On the next day, just like any other day, Edna walked to the academy with a hint of annoyance. However, she still attended the classes diligently.

Knowing that each moment could change her future, she didn't want to waste her time.

However, something was different today.

The atmosphere felt strange, almost chaotic, with many eyes strangely focused on her.

Was her pants torn?

Did something stain her face?

After class, Edna checked herself in the restroom, but there was nothing particularly unusual.

Passing female students whispered as they glanced her way, making it hard to ask them directly.

But given Edna’s nature, she wouldn't just let it go.

After one lecture ended, while walking in the hallway, a group of girls from the opposite side approached Edna and intentionally bumped into her shoulder.

Edna was taken aback, and slapped the girl’s forehead with the palm of her hand.

Thwack!

"Oh my, don't you watch where you're going?"

The sound was definitely not a pleasant one.

"Are you crazy?"

"W-What... What are you doing?"

"Why? Do you want another hit?"

"Eek!"

As Edna raised her palm, the female student who was slapped instinctively lowered her head.

Edna used her 10cm height advantage over her to assert dominance in an instant.

"Hey, enough already, tell me what's going on."

"W-What's happening..."

"Ugh, this brat is really getting on my nerves. Hey, come up to the rooftop with me. Let's have a chat while I give you a taste of your own medicine."

"Are you insane? How can such a shallow girl be Jeremy's lover... Ugh!"

The girl tried to say something, but she covered her mouth without finishing her sentence; however, Edna had already heard everything.

"What? Who said I'm someone's lover?"

The female students exchanged glances before one of them spoke up.

"Are you pretending not to know now? You sly fox! The fact that you tried to seduce Jeremy has already spread throughout the academy."

"Wait, what kind of nonsense is this?"

Edna scratched her temple with her pen in genuine confusion.

"You're claiming I tried to seduce someone? I've never done that!"

"Ha, there's evidence already."

She pulled out a photo from her pocket and showed it to Edna. The picture captured Edna in the dormitory while wearing pajamas, and she was engaged in a conversation with someone.

While the person inside the dorm wasn't clearly visible, the vibrant colors of the hallway and the distinctive dormitory doors were enough to identify it as the Class S boys' dormitory.

‘This is... from yesterday, isn't it?’

Indeed, it was a photo that could spark controversy. The fact that a female student had visited the boys' dormitory in the middle of the night in pajamas could only mean one thing: they were lovers, or perhaps had some sort of romantic involvement.

So, why did the rumor specifically spread about Jeremy's lover?

The photo didn’t even show the man. It spread rapidly as if intentionally shared overnight.

Last night when she went to his dorm, there was clearly no one nearby. It was obvious someone had secretly taken this photo.

‘Wow, seriously.’

Perplexed, Edna chuckled disappointingly.

’Jeremy, you crazy kid. Is this how it turns out…’

Even though she thought it was a childish idea, it still gave her goosebumps.

Manipulating this situation by using students on campus for errands and spreading rumors to such an extent...

Well, in the original romance novel, he did even more exaggerated things.

Feeling a throbbing headache, Edna pressed the pen against her temple.

"Enough, this photo is confiscated."

"What, what!"

"By the way, it's just a baseless rumor, don't believe it."

"Baseless rumor...?"

"It's not like we have any kind of relationship, you idiot."

"Gah, idiot... Using such a vulgar word...!"

It was easy to guess why those female students were causing trouble.

Thanks to Jeremy's innocent and modern idol-like appearance, he had quite a significant fan base, but now, some foxy person was causing trouble, and that was bound to make anyone angry.

In reality, even in modern times, when male idols were rumored to be in a relationship with ordinary women, there were cases where overly passionate fans would visit the woman's house and terrorize her, or even go as far as threatening her through social media.

‘Ugh, this feels like shit, seriously…’

No matter how much she denied it, it was difficult for one person to stop a rumor that had already spread.

What could she do?

But she couldn’t skip class, so Edna quietly attended the remaining lecture.

There were fewer students bothering Edna with unnecessary disputes today. Instead, most of them were excited about new gossip, like "The Prince and the Commoner Girl's Romance."

Was it a mistake to make the decision to patiently wait until the lecture ends?

The rumor that Edna and Jeremy have that kind of relationship continued to grow like a snowball as time passed, almost becoming an established fact.

Afternoon, the final lecture.

As Edna was about to return to the dormitory after finishing class, Jeremy walked in through the classroom door.

"Oh?"

"The young master came in person."

With a warm glint in his eyes, he approached Edna, who stood firmly, and said, "Edna, would you like to have dinner together tonight?"

In response, a subdued yet intense reaction erupted from those around.

"The rumors were true!"

