1⩇:5⩇ am ｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡｡˚☁︎☀︎˚☁︎｡｡˚ ☁︎ ˚｡｡

Aster jolted awake, her heart pounding as she scrambled out of bed. She had stayed up late finishing Ranley’s assignment, intending to wake up early, but exhaustion had betrayed her. The sunlight streaming through her window told her everything she needed to know…she had overslept. Panic surged through her veins. Missing morning classes could put her scholarship in jeopardy. She took the quickest bath possible, dressed in record time, and rushed downstairs.

Aunt Sally sat at her sewing table in the tailor’s shop below, her needle moving steadily through fabric. From the stairwell came the sudden thump of hurried footsteps. Aster appeared at the bottom, plopping onto the bench by the shoe cabinet, fingers fumbling as she tried to shove her feet into her shoes in a rush.

“Aunt Sally, why didn’t you wake me up?” she gasped, still struggling with her shoes.

“I did, but you were sleeping so soundly. You looked worn out from yesterday,” Aunt Sally said with a knowing smile. “At least eat something before you go.”

“I’m already way too late!” Aster called, dashing for the door. “See you later!”

And with that, she was gone, sprinting into the street, praying she could salvage what remained of the day.

12:⩇⩇ Noon  ࿓˚࿓˚☀︎.༄˚༄࿔:･

Inside the classroom, the morning lesson had just ended. Katharina tapped her fingers anxiously on her desk, stealing glances at the door. “She’s still not here,” she murmured, concern flickering in her eyes as she stared at Aster’s empty seat. “She didn’t show up at all this morning…”

Flavia, lounging nearby with an air of indifference, smirked. “Maybe she got lazy. Or perhaps she’s trying to avoid submitting the essay assignment.” She examined her nails before adding with a casual flick of her wrist, “Good thing I had mine done yesterday at home. My assistant is quite reliable.”

Katharina frowned. “Miss Aster wouldn’t do that.”

Across the room, Ranley was pacing, far less composed. “She still isn’t here,” he muttered under his breath, raking a hand through his hair. “Damn it, what if she doesn’t show? My essay’s at risk.”

Jarrett, slumped lazily in his seat, raised a brow. “I thought you were supposed to do your own work?”

Ranley shot him a glare. “I was!!… I mean, I meant to—but she was better at it, so I figured why not?”

Flavia and her friends were on their way to Randall’s desk, “Lord Randall, do you want to—”

But before they could reach him, Randall stood and made his way toward Ranley instead. The girls halted mid-step, watching as he stopped before Ranley, his usual composed expression in place. “Have you finished what I asked you to do yesterday? I need it done this afternoon.”

Ranley groaned, rubbing his temples. “This isn’t the time for that, Lord Randall. We’re not even in the council office, and I need to deal with my assignment first.”

Randall remained unfazed. “We don’t need to be in the office for me to ask for it. Since we’re here and it’s lunch break, I might as well.” Then, with a glance at Ranley’s empty hands, he added, “And you should have done your assignment yesterday.”

Ranley opened his mouth to protest, but Randall continued, “You can’t expect others to cover for your negligence. If you intend to manage a household one day, you should start taking responsibility now.”

“That again?” Ranley groaned, already stressed. Before he could say another word, the classroom door burst open.

Aster skidded inside, panting heavily as she stumbled toward Ranley’s desk.

“Here,” she wheezed, shoving the assignment onto his desk. “Sorry… I’m late.”

Ranley exhaled in relief. “Took you long enough,” he muttered, already skimming through her essay.

Aster bent over, trying to catch her breath—only to feel a presence nearby. When she lifted her head, her eyes met Randall’s. The memory of their conversation yesterday stirred, warm and unsettling all at once. She quickly looked away, unsure.

‘Should I greet him? But he might think I’m being too forward… Should I even mention yesterday?’

Before she could make up her mind, Randall turned and walked out of the room without a word.

The tension in the air finally broke. Katharina rushed to Aster’s side. “I was so anxious! What happened to you?”

“I… I overslept.”

Katharina let out a sigh, her shoulders easing. “You should be careful. You can’t risk your scholarship like this.”

Before Aster could respond, murmurs rippled through the classroom.

“Was Lord Randall always that strict?” someone whispered.

Flavia clasped her hands together, watching Randall leave with an almost admiring look. “He can be,” she admitted. “But that’s what makes him respectable. Someone like that—disciplined yet charming and handsome—would make an excellent husband.”

A smirk curled on her lips. “He’d be an asset to any household. Anyone would want to covet him.”

The girls around her giggled and nodded in agreement.

“I want to make him mine,” Flavia said dreamily.

Ranley simply rolled his eyes.

Aster listened but said nothing.

‘Hmm… Strict? I thought so too… but yesterday hadn’t felt that way at all. He only told me to be careful next time and to hurry before the last carriage left. More than strict, it felt like he simply had a way of reminding people.’ 

But her thoughts quickly shifted when Katharina pulled her aside as they made their way to the dining hall.

As they walked, Katharina lowered her voice. “And why in the world did you do Lord Ranley’s assignment?”

“I don’t mind. I thought… maybe this was the best time for us to get closer.” Aster sighed.

Katharina stopped in her tracks, staring at her in disbelief. “Wait… do you like—Lord Ranley?”

“Shhh!” Aster quickly pressed a finger to her lips, leaning toward Katharina as she made the gesture. Then, flustered, she turned her face to the side to hide the warmth rising in her cheeks, her steps carrying her forward again. “Something like that. It’s kind of complicated. Like something that ties us from the past.”

Katharina, still reeling, muttered under her breath, “I don’t know why you’d be interested in someone like him.”

Flavia and her friends trailed behind them, throwing glances at Aster. One of them scoffed. “Honestly, Miss Winslow, you rejected us when we asked for help with our research, but you did Lord Ranley’s?”

Katharina stiffened, irritation flashing across her face. “They asked you to do their assignments too?” she asked in a low, clipped tone.

Aster only nodded, looking down at the floor.

Katharina exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “They have no shame.” She linked her arm with Aster’s and steered her away from the group. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat before you collapse.”

♡➳༻❀♡➳༻❀  ☕︎ ❀༺➳♡❀༺➳♡

Meanwhile, Randall was seated in a private lounge, sipping tea. Across from him sat the headmaster, who regarded him with a curious expression. “So, how are you settling in?”

Randall let out a tired sigh. “Honestly, it’s exhausting dealing with people.”

The headmaster just chuckled. “You’ll find your way soon enough.”