“Yes, that’s right.”
“I never thought that person would be Gianna Curno.”
Valentine suddenly became serious and looked back at the doorway where the woman had disappeared a moment ago.
“Is it someone you know?”
“How could I not know? Curno is one of the most prestigious families.”
“Yes?!”
“I’m more amazed that you don’t know. It’s famous; the Marquis Curno is.”
Unfortunately, this was Clarisse’s first time hearing that name.
“It is more famous as an unlucky family. Since their young daughter was kidnapped from the estate’s mansion.”
“Huh…”
Clarisse somehow felt like she had heard a similar story a long time ago.
Where was it?
For some reason, she didn’t remember it right away.
“Their blood is also stored in the wizard’s castle. They want to find their lost daughter. Although there seems to be no significant harvest so far.”
“I feel so sorry for the madam. I hope they find her daughter soon.”
“I’m not sure.”
Valentine shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s hard to say this, but the chances of her being alive are slim.”
“What are you saying like that?! She tells me how much she misses her daughter.”
“If she did, she shouldn’t have given her title to her lost daughter.”
“Yes?”
“Before the Marquis of Curno died, he asked the royal family for a favor. They will definitely find their lost daughter before she turns thirty, and she will inherit the family’s title and honor.”
“Is that… possible?”
“It’s impossible. But since the opponent was from a prestigious family, surprisingly, permission was granted. Currently, the Marchioness is acting on behalf of her authority.”
That was quite an interesting story. So doesn’t that mean that somewhere in the world, there is a woman living without even knowing that she has become the Marquis of Curno?
“And why shouldn’t she do that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? What do you think the collateral will do when they find out about that?”
Of course, they will search for the lost Marquis and try to put her back in her place.
…It was the answer but Clarisse was now fifteen years old.
She now realizes that the human heart is not just beautiful.
“First… they will try to find her and kill her. If she shows up before she turns 30, she will take all the glory.”
“Yeah, honestly, it was a handshake. Well, I understand that she wants to think that her daughter is alive.”
“I’m upset. Everyone is really mean.”
“That’s what I’m going to say! How long are you going to just chat?!”
At that time, Abington Belleville, with his eyes bright blue, came up behind the three and pointed at the clock.
Since morning exercise time was approaching, the three quickly returned to the area they were cleaning.
* * *
In the afternoon when she met the lady, the results of Clarisse’s first test came out.
Even more shocking was the fact that Noah’s name and Eugenie’s name were written at the very top.
Then, the longing gaze that Eugenie had been monopolizing until not long ago also fell on Noah.
In front of the amazing result of a perfect score, even the mask covering his face seemed to just look cool.
The bet was lost, but Clarisse did much better on the test than Abington Belleville.
However, it was only because Abbington badly messed up the test, and Clarisse didn’t show any particularly outstanding performance.
She would say that she is just in the middle of all test takers.
Given her long history of receiving royal family support for her studies, it was astonishing that her face turned red.
Of course, this embarrassment wasn’t the only problem.
“…How do I show these results to the Duke and Duchess?”
She promised to study diligently, but they might be disappointed when she received such low grades everywhere.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.”
Noah, who was next to her, stroked her head as if to comfort her.
Normally, her heart would have melted quickly with this kind of affection, but today it didn’t work at all.
“I should have studied more. I’m pathetic.”
“It was only the first test.”
“That’s true, but.”
“The girl only has to get better in the future. It will definitely be more helpful if you check the scoring results of this test and solve the problem again.”
“Ah.”
Clarisse recalled the study secrets of a person who passed the top exam that she once saw in a newspaper article.
They said that if there was something wrong in the test, they would definitely take the time to solve it again.
“I will have to do that. If I said that I studied all the questions you got wrong, the Duke and Duchess won’t be disappointed, no matter how terrible my grade is.”
“I hope you don’t forget that this is for the girl herself, please.”
