By Zephyria 
I saw the child Rubel standing with such a cold expression for the first time.
With him like this, even though his hair was black, he looked like a master from the North Sea Ice Palace.
It was Rubel, whose eyes always slanted downwards as if smiling. The face that used to blush easily was now frozen cold.
Every time his long, slanted eyes blinked, coldness dripped from them.
I finally understood why the children around thought Rubel was such a cruel person.
Seeing him with a hardened expression for the first time, I was somewhat taken aback and couldn’t easily open my mouth.
The child’s dark eyes gazed at me steadily.
“…Senior?”
“…What brings you here?”
When the end of his words, which always used to be friendly, fell away with a chill, my chest ached. I couldn’t bring myself to say I had just stopped by to say hello after having fun.
After gazing at the boy for a moment, I awkwardly ran a hand through my hair and swept it back.
I wondered if Lucilla had teased me, or if I had interrupted his solitary contemplation.
I wondered if I was afraid of a boy who had barely passed Geomancy, yet a shiver ran down my spine, leaving me at a loss.
“If I’m disturbing you, I’ll be going now.”
It seemed like it wasn’t my place to interfere, so I nodded in greeting. However, it felt awkward to turn away immediately.
Instead of turning right back, I took half a step back, and the expression the child had worn while looking at Ikyun immediately crumbled.
“No, no. …No, wait, don’t go.”
Now, it was a familiar face.
I stopped in place and watched the boy’s eyes soften. Only then did I realize I had felt hurt by his reaction.
The child spoke as if sighing, his voice trembling and wet at the end.
“I wasn’t going to get angry.”
“I know.”
“…I was upset.”
“…What?”
“…Do you happen to know why I was upset?”
I had a hunch.
But could he really have acted so cruelly just for that? I hesitated, unable to comprehend, and replied,
“…Is it because I didn’t visit before the break?”
The child nodded slightly.
A flush of red rose to his pale, cold face. Was this how camellias bloomed in a white snowfield? The boy, draped in moonlight, shone brightly.
I quietly watched Rubel blush.
What was it about that? …Really, what was it about that?
“I’m sorry. I was in a rush.”
“…Mm.”
“I won’t do it again.”
“Mm.”
However, I was the one who broke the promise easily. It was clearly my fault, so I apologized immediately without adding any excuses.
The child replied in a small voice and nodded, but he didn’t say it was okay.
Only then did I realize how serious it had been for him.
I stood there, choosing my words, and noticed the tips of his fingers were red and cold. How long had he been lingering around here?
It was surprising, strange, and awkward that the child’s troubled heart stemmed from me.
“Did you receive the letter?”
“…Mm. I didn’t neglect my training because it was cold.”
The child laughed hollowly. It seemed my writing in the letter not to neglect training had made an impression.
Even a weak chuckle was still a laugh, and I felt relieved that the child seemed to have somewhat relaxed.
I took half a step forward, having retreated.
Rubel looked at me, bit his lower lip a few times, and then offered a belated greeting.
“It’s good to see you again.”
“Me too.”
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
The child raised both hands and rubbed his dry face a few times.
Only then did he return to his usual forlorn yet shy, somewhat weak demeanor. In any case, I thought that people from the Sierren were unusually affectionate, even among men.
Feeling awkward about just parting after a single greeting, I decided to walk with him for a bit longer to appease him.
The academy grounds were vast, with many quiet paths to walk. While I had grown a bit taller during the two months we were apart, I realized then that the child had also shot up.
At first, the child walked in silence, but then he began to slowly share the stories he hadn’t been able to tell.
It was cute how he said he had to remember all the things he wanted to say because he figured he wouldn’t receive a reply until after I arrived at the academy, so he couldn’t write back immediately.
I also heard that the child had waited for me for a very long time.
Lucilla must have known Rubel would be like this. Thinking of how she had helped me, I couldn’t help but smile.
When asked why I was smiling, I replied it was nothing, and the child pouted, making me laugh again.
Suddenly, the child asked about something else.
“Are you going to plan your schedule with Young Master Rose again this year?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“I’m thinking of taking Introduction to Monsters as an elective class this semester. Would you like to take it together?”
“Hmm.”
“Since this is my third year, I won’t have many opportunities to take classes with Young Master Ernhardt… Do you dislike it?”
“No. What day is the class?”
“Friday.”
“I’ll take it. I was considering it anyway.”
At those words, the child’s face bloomed as brightly as the moon. I finally saw him smile properly.
