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Randall had taken Aster to the nurse’s office immediately after rescuing her.

The riding lesson was dismissed shortly after—except for Flavia and her friends, whom Professor Theo ordered to stay behind to answer for their behavior.

Meanwhile, in the nurse’s office, Katharina followed closely behind Randall, her steps hurried and heart pounding. She had been pale with worry when she saw Aster unconscious. Wren trailed after them as well, unwilling to let Randall out of his sight after what had just happened.

“Those three—they’ve gone too far this time,” Katharina said, her voice trembling with restrained fury. “First, they ruined her uniform, and now this? They almost killed Aster with their petty schemes. I’ll never forgive them.”

Randall listened silently, his expression unreadable, though his sharp eyes flickered briefly with something unspoken.

Wren, however, reacted immediately. “Wait—what do you mean, Lady Katharina? You’re saying it was intentional?”

Katharina clenched her fists. “Everyone saw it. Lady Gardner threw a pebble at the horse’s flank right before it bolted. And her two friends were laughing until they realized how bad it got. They have to be punished for this.”

Before either man could respond, the nurse looked up from her work and spoke gently.

“Please, you should all return to your classes now. She needs rest and I’ll keep watch over her.”

Randall nodded slightly. “Take care of her,” he said quietly before turning to leave.

Katharina leaned close to Aster’s bedside. “I’ll visit you once class is over, okay?” she whispered before following the others out.

The three stepped into the quiet corridor together.

For a while, none of them spoke—the air was still heavy from what had happened.

Then, at a crossing, Randall suddenly veered off in another direction.

“Where are you going?” Wren called after him.

“Go to class without me,” Randall said without turning back. “There’s something I need to take care of.”

His tone was calm and his footsteps echoed steadily as he disappeared down the hall.

Wren sighed, already knowing what that meant.

Katharina glanced at Randall’s fading figure, worry clouding her eyes. “What do you think he’s going to do?” she asked softly.

Wren gave a faint, uneasy smile. “If I had to guess… he’s about to make someone regret what they’ve done.”

The two exchanged a look before heading toward their next class—both uneasy about what Randall was planning.

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Meanwhile, on the equestrian grounds, Professor Theo stayed behind with Flavia and her two companions. His face was stern, his voice edged with restrained anger.

“Do you three understand the gravity of your actions during riding practice?” he demanded, pacing before them. “A student was nearly killed because of your thoughtless behavior!”

Flavia straightened, clutching her riding gloves. “With all due respect, Professor Theo,” she began smoothly, “it wasn’t our fault. The horse went wild on its own. Perhaps the stable boy made a mistake and brought a poorly trained one.”

The stable boy—pale and shaken—lowered his head. “I—I’m sorry. I thought it was one of the academy’s trained mounts, sir,” he stammered.

Before Professor Theo could reply, the stablemaster, Sir Glen, stepped forward. “Professor, I take full responsibility. The boy is new; I should have double-checked the horses myself. I’ll discipline him for his carelessness. Please forgive us for what happened to the young lady.”

Professor Theo’s glare softened, though his disappointment remained. “Negligence is still negligence. This must not happen again, Sir Glen.”

“Yes, sir,” Glen answered, bowing.

“And as for you three, you should apologize to Miss Winslow for what happened today.”

“What?! No?!” the three protested in chorus then one of the Headmaster’s attendants came running up. “Professor Theo,” the attendant panted, “the Headmaster requests your presence—along with the three ladies involved in today’s incident. At once.”

Flavia and her friends exchanged looks of dismay and irritation.

Moments later they stood inside the Headmaster’s office. Randall was already there, seated quietly on the couch in the receiving area… composed, unhurried, his gaze steady.

Professor Theo gave a concise account of the events. When he finished, the Headmaster leaned back and spoke, calm but firm.

“I have heard enough. Your conduct during the riding lesson was reckless and unbecoming of students of this academy—especially of those who sit on the Academy Council, who should set the example. How do you answer for yourselves, Lady Gardner, Lady Topaz, Lady Varcallis?” he asked.

