Ch.68Special Person

The atmosphere at the Academy had brightened considerably lately. With the upcoming fair, students were typically in high spirits.

The Academy Fair, held simultaneously with the festival commemorating the first Emperor’s birthday, was a precious day when students were given free rein. While the Academy generally ensured students’ autonomy, the contradiction of a place of learning transforming into a playground was quite special.

Many were also looking forward to the party held in the Academy’s decorated auditorium.

After all, as the Emperor emphasized, they were the ones experiencing their youth. Therefore, it was only natural for them to set aside outside concerns and nurture their innocent feelings.

In fact, numerous engagements had been arranged at the Academy.

In a way, this environment made it an ideal place for social climbing. By making good friends or finding the right lover, one’s social standing could change significantly.

So, at one point, Rahilt had consoled himself that it was fortunate.

Having debuted as a professor due to his father and mother’s double manipulation, he had mistakenly thought there would be considerable distance between himself and the students.

He had emphasized it half-jokingly, but now the Academy truly began to seem like a wilderness.

“Professor! I have a question. Could you come closer?”

Why does that girl only ask questions after class ends?

She shouldn’t emphasize her own incompetence by deliberately asking about simple concepts.

“Professor, thank you for always teaching us so kindly!”

Why is she so eagerly presenting a gift package?

This is criminal. It’s a violation of the anti-graft law, you shameless girl.

Observing Rahilt’s daily life, I had reached one conclusion.

“…This is infuriating.”

I’d like to clear away all these women around him and glare at them. But it was difficult to act purely on my instincts.

Rahilt’s life at the Academy was his father’s consideration to let him enjoy the normalcy he had lost, and I agreed with his father’s thinking. How could I possibly restrict Rahilt’s every move?

…Even this cursed situation would have been part of the normal life Rahilt would have enjoyed had he lived normally.

“If only he weren’t a professor…”

I belatedly realized that the position of professor was harder to defend than that of a regular student.

If he were a regular student, Rahilt might be able to reject approaches himself, but as a professor, he had to respond diligently if someone had a legitimate reason.

This was especially true for the conscientious Rahilt, unlike other professors who were more casual.

‘And because of you, no men dare approach me either.’

For a long time, rumors had spread throughout social circles that I had feelings for Rahilt. Given that there had been scandals since his days as “Rihart,” it wasn’t surprising.

In fact, it was true.

Though I never directly admitted it, most people accepted the rumors as fact. That’s why hardly any men tried to seduce me.

Because I was the most noble woman in the empire after my mother, and men who matched my status were extremely rare.

Who would dare try to seduce me when it was known that I had my heart set on Rahilt, a Grand Duke with the title of hero?

But Rahilt was different.

‘…This damn romance fantasy world setting.’

There’s no stigma attached to a lower-status woman pursuing a higher-status man. If she receives his favor, everything proceeds smoothly afterward, regardless of the Imperial Princess’s feelings.

Above all, our relationship—without engagement or even official statements—had too many gaps to exploit.

This is why women are more frightening. While men tread carefully, women compete without concern.

“Sigh…”

I can’t help but sigh.

If only I had someone to vent to, I might feel better.

I can’t just forcibly put a wedding ring on his left ring finger.

…Of course, even if I did force a wedding ring on him, Rahilt would probably accept it. However, if that happened, it would be more an extension of affection rather than love.

Standing at the altar in formal attire while dumbfounded… that’s about how it would feel.

I didn’t want that either.

I wanted to make him fully aware of his love for me, then drag him to bed and achieve a victory that even Rashera from the original story couldn’t deny.

Perhaps this is too much to ask of Rahilt, who is only now removing his mask and nurturing his emotions.

How nice it would be to have some help.

“I need someone who understands our situation… and knows all my inner feelings…”

Could such a convenient person possibly exist?

It’s probably a futile wish.

I waved enthusiastically at Rahilt, who gave a slight bow when our eyes met.

Afterward, as soon as he left the classroom, I buried my face on the desk with a gloomy expression.

◇

“The items?”

“They’re ready.”

“Enough of them?”

“Probably.”

“What do you mean ‘probably’! How many?”

“…Seven.”

“I see.”

Eshtiel stroked his chin and nodded gravely.

“Let’s see, seven from big brother Tesser plus two from my brother makes nine! That’s good, good. Just what I need.”

“That’s great… Eshtiel. But you must never skip brushing your teeth…?”

Tesser repeatedly emphasized tooth brushing to Eshtiel to ensure his safety. Each time, Eshtiel insisted that Tesser should trust him, but… Tesser found it hard to do so.

‘If Eshtiel’s teeth decay… if it’s discovered that I’m the one who gave him the candy… ugh, terrible.’

