HTSA CH 07

Chapter 7

‘Wow, what a piece of work.’

It was almost strange she hadn’t noticed it before—Cadin was a complete bastard.

Eila gritted her teeth.

To make matters worse, after that day, relentless bullying began at the academy.

‘Because I “didn’t know my place” as a commoner.’

Just for daring to shove a high noble like Cadin and reject his “generous offer,” she became public enemy number one among the students.

Well, this time, she’d show them exactly what “knowing her place” looked like.

‘I’ll go break off the engagement tomorrow.’

After 14 years as his fiancée, she knew exactly where to find him.

Eila decided to settle this quickly.

Cadin was always surrounded by a crowd.

As one of the academy’s most prominent figures, people clamored just to exchange a word with him.

Today was no different—his friends eyed him curiously.

“Cadin, who was that lady you greeted earlier?”

After morning training, they’d run into Prince Cedric and a pink-haired girl.

Cedin, with his sharp features and cynical demeanor, was someone most students avoided.

But Cadin had approached them without hesitation.

“Good day, Your Highness. If I may ask, who is this—?”

Instead of Cedric, the girl smiled sweetly.

“I’m Rosia Blanche.”
“Ah, as expected. I’m Cadin of House Late.”

They exchanged pleasantries, but the atmosphere was… charged.

“She introduced herself as Rosia Blanche? Since when did House Blanche have another daughter besides Lady Eila?”
“Maybe a branch family member? Since Eila couldn’t use magic…”

Cadin shut down their speculation coldly.

“No. Rosia is the true daughter of House Blanche. The legitimate heir.”

Since the truth would come out anyway, he explained casually:

“There was a switch at birth. I only learned recently. House Blanche contacted us immediately after confirming it.”

Shock rippled through the group.

“Good gods—that explains everything! No wonder Eila had no magical talent!”
“How could this happen… Lady Rosia must’ve suffered terribly.”

They glanced at Cadin, but he ignored them, flipping through a book.

Emboldened by his indifference, they continued:

“Eila was pathetic for a Blanche. Couldn’t even sense mana.”

One friend dared to ask:

“So what happens to Eila now? Without noble blood, she can’t keep her title, right?”
“What does House Late plan to do?”

Cadin frowned slightly. “Still deciding.”
“Deciding? You’ll keep the engagement?”

“S-sorry, Cadin.”

A heavy silence fell—until a commotion erupted.

“Isn’t that Eila over there?”

All eyes turned to where Eila stood, her white dress fluttering in the autumn breeze.

She walked toward Cadin with measured steps.

“Cadin. We need to talk.”

He sighed.

‘She rushed here the moment she heard I was back.’

She must be desperate—cast out by her family, facing annulment.

‘That’s why she came to the academy early. To see me.’

The thought amused him.

Eila was as beautiful as ever.

‘Always so fragile-looking, but her cheeks would pinken whenever I praised her.’

He’d loved that delicate beauty—her noble grace, even her meekness.

He sipped his tea.

Eila had been the perfect bride—even if her magical ineptitude was baffling for a Blanche.

But that was when she was a Blanche.

Now? She was a commoner.

And he couldn’t marry a commoner.

Softly, he asked, “What is it?”

Eila’s voice was calm, but the faintest tremor betrayed her.

“You’ve heard, I assume? That I’m a commoner now.”

Something felt off. Cadin studied her before sighing.

“Yes. But I still love you.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Even for Cadin, this was scandalously bold.

He stepped closer.

Eila’s pink hair cascaded to her waist, her yellow eyes like the topaz in her necklace—his gift.

‘How dull.’

Was she so spineless she’d still wear it, even now?

Pathetic.

But then—

“Wait. Hear me out first, Cadin.”

He blinked. Her tone was different.

No meekness. No hesitation.

Then came the bomb:

“I want you to annul our engagement.”

“What?”

Before he could react, she unclasped the necklace and laid it on his book.

“I’m returning your gift.”

Silence.

Even the sneering nobles froze.

Cadin stared at the necklace, dumbfounded.

Eila’s voice cut through the quiet:

“As a commoner, I likely won’t even be allowed to speak to you after today.”

True—while the academy preached equality, commoners couldn’t address nobles outside classrooms.

Cadin finally found his voice.

“Eila, I said I don’t care if you’re a commoner. I can’t marry you, but we can still—”

“Are you suggesting I become your mistress?”