Unexpectedly, the conversation between Rose and her dormitory roommate ended precisely with this unusual agreement.
Simply put, they struck a deal.
Did Rose know beforehand that it would turn out this way? Definitely not.
It all happened spontaneously. Impulsively. But, strangely enough, this decision seemed to her the most correct of all the ones she had made recently.
In fact, after yesterday's conversation with Dylan about his origins, Rose couldn't sleep all night. She tossed and turned, replaying every word of his in her head, and as a result, almost overslept for classes the next morning.
But it was worth it.
Because it was that night that a plan matured in her mind.
Dylan... this young man had amazed her to the depths of her soul.
Born a commoner, into a family where every day was a struggle for survival, he hadn't resigned himself to the fate allotted to him. He hadn't given up, hadn't surrendered, hadn't drifted with the current. Instead, he gathered his willpower, enrolled in the Empire's most prestigious academy, and every day proved to everyone around him that he deserved to be there.
Despite hunger, despite the contempt of aristocrats, despite all the obstacles.
This was an action worthy of respect. A true feat.
And Rose thought: what was she doing?
All her life, she had drifted with the current. At first, she completely relied on her mother, obeying her in everything. Then she hoped for her brother, thinking that the future of their family and her own well-being depended on him.
But now, looking at Gilbert, who had run away and didn't even think of returning, Rose understood one simple truth:
You can never truly rely on anyone else.
Only you yourself can arrange your life the way you want.
And this thought, simple and obvious, suddenly illuminated her consciousness like a bright flash.
What if she saved her family herself?
Not through the return of her worthless brother. Not through the search for a profitable groom.
But through herself. Through her own efforts. Through her own hard work.
A third option. One that was undoubtedly better than the previous two.
Rose understood perfectly well what would happen when the Valentino family uncovered their deception. Such a powerful family, on close terms with the Emperor himself, would not forgive such an insult. They would destroy the Rosmund family, grind them to dust, deprive them of everything.
In the worst case — not only their property, but also their noble title. They would become ordinary commoners.
And then they would have to truly survive.
Rose looked at Dylan and saw in him an example. An example of how one could survive and even thrive in this cruel world.
And she had a chance.
She was already at the Arden Academy. She had documents in the name of Ruven Rosenberg. She could finish her studies, get a diploma, find a job. A good job that would allow her to support both herself and her mother.
And then, perhaps, start her own business. Become an entrepreneur. Get rich.
Of course, for now these were just dreams. But now she had a goal. And a path to that goal.
Instead of waiting for salvation from others, she would save herself.
As soon as Rose came to this idea and was filled with determination, all her anxiety and despair disappeared. As if a gray veil before her eyes had dissipated, giving way to a clear, sunny day.
Being at the Arden Academy no longer seemed like a punishment to her.
No, now it was a CHANCE.
A real chance to change her life!
But, as soon as Rose made this decision, a problem arose before her.
The Arden Academy was a serious educational institution. The program here was difficult, especially for someone like Rose, who had only a basic home education.
Yes, she had been taught etiquette, dancing, drawing, music. But all of it was superficial. Enough to conduct oneself in society, but not enough to understand higher mathematics or other specialized subjects.
The gap between her knowledge and what was taught at the academy was colossal. Like between heaven and earth.
If she tried to master everything on her own, it would take months, if not years. And no guarantee of success.
But...
Rose smiled.
She was lucky.
Her dormitory roommate was the genius of this academy!
The best student who scored maximum points in all subjects every month. A person who, on his own, without tutors or connections, managed to become first.
Where else could she find a better tutor?
Of course, using his help for free would be dishonest. So the idea of exchanging lunches seemed like the perfect solution to Rose.
Dylan would get proper nutrition, which he so desperately needed.
And she would get help with her studies and, hopefully, be able to catch up with her classmates.
A benefit for everyone! The perfect deal.
Now Rose was full of determination.
"I will graduate from Arden Academy with honors!" she mentally vowed. "And then I'll build my own business! Become rich and independent! And no Valentino family will stop me!"
"...Hehe."
A quiet chuckle escaped her involuntarily.
Rose sat in her advanced mathematics lesson, smiling dreamily, staring blankly into space.
Her classmates looked at her askance, bewildered.
"...What? Am I the only one who doesn't find anything funny here?"
"This is an advanced math class... Couldn't be more boring. Did Ruven really find the word 'polynomial' that hilarious?"
"Um... I don't know."
"But, come to think of it, it is kind of funny. Maybe we should laugh too?"
"Let's do it! Maybe we can derail this boring lesson that way..."
Nevertheless, at that moment, Rose was lost in her own inspired thoughts and didn't even hear them.
She was in her own world. A world of grand plans and rosy prospects.
"Even a power like the Valentino family cannot break my determination!" she mentally exclaimed and clenched her fists under her desk.
After all, isn't it beautiful, the flower that can bloom even in frozen soil?
Rose felt that she was that very flower.
And let the soil around her be frozen ground, full of stones and weeds — she would break through. She would definitely break through.
Even the Valentino family wouldn't be able to stop her!