Ch.84Heart-Pounding Confession Operation (2)

“I can’t believe this.”

As soon as I woke up, I discovered something amazing. No wonder I had such pleasant dreams—I’d finally grasped the ways of the world.

“I need to hurry and marry Rahilt… or at least get engaged…”

That way, Rahilt would perfectly become my man, and I could legally pass the emperor’s throne to Tesser.

Currently, my position was merely that of an imperial princess. Though infinitely close to being emperor, I hadn’t officially been appointed as crown princess.

If Rahilt and I were to be united in my current position, I wouldn’t become the Grand Duchy’s bride rather than him becoming the imperial family’s groom.

In other words, if I missed this opportunity, my future would change from Grand Duchess to Emperor.

I absolutely detested that idea. Since Rahilt didn’t seem particularly interested in grand territories, living peacefully in a quiet land would be best.

“If I’m going to do this… I need to act quickly.”

With determination, I checked my appearance several times, taking more care than usual. I groomed myself thoroughly enough that even Rahilt’s superhuman eyesight wouldn’t be able to see the diameter of my pores.

But despite setting off to school with such resolve…

It seems my determination was lacking.

Not enough to overcome the misfortune—bordering on reality manipulation—that would unfold today.

◇

Today, as always, I hung out with Senior Kanarin.

The Academy was divided into three main departments: Military, Administration, and Judiciary.

It wasn’t some grand structure like the modern separation of powers. They were simply divided for convenience.

Since the Mansion of the Sorcerer handled all the engineering in this world, this much division was sufficient for the Academy.

So, having safely enrolled in the Administration department, we were watching the Military department’s training, where they primarily cultivated knights, just for fun.

“You’re watching quite intently?”

“Just emptying my mind with some vicarious satisfaction.”

“Don’t want to join in yourself?”

“I don’t want to be the royal who crushes the dreams and hopes of aspiring warriors.”

“Hmm, that’s true.”

Senior Kanarin quickly understood.

If I, with my innate physical advantages, joined the training, I’d only make others aware of the world’s inequality. And the same applied to her, who was talking as if this had nothing to do with her.

“Why don’t you go swing a spear yourself, Senior?”

“Come on, when the range is different, it’s natural for swords to be at a disadvantage. Using a spear would be cheating.”

“The excuses of a Korean college student…”

“…That’s not it.”

After that, our conversation naturally drifted to Rahilt as we spaced out.

“Actually, I was surprised? I thought for sure Rahilt would take a teaching position in the Military department. Unexpectedly, it was Administration.”

“It’s actually quite natural, you know?”

“Why?”

“I was a taekwondo athlete, and you intensively trained in spear techniques in this world… but Rahilt really didn’t do anything. You saw his mental world when we were in the kingdom.”

“Ah… that’s right.”

Father had said that Rahilt probably had never even experienced training once. Therefore, in terms of martial arts knowledge, he was no different from an ordinary person.

Born with dragon’s blood and innate power capable of destroying the world, he probably never felt the need to learn.

In other words, he swings his fists wildly without any technique, but those swings are stronger than the impact of a 5-ton truck.

No wonder he was the captain of the knights but didn’t even carry a sword.

‘…Now that I think about it, I wonder if it’s even right to call Rahilt a knight…?’

If that were allowed, wouldn’t the military students over there revolt? I pondered this idle thought while smelling the iron scent from the training ground.

“Wow, it’s fascinating. I’m actually seeing romance fantasy background knights doing squats and deadlifts.”

“Of course, I spread all that.”

“You’re really something…”

“Hehe, it’s an exercise with painful memories.”

I still can’t forget the evening when Rahilt condemned my squat posture as vulgar. Sometimes I’d wake up screaming from nightmares about it. If only I could confide in someone, it might be better, but who could I possibly tell about such crazy circumstances…

Still, I love you, my little kitten.

“But thinking about it again makes me angry.”

“About what…?”

“Just something.”

“You have a lot of secrets, Serin.”

“Sigh…”

I felt a pang of guilt toward Senior Kanarin. At the same time, with the heat rising from the flashback of Rahilt’s condemnation, I decided to give in to impulse.

“Now that I think about it, I’m pretty pissed off. Forget events or whatever, I’m going to go confess right now.”

“W-what? Serin? No matter what, I don’t think being so impulsive is a good idea…”

“Fine. I’ll prepare at least a simple event. So, Senior, can I borrow the Second Prince for a bit?”

