The Villain’s Aide Has Run Away

Perhaps because of that, this event could no longer remain a mere Imperial affair, but inevitably drew international attention.

Maybe for that reason, Kailos gave a baffled laugh.

“Should I say the sunlight is streaming in? How could it be so coincidental.”

The first words were understood only by Leslun, and the latter only by the aide Robin.

‘This meant he wanted me to come again tonight, didn’t it?’

The red curtains that had draped his bedchamber at dawn, and the ambiguous conversation he had exchanged with Kailos, still weighed on Leslun’s chest.

Meanwhile, Robin was watching Leslun with a complicated gaze.

He had assisted the Crown Prince in carrying out many plans. In particular, even though Lady Miroi was a friend, he had stood by while the Count kidnapped her.

But all of that had been ruined or tangled up after Leslun’s actions.

Twisted though it was, it wasn’t entirely bad.

Robin looked toward Kailos. He met his gaze with nothing more than a cryptic smile.

Whenever Leslun got involved, their carefully laid plans tended to drift in other directions. Yet those turns produced better results than expected. This time too, it became an opportunity to strengthen the Crown Prince’s international standing.

“Don’t let your guard down until the very end.”

After giving instructions not to leave any opening for the Empress to intervene, Kailos handed Leslun a document.

“It’s the course outline you’ll be taking at the Academy. Keep it separately.”

“Your Highness is saying that you’ve arranged my timetable yourself?”

“Yes.”

But at this unexpected content, Leslun turned questioning eyes toward Robin. Robin deliberately averted his gaze. Kailos spoke in a quiet tone.

“I trust you know what you ought to do.”

“As I understand it, there is still time before the entrance ceremony.”

To receive the course outline before even knowing what classes he would be taking—Leslun found it puzzling.

“It only lists which books will be used. All the other students will receive theirs after the completion ceremony anyway.”

In other words, it was Kailos’s consideration.

“To be moved already is rather…”

As Kailos shook his head, the aide Robin discreetly informed Leslun of something.

“Lady Miroi will also be attending the Academy.”

“Truly?”

He asked in a startled voice, sounding as if he could not believe it. Both Kailos and Robin seemed more surprised at Leslun’s reaction than at the fact itself.

Lowering his head, Leslun thought quickly.

‘She wasn’t supposed to attend the Academy originally…’

What had happened? This too was different from the original.

“Ah. Could it be because she did not become the Crown Princess?”

Leslun fiddled with the course outline in his hand.

***

The day of the completion ceremony arrived.

The harmonies of the court musicians signaled the beginning of the ceremony. All throughout the Academy, splendid decorations and bustling crowds made it seem as though a grand festival had begun.

Amid fluttering golden banners and Imperial emblems, not only the Empire’s nobility but also foreign delegations clad in diverse languages and traditional garments stood out. Exotic guests, rarely encountered anywhere else, added an invisible tension.

Crown Prince Kailos stood proudly at the center of the Imperial family.

Countless gazes turned toward him. Most carried a mixture of respect and curiosity for the figure who had brought about the Academy’s new beginning.

Although the actual entrance ceremony was still about a week away, with the completion ceremony alone Kailos had proven his presence. For him, that fact, that he had quietly fulfilled the duty entrusted to him, was enough to bring pride.

Kailos stepped up to the podium. The court musicians ceased their music, and the hall fell into silence. He raised his voice clearly and firmly.

“Today marks the first step where the Empire’s future and men and women of purpose from within and beyond the Empire gather together. May the Academy become a place that transcends these borders and fosters mutual understanding.”

At his words, some members of the foreign delegations nodded to one another and applauded.

Afterward, the Emperor and Empress appeared side by side. The surrounding ministers and foreign envoys rose in unison to pay their respects.

Standing on the official stage, the Emperor and Empress wore subtly stiff expressions, yet in front of the foreign envoys they revealed not a trace of discomfort. On this day at least, they upheld the Empire’s dignity and diplomacy flawlessly.

In the very center of the banquet hall, under the eyes of all, the Emperor lifted his cup high toward Kailos.