ULDEM 23

Sierra Fontaine went to the Magic Department lecture building—where she came and went as if it were her own house—and called out Eden Fontaine.

“Eden! Your cousin’s looking for you!”

“Without even contacting me?”

They attended the same school—what contact was there to make? It wasn’t as if they’d ever kept in touch before, either. Even so, Eden made a point of saying it.

“Sierra Fontaine is here? Eden, you have to ask her how our date was this time. Got it?”

“If she hasn’t replied by now, isn’t the answer obvious?” Eden Fontaine replied curtly.

“You should ask her yourself. Don’t drag me into it.”

“What? Eden, hey!”

After a brief commotion, the two cousins went around to the garden behind the building and perched side by side on a table.

“So why did you call me?”

With soft, cotton-candy-like curls and a delicate, handsome face, Eden Fontaine was fairly popular among the female students in the Administration and Liberal Arts departments.

His popularity undoubtedly owed much to the fact that he was the grandson of the wealthy Marquis Fontaine—but either way, it meant that that infuriating face of his worked quite well.

“Hey. Want me to introduce you to a friend of mine?”

Looking at the men Eden had introduced her to in the past, none of them had been impressive. That was probably because this annoying cousin’s own substance was about that level. Attaching those types to Tislin at a time like this would only make Damian Ksanov laugh.

Still, this guy at least had a decent outer shell. If she put him next to Tislin, they would look good together. Their looks were somewhat in the same vein, too.

“Out of nowhere? Hmm. So someone’s interested in me?”

No. No one is, you idiot.

Eden rested his chin on his hand, looking indifferent.

“Which friend? If it’s Lady Irina, forget it. She’s really not my type.”

The feeling was mutual. Last year, Irina Kirshi had once said, “I saw your cousin in passing—he’s seriously obnoxious.”

But if he wasn’t interested in Irina, then who was left? She only had three close friends. Excluding Kisha, who was engaged, that left just one. Transparent brat.

“Do you know Tislin Hermes? You probably don’t have much connection with her.”

“I’ve seen her a few times, so I know who she is. Sure. Fine.”

Though he pouted slightly, he seemed secretly pleased.

She’s more popular than she looks.

It stung a little to do something that would benefit this cousin of hers, but Tislin had no interest in him anyway.

She could use him and toss him aside later, then laugh at his sorry face. And in the one-in-a-million chance that Tislin somehow charmed him into reforming and they ended up together, well, being tied to Tislin as family wouldn’t be the worst outcome either.

Or would it be the worst outcome for Tislin?

If not for Tislin’s vehement refusal, there was no better marriage prospect than Damian Ksanov. Even without deep feelings, if the other party was of that caliber, one could close one’s eyes and marry him…

Well, it was her choice.

“But why the sudden change? You used to tell me to stay away from your friends. Did Miss Tislin ask you to?”

As if. Sierra let out a snort.

“No. None of my friends are interested in you.”

Eden made his displeasure obvious and muttered loudly enough for her to hear.

“Really? Then why should I bother meeting her? I’m not that free either.”

That’s not the point!

But she couldn’t spill someone else’s private affairs. Tislin hadn’t even told Irina or Kisha about her engagement. There was no way she could tell this guy.

At the same time, making up a complete lie felt risky—he’d probably see right through it.

“So, um… there’s a man she wants to shake off.”

That wasn’t entirely wrong.

“Ah. That kind of situation? Fine. Do as you like.”

Eden Fontaine smiled with his gentle, refined face. There was clear confidence in his expression—confidence that someone like him could easily drive off any clingy man.

Clueless fool.

Forcing a smile, Sierra set a date and location.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I just went to pick her up?”

“There’s a reason for everything. Just do as I say.”

“Hm. So the guy must be nearby? Now I’m curious what kind of insignificant fellow he is.”

Sierra, wearing a twisted smile only someone who knew the truth could manage, stood up.

“Do well.”

“I’ll do better than someone who can’t even make a relationship last three months.”

Insufferable to the end. Sierra left the Magic Department building as if she’d touched something contagious.

She’d make Tislin pay dearly for putting her in the position of having to ask Eden Fontaine for a favor.

Tislin decided to meet Eden Fontaine at the spacious cafeteria.

There was a reason for that choice.

Simply put, it was the most visible location to the Knight Department.

The Royal Academy had originally been founded to train knights and mages for the defense of the capital, Viera, so in its early days it had only two departments: Knights and Magic.

Later, when the Cassidy royal family forced the noble houses of both Cassidy and Manorca to enroll as part of their political integration, the Administration, Liberal Arts, and Aesthetics departments were created. After that, the Medical and Law departments were newly established, mostly for commoners, illegitimate children of nobles, and fallen aristocrats.

