Episode 28

Ethan’s anger boiled over as he lectured Jasper. He couldn’t shake the feeling of releasing the stress he had accumulated during dinner.

Normally, Jasper would just go along with his older brother’s words, given the age difference and their respective roles in the family. However, on that particular day, he was different. He found it difficult to endure Ethan’s recitation of aristocratic obligations.

“Does being a grown-up mean you treat my sister-in-law like this?”

“What’s gotten into you?”

Jasper deliberately provoked Ethan’s temper by bringing up the topic he was most sensitive about.

“Arrange a strategic marriage for the family? Why should I? The more I see, the less I want to do it.”

“Shut up.”

“My sister-in-law has lost weight lately. Is that what you call a strategic marriage, associated with unhappiness or something?”

After Ethan’s sharp gaze lingered for a while, he eventually threw a punch. They used to fight quite often when they were younger, but it was the first time Jasper had been punched in the face. His cheek tingled, and the inside of his mouth burst open.

In truth, he could have easily avoided it. While Ethan was physically fit compared to an average person, he seemed slow to Jasper. However, Jasper willingly took the punch because he had provoked Ethan himself.

“Where do you get off talking like that?”

“You think punching people in the face is a Conway thing?”

“You asshole….”

Ethan seemed surprised at his own actions after landing the punch. Despite being strict with his younger brother all this time, he had never punched him in the face before.

Tsk. Jasper spat out the blood that had collected in his mouth.

“That punch packed quite a punch.”

“Stop with the nonsense and get engaged to Adela Bluewood.”

“No.”

“This asshole can’t even keep his head above water and… What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Why do I have to get engaged to a girl I don’t even love.”

“Jasper, don’t tell me you’ve got a girl now?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The way you’re acting, it seems like you do. You’ve got a girl, don’t you?”

Jasper clenched his mouth shut in response to Ethan’s fierce questions. In reality, Jasper had been tongue-tied by Ethan’s questions, and his mind was numb as he stood there silently.

“Fine. You’re of an age where you can date and do all that. Who told you not to? Go ahead. Love and enjoy yourself as much as you want. But marriage is a separate matter.”

“That’s not what I’m saying.”

“If your girl came from an upright family, you would have told us sooner, right? No?”

“There’s no such girl.”

Ethan brushed aside Jasper’s words and continued.

“She’s not a suitable match in your opinion either. If we bring her home, both our family and the girl will be hurt, won’t they? Play at love within reason. I won’t stop you.”

“…”

“Instead, you must attend the arranged gatherings between noble families regularly. After you graduate, you’re expected to get engaged to Bluewood.”

“I said I don’t want to.”

“You don’t want to? So what? Your opinion doesn’t matter much. There are obligations you must fulfill as a noble.”

“…Disgusting.”

“This child keeps…”

Ethan, who had always been so pragmatic, was getting furious again and was about to throw a punch. This time, Jasper didn’t let it happen. He easily dodged the attack by turning his body, then tripped Ethan over by placing his foot on his brother’s calf.

As Ethan, who had fallen to the ground, was about to let out a shout filled with anger, Jasper decided to leave the scene entirely. This was why Jasper’s cheek had swollen. Over the weekend, he had locked himself in his room, determined not to see Ethan again.

“Follow your obligations. Be proud of the name Conway and shoulder the responsibility.”

These words had always come easily to Jasper, but this time, it was particularly difficult to endure. He couldn’t explain why.

When Ethan asked if he had a girl, Jasper’s mind involuntarily wandered to the softly murmuring red hair. For some reason, Jasper couldn’t figure out, this thought had taken over his mind since Ethan mentioned it.

Rose Bell is definitely on his mind. He can’t deny that.

So, does he like Rose Bell? He hesitated to affirm it right away. It’s because he knows his place.

Ethan’s words were partly true. If he openly declares that he likes Rose, not only will Conway be turned upside down, but Rose Bell will also get hurt.

No, it’s not like that. Anyway, this assumption doesn’t make sense. Rose Bell never had feelings for him in the first place.

So, all he needs to do is stop thinking about Rose and lose interest, but it’s not easy. He felt a strong desire to explore this emotion he was experiencing for the first time.

Is it just curiosity, or is it something more? If it’s the latter, is it just a fleeting amusement, or is it love?

He wanted to stay by Rose Bell’s side to find out. But how should he do that? What if Rose Bell doesn’t like it?

He was overwhelmed with various worries, and the confusion in Jasper’s mind grew even stronger.

Caleb looked closely at Jasper, who was sighing heavily.

“What’s wrong with your expression?”

“…You wouldn’t understand.”

