HTNSA 56

Chapter 56

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Eila stopped walking and turned around.

‘…Jerat?’

The person who had stopped her was someone who shouldn’t have been at the academy.

“If you’re not busy, can we talk for a moment?”

Eila furrowed her brows slightly.

“Is there really no option for me to refuse?”

At her polite tone, Jerat’s face stiffened slightly.

Although he had heard from Kedric, he didn’t expect Eila to treat him like a stranger.

“…If possible, I’d like to talk.”

Eila sighed, realizing she couldn’t refuse his request.

Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to say no, she reluctantly took a step forward.

Before long, they arrived at a quieter part of the academy’s garden.

“So, what is it you wanted to talk about?”

Eila asked calmly, and Jerat immediately began.

“I heard that you took first place in the recent exam. Congratulations. The family is all very proud of you.”

Although the words seemed like genuine congratulations, his face was cold and rigid.

No matter how Eila responded, it was clear that Jerat wouldn’t let the matter go easily.

He remembered the previous night, when Rosia had complained with a downcast expression.

“Kedric has been cold towards me ever since meeting Eila. When he talks about her, he suddenly treats me like a villain and looks at me with cold eyes…”

Jerat recalled Rosia’s small hand nervously gripping the hem of his coat.

Her hands, which looked rough and unrefined for a noblewoman, bothered him.

He wanted to grant Rosia’s small wish, if only because of how pitiful she looked.

Even more so, the request Rosia made was a simple one.

“Before, your brothers suggested that Eila come to work as Father’s aide. How about we move that up a little?”

“I also want to live under the same roof with Eila, to get closer to her like the rest of the family. If that happens, I think we can clear up misunderstandings and help each other with our magic studies.”**

To want to get closer to Eila, what a thoughtful idea.

Rosia must have known that Irene missed Eila, so she made the suggestion with consideration.

‘So if Eila were to return to the family, let’s act in a way that would make Rosia more certain about it.’

It was about reassuring Rosia so she wouldn’t be nervous about Eila not being part of the family anymore.

Jerat quickly calmed his mind, shaking off the weirdly soft feelings he had around Eila. He took a firm tone and spoke again.

“Still, isn’t it strange? That after Rosia returned to the family, this happened in her very first exam?”

His gaze pierced through Eila as if to ask for her reaction.

Eila didn’t immediately understand his intention and raised one eyebrow.

‘…Huh?’

What is he saying?

Is he upset that my exam results are better than my own sister’s?

‘And these are the results from a fair exam, right?’

She almost opened her mouth in disbelief, but held herself back just in time.

She had to stay calm at times like this. If she lost her composure and argued back, it would only dig her into a deeper hole.

‘Seriously… Why do the protagonists of tragic romance always have to deal with these ridiculous accusations?’

After swallowing her frustration, Eila managed to ask in as calm a tone as she could muster.

“What do you mean by that? Are you suggesting that I intentionally made things difficult for Rosia?”

“Of course, I don’t think you did it with that intent.”

Jerat replied firmly.

“But the fact remains that your actions have caused the family harm. That can’t be denied.”

While Eila remained silent, Jerat’s words came pouring out like rapid fire.

“You’ve tarnished the reputation of Raitte House, associated with a lowly commoner, and even created shameful rumors…”

“Felix is not a lowly commoner.”

Eila snapped, her voice firm.

“He’s a friend who works hard toward his dreams. Even if you’re Jerat, you have no right to criticize someone you don’t understand.”

At her sharp tone, Jerat blinked in surprise.

But then he sighed inwardly.

‘Has she already gotten so close to him to defend him like that?’

Now he truly understood Rosia’s suggestion.

Making Eila return to the family was the best path for her future.

Jerat slowly closed and opened his eyes, then spoke softly, almost coaxing.

“Then, why don’t you settle your life in the academy and return to the family?”

“…What are you saying?”

“You shouldn’t cause more trouble for everyone. It’s time to return home and reflect.”

Eila stifled a laugh, barely holding it back.

‘How did the Eila in the original story stand this kind of treatment?’

In the original, Jerat had quickly succumbed to Rosia’s influence.

Kedric, though easily manipulated, had a rebellious streak, so he wasn’t easily swayed by Rosia’s manipulations.

But Jerat, due to his straightforward personality, had pity for Eila’s situation at first, only to soon fall under Rosia’s spell.

‘I know I shouldn’t be surprised by this unfair treatment, but…’

She was already feeling an overwhelming exhaustion as she faced Jerat head-on.

Taking a deep breath, Eila calmly opened her mouth.

“After just overcoming mana insensitivity, now you’re asking me to quit my studies?”

Eila’s voice trembled slightly as she continued.

“Is it such a terrible mistake that I did better than Rosia in the exam?”

“…I didn’t mean to say it was a mistake. But you know how rumors are spreading about you at the academy. And how it’s been damaging Rosia’s reputation.”

“…”

“And all your actions up until now seem to suggest that you’re intentionally making things difficult for us.”

At his cold words, Eila’s lips trembled.

Jerat noticed this but quickly pressed on, frustrated.

After talking to Rosia, he had realized that Eila’s outward kindness had always been a façade.

He remembered all the things Eila had done to Rosia.

“You ignored Rosia, who wanted to befriend you at the academy. And somehow, you managed to create a rift between Kedric and Rosia.”

“…”

“You didn’t want to stay engaged to Kadin, and I can understand that. You decided you couldn’t maintain that engagement.”

Eila remained silent and listened carefully.

“But the fact that you started dating that lowly commoner… I can’t understand that. Didn’t Kedric warn you not to behave recklessly?”

“I’ve heard that, yes.”

“Despite being told repeatedly to protect the family’s honor, you refused. And then I heard that Kadin and the commoner fought because of you. Have you thought about how Rosia would feel hearing all these rumors?”

Jerat felt true regret as he spoke.

Looking at Eila’s now calm, empty expression made it even worse.

“We were once family, you know. Is it right to continue causing so much pain?”

Eila stared at Jerat.

She felt bad from his harsh words.

If she hadn’t known the real situation, she might have lashed out at Jerat like she had done before.

But this time, she held herself back and took a deep breath.

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End of Chapter 56