How to Survive at the Academy
Chapter 254

TL: TangSanFan

ED/PR: Tanthus

『Side Story』 Blossoms of the Wind (4)

There are many stories of those who loved someone they could not attain. The realization that love transcending one’s status only ends in a romantic happily-ever-after within fairy tales is well-known. Yenika Faelover understood this long ago. Reality is often mundane, devoid of twists, and consists of a series of uneventful moments. Life is primarily made up of predictable stories and such mundane times.

Thus, she expected her own love story to also progress toward an inevitable, cliché ending. Unlike fairy tales that wrap up complex lives with the irresponsible phrase “and they lived happily ever after” before abruptly closing the book… Yenika Faelover’s life would continue, as always, dotted with the occasional highlight amidst mostly unremarkable times.

She was in love with a man named Ed Rothtaylor. Though her life was brief, she knew she would never again feel such passionate affection for someone, no matter the number of years she has left. Even unrequited, the experience of loving someone intensely would provide sustenance for a long life, maturing Yenika into a more seasoned individual. Even if the love bore no fruit, it would remain in a corner of her heart, allowing her to reminisce that once, she had felt such warmth for someone.

Indeed, wasn’t that enough?

So Yenika Faelover decided, as if on a whim, to face heartbreak. Unconsciously, perhaps. She had an intuition, living loosely attached to the Rothtaylor duchy and by Ed’s side, that this time would eventually come to an end.

Preemptively scared of a heartbreak that had yet to arrive, she ludicrously concluded her own romance. The reason for such behavior was obvious. She knew exactly what Ed Rothtaylor would have to sacrifice to claim her as his own.

It would be delightful if Ed, considering all sacrifices made, chooses Yenika. However, she could not blame him if he did not. If she truly loved him, she would be stubborn about it.

“If you want to keep me by your side,” she could insist, “set aside political gains, connections, noble authority, a busy professorship, or whatever it is… Just put it all down.”

“If you want Yenika Faelover, make the sacrifice, take a closer look at yourself, care more, and request to hold me from time to time,” she could demand. Most likely, Ed Rothtaylor would be unable to refuse.

However, Yenika Faelover wasn’t born with the nature to demand such sacrifices from Ed. She didn’t want to force anything on him, knowing well the kind of life he led and intends to pursue.

Therefore, the girl was adrift, her long-nurtured affection lost direction as if marooned on a deserted island. Sometimes, she even felt disgust with herself for being content merely by his side.

“… Must pull myself together…”

After bathing, Yenika dressed in a light robe and firmly tied the front sash. Looking in the mirror and shaking the moisture from her hair, she resolved once more.

“Just because we’re staying in the same room, doesn’t mean I should become emotionally disheveled… I have my own role…”

Ed Rothtaylor treating her especially kind shouldn’t deceive her into thinking she’s indeed special and noble.

Why is her heart pounding with expectation when she should be grateful to Ed, who gave her a place to stay without intending anything?

Considering Ed’s demeanor, it was unlikely he would make a move on Yenika. Truth be told, it was probable that as always, all tension and noise were solely her own doing.

Looking at her flushed cheeks in the mirror, Yenika clenched her lips.

She had just graduated from the Sylvania Academy and was still adjusting to her status, but wasn’t she an adult now? How long would she blush at every little thing, flicker her eyes anxiously, and feel scared?

It wasn’t as if they were planning to share a bed with serious intent; he merely offered her a spot on his. A grown woman shouldn’t be stammering, blushing, or feeling stifled out of embarrassment over such a trifle. She couldn’t always look to Ed for care.

So, she composed her heart once more and washed her face again.

“That’s better…”

The burning sensation on her face subsided, and she felt calm. Self-consciously, she smiled a grown-up smile in the mirror. There was no trace of her earlier timidity. Now she carried the demeanor of an adult woman who comfortably interacts with men.

Riding on that energy, Yenika promptly opened the bathroom door. Now she felt she could handle Ed without issue.

“Are you all done?”

– Bang!

However, upon seeing Ed—shirtless, wearing only his trousers, sitting on her bed—Yenika had no choice but to slam the bathroom door shut again.

She barely managed to prevent a nosebleed by pinching her nose, then had to douse her face with cold water once again.

“I-I’m sorry, Ed… I didn’t realize you were changing.”

Yenika stepped out of the bedroom, her face now painted in a shade of red resembling thickly smeared crimson paint.

