~ Chapter : 46 ~
It didn’t seem like Camilla’s injury was just a simple accident. Just as I was about to say that, the judges arrived.
“Ah, the Duke is already here!”
“It seems Miss Camilla has already received treatment as well.”
Behind the judges, I noticed the girl with the short navy hair who had been with Camilla earlier. When our eyes met, she quickly looked away.
A few of the judges let out sighs of relief upon seeing Rosio and Camilla.
“But who is that young lady…?”
“Is she Camilla’s guardian?”
As all eyes turned to me, Camilla slowly opened her eyes. Her face had turned pale, and she pressed her palm against the ground to stand.
“Claudia…!”
Camilla staggered toward the girl but then collapsed. I quickly supported her. With her eyes wide, the whites of her eyes clearly visible, Camilla clenched her fists and glared at Claudia. I sensed the tense atmosphere between them.
Camilla barely parted her lips, then quickly pressed them together again.
It seemed that it was up to me to step in for Camilla.
“Miss Camilla, what happened?”
Hearing my voice, Camilla bowed her head deeply and removed the murderous glare directed at Claudia. I spoke first, fearing that she might downplay the situation.
“Miss Camilla, I actually saw a bear lying on the slope. There were horse tracks all around it as well.”
“……”
Camilla didn’t refute me and anxiously bit her lips. I became more certain that someone else had been there, or that she hadn’t been alone.
“No need to ask Miss Camilla for an explanation, then.”
Judging from the hostile attitude Camilla had shown toward Claudia, Claudia certainly knew about this incident as well. I glared at Claudia and spoke in a trembling voice.
“Why don’t you explain what happened?”
Claudia’s lips parted slightly.
I wasn’t the type to dissect every detail logically. Claudia was taller than me and had an intimidating presence that made my heart pound. But for Camilla’s sake, I had to step up.
“Speak up!”
When I shouted, Claudia lowered her head. Camilla fidgeted anxiously. Claudia then lifted her head and looked me straight in the eyes.
“I chased after Camilla, which made her attack the bear in haste, causing her to roll down the slope. I saw it but intended to leave her there.”
“Why on earth?”
“My desire to get noticed by Miss Iris Saint went too far.”
Claudia’s blazing black eyes met mine directly.
‘So Camilla got caught up in jealousy because of her connection to Iris…’
I had avoided Beatrice, who was jealous of Camilla’s closeness to Rosio, but even in a swordsmanship-focused academy, there were still antagonists who tormented commoners.
“I can’t excuse my actions, but I realized my mistake and made amends, albeit late.”
“If either the Duke or I had been even slightly late, how would you have taken responsibility for Camilla?”
“…I believed my crime would be mitigated because Camilla is a commoner.”
Her excessively honest answer made my blood boil, and I grabbed her by the collar.
I meant how she would have been responsible for Camilla. But she interpreted it as a question about her own life, which was completely self-centered.
Moreover, she still hadn’t properly apologized to Camilla.
“I don’t care about your future, whom I didn’t even know. I asked how you would have taken responsibility for Camilla when I arrived—she was on the brink of death!”
My anger got the better of me, and I spoke without thinking, switching to informal speech. The judges were taken aback, but since Rosio didn’t intervene, they waited to see how it would unfold.
I tightened my grip on her collar. At that moment, Camilla carefully placed her hand over mine to stop me.
“Miss Saint, please calm down. I’m fine.”
“Calm down?”
I couldn’t understand Camilla, who seemed completely unfazed despite almost dying.
“You knew I was in danger and still deliberately left me there. I almost died! How is that fine?”
This was essentially attempted murder. When I raised my voice, Camilla looked startled. I hadn’t meant to scold her.
“But I turned myself in, even if belatedly. I’m alive thanks to you and the Duke as well.”
Camilla lowered her eyes as she spoke. I sighed, feeling that I had unnecessarily made her worry.
Her words were almost as if she were forgiving Claudia’s wrongdoing, and it left me feeling dazed.
“This is a matter between Claudia and me, so I’ll handle it.”
“No, it can’t be resolved by just the two of you. It’s obvious who would be disadvantaged if a conflict arose between a noble and a commoner.”
