Episode 125

Jasper’s eyes lit up a bit at Rose’s exclamation. 

Jasper stared at Rose intently, his lips tightly sealed. His gaze, which explored Rose’s face, seemed determined and urgent.

Rose spoke with a perplexed expression.

“If anything, I’m the one who should apologize.”

Jasper raised an eyebrow slightly and asked.

“Why? Are you planning to break up with me? Unless it’s a situation like that, you have nothing to apologize for to me.”

“…You see, I had something I’ve been hiding all along. Her Majesty told me everything.”

Rose said, looking at Jasper’s shoulder with sorrowful eyes, then continued.

“It was because of me that you got hurt. I didn’t know a thing.”

“What did Her Majesty tell you?” 

Rose heaved a sigh and began to share her experience with the Emperor. Jasper listened to her words with a somewhat tense expression, even going so far as to hold his breath. 

Eventually, Rose spoke with a weakened voice.

“It’s because of me… I’m worried that you might get into another dangerous mission.”

Rose didn’t know the specifics of the mission Jasper had undertaken. It was classified, and she couldn’t ask the Emperor about it. She only vaguely knew that it involved a potentially life-threatening situation.

She had no way of guessing that the secret mission was still ongoing. It had already ended, and now the Emperor had promised to help, so she thought they would be safe from now on.

Despite realizing that Rose misunderstood, Jasper remained silent without correcting her. 

After a while, he softly said in a soothing tone.

“I won’t get hurt.”

“Why did you go to such lengths?”

“I needed Her Majesty’s support. It was the most effective way to definitively quell the opposition within the household.”

“But, Jasper… you almost died.”

“But I didn’t die.” 

Jasper replied with a casual and nonchalant expression, making Rose momentarily emotional. She felt a burning sensation at the tip of her nose.

He had been seriously injured, yet he acted as if it was nothing. As if such incidents were something he could endure over and over again.

Driven by her frustration, Rose pushed Jasper’s forearm gently, although her strength was feeble. Jasper didn’t flinch.

“Rose, are you angry?”

“…I wasn’t, but I’m starting to be now.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I… I don’t understand. You didn’t need to endure such risks just because of me. Why did you do that?”

“Why did I do it?”

Jasper pondered Rose’s question for a moment before responding.

“I don’t know. Do I need a reason? It’s just… it’s natural for me to do this.”

Jasper acted as if he hadn’t even considered any other options. Rose was momentarily struck silent by the blind determination in Jasper’s eyes.

Jasper furrowed his brow.

“If I hadn’t done it this way, we might have had to break up.”

“…No, Jasper. When you received the mission, we weren’t even dating.”

“That’s why I wanted to tidy up my surroundings so that I could persuade you to be with me. It had to be convincing.”

“…….”

“And it worked, and you and I are now lovers.”

Jasper’s face flashed with pride as he spoke the last sentence.

Rose had several things she wanted to say in response to his statement, but she remained silent. No matter what she said, she felt like Jasper would just brush it off.

‘Is this right…?’

Rose was getting increasingly confused by Jasper’s confident attitude.

Risking one’s life for love was not a particularly healthy mindset. However, for some reason, she found herself convinced by Jasper.

She knew that Jasper could be carefree about most things but obsessively dedicated to the things he set his mind to…

‘I didn’t realize it would be me.’ 

Rose’s head throbbed. Jasper, on the other hand, spoke with a very confident expression.

“Rose, don’t worry. It’s all coming to an end now. My brother will no longer be able to harm you.”

“Oh… Well, I was about to mention that.”

Rose sighed and explained that Priscilla was protecting her family in the Quilts for the time being, and the Emperor promised not to punish them. So, it shouldn’t be too dangerous.

Still, the news of Ethan heading north left Rose feeling uneasy. However, Jasper quickly reassured her with his words.

“My brother doesn’t have time to focus on Quilts right now. He’s on the brink of divorce.”

“Uh?”

“He never went to Quits in the first place. He’s in the middle of a hellish divorce proceeding in Atwood. His wife left him, and that’s why I’m constantly traveling to Townhouse these days because he’s so distracted.”