“Of course. You know, I’m going to the study room right now to review the questions I got wrong. What about Noah?”
“Of course I will too.”
“Good, let’s do it together.”
They gathered their study materials from their respective rooms and arrived at the study room.
There has always been a passionate atmosphere in the study room, but on days like today, when test results are released, the excitement seems to increase.
Slightly more test takers than usual returned after checking their results and were concentrating on their studies.
“Miss Clarisse, did you do well on the test?”
Among them, there were some grateful test takers who readily spoke to Clarisse first.
No one seemed to find it difficult to approach Clarisse, as Abbington was not as blatantly hostile as he used to be.
“It’s completely ruined.”
“Every first test is like that, cheer up.”
After giving words of encouragement, the test taker left the study room holding a cup of water. It seemed like she was talking to her on her way to make tea.
“…I’m kind of happy.”
Her depressed mood seemed to have definitely improved after the test results.
“Let’s hurry up and get our seats and study.”
Clarisse grabbed Noah’s arm and led him. There were definitely a few empty seats today.
“There.”
If Eugenie, who happened to make eye contact with her, had not told her where to sit in the corner, it would have been difficult to sit next to Noah.
After settling down, Clarisse gave her thumbs up towards Eugenie in the distance.
Eugenie soon returned her focus to the book, perhaps because she felt embarrassed by her ridiculous behavior.
* * *
Although the narrow seat might have been uncomfortable, Clarisse quickly focused on solving the problem.
Noah brought a book to read and opened it. Even though he has been looking at the same page for an hour.
He was a little embarrassed, as he had rarely experienced a book being unreadable like this.
And the cause is…
He looked down at his right arm.
Perhaps because of the narrow space, Clarisse’s left arm was suddenly too close.
No, in fact, it had been touching all along. Although Clarisse doesn’t seem to care about that fact at all.
He was somewhat upset, but it was actually better not to care.
Noah wouldn’t normally be unable to concentrate on his book because of something like this.
How much worse has his health become? Even reading a book has become difficult.
It seemed like he had to go buy some herbs on the weekend. This guy has very strong medicinal properties.
He sighed slightly and secretly lifted his gaze to look at Clarisse.
She seems to have figured out how to solve the problem after thinking about it all the time with a pen on her pink lips.
She started playing with the pen without hesitation. With her eyes wide open.
It was truly the face of someone who worked hard. She deserved respect.
‘Is that why?’
What’s wrong with him that he can’t take his eyes off of it?
Moreover, it was nice that he was able to notice even the slightest changes in Clarisse’s face since she was sitting so close to him.
Sometimes, when the tip of her nose twitches, it’s so cute that Noah ends up clenching his fist without realizing it…
‘I, I… W, what am I thinking!’
Noah quickly dropped his gaze towards Clarisse.
He’s trying to return his attention to his book.
“…Noah?”
Did he get caught acting suspiciously? Clarisse, who had been concentrating the entire time, looked at him for the first time.
“I, is there something you don’t know?”
He answered, pretending not to know.
Somehow, ever since he came to the monastery, he seemed to be grateful for the mask’s existence.
“Mhm, no. I feel like you just flinched. I didn’t even know I was leaning on your arm. Sorry. It was uncomfortable, wasn’t it?”
She slightly moved her arm, which had been touching Noah, to the side and smiled brightly.
“…It wasn’t uncomfortable.”
Noah mumbled and answered.
He thought that it would be better to touch after falling like this, but she couldn’t say such strange things.
Because it’s like an abnormal symptom.
“I, if there’s anything you don’t know, feel free to ask.”
That was the only thing he could say in the end.
“Mhm, I definitely will.”
Clarisse, who started studying again, didn’t ask him any questions no matter how much time passed.
The once-bustling study room gradually grew more relaxed as dinner time drew near.
Some test takers went to dinner, while others went to rest or moved to a room where they could study alone.
However, Noah and Clarisse remained in their corner.
