Chapter 38
I could have easily ignored him. Normally, I definitely would have dismissed the child without a second thought. But right now, I was acting on a whim of sorts. I was curious how far a child who didn’t even know who Bionne was would go in trying to protect her.
“Alright. I’ll help you become a noble.”
“Really?”
Rai suddenly lifted his head.
“But you have to prove that you’re worth it.”
“Worth it?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Enroll in the Rochester Academy. If you graduate safely without revealing your identity there, I’ll grant your wish.”
Rochester Academy was the most famous educational institution on the continent. They taught swordsmanship, diplomacy, politics, medicine, and more.
Generally, noble heirs who were not inheriting their family title enrolled there. It was the fastest and most certain way for those who couldn’t inherit the family title to at least earn a lifelong noble rank.
Unlike other academies that strictly admitted students based on social status, admission to Rochester Academy was relatively easy. With a simple test to check basic knowledge and payment of tuition, even commoners could enter. However, practically speaking, almost no commoners managed to enroll.
The basic knowledge required included politics, economics, history, languages, and arts — subjects that nobles typically learned from private tutors since childhood. Commoners rarely had access to these.
Tuition was outrageously expensive, beyond what even low-ranking nobles or commoners with little wealth could afford. So only nobles with some wealth or wealthy commoners could realistically enroll.
But even with the knowledge and money to enter, graduating was another matter. Students had to pass difficult exams multiple times. Most failed and left without graduating.
Rochester Academy’s exams were notoriously difficult. Holding its diploma granted one quasi-noble status, recognized not just in the kingdoms but in the empire too. This was why noble heirs flocked there. The official course lasted three years, but students had up to seven years to graduate. Failing to graduate within seven years meant automatic expulsion.
There were two exams per year. Students had to score perfect marks in at least five subjects each semester to advance. Over six semesters, they needed perfect scores in at least five subjects to graduate.
Getting a perfect score in one subject was hard enough, let alone in five subjects of different disciplines. It was by no means easy. Most students gave up or got expelled after seven years.
Maybe I was making an impossible demand of the child.
“If you don’t feel confident, you don’t have to do it.”
Rai bit his lips again. Even a commoner child like him would know about Rochester Academy. It was that famous.
“Will you really make me a noble if I graduate?”
His yellow eyes flickered with longing. Excitement, hope, and passion filled his gaze.
“Yes.”
“I’ll do it!”
“I’ll prepare for your admission. But while at the academy, you must keep yourself hidden thoroughly. Your identity must never be revealed to anyone.”
“I won’t let it slip.”
“From the moment you enter the academy, you have no ties to the guild. If your identity is discovered, it must not harm the guild.”
Rai’s face stiffened. The guild was everything to him. To cut ties with it was like a death sentence.
“Are you sure you want to do this?”
He was silent for a long while. His lips were swollen from biting them so hard. Finally, he clenched his fists decisively.
“I will. I will become a noble and protect Bionne.”
“Good, so be it.”
Suddenly, I wondered who Bionne was, but didn’t ask. That question could wait until he achieved everything.
Click.
“You!”
“Ah!”
Evan came in and spotted Rai, shouting. Rai jumped in surprise and quickly hid behind me.
“You little rascal!”
Evan looked very angry. Unable to pass me and catch the child, he snarled at Rai. Rai fidgeted behind my back.
“I’m sorry, my lady. It’s my fault for not properly educating him.”
Evan bowed to me.
Taking the chance, Rai quickly slipped out of the parlor. Even while running away, he didn’t forget to say:
“Sis, you must keep your promise.”
Evan’s face turned red and pale. It was the strongest expression I’d seen from him.
“I truly apologize.”
“It’s alright.”
The conversation with Rai wasn’t bad. If he succeeded, I’d gain a capable scholar. Nothing bad for me. If he failed, it was easy to cut ties. Even if Rai’s identity was found out, it wouldn’t affect me.
