TNKBP~14

Chapter 14

As soon as the first period ended, Rohan and I headed toward Miss Margaret’s desk.

Of course, we had already obtained permission to change seats from our new partners. When Martin heard that he might be switching seats with Rohan, he looked like he was about to float with joy.

“Hmm… no matter how I look at it, the excuse about poor eyesight seems like a lie. Should I let this slide, or not?”

Miss Margaret looked at us with suspicious eyes. Thinking that the poor eyesight excuse wouldn’t work, I quickly racked my brain and offered another justification.

“Um… it’s for a math group project! If we write reports together, solve problems together… and also discuss other subjects, wouldn’t it lead to better results?”

At my words, Mr. Schuler, who was sitting behind the partition, peeked his head out and shrugged.

“So you’re saying that if you become desk partners with Martin, you’ll focus more on your studies from now on?”

“…I’m trying to focus even now. We study together at the library three times a week.”

Miss Margaret raised her eyebrows, as if surprised by my answer.

“Well, that is good news. Then I’ll make you a proposal, Lindsay. Your grades from your previous academy fluctuate between D and F. You understand what that means, don’t you?”

Of course I do. You’re saying it’s the worst possible result, right?

I unconsciously glanced at Rohan beside me.

Rohan was pretending very hard not to hear anything, but judging from the way the corners of his mouth kept twitching upward, he had definitely heard it properly.

“Judging from your flushed face, you must be aware that it’s a shameful score. That’s good. Lindsay, as the young lady of House Rietberg, you should properly build knowledge and refinement so that you may one day enter the Imperial Court like the great Marquis.”

“I understand…”

“Good. Then let’s use this as motivation to improve. For your midterms this semester, let’s aim for an average of… C.”

“An average C…?”

“Yes. Since I’m being considerate of your situation, we need visible results to determine whether this is helping the student or ruining her. Rohan, stop laughing behind her. You’re the same as well. You need to be at least B.”

“Me…? Wait, why am I— I wasn’t even doing anything…”

“Well, you’re switching seats, aren’t you? And since your average is C, it only makes sense that you should be one level higher— a B grade.”

Rohan’s shoulders slumped as if he had been dealt a bad hand, and he nodded weakly.

“I’ll try my best…”

“I don’t want effort. I want results. You may go now. Your next class will start soon.”

Miss Margaret looked at the two of us with a satisfied expression.

Rohan, who opened the door to the staff room first, seemed to notice someone and turned his head slightly to look at me.

“I’ll go ahead first. I’m supposed to take your seat, right?”

“Huh? I guess so, but why aren’t you coming with—”

Ah.

I looked toward the person standing in front of me. Someone who was enjoying the breeze coming in through the window…

“Oh, L-Lindsay…? Is it over…? W-What did the teacher say…?”

It was Martin.

The moment I saw him, an uncontrollable smile floated up to my lips. Why was this happening? Why did I feel happier every time I saw him?

As if reading my expression, Martin’s lips slowly curled up in the same way.

“Success…?”

“Of course! Who do you think I am!”

“Yay!”

A smile brighter than the sun outside the window caught everyone’s attention. Martin looked so happy that he clenched and unclenched his hands, stamping his feet in place.

“G-Good job, Lindsay! So… we can sit together now?”

“Yeah, that’s right. We can sit together.”

With hearts fluttering, we walked down the hallway together.

We were exchanging light, meaningless chatter when a loud voice from ahead cut off our conversation.

The moment I saw the owner of that voice, my brows furrowed on their own.

“Well, look who it is. Long time no see, nerd!”

“Why didn’t you come to the academy last week? I was bored without you.”

“You’ve been hanging around the Rietberg girl lately. Do you get something out of sticking to her? Should I stick to her instead?”

Spouting nonsense without a shred of sense were Thomas and his gang.

I had heard they were from a lower class. The fact that they were up here meant this wasn’t just a coincidence.

‘What are they planning this time…!’

Martin’s shoulders flinched and trembled. Seeing that, I felt the need to get away quickly.

I glared sharply at Thomas in the center and grabbed Martin’s wrist. Just as I tried to push through the group blocking our way—

“Ah…!”

“Lindsay Rietberg. You’ve been ignoring me since last time. That’s a bit much, don’t you think?”

In an instant, a sharp pain surged through my arm as if it were being crushed.

I let out a small groan, and Thomas tightened his grip, laughing as if he found my reaction amusing.

“What, you think you’re the only noble one here? You think only your father works for the Imperial Court? Our House Ruxel isn’t exactly small either. Lindsay, you should know your place. And why are you hanging around that guy? It lowers your status. Stick with me instead. Someone like you belongs with me.”

“L-Let go…!”

I tried to shake him off, but as expected from a boy, his grip didn’t loosen easily.

It felt like bruises would form. Whether he was deliberately using too much force or simply couldn’t control it, the pain in my arm kept increasing.

And then—

“Stop it.”

“What was that? You little loser.”

Martin clenched his fist so tightly that the veins on the back of his hand stood out clearly. Seeing that, Thomas and his friends only snickered.

One of them shoved Martin’s shoulder repeatedly.

“What are you going to do? Huh? What can you do about it? Acting tough because there’s a girl here? You’re such a man, huh?”

Their mocking grew worse and worse. Of all places, it was a secluded hallway where no teachers passed, and other students simply avoided eye contact and walked past.

I looked around desperately, hoping someone might help—when suddenly something flashed past in front of my eyes and struck Thomas in the face.

“Argh…!”

“Lindsay! Come here!”

The one who had punched Thomas was Martin. Taking advantage of their momentary shock, he grabbed my hand.

Just then, the bell rang at the perfect timing. Holding hands tightly, we ran down the hallway together.

“You bastard! If I catch you, I’ll kill you! You’re dead!”

Thomas’s furious shout echoed behind us.

I ran as fast as I could, but my mind felt chaotic.

‘Just now… Martin…’

The image of Martin throwing a punch at Thomas kept replaying in my head. It felt unfamiliar—different from the Martin I knew.

Noticing that I was slowing down, Martin matched his pace to mine. Then he looked at me with an awkward smile.

“Ah… a-about earlier… you were surprised, right…? L-Lindsay… I just… didn’t want you to get hurt… I-I won’t show you something like that again, I promise…”

He seemed to have already realized what I was uneasy about.

I looked at him and said firmly:

“I don’t even know what the right answer is. But… violence isn’t right. Not for you now, and not for you in the future.”

Even if Martin came from a wealthy family, his status might still be lower than that boy from House Ruxel. Since Thomas had started it today, it might be overlooked somehow—but if something like this happened again, there could be consequences.

“I can’t let this go on. I need to stay by your side.”

I clenched both fists tightly and looked at Martin.

“Martin, I’ll protect you. I will. So that nothing like this ever happens again.”

At my words, Martin’s lips parted slightly. He stared at me blankly for a moment, as if lost in thought, and then slowly smiled.