Ch.182The Path (2)

# Afterward.

A week has passed.

The intense days remain in my memory like a single photograph.

At the end of that bitter snowfield, only spring has flowed in, leaving winter behind.

We returned to the academy once again.

“It truly was a long week.”

The fall of House Venatti was officially declared.

Since even the Imperial Family has its reputation to consider, they decided to conceal who was behind suppressing this coup.

Instead, it was announced that the Emperor, having detected their scheme, eliminated them all at once.

This was a welcome development for us, as we didn’t particularly appreciate the attention.

After all, just accepting the turncoat forces was already an excessive courtesy from the Imperial side.

If I hadn’t had a debt with the Emperor, it would have been difficult to obtain permission.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

[So when are you thinking about the royal marriage?]

[Both Elise and Sharlotte seem to be expecting something soon.]

[Taking both princesses… that would truly turn the continent upside down.]

[Still, since it’s what the children want, we should support them.]

[I’d like an answer by summer at the latest.]

[And also, thinking about succession…]

In addition to the greetings.

There was some strange pressure coming from Valkaros, but I decided to postpone my response to that.

As we were approaching the final chapter, work was piling up in various ways.

I carefully folded the letter that had arrived without fail and sent it back.

Then I continued processing the remaining documents on my desk.

‘The fall of House Venatti.’

The aftermath proceeded swiftly.

The betrayal of House Venatti, one of the Empire’s three great ducal families, left a significant impact.

However, the Imperial Family suppressed it in a single night, demonstrating their strength throughout the continent.

It showed that if the Emperor so desired, even long-established noble houses could be extinguished.

Such overwhelming military power.

It provides reassurance to those within its protection and instills fear in those beyond.

In that sense, the handling of this incident could be considered quite successful.

It reinforced the impression of absolute authority.

‘Fortunately.’

Deron Venatti, the coup’s mastermind, was executed.

The family elders who supported him, as well as all his close associates, were put to death.

Anyone even slightly involved in the matter could not escape execution.

While the principle would normally be to exterminate three generations, considering cases like Ameila who actively helped prevent the coup, merciful pardons were granted to the innocent.

But only to those who firmly resisted House Venatti’s betrayal.

‘It might seem a bit lenient… but it should be sufficient.’

This should serve as a warning.

Not just to House Venatti, but to other noble houses harboring similar thoughts.

Now that the ally they believed to be the strongest has fallen, they’ll have no choice but to hesitate.

They needed to realize what kind of enemy they nearly made.

So they would never again take a coup lightly.

‘It’s truly laughable.’

What is mere greed worth?

To be willing to sacrifice one’s honor, wealth, family… everything.

With a contemptuous sneer, I scribble with my pen.

Houses that had close ties with the Venattis were still under investigation.

If their involvement was confirmed, they would be purged without exception.

I push aside the completed documents.

[Fallen Pride, and the Final Guardians.]

Suddenly.

A newspaper catches my eye.

It was a paper published by the academy itself for the students.

It contained details about the coup and the story of the twins who prevented it.

Beyond the printed words, they had become heroes.

[Ameila Venatti. Ruska Venatti.]

[The two direct descendants of House Venatti led the effort to prevent this coup.]

[They led the knights at the forefront and successfully eliminated the mastermind, Deron Venatti.]

[They have become the last bloodline to inherit the pride of the Guardians of the Snowfield.]

[The Emperor highly commended the twins for this…]

The heroic tale of the twins.

As it became known that they stopped the rebellion with their own hands and brought down their house.

They were able to escape dishonorable accusations.

The power of a suitably embellished story, I suppose.

‘Of course.’

Since they betrayed their own bloodline.

There were whispered criticisms, but no voices dared speak openly.

Ruska and Ameila were already under the Emperor’s protection.

I too was watching the path they had chosen.

Though complicated in many ways, they showed no apparent regrets.

I simply continued to support them silently.

“Hmm.”

Scratch…

The elegant pen tip stops moving.

I organize the completed documents.

As I stretch out my stiff body, a voice suddenly comes from beside me.

It was none other than Ruska, who had been helping with the paperwork.

“Are you finished?”

The blue eyes glance sideways at me.

In response, I point to the neatly organized desk.

“As you can see.”

“You handle paperwork surprisingly well.”

“Have you forgotten that I was the top student in written exams?”

“Come to think of it… my sister used to get annoyed about always coming in second.”

“That’s the fate of being second best. That’s the fate of being second best.”

“…Why are you saying it twice?”

“Ah, I did it unconsciously.”

“……”

The wordplay flows naturally.

Perhaps finding it absurd, Ruska sighs quietly.

Like a father-in-law who’s discovered a childish side to his son-in-law.

With a slight chuckle, I speak.

“Shouldn’t you rest now, young master?”

“My assigned work isn’t finished yet.”

