The scoring period for the final exam at the Royal Acansis Academy lasted two weeks. Fourteen days after the second exam, the results were announced, and from that day onwards it was possible to receive certificates of completion.
Tilia planned to take her to Ontario for an interview at the Foreign Affairs Consulate, scheduled a week after the results were announced. Since all the documents except the certificate and application had already been mailed, she only needed to arrive in Ontario's capital two days before the interview.
Looking at the third class train ticket that she had worked so hard to save up for and book in advance, Tilia sighed softly.
Since the day of the final exam, she had never seen Ilex Davenport.
Looking back, it was only natural. The exams ended, their study group broke up, and they parted ways without agreeing to meet again.
The reason they didn't schedule another Ontario language lesson during their last session the week before the second exam was simple: they wanted to focus more on the exam. Doubling the bonus point for graduating from the Royal Akansis Academy was too significant to pass up.
While interview preparation was important, the final exam was a priority. Completing your studies was a prerequisite for applying to the Foreign Affairs Consulate and dreaming of any future.
Therefore, they agreed to devote the last week exclusively to debate practice, deciding to draw up a further study schedule after the exam.
“If only I had insisted then.”
She didn't expect him to become silent and disappear completely.
Frowning, Tilia looked up from her train ticket and looked out the dorm window.
She didn't expect this from Ilex Davenport. If he made a commitment to help with the interview, he should have followed through with it. How could he disappear three weeks earlier?
Of course, he mentioned that she didn't need any more language lessons. She herself felt that she was now firmly on her feet.
But still, having left such a strong mark on her speech in her Ontario language, he should have taken responsibility instead of disappearing like that.
Even though she knew she was acting like a child demanding more after already getting enough, she couldn't stop complaining.
In fact, the lessons were just an excuse. She wanted to confirm something by seeing him.
Sighing, she began to fiddle with the train ticket in her hands in despair.
Ever since the final exam ended, the newfound peace she must have felt had been completely consumed by thoughts of Ilex Davenport. Whenever she wasn't preparing for an interview, her thoughts invariably returned to him.
Her steps often carried her through the biting wind towards his dorm or to secluded places where they walked together. But even in those places where she subconsciously hoped to find him, there were no traces.
At first, she suspected that he was deliberately avoiding her. However, the snippets of gossip she overheard suggested otherwise.
As always, all sorts of rumors were circulating about academy celebrity Ilex Davenport.
Some said he returned home to prepare for his engagement to Cecelia Clayton. Others claimed that his antics reached the Duke's ears, resulting in his being locked away in a country villa.
There were even rumors that the academy's director witnessed a fight outside the main building on the day of the second exam and was outraged. Supposedly, the Duke of Davenport narrowly prevented the expulsion proceedings. However, no matter how excellent his grades are, he is unlikely to graduate with honors.
Many claimed to have witnessed these events or heard the rumors firsthand, emphasizing their veracity, but few took them seriously.
However, one detail in the swirling rumors seemed to remain unchanged: Ilex Davenport was no longer at the academy.
Wherever he was, it was clear that this was not an academy dormitory.
“Is he really getting ready for an engagement?”
But their relationship was clearly...
Remembering Ilex's hostile attitude towards Cecilia Clayton, Tilia shook her head.
Noble marriages were purely business arrangements. For prestigious families like the Davenports and Claytons, emotions played no role.
Personal feelings didn't matter at all.
Ignoring the feeling of the butterfly ring on Ilex's finger scratching her chest, Tilia forced herself to open the book to prepare for the interview.
However, it was only much later that she realized that she was holding it upside down.
***
The final results were announced on a cloudy, wet day when it looked like it might snow at any moment. Standing in the wind that blew her hair, Tilia stared blankly at the bulletin board with the results.
- Ilex Davenport is not the best graduate? Why not?
-Didn't you hear? The director saw Ilex Davenport beat Mackenzie Fitz to a pulp. Apparently, the director said that he would never allow such a person to represent the academy as the best graduate.
“I thought the Duke of Davenport interfered.” Weren't his scores the highest?
- Oh, the Duke only prevented his expulsion. This year's director is a real pedant.
- Oh, that means someone else was lucky...
The whispers behind her gradually died down as someone tapped her on the shoulder.
- Congratulations, Tilia! You have finally become the best graduate!
- Right? You worked so hard, I knew you would make it in the end. Congratulations.
But Tilia did not seem to even hear their envious congratulations. She continued to look at the board.
Her clear green eyes slowly scanned the listed ratings, stopping at the most recent entry.
Ilex Davenport. His name was there.
At the very bottom of the ad. Despite having the highest scores, it seemed like he barely qualified, as if he was unworthy.
- At least it's being released?
- Certainly. The Clayton family must have been very involved. It would be funny if their future son-in-law was expelled.
Even though Ilex wasn't the best graduate, people couldn't stop talking about him. Looking at his assessment with a distant look, Tilia frowned.
-...Shut up.
- What?
- I said shut up.
Turning her head, Tilia glanced sharply at the surprised faces looking at her.
- If you're going to chat, do it somewhere else. There are people behind you who are waiting for results. What are you doing blocking the board?
The guy who was loudly gossiping about first place blushed brightly at her harsh words.
- W-what nonsense... Okay!
Grumbling, he retreated, apparently frightened by her gaze. His group followed suit, shuffling to the side and sneaking glances at her.
When the area around the notice board was cleared, there was silence. Ignoring the silence, Tilia continued to look at the board.
The first place was her dream. She strove for it, grinding her teeth and burning the midnight oil, believing that achieving it would make her heart bloom like a field of flowers.
But something was wrong. Even though she had achieved this desperately desired position, the joy she had imagined was not there. Instead of blooming flowers, my heart felt empty, like bare branches in a cold wind.
Where is Ilex Davenport now?
Her chaotic thoughts were occupied with the question of his whereabouts. Did he know that he was not the best graduate?
After standing in front of the bulletin board until her hands froze, Tilia finally sighed and looked down.
What difference does it make whether he knew or not? She can't tell him.
Stuffing her red hands into her pockets, she scanned the board for her friend's name. Judy returned home early to take care of her sick grandmother, leaving Tilia with the promise that she would share the results.
After some searching, she found Judy's name somewhere in the middle of the long list.
“Look, Judy. You did much better than you expected."
Smiling faintly at her friend's success, Tilia turned to leave. And then...
- Miss Tilia Ambrose?
An unfamiliar middle-aged man appeared in front of her.
He had a neatly trimmed black mustache and a silk bowler hat strewn with small snowflakes. His appearance exuded uncertainty and suspicion.
-Are you Tilia Ambrose, eldest daughter of the Ambrose family?
-...Yes, it's me. Who are you?
- I am an assistant sent by Earl Brian Dawson.
After briefly introducing himself, the man arrogantly raised his chin and continued:
- Your father, Baron Ambrose, disappeared, owing the Earl of Dawson twelve thousand six hundred gold pieces. According to the debt settlement agreement, Miss Tilia Ambrose, the eldest daughter of the Ambrose family, now becomes the debtor.