As Tesser wanted to make a good impression on Rahilt, he was deeply concerned about Eshtiel’s health. Yet he couldn’t help but resent his fate of having to supply hard candy every day.

Moreover, besides Eshtiel’s dental health…

“I’m so glad big brother Tesser likes me.”

“Yes, that’s right…”

Eshtiel’s groundless misunderstanding was also troublesome.

For now, Tesser was going along with it like participating in a children’s game, but if this farce leaked out, it would be quite a scandal.

“You know, big brother Tesser, I didn’t realize you were so popular.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Popular, huh.

It would be strange if he weren’t.

Regardless of circumstances, the position of prince is one of the most eligible matches.

Even if pushed out of the line of succession, he would obviously receive an impressive title and fief, so he had never lacked attention from the opposite sex.

Furthermore, even if marriage wasn’t the goal, there were significant networking advantages.

‘I don’t really care about that yet…’

Tesser found social relationships difficult.

He could act if needed. Becoming “popular” as Eshtiel put it would be a simple task.

But he lacked the motivation.

Though he didn’t want to blame her, his sister Serin’s influence was quite significant.

The Serin that Tesser had observed was a star born with brilliant talent. And he realized very early on that he was merely a shadow hidden by that flickering light, a supporting character.

There was no way he could beat her in athletic ability, which she inherited perfectly from their father. Even when he tried to compete academically, he simply couldn’t win.

So he often thought that his sister, who absorbed everything superhuman-like, seemed like someone from another world. And as he struggled to even imitate the immense obsession and stubbornness hidden beneath his sister’s surface, his sense of helplessness only grew.

The struggle for the throne.

He couldn’t even remember when he had essentially given up on it.

If only she had looked back at him as a brother, he might have found some comfort.

Sometimes he resented his sister, who was no better than a stranger, though not quite a stranger.

It was overwhelming to follow someone who wouldn’t even teach him what his problem was.

The more he chased after her, the more his feet sank into the swamp—a feeling his sister would never understand.

So at some point, he seemed to have learned helplessness.

Embracing that helplessness, there were times when he resolved to escape the pressure and find happiness.

Because while Serinel was extremely talented, she didn’t appear happy. So he had the foolish thought of competing with his sister in happiness, if nothing else.

‘…In the end, it seems I lost both.’

One day, his sister changed.

After the confidential princess abduction incident, her eyes gained vitality. Her demeanor changed dramatically, and she smiled more frequently.

That’s when he realized early on that he was destined to lose even in areas that couldn’t be measured by scores.

He wanted to be special.

He yearned for something others didn’t have.

How wonderful it would be if he could acquire some talent—whether the Grand Duke’s extraordinary authority, his sister’s innate physical dragon power, or any ability at all.

His father was the continent’s victor.

His mother was the strategist who usurped the Emperor’s crown.

His sister was exceptional without saying…

‘Only I…’

Became nothing.

If all the noble bloodlines entwined in his body were removed, what would remain of himself?

A miner who sweats every day.

An orphan begging for one meal a day on the streets.

A family of commoners with difficult circumstances.

If they all started from the same starting line… what would make him superior to them?

…… He didn’t know. Not at all.

Tesser carefully observed Eshtiel, whose only concern seemed to be getting caught with hard candy by her brother.

It was cute how she looked around nervously while unwrapping the candy.

He envied Eshtiel, who resembled a pure white canvas.

Despite being the laundry yard’s punching bag, she could be so purely happy… he envied her so much.

Crunch, crunch.

The sound of candy being chewed with a sweet scent tapped at his ears.

Concerned, he looked at Eshtiel again, only to find her staring back at him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Mmm, I forgot.”

“What?”

“To say thank you!”

Then Eshtiel clumsily imitated a curtsy and smiled brightly.

“Thank you, big brother Tesser. This is super delicious!”

“It’s just candy, no big deal.”

“No, no, it’s not just anything. From today, big brother Tesser is a very special person to me.”

Thump—his heart felt like it dropped.

That single phrase “special person” made his skin tingle.

Special just for offering candy tributes—what cheap specialness.

“Haha…”

Was it mockery? Or self-deprecation?

Tesser unconsciously patted Eshtiel’s head.

That’s when the unexpected happened.

“Oh, that kid playing over there… isn’t that our friend’s cutie?”

“Yeah, I think you’re right.”

Two voices, male and female, came from the direction of the school gate. Hearing the familiar voice, Eshtiel hurriedly stuffed the hard candy into her pocket.

“Ah, it’s big brother Luca!”

Despite calling out happily, Eshtiel hid firmly behind Tesser.

The tribute candy seemed quite precious to her.

This was how the first visit of two exchange students who would stir up the Academy began.