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“W-What?”
Kane watched him stammer in disbelief, his gaze almost licking the words, then smiled softly and spoke.*
“Even so, if you two insist on meeting the commander, I can arrange it—that is, if you’re okay with the fact that she’s not alone.”
“…!”
“F-Fine! Let us meet her!”
Worried that Kane might change his mind, the two immediately nodded their heads like crazy.
They completely forgot that Kane had just said he felt no attachment and only acted based on calculated gain.
Kane smiled even more contentedly at how simply their thoughts flowed—always in ways most beneficial to themselves.
“Then follow me.”
Without hesitation, Kane turned and headed toward where Cherrya was waiting. The two hurried after him.
These were the same two who used to find it disgraceful to walk beside a commoner, always pushing past Kane’s shoulder to walk ahead. Yet now, they followed behind him like ducklings.
‘Because of people like this…’
Kane regretted the years he’d spent at the academy consumed by hatred over people so insignificant.
But at the same time, he was pleased that such a trivial act of revenge could bring him closure. It meant these people no longer held any real power over him.
“We’re here. Please, go in.”
Kane stopped in front of a reception room near the academy’s dean office.
Cherrya Emblem was there. That fact alone made the two of them grab the doorknob as if they were about to charge in, and Kane let out a small laugh.
There wasn’t even a token thank-you for guiding them—not that it was needed, of course.
“I already told you she’s not alone.”
“We get it!”
“Just open the door—no, wait, knock first!”
Kane’s warning went in one ear and out the other.
They knocked hastily and, without waiting for permission to enter, burst through the door.
“Commander Emblem…!”
“We’ve come to ask for forgiveness…!”
They rushed inside as if throwing themselves in, but immediately froze—as if time had stopped.
“Told you. She’s not alone.”
Kane muttered just loud enough for them to hear and then coldly shut the wide-open door behind them.
Dozens of eyes inside the room turned toward the two intruders.
“…”
“…”
Was there anyone in the Continental Academy who wouldn’t recognize the people present?
“How rude. Is this truly the standard of the Continental Academy?”
Golden hair gently swayed following a slight shake of the head, revealing a quiet disappointment toward the Continental Academy that couldn’t quite be hidden in the calm voice.
“Y-Your Highness the Crown Prince…”
There he sat, unmistakable even with his frail appearance—the Crown Prince of the Lutinas Empire, Aurelian Leopardo Lutinas, his noble presence impossible to conceal as he occupied the seat of highest honor.
“I am ashamed. The Continental Academy is meant to be the foundation of Pavan. On behalf of the absent dean, I offer our sincerest apologies.”
The one bowing deeply to the crown prince while glaring sharply in another direction was none other than the Crown Prince of the Pavan Kingdom, soon to be its next ruler.
“Your Highness, there’s no need for you to apologize. You’ve not even had time to properly grieve your father’s passing. And yet, you’ve taken such an active role in Lutinas’s matters—we are the ones who are grateful.”
“Please, Your Highness, do not say that. The shameful mistakes of my late father were covered up only thanks to Your Highness’s intervention. Pavan will never forget this debt.”
The Pavan crown prince’s attitude made it clear—he almost seemed to want to be blamed. His attention was fixed completely on gauging Aurelian’s reactions.
Sitting opposite the prince of Pavan, however, were two people clearly attempting to preserve his dignity.
“His Highness is showing great goodwill toward Lutinas. Let’s put this matter to rest. The Emblem House has already decided to let it go.”
“The same goes for House Gray. Those involved brought about their own ruin with their own hands. That alone is enough for us to let go without a single grudge.”
The speakers were Benedict Emblem, husband of the Emblem Duke, and Jade Gray, head of House Gray.
In truth, the two who had every right to be the most upset appeared far more composed and unconcerned than even the princes.
Because the two household heads—Benedict and Jade—chose such a graceful stance, the Pavan crown prince could finally breathe just a little easier.
“So… why did those two barge in here again?”
“Quiet, Cherrya. They’re the ones who spread the rumors everywhere.”
“What?! So I had to tiptoe around the academy acting like I hadn’t returned just because of them—?”
“I said be quiet.”
And so, at the heart of this scandal sat Cherrya Emblem and Enoch Gray, inside the reception room.
“…”
“…”
The room was filled with figures powerful enough to influence the current political landscape of the continent. Only then did the two intruders finally recall Kane’s warning before entering.
‘He really should have led with that!’
‘That bastard totally set us up…!’
They’d been so desperate that they forgot Kane would never extend genuine kindness to them.
“Ah, so these are the ones. The students who claimed that Emblem and Gray shirked their responsibilities over some petty dispute.”
“I’d been wanting to see their faces anyway. This works out nicely.”
Benedict Emblem and Jade Gray slowly looked over the two students, scrutinizing every detail of their faces.
It felt like being pierced by a snake’s cold gaze and a hawk’s sharp eyes—the intensity so suffocating that the two couldn’t even breathe, their bodies frozen in place.
“Still, we should at least hear where their claims came from. Have them sit.”
“We shouldn’t sully His Highness’s ears with their nonsense. I’ll look into their story myself and compile a report before Your Highness returns to Lutinas.”
“That’s unnecessary. Nothing is more certain than hearing and seeing with my own eyes and ears. I’ll ask them directly.”
Now even the Crown Prince of Lutinas was staring at them.
His words were gentle, even kind—but his eyes were cold and unyielding, betraying his true intentions.
The only one trying to shield them now was the Crown Prince of Pavan, while the Lutinas prince was clearly aiming to end them.
“So, go ahead. Sit down. I remember that day—I got along with Enoch better than ever. Why did you say we were fighting?”
“Ugh… Cherrya…”
“What? It’s true.”
“True or not, could you at least consider who’s in this room?”
“Our prince. Their prince.”
“Yeah, I’ll shut up now.”
Cherrya Emblem sounded more annoyed than concerned, while Enoch Gray, letting out a sigh, looked at the students with detached, emotionless eyes that held no hint of sympathy.
“Ah…”
“Uuugh…”
At last, the pressure overwhelmed them both, and their legs gave out beneath them. They collapsed right there on the spot.
🍓; *His eyes were intensely focused, as if trying to absorb every word with hungry fascination.
~~~
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