episode_0182

Afterward. A week passed. The fierce days remained in memory like a photograph. At the end of the harsh snowfield, only spring, free from winter, flowed. We returned to the academy once again.

“It was truly a long week, wasn’t it?”

The fall of the Benity family was officially declared. Given the imperial family’s reputation, the true orchestrators of this coup suppression were kept hidden. Instead, it was announced that the Emperor, having perceived their movements, had swept them away all at once. For us, who didn’t particularly welcome unwanted attention, it was a grateful outcome. From the start, merely handing over the treacherous faction was an excessive consideration from the imperial side. If I hadn’t incurred a debt to the Emperor, it would have been difficult to obtain permission. I let out a sigh of relief.

“[So, when are you considering the imperial marriage?]” “[Elize and Charlotte both seem to be slowly anticipating it, you know.]” “[To take both princesses… the continent would truly be turned upside down.]” “[Still, since it’s what the children wish for, we should support them, shouldn’t we?]” “[I hope you can give an answer by summer at the latest.]” “[Ah, and thinking about successors…]”

In addition to the well wishes, A subtle pressure came from Valkaros, but I decided to postpone my answer for now. As the final chapter was drawing near, there were many accumulated tasks. I neatly 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 Benity.’ The aftermath was handled swiftly. The betrayal of Benity, one of the empire’s three great ducal families, left a huge shock. However, the imperial family suppressed it overnight, proclaiming their strength across the continent. That if the Emperor so willed, even an ancient noble family could be annihilated. Indeed, overwhelming military power provides relief to those within the fence and fear to those beyond. In that sense, this handling of affairs could be considered quite successful. Having once again ingrained the image of their absolute power.

‘Fortunately.’ Deron Benity, the mastermind of the coup, was executed. The family elders who had sympathized with him, and all his close aides, were also executed. Furthermore, anyone who had even slightly participated in the matter could not escape decapitation. Normally, the principle was to exterminate three generations, but given Emilia’s direct leadership in suppressing the coup, a merciful pardon was granted to the innocent. However, this was only for those who had staunchly resisted Benity’s betrayal.

‘It feels a bit lenient… but it should be enough.’ This much would serve as a warning. Other noble families, besides Benity, who had harbored ill intentions. Since the strongest ally they believed in had fallen, they would inevitably hesitate. They needed to realize what they had almost made an enemy of. So that they would never again treat a coup lightly.

‘It’s truly laughable.’ What exactly is such greed worth, that they would be willing to give up their honor, wealth, family… everything. I scribbled with my pen, a sneer mixed with disdain. The families involved in collusion with Benity were still under investigation. If their involvement became clear, they were to be purged without a single one left. I pushed the completed documents aside.

“[Fallen Pride, and the Last Guardians.]” Casually, A newspaper caught my eye. It was a newspaper for students, self-published by the academy. It contained details about the coup and the story of the twins who stopped it. Beyond the print, they had become heroes.

“[Emilia Benity. Ruthka Benity.]” “[The two direct descendants of Benity led the charge in suppressing this coup.]” “[They led the knights from the very front and succeeded in directly purging Deron Benity, the instigator.]” “[The two became the last bloodline to inherit the pride of the Snowfield Guardians.]” “[Therefore, the Emperor greatly commended the twins, and…]”

The twins’ heroic tale. As it became known that they had stopped the rebellion and brought down their own family with their hands, they were able to escape the disgraceful accusations. Perhaps it was the power of a suitably embellished story.

‘Of course,’ as they had betrayed their own bloodline, there were also quietly murmuring opinions, but no one openly spoke out. Ruthka and Emilia were already children under the Emperor’s protection. I, too, was watching the path they had chosen. Though complicated in many ways, they didn’t seem to have any regrets. I merely supported them silently.

“Hmm.” Scratch… The elegant pen nib stopped moving. I organized the documents I had finished processing. As I stretched, feeling stiff, a voice suddenly came from beside me. It was none other than Ruthka, who had been helping with the document processing.

“Are you done?” His clear blue eyes glanced my way. I replied by pointing to the neatly organized desk.

“As you can see.”

“Unexpectedly, you handle paperwork quite well too.”

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

“Come to think of it… Elder Sister used to get annoyed. Saying she was always pushed to second place.”

“That’s the destiny of the runner-up, you know. That’s the destiny of the runner-up, you know.”

“…………Why are you saying it twice?”

“Ah, I said it thoughtlessly.”

“…………”

The smooth flow of teasing continued. As if dumbfounded by it, Ruthka let out a low sigh. It was as if an elder-in-law had discovered a childish side of his son-in-law. I spoke with a chuckle.

“Young Master, you should rest now too.”

“My assigned tasks aren’t finished yet.”

“Indeed… Didn’t I tell you I could handle it alone?”

“Isn’t this work related to our family? It would be absurd if I didn’t take charge of it myself.”

