Chapter 1198

Carissa calmly directed the students and their families from the hall, abandoning any attempt to keep the incident quiet—it was clearly impossible. Once they were gone, she instructed Claire to bring Ivy and someone from the Royal Citadel. The man required restraint and interrogation; it was evident he'd been drugged, and Carissa wanted Ivy to identify the substance.

Max and his men quickly apprehended those who had escaped, bringing them back under guard. The others, though slightly more aware, remained dazed, their glazed, hungry eyes following Carissa and Claire with unsettling intensity.

Carissa hugged Rosalind comfortingly. Rosalind, already calmer, reassured her, "It's alright, I'm fine."

Catherine sighed, her voice heavy with sorrow. "You foolish girl," she said, "You shouldn't have said that. You've ruined your reputation. How are you fine?"

Rosalind's face was pale, but she offered a shaky smile. "Don't worry about me, Mrs. Ashford. I never intended to marry. My reputation was merely a burden. Now that it's gone, I'm freer."

"You say that, but you've burdened yourself. The public, the rumors… humanity possesses both kindness and cruelty. I can't predict their response. And your grandparents—how will I explain this to them?"

Catherine had known Mildred for years. While not close friends, they shared a respectful bond. When Rosalind joined the academy, Catherine had assured Mildred she would look after her granddaughter. She never anticipated such a disaster. Given Mildred's frail health, this news was likely to worsen her condition.

Everyone gathered to offer comfort. Athena, though resolute in her decision against marriage, sympathized with Rosalind. Young, beautiful, intelligent, and from an excellent family—she surely could have found a worthy husband. Athena believed marriage could bring happiness; her lifelong wish had been to marry the man she loved, a chance lost when her young love perished on the battlefield.

Seeing their concern, Rosalind smiled, trying to alleviate their worries. "Really, it's nothing. Life presents challenges—this is just a small one."

They all knew Rosalind wasn't as calm as she appeared. She was comforting them, masking her hurt. She must have been struggling internally while simultaneously trying to console everyone else.

Catherine fell silent, leading the others away to attend to academy affairs, leaving Carissa and the Garrison Unit to handle the remaining matters.

Alone with Rosalind, Carissa gently took her hand, guiding her to a quieter room. She smoothed the young woman's disheveled hair, speaking softly, "I'm sorry I was late. You shouldn't have had to endure this."

With only Carissa present, Rosalind's tears finally flowed. She had been terrified. Her earlier courage, wielding the stick, stemmed from protecting her students. But afterward, the memory of the men rushing towards her, their threatening advances, had instilled fear. Her heart still raced.

"I'm sorry for showing you such an embarrassing sight," Rosalind said. "A little chaos shakes me—those who go to war must be truly fearless."

She managed a weak laugh, but tears clung to her fair face.

"You were very brave," Carissa said gently. "Claire told me you protected Ms. Xavier—if you hadn't, she would have been assaulted."

Carissa produced a handkerchief, dabbing at Rosalind's tears. "I truly admire you. Despite what Ms. Xavier and Ms. Quinton said, you forgave them and moved on."

"Ah, they're just children, easily swayed. I wouldn't hold it against them. Besides, as their teacher, it's my duty to protect them."

Her words were calm and selfless, though she seemed to forget she was only a few years older than them.