EPISODE 24

Felix frowned at the unexpected question.

"No, not at all."

He cut off the answer.

"Your father's visit to the academy has nothing to do with you."

However, despite Felix's reply, the worried expression on Lucy's face did not disappear. After a moment's hesitation, she averted his eyes and opened her mouth.

"If you are concerned about the Duke or the people around you, you can be honest with me. I fully understand the senior's position... … ."

"I will continue to study with you."

This time, Felix spoke firmly and cut off Lucy's words.

"If anyone cites your background and finds it strange to be with me… … ."

Felix shut his mouth as he spoke. It was because it seemed that harsh words he did not want to spit out in front of Lucy.

"Anyway, don't think like that."

he said in a firm voice.

But even as he said that, in the corner of Felix's heart, the anxiety he had been trying to suppress began to slowly rise again.

Even if my father didn't know about Lucy right now, he wouldn't be completely relieved.

He was in a position to get people's attention even if he didn't do anything special. Even if he stood still, people would wonder about him.

Rather, the more you hide, the more people will be interested in him. Confucius Felix Berg's unusually cautious behavior would be enough to stimulate their curiosity.

What's more, it's even more so if the person you're trying to hide is a girl from commoners, not a noble girl.

He was the heir to the duke. I've lived my whole life without paying attention to the opinions of others. No one dared to laugh at him in front of him.

But Lucy was different. Even in the eyes of people, even in the words of people talking about her, Lucy will never be free.

Even if there are rumors about her relationship with Felix, it must be Lucy who hears bad things about her.

Besides, what if the rumor even reached his father's ears? Can I see you with Lucy in an open place like a library?

Felix was in trouble.

Maybe I'm making Lucy in trouble with my greed?

"Lucy, I was thinking."

After a while he spoke again.

"I don't think studying in the library goes well. The atmosphere is so boring. How about changing the place where we study?"

Felix has a new offer.

"How about an empty classroom other than the library?"

"An empty classroom?"

"Huh. After all, most of the classes are finished after 5 pm, so there are many empty classrooms. I think it would be good to go anywhere and study. I think it would be a little less frustrating."

And there won't be any disgusting glances wondering about you and me.

"how?"

He anxiously waited for Lucy's reply.

It wasn't until after asking the question that I realized that I might have made too much of an offer. Obviously, Lucy could have been embarrassed. However, it was unavoidable that the anticipation that she would approve of it also rose at the same time.

Moments later, when Lucy finally opened her lips.

"Ugh… … ."

I heard someone groan. It was in the back of the classroom they didn't care at all. Felix and Lucy, who were looking at each other's faces, were startled and turned their heads towards the sound.

Someone stood up from behind an empty desk. Then he yawned loudly and stretched out with a squeaky sound.

The person who suddenly appeared was a boy with curly brown hair.

Judging by the fact that he got up from the chairs next to each other, it seemed obvious that they had been taking a nap long before they arrived. The sloppy-haired man blinked sleepy eyes and looked at Felix and Lucy.

Even in the midst of a hazy look, two amber eyes twinkled on their pale face.

"… … Noel?"

Lucy, who recognized his face first, called out his name.

"Ah, it was Lucy-senpai after all."

The boy narrowed his eyes and said in a hoarse voice.

"Somehow, even in my sleep, I heard a familiar voice."

He gave Lucy an innocent childlike smile. The two pretty eyes were softly curved.

At the same time, a grim expression immediately appeared on Felix's face.

what else is this

Irrespective of his harsh expression, the boy pretended to know Felix as well.

"Adrian-senpai was also there."

"It's not Adrian."

Felix nodded bluntly.

"Ah, then you are Felix Berg-senpai."

Instinctively, Felix gave the boy a wary look. I already didn't like the way he smiled and replied kindly no matter what he said.

"Senior, this is Noel Roman, a first-year book member."

Lucy introduced him to a boy. Then the male student also got up and nodded towards Felix.

