Chapter 19: Reuniting With My Childhood Friend.
Once I’ve enrolled in the academy, well, what happens happens.
It all depends on Liese’s feelings.
However, as for me, I want to finish my academy life peacefully and safely, return to my domain, and work with Maria and Kanon to develop its future.
If I have to take a wife, I wonder if Maria, or perhaps Fina, would become my bride? I’d be happy if either of them would bear my children and walk alongside me in managing the domain, but…
That’s also something for after I’ve secured a safe future.
I don’t know if I have the luxury to think about such things, but for now, I intend to strive for a future where I can see things through safely.
While lost in thought and walking through the academy grounds, I arrived at a garden with a beautiful fountain.
All around, well-maintained flowers were in full bloom, their fragrance drifting on the gentle breeze.
“Phew… I’ve finally found a quiet place.”
The academy is vast and luxurious, but as expected, it’s crowded.
The interactions at the entrance ceremony and in the auditorium were still weighing on my mind a little. Especially the gazes from that trio—Crown Prince Edward, Raul, and Gard—made me feel incredibly uncomfortable.
More than anything, I don’t want to study at desks alongside those guys.
Just as I was about to relax a little in the quiet garden, it happened.
“…What are you doing in a place like this?”
A cold yet elegant voice came from behind me. When I turned around, there stood a young lady with a dignified posture.
Her name was Claris von Everett. She is Crown Prince Edward’s Fiancée and the daughter of the prestigious Duke Everett family.
Her lustrous auburn hair flowed to her shoulders, and her sharp blue eyes were fixed on me. Her stance was flawless, possessing the dignity and grace befitting the Crown Prince’s Fiancée.
However, to me, she was a person with the somewhat troublesome aspect of being a “childhood friend.”
“Lady Everett, it has been a while.”
Since she was, for all intents and purposes, of higher noble rank, I greeted her according to etiquette.
Her expression didn’t change. In fact, she narrowed her eyes and looked at me as if she were appraising me.
“My, aren’t you acting quite admirably? The you of the past, far from offering such a greeting, would have thrown a tantrum and troubled me, wouldn’t you?”
As she said that, a cold smile appeared on her lips.
“Do you remember? When you were young, you’d immediately act selfishly whenever something displeased you, causing trouble for everyone around. You especially pushed your troubles onto me many times.”
…Guh. It’s true that as the young Serios, I caused her a great deal of trouble. Her cold gaze mercilessly reminded me of it.
“Well, there’s no point in bringing up such stories now. However, I was truly surprised that you enrolled in this academy. What are you scheming, I wonder?”
“Scheming…?”
“Yes. I can’t imagine the old you studying seriously in a place like this.”
At Claris’s provocative words, I took a deep breath internally. If I reacted to every little thing she said, I’d just be playing into her hands.
“Perhaps you intend to come here and tyrannize the commoners to your heart’s content?”
“Indeed, I think the old me was terrible. I also remember causing you trouble.”
I replied calmly. Claris’s eyes widened slightly.
“That’s precisely why I thought I needed to enroll in this academy and grow. My domain still has a mountain of problems. I believe that what I learn here will help me solve them.”
Hearing those words, Claris’s expression seemed to cloud over for a moment. But she quickly returned to her usual cold smile.
“…You’ve started saying such serious things. You’re like a completely different person from your old self.”
“That’s right. Perhaps I just want to say I’m different from before, but it’s true that I believe I must change.”
When I said that, Claris crossed her arms and stared intently at me. Her eyes held a somewhat probing light.
However, with the strength and beauty of those eyes, being stared at makes me flustered.
“…Heh, you’ve grown a little, Serios.”
Saying that, Claris slowly turned her back.
“However, don’t forget. No matter how much you strive, you’ll never be able to stand on the same heights as Edward-sama. But, I’m genuinely glad that you’ve changed. Do your best.”
There was no hint of ridicule in her voice; rather, it sounded like her own way of encouragement.
“I know. I have my own things I need to do. I came here to find them.”
When I answered that way, Claris showed a surprised expression for a moment. But it vanished quickly, and her cold smile returned.
“…You really have changed. I’ve revised my opinion of you, just a little.”
She turned back to me again and said in a dignified voice.
“Don’t forget. As long as we are in the same academy, we are on equal footing, but we are not truly equal. How much you can change… I’ll be watching.”
Leaving those words behind, Claris elegantly departed. Her retreating figure exuded the dignity and grace of the Crown Prince’s Fiancée.
“…Haaah.”
I let the tension leave my shoulders and heaved a deep sigh. Although Claris’s words contained sarcasm, I also felt a certain warmth in them. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe in my growth. But the “past me” reflected in her eyes probably wouldn’t disappear so easily.
“Well, my childhood friend, and former fiancée, has certainly moved up in the world by becoming the prince’s Fiancée.”
As I muttered this, I clenched my fists tightly. I felt that it was necessary for me to face Claris’s words head-on.
Reuniting with Claris made me realize anew that my life at this academy would be anything but easy.
“I’ve just got to do it.”
Telling myself that, I started walking again.
Not to rely on Liese, but to do what I can myself.
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Afterword
Hello, this is the author, Iko.
That’s all for today!!
Thank you always for your support (๑>◡<๑)