“Oh, I feel like I’m going to die.”
At that moment, Valentine came to the seat across from her.
Clarisse laughed for no reason when she saw his thick incorrect answer note.
She felt a sense of companionship for some reason.
“Are you laughing?”
“I do. I don’t have to be embarrassed by myself.”
“No one cares about other people’s grades anyway, right?”
But just now, two test-takers could be heard behind Valentine’s back whispering about his results.
They admired him because he was a prince, but his test scores were too commoner….that’s what they said.
Well, she’s glad they don’t look at it in a hostile way.
“Have you solved all the problems?”
“Yeah, I thought I was going to die. How about you?”
“There are still five left.”
While Clarisse sighed deeply, Valentine snuck away her test and answer sheet, saying, ‘Let me see’.
“Whoa… Did you get this wrong? You didn’t read the problem until the end, right? Did you blindly start with the answer without knowing whether you were looking for the right thing or the wrong thing?”
“I, I couldn’t help it because I wasn’t used to the test.”
“Everyone is good at making excuses.”
In response, Clarisse snatched the notebook and test paper he was holding and brought them with her.
“Hey, without permission…”
“Looking at it, the prince solved the problem well and chose a strange answer.”
Soon, the test takers behind him who had described him as ‘common people’ started giggling and holding their stomachs.
“Hey, that’s because we’re running out of time, huh?”
Valentine quickly snatched up the test paper with a bright red face.
“Look, the prince and I are the same.”
“You have a limit to insulting people. How dare you compare me to you?”
“The prince is at my level.”
“This little thing.”
He stretched his arm across the wide table and pinched Clarisse’s cheek.
Clarisse quickly slapped his hand away, but Valentine again pretended to be dead by lying down on his desk, saying, ‘I’m getting beaten to death by a strong kid.’
Meanwhile, Noah, who was still reading the magic book next to Clarisse, just watched them whispering and fighting.
What can he say? Somehow.
…he felt annoyed.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I never thought that person would be Gianna Curno.”
Valentine suddenly became serious and looked back at the doorway where the woman had disappeared a moment ago.
“Is it someone you know?”
“How could I not know? Curno is one of the most prestigious families.”
“Yes?!”
“I’m more amazed that you don’t know. It’s famous; the Marquis Curno is.”
Unfortunately, this was Clarisse’s first time hearing that name.
“It is more famous as an unlucky family. Since their young daughter was kidnapped from the estate’s mansion.”
“Huh…”
Clarisse somehow felt like she had heard a similar story a long time ago.
Where was it?
For some reason, she didn’t remember it right away.
“Their blood is also stored in the wizard’s castle. They want to find their lost daughter. Although there seems to be no significant harvest so far.”
“I feel so sorry for the madam. I hope they find her daughter soon.”
“I’m not sure.”
Valentine shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s hard to say this, but the chances of her being alive are slim.”
“What are you saying like that?! She tells me how much she misses her daughter.”
“If she did, she shouldn’t have given her title to her lost daughter.”
“Yes?”
“Before the Marquis of Curno died, he asked the royal family for a favor. They will definitely find their lost daughter before she turns thirty, and she will inherit the family’s title and honor.”
“Is that… possible?”
“It’s impossible. But since the opponent was from a prestigious family, surprisingly, permission was granted. Currently, the Marchioness is acting on behalf of her authority.”
That was quite an interesting story. So doesn’t that mean that somewhere in the world, there is a woman living without even knowing that she has become the Marquis of Curno?
“And why shouldn’t she do that?”
“Isn’t it obvious? What do you think the collateral will do when they find out about that?”
Of course, they will search for the lost Marquis and try to put her back in her place.
…It was the answer but Clarisse was now fifteen years old.
She now realizes that the human heart is not just beautiful.
“First… they will try to find her and kill her. If she shows up before she turns 30, she will take all the glory.”
“Yeah, honestly, it was a handshake. Well, I understand that she wants to think that her daughter is alive.”