Flavia’s composure faltered. “But Headmaster, this is all just a misunderstanding. The horse behaved as it did of its own accord. And the stable boy—”

“You will not shift the blame,” the Headmaster cut in.

“A student was almost hurt because of what amounts to deliberate provocation. Such conduct cannot be tolerated. That is why, Lady Gardner, Lady Topaz, Lady Varcallis, you are hereby suspended from classes for two weeks. During that time you will assist in the stables under supervision and reflect on the consequences of your arrogance.”

Flavia’s composure cracked. “What?! Headmaster, with all due respect, this is utterly unfair! The stables? You expect me to clean up after horses?” Her voice rose, trembling with disbelief.

“My father’s name alone carries more weight than that peasant’s entire background—he’s one of the academy’s largest contributors! And Miss Winslow is perfectly fine, isn’t she? How can that commoner be more important than me when she shouldn’t even be here if not for noble donations? And what about Lady Denvier? She struck me in public; why is she not punished?”

Isadora added, “Yes! It’s humiliating. We are noble ladies…this is beneath us.”

“And it only proves Miss Winslow’s incompetence… she couldn’t even handle her mount! How is that our fault?!” Renie snapped.

The Headmaster folded his hands and did not rise to anger. “Lady Denvier acted out of shock after witnessing a near tragedy. It does not excuse her behavior, but I will address that separately. And precisely because of your positions you must behave better. The matter has been reviewed. The decision stands.”

Flavia’s face flushed with frustration, but the Headmaster’s tone allowed no argument. Randall remained silent through it all, though Flavia kept glancing toward him, pleading without words.

When the meeting ended, the girls were dismissed. Randall rose first, bowed politely to the Headmaster, and left the room.

In the corridor, Flavia and her friends hurried after him.

“Lord Randall, please wait!” Flavia called, desperation creeping into her voice. “Surely you won’t let this stand. You know how important our positions are. Couldn’t you speak to the Headmaster for us? Please ask him to revoke the suspension. This is all just a misunderstanding. ”

Randall paused, then turned with the kind of calm that could both soothe and cut.

“I did speak, Lady Flavia. I told the Headmaster the truth.”

Flavia’s hope flickered.

The he added “What you call a misunderstanding could have cost someone’s life. Nobility is not measured by blood or name, but by conduct. Thankfully, the victim was unharmed. Use this time to reflect—”

He paused, then met her eyes with a cold clarity. “—Should your actions ever cross that line again, I won’t be so lenient.”

Without another word, he turned away and walked down the corridor without looking back.

The three girls stood frozen, shame and anger warring across their faces. Flavia’s hands clenched at her sides, her pride wounded deeper than she could admit.

“Aster Winslow—just you wait. This isn’t over. You’ll pay for this,” she hissed under her breath.

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Randall went to the nurse’s office to check on Aster, but before he could enter, he heard the soft chatter of two girls inside.

Peering through the small window, he saw Katharina seated beside Aster’s bed, her face lit with relief.

“You have no idea how worried I was when I saw you unconscious after Lord Randall brought you back,” Katharina said.

“L–Lord Randall brought me back?” Aster asked faintly.

“Yes! He carried you on his horse all the way from the forest borders back to the equestrian grounds… and what’s more, your wild horse followed behind as if already tamed,” Katharina said, her voice brimming with excitement. “And during Magical Theory, everyone was talking about how Lord Randall carried you like a princess. Oh, Aster, you’re the luckiest girl in class right now! Everyone’s envious. First he danced with you yesterday…and now this!”

Aster’s cheeks flushed a deep pink. “You’re exaggerating…”

Katharina giggled softly. “Maybe. But it’s true! After that, he even brought you here to the nurse’s office himself. Still, what those three witches did was awful. I hope Professor Theo punished them properly since they were held back after class.”