“D-Divorce?”

“Her wife filed for divorce and left him. My brother is a bit clueless.”

Jasper was probably the only person in the Empire who could call Ethan Conway clueless.

“So don’t worry. My brother won’t be able to separate us or harm your family.”

“Well, that’s a relief then.”

Rose felt a sense of relief, but she couldn’t help but feel strange about how perfectly fine Jasper looked in the situation where his older brother, who would be the next Duke, was possibly getting divorced.

“Rose, all you need to do now is be sure about your feelings. Everything else is almost ready.”

“…My feelings?”

A touch of red glinted in Jasper’s blue eyes. 

The setting sun in the sky behind him cast an orange hue, and the descending sun below the horizon reflected in Jasper’s eyes.

Rose stared at Jasper with a dazed expression. 

With every word Jasper uttered, it felt like the sunset accompanied his speech. It was as if Jasper had deliberately chosen this time of day.

Jasper, surrounded by the twilight, looked more beautiful than usual, and his words carried even greater weight. Rose felt a strong urge to listen to whatever he had to say.

Even now, the setting sun casts a beautiful hue on Jasper’s slightly lowered eyelashes. 

Jasper slowly opened his mouth.

“Be my partner at the Graduation Ball.”

The Graduation Ball at Berkley Academy was a significant event both within and outside the academy. It was a prelude to entering high society and marked the transition into the elite circles.

Being someone’s partner at the ball was, in public perception, no different from openly declaring a romantic relationship. 

Rumors about Jasper’s partner for the ball might spread far and wide even before the ball ended.

Moreover, if Jasper’s partner was a commoner and not a prestigious aristocrat, it could become an explosive piece of gossip. Rose could only imagine the intense scrutiny and speculation she might face in high society.

She imagined the attention and gossip directed at her, but despite the nerves, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse Jasper’s proposal. 

While she might not yet fit beside Jasper, she couldn’t help but consider…

She hoped that Jasper wouldn’t dance with other girls at the ball. Irrationally, a surge of jealousy welled up within her.

Her heart raced as she thought about the possibility of Jasper dancing with someone else if there was no predetermined partner by his side. Even though she knew she was being unreasonable, she couldn’t help it.

Her feelings stirred just like when she had heard the rumors about Adela and Jasper. She knew it was jealousy.

Feeling somewhat unfamiliar and slightly embarrassed with herself, Rose hesitated for a moment before speaking in a small voice.

“Is it okay?”

“If it’s a burden for you, then decline. I’ll wait a bit longer.”

“Oh, no. It’s just that I’m not good at dancing…”

Rose’s cheeks flushed slightly.

Jasper maintained a composed and stern expression, but when he heard Rose’s words, his face suddenly transformed. 

Slightly widened eyes, lips twitching. It seemed like he was struggling to suppress a joyful emotion.

Feeling awkward, Rose cleared her throat and whispered.

“Jasper, would you teach me?”

“…Gladly.”

Jasper responded in a muted voice, and after a moment, he let out a long sigh of relief, bowing his head deeply.

“We promised to see each other at a party a few years ago. It’s finally happening now.”

“…Huh?”

Rose didn’t immediately understand what Jasper was saying and asked. Jasper slowly raised his head, met her gaze, and continued.

“You can’t just say you’ll see me later, and then disappear.”

“What…”

“Do you happen to remember? The lamp music box.”

As soon as she heard the word “music box,” an old memory flashed through Rose’s mind.

“In two months, there will be a party at our house. See you then, or maybe at another party…”

She had made that promise when parting with the young Jasper. Rose had expected that to be her last ball, but she had still agreed. 

“Let’s see each other again next time.”

She had secretly thought she would never see Jasper again. When she miraculously entered Berkley Academy and saw Jasper, she had to pretend not to recognize him. The girl who met young Jasper was not Rose Bell, but Rosalie Verden.

“You remembered too…”

Rose mumbled as if speaking to herself.

“Jasper, you knew all along.”

“I couldn’t forget. You were my first love.”

The melody of the “Waltz of Love” from the music box echoed in Rose’s mind. It was the same tune she had heard from the orchestra at the recent festival.