Episode 109

“Wow, Briley, you’re really good at drawing.”

 Rose complimented, and Briley chuckled, shrugging her shoulders.

“Well, even in the Republic, I majored in art.”

“I knew that, but… it’s a shame you stopped drawing.”

“Ah, I can’t compare to real geniuses. But it’s fun to draw again after a while. I can’t wait to finish it and get it printed and sold!” 

Briley’s eyes twinkled at the thought of making money. She had been excited about it for a few days, even if the prices were low, selling in bulk would bring in a decent amount.

So, Briley took charge of designing the pamphlet, and Rose, along with Adela, decided to write the content for the pages. Rebecca, who had a keen sense of the tastes and trends of young ladies, took on the role of reviewing and finalizing the content.

Thanks to Jasper Conway’s connections with a friendly printing company, they were able to print a significant number of pamphlets, almost like producing a real magazine.

Rose settled on the couch and began jotting down her ideas. Her face was quite serious as she held a pen.

Rose found it remarkable how dedicated she was to the festival preparations this year. Until last year, she would always spend her free time studying in the library.

‘Enjoyable.’

Rose didn’t know that working with her friends to create something could be so enjoyable. Even though the task was not particularly impressive or practical, she found joy in the process itself. 

However, due to everyone’s dedicated involvement, the only downside lately was that she couldn’t spend time alone with Jasper.

They decided to skip their tutoring sessions, which they usually had twice a week, for a while. The club room was always packed until late at night, and finding a quiet place to study alone had become challenging.

She found it subtly disappointing, even though she attended several classes with Jasper, from mineralogy to common subjects. Nevertheless, she didn’t let it show in front of Jasper. 

He was quite busy and preoccupied with rehabilitation exercises and firearms training, which he had both been undertaking simultaneously.

‘Why do I have such childish feelings?’

Although she enjoyed the festival preparations, she often found herself thinking about Jasper. 

She didn’t want Jasper to discover these thoughts. If Jasper found out, he might think it was a big deal that they were spending less time together. 

Rose tried her best to avoid thinking about Jasper, focusing on her writing instead. Then, as the next lecture approached, she left the club Room with her friends, all heading to their respective classrooms.

While walking down the corridor alone, Rose suddenly met several male students who were coming towards her, all of them wearing sweat-soaked training clothes. They looked like they had just come out of a training session.

‘Is Jasper okay?’

Rose quickly thought about Jasper again. Although his shoulder had improved, she worried that he might get injured again during intense training at the weapons facility.

As Rose was about to pass the group of male students, a familiar name caught her attention.

“I never thought I’d see her barge into the training hall and call out Jasper.” 

“What could the two of them be talking about?”

“Wasn’t it just a baseless rumor about Adela and Jasper getting engaged? It was mentioned briefly and seemed to be forgotten.”

“Can you say such things just by looking at Adela’s face? Besides, they’re both in the same club.”

Rose remained still until the male students had completely passed her by. The casual conversation held curiosity and laughter in their voices.

As the voices of the male students faded, Rose released the tension in her shoulders and took a deep breath.

‘Adela went to see Jasper.’

It wasn’t a surprising event. Adela had feelings for Jasper, and she had vowed to do her best to win his heart.

‘She has no idea that he’s in a relationship with me, and… No, she shouldn’t ever find out.’

Rose only now realized what a secret relationship was all about. Whatever Adela wanted to say to Jasper separately, Rose had no right to stop her. She couldn’t question their relationship openly.

With the arrival of fall in Berkley, date requests were flying here and there. The academy was filled with an exhilarating atmosphere.

Naturally, Adela wanted to make the best of her opportunity. Jasper would graduate, and their chances to get closer would be limited.

Understanding everything and realizing the unexpected situation, Rose was momentarily dazed. Her large pupils blinked rapidly.

‘Well… it’s not a big deal.’

She believed Jasper and tried to ignore the strange twinge in her chest. Rose shook her head from side to side to get rid of the strange sensation.

‘Jasper will tell me later.’

Seeing that quite a few people had witnessed Adela’s visit to the training facility, the news would likely spread soon. When things got noisy around them, Jasper might be the first to bring up the rumors about Adela.

