Prior Engagement
Ophelia was caught off guard by the mention of a prior engagement. It was all because of the red-haired girl who had suddenly appeared beside Kael and asked, “Want to eat with me today?”
The girl’s name was Haley. Among the upper-class mages, she was counted as one of the most talented. Since they shared the same class, Ophelia had seen her in overlapping lectures, but they had never really interacted. What Ophelia remembered was how Haley always sat alone in the very back row. She didn’t seem to mix much with the other students. That was the extent of what she knew.
But… The casual way Haley had lightly tapped Kael’s shoulder the moment she appeared lingered in Ophelia’s mind. That kind of gesture spoke of real familiarity. For an instant, Ophelia’s expression had hardened without reason. Why…?
She quickly smoothed it over, yet for some reason she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Haley standing so close to Kael. Or, more precisely, from the spot where their arms were nearly touching. Only after realizing what she had been fixated on did she hurriedly shift her gaze elsewhere.
The reason it bothered her was probably that she wasn’t used to someone barging in so carelessly before she could even finish speaking. Still, from Ophelia’s perspective there was no need to label it as rude. After all, she herself had approached Kael while he was already with a friend. The only real difference between them was whether they had bothered to ask permission from the people already there.
There was no reason to be so sensitive that something so minor would show on her face.
“Seeing you over the weekend and then running into you again today makes me so happy. Aren’t you happy to see me too?”
At Haley’s next words, Ophelia’s attention—briefly elsewhere—snapped back. Haley was grinning brightly as she leaned right into Kael’s space, tilting her head up at him.
For the tiniest fraction of a second, Ophelia’s elegantly shaped eyebrows drew together sharply. The change was so swift that no one noticed—not even Blair, who had grown up beside her.
Did they spend time together during the weekend outing? Ophelia had known Kael went out last weekend; she had seen him boarding the carriage from a distance. But whatever he had done while he was away had nothing to do with her.
Even so, Haley’s words kept pricking at her mind.
“Yeah. Not really.”
Kael answered in a blunt tone despite her beaming smile. Ophelia’s heart still refused to settle into its usual calm. He might have sounded annoyed with Haley, yet that very curtness somehow made their relationship feel even closer. Close enough that he could say something like that without hesitation.
But even if that were true, it was none of Ophelia’s business. So why did every single exchange between them leave her heart in such turmoil?
“Tch… But we’re the ones who rolled around on the floor together, remember? Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten?”
Ophelia didn’t catch the way Kael narrowed his eyes and glared at Haley after that ridiculous remark. All she registered were the words themselves, and her blue eyes rippled as though a stone had been dropped into them.
A single small pebble had fallen into the lake that was Ophelia’s heart—always so quiet and serene. It was only a pebble, yet because the water had been so perfectly still, the ripples spread far and wide.
“Stop saying weird stuff and go on your way.”
“Oh, right! We were going to eat together. Let’s hurry!”
Even though Kael had never actually agreed to the invitation, Haley acted as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I already have plans today.”
At Kael’s follow-up, Ophelia’s expression softened. He had turned to look straight at her. The tightness in her chest eased a little. She felt grateful that she had been the one to invite him first. She still didn’t know much about him, but he was someone who kept his word.
I won’t be a burden.
The memory of how thoroughly he had kept that promise during their first joint task was still vivid.
“Sorry, Ophelia. I really appreciate the offer, but could we do it next time? I already have a prior engagement.”
…Ah?
Ophelia was momentarily flustered, but she kept it from showing. Only then did Warren, who had been standing quietly beside Kael the whole time, register in her vision. So Kael had been on his way to eat with his friend.
“It’s fine. It’s not like I asked you first or anything.”
“Good. Then next time, definitely.”
Kael waved at Ophelia and Blair in turn as he spoke.
“What? Why? You don’t say that to me?”
“I told you I have plans already.”
Kael answered the pouting Haley in an irritated drawl. The bickering looked almost affectionate, which still stung a little, but less than before. She tucked the promise of “definitely next time” away in her heart.
“Let’s go, Warren.”
“Uh… yeah.”
Kael led the still-bewildered Warren away. Once they were gone, only an awkward silence remained.
Ophelia’s eyes briefly met Haley’s. After staring blankly for a moment, Haley offered a quiet bow, her usual smile nowhere to be seen. Ophelia returned a graceful nod and turned away.
Something felt uncomfortable. Even though it was lunchtime, she had no appetite. A teasing breeze slipped past, playfully tousling her long silver hair.
“Blair.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“The weather is nice. Shall we take a short walk?”
Ophelia spoke in her usual serene voice and began walking toward the garden she had passed earlier on her way to meet Kael.
“But Kael… is this really okay?”
Warren asked with clear worry on his face, while Kael remained perfectly casual. When Warren had glanced back, he had seen Ophelia, Blair, and Haley all watching them leave.
“I could’ve just eaten with you later.”
It wasn’t just anyone—it was Ophelia who had invited him. Even if Haley had barged in, walking away from someone as famous as Ophelia still made him uneasy.
Yet Kael looked at him as if he had said something absurd.
“You were the first one to ask me to eat together.”
In truth, if Kael thought only about the food, eating with Ophelia would have been the most appealing option. He could eat as much as he wanted without worrying about her wallet. Still, Warren had spoken up first, and more importantly, there was something Kael wanted Warren to help with during the next dungeon practice. Forming a party together now seemed like a good idea.
“If that’s how you feel, then I’m relieved…”
Warren decided not to dwell on it any further. It wasn’t his decision to make anyway.
That aside, though.
“But aren’t you getting way too popular already?”
Seeing him on such friendly terms with upper-class girls from other classes made it obvious. Warren was in the same class as them yet had never properly spoken with any of them. The only connection he had was Blair, who was in the middle class, and even that had only happened because Kael introduced them.
“It’s not like that.”
Kael simply shrugged as though he had no idea what Warren was talking about.
“Oh, right. Blair mentioned the request went well. Did you give her that recommendation letter?”
Warren, who remembered Kael receiving the letter from the blacksmith Gavin, had easily pieced it together from the earlier conversation.
“I can’t use a sword, so I just passed it to someone who needed it.”
“As expected of you, Kael. You could’ve sold it for money.”
Kael smiled lightly again, as if it were nothing special. Warren remembered the first time Kael had casually reached out a helping hand when he was in need. Thinking how lucky he was to have gained such a wonderful friend, Warren walked with even lighter steps.
After everyone else had left, Haley stood alone in the same spot, lost in thought. She watched the back of Kael’s head as he walked away, then turned her gaze to Ophelia’s retreating figure heading in the opposite direction.
Hmm…
When Kael had said he had a prior engagement, Haley had naturally assumed it was with Ophelia. But it wasn’t. To think he would choose another friend right in front of her. The situation was incredibly entertaining.
Among all the freshmen, who could possibly turn down Ophelia’s invitation and pick someone else instead? She recalled the awkward atmosphere that had settled after Kael left, when only she and Ophelia remained.
Ophelia had revealed nothing on the surface, but Haley could tell she was very aware of her.
A mischievous smile curved Haley’s lips as she began to walk.
I want to keep the fun things all to myself.