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The spell of tension broke soon after Randall left the room. Since Flavia and her friends had failed to win his approval for their invitation, they were forced to head to the dining hall on their own. The corridors buzzed with chatter, every group of students eager to talk about the silver-haired newcomer.

Katharina, equally charmed, linked her arm through Aster’s as they walked.

“He’s like someone straight out of a fairytale,” she said, her tone half-admiring, half-puzzled. “Cold and mysterious, but with this… magnetic charm. And unlike most noblemen, he doesn’t seem easily swayed by flattery. Don’t you think so?”

Aster gave a small nod, though her gaze wandered past the crowd, settling on Ranley. He was laughing at something Jarrett had whispered, the sight pulling her thoughts away. She had managed to muster the courage to approach him that morning, only for their exchange to unravel sooner than she hoped—cut short by the new student’s sudden arrival.

By the time they reached the dining hall, the clatter of trays and the hum of laughter filled the air. Students clustered into their usual groups, the atmosphere lively as ever.

Katharina continued brightly, “Still, he’s… impressive, isn’t he? Tall, composed, handsome—and you saw how he dismissed them. No hesitation at all. I think he’s going to be the kind of nobleman everyone talks about.”

Aster hummed in vague agreement, but Katharina quickly noticed her distraction. “Are you even listening to me?” she pouted.

Snapping back, Aster gave an awkward smile. “Sorry, Katharina. My mind was wandering. You were talking about Lord Randall, right? Uhm… I guess he really is impressive, like you said. He’s firm and stands by what he believes is right. There’s a sense of justice about him.”

The memory of the marketplace flickered through her mind. It was the moment when Randall shielded her from false accusation.

Katharina blinked at her, puzzled. “Huh? Sense of justi–? Where did that even come from? That’s not what I meant at all.” She sighed in surrender. “Let’s just eat.”

As they settled at a quiet corner table, Aster’s thoughts drifted again. Randall’s aloof blue eyes rose in her mind—eyes that seemed to look right through her.

‘Did he recognize me?’ She shook her head sharply, startling Katharina.

“Are you alright? You’ve been acting strange since this morning.”

“I guess a lot’s happened since the weekend,” Aster admitted with a sheepish laugh. “I might be losing my mind.”

Katharina chuckled with her, and the tension eased between them.

At another table, Flavia and her circle were too caught up gushing over Randall’s elegance and speculating about his disappearance to bother them. Other students joined in, whispering excitedly.

“Where do you think he went?”

“Probably doesn’t eat with the rest of us,” one guessed. “A Marquess’s son must have his own dining place.”

“Right? He’s so elegant. Even for us nobles, he feels out of reach. Like breaking through his walls would be impossible.”

Flavia smirked, her eyes gleaming with self-assurance. “Impossible for you, maybe. Lord Randall isn’t like other men, that much is obvious. But even someone like him can’t stay indifferent forever. Sooner or later, he’ll realize I’m the only one worth his attention.”

Flavia’s words were like a challenge and the table stirred with uneasy energy, though some of the girls sighed in open admiration, already picturing her at his side.

Ranley leaned back beside Jarrett, faintly relieved that Randall wasn’t in the dining hall. Yet the mention of his name still soured the air…proof that even in absence, he still managed to steal the spotlight.

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After lunch, students returned to class for their etiquette and diplomacy lesson. Randall had rejoined them by then, slipping into his seat with an easy composure that drew every eye. A flutter of whispers rippled among the girls, delighted to see him back, while others straightened in their chairs as though hoping to appear more refined under his glance.

Aster was simply relieved that Katharina had exchanged seats with her earlier—sitting between her and Randall, Katharina made it easier for Aster to breathe. The moment broke when Professor Theo, known for his strict yet polished teaching style, began the lesson by assigning a research paper on historical alliances between noble houses and their impact on modern diplomacy.

“I expect a thorough report by tomorrow, with proper citations,” he announced, prompting a chorus of groans. Digging through historical records and analyzing noble politics was tedious work, and most students much preferred practical lessons over written assignments.

After a couple of hours of class, dismissal came at last. Katharina quickly packed her things.

“I have to go. My father expects me home early for a family meeting,” she explained, fastening her cloak with her family’s crest.

Aster smiled. “That’s fine. I need to head to the library for my work and for the assignment anyway.”

“Alright, see you tomorrow!” Katharina said to her. She then turned to Randall, who now sat beside her after swapping seats with Aster earlier. “See you tomorrow, Lord Randall.”

Randall, ever composed, inclined his head slightly. “See you tomorrow.”

Her eyes brightened at his words, and with a graceful nod she glided away, pleased.

Aster was just about to stand when shadows loomed over her desk. She looked up to find Flavia and her usual entourage blocking her path.

“You,” Flavia said, arms crossed, a condescending smirk on her lips. “Since you’re so good at writing those little essays, you’ll be doing our diplomacy research.”

Aster frowned. “What?”

“Don’t act clueless.” Flavia tapped a well-manicured finger on Aster’s desk. “You spend all your time in the library, don’t you? That makes you the perfect person for the job.” Her tone was mocking, yet laced with an air of authority, as if the decision had already been made. “You’ll compile the necessary notes and have them ready for us first thing in the morning. Understood?”

“That’s not how assignments work,” she said evenly, as though their demand was nothing more than a passing nuisance.

“Do you think your opinion matters?” Isadora’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Writing essays is tedious. We prefer etiquette classes where we actually refine our grace like curtsies, poise, the art of conversation… and not scribbling useless reports.”

Renie sighed dramatically. “It’s not like we have the time for something so trivial.”

Aster tilted her head slightly. “If you can’t handle a simple report, how will you ever survive actual diplomacy? Words move kingdoms long before curtsies do.”

Before they could retort, a voice cut through the room.

“Lady Flavia, was it?”

Randall’s tone was calm, almost dismissive—like he was confirming out of courtesy and not out of  interest.

Flavia straightened at once. Of course, he would remember her name. The headmaster had mentioned her during introductions that morning.

Randall rose from his seat, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “As Academy Council Regent, I assume you’ve kept records of council activities in my absence.”

Flavia blinked, caught off guard. “W-Well, of course, Lord Randall,” she stammered, quickly smoothing her tone, thrilled that Randall’s attention was on her before anyone else.

Randall kept a blank face. “Good. Then I expect a full report. All council members will convene at the Academy Council Office. Now.”

A ripple of murmurs spread through the classroom. Since most council members were present, there was no room for excuses. Flavia, torn between irritation and excitement, abandoned Aster entirely. She smoothed down her skirt and straightened, her expression shifting into one of delight. “Very well, Lord Randall.” Then, turning to Isadora, Renie, Ranley, and Jarrett—all council members, she clapped her hands.

“You heard him. Let’s go.”

Ranley, irritated by the new student’s authoritative presence, groaned but stood nonetheless.

With the council members preoccupied, Aster exhaled, finally free. For a brief moment, as she watched them leave, she thought…

‘Had Lord Randall done that on purpose?’ 

‘No.’

 She dismissed the thought. He simply expected order. Wasting no time, she grabbed her things and hurried toward the library. She was already late for her shift, and if she didn’t move fast, Madame Briswell would surely give her a scolding.

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