Chapter 74
Back then, Summer tried to ease the awkward tension by chatting nonstop about her recent life.
He half-listened, giving only vague nods, until he finally spoke.
“I should get going. Someone’s waiting for me.”
“Ah, really? …Could it be that person you said you liked back then?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Summer wanted to bite her tongue.
Why would you bring that up, you idiot?! She screamed inwardly.
He blinked in surprise.
“…Yeah. But did I ever tell you something like that?”
“Just… sort of slipped out.”
He didn’t even remember confessing that to her back then.
Summer didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
That was the end of their short conversation.
Well, maybe that’s for the best. If he doesn’t even remember, I can act confident. You can do this, Summer Clophen!
After all, it had only been a fleeting crush — her first innocent love during the time she’d entered the Academy on her own will.
That probably made it all the more thrilling back then.
Anyway… why hasn’t the Tall Lady written back yet?
The only letter she’d received at her home in Riverton Barony said there was “urgent business,” so she couldn’t come greet her.
Summer knew the Tall Lady didn’t want to reveal her true identity, but she still felt compelled to repay her somehow.
Well, I’m an Academy professor now.
She had just been appointed this year, and she wasn’t the same Summer Clophen anymore.
Since the Academy was an institution even the Imperial Palace respected, surely she could return the favor in some way.
If the Tall Lady still refused to reveal who “she” really was, Summer was prepared to uncover the truth herself.
She didn’t know the person’s gender, age, or appearance — nothing.
But judging from the handwriting, she had long suspected it was a man.
Maybe the use of the title “lady” had been a deliberate disguise.
Why hide your identity so much? Summer couldn’t understand — but she was just as stubborn.
In fact, her main reason for coming to the capital with the Tower’s cooperation was to find out exactly who the Tall Lady was.
The letters alone had made it clear the writer was in the capital.
This time, I’ll definitely find out.
She had gathered a good number of clues.
The most important one was the perfume scent sprinkled on every letter.
That faint, unique fragrance — she had never smelled it anywhere else.
It was probably custom-made, maybe produced only within a noble household.
If I can find the person wearing that perfume…!
With that bold thought in mind, Summer waited in the Tower’s lobby for Eden Maker.
And that was when it happened — a man walking by carried that exact same scent.
Summer turned her head before she even realized it.
The man, wearing a fedora, gently removed his hat and greeted the receptionist.
“How have you been?”
“Oh my, Lord Ferris! It’s been a while.”
“Has it? I should have visited more often then.”
His tone was warm and pleasant — almost melodic.
His black hair shone like polished obsidian, contrasting with skin so pale it almost glowed.
The uniform he wore looked like that of the Imperial Knights.
Judging by his easy conversation with the receptionist, he seemed sociable and well-mannered.
When he finished signing his name in the visitor’s log and headed toward the elevator,
Summer quickly ducked her head, afraid he might notice her staring.
Once he was out of sight, she hurried straight to the desk.
“Excuse me, I think there was a small mistake in the log earlier. Could I just double-check something?”
Without suspicion, the receptionist turned the book toward her.
Summer’s eyes widened when she read the signature:
[Adrian Ferris]
The long, looping P—the exact same habit the “Tall Lady” always had.
“Oh my god.”
She hadn’t expected to find out so soon.
The realization that the Tall Lady was actually Adrian Ferris shocked her to the core.
The Ferris Ducal House was a family as distant and powerful as Ainrook’s—practically untouchable.
No wonder he never told me who he was.
Someone of that rank wouldn’t need her help for anything.
Feeling deflated, Summer stood blankly at the counter when a voice called to her.
“I’m sorry I’m late! I was called away for urgent business. You must be Professor Summer Clophen, right?”
It was Eden—finally arriving and guiding her toward the elevator.
And of all coincidences… Adrian Ferris was still waiting right in front of it.
Summer instinctively lowered her bonnet to hide her face.
“My lord?” Eden greeted.
“Eden, it’s been a while,” Adrian replied easily.
“You haven’t come by since that incident with Lady Rodelia. I thought you might be angry with me.”
“My anger was with your superior, not you,” Adrian said dryly — glancing toward Summer as he spoke.
Eden followed his gaze and continued the introductions.
“Ah, this is Professor Summer Clophen from the Academy. Professor, this is Lord Adrian Ferris of House Ferris.”
Cornered, Summer had no choice but to remove her bonnet and bow politely.
“Hello, my lord. I’m Summer Clophen.”
The moment their eyes met, Adrian’s pupils widened.
Her anxious face was reflected clearly in his gaze, and those peridot-green eyes trembled like rippling water.
For a long moment, he just stared—then quickly looked away, covering his mouth with his hand.
“…Summer Clophen, was it? What a lovely name.”
The awkward air thickened. Summer cleared her throat.
“My mother named me Summer because I was born in the summer.”
He said nothing, so she added shyly,
“It’s kind of a silly, random name, isn’t it?”
“Not at all! It’s simple and beautiful. Your mother must have been beautiful too.”
What do my mother’s looks have to do with my name?!
Summer stared at him—at the Tall Lady, the noble Lord Ferris—unable to hide her disbelief.
The more she looked, the redder his ears turned, glowing like boiled sweet potatoes.
He even edged backward until his back hit the wall.
She almost burst out laughing, but managed to hold it in; he looked so flustered, afraid she’d see through him.
Meanwhile, poor Eden had no idea what was going on and simply wondered why this usually composed lord was acting so weird.
Of course he’s startled. Who would expect to run into their secret protégé like this?
Meeting the woman he’d secretly supported—without warning—it was only natural for him to be a mess.
Summer looked straight into those green eyes and said sweetly,
“Thank you, my lord. You’re very beautiful yourself — almost like a young lady.”
A subtle hint that she knew his secret.
“I hear that a lot,” he replied unexpectedly, then turned completely away.
The elevator doors opened, and without so much as a goodbye, he stepped inside and disappeared.
Guess I’m the only one happy to see him…
Feeling oddly disappointed, Summer stared at his retreating back.
***
Meanwhile…
Adrian Ferris—the famously handsome, brilliant future Duke —He
was admired everywhere he went, constantly receiving proposals.
Yet, he had never once met a woman who stirred his heart.
No matter how beautiful others said they were, he simply felt nothing.
Until today.
“Hello, my lord. I’m Summer Clophen.”
When she removed her bonnet, strands of golden hair slipped free —
so bright it looked as if yellow freesia flowers were cascading from her hat.
Her delicate, perfectly balanced features—those big eyes, the small nose, the tiny lips —
He never knew so many pretty things could fit on one face.
She looked like a forest fairy who had accidentally wandered into the human world.
His dream woman—his ideal—stood right before his eyes.
He barely stopped himself from gasping aloud.
Her name is Summer… she really is summer itself!
Nervous and tongue-tied, he’d blurted out something ridiculous and then, overwhelmed with embarrassment,
He’d fled the elevator entirely.
It meant climbing ten floors by stairs afterward—but he didn’t care.
That way, he could blame his pounding heart on the climb, not on her.
Bursting into Alperen’s study, Adrian threw open the door and shouted:
“I finally found her! My destined one!”
