Ch.279279. ····At least, that’s some consolation.

“Are you alright?”

Sitting slumped in the study chair, Federicks showed a concerned look.

I let out a short sigh before speaking.

“…Will you be alright?”

“You don’t look alright, sir.”

So far, 5,000 nobles and 1,000 commoners had applied.

That was exactly double the number of applicants to Estella Academy.

And on top of that.

Contrary to my expectations, many more nobles had applied than commoners.

Even with the reduced tuition, commoners weren’t used to enrolling their children.

After all, there had never been such cases before.

But.

Things will change gradually.

How could we expect to be fully satisfied on the first attempt?

As commoner graduates from Lake Academy enter society and gain recognition, the numbers will increase year by year.

It wasn’t a bad start.

Hah…

Everything was fine, except meeting the noble parents was quite exhausting.

Most of them came to see me bearing various gifts, including specialties from their territories.

With too many people, I eventually had to turn away the rest after having them sign a list.

I even attached a plausible excuse for the nobles who might be displeased.

I said that meeting noble parents in advance could lead to rumors about corruption in the academy.

“I’m dying, really.”

“I’m dying too, sir.”

“Why you?”

“There are so many applicants that we’re running out of inns.”

“Is it that bad?”

“Most inns in the northern area are fully booked, and now even the inns near the Miracle Forest are starting to fill up. It’s only a matter of time before they’re completely full too.”

I stroked my chin, thinking deeply before speaking.

“If the inns are full and there’s nowhere to sleep, open the academy early.”

“The academy, sir?”

“We can temporarily use the student dormitories as inns.”

Federicks’ eyes sparkled as he exclaimed in admiration.

“As expected… Young Master, you’re truly brilliant.”

“And since there might be complaints about some people getting accommodations while others don’t, we’ll charge a standard lodging fee.”

“Understood. Oh, and since we’ve already hired chefs, shall we open the dining hall as well while providing lodging?”

“Do that. Just create a simple menu with about five easy-to-prepare dishes.”

“Understood. I’ll apply average pricing.”

“So is everything resolved now?”

Still slumped in my chair, I sighed, and Federicks straightened his back.

“Young Master, it seems you should visit Alphonse territory after the academy’s opening ceremony.”

“Why Alphonse territory?”

“Baron Byron Alphonse sent me a letter… mentioning you.”

Federicks then produced the letter.

Checking it, I saw it was basically about my mother feeling neglected because I hadn’t visited Alphonse territory in a while.

I let out a deep sigh.

“Hah… Couldn’t I just invite them to the academy’s opening ceremony this time?”

“That might work, but parents’ feelings can be different.”

“I’m already so busy, this is maddening.”

“Won’t you have some free time after the opening ceremony?”

“When was the academy interview schedule again?”

“I believe it’s in two days.”

“And the opening ceremony?”

“The opening ceremony is scheduled for a week later.”

“Wait, I was planning to go in between, but that seems difficult too.”

Federicks smiled gently.

“It would be better to take your time visiting. After the opening ceremony, there won’t be any tight schedules for a while.”

“I guess so. You should also prepare according to the schedule.”

“…Pardon?”

“Don’t you remember? Father said he would find you a fiancée. The meeting should be arranged by then.”

Federicks looked flustered, his mouth opening and closing.

“T-that… Baron Byron Alphonse hasn’t mentioned anything about being ready yet…”

“It’s fine. I’ll send a letter to Father right away to hurry things along.”

“Is there really a need to rush Baron Byron Alphonse like that?”

“Since you’re going to meet them anyway, wouldn’t it be better to go with me? Don’t you think?”

“…I don’t think that’s good at all.”

“Then should I bring them to Lake territory instead? It would be fun to have the knights and mercenary corps members watch too.”

As I smirked, Federicks sighed deeply and hung his head.

“…I’ll just follow you, Young Master.”

*

“Lucien.”

“Yes.”

“…Are you very upset with daddy?”

An intimate conversation after a long time.

Lucien, sitting on my lap, looked at me with bright, sparkling eyes.

“No. I know Father was very busy establishing the academy for me.”

“Still, I should have made time to see you, even briefly. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. And when I enter the academy, I’ll make lots of friends so Father won’t worry.”

Talking with Lucien always makes my heart swell.

Yet, despite wanting to be good to her, I keep getting swamped with work and have no time.

Moreover.

She could have complained at least once, but Lucien always thought of me first.

That’s why I also become cautious.

“Lucien, what did daddy tell you to do when you enter the academy?”

“You told me to hide my power.”

“But if there’s ever an emergency, you can reveal your abilities anytime. Understood?”

“I understand. But will the classes be fun?”

“Hmm, our Lucien is already so smart that classes might be boring? But you can have fun playing with friends.”

Lucien blinked with a prim expression.

“We’re not supposed to play with friends during class, right?”

“That’s right. You can play after class ends. Daddy even made a garden where Lucien can play with friends.”

Lucien thought for a moment, then tilted her head.

“But if I make friends at the academy, will I learn many new things?”

“You’ll learn many things that you can’t experience from books.”

“What if the other children don’t want to play with me?”

“Tell me. I’ll take care of… I mean, daddy will solve it for you.”

“This is interesting.”

“You find making friends interesting?”

“Yes, magical beasts only have hierarchical relationships, not the concept of friendship.”

I don’t know much about dragon worldviews, but as Lucien says, magical beasts only have hierarchical relationships.

Just look at Evalin, the Queen of Succubi.

Most unintelligent magical beasts are the same.

“This is a good opportunity for Lucien to learn about the concept of ‘friendship’ that exists among humans.”

“I understand. But I’ll need to control my power during the entrance exam too, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I’m not sure how much to control it…”

“Just watch the person taking the test before you and show about the same level of power.”

“Ah! That’s a good method!”

By the way.

What should I do about Lucien when I get married?

If I say she’s a daughter I’ve been hiding, anyone would faint in shock.

Should I reveal that she’s a dragon?

It’s not like I could hide it anyway.

Stroking Lucien’s head, I continued.

“How would Lucien feel if daddy got married?”

“To whom?”

“To any woman.”

“Then would I get a mother?”

“I-I suppose so?”

“I think that would be nice. Because Father would be happy. And there are things I want to do if I have a mother.”

I widened my eyes slightly at Lucien’s words.

“Lucien, there are things you want to do with a mother?”

“Yes! I want to go shopping with her and take baths together!”

“But you’ve gone shopping with daddy too, right?”

Lucien’s expression turned glum as she spoke.

“Shopping with daddy is nice, but…”

“But?”

“…Actually, I don’t really like the clothes Father picks out.”

“Y-you didn’t like the clothes I chose for you?”

“I just wore them because Father liked them. But I think a mother would know what kind of clothes I like.”

I thought I had been careful in choosing clothes, but apparently not.

However, I wasn’t upset.

Seeing Lucien speak honestly made me feel closer to her.

I scratched my head and laughed heartily.

“Hahaha!! Next time, I’ll buy clothes that our Lucien likes, so look forward to it!”

“I’m satisfied now. And I sometimes go shopping with Uncle Jawil Wilson too.”

“Does Jawil Wilson pick out good clothes?”

“…He’s even worse than Father.”

“…That’s somewhat comforting.”

Knock-knock!

Just then, there was a knock on the study door.

I gently lifted Lucien off my lap and cleared my throat.

“Ahem! Come in!”

A moment later, Rupert appeared in the study.

I had called him in advance to discuss Lucien’s admission process.

“Young Master, you called…”

Rupert stared at Lucien for a long time, seemingly at a loss for words.

Then, with an extremely surprised face, he spoke.

“D-dragon…?”