“But I don’t want to trouble you, Miss Saint.”
Camilla raised her head and pleaded with me, her eyes firm and determined. Was she willing to take the hit herself to avoid causing me any trouble?
“Miss Camilla, I will be involved in this matter. Whether you like it or not.”
I had to make my position clear. I was responsible for Camilla’s well-being, both good and bad.
“If we let this slide, other commoners like Camilla could become victims. There must be disciplinary procedures, whether by law or academy regulations. Do not let it go lightly. If the punishment is lenient, I will protest.”
“…Understood, Miss Saint.”
Perhaps because I mentioned the possibility of other victims or because I took a firm stance, Camilla nodded obediently.
A few moments later, I relaxed my grip and let go of Claudia’s collar. Claudia remained still, her shirt wrinkled.
I didn’t even want to look at her anymore.
I glanced at Rosio. He stepped closer and stood beside me. Rosio had the authority to make decisions on important academy matters.
“Leave it to me. I will investigate all students involved in this incident and consult with the Academy Director and Miss Camilla to ensure strict punishment.”
“Then I leave the future to you. I will also step in if there’s anything I must do.”
I spoke proactively, clenching my fists. It was different from the cautious way I asked Lipt about Venice before, wondering if I should step in.
Perhaps it was guilt that went beyond responsibility.
Afterwards, Camilla was taken to a hospital staffed with skilled recovery mages to rest. Esmeralda waited until Camilla fell asleep before leaving for the villa with her familiar.
Rosio escorted Esmeralda, then headed to the academy to decide Claudia’s punishment alongside the Academy Director and professors.
He handled all his schedules and later went to the royal palace for another meeting. The princess Nasian and a few select attendants attended this session.
“The Zisen Kingdom reported a monster and requested military support.”
“Hmm, don’t eliminate them all at once. Just put out the urgent fires. Eventually, we’ll need the Empire’s military power.”
Princess Nasian responded after weighing the pros and cons of the ministers’ report. Another minister reported a different matter.
“The Tricy Empire requested mages. The monsters there reportedly use fire magic.”
“They already have plenty of mages skilled in water magic, right?”
Nasian glanced at Rosio, seeking his agreement.
Rosio reported that the number of mages counted in the Empire was sufficient, and that Tricy Empire was secretly practicing advanced magic recently.
“We cannot waste manpower. Since other empires are showing signs of researching magic crystals, prioritize investigating contaminated areas first.”
After organizing a few more agenda items, Nasian concluded the meeting, leaving only Rosio.
“Duke Agnis, is something wrong? Today was the academy hunting tournament, wasn’t it?”
Nasian noticed Rosio’s subtle gloom. While he helped with others’ affairs, he often handled his own matters alone, which sometimes weighed on him.
Since Nasian had noticed, Rosio reported within the bounds of keeping Esmeralda’s secret.
“There was a hunting tournament at the academy. Miss Claudia, out of jealousy toward the commoner Miss Camilla, concealed the scene where Miss Camilla was seriously injured.”
“Goodness, that would be troublesome if commoners found out. Is Miss Camilla alive?”
“Yes. Before I arrived, Miss Esmeralda Saint found her and used healing magic, preventing a dangerous outcome.”
Rosio briefly explained Camilla and Esmeralda’s relationship and Claudia’s suspension from the academy to Nasian.
“But isn’t Esmeralda the one who reported Venice?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Nasian showed slight curiosity about Esmeralda but, as it was late, decided to first finish the original discussion.
“Well, in any case, a message has been sent so we can depart for the Rubia Kingdom next week. I count on you again.”
“Do not worry. The Agnis family will always repay the royal trust.”
Rosio bowed politely. Nasian lightly patted his shoulder in encouragement.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
“It’s an honor to follow your orders, Princess.”
They had known each other since childhood. Nasian had concluded that Rosio’s caring nature was because something unfortunate had happened to his guardian.
However, Rosio was worried about Esmeralda, who cared deeply for Camilla.
Camilla’s condition must have been worse before his arrival. Though Esmeralda said she was fine, he worried if she had been shocked, especially since her expression had been dark even until the villa.
Rosio wanted to confirm immediately that she was truly okay.
