A heavy silence fell between Eleanor and Adrian.
Eleanor parted her lips slightly. She felt she should say something, yet couldn't find the right words.
Then—
Plop. Plop.
Thick drops of rain began to fall on their heads. It had been cloudy all day, and now it seemed the sky had finally made up its mind to pour.
Adrian quickly slipped off his coat and handed it to her.
"Let's get down. It's about to pour."
Eleanor draped his coat over her shoulders like a cloak. Adrian tied the sleeves together to fasten it securely.
The raindrops fell faster, heavier—each one sharp and cold.
"Come on. Take my hand."
When Eleanor reached out and grasped his hand, Adrian broke into a run.
By the time they escaped the stone path along the wall, the rain was so fierce that the world in front of them turned to a pale blur.
They dashed across a grassy slope, the wet blades slick beneath their feet. Both of them slipped and fell more than once, laughing breathlessly as they scrambled up again.
When they finally reached the bottom of the hill, drenched and covered in mud, they looked at each other—and burst into laughter.
They had to shout over the downpour to be heard.
"You okay, Ellen?"
"Yeah! Just my backside hurts a bit. You?"
"I'm fine. Even the coat's soaked through now. Sorry."
"Who could've guessed it'd rain like this out of nowhere? It's fine."
They reached the street, but every carriage was full—overflowing with visitors who had come for the Academy entrance exams.
Eleanor's skin had gone pale from the cold. Adrian raked a hand through his wet hair and cursed under his breath.
"Damn it."
Walking all the way to Eleanor's inn like this was out of the question. The best option was to head to his nearby lodging and warm up first.
"Ellen, let's go to my room. You can warm up while I fetch you dry clothes from your inn."
"Alright."
Eleanor nodded, shivering. At this point, anywhere dry would do.
Thankfully, Adrian's lodging was close—just down the road.
"My goodness, you're both soaked through! Shall I bring up some hot bathwater?"
"As fast as possible."
Adrian nodded curtly. The innkeeper hurried off, using even the kitchen's boiling water to fill the tub quickly.
Adrian pulled a shirt and trousers from his bag and handed them to her.
"Wash up and change into these for now. I'll get your clothes from the inn. Stay warm."
"Okay. Thanks."
When Adrian closed the door behind him, Eleanor immediately slipped into the bath. The water felt almost scalding against her chilled skin.
Ugh… acting like a child at my age…
Still, she couldn't help but feel it had been fun. Seeing the usually tidy, composed Adrian covered in mud—it made the entire ordeal worth it.
After ten minutes of soaking, warmth returned to her body. Eleanor rose, dried herself, and reached for his clothes.
Too big…
The shirt was fine—loose, but manageable. The trousers, however, were hopeless. Even buttoned, they slid straight down the moment she let go.
After several failed attempts, she gave up.
"These won't do. If they only reach halfway down my thighs, that's basically a dress."
Hanging the trousers over the chair, Eleanor slipped into the neatly made bed. The faint scent of Adrian clung to the sheets, layered over the musty inn smell.
"So warm…"
Wrapped in the soft, heated blankets after shivering for so long, her body melted with relief. The tension drained from her limbs.
Her eyelids grew heavy.
Don't fall asleep here… It's not even your room.
She lightly tapped her cheeks, trying to fight the drowsiness. She pulled Adrian's pillow aside so it wouldn't get wet and curled up like a shrimp.
The old bed creaked whenever she shifted, but even that sound felt like a lullaby.
Yawn…
She just had to stay awake a little longer—he'd be back soon.
Don't fall asleep. Sleep when you're back in your own room…
Slip…
As always, sleep won the battle against willpower.
Siena had a secret.
A secret she had never told her mother, her uncle, or even her teacher.
To tell that story, we have to go back to that morning.
Perhaps it was nerves—she woke up before anyone could wake her. After washing up neatly, Siena began to dress herself. She struggled a little to pull up her stockings, and that sound woke her mother.
"Siena, you're up already?"
"I wanted to go early and study with my teacher."
Siena ran over and planted a few quick kisses on her mother's cheek.
"It's close by! You can rest, Mom."