Despite Yenika reemerging, Ed remained half-dressed.

“Ah, you’re still not dressed…! Sorry! I’ll go back inside, and you can call me when you’re done!”

“No, you don’t have to go. Come here and sit next to me.”

“What?!”

‘What?’ she tried to reply, but her breath hitched, leaving her to sputter indecipherable sounds.

As Yenika’s brain was close to short-circuiting under such considerations, Ed had no choice but to add a follow-up line.

“I wasn’t changing. I just took it off.”

“….!!!”

Yenika felt at this point it wouldn’t be strange if her life flashed before her eyes. Shaking her head a few times as if to clear the steam, she followed Ed’s instructions and sat next to him, her heart thunderously pounding.

“… Aren’t you cold?”

Her heartbeat was so prominent that it seemed to echo in her ears, drowning out Ed’s words momentarily.

“Sorry?! What?!”

“Weren’t you cold?”

“No! The weather is warm, and the cold water was refreshing!”

Her tension was unnecessarily high due to her nerves.

She appeared as if desperately trying to convey that everything was fine. Typically those who display such behavior aren’t fine at all.

“That’s good to hear. Anyway, I have something important I want to tell you, Yenika.”

“Yes, tell me! Go ahead and say it!”

Yenika was already at a point of agreement without contention.

Two of them in an enclosed space; agreed to spend the night in the same room; Ed, bare-chested, sitting on Yenika’s bed; Yenika, clad only in underwear and a robe, sitting next to him, cheeks flushed, trying to catch her breath. Under these conditions, any further thoughts or mental exercises were futile for her. That was Yenika’s nature.

“Seriously, though—I have something to say. It might seem obvious or surprising to you, but I want to make it clear.”

“What is it?”

Ed lightly pulled on the bedsheets and then smoothly continued.

“I think… I like you. In a romantic way.”

Yenika Faelover’s breath halted.

Death. Yenika Faelover, at the age of 21, struck down by a sudden confession from Ed Rothtaylor, leading to cardiac arrest.

“… Gasp!”

She seemed to snap back to reality as if revived after a few seconds. Was it for three seconds? Or maybe five? She felt like she had returned from the dead, momentarily caught in a panic, but soon enough, Yenika’s mind resettled into its place.

“What…?”

“I said, I think I romantically like you.”

“Ah, no, I heard you… but… why… uh… sal… saliva…”

Unable to close her mouth, dribble flowed as she staggered, quickly regaining her composure.

“You must have sensed it to some degree. We’ve been together for a few years now.”

“Sure, but… there’s a gap between us… You’re a duke’s son, and I’m just your humble vassal with a baron’s title.”

“I just received it, and…”

“I figured you might say something like that…”

Ed spoke with his head bowed for a moment.

“I mean, from my position, even if I’m rejected, I have nothing to say.”

“What? What are you talking about! Don’t misunderstand! It’s not a rejection! Don’t jump to conclusions, we still need to have a conversation! Don’t get the wrong idea! I’m just making sure it’s clear, I really didn’t reject you! I didn’t!”

“If you say you didn’t reject me, then…”

“Gasp…!”

Yenika, who had been gasping for breath at every opportunity, unable to handle the heat in her face, wrapped her hands around her face and continued.

“E-Ed… we have a problem…”

“What? Why?”

“My, my lips, I can’t control them… Just give me a moment. I’m probably making a goofy and inappropriate smile because of the situation…”

“Take your time.”

Yenika buried her head deep between her pale thighs.

What is this sensation that has been creeping up my spine? I can’t name this subtle freshness, catharsis, and heat that I’m feeling for the first time in my life.

It feels like happiness, but the description seems lacking. My heart is so exhilarated that I feel like I could ascend to heaven right now.

“But, there’s a problem.”

Yenika, who is struggling to make a sound from her choked throat, hears Ed’s words continue.

In a tone uncharacteristic for him, hesitantly, and avoiding gaze, he speaks with difficulty.

“You might not be the only one who feels that way…”

The world stopped.

Yenika, who was trying to force down her uplifting lips, froze like stone.

With her eyes wide open, she lifted her stiff head to look at Ed.

“Uh…?”

“Listen… well, Yenika… there’s this thing called loving many in the world of heroes… I’m not saying I’m a hero, but I am the son of a duke, and I have quite a few accomplishments.”

