Episode 10

“Do you know what kind of style he likes? What do you think he’d like if I were to approach him? Would he fall for my charm?”

Briley leaned in closer to Rose with a glint in her eyes. Rose flinched.

“I don’t know Jasper’s type, but maybe he’d like you?”

“Why?”

“Well… Briley, you’re pretty.”

“Oh my, you’re good at making people feel good!”

Briley laughed heartily. Rose stared at her momentarily, captivated. Even though they were both girls, Briley was undeniably charming. She exuded an enchanting aura with her slender figure.

Anyone would think about falling in love with Briley. As for Jasper, he was so enigmatic that she couldn’t be entirely sure.

“There are plenty of pretty girls here too, right? Like you, Rose.”

Rose chuckled awkwardly.

Indeed, the academy was filled with beautiful and handsome students. These were kids who had been nurtured and pampered from a young age, only consuming precious things.

In Rose’s eyes, the academy students were like finely polished gems. Compared to them, she felt rather plain.

Though she had often received compliments for her beauty when she was young, resembling her mother Anna, things were different now. She didn’t shine like Briley did in front of her.

“Rose, why do you have that expression?”

“I don’t care about looks.”

“Really? But you’re so cute and charming.”

Briley suddenly spread her arms and approached. Rose flinched and instinctively clenched her butt, but it didn’t hurt much since there was a soft carpet covering the floor.

Briley hugged Rose tightly for a moment and then let go. Rose’s bewildered hands hovered in the air.

“So adorable!”

After the unexpected hug, Briley even pinched Rose’s cheek. Rose’s pupils darted around.

‘They say the Republic has a much freer atmosphere than here… Is it because she studied there?’

Apart from her family, this was the first time Rose had experienced such casual physical contact with someone. It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. Briley carried a gentle floral scent and her embrace was warm. Still, Rose couldn’t help but feel flustered.

“Look at this nice skin. It’s so soft!”

“Bri, Briley…”

“Call me Bry!”

“Briley… No, Bry.”

Rose couldn’t handle the energetic Briley running towards her.

Dealing with Rebecca was simple and easy, but Briley was different. Somehow, she felt a premonition that she would be drawn to her in the future.

“Maybe you’re this small? How interesting. You look just like the rabbits we used to raise in the Republic.”

“…I’ve never heard that before.”

“You’re not interested in appearances? Then can I dress you up?”

“Huh? No…”

“Why? Don’t you want to?!”

“I don’t have time to get dressed up. I have a lot of studying to do.”

“Hmm. Really?”

Briley furrowed her eyebrows and looked disappointed. Rose felt awkward.

“I like making pretty things even prettier. That’s why I used to do art, but I’ve given it up now…”

“Sorry, Bry. I don’t like standing out.”

“Really? It’s not a good feeling when people stare?”

“Well, I’m not sure…”

“If you don’t like it, there’s nothing I can do. Ugh, but I just thought of a hat that would suit you perfectly! It would be cute. Can’t you wear it just for a little while inside the room?”

Rose met Briley’s expectant eyes and felt a strange sensation.

Briley was the first person who showed interest in her from the moment they met at the academy. Even though she must have noticed the absence of a family crest on her jacket collar.

Rose hesitated for a moment, then cautiously spoke.

“Um… Bry. Do you happen to know that I’m a commoner?”

“I guessed you were because there’s no family crest! But that’s not important. If I bring the hat, will you wear it in our room? Huh?”

Rose was momentarily dazed, and without realizing it, she nodded her head.

“…I think that would be okay.”

“Yay, I’m excited!”

Briley hugged Rose again and then let her go. Rose’s vision blurred for a moment.

“Oh my. But why did we keep sitting on the carpet and talking? It’s funny, isn’t it?”

Briley opened her mouth wide and burst into cheerful laughter. Her even and white teeth were revealed.

A lady would cover her mouth with her hand when she laughed. Rose suddenly recalled Professor Greedy’s comment that had cost her points. Both the students at the academy and Rose herself had always thought that laughing audibly was unrefined.

‘It might not be that way.’

Rose found herself smiling a small smile, caught up in Briley’s infectious energy.

Briley took Rose’s hand and led her to the sofa.

“Phew. I was a little worried about coming to the Empire after such a long time, but I’m glad you’re my roommate, Rose. I think we’ll get along well. You’re incredibly cute too!”

Rose wiggled her held hand. It was strange that she felt so comfortable around someone she had just met that day. Why was that?

She had never crossed paths with Briley, a non-noble when they were younger. Moreover, Briley, who had been studying abroad for a long time, was distant from the imperial social circles. Briley was the person with whom Rose had the least connection to her past.

