Episode 116

Rose couldn’t help but notice that Jasper appeared despondent and sulky. 

She wasn’t used to seeing many expressions on Jasper’s face, so moments like this always left her a bit unsure of what to do. Jasper, who was usually strong and tall, now felt oddly like a young boy.

Rose widened her eyes and spoke gently.

“I won’t think less of myself compared to you. Don’t make that kind of face, Jasper…”

Jasper gazed at Rose intently from arm’s length and then spoke.

“So, will you keep being with me? Even after graduation, for a year… no, even ten years.”

“The future is uncertain, but I want to be with you, at least in my heart.”

Jasper’s lower lip curled up slightly. 

“Just say it that way, for now. Tell me we’ll be together forever. You’re being too realistic.”

“Alright. We’ll be together forever.”

Jasper hesitated for a moment and then let out a wry laugh. He finally released Rose’s wrist and gently adjusted her stray hair.

Rose felt ticklish with his careful and gentle touch. For some reason, her breath caught, and she couldn’t speak.

Tick, tock. 

The sound of the clock suddenly became clearer in her ears than before. Oddly enough, she started to feel a bit anxious. As she swallowed dryly, she could still taste the scent of roses.

For some reason, it reminded her of Briley, who had wished her a successful kiss. Rose awkwardly glanced around.

Swish. 

Jasper gently tucked her stray hair behind her ear. The room fell into silence with only the sound of the clock, making Rose feel increasingly restless.

Tick, tock.

Tick, tock.

Her heartbeat seemed to synchronize with the clock. Jasper was the first to break the silence, which had lasted for a while.

“Do you know what I’m thinking right now?”

“Huh?”

Rose raised her shoulder, and when her eyes met Jasper’s, his face was right there, incredibly close.

Jasper paused with his hand hovering slightly beside Rose’s ear.

“I don’t know how to handle you right now. I feel like I might break you if I hold you too tightly.”

“…Uh, I don’t think I’ll break?”

“Really?”

“Ugh. I know you’re a lot bigger than me, but….”

Even though they were inches away from each other, Jasper had a cautious expression as if he were barely holding something back. 

Rose swallowed dryly again. Her face was quickly heating up. She felt like Jasper could somehow read her mind without any explanation, and, just as her friends had pointed out, it seemed like he was getting more intuitive.

The distance was barely enough for their lips to touch if one of them tilted their head slightly. Rose was trembling so much that her breathing became irregular, and she almost choked.

Jasper observed this nervousness in silence for a moment before pulling back slightly.

“Are you scared of me?”

“No…”

“You’re making the face you make when you’re scared of me, right now.”

Rose wanted to tell him it wasn’t fear but just nervousness, but her lips weren’t cooperating. Jasper’s complexion darkened and began to take on a wounded look.

In truth, she had been scared of Jasper before they became close. It seemed that those memories still lingered with Jasper.

‘It’s not like that.’

Frustration built up in her chest, but she quickly closed her eyes. 

She had to get rid of the sadness on Jasper’s face and decided to do so through action. She reached out awkwardly, extending her head forward. 

Suddenly, her lips felt warmth and softness. When she slightly opened her eyes, she realized her lips were touching Jasper’s cheek.

This wasn’t a kiss by any conventional definition. It was more of a brush, as her lips barely made contact, and then her body stiffened.

Rose saw Jasper’s startled, wide blue eyes. She closed her eyes again, embarrassed, and her body was paralyzed.

She was tempted to move her face away and put some distance between them, but she didn’t dare to do so. Rose felt like her brain had short-circuited, and she couldn’t even manage to move a finger.

Maybe time had stopped right at this moment.

Tick, tock. 

However, the rhythmic sound of the clock was now ringing loudly through the air. Rose’s heartbeat began to feel more prominent than the clock’s ticking.

As Jasper’s lips, which had been momentarily frozen, parted, a soft sigh escaped. Had it been a mistake? Rose’s tension vanished when Jasper’s large hand gently cupped her cheek, guiding her face to the side.

“Oh…”

Her small, surprised voice quickly faded as their lips met. The sensation was real, their lips touching. It was a kiss by every definition.

