“So he was waiting for Cecilia,” Tilia thought, finally understanding why Ilex turned his head. She looked at him carefully, noticing that the back of his neck was slightly red, as if his face was on fire.
Although she had heard rumors about their supposedly serious relationship, she did not know that they were so close that he even blushed.
“Wait, she said she came to pick him up? So he still didn’t study?”
While Tilia was trying to figure out why Ilex was near the library, Cecilia approached, causing Tilia to quickly turn around. She didn't want to be the third wheel or witness to their secret rendezvous. The last thing she wanted was for Cecilia to subtly tell her to keep quiet.
-Have you been waiting long? You must have been cold... Oh, Tilia!
But Cecilia was faster.
Surprised that Tilia had not yet left, Cecilia, who hurried towards Ilex, greeted her with a surprised voice.
As always, gorgeous eyes.
Suppressing a sigh, Tilia turned around completely, plastering a smile on her face.
- Hello, Cecilia.
Cecilia rolled her eyes awkwardly and moved slightly away from Ilex.
-Are you coming from the library, Tilia?
- Yes, you too?
- No, I just left the student council room. I studied there.
After a short and awkward exchange, Tilia quickly waved her hand and hurried down the stairs.
- Okay, I'll go. Keep studying hard.
Once she was discovered, the best option was to leave quickly.
"Damn"
But Tilia forgot where they were going.
The Royal Akansis Academy was an old, prestigious institution with a dormitory system. Even though the dorms were separate, the women's dorms where both Cecilia and Tilia lived were located next to each other.
“It can’t get any worse.”
Grumbling under her breath, Tilia sighed in disappointment when she found Ailex and Cecilia following her.
No matter how fast she walked, the distance between her and the couple enjoying their little secret didn't seem to change.
- Did you study a lot?
But the worst was just beginning.
“You should have told me it was cold before you went out.”
The conversation of the couple behind her began to reach her ears, even though they kept a short distance.
Ilex remained silent, perhaps uncomfortable with Tilia walking ahead of them. At least he could have said something so that Cecilia wouldn't feel awkward.
However, despite Tilia's worries, Cecilia seemed completely happy, her voice full of excitement.
- I'm so worried. The final exam pass rate is less than 30%. I'm afraid I'll fail the first round.
Tilia tried her best to ignore Cecilia's words, looking in the other direction.
- Oh, but you're not worried, are you, Ilex? You never lost, not once, always taking first place. Tell me, what is your secret? You hardly even study and often skip classes.
But this time Tilia couldn’t help but be wary.
Secret. If there was any secret to his grades, Tilia, more than anyone else, was desperate to know it.
What could it be? Maybe he's studying secretly? Or is it holy water of the highest quality?
She walked more slowly, focusing all her attention on the conversation behind her.
There was still no response from Ilex.
- Well, I think it was a stupid question. There's only one answer, isn't there?
Cecilia's voice sounded with a hint of laughter.
- The real answer is that you were just born this way, right? Because you're a genius?
Tilia kicked a small rock that was in her path and pouted.
“Does it feel good to be called a genius?”
Cecilia's laughter could be heard behind her. Judging by his tone, Ilex was probably smiling too.
Well done.
Tilia straightened up, trying not to show her bitterness.
- But you really are a genius. I will never forget the day you entered the academy as the top student.
Tilia lowered her eyes as she heard Cecilia's words, which pierced her like a sharp arrow.
Cecilia wasn't the only one who never forgot that day.
-You were so impressive. Tell me the truth, you were late on purpose, weren't you?
Tilia's eyelashes trembled as the memories of that day flashed before her eyes.
Her stomach and thighs throbbed from the cane. Perhaps she should have been grateful that they decided to hit her where the marks wouldn't be visible, considering it was the academy's entrance ceremony. Or maybe it was just another sign of their insincerity, hitting her to save face.
With a blank expression on her face, Tilia clenched and unclenched her fists. Unlike the physical pain, the unfamiliar feeling of psychological loss oozed out of her like sweat.
There was no special letter of appointment for the second place at the entrance ceremony to the Royal Academy of Acansis. This honor was reserved exclusively for the top student.
- Model student, come in!
When the white-haired man standing on the podium shouted, the crowd turned expectant glances towards the entrance. Even Tilia, whose green eyes had darkened with disappointment, scanned her surroundings, looking for the person who would soon appear.
- Model student...?
But no one came forward. The director's voice, which sounded embarrassed, began to tremble. There was a murmur in the crowd, and in the distance it seemed that someone had been sent to search for the missing student.
- Why doesn’t anyone come out? I've been waiting for this.
- Do you know who the best student is this year?
-Didn't you hear?
Overhearing the conversations of students nearby, Tilia felt her numb arms begin to relax.
- This is the second son of the Davenport family. He was the subject of discussion at the last debutante ball.
Just as her tense arms began to relax, the black velvet doors to the Victory Hall swung open and sunlight poured in, as if illuminating a dark cave.
- Well, this is a banal appearance.
Someone whistled softly, and there was a hint of mockery in their voice.
And they were right. His appearance was as banal as the appearance of any hero in a fairy tale.
The late summer sunlight streaming in was much brighter than the indoor lighting, and his academic uniform, clearly cut from the finest fabric, was certainly in disrepair.
His polished shoes, illuminated by sunlight, confidently stepped onto the red carpet.
The doors closed.
After the bright light disappeared, the main character was visible in all his glory.
“What a typical protagonist,” Tilia muttered under her breath.
High. Ideally balanced physique. And... an almost impossibly flawless face.
His features, as if drawn by God for a grandiose portrait, were so precise that they did not even seem real. From his straight eyebrows, down his sharp nose, to his defined jawline, every angle was so elegant it seemed ethereal.
Tilia would be willing to bet every penny that whoever whistled sarcastically at his appearance was now completely speechless. Because that's exactly how she felt.
Her palms became damp with sweat again. Without looking away, she looked at the one who dashed her hopes. The one who shattered her pride, which had never wavered since the day she was born, always putting herself first in everything.
Tilia's gaze was intense as she focused on the person who had dealt her the blow.
How did he do it? How did he work to take first place by such a large margin?
Perhaps he sensed hostility in the glances directed at him. Without hesitation, the second son of the Davenport family turned his head and looked straight at her.
In his dull gray-blue eyes, Tilia saw only one emotion - boredom. A deep-rooted boredom that seemed to be ingrained in him as if it were part of his being.
His indifferent gaze slid over her before moving forward again. But even though his head turned, his eyes saw nothing.
- Exemplary Student, Ilex Davenport.
When the director's voice finally found calm, Tilia made an oath.
On graduation day I will be standing there.
Looking at the broad back of the top student of the Royal Akansis Academy, Tilia's green eyes sparkled with determination.
On graduation day I will get rid of this back.
“I wish I had never taken this oath.”
Returning to the present, Tilia took a deep breath.
This wish will never come true. Even after all these years, she still hasn't managed to surpass Ilex.
“Well... once, I still beat him.”
She furrowed her brows as she remembered that moment.