Chapter: 68
It was during the time when I was staying at the Academy ahead of the entrance ceremony. My father, who would check in with me every day through the communication crystal, strangely hadn’t responded for a while. It was only after quite some time that he managed to send a brief text.
I felt a bit puzzled but shrugged it off thinking he must be busy with work. After all, my father is the head of an Earl’s family, and he has multiple businesses to oversee. Although he would make sure to check in daily since I won’t be seeing him for a while after entering the Academy, I figured he might suddenly find himself short on time.
It turned out my father was indeed busy, but the issue was that it was the wrong kind of busy.
— Irina, don’t worry. It’s just a misunderstanding.
“O-oppa. Is everything okay? What about father?”
— He’ll be fine.
When my father stopped even leaving text messages, I received a call from my pale and haggard older brother. The news I got from him was a real shocker—our family had become the target of the Prosecutor’s Office.
The Prosecutor’s Office. The Emperor’s watchdogs, punishing disloyal nobles, with the power to act unilaterally. Most families on their radar met a grim fate—a whopping ninety-nine times out of a hundred, they faced destruction.
What? No way. Why us? My father is more diligent and honest than anyone I know. He’s always kind and warm even toward commoners. Sure, he loves money a bit too much, but that’s not a criminal offense, is it?
— I’m sure it’s a misunderstanding. So don’t be shaken and focus on your studies, okay?
“Oppa…”
— I wanted to attend the entrance ceremony, but I don’t think I’ll make it. I’m sorry.
Oppa ended the call with a bittersweet smile, which made my heart sink. I held the communication crystal tightly and cried for what felt like an eternity. The sudden calamity, my complete powerlessness, the sheer terror of what might happen to my family. I had been living in excitement about starting the Academy, when suddenly, it felt like I had plummeted straight into hell.
After that, the news kept getting worse. I heard that my mother had finally collapsed and was bedridden. The younger siblings were crying every day, looking for our father, who had been taken away. If only I had been there at the mansion with my family.
And then, just when I thought I’d reached the bottom, a miracle sprung forth.
— Irina, are you okay?
“F-father?”
In the midst of my despair, I finally received a call from my father. He seemed like he’d aged a good ten years in just a short while, and I couldn’t help but tear up. But still, joy surged in my chest—my father was safe! Our family was safe!
— Everything turned out well. Focus on your studies and don’t worry.
“Sob… Yes… I will.”
I could barely manage a reply through my sniffles.
My father explained that this incident had occurred due to the Prosecutor’s Office making a mistake. The manager overseeing the operation even came to our mansion to personally apologize and offer compensation. Surprisingly, the Executive Manager himself sent a letter acknowledging their error and apologized.
Though a disaster unfolded because of the Prosecutor’s Office, even if it felt unfair, I couldn’t blame them. It was akin to a natural disaster; you just lay low and pray it passes without any more trouble. That’s how the Prosecutor’s Office operated in the Empire. No one from our family had died, and instead, we even received compensation. Truly, it felt like a miracle.
In the early days of the Academy, as my mind wasn’t quite right due to family issues, I was able to recover quickly thanks to a good friend.
“Hi! You’re Irina Yorun, right?”
At first, I found her annoyingly cheerful. Here I was, suffering, and she was smiling like it was a sunny day. Looking back now, I feel embarrassed for being so grumpy.
“Want to have lunch together?”
“No thanks.”
She was this pink-haired girl, so friendly and bright with everyone. I initially brushed her off coldly, but for some reason, being around her made my heart feel lighter.
“Irina, what do you think? Isn’t it pretty? I got it because it matches your hair color!”
“Yeah, it’s pretty. Thank you.”
Before I knew it, I had become really close friends with her. It might have eased my heart when our family’s innocence was proven—probably contributed a lot, to be honest.
That’s how I started spending time with the pink-haired girl, Louise. Thanks to her lightheartedness, I made many friends I wouldn’t have otherwise. During the process, I even met the younger brother of the Executive Manager. But Erich, being the younger brother, was innocent, so I didn’t think much of it.
Then, unexpectedly, I found out that the Executive Manager was dispatched to the Academy. Fortunately, I had no reason to run into him, so I felt relieved. Time passed, and soon, the day of the school trip approached.
“Time seems to fly past!”
“Right? It feels like the club fair was just yesterday.”
Until last year, there had been no mention of a school trip in the Academy’s schedule. So, I had braced myself for another lovely term spent entirely at the Academy, thinking nothing of it.
After all, the Academy had pretty much every facility you could think of. It even felt more tedious to go outside! So, when I heard we’d actually be going on a school trip from the very year I entered, I honestly thought, “Great, just what I need—a hassle.”
“Irina, is it your first time seeing the sea?”
“Yeah, I’ve never been to the sea.”
