. And haven’t you heard the saying, ‘Even if you strike a tree ten times, some trees will never fall’? There are things that can never be accomplished, no matter what you do.”

Julian said nothing in response. Malek looked at Julian with worried eyes.

“Did you hear what I said? You can’t treat that exchange student like the other women you’ve been with.”

“I get it, so stop nagging.”

Julian threw the remaining cushion at Malek.

Like the other women he’d met before? 

Julian himself knew better than anyone that this wouldn’t work with Beatrice.

‘What was that, anyway?’

The moment his thumb touched Beatrice’s lips, Julian felt a sudden impulse he couldn’t understand.

He wasn’t so naïve that mere skin contact would make his heart race.

No, in fact, he was so jaded that he barely blinked at anything anymore.

Even when the most popular courtesan in the capital stripped n*ked and threw herself at him, annoyance was the first thing he felt.

But……

It hadn’t felt like this at first.

Unlike the Academy students, who reacted to his every move with caution and surprise, he’d found Beatrice’s wariness refreshing.

Yes.

To Julian, Beatrice was nothing more than a simple curiosity. At least, at first.

How long would it take for a seminary student to fall into his arms? Ten days? Or a month? But she was different from other female students who would read too much into his every little act of kindness.

[Beatrice. What tricks did that Platinum Rag pull today?]

On his way to potion-making class, Julian saw Beatrice surrounded by a group of female students in the open parlor. Hearing their words, Julian chuckled inwardly.

[Isn’t it obvious? He probably started with a barrage of gifts, pretending to be friendly and giving her things she’d like, right?]

One girl sneered as she spoke. She was right. When Julian was refused the use of a pet name on their first meeting, he tried to make up for it the second time by serving her favorite tea and hotcakes.

‘She’s finished, too.’

Beatrice had already been wary of him. Being gossiped about among people was just the price of fame. He shrugged and was about to turn away when Beatrice’s voice reached him.

[No. Julian hasn’t done anything to me. He’s only ever been truly kind.]

And she even added,

[I’ve thought this before, but while I appreciate your concern for me, I wish you wouldn’t speak so badly of Julian. I worry that he might get hurt if he hears these things.]

[Beatrice. Are you seriously taking Julian Sancio’s side right now?]

[I’m not taking anyone’s side. I’m just sharing how I feel.]

[Ha! Beatrice. You must not know, but that rag of a man……!]

[I know, thanks to your detailed explanations and concern. But isn’t Julian also hurt by this? If I were him and found out the nickname you all use for me, I’d feel really sad.]

Julian may have been wrong for playing around with women and swapping them out, but Beatrice insisted on finishing what she wanted to say: it was not just to judge someone by calling them a ‘rag’ or other derogatory names, nor was it right for several people to ostracize a single person. 

Her voice was gentle, but her unwavering spirit could be felt through her words. 

The room became as silent as a mouse. 

Even Julian, who had been listening to their conversation from behind the wall, couldn’t make a sound, not even his breathing.

[I appreciate your concern. But I’m really okay. Julian hasn’t made any advances toward me. He wouldn’t do that to someone like me, a seminary student.]

[Well, if you insist… We were just worried about you, Beatrice!]

[Yes, I know. I’m always grateful.]

Breaking the silence, one of the girls tried to lighten the mood.

[Oh my, look at the time. Class will start soon. Let’s go in, everyone.]

[Yes, let’s hurry.]

[What about you, Beatrice?]

[I’ll go in after a little while.]

The girls paired up and headed to the classroom. Perhaps flustered by Beatrice’s unexpected response, they didn’t notice Julian, who was hiding himself.

Julian quietly stayed behind the wall, watching Beatrice. Sitting on a chair in the parlor, Beatrice took a deep breath and looked out the window.

[Whew. That was… a bit scary.]

With a long sigh, her hands wrapped around her trembling shoulders.

Unlike the smooth and flowing way she spoke in front of the girls, she was now clearly very nervous.

It was only natural. Unlike the seminary, where only people similar to Beatrice gathered, the Academy was filled with strong-willed, self-centered students. Being surrounded by so many people like this must have been a first for her.

Watching Beatrice, Julian felt something he found hard to describe.

Someone, without asking for anything in return, was standing up for him somewhere he didn’t even know. Without a shred of doubt.

To receive such trust from someone… It was a feeling he had never experienced before. Strange and complicated.

Julian quietly watched Beatrice for a moment, then entered the classroom just before she got up from her seat.

[Hello, Julian. The weather is lovely again today.]