The second final exam at the academy was an oral debate examination, during which five students sat at a round table and debated in front of a jury.
Since both groups and topics were randomly selected, extensive practice was required to master the style of debate.
Unlike the first exam, where it was every student for themselves, the second exam required the learning community to practice debating on various topics together.
“Who should I choose?”
Naturally, this also applied to Tilia, who preferred to study alone. Studying for the second exam alone - an exam that assessed not only argument structure but also interaction with others - would have been simply stupid.
“I’ll definitely be on the same team as Judy, so that’s one of five options. Maybe I'll ask Diana, who was in my class before..."
Tilia was deep in thought about how to form her group when a voice called out from behind her.
- Hello, Tilia.
Turning her head, Tilia saw a group of three or four young girls, led by a girl with red hair.
Tilia looked at the group, adorned with various ribbons and jewels, and turned her attention to the one who seemed to call her.
- Hello, Cecilia.
Half her group had disappeared—probably dropped out of the first exam, she thought indifferently as she finished her greeting and turned away.
- What impudence!
Before she could leave, the girl standing next to Cecilia, wearing a dainty clip in her hair, snapped at her.
Although it sounded like she was muttering something under her breath, it was obvious that her words were directed at Tilia, who stopped and turned to look at her.
Under Tilia's gaze, the girl with the precious hairpin who spoke so boldly seemed to shrink back slightly.
“Flirting with an engaged man, how can she be so shameless!”
However, as if remembering who she was standing next to, the woman dramatically puffed out her chest and continued in an exaggerated tone:
- Stop it, Haley.
The next voice, firmer than the first, belonged to someone who seemed to know how to act better - the friend of the girl with the precious hairpin, who was now trying to calm her anger, as if it were part of the script.
- How was your vacation, Tilia?
- Oh, you know, as usual. How are you, Cecilia?
- I was very busy. I was getting ready to get engaged to Ilex.
A. Tilia made a small sound of realization, finally understanding why this tiresome drama had begun.
It looks like the rumors of Ilex and Cecilia's engagement have finally come true.
Their relationship had been rocky last semester, but they must have reconciled during the holidays.
- Apparently, the engagement will take place before graduation. The Davenport family insists on this.
- It's clear.
- Yes. I thought you should at least know that.
- Well, congratulations.
-...Is that all you can say?
- What else?
Tilia spoke softly, looking at Cecilia, whose face looked paler, perhaps due to preparations for the engagement.
- Is there anything else you want to hear?
The moment Cecilia mentioned her engagement, Tilia understood why she had deliberately chosen this crowded place to begin the scene.
It was obvious that the story of Ilex Davenport sending her flowers every day had spread throughout the community.
In retrospect, it was so obvious that Tilia wondered why she hadn't thought of it sooner.
And it wasn't just the chattering servants who were to blame; her father and George no doubt talked about it all the time too.
Having received this predictable contempt, Tilia remained unperturbed and calmly looked at Cecilia.
So what? What should I do about it?
It seemed Cecilia wanted to treat her like a mistress, now that she was about to become Ilex Davenport's fiancée. But Tillia had too many worries to indulge in such trifles.
- You and Ilex seem to be a great fit for each other. Is that enough congratulations, Cecilia?
At these words, Cecilia's carefully maintained smile visibly tightened. Without it, her face looked rather stern.
- How dare you...!
- It's okay, Hayley.
Cecilia quickly calmed her friend, who seemed ready to repeat her previous outburst, and regained her usual smile.
- It's not like he only had one or two women.
With an even brighter smile, Cecilia spoke in a calm voice:
- Study hard, Tilia. This is the most important thing for you, right? I know Baron Ambrose has been having a hard time lately, so you should at least support him.
- Thank you, Cecilia. Your words really motivate me to work even harder.
Tilia responded with an equally kind smile.
“I hope the preparations for the engagement go well.” In the end, this is probably the most important thing for you.
With a clear, bright smile, Tilia turned away from the ribboned group, leaving them behind.
It seemed to her that someone was shouting something after her, but she did not bother to turn around.
- Tilia!
Judy was already in their dorm room.
She seemed to be waiting for Tilia, as she rushed over to greet her friend. Her face was even more joyful than usual.
- I was waiting... Tilia, what's wrong with your face?
- My face?
Hearing Judy's words, Tilia reached out and touched her cheek.
- What's wrong with him? Is there something on my face?
- No, it's just so pale. Are you feeling unwell?
- No, I'm fine. I guess I'm just nervous about the second exam.
Hearing this, Judy glanced at Tilia for a moment before carefully reaching out and taking her hand.
- What's happened?
- Nothing.
When Tilia asked, puzzled by Judy's unusually affectionate gesture, Judy smiled shyly.
- I just realized that this is our last year living together in the same room.
Tilia was about to scold her, but Judy's undeniable words made her close her mouth and just look at her friend.
- Then maybe we should have a party in honor of our last semester before the second exam? Look! The chef sent us another basket of snacks!
Just as things were about to heat up, Judy, wanting to keep it casual, pulled Tilia over to her desk with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Tilia, who seemed about to say something else, decided to support her friend's efforts and played along with her by making a cheerful noise.
***
Their private party with snacks lasted late into the night.
Judy, who had loudly declared that she would break all the rules as soon as they graduated, fell asleep first, drinking champagne, and Tilia cleaned herself up and also lay down, but soon got up.
Perhaps because she had eaten so late, her stomach felt heavy. She wanted to open the window and get some fresh air, but she didn't want to disturb Judy, who was fast asleep.
What should I do? After some deliberation, Tilia finally wrapped herself in an old shawl and went outside.
The early morning air, reminiscent of the time between the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, was pleasantly cool.
Taking a deep breath to fill her lungs, Tilia habitually rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a small notebook. It was a memorization notebook filled with debate topics.
“I’ll just quickly run through the most likely topics.”
Determined, Tilia carefully reviewed the topics she had written down, trying to remember the arguments both for and against.
Unlike the brief notes in her notebook, the theories that could be developed from them were endless.
But she couldn't concentrate for long. Taking a deep breath, Tilia closed the notebook.
In truth, she knew the reason for her concern. It wasn't that she ate late, but that her mind was in turmoil.
Staring stubbornly at the notebook, which now made no sense, Tilia remembered what her father had said on the morning of her departure.
“Tillia, this time... try to get financial support from the second son of the Davenport family.”
Baron Ambrose's request was the same as the question he asked the day she pretended to meet Ilex at the used bookstore.
- This time it's the right thing. I'm telling you, there's a fortune hidden in that mine! Isn't it a shame to let these gems go undetected due to lack of investment?
Bradley Ambrose clung to Tilia while she was packing and chatted about an enterprise she never asked about.
But Tilia's answer was the same again.
- Sorry, father. I asked, but it didn't work.
- What man wouldn’t give his mistress investment money?! He sends flowers, but there is no funding?!
Bradley screamed furiously as soon as she refused.
-Did you even ask properly? Or did you just try it once and immediately backed down, afraid of losing his affection?
As she bowed her head in apology to her fierce father, Tilia's heart was filled with nothing but contempt for him.