With a quick inhale, Rose held the blanket tightly. Jasper’s warm, soft lips, his clean scent, his body temperature slightly higher than hers – it was all vivid and proof that this was indeed reality.

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick…

At some point, her mind began to fog, and the sound of the clock faded away. The world became enveloped in silence, and within that romantic stillness, it felt like there were only Jasper and her.

The first kiss was feather-light, gentle, and beautiful. None of the clichés about what a first kiss should be like came to her mind. Time had stopped, and in that romantic pause, her heart swelled with emotion.

Rose tried to focus on this moment. She wanted to remember every detail, every nuance. 

She knew the power of keeping one precious memory close, like the last dance she’d shared with a boy in a beautiful garden during her last noble ball, her first love. 

In hard times, she’d drawn strength from these memories, as if they were sustenance for her soul.

She knew her life might not always be smooth, but she had learned the importance of savoring beautiful moments and using them to sustain her through difficult times. 

So, she vowed to cherish this memory, as it would be her anchor through whatever challenges lay ahead.

* * *

On the night when the festival was in full swing at the academy, Ethan returned home late, his forehead wrinkled with concern. 

He had skipped dinner because his mind was preoccupied with much more complex and extensive information than expected from the factory district.

Ethan handed his coat and hat to the butler, asking.

“Where’s Charlotte?”

“She’s in her private bedroom.”

Ethan involuntarily frowned. It had been a while since she’d had a private room, but every time he was reminded of that fact, he felt dirty and bitter in the mouth.

It had been quite a while since she had moved into the house, but every time he remembered that fact, he felt dirty and bitter in his mouth.

“She doesn’t even come out to see me.” 

Ethan muttered sharply. Even when he returned home, they used to exchange greetings, but now it seemed she wouldn’t even do that.

Ethan ran his neatly combed, perfumed hair through with his hand. He considered going to see Charlotte immediately, but there were other matters on his mind.

First, George Bell.

George, who had been retained by the factory owner, was limping on one leg. He had the appearance of a typical impoverished factory worker. However, that wretched face seemed oddly familiar.

Upon seeing Ethan, George immediately knelt from the waist. His expression showed deep fear upon hearing the news that Ethan Conway had come to find him.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry. I had no intention of disrespecting the Conway Family… I didn’t know the second young master.” 

George stammered, full of fear and hesitation. 

Ethan couldn’t understand George’s mumbling at first, and George, soaked in fear, continued to ramble on. After a patient conversation, Ethan finally grasped the situation.

His perpetually gruff younger brother had caused quite a few troubles because of a woman. He had managed to track down George, the fugitive, and was on the verge of killing him.

It was astonishing that Jasper had personally intervened for Rose Bell in this matter. 

It wasn’t as if he had learned swordsmanship for such purposes.

As Ethan continued to grasp the situation, he suddenly realized the source of the familiarity he felt with George despite his aging and weathered face. Even though he had aged and his face had changed, he was someone Ethan had seen before.

Unlike Jasper, Ethan had a good memory for people. 

Even if he had crossed paths with someone only a few times, he remembered them, as one never knew how that relationship might be useful in the future. It was an essential trait for a politician.

“You, you look familiar. Where have we seen each other? Tell the truth because it will come out eventually.”

“I… I met you a few times a very long time ago before the ship completely tilted…” 

George rattled off his old family name. Baron Verden. Ethan suddenly remembered the rumors about the long-lost family.

“You were engaged in smuggling.” 

Ethan chuckled. He couldn’t help but laugh. Out of all the women, Jasper had chosen her.

“Please… Please don’t report me to the constable.”

“No need for that.” 

Ethan replied. On one hand, he felt relieved. If Jasper learned about this, he would undoubtedly break up with Rose Bell. No, he would make it happen.

Ethan was pleased when he found out George’s secret. It would be a useful pawn in bending Jasper to his will. He witnessed people who didn’t quite fit the surroundings of the grey factory district passing by.

The factory where George worked was connected to Redmark Summit. Everyone knew that Redmark Summit was where the roots of the gang began.

Because of their association with the gang, they faced difficulties in dealing with large companies like Weir Company. It was a public fact.

However, three men in clean suits entered the back door of the factory. Their faces were all familiar.