"What should we do? Prince and Edna were really... crazy, it's really crazy!"

Only then did she fully grasp Jeremy's intention. The subtle rumors circulating within the academy had evidence and witnesses, but without direct confirmation from the individuals involved, the situation remained frustratingly unresolved.

Jeremy recommending a meal to Edna? He neither confirmed nor denied the rumors.

However, the simple action was tantamount to confirming the rumors as true.

‘This is insane…’

Denying vehemently and escaping at this point would be futile.

There were solid evidence photos and Jeremy had personally acted in a way that affirmed the truth, so it was obvious how it would be interpreted – Edna fled due to feeling overwhelmed.

Yeah.

Maybe try strongly asserting, ‘I'm not your lover.’ might work for now.

However, Jeremy's plan slowly tightened around her like pulmonary hypertension, making it nearly impossible to escape his grip, just like acute myocardial infarction.

This rumor incident could be seen as the 'seed' of his plan. Even if she managed to escape somehow, the seed would continue to grow and she could still be ensnared by it.

Edna clenched her cold, sweaty hands. Knowing well how Jeremy had cornered Eisel in the original romantic novel, she couldn't help but be nervous.

‘Just running away won't solve anything.’

The seed must be completely eradicated, not given any chance to sprout.

"Edna, let's go."

Even as she pondered her options, Jeremy was drawing closer.

What should she do?

How could she extinguish this baseless rumor in one fell swoop?

Edna desperately tried to think of a way to salvage the situation and suddenly recalled a romance webtoon she had seen before.

"Hey..."

"Hmm?"

"Why am I having a meal with you?"

Jeremy smiled knowingly. "Oh, sorry. I wasn't considerate enough. It might be overwhelming with so many people... I'll go first."

After saying what he wanted, Jeremy turned to leave.

But Edna didn't stop there.

"No, why do you keep acting like we're something?"

"Huh? Well..."

"I already have a boyfriend, you know?"

He froze.

The perpetual smile on Jeremy's face turned awkward in an instant, as if he had eaten something sour.

The reactions around were the same.

Some cheered for love, others were jealous. All sorts of mixed emotions, and even the passionate students who were burning with intensity suddenly became calm in an instant.

Edna pulled out a photo she had taken from the girls earlier and waved it around.

"This photo, is there a rumor going around that I visited your room?"

Jeremy remained calm, smiling. "Yeah. Who else could it be if not me?"

Boyfriend, lover, significant other.

Edna desperately tried to come up with an excuse in this situation.

She had joked and lied about Eisel being her lover to Jeremy before, but that was a lie that no one would believe.

Besides, Eisel was as fragile as a delicate fish and she didn't want to drag her into such a huge rumor.

Besides, the background in the photo was clearly the boys' dormitory, so it was impossible for it to be believable.

‘In the first year of Class S, a male student…’

Yes, there was one.

She thought of a first year Class S male student who could match her explanation.

… But just one person.

She was truly sorry, but... to survive, she had to borrow a name.

"Baek Yu-Seol."

"... What?"

"My boyfriend's name is Baek Yu-Seol."

"Haha... Edna, why are you suddenly saying that?"

Jeremy visibly showed surprise.

It had an effect.

Edna continued, fluttering the photo in front of him.

"This photo is from yesterday, taken secretly when I went to Baek Yu-Seol's dormitory. But for some reason, a rumor spread that I went to your room."

His expression turned cold.

"I'm sorry, Prince Jeremy. For getting involved in something undesirable with commoners like me. Well then, I'll be going. I have a dinner appointment with my boyfriend."

Edna quickly left the classroom without looking back.

The classroom was instantly filled with silence.

No one dared to move easily under Jeremy's gaze.

In the midst of that, there was someone who rose like a savior.

"What are you all doing? Don't you want to eat?"

It was Princess Hong Bi-Yeon.

With an annoyed expression, she walked briskly down the hallway, and other students quickly stood up, exchanging awkward conversations.

"Well, yeah. We should eat dinner, dinner."

"Haha... Dinner sounds good."

"Ah~ My stomach, I'm hungry~"

——

One by one, the students left, and Jeremy stood there frozen for a long time before wiping his face with palm.

Then, he faintly smiled. "Haha... It's not easy, indeed."

An ordinary person would have fallen into the trap just by this situation.

Edna had easily dodged even this. So, he became even more excited.

The thrill of obtaining something hard to get was so anticipated.

Wasn’t it the same now?

His heart was bubbling and burning...

‘Right away! Tear limbs apart! Rip flesh! Gouge out all her eyes! I want to kill!’

'...Huh? Want to kill?'

‘Why do I want to kill?’

Jeremy didn't quite understand his emotions at that moment, but he didn't think much of it.