"Still, maybe I should come with you?"
Siena shook her head.
She knew her mother didn't like crowded places. Even coming all the way to Deln had been hard on her.
"I looked out the window—there are so many people. The teacher's going, and Uncle too. The Duke will be there."
"Let me fix your hair at least. Come here."
After her mother's gentle touch, Siena's slightly messy pink hair looked tidy again.
"Do well, my dear."
Siena hugged her mother tightly, then left the room with determined steps.
She was about to knock on Eleanor's door, but changed her mind and decided to wait in the lobby instead.
It wasn't often she got to see the streets freely. The lobby was already bustling with students and parents.
Her heart pounded in her chest again. She thought she'd gotten better, but her palms were still damp.
Then a group of people caught her eye—they were lining up in front of a shabby cart.
What's that?
Curious, Siena approached.
"Clearheart for sale! Only a few left, hurry while they last!"
People were waiting their turn to buy something. Siena tiptoed to peek, and someone joined the line behind her. Without meaning to, she found herself standing in line too.
When she reached the front, the vendor grinned and handed her a small pouch.
"Lucky girl! Last one."
"What is it?"
"A medicine to calm your nerves. You just chew it."
Siena frowned.
"A medicine for nerves? There's no such thing."
"There is now. Clearheart."
She eyed the white pouch skeptically.
A pill that takes away anxiety? Impossible. But… everyone was lining up for it. Maybe it really works…
When she didn't answer, the vendor's tone turned sharp.
"Well? You buying or not? If not, move along. I've got others waiting."
"I'll buy it!"
Startled, Siena fished out every coin she had and bought the pill. The people behind her grumbled and dispersed.
So expensive for something so small…
She tossed the pouch into a nearby bin and examined the pill—about the size of her thumbnail, brownish and faintly sweet-smelling.
"Should I… take it or not…"
Just then—
"Oh, Siena?"
Eleanor's voice rang out from behind.
Siena jumped in surprise and, on impulse, popped the pill into her mouth. She didn't want Eleanor or the others to see.
"Where's your mother?" Eleanor asked.
Siena swallowed and answered,
"She said I could go with my teacher and uncle. She seemed tired."
"Are you feeling okay?"
"Yes, I think so."
Just then, Adrian and Kaidel arrived, drawing Eleanor's attention away. Siena silently exhaled in relief.
Wait… it actually works?
As the carriage rolled on, Siena realized her heart was calm—steady. The pounding that had rattled her before was gone.
She'd half expected nothing, but the medicine really did work. Her face brightened.
"I'll be back soon," she said confidently before entering the exam hall with Damian and Lucas.
"Everyone, take your seats. All books away now."
The stern-looking female Supervisor tapped her staff against the desks. The atmosphere grew taut.
"Any student caught cheating will be barred from the Academy for three years. Don't bring shame to your family name."
Her sharp gaze swept across the room, freezing every student in place.
"All subject papers will be distributed at once. Manage your own time accordingly."
Then a boy with red hair, seated in front of Siena, raised his hand.
"Yes, question?"
"What if we need to… you know… go to the bathroom?"
A ripple of laughter spread through the room.
"You go, of course," the Supervisor replied coolly.
"But once you leave, your paper stays as it is. Keep that in mind."
The boy's shoulders slumped. Siena smirked quietly.
Pathetic.
"The Academy is the continent's most prestigious institution," the Supervisor continued. "Its exams are the most rigorous and transparent. Take pride and responsibility as you proceed."
Ding—ding—
The bell outside rang. The exam had begun.
Siena, Lucas, and Damian exchanged brief looks.
Do your best.
Siena took a deep breath, recalling the countless practice sessions with Eleanor. Her hands were steady. Her mind, clear.
This is fine. I've got this.
She worked through the problems without hesitation—until—
Grrk.
A strange noise came from her stomach midway through the arithmetic section.
What… was that?
She stiffened, then tried to refocus. Her stomach churned, but it was manageable.
Grrrkk.
Another wave came—this time with a sharp twist of pain. Color drained from her face.
No… stay calm, Siena. It's nothing. Nothing at all…