Rose Springshaper, daughter of Count Springshaper, had chosen to enroll in Mythos Academy, defying the expectations of her noble peers who attended the prestigious Imperial Slatemark Academy. Her enrollment had placed her at the top of Class B, and she was considered one of the academy's brightest talents. Growing up with constant praise had given her an inflated sense of self-worth.

However, Mythos Academy humbled her. She encountered the true pinnacle of talent in Class A—a collection of the world's most powerful families' heirs, princesses, and princes. Among these prodigies stood an anomaly: Arthur Nightingale, a commoner who somehow belonged among royalty.

Despite the shift from valuing bloodline to emphasizing merit, bloodline still played a significant role in perceived talent. Yet Arthur, without noble lineage, stood among those whom Rose and many others could only admire from a distance. The Class A students erected a figurative wall, keeping others at bay, making friendship seem unattainable.

Except for Arthur. He was the bridge between the elite and the rest, an enigma that fascinated Rose and others.

The mock war between the first and second years finally made Rose appreciate why Arthur was part of Class A. His strategic brilliance shone through as he led his team to victory, coming second only to Lucifer in overall contributions. It was during these intense battles that Rose first truly interacted with Arthur, collaborating with him to outsmart the second years.

Through those discussions, she had no choice but to acknowledge his genius. Arthur's strategic mind was astonishing, almost as if he could foresee the opponents' moves with uncanny clarity. Despite his common origins, he had earned his place among the elite.

Yet, Arthur didn't set himself apart. There was no invisible wall around him, no aloofness that distanced him from others. He was approachable and friendly, much like Ian but more genuine. He was open and eager to forge friendships, breaking the mold of the typically distant Class A students.

Rose found herself drawn to his honesty and warmth. It was impossible to ignore his sincerity, and she couldn't help but grow closer to him.

Now, standing before him with her heart on her sleeve, she offered him the chocolates, a tangible symbol of her admiration and affection.

Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat louder than the last. Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and her breaths came in quick, shallow gasps. She was scared.

She knew who surrounded Arthur.

Rachel Creighton, the proclaimed saintess of the North. Cecilia Slatemark, Her Imperial Highness of the Slatemark Empire. And Seraphina Zenith, princess of the Mount Hua Sect.

These three were not just beautiful; they were extraordinary. They were also very close to Arthur, even if not in a romantic manner. This gnawed at Rose's confidence.

How could she ever compare to the three princesses? They were practically untouchable, their beauty and status far surpassing hers. The only thing she had over them was her openness. She didn't put up walls, unlike the others. But did those three even have walls when it came to Arthur?

Rose couldn't tell.

"Let's talk about this outside," Arthur said as he rose from his seat. Rose flinched, her heart skipping a beat.

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Her expression faltered despite her efforts to remain composed.

'Let's talk about this outside.'

It was going to be a rejection.

'Was it too soon?' she wondered, her heart sinking.

Arthur smiled at her, and Rose's cheeks flushed as her heart tightened.

'Don't look at me so kindly if you're going to turn me down,' she thought, but she couldn't voice her feelings.

They stepped out of the cafeteria together, Rose's head bowed, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on her.

As they stepped outside the cafeteria, the noise of students' chatter faded, replaced by the quiet hum of the academy's corridors. Rose's heart pounded louder than ever, each beat echoing in her ears. She could feel a flush creeping up her neck, her cheeks burning.

Arthur glanced at her, noticing her discomfort. "Hey, Rose, it's okay," he said gently, his voice calm and reassuring.

She nodded, though she couldn't meet his eyes. Her fingers tightened around the box of chocolates, the edges pressing into her palms. She felt her stomach twist into knots, the tension almost unbearable.

Arthur led her to a quiet corner, away from prying eyes and curious ears. He turned to face her, his expression serious but kind. "Rose, I appreciate your feelings. It means a lot that you thought of me on Valentine's Day."

Rose's breath hitched, and she forced herself to look up, meeting his gaze. She saw no malice, no mockery—only sincerity. But that only made it harder.

"I... I know you have a lot of friends who are really close to you," she began, her voice trembling. "And I know I'm not as amazing as Rachel, or Cecilia, or Seraphina..."

Arthur raised a hand, stopping her. "Rose, you don't have to compare yourself to anyone. You're an incredible person in your own right. But... I'm not ready for a relationship right now. There's a lot I'm dealing with, a lot I need to focus on."

Her heart sank, but she nodded, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Like what?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

Arthur's shoulders flinched, his neutral expression darkening. Rose's eyes widened in regret, and she hurriedly raised her hands. "I-I'm sorry. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to!"

Arthur looked at her, his blue eyes filled with a sadness that seemed deeper today. The weight of his silence was almost unbearable for Rose as she waited, her heart pounding in her chest.

Finally, he spoke, his voice low and measured. "I don't like Valentine's Day, Rose."

The words hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken pain. Rose's breath caught in her throat, the realization hitting her harder than she expected. She had assumed it was just another rejection, but there was more to it—something that cut deeper.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her earlier frustration melting into empathy. "I didn't know."

Arthur gave her a small, weary smile. "It's not your fault. There are just... memories associated with this day that I'd rather not relive."

Rose felt a whirlwind of emotions. She wanted to know more about Arthur, to understand the pain behind his eyes, but she didn't want to push him too hard.

"Will you listen to what I have to say, Rose?" Arthur asked, a joyless smile gracing his lips.

Her heart ached at the sight of his forced smile. She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course, Arthur. I'll always listen."

Arthur took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before he began to speak. "There was a girl I cared about deeply. We grew up together, and she was my best friend. We were very young, but my feelings for her were strong."

Rose listened intently, her heart tightening with every word he spoke.

"Things changed between us as we grew older," Arthur continued, his voice tinged with sadness. "We drifted apart, and it wasn't just because of distance. We had different paths, different destinies. It hurt me deeply, more than I can express."

He paused, looking down at his hands. "It's hard for me to open up like this because it brings back painful memories. That's why I can't accept your feelings, Rose. I'm not ready. I don't think I'll ever be ready for something like that again."

Rose felt a lump form in her throat, her heart breaking for him. She wanted to reach out, to comfort him, but she knew he needed space. "I understand, Arthur," she said softly. "Thank you for telling me."

Arthur looked up, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. "I'm sorry, Rose. I hope you can understand."

She gave him a reassuring smile, even as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. "It's okay, Arthur. I'll be here for you, no matter what. And I won't give up."

Arthur looked at her in surprise before smiling, "Thank you Rose."