“If you get his permission…”

“Noted.”

“Um… good luck.”

Despite her words, there wasn’t even a nail’s worth of expectation in Senior Kanarin’s voice. Just wait and see. If I grit my teeth and ignore it, I’ll force my way in even if I have to open my mouth.

With that, I dashed out of the training ground.

◇

“…That’s how it is.”

“No, no, you’re skipping too much.”

The Second Prince couldn’t hide his bewilderment and repeated what he’d heard to confirm.

“You’re saying you’re angry so you want to confess first, and you want me to cooperate? That’s quite perplexing. I mean, wouldn’t Kanarin be better at helping with this…”

“I need your magic, Second Prince.”

“If it’s large-scale magic, I don’t think it’s appropriate at the Academy…”

“No, it’s nothing big. Just light some candles when I give you the signal.”

“Ah, if that’s all, I can certainly do it.”

He added that it would be a profitable deal if he could witness Rahilt receiving a confession for such a small task.

“So where are the candles?”

“I placed them in the flower bed near the Academy’s back gate. Public confessions are a bit intense, so I want to make my first confession somewhere private.”

“Unless it’s a proposal, people rarely consider a second confession…”

“…I can’t help it. It’s Rahilt.”

“That’s true, it’s him after all…”

The Second Prince deeply agreed with my words.

In fact, for some time now, the Second Prince’s gaze toward me had become closer to pity. He seemed to find it quite pitiful that I went through all that trouble in the kingdom but still couldn’t win his heart.

Unfortunately… this was something I agreed with as well.

“Alright, let’s do it. But even if it’s near the back gate, can there really be a place where no one will notice? Given who he is…”

“Unless someone is deliberately looking, it’s a corner where no one ever goes. Perfect for a confession.”

“Hmm…”

The Second Prince fell into thought for a moment, then muttered in a weak voice.

“In my experience, places I find good are usually good for others too…”

“Just trust me on this. Come on, let’s go. Let’s practice first.”

“Well… I’ll follow without complaint.”

How contradictory, considering he’d been full of complaints until now. Still, I was grateful for his willingness to cooperate.

“Whew…”

Thump, thump.

Even though this was just a practice run, my heart pounded as I imagined what I was about to do. It was both exciting and frightening to picture what expression Rahilt would make.

The worst case would be rejection. And not just any rejection.

The kind born from Rahilt’s rock-bottom self-esteem: “Serin, you’re too good for me. I’m sure someone like you could find someone much better than me. I’m sorry.”

Not just polite words, but a rejection out of genuine consideration. That would truly be the worst.

‘If that happens… I might just pounce on Rahilt right there.’

After all, he’s not saying he dislikes me, so I could just take him by force. If a woman he considers far too honorable to accept a confession from is willing to pounce on him…

If things drift toward that pure love ending with children, I could safely land on the speeding Grand Duchess route.

‘Yes, there are no gaps in this plan.’

Reaffirming my resolve, I walked toward a flower bed near the Academy’s back gate.

The best private confession spot I had found.

When I stepped there, the scene that unfolded was…

“I-I like you, Lady Loren!”

“You… like me…”

A confession scene between people I didn’t even know.

Well, that’s fine so far. I can fully understand that someone else coincidentally chose the same spot.

The problem was what was at their feet.

Small flames burning beautifully in crimson, arranged in the shape of a heart.

Apparently, they had coincidentally discovered the confession spot and found the candles I had set up. They probably thought they were abandoned trash and decided to reuse them.

“These… damn thieves…?”

“It seems what looks appealing to me is indeed appealing to others as well.”

The Second Prince added, watching my reaction.

“I predict this place will become increasingly popular by word of mouth…”

“I suppose so.”

I had to agree. Because their faces were flushed with joy.

“…I’m so happy!”

“Ah…!”

The couple clasped hands. Then the man stepped out of the heart-shaped candle arrangement and gazed intently at his day-one lover.

Watching them, the Second Prince quietly waved his palm, creating a gentle breeze.

The flames went out naturally.

The new couple dismissed it as simple luck and continued on their fresh path.

Meanwhile, I stared at the stubby, melted candles.

“This is driving me crazy…”

At least clean up your trash before you leave… you inconsiderate fools…

This is why noble lords who never get their hands wet are problematic. They lack basic manners. They can’t even dress themselves properly.

“Hah.”

Fine, whatever.

“If we helped a couple get together… that’s good enough… right.”

I’ll just do it somewhere else.