My Ruin to You - Chapter 154

As Schnitzel propped her chin up indifferently, her silver hair, tied high, slid smoothly over her shoulder. Roseline, who had been watching the young noble struggling at the podium, turned to look at Schnitzel. Despite her expression suggesting disinterest, the corner of her mouth was twitching—a clear sign she was dying of curiosity.

“He made me a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“He said I have the qualities of a Tara.”
“Huh?”

The hand propping her chin slipped. Schnitzel’s head jerked forward, and she barely caught it, raising her eyebrows before slamming her hand down on the desk.

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Her voice was remarkably loud. The quiet lecture hall stirred, and the professor at the podium scolded, “Miss Schnitzel.” As if she hadn’t just shouted, Schnitzel quickly regained her composure, replying, “My apologies, Professor,” with a slight bow. Around that time, the struggling young noble on the podium finally managed to collect their magical energy. The moment the professor’s gaze shifted away, Schnitzel spoke again.

“You didn’t accept, did you?”
“No, what kind of Tara would I be?”
“No, no. I didn’t mean to imply you lack the qualities for it. But being a Tara is too dangerous. You’d have to go to the battlefield countless times. What if something happened to you? My adorable nieces would lose their mother, wouldn’t they?”
“…What?”
“Ah, a slip of the tongue.”

Schnitzel flusteredly covered her mouth, but it was too late. Roseline had known Schnitzel wanted to set her up with her brother, but she had no idea how far the imagination had gone. The atmosphere grew slightly awkward. Just as Roseline subtly tried to create some distance and move away, she made eye contact with the professor, who was scanning the room for the next victim after the young noble. She tried to avoid it, but it was too late.

“Now, next is Mademoiselle Célodienne.”

Roseline steadied her mind and slowly rose. Mind Fortification training was part of the second-year curriculum, so this was her first time in this life. In her past life, it was usually her stepmother, Lady Malsen, or Lord Vermouth who took turns appearing. But of all days, why did it have to be him today?

With heavy steps toward the podium, Roseline desperately tried to conjure thoughts of her stepmother. The stepmother who was always looking for ways to sell her off, the stepmother who insulted her by bringing up her deceased mother.

Just a short while ago, she had even sent a letter demanding she immediately hand over her mother’s jewelry. Yes, her stepmother was the worst.

“Begin.”

At the professor’s word, Roseline took a quiet breath and placed her palm over the back of the model’s hand. Then, she closed her eyes and focused on her stepmother.

“……”

But something was strange. By now, her stepmother should have been screaming at her, telling her to do something with her precious magic since she was dying of pain. But there was no sound, no reaction at all. Roseline slowly opened her eyes.

[Hello.]

Jet-black hair and delicate features. Lying where the model should have been was Valen. Her breath caught in her throat. As Roseline’s expression contorted, the eyes of the students in the lecture hall sparkled with curiosity. The only one taking this seriously was Roseline. She couldn’t even see the reactions around her. All she saw was Valen, leisurely sitting up and perching on the edge of the table.

The moment Roseline unconsciously tried to step back, Valen, gripping the ribbon, yanked her sharply toward him. Just like he had in the VIP room.

“Eek…!”

Helplessly pulled forward, Roseline braced herself with her palms on either side of him, barely managing to keep her balance. But there was nothing she could do about the position that left her almost nestled in his embrace. At a distance where their noses almost touched, his unusually intense grey-blue eyes persistently pursued her.

[I missed you, Roseline.]
“……”
[But it seems you didn’t.]
“……”
[How disappointing.]

The hand that had been fiddling with the ribbon gradually rose and cupped the back of her neck. She wanted to break free, but her feet felt bound by his gaze, refusing to move.

[How is life without me? Going well, is it?]

They were the same words from a certain day in her memory. Yes, this is an illusion created by magic. It’s not real.

She tried hard to console herself, but the sensation of his hand stroking down her neck was too vivid. Goosebumps rose on her skin where his fingers touched, making the fine hairs stand on end. As Roseline’s magical energy rioted uncontrollably, the watching professor stepped forward.

“Mademoiselle Célodienne?”

Valen’s gaze, which had been fixed as if nailed in place, turned very slowly toward the professor. It was as if he had found an obstacle—or a sacrifice to bend Roseline to his will.

“…Don’t, don’t do it.”

His gaze returned to her, following her shallow, trembling voice. As if reclaiming dominance, the corner of Valen’s mouth curled upward.

[Well now. What should I do?]
“……”
[I feel like indulging you, but when you act like you despise it so much, it makes me want to do anything, you know.]