“I’m upset. Everyone is really mean.”
“That’s what I’m going to say! How long are you going to just chat?!”
At that time, Abington Belleville, with his eyes bright blue, came up behind the three and pointed at the clock.
Since morning exercise time was approaching, the three quickly returned to the area they were cleaning.
* * *
In the afternoon when she met the lady, the results of Clarisse’s first test came out.
Even more shocking was the fact that Noah’s name and Eugenie’s name were written at the very top.
Then, the longing gaze that Eugenie had been monopolizing until not long ago also fell on Noah.
In front of the amazing result of a perfect score, even the mask covering his face seemed to just look cool.
The bet was lost, but Clarisse did much better on the test than Abington Belleville.
However, it was only because Abbington badly messed up the test, and Clarisse didn’t show any particularly outstanding performance.
She would say that she is just in the middle of all test takers.
Given her long history of receiving royal family support for her studies, it was astonishing that her face turned red.
Of course, this embarrassment wasn’t the only problem.
“…How do I show these results to the Duke and Duchess?”
She promised to study diligently, but they might be disappointed when she received such low grades everywhere.
“You don’t have to be embarrassed.”
Noah, who was next to her, stroked her head as if to comfort her.
Normally, her heart would have melted quickly with this kind of affection, but today it didn’t work at all.
“I should have studied more. I’m pathetic.”
“It was only the first test.”
“That’s true, but.”
“The girl only has to get better in the future. It will definitely be more helpful if you check the scoring results of this test and solve the problem again.”
“Ah.”
Clarisse recalled the study secrets of a person who passed the top exam that she once saw in a newspaper article.
They said that if there was something wrong in the test, they would definitely take the time to solve it again.
“I will have to do that. If I said that I studied all the questions you got wrong, the Duke and Duchess won’t be disappointed, no matter how terrible my grade is.”
“I hope you don’t forget that this is for the girl herself, please.”
“Of course. You know, I’m going to the study room right now to review the questions I got wrong. What about Noah?”
“Of course I will too.”
“Good, let’s do it together.”
They gathered their study materials from their respective rooms and arrived at the study room.
There has always been a passionate atmosphere in the study room, but on days like today, when test results are released, the excitement seems to increase.
Slightly more test takers than usual returned after checking their results and were concentrating on their studies.
“Miss Clarisse, did you do well on the test?”
Among them, there were some grateful test takers who readily spoke to Clarisse first.
No one seemed to find it difficult to approach Clarisse, as Abbington was not as blatantly hostile as he used to be.
“It’s completely ruined.”
“Every first test is like that, cheer up.”
After giving words of encouragement, the test taker left the study room holding a cup of water. It seemed like she was talking to her on her way to make tea.
“…I’m kind of happy.”
Her depressed mood seemed to have definitely improved after the test results.
“Let’s hurry up and get our seats and study.”
Clarisse grabbed Noah’s arm and led him. There were definitely a few empty seats today.
“There.”
If Eugenie, who happened to make eye contact with her, had not told her where to sit in the corner, it would have been difficult to sit next to Noah.
After settling down, Clarisse gave her thumbs up towards Eugenie in the distance.
Eugenie soon returned her focus to the book, perhaps because she felt embarrassed by her ridiculous behavior.
* * *
Although the narrow seat might have been uncomfortable, Clarisse quickly focused on solving the problem.
Noah brought a book to read and opened it. Even though he has been looking at the same page for an hour.
He was a little embarrassed, as he had rarely experienced a book being unreadable like this.
And the cause is…
He looked down at his right arm.
Perhaps because of the narrow space, Clarisse’s left arm was suddenly too close.
No, in fact, it had been touching all along. Although Clarisse doesn’t seem to care about that fact at all.
He was somewhat upset, but it was actually better not to care.
Noah wouldn’t normally be unable to concentrate on his book because of something like this.