“I see… I guess I owe Lord Randall my life,” Aster murmured.

Her heart fluttered at the thought, and her gaze drifted unconsciously toward the window.

Sensing it, Randall quickly turned away before she could see him.

He exhaled softly, relief washing over him, and walked down the hall without a sound—

‘I’m glad you’re safe.’ 

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Randall returned to his dormitory, and as he opened the door, Wren was already waiting—seated on the sofa, arms crossed.

Wren stood abruptly. “That’s it! You’re being reckless now!”

Randall groaned. “Are you going to start with me again today?”

“How far are you planning to go for her? You almost blew your cover! What if someone saw you using magic recklessly?”

“It wasn’t reckless. I did it to save someone.”

“That someone wasn’t just anyone—judging by how fast you rode after her with that worried look!” Wren shot back. “And guess what everyone’s saying in Magical Theory class? That you were like a prince saving a damsel in distress! What if a rumor spreads? You didn’t even attend class—it’ll make things even more suspicious! We’ll be in trouble if the palace hears about this!”

“Agh! Wren, I just want to rest. Give me a break from all your nagging.”

Wren exhaled sharply, frustration mounting. “You haven’t changed at all. Always pretending to be the noble gentleman when, in reality, you’re just playing with people’s hearts.”

Randall’s face darkened.

“Did I hit a nerve?” Wren challenged.

“You neglected the Princess of Helios—the one you were meant to be engaged to until the Duke’s betrayal. You never once sought her out. Instead, you made a promise to some unknown villager. I let it go because we were young then…that’s why I told you not to let the past weigh you down. But here you are, repeating the same mistake and getting involved with Miss Aster when you know you’re about to be engaged to Lady Vanessa.”

Wren stepped forward, eyes narrowing.

“You threw away the girl you were meant to have, only to chase after another you can’t have. Do you enjoy breaking hearts?”

Randall’s jaw tightened. “Know your place, Wren.”

“I am well aware, Your Highness,” Wren said, his tone firm but calmer now.

“But before I became your sworn retainer, I was your friend first. That’s why I have to stop you when you’re being this reckless because no one else will.”

He met Randall’s eyes. “Remember why you came here. His Majesty allowed you to attend this academy so you’d finally stop clinging to the past… and stop returning to that meeting place where no one will ever come. You were sent here to find capable nobles, future allies who’ll stand by your side when you rule—not to fall in love. Why is it so difficult for you to control your emotions?”

Randall clenched his fists, trying to remain calm, but Wren pressed on.

“Stop this foolishness and come back to your senses before it’s too late! Lady Vanessa is the one for you!”

This time, Randall couldn’t hold back. He seized Wren by the collar, fury flashing in his eyes. “Enough!” he snarled, his voice echoing through the room. For a moment, it seemed he might strike him but instead, he shoved Wren hard onto the sofa and stepped back, chest heaving as he fought to steady himself.

“You’re all the same…” he now said quietly. “You asked me once—if I had chosen love, what would my answer have been?”

He looked away for a moment, then back at Wren.

“Do you really want to know? Then… I want to love freely, without burdens or duty weighing me down. To smile genuinely at the person I choose… not force a smile for the sake of convenience. To know each other deeply. To speak without restraint. To feel without fear. To express emotions, not suppress them.”

His voice softened, but his conviction didn’t waver.

“That—for me—is what love is.”

He then met Wren’s gaze.

“Now, if you truly are my friend, like you say you are, then you’d understand better than anyone how I feel.”

With that, Randall turned and walked to his room, leaving Wren alone in the living room.

Wren leaned back against the sofa, pressing a hand to his forehead. “You never learn, Prince Randall. I thought your resolve was already clear. Why are you faltering now?” he whispered.

“History has a cruel way of repeating itself… and the last time you followed your heart, it tore two kingdoms apart.”

He exhaled slowly. He couldn’t shake the feeling that fate was leading them down the same path once more.

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