“Young Master, you have a rigid side, don’t you?”

“Quiet.”

A rough reply. However, the hand holding the pen was moving busily. Scratch scratch—.

‘Is he concerned…?’ The Benity extermination order. Perhaps the fact that he was confined to a sickbed at the time bothered him. Ruthka, having regained consciousness, took most of my documents, saying he would help with the aftermath. He must feel a sense of responsibility for the current situation, with his family collapsing. Regardless of who he took after, he was truly a diligent person. He spoke, mindlessly drawing with his pen nib.

“I still have work remaining, so you go on ahead.”

“Even if you say so, I’m still concerned…”

“I heard Elder Sister is waiting, surely you don’t intend to neglect her?”

“That would be unacceptable. In that case, I will take the liberty of going ahead.”

“He’s happy to leave.”

Ruthka furrowed his brow slightly. Soon, he gave my shoulder a rough nudge with his fist. A crude tap.

“Hey.”

It was a somewhat awkward call. I stopped getting up and looked down at the boy. He seemed to be hesitating, as if he had something to say. Before long, Ruthka parted his lips.

“…………Thank you.”

Unexpected words. I thought he disliked such cringeworthy topics. Surprisingly, he seemed to have swallowed his embarrassment.

“Hoh.”

“It felt like I never really had the chance to say it.”

“I didn’t expect to hear such words from Young Master.”

“Since I owe a debt to Benity’s pride, I can’t just gloss over it, can I?”

“Ah.” I wondered what it was about, and it was about pride again. Indeed, as expected of twins. They would stake their lives on the word ‘pride’. I nodded with an uninspired sentiment.

“Young Master’s thanks, I will gladly accept.”

“And finally, one more thing.”

“Hmm?”

“…………Please take good care of Elder Sister.”

His voice softened. As expected, is Elder Sister’s well-being his top priority, awake or asleep? I smiled faintly at his tender affection. I replied.

“As I promised.”

The promise. Regarding the pledge from a few days ago. “—If Elder Sister falls into trouble, what will you do?” “—I will be a source of strength by her side.” “—Because I, too, admire her, just like countless others.”

What hadn’t changed. And what wouldn’t change. The path these children would take, despite their clumsiness, with unceasing steps. I rose from my seat, along with the gentle spring air.

“Leave it to me.”

My steps exiting the study. The path I walked was not hesitant in the slightest.

***

“You’re late!” Her usual prickly tone. Emilia greeted me upon my return from finishing my work. I chuckled playfully and stroked her blue hair. Her voluminous bun-shaped hair crumbled slightly with my touch. The girl didn’t push away that contact.

“There were more documents than I expected.”

“Why didn’t you call me? If you had just asked, I would have helped right away.”

“Young Master Ruthka helped, so there were no particular problems.”

“Hmph… You seem to be on good terms with Ruthka, calling him by his name and all.”

“Are you perhaps jealous?”

“…………Quiet.”

We walked beyond spring. Unlike the snowfield landscape from just a few days ago, the academy streets were filled with fully bloomed cherry blossoms. Pink fragments drifted about, carried by the gentle breeze. The Ice Princess, blended into that scene, was like a painting. I left my trivial thoughts behind and headed for the dormitory. Our steps walked side by side, accompanied by minor chatter.

“Princess-nim, you are clumsy with your expressions.”

“I said be quiet.”

“Your face has turned red, though.”

“It’s because it’s hot.”

“To be so shy with just this much. And you were the one who hugged me first…”

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

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

“Eek, ugh…!”

The usual playful bickering. As we were crossing the center of the shopping district, Suddenly, the girl stopped in her tracks. She stood still, looking up at me with clear blue eyes. I expressed my curiosity at her sudden reaction.

“Princess-nim?”

What is it? Did I tease her too much? As I tilted my head, her red lips soon parted. Emilia’s cheeks were as flushed as her lips.

“Um, Yuda…” Her stammering voice caught my sleeve. It was an uncharacteristically timid attitude.

“There’s something I want to ask.”

“You mean a request?”

“Th-that is…”

Her face grew very hot. By now, I had guessed what the vain girl wanted. However, I intentionally posed a mischievous question. As if I wanted to hear that request directly from her own lips.

“Today too, I hope you’ll do it…”

“Hmm?”

Emilia continued speaking, even as she furrowed her brow.

“Today too… I hope you’ll kiss me.”

A kiss. The lips that finally uttered those words were trembling slightly. Her wavering gaze couldn’t meet mine and sank away. I simply smiled. And replied with a knowing playfulness.

“Of course.”

Whoosh—. My steps approached the vain girl. The cold scent characteristic of the snowfield brushed against the tip of my nose. Beyond her flowing blue hair, the heat mixed with crimson was endlessly beautiful. I placed my hand on her fair cheek.

“If it is your request, then gladly.”

I gently bowed my head.