"Hello, Felix-senpai."

"What were you doing here?"

But Felix asked Noel at once without saying goodbye. The look in his eyes, which suddenly rose as if he didn't like something, was completely different from the gentle gaze he had just looked at Lucy.

"Yes? Ah, what… … . I was sleepy, so I took a nap."

"Did you overheard us?"

At Felix's tone of voice that seemed to be questioning, Noel waved his hand with a bewildered expression.

"No, I didn't eavesdrop."

But Felix still looked at Noel with questionable eyes. Then Noel smiled awkwardly with a puzzled face.

"Elder."

Lucy quietly called out Felix, who looked uncomfortable.

"Why?"

Felix, who couldn't honestly answer that he didn't like the way he smiled and flirted at you, said, "It's nothing." said

There was a subtle silence in the empty classroom. Felix looked at the first grader who appeared out of the blue with an annoyed look, and Noel was still standing there with an awkward smile.

It was a voice from the hallway that broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Lucy! Here it is?"

It was the voice of a girl looking for Lucy.

"Ah! I'll be right back, Jemima!"

She looked out the door and answered, looking at Felix and hurriedly said.

"I'm sorry, senpai. I have to go to my next class. We'll talk later."

She hurried her steps and walked to the door. He didn't get an answer to her question 'Let's meet in the empty classroom', so he hastily pursued her.

"Lucy, wait… … !"

Felix tries to catch her as she disappears through the door, but she turns around first.

"It's five o'clock this afternoon. It's the last classroom on the third floor."

Lucy whispered in a low voice that only Felix could hear. After leaving the secret notice, she left the classroom.

For a moment, Lucy stared blankly at the door that disappeared like the wind. A quiet smile appeared on Felix's lips, realizing that it was soon to accept his offer.

I was able to continue studying with Lucy. alone, too.

"Are you two dating?"

Felix's smile disappeared in an instant at the sound of a voice from behind. He looked at Noel with a cold face.

"You know what to do."

"No, just… … ."

Embarrassed by Felix's cold reaction, Noel clouded the end of his speech with an expression of helplessness.

Felix ignored him and tried to leave the classroom. But, as if Noel had something to say, I called him up.

"Me, senior!"

When Felix turned around, Noel hesitated a bit before asking.

"When your uniform was stolen. Did you see the face of the person who stole it?"

At that, Felix crumpled his face and strode closer to Noel.

"It's true that you overheard us."

"I wasn't eavesdropping! I just heard it in my ears in my sleep!"

Noel said in an embarrassing way.

"But why are you asking that?"

"I wanted to help catch the person who stole it… … ."

"Okay, don't do anything because you don't need it."

Don't laugh out loud in front of Lucy.

Felix gave him one last bitter glance and left the classroom.

* * *

When Felix stopped at the dormitory and changed into school uniform, he sat down next to Adrian, and Adrian raised his head.

"I've been busy since Monday morning."

As Adrian said, it was a crazy Monday.

Do you have ominous dreams from dawn, or do you have allergy medicines stolen from the gym?

Luckily, the moment I met and talked with Lucy was the most enjoyable moment I woke up to today.

Now Felix had only one problem left.

"… … Are you really going to write my name on the exam paper?"

Adrian frowned at Felix's abrupt question. He looked around the classroom carefully.

Alec and Jarvis were chatting in the distance. He whispered back only after confirming that no other students were eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Shut up, classroom. Wasn't that all over yesterday?"

"No matter how you think about it, I think it's stupid. Does it make sense that our grades change overnight in the first place? The kids are not stupid."

"I'm not stupid, but I'll pretend I'm stupid."

Adrian replied sarcastically. As he said, unless there is clear evidence, no one would dare to question the achievements of the Berg Confucius.

Felix leaned against the chair with a sullen face.

"And I'm going to become a pathetic person who takes away my brother's grades."

At his words, Adrian looked displeased. He looked as if he had something to say.