Episode 103

Jasper didn’t miss a single flutter of Rose’s eyelashes. 

He gazed at her intently, and Rose’s hand, trapped in his grip, felt warm.

‘She’s trembling.’

With just a little more persuasion, it seemed like Rose might give in. 

Jasper spoke in a low, soothing voice.

“I don’t really know anything about love. Let’s just do it our way.”

“You and… me?” 

Rose replied with a dazed expression. Jasper couldn’t stand how adorable she looked. He wanted to grab her cheeks right away out of affection, but he feared she might faint again.

Contrary to his boiling emotions, Jasper maintained a calm demeanor while trying to convince Rose. 

“Rose, as you said, we’re still young. Let’s consider engagement after we graduate. Until then, we can just date. Keep it a secret from everyone else. How does that sound?”

Rose’s large pupils looked like frightened animals, full of vulnerability. How intense was the internal struggle inside her small head? Jasper knew she had to hesitate.

So, he needed to make sure Rose had an escape route at any time. To win Rose, he couldn’t push too hard. Of course, he had no intention of letting her go even after graduation.

Rose remained silent for a while as if processing the complex information, and then she spoke up late. 

“But… what’s different from just being friends?”

“The fact that I can kiss your hand anytime I want.”

Rose coughed for a long time with a raspy voice. Her face was now even redder than before.

“And since I’m dating you, I guess you can’t see other guys.”

“That’s not…” 

Rose started to respond but paused for a moment. Jasper didn’t miss the subtle change in her expression. There was a hint of panic in her large, rolling irises.

Jasper said in a low voice.

“I guess something happened while I was away.”

Rose swallowed hard, her lips trembling.

“Who is it? Theo Lixton?”

Jasper’s words were sharp. Despite his rational belief that Theo wouldn’t have anything with Rose because of her personality, Jasper felt an irritating surge of anger.

‘What could they have talked about during the vacation?’

His insides churned. The past two months, during which he had been separated from Rose, suddenly seemed unbearable. What had they done in the lab, just the two of them?

Naturally, they would have conducted experiments, but in Jasper’s mind, various unsettling scenarios began to emerge.

Just as Jasper was about to explode, Rose’s soft voice stopped him. 

“Nothing happened. Senior Theo just proposed.”

Jasper couldn’t contain his frustration and jumped up from his seat. 

“What? That guy wants to marry you too?”

“What are you talking about? You’re the only man who would ever talk to me about marriage.”

“Then what’s the deal? What kind of proposal did he make, arrogantly? Damn it, I shouldn’t have left, but I couldn’t help it….”

“Jasper, calm down and sit first.” 

Rose said soothingly, and Jasper reflexively sat down on the chair. His face, still flushed, was filled with annoyance and suspicion.

Rose hesitated and scratched her cheek before explaining the situation calmly. Jasper listened in silence, his chest pounding as he heard Theo’s proposal.

As soon as Rose finished her explanation, Jasper asked urgently.

“Are you going to accept Theo Lixton’s proposal?”

“I haven’t answered yet.”

“Do you want to go?”

“I do think it’s a great opportunity, but I’m not sure. I’ll be further away from my family… and also…”

Rose bit her lip and hesitated before speaking.

“And then there’s you….”

Jasper stared intensely at Rose without blinking, then casually opened his mouth.

“You can go. But I want to go with you.”

“What did you say?”

“I want to go to the Republic too. Let’s live there together.”

Jasper was excited by the fact that Rose was considering him for such an important decision in her life. 

This wasn’t a dream. He felt the urge to grab Rose’s soft cheek and kiss her but managed to restrain himself.

His position in the Republic, the career he had planned for years, all disappeared from Jasper’s mind for a moment. Jasper’s expression seemed calm at first glance, but Rose could tell he wasn’t in his right mind.

Rose patted Jasper’s arm and spoke with a puzzled voice.

“You’ve been so excited since earlier. Let’s think about this rationally and calmly.”

“I’ve never been called emotional in my entire life. What’s going on? I’m perfectly normal right now.”

Rose let out a short sigh and said.

“Saying you’ll follow me to the Republic without thinking it through. What about getting permission from the Duke and your plans to become an officer…”

“I’ll consider other professions. I’m physically fit, so I could earn money as a mercenary. Oh, by the way, am I unattractive as a mercenary? Not a very appealing husband, is it? That could be a problem.”

