wisteria

The candlelight flickered across the grand library of the World Tower, casting shadows over the shelves stacked with ancient tomes. Ruth sat at a table, poring over a thick manuscript on advanced mana stabilization, but his mind was only half on the words in front of him.

you were seated across from him, your quill scratching against parchment as you took notes from an open book. you looked as you always did—completely at ease, chin propped on one hand, And yet, Ruth could not focus. The words of the other students in the tower dining hall earlier that day which he refused to believe rang in his head.

"Did you hear? That nobleman-what’s his name-has sent a proposal to ___!" "she hasn’t answered yet, but everyone says she’s considering it." "Imagine! A duchess before she even finishes her studies."

He had nearly choked on his tea.

Now, he sat stiffly, fingers drumming against the table as he tried to ignore the gnawing irritation in his chest.

It’s none of my business. But it was his business. Somehow.

He cleared his throat. “So.”

you barely glanced up. “So?”

Ruth shifted in his chair. “That man, the one who keeps hovering around you. What’s his deal?”

you blinked at him, tilting your head. “What man?”

He rolled his eyes. “The nobleman. Blond, annoying. Always finds some excuse to speak to you.”

“Oh.” you finally seemed to register what he was talking about. “You mean Lord Kaelen?”

Ruth made an impatient noise. “Yes. Him. What does he want?”

you dipped your quill back into the inkwell, voice completely casual. “He wants to marry me.”

Ruth dropped his quill. It rolled off the table. “What?!" His voice came out louder than intended, drawing a few irritated looks from nearby students.

you raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his reaction. “You don’t have to shout.”

He ignored that. “But-but you’re still a student here! You haven’t even finished your education yet!”

you shrugged. “You know most ladies don’t finish their education before they’re married.”

Ruth gaped at you, utterly scandalized. “That’s idiotic.” you smiled, amused by his reaction. “Oh, I agree.”

He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. “So what, you’re just considering it?”

you leaned back in your chair, eyeing him curiously. “What’s it to you?”

That made him falter. “I-” Ruth hesitated, suddenly aware of how ridiculous he must sound. He couldn’t tell you the truth, because he didn’t even know the truth. All he knew was that the thought of some nobleman taking you away, of you becoming someone’s wife- set his nerves on edge in a way he couldn’t explain.

He scowled, fumbling for an excuse. “I just think it’s a waste of your talent. That’s all.”

you studied him for a moment longer, your eyes gleaming with something unreadable. Then, to his immense relief, you simply shrugged. “Well, of course I’m not going to marry him.”

Ruth blinked. “You’re not?”

“No.” you smiled, reaching over to grab the fallen quill from the floor and handing it back to him. “I have far more important things to do than be some duke’s little ornament.”

Ruth took the quill from you, but his fingers barely registered it. His heartbeat was still hammering wildly, and he didn’t know why. All he knew was that relief flooded him at your words.