I’m a studious young lady, but I’ve been accused of a lie, so please sign a pledge!

After a moment of staring at each other, Harrymel snapped back to reality.

I don’t have time for this.

Using her strength, she shoved the package into Rojis’s hands and lowered her gaze, effectively blocking him from her view.

“Hey.”

 “…” 

She refused to look up. Mentally, she kept desperately chanting, ‘Just leave.’

“You… how heartless can you be?”

The pen in her hand trembled slightly at his irritated mutter. 

But the only evidence of that was a slightly crooked letter. She continued writing as if nothing had happened. She felt his intense gaze for a while longer, but eventually, as if in defeat, Rojis got up and left the library. 

Since he had also taken the package with him, Harrymel let out a sigh of relief and relaxed.

I can’t let myself be distracted by his games.

On the first day of school, the arrival of Duke Collins’ son, Rojis, had all the girls smitten.

“He’s so charming,”

“Why don’t you talk to him?”

“I wonder how I could start a conversation with him.”

 Even girls who had just met were quick to bond over the topic of his looks. Harrymel, who had been approached a few times about it, had been too focused on other things to give a proper response. She barely ever paid attention to gossip. That’s why the first time Harrymel really noticed Rojis was when the results of their very first entrance exam were posted.

“Are you Remington?“ he sneered in disbelief that someone else’s name dared to be above his. 

He was the sort of person who probably grew up with everything they ever wanted. He was loved by all, admired by plenty, and above all, he had the leisure to tease a plain, studious girl.

Couldn’t Harrymel just win one thing, like a test? It was the one thing she could claim as hers.

Well, he ought to be pretty mad now. I bet he won’t come near me again.

Shaking her head clear of distracting thoughts, Harrymel forged on with her studies.