Invitation

Volume 2

Chapter 51: Invitation

Seeing the blond youth, who illuminated the room like a ray of sunshine, Aemon was momentarily stunned.

“Ewan… Young Master?”

“What’s wrong? Are you surprised to see me? Or rather…”

Ewan paused, then quipped, “Are you upset I haven’t visited you in so long?”

Aemon remained silent.

“Forgive me, I haven’t been able to spare any time this past month. Besides, I felt it would be somewhat inappropriate to visit you before the results were out.”

Ewan stepped closer, placing the fruit he had bought onto the nearby table.

“Though I’d love to peel an apple for you, I feel like that would be a bit too… gay. So, you’ll have to help yourself.”

Aemon remained silent.

“Hmm? Why are you keeping your head down and not speaking?”

Ewan sat in a chair, observing the silent, downcast Aemon, and teased, “Could it be that you’re so moved you’re crying? While I am handsome and dashing, please don’t fall in love with me; our relationship is strictly platonic.”

“Young Master Ewan…” Aemon suddenly spoke, his voice low and tinged with a sob.

“Yes?”

“Why did you come to see me?”

“Why? Isn’t it perfectly normal to visit a friend?”

“But I…” Aemon abruptly looked up, his eyes overflowing with remorse and self-reproach.

“But I…”

“Enough.”

Yet, as if knowing what he was about to say, Ewan reached out and patted his shoulder, cutting him off.

“I don’t care about such things. That wasn’t your true intention, was it?”

Ewan then smiled, adding, “I don’t have much time for visiting, so let’s not talk about such heavy topics.”

Aemon gazed blankly at the blond youth before him, who was both exactly the same as and completely different from the impression he had. Instantly, all the negative emotions accumulated over a month of regret and self-blame seemed to melt away like ice and snow under the sun, beneath the gaze of those gentle, sapphire-blue eyes.

“Okay.”

****

“How was the food?”

“Good.”

“And your accommodation?”

“Alright.”

“Are the nurses pretty?”

“…They are.”

“What about your family?”

“They sent a letter, saying they misunderstood me. We’ve mended our relationship, and to compensate me, they’ve even named me the first heir.”

“Families always prioritize profit; you can’t trust them too much. You still have to rely on yourself for most things.”

“I know.”

The two chatted idly on the warm afternoon.

This continued until the doctor entered the room with a displeased expression, pointing at his watch towards Ewan.

“Haha, well, I should be going then.”

Ewan, who had inadvertently lost track of time, offered an awkward smile and bid farewell.

“Goodbye, Aemon.”

“Mmm.”

Aemon nodded, his expression somewhat uneasy.

It seemed he finally mustered his courage as Ewan was about to leave the room, saying, “Goodbye, Ewan.”

Ewan didn’t turn back, merely paused his steps for a moment, then quickened his pace.

****

“What should I do next?”

Stepping out of the ward, a good-humored Ewan stretched, glancing up at the overcast sky.

“It looks like it’s going to rain.”

This wasn’t good.

Tomorrow was Open Day.

The day after was his date with, no, his time to repay the senior student. If the rain lasted too long, it wouldn’t be pleasant at all.

“Should I hire a grand mage to dispel the rain?”

Ewan stroked his chin, pondering seriously.

Logistically, it was feasible; dispelling rain was something mages above the Secret Arts rank could achieve.

However, this was the Imperial Capital, Belland. Performing such a weather-altering feat here might lead to him being arrested for endangering the capital. Even as a duke’s son, one couldn’t act recklessly in such a place.

“Forget it, I’ll take it as it comes.”

Ewan quickly let go of the thought and headed towards the dormitory.

The date was fast approaching; he needed to plan ahead.

“Student Ewan?”

He had barely taken two steps when a familiar voice called out to him again.

“Ah, Student Sally.”

Ewan turned, looking in the direction of the voice.

Once again, he saw the familiar double braids and slightly oversized black-rimmed glasses.

It was Sally Friend, the girl with whom he had a small misunderstanding.

“What a coincidence? Are you also here at the…”

Ewan almost blurted it out, but immediately caught himself, swallowing the words ‘hospital’ that followed. To say, ‘Are you also at the hospital?’ would surely earn him a beating.

“Is there something you needed me for?” Ewan blinked and asked with a smile.

“N-no, nothing, I just happened to run into you.”

Sally adjusted her large black-rimmed glasses, her cheeks slightly flushed. “Actually, I just wanted to ask, Student Ewan, was the cake I made last time delicious?”

“Cake? What cake…?”

Ewan instinctively questioned, then his expression instantly froze.

Cake!

The cake Student Sally had given him before!

He had thrown it all away during his fight with Aemon; he hadn’t eaten a single bite!

“Huh? It’s the cake I gave you before, Student Ewan?”

Sally tilted her head, looking confused. “Didn’t you eat it, Student Ewan?”

“I ate it, I did!”

Ewan declared loudly.

“I ate every single bit! Not a crumb remained!”

It would be a disaster if he admitted to throwing the cake away now. He’d probably be plagued by rumors of toying with a young girl’s feelings by the next day, and he wouldn’t be able to refute them.

“Is that so?”

Sally gave an embarrassed smile. “So, Student Ewan, what did you think of the cake?”

“It was absolutely delicious!”

“Eh? Such a quick answer?”

Sally scratched her cheek, looking troubled. “Actually, I was hoping Student Ewan could think about it more carefully. Then give me a more accurate answer, like about the texture and sweetness…”

“This is the result of my careful consideration!”

Ewan stared into Sally’s eyes and said earnestly,

“Your cake left me utterly unable to find any flaws!”

This was the truth.

Because Ewan genuinely couldn’t find any flaws.

“Is… is that so?”

Faced with Ewan’s sincere praise, Sally’s face turned beet red. Ewan even vaguely saw wisps of steam rising from the top of her head.

“Student Ewan, that’s… no matter how you say it… it’s too much…”

“No, Student Sally, you just lack confidence! You have to believe in your cake! Believe that it’s the best!”

“Is, is that so?”

Overwhelmed by Ewan’s praise, Sally became dazed, her words stumbling.

Seeing this, Ewan prepared to make a quick escape. If the conversation continued, and the young girl discovered his deception, it wouldn’t end well.

“Student Sally, is there anything else? If not…”

“I have one more thing!”

“Oh?”

“Um…”

It seemed to be something difficult to say. Sally lowered her head, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly with both hands, hesitating for a long time before stammering, “A-actually, after I went back, I thought about it carefully. Apologizing with something as inexpensive as cake seems a bit too rude for someone of Student Ewan’s status.

I need to use something more significant to truly show my sincerity.

So… so, I was wondering, Student Ewan, if you are free on Open Day?”