Only then did everything make sense.
She wondered why he was staring at the sheet for so long. He must have been afraid that she would ask him to take responsibility. The thought of both of them worrying about the same thing and being so wary of each other made her chuckle.
“Of course, I chose Ilex Davenport for a reason.”
With a brightening face, Tilia uncorked the bottle. She couldn't help but praise herself for making good choices in the past.
For a moment she doubted whether this was really the same medicine, but soon the doubts were dispelled.
After all, the man she was with was none other than Ilex Davenport, the second son of the prestigious Davenport family, who wanted nothing to do with anyone.
Now that she thought about it, even him telling her to wash up before they started was probably because he was worried about his own safety. He wouldn't want to associate with someone dirty, right?
Considering the countless rumors, the fact that there was never any gossip about him after that made him trustworthy at least in this matter. Remembering the worried expression on his face when he looked at the sheets, Tilia became even more confident.
He must have been afraid that I would come to him and announce that I was having a child with him.
Convinced that he had given her a contraceptive, Tilia swallowed the medicine without a shadow of a doubt. Then, with a look of relief on her face, she put the bottle back on the nightstand and straightened up.
- I don’t need to thank you, right?
After all, this medicine was meant for both of them.
Now fully dressed in her school uniform, Tilia looked at herself in the mirror on the nightstand. The disheveled woman who had been moaning and gasping just hours earlier was no longer there. All that remained was the image of Tillia Ambrose, full of thoughts about moving forward.
“I don’t need to say this, but I’ll say it anyway, just once.”
She brushed off her skirt and turned around.
Ilex Davenport was still standing in the same place, frozen after handing her the bottle of medicine.
Tilia looked into his eyes and spoke in a calm, balanced voice.
“I hope no one else finds out about today.”
His eyes, which silently watched her, were still as deep as an abyss. But no matter how deep they were and what emotions were hidden in them, they no longer mattered to Tilia.
“You don’t want to mess with me either, do you?”
After all, she already got what she wanted.
Tilia smiled softly, turning up the corners of her mouth.
Of course she was grateful. He was a good player and he played his role well. But that was all. There were no more feelings.
She used him, yes, but she believed it was a fair exchange. He certainly enjoyed her body to the fullest.
"And frankly, if he has any conscience, he shouldn't act like he's been treated unfairly."
Especially after he enjoyed every moment.
As she turned away with a light heart, thinking that her body must have pleased him, Tilia's thoughts were completely focused on the exam.
“I just need to make sure I don’t fail. What was the last time I watched it?
Just as she was about to leave the room, lost in academic thoughts, something made her turn around.
Ilex still stood in the room like a statue. Tilia tilted her head curiously.
- Aren't you going to finish your studies? Hurry up and get dressed.
She took one last look at him, as if she had seen the strangest man in the world, and then turned away completely.
That was the end of it.
Having completed her task, Tilia left the room without a hint of regret.
Knock. The door closed and there was silence in the room.
Even after she left, Ilex remained silent for a long time, standing still.
The clock has already struck three.
By this time, she will already be taking the exam in the main building.
- Ha.
A burst of laughter escaped Ilex's lips.
What started out as a chuckle quickly grew into a full-blown laugh that made his strong shoulders shake.
Covering his eyes with his large hand, Ilex trembled uncontrollably throughout his body and laughed.
His laughter filled the unkempt room, echoing, fading and growing louder again.
And finally, when the noise died down, Ilex slowly lowered his hand.
- …It's clear.
His pale gray eyes had completely changed.
- So this is how you want to play.
His eyes sparkled coldly, sharp as a freshly sharpened blade.
***
Made!
While the teaching assistant collected exam papers, Tilia stretched, relaxing her tense shoulders.
The exam was quite easy.
There were rumors that retaking the exam would be unbearably difficult, but it seems that these rumors were unfounded.
She hadn't double-checked her answers so she couldn't be completely sure, but at least she was sure she hadn't failed the exam.