As buildings were added one by one according to circumstance, the earliest-constructed Knight Department ended up located the farthest from the main gate.

Likewise, the cafeteria—originally built between the Magic and Knight departments—had been expanded and relocated beside the central plaza, along the route Knight Department students took when returning from knightly duties to their dormitories.

In other words, it was the perfect spot for Knight Department students to pass by and spread gossip. Just as Arkin Rudera had said, compared to the noble ladies at tea parties, Knight Department students were far more loose-lipped and fond of carrying tales.

If she was seen with the fairly famous Eden Fontaine, word would naturally reach the Knight Department. Damian would hear about it too. Whether because of the rumors or because whatever little affection he had would cool off, if he agreed to break the engagement, it would be a success.

Just thinking about it makes me depressed…

Even if it was based on a misunderstanding, imagining Damian’s rather gentle and attentive attitude turning cold made her chest ache.

Still, what could she do? That brief pain wouldn’t determine her entire life.

After sending a ten-page letter opposing the engagement to Count Hermes, Tislin headed straight to the cafeteria.

“You’re late.”

The first thing Eden Fontaine said was as he took out a pocket watch from his coat and showed it to her.

But the minute hand pointed exactly at the promised time. Only the second hand had made half a turn more.

Tislin felt slightly deflated. She had been a little nervous about facing the cousin who had arranged Sierra’s dates, but aside from his pretty face, he didn’t seem especially intimidating.

“Mm. Well, sorry about that.”

“That’s a very mature tone. There’s only a one-year difference between us, Miss Tislin Hermes.”

“You know my age?”

“You’re the same age as Sierra Fontaine.”

At his prickly reply, as if asking why she’d even question it, Tislin nodded awkwardly.

Eden ran a hand through his hair and glanced at the people stealing looks their way over his arm. He seemed accustomed to attention—in a different sense from Damian’s. …Or perhaps not so different?

“You said you need to shake off a man clinging to you. How do you want me to handle it?”

“Huh? That’s what Sierra told you?”

“Why? Isn’t it? Sierra Fontaine, that idiot…”

“No! No, it’s… similar?”

She couldn’t bring herself—even in jest—to say that Damian was clinging to her. Her lips only moved soundlessly. As embarrassment flushed her cheeks, Eden folded his arms and lifted his chin.

“I don’t know the details, but it’s something like that, right? You don’t need to tell me everything. Basically, we just need to look like we’re having a good time somewhere visible and play along.”

“Right. That’s it.”

When she’d asked Sierra to introduce her to someone, she hadn’t imagined it would be Sierra’s cousin. Nor had she expected to act so openly in a staged performance. Still, this felt easier than outright deceiving someone.

“Fine. But while I’m playing along with this, I won’t be able to date anyone else. So I expect you to fulfill your part as well, Miss Tislin.”

“What do I have to do?”

“The usual things one would expect from a date partner.”

Her eyes narrowed instinctively. When Sierra had described her cousin as someone with a decent exterior but questionable substance—and not even sure if the exterior was that impressive—Tislin had just assumed the cousins weren’t close. But perhaps…

“Mutually enjoyable conversation. No canceling plans or walking off alone because of personal matters. If the mood’s good, holding hands or a hug is fine—but anything beyond that, we’ll see.”

He’s pickier than I am.

Tislin had even considered showing a scene of brushing lips with an appropriate man, so she could accept those terms easily.

“Alright. I’m counting on you.”

“Sure. Then…”

Eden studied her up and down with a peculiar look, then adjusted their seating slightly so that from the higher main road, only her side profile would be faintly visible.

“There. Your emotions show clearly on your face, so it’s better if you sit like this.”

“Then I won’t be able to see who’s coming.”

“It’s better if you don’t. Still, you shouldn’t be completely unaware, so let’s do this.”

If he drew a circle with a damp fingertip on the back of her hand, it meant a Knight Department student. A straight line meant Administration. A triangle meant Magic. The rest rarely came this way anyway.

Tislin looked down at the damp back of her hand.

By coincidence, it was the same spot where a fresh wound had appeared on Damian’s hand.

That day, she had traced around that wound with her fingertip just like this. Even after her finger lifted, a faint ticklish sensation had lingered. Had Damian felt something similar then?

Eden Fontaine glanced sideways at the Tislin lost in thought. The tips of her ears and the area beneath her eyes were slightly red—an encouraging reaction, but he couldn’t tell whether it was directed at him or caused by something else she was thinking about.

Well. He’d find out.

Pretending to shift casually, he leaned forward and rested his chin on his hand.

“So what kind of man did you get entangled with that you’re recruiting your friend’s cousin just to shake him off?”