He had many aspects that were hard to understand, but I didn’t add any more words, as it was better to let things be.
After walking for a while, Rubel said he wanted to rest, so we sat on a suitable bench.
When I asked if his hands were cold, he said he was fine, but then he whined that it was cold and asked me to hold his hand, so I did.
I wondered how a prince could be so spoiled, but I felt I owed him, so I held his hand tightly and patted it.
He had so many stories piled up that we talked for a long time, until dawn.
❖ ❖ ❖
The new semester dawned.
Swordsmanship class was still held in the morning. We decided to take Intermediate Swordsmanship on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and Advanced Swordsmanship on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Naturally, I intended to study under Professor Maelo Sanson.
Besides taking Introduction to Monsters with Rubel, I also decided to enroll in Professor Briana Casablanca’s World Geography, wanting to learn more about the Yuil Mountains.
I also added Imperial Genealogy Class and Practical Flying Dagger Technique Class to my schedule.
Although I had received a satisfactory grade in Practical Flying Dagger Technique last semester and didn’t need to retake it, I wanted to learn more because I wasn’t satisfied with my skills.
This time, my luck with the lottery wasn’t good, but the few people ahead of me yielded, allowing me to take the class.
I decided to take Professor Cedric’s Potion Making Practice class with my Camping Class companions. While there wouldn’t be the fun of camping to gather materials, I agreed because I would get to see my Camping Class friends every week.
I thought we wouldn’t be taking classes together anymore after Damian’s serious injury. My heart fluttered.
I even added Basic First Aid to my schedule, thinking it might be necessary someday. I could already see that this semester would be a whirlwind.
It was fortunate that only a few subjects had theoretical exams.
When I entered Professor Maelo Sanson’s first class with the successful schedule I had planned with my close friends, I was utterly surprised.
Bill Brown. The big guy I met at Duke Valentia’s residence was standing in the Intermediate Swordsmanship class, swinging his large arms around.
Even standing still, the large fellow was spreading his limbs and flailing, causing students passing by to jump back in surprise.
“…No, no, how did you get into this class?”
“I changed it to take the same class as you, Brother! Aren’t the stories about Professor Maelo Sanson and you already famous! Hooray! Is this person next to you Senior Rose?”
“I am… but, who was Young Master…?”
“I’m Bill Brown! I’m an inseparable bond, forged by blood, with Michael Brother here!”
His booming voice was loud.
My neck tensed. I remembered anew why I had avoided people from the Peng family.
Although I knew clearly that this person was not the same as that person, he had a talent for drawing all attention to himself.
While I stood there bewildered, Bill shook hands with Shayden and hugged Benjamin, then placed his thick arm on my shoulder. Even though he was joining a group of seniors he had never met, he showed no hesitation.
A dry laugh escaped me.
Shayden and Benjamin, who were involuntarily pushed from my side, stood there with bewildered expressions. Before they could say anything, another familiar face appeared.
“…Young Master Ernhardt? And next to him…”
It was Rubel.
No, why was this guy, who used to take Advanced Swordsmanship, lurking around in Intermediate Swordsmanship?
Unlike me, who was puzzled, Bill seemed incredibly excited. With one arm still on my shoulder, he bowed his head, causing me to involuntarily bow along with him and greet Rubel.
“Hey, Bill, could you let go of this for a moment?”
“Greetings! You are Prince Rubel, correct? I’ve heard a lot about you!”
The boy seemed oblivious to the scolding voice, brimming with excitement.
“…Uh, yes… And your name is…?”
“I’m Bill Brown! I’ve shared blood, friendship, and passion with Michael Brother!”
I had no idea when we had shared such things.
All I wanted was for him not to shout so loudly in people’s ears.
However, recalling Rubel, who had acted so fragile and hurt over a trivial matter just the day before, I thought Bill, being from the same Sierren, might not be so strong-hearted either. Instead of scolding him, I gently pushed him away.
“Alright, let go of this for now.”
“Whoa! As expected of you, Brother!”
“What else?”
“You’re the first person to push me away so lightly!”
…Let’s not say anything more.
I saw Maelo Sanson approaching from the other side. I quickly clamped my mouth shut, which had been about to mutter.
After mumbling a few times, Bill saw the professor approaching and finally came to his senses, standing with his hands behind his back.
Glancing sideways, Rubel’s expression was not good.
That child liked quiet and gentle things, and I was already worried about him getting involved with Bill.