Chapter 430
Finally, the academy’s schedule for this year came to an end.
Students who had rolled through the academy for three years received their diplomas amid the applause of their juniors. Graduates who had made fairly close friendships exchanged farewells with promises of meeting again in social circles.
As if to celebrate and encourage the graduates stepping into various futures away from the predetermined path of the academy, snow began to fall from the sky. It was the kind of snow that added to the cheerful atmosphere just enough to leave footprints but not too much to cause any trouble.
“From now on, there will be no more breaks, so make sure to take a good rest. This could very well be the last vacation of your life.”
I also exchanged greetings with the graduates, leaving a clear mark on them as if my footprints were left in the snow. Just as those footprints were something that could never be reversed, the graduates I had helped were valuable talents that no one could touch.
So of course, I could at least offer some advice and greetings. Wouldn’t it be simple enough to do that for the kids who would work hard for me in the future?
“Yes!”
“I’ll remember!”
They seemed to think it was just a formal greeting, though.
What a pity. Just like seniors who had burned both body and soul enjoying their time after getting accepted to college, these kids also might see this time as the last fun they’d have. Once they start their civil service careers, there would be no going back, and vacations would be as rare as finding beans in a drought.
‘It can’t be helped.’
Suppressing my complicated feelings, I patted the shoulders of the aspiring civil servants who were bowing repeatedly.
I had given them enough warnings and advice. Whether they took it to heart was up to them; I’d done my part. If they started their civil service lives without enjoying their last moment of fun, that would just be their destiny.
I decided to think that way.
“Carl!”
Just then, Marghetta approached from afar after finishing her farewells with other graduates. Perhaps trying to maintain her dignity, she didn’t run over, but the enthusiastic way she waved her hand made it clear she was already far from being dignified.
Of course, even a less dignified appearance is still pretty cute. After all, I didn’t become romantically involved with Mar because of her poise.
“I will definitely repay the Minister’s grace!”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
Seeing Mar approach, Amelia subtly pulled back, and I nodded for her to go. In an instant, the aspiring civil servants scrambled back.
‘Quick reaction.’
I could feel their eagerness to avoid running into Mar through their backs.
Such an overreaction. Mar isn’t some cold, heartless person after all; she’s likely to be happy to see acquaintances she’s known for three years. If they met, it wouldn’t be more than a friendly greeting.
But that’s from the perspective of a superior; the perspective of a low-ranking officer might be different.
‘Maybe they’re just being cautious?’
I mean, I used to feel a bit hesitant about meeting the Crown Princess myself back in the day. If I could avoid making a blunder in front of a formidable boss’s wife, it’s for the best not to meet in the first place. No cause, no effect, right?
“Sorry, I’m late!”
“No, not at all.”
As I was lost in thought, Mar had gently made her way in front of me, and I wrapped my arms around her softly.
“And it doesn’t matter if you’re late. We’re going to be together for life, right?”
At those words, Mar’s ears turned bright red. I couldn’t tell if it was because it was cold or if she was embarrassed by my words—perhaps the latter?
‘For life.’
I couldn’t help but smile unconsciously. With Mar graduating from her status as a student, marriage was just around the corner.
Yeah, soon I’d have a partner with the same last name as mine. Mar would no longer be Marghetta Valenti but Marghetta Krasius.
“By this time next year, we should have a child, right?”
As I said that, I cupped her reddened ears with both hands, and her face turned even redder.
What a cute reaction. It’s only natural to talk about having kids after getting married, but seeing Mar blush at the thought of children made me smile. Why does she show such shyness at times when she usually carries herself so confidently?
“C-Carl, do you prefer a son or a daughter?”
She stubbornly continued, even while embarrassed—it just made her all the cuter.
“I’d be happy with either, as long as they take after us.”
That’s the truth. What does the gender matter when a family with my blood is about to come into the world? I’d just hope they’re born healthy.
As I pressed my lips against Mar’s forehead with that thought in mind, she remained blushing, smiling shyly.
‘…It’s cold.’
That aside, we should probably head indoors. Mar’s body was starting to get chilly after moving around in the snow.
I could roll around in the snow naked and be just fine, but Mar could catch a cold.
‘Sick Mar.’
For a brief moment, a frown creased my forehead. Just thinking about that future made my teeth ache.
As soon as we entered the now quiet auditorium, I spotted the club members.
“Oppa! Marghetta unni!”
Thanks to Rizie flapping her hands to show her presence, I spotted her immediately. If you miss that, you might need to check your eyesight.
