The Duty Of An Academy Student Should Be To Study - Chapter 66
Episode 66
After Rose left, leaving only the two brothers behind, Ethan immediately scowled at Jasper.
“You foolish child.”
“Why? What did I do?”
Jasper responded with a nonchalant tone and flopped down on the sofa. Now that Rose was safely out of the room, he finally relaxed. Ethan approached Jasper and stopped right in front of him.
Despite his brother’s looming presence, Jasper didn’t seem to pay much attention. His thoughts were entirely focused on Rose.
‘I should probably go back to the dorm without any further incident.’
At the thought of Rose Bell, his heart tightened and ached.
‘I never thought I’d be put to the test like this again.’
The fact that Rose Bell didn’t see him as a man at all, that there was no trace of affection between them, was painful to confront once more.
It was when Jasper nervously swept his hair back with a bewildered expression. Ethan looked down at Jasper and sternly said.
“Give it up.”
“What?”
“Are you going to embarrass yourself in front of a commoner girl without any self-respect? Are you going to disgrace Adela Bluewood too? Are you in your right mind?”
Jasper hesitated for a moment and then spoke with determination.
“What are you talking about?”
“Do you think I don’t know you? I thought the girl was attached to you, so I tried to separate you two, but then… Look at the mess it’s turned into. Tsk.”
Jasper bit down on his lower lip. He had tried his best to conceal his emotions, but it seemed he couldn’t fool Ethan’s keen eyes.
‘He’s like a pitbull.’
There was a reason why Ethan, at such a young age, had already become a prominent figure in the upper chamber. He was quick-witted and had an exceptional ability to read people’s thoughts.
Jasper took a deep breath.
‘I have to deny it to the end.’
The moment he revealed his feelings for Rose, Ethan might find even more ways to torment her, although he had his limits.
He was determined to protect Rose Bell to the best of his ability. His mind was filled with thoughts of how he could shield her.
And then, anger surged within him. What did it matter if he carried the Conway name? He was still a minor, and he didn’t hold any official position like Ethan did. He felt powerless, for now.
Ethan treated him as if he were an immature child. However, he had no intention of being manipulated by his family.
This anger only fueled Jasper’s determination. If he wanted to have Rose Bell, he had to become even stronger.
Ethan stared intently at Jasper, who had become resolute.
“How did someone who used to have no interest in others end up knowing and coming this far?”
Jasper remained silent, keeping his lips sealed.
In truth, just coming here with such urgency was enough to arouse suspicion from Ethan. But leaving Rose Bell alone in the Conway mansion was not an option. The warning about the potential danger to Rose had come from Briley.
“In the morning, Rose received a letter, and it seemed to trouble her greatly. I was so worried that I secretly read it, and… Jasper, it seems like your brother took Rose with him.”
Hearing those words, Jasper’s heart sank like a stone.
He had no idea why Ethan had summoned Rose, but it couldn’t be for a good reason.
Briley had a cold expression as she delivered the news.
“Set the course straight. If anything happens to Rose, I won’t just stand by! Go and bring Rose back quickly!”
With no hesitation, Jasper immediately headed straight for the Conway mansion.
Ethan, who had been standing sternly in front of Jasper, softened his expression and took a seat beside his younger brother. Jasper gave Ethan a puzzled look.
Ethan sighed and tilted his head slightly as he spoke.
“She really thinks you’re a friend. She didn’t seem to see you as a man at all. Well, you’re right, I was the one who called her.”
Jasper tensed his entire body to hide his hesitation. Even though he already knew this fact, hearing it again through Ethan’s words made him feel hot and short of breath.
Jasper replied, pretending to be casual.
“She’s a real friend. I’m not interested in her either.”
Even if it didn’t convince Ethan, Jasper had to continue denying it outwardly. However, the words he spoke felt like they were coming back to stab him in the heart.
Jasper clenched his teeth.
Rose Bell’s face as she left here looked mature. Her large, clear eyes were slightly wavering. But Rose didn’t lose her composure until the very end.
‘Why, even after hearing those words…?’
That’s what hurt more. She seemed so used to it, so used to the insults that Ethan threw at her. Rose might have been okay with it, but Jasper couldn’t stand it.
‘At least I can’t let her be treated like that because of me.’
Jasper bit his lip, then firmly said to Ethan.
“Don’t treat Rose Bell carelessly, and don’t ever call her out like that again. Aren’t you even ashamed of the Conway name?”
