Chapter 115
When Carter entered the academy at fourteen, the biggest obstacle in his life appeared. It wasn’t the Schroder family, nor the ambiguous Emperor who might or might not love him.
“Livingston, Norton. If you two keep acting like that, the juniors will start copying you.”
“Then why don’t you set an example yourself, Napier?”
Eugenie snapped back at Magnus Napier with a pout. Carter watched her sulking profile quietly.
Among most people, Eugenie was indifferent, but there was one person she was especially sharp with—this guy.
They fiercely clashed in every aspect, from grades to personality. Competing for the top spot was human nature, so from that perspective, it was understandable why Eugenie Norton was so worked up.
But wasn’t it too much attention from both sides?
Napier seemed the same. Carter looked at the mud caked on his shoe and saw Napier turning his head toward Eugenie. Though he ignored Carter regularly, he relentlessly latched onto Eugenie.
“And Norton.”
“What, what now?”
Magnus Napier wore a look of utter disdain as he tapped his mouth lightly.
“Learn some table manners.”
“…!”
“If that’s your emergency ration, excuse me.”
Eugenie’s expression twisted fiercely, her earlobes blazing red as she realized the waffle cream was smeared on the opposite side of where Napier pointed.
“Ah, this is so annoying…!”
Eugenie exploded only after that arrogant guy finally turned and left. Still worried about the waffle cream, she kept rubbing her mouth frantically.
If Carter had scolded her, she probably wouldn’t have cared either way.
“Why on earth! Why did I lose to that guy last year?”
“…Wouldn’t his grades drop if you confessed?”
“Are you crazy, Carter?”
Failing to catch Carter’s hidden meaning, Eugenie gritted her teeth.
“Do you think I’m that pathetic? I’d rather use poison.”
“…”
“Does that bastard have a favorite drink? Maybe just slip a little sleeping pill in it…”
Isn’t that even more pathetic?
Though he thought so, Carter held his tongue then. Normally, he’d joke sharply to cheer Eugenie up, but he didn’t want to this time.
Because he wanted to stop talking about that other guy.
What good would getting worked up over Magnus Napier do?
“…That top spot isn’t worth it.”
“Huh? Carter, what did you just say?”
“Ha, nothing.”
Carter barely suppressed his irritation.
He could take the top spot if he wanted. Wouldn’t that naturally draw Eugenie’s attention away from that irritating Napier?
Maybe then he could tolerate someone like him to some extent.
“Carter, it’s important not to stand out too much until the right moment.”
But Richard strongly opposed that.
Carter was already the heir to the Livingston temple position and ranked third at the academy—enough to attract attention.
“The Schroders don’t seem concerned yet, but you never know what might happen. This is enough for now.”
“…”
“Carter, you know that.”
Though there was reason in Richard’s words, Carter felt uneasy.
What was this discomfort? Was it the fear of helplessly losing the place next to that girl he’d so carefully protected?
Him?
‘Eugenie wouldn’t do that to me.’
But it was definitely better to keep an eye on Magnus Napier. One day after training, Carter couldn’t hold back and confronted Napier first.
“I didn’t know the Napier heir had an ailment.”
“What?”
“Exhibitionism, I mean.”
Watching Napier get a bit emotional, Carter raised his eyebrows.
“Looks like you’re desperate to show off your body. Want me to put your picture in the newspaper ads?”
“You’re the one talking nonsense to a quiet person, Livingston.”
“Oh, calling me nonsense when I came to give advice? That’s harsh.”
Napier frowned. Carter smiled nonchalantly, hoping Napier would just eat this and leave.
“I came to pity you struggling and thrashing about.”
“…Ha. What nonsense.”
“Eugenie has no interest in guys like you.”
Carter took pleasure watching Napier’s face change—from flushed to pale with anger.
While everyone else was quickly heading back to the dorm to wash up, why was Napier still lingering around the training ground?
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