Chapter 43: Lineage Part 4

A few days later.

“By the way, when is your birthday, Dean?”

“Why the sudden question… No, wait, it’s not a big deal.”

Skaha sighed and answered.

“It’s September 7th.”

“Ah… I missed it. That’s a shame. But I’ll make sure to celebrate it for you next year.”

The student’s comment about celebrating the Dean’s birthday was something Skaha decided to ignore for now. She quickly realized why Ellie had asked the question.

“Is it your friend’s birthday soon?”

“Yes. It’s Clea’s. It’s the day after tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll make sure to pass along my congratulations next time I see her.”

Today, only Ellie and Skaha were in the Dean’s office.

It might sound like Ellie visits the office every day, but it’s not quite like that.

If you count her occasional visits, she only comes 4 or 5 times a week.

…Actually, that’s quite a lot of visits when you think about it.

“Ellie.”

“Yes?”

“Are you visiting because you’re worried I might be lonely?”

“Huh? No? I just come because it’s fun. And I can have free snacks too.”

It was a confusing answer, leaving Skaha unsure whether to be happy about it or not.

But then, even if Ellie had said, “Yes, I come because I’m worried you’re lonely,” it would still have been awkward to know whether to be happy or not.

Realizing the question was poorly phrased, Skaha decided to change the topic to something safer.

“I know you’re receiving pocket money in addition to the living expenses I provide.”

“Oh, yes. From Isabel’s father.”

“Duke Shuker, you mean?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

Duke Shuker was known for not wasting money.

He wasn’t stingy like the current Emperor, but his spending always seemed to have some calculation behind it, even when it appeared careless at first.

Skaha considered warning Ellie, but quickly realized that such advice would be useless for her, so she decided against it.

“…Ellie.”

“Yes?”

“How long do you plan on staying at the academy?”

Ellie’s eyes widened.

“Dean, do you mean… you want to expel me…?”

“You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Hehe.”

“You have such an annoying face…”

Skaha sighed and continued.

“If you want, I can arrange a special course for early graduation.”

“If we replace some classes with exams or private tutoring, instead of the usual 4 years… with you, probably in 2 and a half years, maybe even in 2 years if you focus on studying during the breaks.”

Of course, this was an extreme option, but adjusting graduation timelines was something Skaha had done many times before, based on individual circumstances.

There were always students who wanted to either delay or shorten their graduation.

Ellie grinned and asked in return.

“What do you think? Will I do it?”

“…Hah.”

Skaha gave a bitter smile.

“I don’t think you will.”

“Correct!”

Skaha could tell by Ellie’s actions and words.

This girl was collecting not just knowledge at the academy, but something more.

Among those things were people, not just friends, but various connections.

For example, Duke Shuker, who had suddenly started giving Ellie pocket money, was probably one of those connections in Ellie’s eyes.

And perhaps…

“Hehe, you guessed it right?”

Skaha herself might also be one of the “connections” Ellie was gathering.

Whether to be happy about that or not was also a difficult question.

Nevertheless, Skaha found herself surprisingly fond of the way Ellie sometimes came alone, and other times brought friends along to visit.

“By the way, Dean.”

“What is it?”

“Isn’t it normal to exchange gifts for birthdays?”

“?”

Skaha was about to say something obvious, but then she remembered that Ellie came from an orphanage.

A bad one, at that.

“Cough, sometimes yes, sometimes no. As for me, the last time I received a gift was… quite a long time ago.”

Since the academy was a royal institution and Skaha was the head of that institution, the royal palace would usually send something for her birthday each year.

But that couldn’t exactly be called a gift from a friend.

And it had been a long time since Skaha had received any other gifts.

“Thank you for telling me. Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Alright, alright. I need to work too.”

Ellie turned to leave, but then stopped at the door and added.

“OT.”

She smiled.

“Next year, I’ll give you a present.”

Then she closed the door and disappeared, leaving only her words behind.

“…Huuu.”

Left alone, Skaha slid down in her chair and stared at the ceiling, deep in thought.

‘Damn it.’

She was happy.

Such a troublesome student.

***

Ellie barged into Melrit’s study and asked.

“So when is Melrit’s birthday?”

“Why the sudden question? It’s April 6th.”

“That’s quite a while away. Well, luckily it’s during the semester, so I’ll make sure to get you a present.”

Melrit froze for a moment, blinking.

“Thank you.”

She said it once more.

