Episode 115

Rose couldn’t take her eyes off Jasper. 

The light from the lamp and the moonlight coming through the clock tower’s glass illuminated Jasper’s face, making it look so beautiful that it felt almost unreal. His sharp features now appeared soft and affectionate.

‘I haven’t prepared anything…’

Rose felt sorry for Jasper, who had gone through the trouble while she enjoyed the festival without a care. Unlike the common perception of being indifferent to others, Jasper was incredibly considerate.

Rose now understood that this affection was directed solely at her, though she still found it hard to believe. 

Jasper sat on the folding chair, which seemed a bit small for him, without showing any discomfort, and took care of Rose’s comfort first. He moved the heater closer to Rose, and a thick blanket covered her knees.

When Rose’s gaze didn’t seem to leave him, Jasper, with a hint of playful mischief, coughed softly and asked.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Oh.” 

Rose finally realized she had been staring at Jasper intently. Jasper made a small teasing sound. 

“Did you fall in love again?” 

“…I guess I did.” 

Rose mumbled with a dazed expression. It was a reflexive response, but it was sincere.

Tick, tock. Inside the clock tower, the regular sound of the clock echoed. Rose’s heart rate seemed to double that sound.

In an instant, her chest fluttered, and her body felt like it was floating in the air. She realized that falling for someone felt like this. As she reflected on her memories, it seemed like she had experienced this feeling several times before.

Jasper was surprised by Rose’s answer, and his eyes wavered for a moment. Then, he muttered softly with a slightly hoarse voice.

“…It would be awkward for me if you said yes right away.”

Jasper, who used to say embarrassing things without hesitation, was now feeling self-conscious. Although it was too dark to see clearly, Jasper’s cheeks seemed to have a subtle blush.

Rose nervously grabbed the blanket over her knees, feeling a tingling sensation. Thanks to the portable heater and the blanket, the surroundings were warm and cozy. 

As she realized how Jasper had taken care of her, the fluttering feeling in her chest intensified.

In a hushed voice, Rose spoke.

“Jasper, you’re really sweet.”

Jasper replied with a hint of playfulness.

“You know you’re the only one who hears that, right?”

Rose smiled gently and nodded her head.

Jasper’s presence next to her felt so warm and beautiful. Suddenly, she thought that she wished this moment could last forever. Even after graduation, she wanted to continue being with Jasper.

‘Is it possible?’

The happiness she had never felt before came with a sense of anxiety. Jasper had told her not to worry and to trust him, but…

‘If Jasper finds out about my past…’

There was still one secret she hadn’t been able to tell Jasper. Rosalie Verden. Rose remembered the day she had met Jasper under her old name. Her heart clenched with unease.

She knew that one day she would have to reveal the truth, but right now, she just wanted to forget everything and look at the night sky.

Jasper turned his head slightly to gaze at Rose.

“Shall we leave the window like this? Is it too cold?” 

Rose brushed aside her hesitations and managed to offer a faint smile. 

“No, let’s open it. I want to see more vividly.”

Jasper reached out and unlocked the window latch. 

As the window opened, the night breeze rushed in. Although winter was still a long way off, the wind blowing from the high altitude was quite brisk. However, Rose didn’t mind the chill on her cheeks; in fact, she leaned slightly closer to the window.

Just as the first firework shot up into the sky with a loud bang, Rose couldn’t help but flinch at the sudden noise. 

Colorful fireworks scattered across the night sky with successive pops, filling the view with beautiful flames. The ticking sound of the clock was now drowned out by the fireworks.

Lost for words, Rose gazed at the sky as something touched her shoulder. Jasper had taken off his jacket and wrapped it around her.

“Jasper, I’m not really that cold.”

“Are you sure? I’m feeling too warm.”

“Lies. What if you catch a cold?”

“You’d have to take care of me. Would that be alright? I should catch a cold then.”

Jasper responded with a nonchalant expression, but he wrapped Rose in his jacket more carefully. Rose knew she couldn’t argue with Jasper’s determination.

In reality, her arms felt a little chilly. Holding onto the front of the jacket, she felt Jasper’s scent permeating her nose. It was a familiar and comforting scent as if her body was closely connected with Jasper’s.

