"..."
"..."
Half an hour later, Rotsard and Blanid were facing each other in their usual classroom, with the only difference being that the space wasn't enchanted by spells. It was just a normal classroom.
The two of them acted differently than usual, though, too.
Blanid was half-kneeling right on the floor, seated on her feet, back straight, hands on knees, head lowered.
Apologetic and even appearing a bit ashamed.
It was worth mentioning that there was a chair prepared for her, but she decided to leave it empty.
Rotsard, on the other hand, was seated in a chair by the wall, sprawled nonchalantly, with one elbow on the nearest desk.
He didn't look as if he was in a particularly bad mood and definitely didn't act in a way that should or would have prompted the petite girl's reaction.
*tack* *tack* *tack* "click*
Suddenly, someone discreetly knocked on the door and opened it moments later.
"...!"
"..."
Blanid flinched, but did not look up and only turned more tense… Rotsard did look over but said nothing.
"Young Master. The nurse said that Young Lady Saria won't sustain any long-term injuries. She will be able to take the exams without much issue… And she will fully recover in time to return home for the summer break."
Mira's maid stood in the door, bowing as she reported.
"Thank you. Please tell Mira I already miss her."
"Young Miss knew you'd say that and asked me to reassure you that the separation is only for the exam period, Young Master. It's so both of you would focus solely on your studies."
Rotsard nodded at the maid and asked, but she only backed off, responding with an amused smile before leaving without ever attempting to steal a glance at the remorseful girl in front of the bleached-blond-haired youth.
"You've heard it. Saria will be fine, so get off the floor and sit normally."
As the door closed after the maid, Rotsard turned back to the petite girl and said with a slightly amused expression as he pointed at the nearby chair.
"...I feel like I should be scolded, though… I tried to not underestimate her, but when I realized the gap in our ability I couldn't help myself and just ended up bullying her…"
Blanid fidgeted in her spot and finally spoke up, clearly disappointed with herself.
"Hey, if you want a scolding about putting Saria in her place, maybe try someone who actually likes her."
"...!"
But that only made Rotsard roll his eyes before pointing out, taking the girl by surprise.
Well, it was more like Blanid flinched because she realized that, despite being family, Saria and Rotsard weren't on good terms. Saria openly stated how much she hated him, and while Rotsard said that he no longer hates Saria, he still greatly disliked her.
"...umm…"
"Hmm?"
The petite girl fidgeted in her spot, this time stealing glances at the bleached-blond-haired youth, obviously wanting but being hesitant about asking something, prompting him to nod up at her encouragingly.
"...I'm sorry if the question is too personal, but… what exactly caused the two of you to drift away like that? You and Saria, I mean. She once said that you were close when you were children, back… back when…"
"Back when my parents were alive."
She took a deep breath and hesitantly spoke up, tensing up in unease when Rotsard finished the sentence for her.
"Please forget I asked! It's a personal matter and an outsider like me…!"
"I don't mind telling you in particular, you're a trustworthy fellow, and I like you. Although I will ask you to not go around repeating my reason."
Blanid cowered immediately, hanging her head low, deeply apologetic, but Rotsard merely waved his hand and leaned back into his seat.
"O-of course! I won't tell a soul!"
The petite girl perked up instantly, her face slightly red flow a blush she tried very hard to suppress it.
"The moment that broke me was on the two-year anniversary of my mother's death, when I was around eight, and Saria was five."
Rotsard nodded then and began.
"A spoiled little princess she was, she insisted on us playing together, but when I refused. Peacefully, since I was with my father, mind you, but she threw a tantrum and screamed that she doesn't care that my stupid mom died and that she wants to play... And that was it. That's my whole reason."
"...eh…?"
Rotsard then shrugged his shoulders and said it all. The fact that it wasn't some elaborate story caused Blanid to let out a confused voice.
"Yeah, that's my reason for changing the way I treat her ever since."
Rotsard added with a dismissive smirk.
"I… I don't want to sound rude, but… considering that a five-year-old said it…"
"Don't."
Blanid bit her lips and hesitated, but she ended up speaking up, only to get shot down by Rotsard's suddenly ice-cold voice.
"Don't defend her. She was five, sure, but I was eight. An eight-year-old who got screamed at by his cousin that his dead mother was stupid. If you expected some higher levels of mental maturity from an eight-year-old me, I got bad news for you."
"..."
Rotsard scoffed, completely silencing the petite girl who slouched as much as she could to appear even smaller than she already was, her face burning with shame.
"Haaa… But, as I said, I don't hate her anymore. That doesn't change the fact that I did in the past."
The bleached-blond-haired youth breathed out and relaxed, finishing his story with a shrug, no longer threatening.