How much worse has his health become? Even reading a book has become difficult.
It seemed like he had to go buy some herbs on the weekend. This guy has very strong medicinal properties.
He sighed slightly and secretly lifted his gaze to look at Clarisse.
She seems to have figured out how to solve the problem after thinking about it all the time with a pen on her pink lips.
She started playing with the pen without hesitation. With her eyes wide open.
It was truly the face of someone who worked hard. She deserved respect.
‘Is that why?’
What’s wrong with him that he can’t take his eyes off of it?
Moreover, it was nice that he was able to notice even the slightest changes in Clarisse’s face since she was sitting so close to him.
Sometimes, when the tip of her nose twitches, it’s so cute that Noah ends up clenching his fist without realizing it…
‘I, I… W, what am I thinking!’
Noah quickly dropped his gaze towards Clarisse.
He’s trying to return his attention to his book.
“…Noah?”
Did he get caught acting suspiciously? Clarisse, who had been concentrating the entire time, looked at him for the first time.
“I, is there something you don’t know?”
He answered, pretending not to know.
Somehow, ever since he came to the monastery, he seemed to be grateful for the mask’s existence.
“Mhm, no. I feel like you just flinched. I didn’t even know I was leaning on your arm. Sorry. It was uncomfortable, wasn’t it?”
She slightly moved her arm, which had been touching Noah, to the side and smiled brightly.
“…It wasn’t uncomfortable.”
Noah mumbled and answered.
He thought that it would be better to touch after falling like this, but she couldn’t say such strange things.
Because it’s like an abnormal symptom.
“I, if there’s anything you don’t know, feel free to ask.”
That was the only thing he could say in the end.
“Mhm, I definitely will.”
Clarisse, who started studying again, didn’t ask him any questions no matter how much time passed.
The once-bustling study room gradually grew more relaxed as dinner time drew near.
Some test takers went to dinner, while others went to rest or moved to a room where they could study alone.
However, Noah and Clarisse remained in their corner.
“Oh, I feel like I’m going to die.”
At that moment, Valentine came to the seat across from her.
Clarisse laughed for no reason when she saw his thick incorrect answer note.
She felt a sense of companionship for some reason.
“Are you laughing?”
“I do. I don’t have to be embarrassed by myself.”
“No one cares about other people’s grades anyway, right?”
But just now, two test-takers could be heard behind Valentine’s back whispering about his results.
They admired him because he was a prince, but his test scores were too commoner….that’s what they said.
Well, she’s glad they don’t look at it in a hostile way.
“Have you solved all the problems?”
“Yeah, I thought I was going to die. How about you?”
“There are still five left.”
While Clarisse sighed deeply, Valentine snuck away her test and answer sheet, saying, ‘Let me see’.
“Whoa… Did you get this wrong? You didn’t read the problem until the end, right? Did you blindly start with the answer without knowing whether you were looking for the right thing or the wrong thing?”
“I, I couldn’t help it because I wasn’t used to the test.”
“Everyone is good at making excuses.”
In response, Clarisse snatched the notebook and test paper he was holding and brought them with her.
“Hey, without permission…”
“Looking at it, the prince solved the problem well and chose a strange answer.”
Soon, the test takers behind him who had described him as ‘common people’ started giggling and holding their stomachs.
“Hey, that’s because we’re running out of time, huh?”
Valentine quickly snatched up the test paper with a bright red face.
“Look, the prince and I are the same.”
“You have a limit to insulting people. How dare you compare me to you?”
“The prince is at my level.”
“This little thing.”
He stretched his arm across the wide table and pinched Clarisse’s cheek.
Clarisse quickly slapped his hand away, but Valentine again pretended to be dead by lying down on his desk, saying, ‘I’m getting beaten to death by a strong kid.’
Meanwhile, Noah, who was still reading the magic book next to Clarisse, just watched them whispering and fighting.
What can he say? Somehow.
…he felt annoyed.