With her cheeks slightly flushed, Rose kept her gaze fixed on the sky. The fireworks display was so grand and colorful that it seemed to steal one’s breath away. Moreover, being in the high clock tower, their view of the night sky was unobstructed. 

Rose felt as if she and Jasper were the only ones in the world as if the fireworks were just for the two of them.

The superstition that claims that watching fireworks at a fall festival with someone you love will make you fall in love suddenly crossed her mind. She had a feeling she knew why such a story was circulating.

It was because moments like this were so beautiful. Lost in the romantic atmosphere, it was easy to imagine falling in love. Rose silently wished for that cheesy superstition to come true.

As she continued to gaze at the fireworks in a daze, she unconsciously murmured.

“They’re really beautiful…”

After a period of silence, Jasper suddenly interjected in a low voice.

“When you’re with me, you get to see a lot more beautiful things.”

Rose turned to Jasper, and with a small smile, she replied.

“That’s true.”

In reality, with Jasper Conway by her side, she felt content just looking at him. Jasper seemed rather serious as if he wanted Rose to understand his charm.

“I mean it. Even without help from my family, my officer’s salary is quite decent. If you ever want to see something, I can make it happen. You’d regret it if you missed out.”

Of course, that was only natural. Rose kept her response to herself. But if she said she didn’t want to miss out, would it be possible?

‘I hope so.’

She knew that the path ahead in their relationship wouldn’t be without its challenges. They had embarked on this relationship with some degree of preparedness. 

She had to live her life more diligently, ensuring that her past and status wouldn’t hinder Jasper.

With a determined expression, Rose spoke.

“Yes, I’ll become someone who fits you as soon as possible.”

“What? What is that…”

Jasper furrowed his brow, but just then, the festival’s grand finale began. Countless fireworks lit up the sky one after another, turning the night as bright as day.

The sound of fireworks made their ears ring, and the conversation naturally paused for a moment. Rose watched the surreal spectacle, her lips slightly parted.

As the fireworks lit up, they cast a glow on Rose’s profile. Her green eyes held a kaleidoscope of colors. Jasper simply watched Rose in silence until the fireworks display came to an end.

After a while, the prepared fireworks show concluded. The aftermath of the fireworks left the night even brighter than usual. Excited and flushed, Rose turned to Jasper.

“Jasper, thank you. If you hadn’t brought me here, I wouldn’t have been able to see this so comfortably.”

While Rose was elated, Jasper’s face seemed preoccupied. Jasper reached out and grasped Rose’s wrist.

“…What was that you said earlier?”

“Huh?”

Rose looked at Jasper in confusion. 

“You said you’d become someone who fits me.”

“Oh, that… I meant it literally.”

“Now you’re saying you think you’re less than me.”

Jasper’s voice lowered and his gaze turned colder. He looked like someone upset.

Rose was taken aback by Jasper’s reaction. She hadn’t expected him to respond this way to her casually spoken words. A moment of silence settled between them.

Tick, tock. 

After the fireworks show ended, the sound of the clock within the clock tower resonated clearly.

Jasper let out a sigh.

“I’ve never thought about it that way, but when you say it like that, it hurts a little.”

“Ah… I know that you see me as a wonderful person. I don’t dislike myself, Jasper. I was just being practical.”

Jasper’s furrowed brow relaxed. Rose chose her words carefully and then continued.

“I’m worried that my presence might tarnish your reputation.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“How can I not? I want to be someone who can help you. To do that, I’ll work even harder…”

Jasper leaned toward Rose. The person who had been taking care of her so gently just a while ago now seemed remarkably cold.

“Rose, no one will say anything bad about us.”

Suddenly, Jasper gripped Rose’s wrist with more force.

“I’ll make sure of that. So don’t worry. If you ever hesitate to be with me because of something like this…”

“…”

“I’ll regret being born as a Conway for the rest of my life.”

Jasper’s words trailed off, and his expression quickly became cloudy. His eyes turned sad.

“Jasper, don’t say that.”

Rose was startled and instinctively leaned closer to Jasper. Without realizing it, there was now only a short distance between their faces.