‘Where should I go now?’

His thought process lagged as he wandered aimlessly, waiting for dawn. It was like his feet didn’t know where to go.

Then he saw it—the building located behind the dormitories.

‘I think it’s the library.’

Drawn as if by a spell, Ian walked toward the library doors which suddenly flung open.

He froze in place, letting out a low moan. Exiting the library was Rosebelia.

“Rose—”

Before he could finish saying her name, their eyes met.

“Huh? Klein!”

Rosebelia beamed, and for a moment, his mind went blank.

As she called his name and waved, seemingly happy to see him, he felt overwhelmingly smitten.

He clenched his fists and tensed his legs. If he didn’t, he felt like he would rush forward and embrace her right then.

Suppressing the surging impulse, he squinted his eyes. His heart raced as he heard her approaching footsteps, but at some point, it felt constricted.

Ian took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

“Were you in the library the whole time?”

“Yeah. What brings you here, Klein?”

“…Did you hear the rumors?”

Is she talking about my scandal with Ernoa?

Simon had cried asking if I was going to marry Senior Ernoa as soon as I joined the knight order. How awkward that was.

Olivia must have spread the rumor. It was already problematic enough that such a scandal was circulating in the knight order.

“Ah, you heard it too. The marriage talks did happen, but I sorted it out. My stepmother arranged it without telling me.”

“Really?”

“Yes, I was actually going to tell you about it. Lucky we bumped into each other.”

Ian slightly raised an eyebrow as if asking why he had come.

“This is for you.”

“What is this?”

“I bought it from a dessert shop yesterday. You’ve been helping me with practice, and all I’ve done is thank you. I’ll treat you to a meal when we have time.”
Ian held the box I had given him, a faint smile on his face. Despite my expectations that he might reluctantly accept it, he looked rather pleased.

The moment I was about to speak again, a clattering noise came from behind. Following Ian’s gaze, I turned my head to see Ernoa coming out of the library with an armful of books.

“Are you leaving already, senior?”

“Yes. I’ve found all the books I wanted to read.”

“If… anything changes, let me know.”

Even though my words were carefully chosen, Ernoa seemed to understand fully and nodded.

“Yes, if something changes, I’ll tell you. Will that be helpful for you?”

“Of course.”

Ernoa gracefully entered his quarters. Watching him, I unconsciously let out a deep breath, and Ian suddenly asked,

“Is that senior…?”

“Yes, that’s Senior Ernoa.”

“…Were you with him in the library the whole time?”

“I had something to discuss.”

What Ernoa had said was still bothering me. I had sought him out right after joining the knight’s order, wondering if my body and soul weren’t syncing well, rendering me unable to use aura.

“Are you sure it’s nothing more than that?”

“I told you. Well, one can never be certain about human affairs, but for now, we’re just senior and junior.”

I hadn’t had the chance to consider it yesterday due to my confusion, but talking with him again in the library today, he didn’t seem like a bad person.

Maybe the soul Ernoa could see could be helpful to me. He had said he’d let me know right away if the soul behaved differently.

“…”

“By the way, the handkerchief you gave me the other day—I think I’ve lost it. I’ve searched everywhere.”

I had hastily tucked it into my pocket before going to meet Dylan, but it was nowhere to be found when I returned to my room.

“Don’t worry about it. You don’t need to return it.”

“How can you say that? I’ll buy a new one for you.”

“That handkerchief is hardly the issue now…”

Ian, pausing mid-sentence, furrowed his brow. He let out a deep sigh and ran his fingers through his hair.

Something seemed off about Ian today.

“Is something wrong?”

Ian’s throat visibly bobbed. Slowly lifting his head, he looked me in the eye.

“…Can you spare some time for me the evening after next?”

“You mean the evening two days from now?”

“Yes. I have something I want to tell you.”

“But why does it have to be then? I’m available today and tomorrow as well.”

“Well…”

Ian seemed to struggle for words. My lips moved of their own accord.

“People are unpredictable. I may not be there in front of you that day.”

To my surprise, I was the one startled by my words.

Something was peculiar about Ian’s sense of urgency and his reluctance to immediately discuss why he wanted to meet two days later.

It was as if today were the calm before a storm, filling me with an odd premonition.

“…”

“Why so serious? Did my words upset you that much?”

I leaned in, lifting myself on my toes. Trying to lighten the mood, Ian abruptly closed his eyes as my face drew near.

What’s this reaction? Did I say something wrong?

After a moment, Ian reopened his eyes, rubbing them roughly and letting out a low sigh. I noticed his clenched jaw, as if he was holding back something, and spoke again.

“Which is why I’m saying… if you have something to say, it’s better not to delay it…”

“And if I don’t delay, are you prepared to handle it?”

Prepared to handle what?

What on earth was he trying to say, going to such lengths to be cautious?

I couldn’t find the words to respond.

“…You can’t even begin to imagine.”

“Imagine what?”

“How I see you, the base desires that rampage through my head…”

What? What desires?

“…You have no idea.”