Chapter 12
A light passed over a brown-haired female student, briefly brushing past a black-eyed male student, before stopping in front of someone.
Soon, the principal’s voice rang out loudly.
“This year’s Rose is—Elizia Worder Ortigia of the Kingdom of Ortigia!”
She had expected little applause, but a louder cheer than expected erupted.
At this point, even the usually composed Elizia felt her heart waver slightly.
It was a strange feeling—somewhat awkward, somewhat ticklish inside.
Before she knew it, Frederic had approached and was holding out his hand to her.
Elizia took his hand and stepped up onto the stage. It was time to give her acceptance speech.
Standing on the stage, she watched Frederic deliver his speech and briefly fell into thought.
‘Come to think of it… I didn’t prepare anything to say.’
She hadn’t even expected to be nominated, so of course she hadn’t prepared a speech.
But instead of feeling anxious, she calmly waited for her turn.
Frederic expressed gratitude to several people, spoke of his aspirations, and ended with, “I share this joy with my beloved,” clearly directed at Sophie.
Elizia scanned the crowd below and found Sophie. She looked slightly embarrassed, yet clearly happy, fidgeting with her fingers.
The sight made Elizia smile a little.
Finally, it was her turn. She stepped forward to the front of the stage. The bright lights made it hard to see.
An acceptance speech—how hard could it be? Just say what you want.
“First, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone at the Royal Academy of the neutral nation of Swena. This joy was unexpected, so I am a bit flustered, but there is one thing I can say with certainty.”
She paused briefly, looking over the shimmering lights before continuing.
“I, Elizia Worder Ortigia, will faithfully fulfill my role as the Rose and bring honor to the school. I hope you will see next year that your choice was the right one… and I wish you all a wonderful party.”
It was short and simple—but very much like her.
As soon as she finished, Frederic began clapping, and soon the entire student body cheered and applauded.
She had ended up sitting here thanks to Lakan’s help, but it was quite enjoyable.
Clapping along, she looked around.
Beth was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she had left early, unable to watch Elizia’s selection.
After stepping down from the stage, Elizia returned to enjoying the party.
She laughed with five or six close female friends, and eventually just listened quietly to their chatter.
Perhaps because of the lightly alcoholic drink, her soft cheeks were slightly flushed like rose petals.
“To be honest, I did have some preconceived notions because you’re a princess of Ortigia.”
“Right. The prince of the Empire and the princess of the Shati Kingdom are quite aloof. Well, they’re of noble blood.”
“Ah, I don’t mean you’re not dignified! It’s just… your gaze feels warm when you look at us.”
“Is the King of Ortigia also a kind person like you?”
Listening to them, Elizia smiled softly.
Kind, they said. Yet just hours ago, she had shoved a male student rather roughly.
It was a somewhat embarrassing compliment that didn’t quite suit her—but it didn’t feel bad either.
Elizia wasn’t someone constantly surrounded by people like Princess Beth or Lakan.
Still, the few close acquaintances she had trusted her deeply and cared for her.
The reason people around her felt fond of her was because of her nature.
She was confident yet humble, direct yet not rude. Enough to make one naturally feel goodwill toward her homeland, Ortigia.
Elizia narrowed her eyes slightly and smiled contentedly.
Bright lights spilled out through the window into the night.
The party ended.
Even a cheerful event like a party inevitably left one physically and mentally tired.
So Elizia usually returned to her room, kicked off her shoes, and left her clothes in disarray.
But not today.
She hummed softly as she neatly arranged her clothes and placed her shoes properly.
Was it because she had been chosen as the Rose? Instead of fatigue, a faint excitement lingered.
‘I became the Rose thanks to senior.’
For the first time since enrolling, Elizia smiled while thinking of Lakan.
Until now, thinking of him would make her frown or pout—but now it brought a smile.
It was a surprisingly strange development in their relationship.
Suddenly, she recalled the moment they danced together.
The soft melody in the air, his distinct fragrance, his warmth that felt almost hot, and his low voice close to her ear.
Just imagining it made her ears tingle and sent a shiver down her spine.
Pressing a hand against her chest, Elizia blinked.
She couldn’t quite grasp what she was feeling.
But one thing was certain within that vague emotion—she shouldn’t think about him anymore.
‘Damian. Damian… Damian Leodric.’
She forced herself to think of Damian—her fiancé back in the kingdom.
She recalled his gentle smile and warm voice.
But unlike before, her heart didn’t race, nor did she feel that familiar ache from his distant affection.
It was a night full of things she couldn’t understand.
Two weeks had passed since the party.
Being chosen as the Rose hadn’t changed much. She still attended classes and spent time with friends as usual.
She had heard she would represent the school during events, but so far, there were no schedules.
Elizia was chatting idly with a female classmate in the garden behind the academy.
With exams approaching, it was a brief moment of leisure.
They had been chatting for about thirty minutes—complaining about strict professors and worrying about assignments—when someone called her name.
“Elizia.”
It was Lakan.
Elizia almost brightened instinctively but quickly composed herself.
She had once thought of him as an arrogant and narcissistic man, but now she found herself smiling whenever she saw him.
“How come you’re here?”
Sitting on a stone wall, she raised a hand casually, like greeting a close friend. Her attitude toward him had grown lighter by the day.
He walked up to her, arms crossed, and nodded toward a building beyond the apple trees.
“Let’s go.”
A sudden and unexplained request.
Elizia leaned back slightly, puzzled.
“Go where?”
“Meeting with the principal. He said you should come too.”
“A meeting? Me too? Why?”
“Who knows? We’ll find out when we get there.”
He casually acknowledged her friend’s greeting.
Elizia told her friend she’d leave first and hopped down from the wall.
Lakan instinctively stepped forward and offered his hand.
But instead of taking it, Elizia jumped down on her own.
Her feet landed on the grass, and her smooth hair fluttered in the breeze.
“Let’s go.”
She mimicked his earlier gesture and turned ahead.
Lakan looked at his empty hand for a moment, then chuckled.
The distance between them soon closed as they walked side by side.
A faint fragrance drifted from him.
Not overwhelming—just a pleasant, subtle scent.
‘He smells really nice.’
Without realizing it, Elizia leaned slightly toward him, then quickly pulled back.
Since the party, every time she caught that scent, her heart would race, and she’d find herself drawn to it.
And along with it came one clear memory—that her heart had pounded wildly when she was in his arms.
She consciously took half a step away.
‘No. I can’t get any more drawn in.’
What she once thought was just an arrogant noble now felt strangely unfamiliar.
Lakan slowed his pace to match hers.
With his hands behind his back, he glanced down at her.
“Elizia. Let’s go see an opera this weekend.”
“….”
It was sudden. Her steps slowed slightly.
She glanced at him sideways, her face calm but her thoughts racing.
‘Opera? With me? Why? Is this… a date? No way.’
“Senior, are you talking to me?”
She looked around, but there was no one else—just flowers and a pigeon pecking at something.
Lakan stopped and smirked.
“Who else would I be talking to? That pigeon?”
She stared at him and asked directly,
“Then… is this a date?”
For a moment, the ease left his expression.
Under the red glow of the setting sun, his ears seemed slightly flushed—but only for an instant.
He stepped closer.
As he leaned in slightly, Elizia unconsciously swallowed.
‘Why is he getting closer?’
His emerald eyes, tinged faintly with blue, shimmered clearly up close.
She thought she was used to his face—but this closeness made her tense.
‘I don’t think my looks are a matter of taste.’
The words he had once said crossed her mind.
In the sunset glow, Lakan looked at her with a faint smile and spoke slowly.
“Do you want to go on a date with me, Elizia?”