But the chosen destination? The Duchy of Boyar. It was a renowned vacation spot across the continent, yet I had never gotten a chance to visit. The distance was quite substantial, and hiring a teleportation mage for non-official trips was out of the question.
But wait, the Academy is sending us? I only need to pack? All my annoyance vanished, replaced by pure excitement! Shopping for swimsuits with Louise over the weekend was an absolute blast.
Day by day, I eagerly awaited the school trip. I jokingly told one of my friends in the Student Council that I wished we could leave tomorrow. She looked back at me with big, teary eyes. I felt a bit guilty, but come on, excitement is excitement!
“Irina! Erich is in the same carriage!”
And to top it all off, the random selection for carriage assignments yielded good results. It might have been random, but we were still grouped within the same class, so it turned out that my good friends were all together. Good travel buddies, a great location. This trip was destined to be fun!
“Eh? Oppa?”
However, on the day of the trip, everything took an unexpected turn thanks to Louise’s words as we stepped into the carriage.
‘Oppa?’
A cold sweat trickled down my back. If I looked in a mirror, my eyes would probably be shaking wildly. In the Academy, there was only one person who Louise would call ‘Oppa.’
‘Why… why…?’
I knew he was Erich’s older brother. I also knew he was close to Louise. But I figured he would be riding in another carriage since he wasn’t a student—so why was he here? I hadn’t seen him since our first encounter, and I thought I’d be safe if I just steered clear of him.
I quickly ducked behind Louise, even though I knew it wouldn’t help. I was aware it was a pointless action, but if I didn’t hide, I felt like my legs would buckle. Just then, the voice I least wanted to hear called out.
“Hey there. It’s been a while.”
‘He saw me.’
Just as I was about to succumb to my urge to flee, he acknowledged me directly, and dodging became downright rude. I choked back tears as I opened my mouth; I couldn’t stop my body from trembling.
Louise glanced at me, bewildered and worried. I hadn’t shared the details of my incident with the Executive Manager with her. I really didn’t want to worry her, and I was terrified that if she found out, she might provoke him unintentionally.
With great caution, I lifted my gaze. Across from Erich was the Executive Manager, a young man with jet-black hair. He looked casually relaxed, leaning back with his arms crossed, but as his pitch-black eyes bore down on me, my heart raced like crazy.
“Don’t just stand there, sit down. You’re going to hurt your legs.”
“Y-yes! Thank you!”
“It’s nothing.”
I scrambled to follow Louise into the carriage, which presented another challenge. Erich and the Executive Manager were seated across from each other, leaving only two empty seats—next to Erich or beside the Executive Manager.
‘Where do I even… sit?’
Louise, what should I do? I felt bad for taking the seat next to Erich, but sitting on the opposite side felt far too intimidating.
Stuck in a dilemma I couldn’t share with anyone, I was suddenly beckoned by the Executive Manager.
“Come on, take a seat.”
“Ah, y-yes…”
Mother, Father… I miss you so much… Will I get to see you during the holidays?
*
Assuming we’d have Erich and Louise sitting together, to be honest, this arrangement was the best possible outcome.
Yet, from Irina’s perspective, it must have felt like the worst. Even now, I could sense her quiet, tremulous fear nearby.
I’m going to lose my mind.
I feel so bad… but we really ought to match Erich with Louise. If Louise faces Irina, wouldn’t that mean she wouldn’t even look at me? It would be easier to sit next to each other without needing to lock eyes. I can already imagine Irina passing out halfway through the ride!
Truth be told, the previous incident was resolved quite smoothly. We ensured proper compensation for the damages and even sent an apology letter saying, “If it’s not an act of treason, we’ll overlook it this once.” However, the noble tradition of give-and-take and a young lady’s startled heart are two entirely different matters.
“Irina, are you really okay?” Louise asked with concern, stealing a glance at me as she chatted with Erich. After all, I knew there was nothing to worry about when it came to Louise. Right now, Irina wasn’t physically hurt—she was mentally exhausted.
“Uh-huh, I’m fine! You know I’m strong, right, Louise?”
It was heartbreaking to see that forced smile on the 17-year-old girl. Who in the world was the heartless jerk that scared this poor girl so badly? Damn you, third manager—have you lost your conscience along with your hair?
As I glanced at Irina, our eyes met. Her lips trembled as she hastily dropped her gaze. Of course, given that she had blue eyes like Erich and Louise, my guilt shot through the roof.
“I’m going to take a quick nap. Wake me up once we’re in the city, okay?”
“Alright, hyung.”
In the end, I made my quick escape into the land of dreams. After all, it would be way better for Irina’s mental stability if the monster next to her was asleep than awake.
Thus, the carriage rolled toward Boyar, filled with one excited young lady, an oblivious idiot basking in puppy love, and two others cloaked in a dense fog of awkwardness and dread.
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