I just made the proposal — the choice was his. Being young didn’t mean he could be excused. I just hoped I wouldn’t have to abandon him.
“Is this the item you requested?”
“Yes.”
Evan, who had been nervously watching me, promptly handed over the box I asked for. I took it and opened the lid.
“Lovely.”
Inside was a pendant crafted exactly as I ordered. It reminded me of the seal my grandfather made for me, a birthday gift for Rant.
Nobles could have their own seal at age sixteen. Rant was currently twelve. Four years remained before he became an adult, but I wanted to make him his own seal now.
The engraved seal on the pendant was exquisite and beautiful. The clover’s flower language meant ‘happiness.’ I hoped my little one would always be happy.
A wolf surrounded by clovers. That was the seal I chose for Rant.
“I’ll escort you home.”
As I stood, Evan quickly took position behind me as if to guard. Since I left discreetly, without my usual attendants or guards, I didn’t feel the need for his escort in such a hurry.
“That’s alright. Just call a carriage.”
“Do you find me inconvenient?”
“….”
I turned to face him. He looked at me seriously.
“I am your knight. Protecting you is my goal and duty.”
“I know you’re trying hard to keep your knight’s oath to me. But don’t overdo it.”
Though Evan was my knight, I didn’t want to bind him too tightly. He was the leader of the Peaceon guild and possessed many talents beyond just being a knight.
“You don’t have to be bound by your promise to your grandfather, Evan.”
I smiled at his still serious face. He was a straightforward man who would push and punish himself to keep his promises to both my grandfather and me. It seemed only fair to ease one burden from him.
“Your grandfather would understand.”
“At first…”
He stopped me as I was turning away. His clear blue-gray eyes stared straight at me.
“At first, I followed the count’s wishes.”
“…”
I couldn’t guess what he meant. He continued calmly.
“Do you know when I first saw you?”
“Wasn’t it the day your grandfather died?”
He shook his head.
“Not that day.”
I was certain the first time I saw him was on the day my grandfather passed. I had no memory of seeing him before then.
“I accompanied the count to the Elient estate on the day of the marchioness’s funeral.”
“Oh!”
Suddenly, a memory flashed — a boy, no, a young man who had held my collapsing grandfather? I couldn’t remember his face clearly, but his steady blue-gray eyes staring at me came vividly to mind.
“The girl who stood composed amidst the whispers left a strong impression.”
His sharp eyes, lacking double eyelids, softened as he smiled wryly.
“I could tell at a glance that you were the girl I needed to protect.”
He slowly clenched his hand into a fist and gave a bitter smile.
“Among people who hid their malice, you stood alone. I wanted to protect you, not by anyone’s request, but by my own will.”
“Are you saying that’s me?”
His gaze returned to me, filled with unwavering resolve.
“Please let me keep the vow I made in my childhood, my lady.”
He bowed and extended his hand to me. I couldn’t refuse someone who said he chose this path himself.
“I gladly accept your vow, my knight.”
I gently placed my hand over his extended one.
I stepped out of the building under Evan’s respectful escort. He motioned to someone to bring a carriage. I looked up at the sky. The sun was already sinking below the horizon. I had been here longer than I thought.
“Sorry, you’ll have to wait a little.”
It was sunset. The streets were bustling with carriages heading home. It was difficult to get a carriage quickly in this crowded situation. It was mostly my fault for not announcing my return time earlier. Still, Evan’s frantic apologies made me laugh.
“The guildmaster apologizes every time he sees me.”
“Sorry, no, that’s…”
He couldn’t find a response. His ears poked out through his short hair, flushed bright red. I ended up laughing aloud. He looked confused at my laughter.
“Suddenly, I’m reminded of what Anasha said.”
Anasha described Evan as a normally taciturn person who handled matters decisively, sometimes seeming almost inhuman, as if you couldn’t draw a drop of blood from him even if you tried.