“Are we the last ones?”
“We’re second-years, so we have fewer people to greet. Don’t worry about us.”
As I opened my mouth with a hint of awkwardness, Lynn quickly shook her head.
Indeed, the only graduate among us was Mar. Unlike the still enrolled students, who only needed to send off their acquaintances, Mar had to greet her peers and staff, so it was bound to take longer.
“Congratulations on your graduation, Lady Marghetta.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
And when Iones spoke behind Lynn, Mar graciously bowed her head in thanks.
So far, they had maintained a somewhat lax hierarchical order as academy seniors and juniors, but with Mar stepping out of the academy, their relationship had transformed into a clear hierarchy: the Emperor’s younger brother and the Duke’s daughter.
“You will soon become the Countess of Tileglehen, but I’ll save the congratulations for that time.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I’ll await it with joy.”
While their relationship was undoubtedly vertical, it wasn’t rigid due to the bond they had developed over the past two years.
Watching Mar and Ainter exchange casual remarks, I felt a peculiar emotion. It wasn’t envy or jealousy, but rather something close to wonder.
‘Couldn’t have imagined this last year.’
The poor prince who nearly lost his life following the succession competition, only to ultimately survive—barely. He had to live in fear of being purged at any moment.
Now, Ainter stood confidently talking with a member of the duke’s household in front of major officials from other countries. He must have had enough trust not to feel threatened by this action.
That’s why it was odd. When I first arrived at the academy, I was even given a task to eliminate Ainter if necessary. And nearly two years later, he had become an undeniable member of the imperial family.
“Do you know why I accepted Ainter? It was due to pure emotion.”
Suddenly, the Emperor’s words came to me. He had lamented that his decision was too emotional, but thanks to that emotion, such change became possible.
‘…Not bad at all.’
In truth, chasing feelings isn’t ideal for a leader. However, if the result of that emotion was the salvation of innocent kin, isn’t that justifiable?—such thoughts crossed my mind.
“Unlike your brother Ainter, I won’t have the chance to congratulate you again. I pray the blessings of Enen be with you in your future, young lady.”
After that, Tannian started sharing his words, followed by the other club members one by one. Especially those who might not have another opportunity to see Mar, like Rutis, Lather, and Tannian, said quite a lot.
Unlike Ainter, who shared their nationality with the empire, these foreigners would have no chance to meet the graduated Mar again. It was an obvious outcome since Mar would never return to the academy, nor the opposite.
“I’m really sad thinking this is the last time. If you send me an invitation, I’ll drop everything and rush over.”
“The guests would be surprised, so that won’t do. Just keep the thought.”
With Rutis’s comment mixed with laughter, I instinctively refused. If someone else had said it, I might have taken it as a joke, but given Rutis, I felt an unsettling fear that he might actually show up.
“In that case, I guess there’s no helping it.”
Seeing Rutis shake his head in disappointment, I was certain he would have come if I had sent an invitation.
“I’ll at least send a gift. It’s easy to send a little something, so please consider it a gesture from a friend.”
“Thanks.”
I could manage a nod as I looked at Rutis and then at Lather, who appeared to be judging him in disbelief. While royal gifts are typically burdensome, Rutis’s mention of gifts made them sound angelic.
“Oh, then I’ll send one too!”
“…Alright.”
And with that, Rutis added his voice, and I started to have some rational doubts.
Is he doing that on purpose? Introducing the idea of attending the wedding just to achieve his true goal of sending gifts?
It might be a delusional thought, but I had this twisted belief that Rutis might just do that.
After exchanging last goodbyes, the members began to head back to their homeland.
‘Next year will be the end.’
I let out a subtle sigh while sending them off. Two years had passed of what I had thought was hell, and now there was just one year left until the members graduated, and I would be liberated from the academy.
‘What will the class of 79 be like?’
Unlike the year 77’s members, the 78 class had been relatively quiet and uneventful. This year’s members weren’t as strong as the last year’s lot.
So I believed that next year’s students would bring me joy. Please, come back weaker than this year.
If it’s impossible, then at least don’t come back stronger.
‘Let’s end on a high note.’
Even if the process was terrible, a good outcome allows for some nostalgia. But if both the process and the outcomes are horrific, I might just end up hating them.
Let’s make sure we part with smiles on our faces.
“Well then, let’s head out too.”
“Ah, okay.”
Just as I was about to pray for the light of 79, I turned at Trixie’s call.
For now, let’s swing by the territory before heading to the capital. I need to drop off Erich and Sara at the territory.
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