TCOSF | CHAPTER 04

CHAPTER 04

Emily watched them anxiously.

Perhaps she was more nervous at this moment than the brown-haired girl confessing.

Noah, who had been silent for a moment while receiving the intense gaze of both girls, slowly spoke.

“…I’m sorry, Bess.”

The brown-haired girl’s face stiffened slightly at Noah’s words.

In contrast, Emily’s lips curved upward.

Noah looked at Emily’s face and smiled apologetically.

“I’ve never thought of you as more than a friend.

I’m truly sorry.”

“Ah…”

The brown-haired girl bit her lips as if about to cry, then forced a smile.

“No, Noah. I think I’m the one who caused unnecessary pressure.

I’m the one who should apologize.”

“Bess…”

Noah watched the girl wipe away the tears forming at the corners of her eyes, but that was as far as he went; he did not reach out or approach her.

The girl quickly wiped her tears again at the implied boundary Noah set, stopping at friendship.

“I-I’m sorry, Noah.

I don’t want to cry, but I can’t help it…”

She turned her back, trying not to show her tears.

Emily clicked her tongue quietly.

What a waste.

If it were her, she would have stared at his face much longer.

But Bess, an ordinary girl not as bold as Emily, chose to hide her tears while facing away rather than turn back to Noah.

“Hehe, I think seeing your face right now is a bit hard.

Sorry, Noah. I’ll head off first.”

Bess forced a smile and practically ran toward the academy.

Noah watched her retreating figure, hesitated for a moment, and then called out.

“Bess!”

From a distance, Noah confirmed Bess had turned her head, unsure what to do, he clenched his fist and quietly asked.

“We’re still friends, right?”

Bess, slightly surprised, smiled brightly and nodded.

“Of course! Thanks, Noah!”

Relieved, Noah smiled as well.

Emily watched the girl walking away, nodding at Noah’s thoughtful handling of the situation.

As expected of Noah, he drew a clear boundary while rejecting the confession without being too harsh.

Considering he must have received countless confessions from girls without any negative stories, it was clear he handled them well.

Truly perfect.

“Phew…”

While Emily quietly gushed in her mind, Noah sighed and leaned against a tree.

Even that looked like a painting, and Emily covered her mouth to keep from screaming.

“I’m tired.”

Noah murmured, brushing back hair disturbed by the soft summer breeze.

“How many times has this been now…”

Huh?

Emily’s eyes widened slightly at his tone, mixed with a trace of irritation.

Noah, who outwardly never frowned, had always been the epitome of kindness, a true angel.

Yet now, he clicked his tongue with a nonchalant expression.

“Another baroness, huh.

This is hopeless, hopeless.”

Emily rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

Noah’s appearance was unmistakable—blonde, radiant, utterly perfect.

She watched him lying there, loosened tie and all, giving off a slightly rebellious vibe.

Rebellious and Noah—two words she never thought would pair well, yet somehow it was appealing.

That crooked smile on an angelic face created a strange but fitting charm.

Emily swallowed hard, feeling as if she were witnessing something forbidden.

Oblivious to her gaze, Noah continued muttering his frustrations.

“Why is it always a high-born baroness, not someone else?

Hmph, they all seem interested… yet only their noses are high.”

He thought of the few noble girls blushing at his presence and smiled cynically.

Through great effort, he had honed both academics and swordsmanship to perfection.

If things continued, a baronetcy was practically guaranteed—the highest position a commoner could reach.

Noah smirked wryly.

“That’s not enough.”

Noah’s ambitions were higher than a mere baronetcy.

He aimed for high-ranking nobles in the capital.

At least a count.

One of the empire’s fewer than fifty great nobles.

Of course, as a commoner, he could never become a high-ranking noble without exceptional circumstances.

His only path was to marry a high-born daughter to acquire a title.

Luckily, Noah was handsome, sharp-eyed, and intelligent—winning favor easily.

If he were still a student, he might entice a moderately naive countess.

“But it’s not that easy,” he muttered while rolling slightly.

Perhaps his commoner status limited the noble girls who approached him to baronesses or, at most, viscountesses.

Higher-ranking ladies looked at him like a tempting dessert they couldn’t eat—pleased to smile in his presence, but nothing more.

They never risked their families over a fleeting affection.

Noah chuckled, looking up at the summer sky.

“Ah, is there no foolish, innocent countess to elevate my status?”

Even if not loved forever, someone to keep in step would suffice.

As he muttered, he opened his eyes and met Emily’s blue eyes, resembling the autumn sky.

Blink.

0.3 seconds passed before Noah screamed in shock.

He thought he was alone!

Emily had been watching him for some time, but he had no idea.

Emily leaned closer, smiling brightly.

“I’ll do it, that countess!”

“E-Emily?”

Noah stammered in surprise, then regained composure and forced a polite smile for appearances.

“Excuse me, but I don’t understand what you mean, Emily.

It’s a bit sudden…”

He sounded as if he might brush it off as a misunderstanding, but Emily smiled brightly.

“Don’t play coy, Noah. I already heard everything.”

Noah’s smile froze, and cold sweat ran down his back.

“From where exactly…?”

“Hmm, from the scene of the confession, I suppose?”

“Oh.”

A moment of silence followed.

“Damn, it’s from the beginning.”

Realizing Emily’s eyes contained no lies, Noah clicked his tongue.

Emily admired the sudden shift in atmosphere.

“Wow, it really was a mask.”

“You should’ve figured it out by now.

So? Are you planning to blackmail me? There’s no evidence, it seems.”

Noah’s gaze was sharp.

It was his mistake to relax thinking no one was around, but he had built a strong image that a little girl like her could not shake.

Even if she cursed him, few would believe it.

Still, rumors could damage his reputation, so he preferred avoidance.

Why did he even watch a confession secretly? A pervert?

Noah shot Emily a sideways glare, blaming her for his own mistake.

Emily blushed and clutched her chest.

“Ugh, don’t stare at me like that.

My heart can’t handle such serious pounding.”

“…What?”

Noah looked incredulous.

Emily ignored him and continued.

“And blackmail? Ridiculous.

I’m just here for a good deal.”

“…A good deal?”

Emily grinned at his puzzled expression.

“Yes, a good deal.

Earlier you said you wanted a foolish, innocent countess to elevate your status, right?

I’ll be that countess!”

Noah couldn’t believe what he heard.

Emily’s eyes sparkled as she continued.

“Come to think of it, I don’t think I ever properly introduced myself.

My surname is Blair.

You know the Blair count family?

A prestigious lineage.

I’m the only daughter, and the family needs a son-in-law.

Perfect, isn’t it?”

“Hah.”

Noah gave a dry laugh at her confidence.

Did she even know what she was saying?

A joke?

But her serious expression suggested otherwise.

“So what’s in it for you?”

“That’s obvious…!”

Obvious?

“My happiness, of course!

Seeing your handsome face every time, thrilling and delightful!”

Emily’s eyes gleamed wildly as she looked at Noah.

For such a beauty to desire social elevation, it was incredible luck.

She couldn’t be happier to be the daughter of a noble family.

Noah furrowed his brow and slowly spoke.

“That proposal…”

Of course, she would accept?

Emily licked her lips at the thought of gaining Noah.

If they dated, what should she do first?

But her happy imagination didn’t last long.

“No. I refuse.”

Noah’s voice was firm and resolute.