“My roommate is practically dying in front of me. How can I not be concerned?”

Jasper raised his head, which he had been bowing down, and gave Caleb a piercing look.

‘I went out because of someone… .’

When he met Rose’s eyes, which were innocently curious, his mind seemed to go blank.

The excuse he had painstakingly come up with was that he needed help with an assignment. He had already solved more than half of the practice problems.

‘I’ll pretend not to know anything tomorrow.’

He deliberately kept one particularly challenging problem hidden in his jacket. When he met Rose and she asked about the problem, he planned to bring it up naturally and suggested going to the expo together.

‘…This is working out unexpectedly well.’

Although things had taken an unexpected turn, in the end, he had achieved his goal.

The image of Rose, who was hopping around excitedly at the expo, came to mind, and a smile crept onto his face. But then, he felt the curious gaze of Caleb, and his face twisted in annoyance.

“Why are you staring?”

“Hey, I’ll take a swing at you.”

Jasper stared at Caleb, his mouth firmly shut. In truth, he did want to take a swing at him.

‘This guy, always so quick to catch on.’

He thought he hadn’t shown any signs, but a few days ago, Caleb had asked sharply.

“Why do you keep looking at her? Are you interested?”

“When did I—”

“You thought you wouldn’t get caught if you watched her secretly, huh? I can see it all in your eyes, right? What was her name again?”

“…Do whatever you want.”

“It’s Rose Bell, right? The genius scholarship student.”

The fact that Caleb knew Rose Bell’s name bothered him a little. When Caleb came back to the dorm this afternoon and delivered the news, irritation and anxiety had peaked.

“Jasper, I talked to Rose Bell today.”

Jasper, who was peacefully sitting up in the room, felt like his heart was dropping.

“She was crying and worried about you.”

“Don’t joke around. What did you talk about with her?”

Jasper didn’t fall for Caleb’s boastful lie. Why would Rose Bell cry because of him? She might cry because of problems with magic engineering, but it wasn’t because of him.

“Haha. She was cute. I get why you’re interested.”

“…I told you it’s not like that.”

“Really? Hmm, then can I make a move? You know my rule is not to mess with friends’ girls.”

“You’re crazy.”

“Well, no need for insults.”

Caleb’s annoying teasing was getting on his nerves. Despite the strong urge to push back against his teasing, he had to resist it as if it were inevitable.

He was so concerned about what had happened between Caleb and Rose Bell that he had even resorted to calling her with express mail.

Caleb chuckled and lightly tapped Jasper on the shoulder.

“I wonder where Mr. Confucius went in the middle of the night. Tell me.”

“Oh, shut up.”

“Why won’t you tell me? So, did you meet Rose Bell or something?”

Jasper flinched and scrunched up his face. Caleb burst into laughter.

“What’s going on? Is it true?”

“No.”

“It’s not true.”

Jasper nervously tousled his hair. The poker face that was usually well-maintained crumbled only when it came to issues involving Rose Bell.

“What did you talk about? Huh?”

“Don’t speculate.”

“Hmm. So, you didn’t meet her, right? In that case, I should still try to win over that cute Rose Bell…”

“Are you out of your mind?”

Jasper stood up abruptly, visibly angered. Caleb, still seated, looked up at Jasper and grinned.

“Why, can’t I even say she’s cute? She’s just a girl who has nothing to do with you.”

“…She’s a friend.”

“Oh my, Jasper Conway has friends now? Because she’s a friend, you’re telling me not to mess with her?”

“She’s from a different world than you. Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”

Unlike Caleb, who was skilled in the art of wooing women, Rose Bell seemed clueless about romance. If such an innocent girl fell for Caleb… it was a scenario Jasper couldn’t bear to imagine. It seemed like she would fall for him head over heels, and afterward, Rose Bell would be the one getting hurt.

Caleb shrugged.

“Well, I’m different from her. She’s just a commoner. I can’t seriously date her.”

Although Jasper didn’t intend to imply any social hierarchy, Caleb seemed to have misunderstood.

“In many cases, getting involved with girls can make them look pitiful.”

“….”

Suddenly, Jasper’s chest tightened. Without realizing it, he clenched his fists.

“Anyway, we’re in a position where we have to marry for the sake of our families.”

“…I don’t want that.”

“The world doesn’t always go your way, Mr. Confucius.”

Caleb chuckled and got up. After lightly patting Jasper’s stiff shoulders, he continued.

“And don’t forget to show some respect to your older brother.”

“Who do you think you are, giving advice…”

“If you keep scratching at his nerves, you never know what your older brother might do. Play it cool. You still haven’t greeted Adela Bluewood even once, have you?”