“…Thank you.”

She wanted to express an enormous sense of gratitude, but Ellie suddenly barged in, and she couldn’t think of any other way except repeating it twice.

“Aha, didn’t you tell me not to use formal language? There’s no one else around, though.”

Melrit stared at the girl’s smiling face and then turned serious.

“…Ellie. No, Ellie-nim.”

This time, it was Melrit’s turn to ask.

“Are you aiming for the throne?”

Ellie’s gaze also became serious.

Melrit carefully continued.

“If Ellie-nim wants to become the owner of the throne…”

Melrit looked at the girl before her again.

Black eyes, black hair.

Pretty, but not exceptionally beautiful.

The last time she saw Ellie’s real form was about ten days before the entrance ceremony, so it’s been almost two months already.

However, the image of Ellie’s true appearance from that day was still vivid in Melrit’s mind.

It would probably remain etched in her memory forever.

She had been captivated by the extraordinary beauty and strength, and from the very moment she had become aware that this girl was her lord.

That’s why, even though she was trembling, Melrit wanted to convey the resolve of her servant to her lord.

“If you, Ellie-nim, go forward—”

“Shh.”

A soft, warm sensation on her lips.

It was Ellie’s finger.

“Melrit.”

As she called her name, the princess, who had still hidden herself from the world, smiled faintly.

“Thank you. But please hold that thought for now.”

Ellie’s finger dropped.

Melrit moved her now free lips.

“Did you say, ‘for now’?”

In that case…

“Yes, for now.”

“…Understood.”

Melrit bowed respectfully.

But before returning to the relationship of student and professor, there was one more thing she wanted to say.

“However, I have one request.”

“What is it?”

“If, for some reason, you have to go far away…”

There was no need for Melrit to mention the word.

The tone made it clear.

She was talking about a situation where someone might be exiled or running away.

And then…

“Please let me stay by your side.”

So that, on that dangerous journey, she could serve her as a faithful servant.

…Melrit.”

Her lord’s eyes widened in surprise.

For once, Melrit felt a small sense of pride in surprising someone who often surprised others.

Ellie seemed to want to say something, but then closed her mouth without speaking.

After a while, she calmly spoke again, emphasizing her words.

“Thank you.”

Melrit suddenly recalled the sensation of Ellie’s finger still lingering on her lips.

Ellie repeated it again.

“Thank you.”

Just as Melrit had earlier, she expressed her deep gratitude.

Realizing this, Melrit smiled, and Ellie, drawn to it, smiled as well.

Together, they became accomplices in the same laughter.

Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Melrit said, “…Congratulations on getting first place in the midterms. I can’t believe I haven’t said it until now.”

It was time to return to their roles as Professor Shin and Student Ellie.

“Ah, that’s right. But it will be hard to keep that rank. The others must have figured out how to work hard by now.”

“No. You’ll still do well.”

‘How many more years would this relationship last?’

‘Until graduation from the academy? Or even after that?’

What was certain was that this time, in this moment, was very enjoyable and precious for both Melrit and Ellie.

After exchanging light greetings with other professors she was close with, Melrit returned to the dormitory, where an overly extravagant carriage was waiting in front of it.

‘What’s going on? Did someone’s parents come to visit?’

The parents of the students here were usually titled nobility like dukes or marquises, so they didn’t move easily, but sometimes, when there was business with the institution, they would visit and see their children.

‘Huh?’

It was indeed a parent.

The reason Melrit was surprised was because the hair and eye colors of this person were the same green and orange that she knew well.

‘It’s Stella’s mother, isn’t it?’

‘If the colors are the same, that must mean she’s the current Duke Blaze. And… she’s a friend’s parent?’

‘I should make a good impression!’

Approaching, Melrit greeted them energetically.

“Good day!”

“…Hmm?”

Stella’s mother glanced at her briefly.

“Pleased to meet you! I’m Ellie, and I’m close friends with your daughter, Stella!”

“…With Stella?”

“Yes… Ah!”

Judging from her look, Melrit understood.

She was making the same mistake that Stella had when they first met, thinking that Melrit was a maid.

To avoid embarrassing her because of this misunderstanding, Melrit decided to explain right away.

“I’m also—”

But just at that moment, Stella rushed out.

“Mom! You came all of a sudden—”

So Melrit had no choice but to stop speaking, before correcting the misunderstanding herself.

“Stella? What kind of people have you been spending time with?”