“I did tell you I could handle it alone…”

“This concerns our family affairs. It would be absurd if I didn’t take responsibility.”

“You really do have a rigid side, don’t you?”

“Be quiet.”

His response comes back sharply.

Yet, his hand holding the pen continues to move busily.

Scratch, scratch-

‘Is he concerned…?’

The execution order for House Venatti.

Perhaps he felt guilty about only being bedridden at the time.

After regaining consciousness, Ruska insisted on helping with the aftermath and took most of my documents.

He must feel responsible for the current collapse of his house.

I don’t know who he takes after, but he was truly a diligent person.

He draws his pen absently while speaking.

“I still have work to do, so you should go ahead.”

“I’m concerned about leaving you, but…”

“I heard my sister is waiting. Surely you’re not planning to neglect her?”

“That would be unacceptable. Then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go ahead.”

“You’re quick to leave when it suits you.”

Ruska furrows his brow slightly.

Then he lightly punches my shoulder.

A rough touch.

“Hey.”

It was a somewhat awkward call.

I paused before rising from my seat, looking down at the boy.

He seemed to be hesitating, as if there was something he wanted to say.

Soon, Ruska parts his lips.

“…Thank you.”

Unexpected words.

I thought he disliked such sentimental topics.

Surprisingly, he seemed to have swallowed his pride.

“Oh?”

“I don’t think I’ve had the chance to say it.”

“I never expected to hear such words from you.”

“Having owed a debt to Venatti’s pride, I couldn’t just let it slide.”

“Ah.”

I thought it was something else, but it was about pride again.

Like twins indeed.

These two would stake their lives on pride.

I nod with mild contemplation.

“I gladly accept your gratitude.”

“And one last thing.”

“Hmm?”

“…Please take good care of my sister.”

His voice grows quieter.

Indeed, his sister’s welfare seems to be his primary concern, awake or asleep.

I smile faintly at that touching sentiment.

I answer.

“As I promised.”

A promise.

About our agreement from a few days ago.

-If my sister were in trouble, what would you do?

-I would be there to support her.

-Because I, like many others, admire her.

What hasn’t changed.

And what won’t change.

The path these children will walk with clumsy but steady steps.

I rose from my seat with the gentle spring air.

“Leave it to me.”

Steps leaving the workroom.

The path I walked showed no hesitation whatsoever.

***

“You’re late!”

The usual snippy tone.

Ameila welcomed me as I returned from work.

I stroke her blue hair with a sly smile.

The voluminous roll-shaped hair squishes under my touch.

The girl didn’t push away the contact.

“There were more documents than I expected.”

“You should have called me. I would have helped right away if you’d asked.”

“Young Master Ruska helped me, so there wasn’t any problem.”

“Hmm… you seem to be getting along well with Ruska? Calling him by name and all.”

“Could you be jealous?”

“…Shut up.”

We walked through the spring scenery.

Unlike the snowfield from just days ago, cherry blossoms were in full bloom along the academy streets.

Pink fragments danced in the gentle breeze.

The Ice Princess amidst it all was like a painting come to life.

Putting aside my idle thoughts, I headed toward the dormitory.

Walking side by side, exchanging small talk.

“You’re just not good at expressing yourself, Princess.”

“I said be quiet.”

“Your face is red, though.”

“It’s just hot.”

“To be embarrassed by something so minor. Yet you were the one who embraced me first…”

“Eeeek! I told you to be quiet! You really…!”

“You’re a hundred years too early to hit me.”

“Eek, ueeek…!”

Our usual commotion.

As we were crossing through the center of the shopping district.

Suddenly, the girl stops in her tracks.

Standing still, blue eyes looking up at me.

I express my confusion at this sudden reaction.

“Princess?”

What is it?

Did I tease her too much?

As I tilt my head in confusion, her red lips part.

Ameila’s cheeks were as red as those lips.

“Um, Judas…”

Her stammering voice catches my sleeve.

It was an uncharacteristically timid attitude.

“I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor, you say?”

“T-that…”

Her face completely flushed.

By now, I had guessed what the vain girl wanted.

However, I deliberately asked a mischievous question.

As if wanting to hear that request directly from her lips.

“I’d like you to do it again today…”

“Hmm?”

Ameila continues speaking, even as she furrows her brow.

“Today too… I’d like you to… kiss me.”

A kiss.

The lips that finally spoke those words were trembling slightly.

Her wavering gaze couldn’t meet mine and sank downward.

I simply smiled.

I gave a smooth response.

“Of course.”

Swish-

A step toward the vain girl.

The cold scent unique to the snowfield brushes my nose.

Beyond the blue hair, the reddish heat mixing in was infinitely beautiful.

I place my hand on her snow-white cheek.

“If it’s your request, gladly.”

I gently lowered my head.