Chapter 27: A Rose In Brimstone

"Other than being a good friend, I don’t see what else."

Gavian narrowed his eyes at my response.

"He’s telling the truth, Lord Gavian."

"The truth..."

He still couldn’t believe it, and no one could fault him for that. He might be the type to believe in second chances, but he didn’t seem convinced his brother could redeem himself in just a month.

There was no way he truly believed a former relentless menace like me could change in a single month after a head injury.

"Wait... a head injury?"

Gavian actually said his thought out loud.

Whatever was going on in his head, he’d found the perfect excuse to make sense of the situation.

"Very well, then. I won’t waste your time any longer. But Lady Rose, if my brother does something stupid, don’t be afraid to ask me for help."

"That won’t be necessary, Lord Gavian."

He gave a small nod and walked off, presumably to whatever task Father had given him. I was honestly surprised he’d even stopped to speak with us, considering how much paperwork he had to deal with.

As for Anna, she took his brief nod as incredible encouragement.

"Y’see that, Reyn? I think your brother is fine with being my future brother-in-law!"

"Really?"

"Well, he didn’t seem to mind the declaration. And he nodded! That’s more than enough for me. Now all I need to do is convince your father next..."

Convince my father...

Well, whatever she had in mind, I wished her the best of luck, with me obviously helping out in the process.

✧ ✦ ✧

I entered the estate after a few minutes of walking. I changed my clothes, freshened up, and concentrated all my mana on passive training, just as I always did.

Everything was normal. But as always, there was one exception to it now.

"Do you like my room so far?"

"It’s incredible... I guess I never really thought about what a duke’s son’s room would look like."

Anna had once again surprised me with how brazen she was. She had entered the mansion and startled most of the servants and maids who saw her come in.

Willingly, no less. The only other women who entered the estate were either associated with Gavian, Father’s dealings, or Trish’s begging.

This was the first time the one and only Cain Brimstone had brought a woman over who didn’t look like she was only doing it for the money.

"Your room looks like it could fit five people in it."

Anna said from the bed, lying down and staring up at the ceiling design. If I had to guess, she was taking in everything she could see.

She rolled onto her side, propping her head up with one hand as she continued her inspection of my room.

"You know, for someone with your old reputation, I expected... I don’t know, more scandalous decorations? Maybe a few questionable portraits?"

"The old me sold them for pocket money."

She laughed, then patted the space beside her on the bed. Not a request. An expectation.

I obliged, settling onto the mattress next to her. She immediately shifted closer, her head finding its way to my shoulder.

"Today was fun."

"Fun? I think tomorrow would be even more fun."

After all, tomorrow would bring the results. And tomorrow was when the academy would finally see Reyn Brimstone claim first place, defying all expectations.

"You’re not wrong."

Her fingers found the fabric of my shirt, tracing idle patterns against my chest. The touch was casual, possessive, the kind of gesture that had become second nature to her over the past month.

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

KNOCK!

"Reyn."

My father’s voice echoed from behind the doorway. Anna didn’t even flinch; she simply moved her hand from my chest, allowing me to sit up and answer the door.

"Yes, Father?"

I opened the door, and the moment I did, his eyes locked onto Anna on my bed. She gave him a warm smile, surprising him more than any scandalous object the old me used to bring home.

"So the servants weren’t exaggerating..."

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Lady Rose, would you head to my office for a while? I need to speak with you about my son."

"Of course. If you have any concerns about my relationship with your son, I’m happy to discuss them."

Then Father turned his gaze to me.

"Stay here. This will be brief."

"Of course, Father. Take your time."

He didn’t even respond before walking off, with Anna already moving to follow. She squeezed my hand before leaving the room.

"Don’t worry. I’ve got this."

Considering how competent she was as a villainess in my memory, I definitely believed her. Now all that was left was to wait and see if she was crazy enough to try the same stunt she’d pulled with Gavian.