“I’m just trying to protect the family.”
“Is marrying me to Adela the way to protect the family? Do you want me to live like you do?”
“Who cares how I live.”
Ethan’s face twisted dramatically, and it was evident that he was getting angry. Ethan was usually a rather easygoing person, but there was one particular topic that always made him lose his composure.
Jasper deliberately brought up that topic.
“I don’t want to live like my brother and sister-in-law.”
“You…”
“As I came in, I saw that my sister-in-law had lost even more weight. At this rate, she might run away again.”
“Shut up. Damn it, I don’t know why you and Charlotte are like this.”
Ethan particularly emphasized the name Charlotte when he spoke. His face was visibly shaken and agitated.
He might not admit it, but Jasper thought she was his weakness. The only failure in the otherwise perfect life of the heir to the dukedom.
‘I don’t know if that’s love or hate, or if there’s nothing left but hate.’
Jasper believed that Ethan was largely responsible for the strained relationship. Ethan had a flawed personality, and even though he was his brother, Jasper had to acknowledge that fact.
‘Regardless of the reason, it’s clear that they are hurting each other in this marriage.’
Jasper also believed that as Ethan got older, he became increasingly sensitive. The responsibility of preserving the Conway family seemed to press on him like an obsession.
Since their mother passed away, Ethan’s tendency had worsened over time. At that time, Ethan was approaching adulthood, and Jasper was just a child, eight years younger than his older brother.
The idea that he had to do well as the heir seemed to weigh more heavily on Ethan.
Before he knew it, Ethan was tirelessly working to prosper the Conway family, using any means necessary. With a single goal in mind, he became increasingly stubborn and unyielding, never hesitating to push his own opinions.
Of course, he could back up his actions.
‘Ever since he had a falling out with Charlotte, he became even more sensitive.’
He understood that Ethan was dedicating himself entirely to his strategic marriage, although he had no intention of blindly following Ethan’s wishes.
Ethan, with a sharp expression, muttered with a bitter tone.
“Don’t either of you realize that you’re part of the Conway family? Charlotte also keeps talking about having a strategic marriage. No one in this house’s on my side. It’s driving me crazy!”
“That’s not good.”
Jasper replied curtly, quickly nodding his head. It seemed that Charlotte was also uncomfortable with Ethan’s forcibly arranged strategic marriage.
‘Maybe I can seek Charlotte’s help.’
Today, there hadn’t been any major incidents, but Ethan could summon Rose at any moment. To prepare for that, Jasper needed to ensure that someone in this house would help him.
Most of the servants here were Ethan’s people since he was the next Duke. There was only one who openly clashed with Ethan in this house. Charlotte Atwood Conway, Ethan’s wife.
Ethan, pressing his temples with his fingertips as if in exasperation, said.
“Please. Don’t create anything that might provoke the Bluewoods.”
“Well, I’ll try to be careful in that regard.”
This statement didn’t mean that he would accept the arranged marriage.
Jasper had already begun his plan to place Rose Bell by his side. There was only one surefire way to overturn a strategic marriage that went back and forth between a countess and a duchy.
More than that, he needed the influence of someone even more authoritative than Ethan Conway. Even Ethan himself was helpless in this matter.
In the Lepti Empire, there was only one person above the Conway Dukedom: the Emperor herself. No matter how much he was a Duke, he couldn’t refuse the Emperor’s command.
After winning the swordsmanship competition, Jasper had a deal secretly with the Emperor.
“…I will follow Your Majesty’s words. I have only one request.”
“What is it?”
“Bless my marriage as Emperor.”
“I heard that there is talk of an engagement with the Bluewoods?”
“That is not what I desire.”
“I’m curious about who your heart is drawn to.”
“I will tell you when I have completed all my tasks.”
The Emperor laughed heartily as if she found the situation very interesting.
“Give it your best. The task I’ve entrusted you with won’t be easy.”
“I’m confident.”
Jasper was determined to clear away anything that could hinder him from placing Rose Bell by his side.
He would create a comfortable space, and all Rose Bell had to do was come in. Jasper was a born fighter and a strategist; he didn’t know how to give up what he wanted.
Ethan’s opposition or the political maneuvering between the families was no real issue; Jasper was confident that he could overcome them.
The biggest challenge was winning Rose Bell’s heart. Even if he went to great lengths to prepare a place for Rose, it would be of no use if she didn’t come to him.