‘But maybe I should just… ask? No, that’s a bit…’

Nodding, Rose pressed her fingertips to her forehead in a small wave of pain.

‘No, don’t worry about trivial things. Jasper’s body is still recovering, and I’m busy too.’

The study was a priority, and she also needed to keep preparing for the festival and continue brainstorming new inventions. Rose was too busy to dwell on small matters.

‘I’m not a narrow-minded person…!’

* * *

It was indeed not the case. 

‘Oh, my God. I… I’ve been so small-minded, I can’t believe I’ve been such a jealous woman.’

Rose was gradually realizing her new side and was struggling with self-disgust. A rumor bothered her and she couldn’t stand it.

The rumor was that Adela had visited the training facility and called Jasper to have a deep conversation. 

It wasn’t discussed openly in front of Jasper, but hardly anyone in Berkley these days was unaware of it. It would be challenging to find someone who didn’t know the gossip, unlike last year’s Rose Bell, who had no friends.

By this point, she expected Jasper to say something, but…

“It’s been a while since the two of us were alone.”

The Jasper in front of her looked as handsome and casual as usual.

“Yeah, it has.”

The club room, which had been bustling late into the evening due to festival preparations recently, was quiet today. 

Thanks to Briley and Rebecca, who had heard the hot gossip, they deliberately avoided the room. Adela Bluewood, the other protagonist of the rumors, was at a family gathering.

Rose felt dizzy from the various thoughts swirling in her head. Briley and Rebecca, her two friends, were running around wildly.

“No, Adela and Jasper going on a date at the festival? What is this nonsense?”

“I heard it, and I almost fainted! Jasper has you, doesn’t he? What a scoundrel.”

Rose tried to defend Jasper in the middle.

“It’s probably just another baseless rumor.”

“Rose, why are you so unsure in your tone? The kids saw Adela and Jasper talking alone. Aren’t you upset about these rumors?”

“Just, it can’t be much.”

“What? It’s no good. Hurry up and have a conversation with Jasper.”

While a space was created, Rose couldn’t decide what to say. She nibbled her lips, unsure of where to start. Jasper, sitting across from her, looked at her blankly and shook his head.

“You seem to be avoiding my gaze; it’s probably a misunderstanding.”

Rose looked at Jasper with determination in her eyes. Her heart raced, and her toes tensed as they locked eyes. 

Jasper raised an eyebrow and asked.

“Is something wrong?”

Rose hesitated for a moment before responding.

“No, nothing…”

“But why does your face look like that? It’s strange. You seemed perfectly fine when I saw you this morning.”

Well, there were other people around, and she had the lecture right in front of her, so she couldn’t afford to daydream.

When she was left alone with Jasper, all her thought circuits went to one place.

Is he not going to tell her what happened with Adela? That question kept going up and down in her throat.

At that moment, Jasper’s large, sturdy hand gently rested on Rose’s forehead. 

“You don’t have a fever. Are you feeling unwell? Or did you have a nosebleed again?”

Rose was startled and instinctively turned her face to the side. Jasper’s warm touch and affectionate voice made her feel even more lightheaded.

Jasper withdrew his hand from the air and scratched his face. His blue eyes became sharp.

“You’re avoiding me.”

Rose shook her head, wondering how to begin. Jasper spoke up, his voice low.

“You were talking to Theo Lixton during lunch earlier.”

“Uh?”

Rose’s response was a beat late due to the unexpected revelation. 

‘Did I meet Senior Theo today?’

It seemed possible. Perhaps they exchanged brief greetings as she passed by. Her mind was preoccupied with other thoughts, so her memory was foggy.

‘But why are you suddenly talking about him?’

While Rose was flustered, Jasper pressed on with a pointed tone.

“What happened with Theo Lixton?” 

If it were the usual Rose, she would have immediately given a negative response. However, at this moment, she found herself overwhelmed by unfamiliar emotions, and her lips stiffened.

Rose felt her breath gradually warming.

‘No, the protagonist of the widespread rumors throughout the academy is him. Who’s watching who right now…!’

With a heated demeanor, Rose, unaware of herself, spoke with a sharp face and voice.

“Well, weren’t you the one who was rumored to have a long conversation with Adela?”