“Uh, uh-huh…”

“How could a large ship dock only at one port? A man with a large vessel should have a broad range of experiences, and cultivate a heart capable of embracing many people, like the ocean…”

Ed Roistailer’s words felt like grasping at straws. It’s unlike him to speak so indirectly and evasively, when he’s usually so cool and direct.

It was unavoidable. He had his share of female experiences before being possessed by Ed Rothtaylor, but he had never openly declared that he would be unfaithful.

Ed, with his head turned away, continued.

“I might come to like another woman, in a romantic sense…”

“What are you talking about…!”

“There are many women who want to get involved with me, being a Rothtaylor duke. Naturally, I socialize, and eyes meet, and… that happens in noble society. That might hurt you, Yenika. In a way, it’s considering you… something like that…”

Complete sophistry.

And yet, Ed Rothtaylor went on, knowing full well that his words were nonsense.

“That’s why… I wanted to ask you… if something like that happened, could you understand and forgive me?”

Ed braced himself, thinking that Yenika might slap him.

He had thought of how to respond if she burst into tears or cursed at him. Regardless, Ed was ready to accept whatever Yenika did.

“E-Ed…”

Yenika, lifting her head, wore an unexpectedly wistful expression.

It had been nearly four years since she met Ed Rothtaylor by the lake in the northern forest of Arken Island when she was a second-year student at Sylvania.

Through many trials, living together, and even becoming servants, Yenika understood Ed more deeply than anyone.

At this point, when she should be slapping him and reprimanding him for being such a trashy person…

Yenika Faelover understood Ed’s intentions completely.

Ed Rothtaylor was neither greedy nor boastful about his breadth nor interested in pleasures of the flesh. He was not the kind of person who could say such things.

Nevertheless, Ed Rothtaylor uttered those words because he deeply understood Yenika Faelover.

He knew too well the guilt and pressure she would feel if he, Ed Rothtaylor, took advantage of her sacrifice.

Having once been crushed by that heavy burden, Ed did not want Yenika to go through it a second time.

So, Ed became the trash himself.

Rather than forcing Yenika to bear that burden, he would lower his head, accept the blame, and seek forgiveness.

Yenika Faelover was not a debtor owing much to Ed, but someone who understood and forgave his shortcomings.

She understood that by doing so, she could lift much of the weight from her own heart.

Hence, Ed didn’t bother to maintain his social reputation. Among the nobility, there were already many who played with commoners. Maybe he was expressing that he could handle such rumors to some extent.

It’s hard to imagine the responsible Ed embracing multiple women at once. He was serious and sincere with everyone. There was no reason for such a man to indulge in dissipation.

At least Yenika knew well of Ed’s disposition. He always focused on what he must do over relationships.

Whatever happens with the women around Ed, or how things might change in the future, it doesn’t matter…

If we put aside all that for a moment…

What Ed did for Yenika was enough to bring tears to her eyes. Though there was a lot to put aside, nevertheless.

“Ed, don’t demean yourself to take responsibility for my heart.”

With Yenika’s piercing words, Ed was momentarily at a loss for words.

She might have doubted Ed’s actions.

She might have expected, considering his shocking declaration, to be first met with disdain. However, Yenika understood Ed more deeply than he expected.

He wasn’t one to toy with people’s hearts without reason.

With that solid trust unshaken, Ed had no basis to worry about his reputation.

His futile actions were meaningless.

─Yet, no one had expected that such futile floundering would lead to an unexpected development. Neither Yenika nor Ed.

Their relationship was intertwined with mutual respect and care, binding each other like a spider web.

Ed was concerned about Yenika’s heart, and Yenika was concerned about Ed’s heart… If one of them firmly resolved, their relationship could entirely change.

“Then… I understand, Ed.”

Finally comprehending all of Ed’s intentions, Yenika swallowed hard and spoke as if making a declaration.

“If you’re going to be a trash, then so be it!”

Perhaps influenced by Ed’s firm resolve, Yenika, too, was affected.

With determination, she seized Ed’s arm and tumbled onto the bed.

Gasping for breath, just pulling Ed towards her felt like using all her courage.

As she came to her senses, she felt Ed’s arm supporting her neck.

Her blouse had come undone. Considering the exposure of her chest and hips, she felt so hot she was about to faint.

The cool night air swept through the window, brushing Yenika’s bare skin and making her feel momentarily icy against her feverish temperature.