Briley’s unbiased kindness was warm. Rose Bell could remain unfazed by ill intentions directed towards her, but not by kindness. Ignoring a smiling face that was radiant and inviting was a difficult task.

Looking at Briley, memories of Quilts’ siblings rushing towards her crossed her mind.

Stammering and flustered, Rose blurted out.

“I also… think it’s nice that you’re my roommate.”

Briley chuckled again.

“Now if I can only capture the heart of Academy’s most popular guy, Jasper Conway, I’ll have everything I want. It’s already enjoyable!”

As Rose looked at Briley’s bright face, she blurted out words without realizing it.

“Jasper Conway’s ideal type… should I figure it out?”

“Could you do that?! That’s great! Should I help?”

Unable to resist Briley’s sparkling eyes, Rose shook her head.

Until last year, she hadn’t exchanged a single word with Jasper, but now, they were supposed to see each other often under the guise of tutoring. Asking a question like this should be okay.

“But Jasper might not be to Briley’s liking.”

“It doesn’t matter. We’re not getting married or anything. Dating a popular guy is enjoyable in itself! Is his appearance not, like, very exceptional?”

“No, he’s exceptionally good-looking.”

Rose replied reflexively. She had blurted out the words before realizing it. But, Briley just smiled curiously and twinkled her eyes.

“Then there’s no problem at all. I’m a total looks enthusiast.”

“Even if his personality is a bit…?”

Rose stumbled over her words. She wasn’t sure whether to explain Jasper’s mix of kindness and arrogance.

“Like I said before, it’s not like we’re getting married!”

Rose briefly imagined Jasper and Briley standing together.

‘They’d look good together.’

It would be satisfying if she could help connect the two. Maybe.

* * *

The first day of the spring semester in their graduating year.

Rose walked to the main building with Briley. She felt a bit tired. Last night, they had talked and chatted into the late hours before falling asleep together in one bed.

It had been a long time since Rose had talked to anyone for such a long period. Briley had shared stories from her time studying abroad in the Baskirk Republic. Baskirk was a much smaller country than the Empire, with a different language.

However, as Briley described the Baskirk Republic, it sounded incredibly beautiful. A small country where romance and art flourished. Rose had thought about visiting there at least once.

Rose had been unable to push Briley, who had crawled into her bed and clung to her. Despite Briley being much taller, she strangely felt like a younger sister.

Briley was positive and spontaneous in everything she did. She was full of energy and kindness. Even though she was the daughter of a wealthy financier, she never looked down on Rose.

If anything, it was troublesome how attached she was. Even now, Briley was walking closely, almost sticking to Rose.

All eyes were on them. Rose felt sweat forming on the back of her neck.

The daughter of Lawrence. A transfer student from the Republic.

During the vacation, rumors about Briley had spread throughout the upper class. Rose had been completely unaware.

Briley lowered her head and whispered to Rose, 

“Let me know if Jasper shows up.”

“Yeah.”

“Ugh. By the way, this ribbon suits you perfectly!”

“…I feel so awkward, Briley.”

“But it’s cute.”

Like every morning, Rose had her hair tied back. She secured her hair with a subtle beige ribbon.

But then Briley subtly approached and attached a velvet ribbon decoration onto the hair tie. It was a modest decoration compared to current trends, but Rose still felt awkward about it.

“I’ll give this to you. It matches your hair color much better, Rose.”

“No, you don’t have to.”

“I hardly ever use it anyway.”

Heh heh. Briley made a playful snort and linked arms with Rose, leaning in close. The students’ gazes focused even more on them.

‘What should I do…’

If she continued walking with Briley, she would inevitably become the center of attention.

Rose’s gaze wavered in this awkward situation, but she couldn’t bring herself to tell Briley to back off. She just cautiously threw out a single comment.

“It feels like everyone is looking at us.”

“Oh my. You’re just too cute!”

“No, it’s probably because of you…”

“Hah. When two beauties are together, it’s only natural for gazes to be drawn. Embrace it!”

Rose tightly closed her eyes and then opened them again.

‘Will it be like this the whole semester?’

Briley loved people and was always bounding around like an enthusiastic puppy. She had a captivating presence that would be difficult to approach if she remained expressionless, but her actual behavior was quite the opposite.

Rose hoped Briley would quickly adapt to the academy and develop other interests as well. For instance, maybe a handsome boyfriend.

They arrived in front of the main building, pushing past curious glances. Just then, Jasper appeared, walking through the main building lobby.

“…It’s Jasper.”

Rose blurted out the words reflexively.

“Where? Where? Is it him?”

Briley didn’t even listen to the explanation; she immediately spotted Jasper accurately.

If they were to pick the most popular guy around, everyone would point to the same person without a doubt. Jasper Conway. Even in the bustling lobby, he emitted a strong aura all on his own.