“Jasper, you shouldn’t make such an important decision in your life so easily.”

“It’s not easy; it’s just the right decision. If you want to go, I’ll go with you.”

Rose covered her face with her hands and mumbled.

“Why do you like me so much? It’s really strange…”

Jasper was momentarily flustered, thinking she might be scolding him, but when he looked closely at Rose, he noticed that the tips of her round ears had turned red.

‘She’s embarrassed. How cute.’

Jasper tilted his head a little closer to Rose. With a trembling voice, Rose said.

“Last time when we were on the boat… You told me you’d tell me why you like me. Why exactly?”

“The reason I like you?”

Rose nodded. Jasper leaned in closer, almost to the side of Rose’s face, and whispered.

“I’ll tell you, so show me your face.”

Rose was taken aback by Jasper’s voice, which was much closer than before, and she withdrew her hand from her face. There was only half an inch of distance between their noses.

Rose held her breath, opened her eyes wide, and looked at Jasper. The redness on her cheeks deepened.

‘She might not like it if I kiss her suddenly.’

Jasper tightly held his knees with his hands, trying to maintain self-control, and sweat began to pour from his palms. Why he liked her, Jasper hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth. 

In reality, he hadn’t thought of a particular reason. It was just something he had said to gain more of Rose’s attention.

The starting point or the catalyst of love couldn’t be pinned down clearly. Since enrolling in school, Rose Bell had been a constant presence in his mind. 

Was it from that time? Or was it after she started tutoring him? It didn’t seem to be a significantly important issue; he couldn’t even imagine not liking Rose. 

Love was something that didn’t need questioning; it was just a natural occurrence.

But if he had to say at least one reason for his love right now…

“I’ve never seen anyone more wonderful than you.”

“…Me?”

Rose looked surprised, as if she had heard something strange.

“Other people are all ordinary, but not you. It was that way from the first time I saw you.”

“…”

“I’m not saying this just among girls of your age, I mean among all the people I know.”

“I understand…”

“You need to stay with me and try to understand. You can’t stand being curious. Don’t you think you should be in a relationship with me right now?”

Jasper said confidently, but he was secretly worried that Rose might reject the idea of dating. Of course, that wouldn’t make him back down.

‘I need to make her fall for me to the point where she can’t live without me.’

It was when Jasper had gathered his resolve to prepare for the long game. Rose, her cheeks so red that they couldn’t be distinguished from her hair, then bowed her head deeply.

Thump. Rose’s forehead touched Jasper’s shoulder. Jasper’s entire body froze, and he forgot how to breathe.

With her face buried in Jasper’s shoulder, Rose mumbled.

“I just can’t speak when I’m looking into your eyes.”

What, what…? Jasper intended to reply like that, but his brain had sent the signal, yet his tongue remained paralyzed.

Rose said shakily.

“I think I’ve gone strange.”

“…”

“I want to be in a relationship with you. No, I want to… “

Rose’s mumbling gradually became quieter. It was when Jasper began to feel Rose’s body temperature rising, especially around his shoulders and neck. Her body suddenly went limp and all her strength seemed to leave her.

Jasper hastily held Rose, who was about to fall over. Her breath was regular. Rose had fallen asleep again as if she had fainted.

“…Again?”

Jasper breathed a sigh of relief and gently laid Rose on the bed. Rose, who had turned his world upside down, looked peaceful while she slept.

Jasper got up from his seat and had to pace around for quite a while before his heart rate returned to normal.

* * *

And in front of the door where it all happened.

Briley stood there, holding a tray full of food to feed Rose with both hands. 

Caleb, standing next to her, muttered in frustration.

“When are we going to go in?”

Earlier, when Jasper had briefly risen to hand Rose a glass, he had felt the presence from outside and had opened the door slightly.

Then, with a stern look, he mouthed something to Briley and Caleb.

‘We’re in the middle of a conversation. Wait.’

Briley mumbled under her breath, her lower lip trembling, and grumbled in a resentful tone.

“That foxy guy… doing things to our cute and innocent Rose!”

“…They like each other, okay? What can we do? Let’s just go back to the lobby.”

With a disgruntled ‘Humph,’ Briley made a sulking noise but followed Caleb as they left in front of the door.