TPCF 55

Chapter 55………………………………………….

Since Anita’s leg had only just healed and she was never one for haste to begin with, it was only natural that she found it difficult to match the fiery, impatient pace of Lilliana.

As a result, Anita all but stumbled along, dragged by Lilliana’s arm, and by the time they arrived at the hall she was exhausted enough to want to turn back immediately.

Unlike her weary self, the other attendees lining up at the entrance looked excited, their faces lit with anticipation. While Anita waited for the line ahead of her to move, she felt a prickling stare on the side of her face.

“Only people who were invited can come here, right?”

She tugged at Lilliana’s sleeve and asked urgently. Lilliana, who had been chatting with others in line, gave her a puzzled look.

“Hmm? Oh, the invited guests? Well, yes. Students whose names are on the list can of course enter, and outsiders will be checked at another entrance for identification.”

Hearing that, Anita uneasily glanced back in the direction she had felt the gaze from earlier, then quickly turned away.

It must have been needless worry. They were already waiting at the entrance for identity checks, and given how long the line was, the inspection was bound to be thorough.

“Lilliana Lifton, Anita Rodel. Both freshmen.”

The man seated at the entrance flipped through the guest list at Lilliana’s words. After some time, he struck through their names and gestured them in.

Only then did Anita’s unease ease slightly. No matter how persistent Charles Bennett might be, he surely wouldn’t go this far to sneak inside.

Her eyes widened as she stepped into the hall. Since the entrance ceremony had been held outdoors, this was her first time inside. Aberdeen University’s hall was normally opened only for annual events, such as graduation or fundraising galas.

From the red carpet stretching from the entrance to the stage, to the chandeliers hung with teardrop-shaped crystals, Anita thought her own outfit might look a little too plain.

“Lilly! Where have you been?”

“Sorry, sorry. But hey, I’m here now, right?”

“And… who’s that with you?”

Several women, adorned like peacocks with feathers in their hair and pearls at their necks, approached Lilliana with familiarity. Though it should have been enough just to greet her, they kept sneaking glances at Anita, who stood awkwardly at her side.

Even if it was harmless curiosity, those probing stares made Anita uncomfortable. She excused herself from Lilliana and slipped away.

The chandeliers flashing overhead, the polished marble floor reflecting the light, the dazzling gems people wore—all of it fatigued Anita’s eyes. To make matters worse, a wave of guests surged in through the entrance.

Afraid she might step on the long train of the dress in front of her, Anita backed up without watching behind. Her back bumped against something hard. She quickly turned her head.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“…”

When no reply came, Anita turned fully around.

“If it feels like you’ve been seeing the back of my head a lot lately, that’s no illusion.”

Her gaze traveled slowly—from the elbow she had bumped into, up the curve of a smirk, until finally she blinked rapidly, recognizing the gray eyes looking down at her.

“You’re wearing glasses?”

“Mm. Actually, they’re not prescription. I only wear them on important days like this—makes me look intellectual.”

“…”

“Well? Do they suit me?”

So that’s why he hadn’t been wearing them these past few days.

Edmund pushed his glasses up with his hand. Behind the lenses, his eyes sparkled with childlike anticipation, as though begging for praise.

“Yes. They look good on you.”

She said it because he seemed to expect it, but it wasn’t entirely untrue. Normally dressed casually, today he wore a deep navy suit with a pocket square.

“Ah—”

Edmund suddenly pulled Anita by the arm. Only then did she realize she had been standing in the middle of the walkway. The hall was already crowded, and she had been blocking the flow.

Already drained from the bustle, Anita asked Edmund with a tired face:

“When will this end?”

“…Don’t you think it’s a bit much to say that before it’s even begun?”

“…”

Trying to lighten the mood, he had spoken casually, but since Anita didn’t respond, he awkwardly accepted two glasses from a passing waiter.

Seeing the red liquid shimmer in the wine glass, Anita shook her head firmly before he could even offer it.

“I swore off alcohol the other day.”

Edmund tilted his head.

“Alcohol? This isn’t wine—it’s non-alcoholic raspberry juice.”

“…That can’t be true.”

“Miss Rodel. Even if everyone here is an adult, this is still a formal event. Do you really think they’d be serving alcohol freely? Imagine the scandal if someone got drunk and caused a scene.”

Liars are known for their smooth tongues, but Anita found herself wavering. Edmund’s unusually polished appearance lent his words more weight than usual.

“Really?”

“Of course. Have you been fooled your whole life?”

Still suspicious, Anita scrutinized the glass as if she could see through it. Unable to spot any difference by sight alone, she cautiously took a sip. Almost immediately, her expression twisted.

How many days had it even been since she’d made that vow? Now here she was… She could neither spit it out nor swallow, and could only glare resentfully at Edmund.

He turned his head, shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter. Watching his mischievous act, Anita could only roll her eyes. She wasn’t the type to lash out over something so petty.

Perhaps bored of teasing her, Edmund soon pulled a palm-sized booklet from his pocket and began to read. Anita wondered what he could be reading in the middle of the hall, but he looked too engrossed for her to ask. Instead, she focused on the back cover, searching for any clue.

“Why, are you bored?”

Noticing her stare, Edmund asked quietly without lifting his eyes from the booklet.

“Mm. Not that curious, really.”

“Your face says you’re dying of curiosity.”

“…”

Anita touched her face lightly, though of course that told her nothing about what expression she was wearing.

“So what are you reading, anyway?”