“I have to do this properly.”
Tilia sat at a table in front of the towering entrance to the central library, modeled after an ancient temple with rows of stone columns. With a determined look, she scanned the materials in front of her.
“I will make sure everyone in my study group, including myself, passes the exam.”
- Here.
With strong determination, Tilia handed the materials marked in red to Judy, who was sitting opposite her.
- I think that's enough for this week.
- S-so much, all this...?
- Yes. The study group will not work perfectly from the start, so I reduced the workload. Next week, depending on how things go, we will be able to gradually increase it.
- And then... increase it further?
As Judy looked at the materials Tilia had given her, her face became increasingly despondent. She fell onto the table with a groan.
- Oh, God, making the ladies wait so long!
Mackenzie Fitz, a correspondence student who was at least six years older than them, approached them with an animated voice.
-Where is Victor Bartlett?
Seeing that Mackenzie, who usually sat next to her, came alone, Tilia frowned slightly.
- Didn't he come with you?
Due to different class schedules, members of the study group agreed to meet at the first table in front of the library after the afternoon classes.
As far as Tilia remembered, Victor Bartlett and Mackenzie Fitz were in the same class today.
- Weren’t you both in geometry class? Why did you go separately?
- Do you remember this? Wow, Tilia. You have such a good memory. Or maybe you are showing special interest in me?
- Stop joking. Why did you go separately?
“Victor said that someone wants to join our group, so he will go with him,” Mackenzie answered casually, not paying attention to Tilia’s stern tone.
-...Should someone join our group?
- Yes. We are still missing one person.
Hearing his words, Tilia raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise and moved to the edge of the bench.
It's been a week since the start of the semester. By this time, most candidates preparing for the second final exam have already formed their own learning communities and began studying in groups.
Someone who is not part of the group at this stage...
“It must be some kind of straggler.”
- Don't you like it?
- No.
Despite her disdainful thoughts about the potential new member, Tilia shook her head decisively at Mackenzie's words.
- It's better to complete the group. Like you said, we're still one person short.
The debate required five participants. Even if they were an unreliable addition, it's better to have a full group. Even a straw man was better than nothing.
- They will be here soon... Ah, here they are, coming here.
Tilia hoped that the new member of the group would at least be a girl when Mackenzie pointed to Victor Bartlett approaching the library stairs.
Without much expectation, Tilia turned her head in the direction indicated by Mackenzie.
The central library, carefully designed by its founder, was located on a hill.
This grand structure afforded a beautiful sunset over the sprawling campus, but to enjoy the view, one first had to climb the seemingly endless steps leading to it.
"It doesn't look like it's a girl."
Watching Victor Bartlett choose the steep stairs instead of the inclined path, Tilia quietly clicked her tongue.
A man raised in a knightly family would not choose the stairs if he were accompanying a lady, so the new member following Victor must be a man.
Even less excited, Tilia indifferently turned her gaze to the stairs, where a new figure was supposed to appear.
The first thing that caught the attention of her indifferent green eyes was her bright blonde hair, illuminated by the red glow of the setting sun.
For a moment she thought there was something strangely familiar about that fine blond hair.
Step by step, as he walked up the stairs, a man's face came into view.
Autumn has arrived - the time of year when the days begin to get shorter.
A colder wind than the day before blew from behind her, heading towards the man who was now fully exposed.
Above golden hair that fluttered slightly in the wind, her eyes met his, those blue-gray eyes reminiscent of winter.
Realizing who it was, Tilia involuntarily clenched her fists in her lap.
- Oh...
Tilia wasn't the only one who recognized the new member. Judy, who also didn't have high hopes, whispered in a dazed voice:
- A-Ilex Davenport...why is he joining our study group?
The moment Tilia heard that name from her friend's lips, she stood up abruptly without hesitation. She angrily walked towards the man who was walking towards them.
***
- What are you doing?
Dragging Ilex Davenport to a deserted area behind the library, Tilia hissed at him.
- Why did you join my study group?
- Why? Are there any rules that prevent me from joining?
- Now is not the time to joke...
Throwing a fierce look at him, Tilia realized that she was still holding his hand and abruptly let go.
Watching her, Ilex grinned, a mocking smile playing on his lips as he spoke:
- I was just looking for a study group. When Victor Bartlett said they were one member short, I accepted the offer.
- Why haven’t you had a study group yet?
Tilia asked, unable to hide her irritation at his casual tone.
- You are the best on the course. What's the point?
The most important criterion in recruiting members for the study group for the Royal Academy's second final examination was grades.
He topped the course for four years in a row, and even came first in the first exam with a stunning score. There was no reason why someone like him wouldn't have found a study group at this late stage.
Then why?
Just as she was about to question his motives, she looked at his smooth face and sighed.
Forget it. Even if she pressed him, he still didn't answer honestly.
- Don't do anything strange and just leave.
Instead of putting pressure on the mystery man, Tilia chose a conciliatory approach.
- Someone of your level can easily leave this group and form a new one. I'll explain this to the others, so just leave as if nothing happened.
- Why should I leave an excellent study group?
Even though she retreated, Ilex remained steadfast.
- Is there any reason why I cannot join your group?
-Are you asking because you don’t know?
Tilia's expression became harsh and she couldn't hold it in any longer.
- Rumors about the flowers you sent me spread throughout the academy. If we end up in the same study group, what kind of gossip do you think will ensue?
She couldn't deny that when she found out that Cecilia Clayton was trying to stop her graduation, she felt a little resentful towards Ilex for sending her those flowers.
However, there was a reason why she didn't tell him about it.
Although these flowers caused her trouble, they also brought benefits.
Thanks to gifts from Ilex Davenport, Tilia had a wonderful holiday.
She knew well that there is no free happiness. Tilia, who learned this the hard way during her difficult life, accepted that Cecilia's rage was the price she had to pay.
But she was not ready to pay more than the comfort she received during her vacation.
Thinking about her nosy father and the investment letters that would soon arrive, Tilia looked at Ilex with irritation.
“I do not intend to add fuel to the fire of these dirty rumors.” So, while I'm still being nice, go away.
Ilex silently looked at the fierce woman in front of him, who had even stopped speaking politely.
Just when she was about to stamp her foot and demand an answer from him...
“...So the flowers finally reached you,” he muttered with a blank expression on his face.
- What?
- I say, it looks like the flowers have reached you.
There was no particular emotion on his face as he spoke, his expression even more indifferent than usual.
- I sent them several times, but never received an answer or even news from you. I wasn't even sure if they were delivered.
-……
- But if you know about them, then they were delivered properly.
Caught off guard by the unexpected topic, Tilia involuntarily bit her lip as she looked at him.
Ilex's face was as beautiful as the flowers he sent, but like those flowers, she could not guess his true intentions.
- Did you like them? Were they beautiful?
There was a wry smile in his voice as he looked at her, narrowing his eyes slightly.
- I told them to send only the most beautiful and valuable flowers that were grown with care.
-……
- Were they worth the money? Did you like them, even a little?
Unable to understand his sarcastic tone, Tilia only bit her lip in frustration.
His gaze fell on her flaming lips for a moment before quickly returning to her eyes.