Rose tried once more to convince her brother to return, but hit an insurmountable wall. Gilbert was standing firm. He would rather die than marry the "monster" Dahlia Valentino.
In the end, Rose had to back down. Not today.
She forced herself to sit through a few more classes, though her thoughts were far from studying. After classes, Rose immediately returned to the dormitory.
She opened the door to her room with a sinking heart — what if her roommate was already there? But Dylan's bed was empty, and his belongings lay untouched.
Rose breathed a sigh of relief.
Good. She was alone.
She needed to contact her mother urgently. The Countess was probably worried sick — Rose was supposed to call her yesterday, but due to fatigue and all the commotion, she had completely forgotten.
Rose rummaged through her suitcase and pulled out a magical communicator from the bottom.
This was an amazing invention that had appeared on the market about fifteen years ago and caused a real revolution in the field of communication. Before it, people used letters that took weeks, sometimes months, to arrive. Now one could communicate almost instantly while being hundreds of miles apart.
The communicator was a paired artifact. Two devices, tuned to each other. If one was activated, the second would begin to vibrate, signaling its owner.
Various forms existed — spheres, rings, bracelets. But the most popular, "classic" version was considered the communicator in the shape of a seashell. It was said that the connection was better through it, and it was more convenient to talk — as if into a real shell held to your ear.
Of course, this pleasure cost an exorbitant amount of money.
Wealthy families could afford several pairs — one for each family member separately. Poorer families made do with one pair for everyone.
The Rosmunds, of course, had only one pair.
Before her departure, the Countess had given Rose one shell and kept the other for herself. This was their only means of long-distance communication.
Rose sat on the bed, turned the shell over in her hands, and cleared her throat.
For some reason, she was terribly nervous.
But she couldn't put it off any longer.
She pressed a special button. The shell in her hands vibrated — the signal was sent.
The second shell, which remained with her mother, should also be vibrating now. Provided, of course, that the Countess was nearby and hadn't lost it.
Rose held her breath.
Ten seconds of silence. Only a slight vibration in her palm.
And then...
"Rose! Rose, can you hear me?!"
Her mother's voice burst from the shell, so agitated that Rose involuntarily moved the device away from her ear.
"Mother, I can hear you," she replied, bringing the shell closer again.
"Ugh, thank all the gods!" a noisy exhale came from the speaker. "Did you arrive safely? Are you alright?!"
"Yes, Mother. I'm fine."
"Thank the gods, thank the gods..." The Countess seemed to be catching her breath. "I was so worried! You were supposed to call yesterday! I thought something had happened!"
"Sorry, Mother. I was very tired from the journey and fell asleep."
"Oh, my poor girl..." sympathetic notes sounded in her mother's voice. "Well, never mind, the main thing is that you're alive and well."
They were silent for a few seconds. Rose felt the tension thicken in the air.
"And your brother?" the Countess finally asked. "Have you found him yet?"
Rose swallowed.
"Yes, Mother. I found him."
"Really?" her mother's voice brightened. "How wonderful! And when will you both return home?"
"....."
There it was. The hardest part of the conversation.
Rose had to shatter her mother's hopes. All these months, it was the Countess who had suffered the most from her son's flight. She had hoped, prayed, waited for his return.
And now Rose had to tell her that Gilbert wouldn't be coming back. At least, not willingly.
Of course, there remained the option of abduction. Rose was seriously considering the possibility of knocking her brother unconscious and dragging him out of the academy by force.
But the more she thought about it, the more unrealistic this plan seemed.
Firstly, how could she, a fragile girl, drag an unconscious guy who was half a head taller and about fifteen kilograms heavier than her? Even if she somehow miraculously dragged him to the exit, then what?
Secondly, the academy's security was serious. Guards on duty around the clock. Any suspicious movement — and she'd be caught. And if they caught her and exposed her identity... Rose didn't even want to think about the consequences.
Thirdly, even if she somehow miraculously got Gilbert out, then what? He'd run away again at the first opportunity. This time — even further, maybe outside the Empire.
So the abduction plan was a utopia. Pure madness.
Only one thing remained — to tell her mother the truth.
Rose took a deep breath.
"Mom, listen... there's something."
She told her everything.
About meeting Gilbert. About his categorical refusal to return. About his unwillingness to marry Dahlia Valentino.
She told her about the scene in the restroom and how her brother had begged her on his knees not to force him.
The Countess was silent.
She didn't interrupt. Didn't ask questions. Just remained silent.
The silence stretched on. With each second, Rose grew more nervous. What if her mother had had a heart attack? What if she had fainted from shock?
Rose opened her mouth to call out to her, when suddenly a calm, even cool voice came from the shell:
"I see. I understand everything."
Rose was taken aback.
This was not what she had expected to hear.
"Mother, since things have turned out this way, I'll probably return home as soon as possible..."
"No," the Countess interrupted her. "Don't you dare."
"What?" Rose froze. "But why?"
"If you come back now, all our efforts will have been in vain."
Rose couldn't believe her ears.
"Mother, are you serious? You're suggesting I stay in this academy?! But why? What's the point?"
"There is a point," the Countess answered firmly. "And a very big one."
"What is it?"
"Think for yourself, Rose. You are currently in one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the Empire. Around you are young men from the best aristocratic families. Sons of dukes, counts, barons. Future ministers, generals, and diplomats."
Rose went cold.
She was beginning to guess where her mother was going with this.
"Mother, you mean to say..."
"Exactly," the Countess's voice sounded as firm as ever. "You always dreamed of an academy. And now you're in one. Yes, not exactly as you dreamed, but the fact remains. You are here. And you have a unique opportunity."
"What opportunity?"
"To find yourself a husband, of course!"
Rose almost dropped the shell.
"What?! Mother, have you lost your mind?!"
"Not at all," the Countess parried calmly. "Think logically. Until now, you haven't had the opportunity to meet worthy young men. And here — the elite of the Empire!"
"But I'm in a men's academy! I'm pretending to be a guy!"
"So what?" the Countess seemed unfazed. "That's even more convenient. You can observe them, study their characters, without arousing suspicion. And when you find a suitable one — well, then we'll figure out how to reveal the truth."
Rose clutched her head.
This was some kind of nightmare.
"Mother, do you have any idea what you're saying? If I'm exposed — I'll be executed! Or exiled! Or worse!"
"That's why you need to be careful," the Countess said instructively. "But the risk is justified. Rose, our family is on the edge of an abyss. Debts are strangling us. The Valentinos could strike at any moment if they learn the truth about Gilbert's flight. We need to secure the support of a powerful house. And the best way to do that is through marriage."
Rose was silent, trying to digest what she had heard.
"You do want to save the family, don't you?" the Countess continued. "Here's your chance. Not just to bring your brother back, but to find yourself a worthy match. Maybe even better than the Valentinos. The sons of the most influential people in the Empire study at Arden Academy. Surely one of them will notice you."
"Mother, I'm in male guise! How can anyone possibly notice me?!"
"Well..." the Countess hesitated. "You said you look like a handsome young man. Maybe there's someone with unconventional preferences?"
"MOTHER!"
"Just joking, just joking," the Countess said quickly. "But the general idea is clear. You're staying in the academy. You either try to convince Gilbert to return, or you find yourself a husband among the students."
Rose closed her eyes.
Her head was spinning.
"And don't you dare come home empty-handed," the Countess added sternly. "Either with your brother, or with a fiancé. That's a mother's order."
"But..."
"No 'buts.' I've said my piece!