"God bless. I can finish my studies."
Tilia sighed with relief and stared blankly at the board.
Something on the dry-scrubbed board caught her attention.
Missing: 1
The number one, written in neat handwriting, stood out against the green background.
Tilia slowly turned her head and looked around the class.
Among the tired faces, the person she was looking for was not there.
“Didn’t come, huh?”
With her head down and deep in thought, Tilia wondered why.
His physical condition did not appear to be bad.
Maybe he didn't want to finish his studies? Or...
- Tilia!
But before she could finish her thought, Judy, looking furious, rushed towards her.
-Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I was? How could you not show up before the exam?
Tilia was unable to continue her thoughts as her friend grabbed her and shook her shoulders.
Well, maybe he just didn't want to come. He's run away before.
Deciding not to think too much about his absence, Tilia quickly erased Ilex Davenport from her memory.
- Do you know how many times I went to the toilet and back? I was so worried that you wouldn’t come to the exam...!
Now her main task was to calm her roommate, who was on the verge of tears.
***
-Are you not feeling well?
- Yes. I was in the infirmary, so I was late.
Tilia tried to avoid Judy's worried gaze as she continued.
“But fortunately the medicine worked and I’m fine now.” I don't feel any pain.
- Was it that bad? You were fine this morning.
- Hmm, it seems I just drank the water too quickly, and it didn’t make me feel good.
Tilia quickly came up with an excuse and forced a natural smile.
- But isn't that luck? I recovered just in time for the exam.
- Yes, it’s luck... But you must have been very nervous, to such an extent that even the water made you feel sick. I've heard that when a person is very nervous, even something as harmless as water can upset the stomach.
Judy believed her story without a doubt, and her shoulders slumped like a dejected puppy.
- And I’m walking near the toilet and wondering why you don’t come out. So that's why - you weren't there.
Tilia couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as she imagined her friend eagerly waiting for her. She looked down at the floor.
“Still, it’s a relief that you made it to the exam.” In fact, it's even better that you ended up in the infirmary.
Judy, who was making Tilia feel guilty with her worried expression, suddenly clapped her hands and looked at her with a happier expression.
- Gregory Myers hung around the women's restroom the entire time you were gone. When I got worried and looked in, he grinned and asked if you were inside.
-...Gregory?
- Yes. When I said you weren't there, he swore and stormed off.
Judy's face twisted in disgust at the memory.
“He was definitely waiting to pick a fight with you.” What a moron.
-...Yes, that’s probably what happened.
When Tilia remembered the source of all her recent troubles, her expression turned cold.
She wasn't going to leave it like that.
Tilia quickly began to think of ways to expel Gregory Myers from the academy in the most disgraceful manner possible.
“He must have told his friends about me. First I will collect evidence from them...”
- Tilia.
With an inner voice full of malice, Tilia was plotting revenge when Judy interrupted her thoughts.
- Hm? What?
-You still look sick. Your face is very pale.
Judy looked at Tilia's face with concern and then stood up.
- Let's go back to the dorm. You should take your medicine and get some rest.
As Tilia awkwardly stood up from her seat, she suddenly remembered something.
- Judy, didn't you have any plans for today? You said you were going with your family to celebrate your brother's return.
- Do you think it matters? You are sick.
-What are you talking about? It's been three years since you last saw your entire family.
Realizing how much Judy had been looking forward to today, Tilia gently pushed her friend on the shoulder.
- I'm fine now. As you said, your complexion will improve with rest and medication. I can take care of myself, so just go.
- But...
“I would be embarrassed if you canceled your plans and stayed with me.” So please go. I beg you.
Tilia's request was sincere. More than worry, she needed some alone time right now to clear her head.
Tilia knew that if Judy, who was completely unaware of the situation, stayed by her side, her own feelings of self-hatred would only become stronger.
- I'm really fine.
Tilia smiled as wide as she could, hoping she looked convincing.
- If you're really worried, just bring me some chocolate when you get back.