Louise glanced at the window to check the height of the morning sun.

“Whatever you want to talk about, can we do it in the carriage?”

“…”

“If we don’t get to the shopping center early, it will be crowded.”

Ian unlocked his arms from around her and sighed.

“How on earth can I drag myself to the carriage…?”

Louise pretended that she wasn’t listening. Somehow, he thought that was better.

*

*

*

The afternoon found Simon Hillard quietly reading in his room, and he then stood up to open his window. He had a clear view of autumn’s transformation on the Academy campus. Come to think of it, the Ajentin language had different words for leaves depending on the color. What was it…he flipped through a dictionary on his desk to look it up.

Recently, Simon was fascinated with foreign languages and found new words illuminating. It may seem like a mere tool of communication, but in truth, the seasons, geography, society and history were all melted into a language. He loved that confidentiality. After all, it fit Simon well.

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He pinpointed the exact word in the dictionary, and moved his lips to p.r.o.nounce it. It was like he was speaking as a stranger; his voice and accent were different, and sometimes he got caught up in the illusion he was someone else. It was a strange phenomenon. When you spoke a different language, the way you thought was different too.

He heard the rattle of the carriage and looked outside the window. Ian’s carriage had returned. It was moving slowly, as he always made sure that Louise was comfortable wouldn’t get motion sickness. They must have gone shopping in preparation of Simon’s birthday. His face reddened, as he wasn’t accustomed to this kind of antic.i.p.ation.

The carriage stopped in front of the dormitory building, and the carriage door burst open, Louise jumping to the ground and stretching. Simon thought she looked like a cat, and he decided he would give her an updo tomorrow that was reminiscent of it. She might hate it, but if he reminded her that it was his birthday, she would probably allow it.

Well, that was the idea.

‘…Do I still like her?’

The same feelings that he harbored during the rainy season stirred in him. Simon was surprised for a moment. He was used to giving up, and he hadn’t expected his feelings to persist this way.

However, he reminded himself that Louise was better off with Ian by her side. Everyone believed that Professor La.s.sen’s and Professor Hill’s dismissal would be decided by the ethics committee, but that wasn’t true at it. The real decision-maker was Ian. As he had come of age, he made liberal use of his royal authority to discuss the issue with the committee. Since the outcome was decided by majority vote, it should not be difficult for Ian to s.h.i.+ft the conclusion to the direction he wanted.

No, that expression was wrong. It wasn’t what Ian wanted. It was what Louise wanted. Ian was biased towards Louise.

And perhaps Simon was even more blinded by Louise.

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As he stared out the window again, he saw Ian place a large box in Louise Sweeney’s arms—he was making her work again, but to his credit, Ian carried larger, heavier-looking boxes.

Another boy pa.s.sing by stopped in front of the two of them. It Ian’s neighbor, the one who was interested in Louise and lent her his notes. It looked like her was offering to help Louise this time. Simon didn’t know that the boy was still so foolish…

Simon set the dictionary down and stood up, then quickly walked out of the building. If Ian couldn’t help Louise, the next person should be Simon. He couldn’t yield to anyone like that.

*

*

*

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“It’s alright. I can carry it.”

Simon stared at Louise, who casually jiggled the large box. He forgot for a moment that Louise had plenty of vigor, and didn’t seem to need help from anyone. Simon looked back at Ian. He was climbing the stairs with three boxes piled high on top of each other.

“I’ll help you.”

Ian frowned when Simon picked up a box.

“I can’t let you help.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re too intelligent and you would be able to guess the contents of the box from its weight and sound.”

“If I were that smart, I would be the top student.”

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“I don’t think the person who manipulates his grades can say that.”

Ian looked disgruntled, while Simon just shrugged. Simon wasn’t that smart that he could manipulate his grades at will; he was simply aiming for the line that his father had drawn. And Ian had always been brilliant with his schoolwork, so no one could look at Simon. Everyone believed that Ian worked hard to fulfill his duty as crown prince, but it fact, he worked hard to keep his promise for Simon.

“I’m grateful.”

“I know, I’m sick and tired of hearing it.”

They exchanged twisted looks at one another, then looked back towards the front. Louise, who had already climbed to the top of the stairs, was looking down at them from around her box.

“Simon! Did you remember to leave your schedule clear tomorrow?”

Simon nodded, and smile broadened over Louise’s face.

“You know you won’t have time to read tomorrow, right?”

“I know.”

Simon lifted the box, and he heard the slight clatter of metal from inside.

“I can tell you bought the G.o.ddess of Apples game. It’s my favorite.”

Ian grumbled, as it only confirmed his suspicions that Simon would be able to guess the contents. Perhaps it really was fair to say that Simon was in control of his grades.