Chapter 06
That day, after returning home, Asiel burst into tears, demanding to know why she couldn’t attend the Academy that Bernard went to.
“Asiel wants to go too! I’m going!”
Whenever Allen and Asiel tried to talk, Bernard would interrupt and start talking about things that had happened at the Academy. Faced with a stream of unfamiliar names, Asiel eventually fell silent.
Allen, quick to notice her mood, tried to keep the conversation going with her, but by then she was already thoroughly annoyed.
“I can’t play with someone whose greatest achievement in life is getting into the Academy.”
“What?”
“You’re seriously annoying.”
After saying those icy words, Asiel stomped away with little pattering footsteps toward the ladies’ gathering.
Bernard’s eyes widened. In all eight years of his life, no one had ever spoken to him like that.
“Was… was she talking to me?”
“Maybe… try talking about something else once in a while…”
Allen mumbled awkwardly. Somehow he’d gotten caught between the two of them, and he had the ominous feeling that he’d spend the rest of his life mediating their arguments.
Meanwhile, Bernard seriously began wondering what else he had worth bragging about.
Asiel glared at him with a terrifying look.
On the way home, Asiel suddenly developed an overwhelming desire to attend the Academy—the very place she’d insisted she didn’t want to go earlier that day.
Allen is my precious subordinate! So why is a kid like Bernard always hanging around him?
“Asiel wants to go too! I want to go to school!”
“But earlier you said you didn’t.”
Watching her youngest daughter bury her face in a fluffy white pillow and throw a tantrum, the Countess couldn’t help smiling at the three little dimples pressed into the pillow.
Her youngest daughter, whose mind changed several times a day, was a little exasperating—but seeing those tiny feet kicking in frustration made her heart ache.
“A Dark Lord doesn’t need to attend the Academy.”
“My dear.”
The Countess shot her husband a look that clearly told him to read the room.
Outside the room, Gale and Quentin had heard everything.
Their hearts ached as well.
If it had been possible, they would gladly have split their divine blessings in half and given part of them to Asiel.
“Why can’t everyone just attend the Academy?”
“I know.”
“Even though the Princess has abilities, she doesn’t attend the Academy. People who want to go should go, and people who don’t shouldn’t have to.”
Quentin pouted.
“You’re not wrong… but you shouldn’t say that.”
“Why not?”
“We don’t know what Her Highness the Princess is thinking.”
As Gale gently patted Quentin on the shoulder, he remembered the lonely expression he’d seen on the Princess’s face during the royal ball held after the monster-hunting tournament.
Maybe he’d imagined it.
Her expression had changed almost immediately afterward.
Still, he didn’t think it was right to judge her carelessly.
I wonder if Princess Edith will come to tomorrow’s visitation day. It’ll also be Prince Gregory’s final visitation before graduation.
After that thought, Gale opened Asiel’s bedroom door.
“Come to the Academy with me tomorrow, Asiel.”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Seven pairs of eyes—all except the one still buried in the pillow—turned toward Gale.
Walking over to the bed, Gale effortlessly lifted Asiel high into the air.
Her soft pink hair cascaded down, tickling his face.
“Tomorrow is Family Visitation Day.”
“And why are you only telling us now?”
“Wait… parents are actually allowed to visit?”
Thinking back, the Countess realized she’d visited the Academy when Asiel was still a baby, but not once since then.
Quentin hurried in behind Gale and said in disbelief,
“What are you doing, Brother? That was supposed to be a secret!”
“A secret? What are you talking about, Gale Windsorberry? Quentin Windsorberry?”
The brothers had deliberately kept the visitation schedule hidden.
If their parents brought Asiel to the Academy…
…everyone would gather around the moment such an adorable, lovable little girl started walking through campus.
They knew it would happen.
After all, when she was younger, Asiel had almost been kidnapped during a family outing simply because she was too cute.
Since then, they had never dared let her out of their arms in public.
In any case, thanks to this strange chain of events, the Count and Countess would finally attend the Academy now that their eldest son was in his final year.
They hurriedly began preparing clothes for the next day.
“Honestly… I just wanted to show Asiel off.”
Quentin grumbled.
“Later.”
Turning back to his little sister, Gale smiled.
“Asiel, want to come watch your big brother study?”
“I do!”
Delighted, Asiel wrapped both arms tightly around Gale’s neck.
Seeing her mood improve so quickly, Quentin poked her soft cheek with his finger.
She shot him a sulky glare and stamped her feet.
At least one wish had already come true.
She was finally going to the Academy.
Now all they had to do…
…was show her what kind of prison the Academy really was, and what cruel punishment called “classes” students had to endure.
Gale and Quentin exchanged meaningful glances over the head of the blissfully unaware Asiel.
* * *
Gale Windsorberry was the Academy’s highest-year student and served as the vice president of the student council.
His exemplary conduct and cool-headed demeanor, perfectly suited to the divine power of Protection, made him an object of admiration among the students.
His younger brother Quentin Windsorberry, blessed with the divine power of Art, was his complete opposite—a free spirit in every sense.
His painting skills were so exceptional that even the Temple commissioned him to paint murals.
Despite being four years apart and entirely different in personality, the brothers shared one thing in common.
They were both hopelessly obsessed with their little sister.
Ever since childhood, Asiel had hated complicated things.
She preferred everything simple.
The brothers were convinced she’d never enjoy being bound by the Academy’s endless rules.
Besides…
We’ll take care of her for the rest of her life anyway.
“Asiel!”
Dressed in a white dress accented by a pale pink ribbon that matched her hair, Asiel looked like an angel.
Even the other visiting families couldn’t stop staring at the adorable little girl.
Just as I expected…
Gale thought proudly.
At the same time…
…he became increasingly anxious.
“Father, please don’t put Asiel down. Keep holding her. Understood?”
“Honey… would you check if my ears are bleeding?”
“They’re perfectly fine.”
The Windsorberry family looked warm and harmonious from the outside.
Only the Count wore an exhausted expression.
Today’s visitation featured outdoor swordsmanship training.
Families spread picnic blankets across the beautifully prepared gardens or sat at tables to watch.
Since Gale had already received scouting offers from multiple Holy Knight Orders, he technically didn’t need to participate.
Still…
He wanted Asiel to see him at his best.
“Gale, I think someone’s looking for you.”
“No matter what happens, Asiel must never set foot on the training grounds.”
“Oh dear… Honey, I think your ears really are bleeding now.”
“I knew it.”
“Daddy, are your ears bleeding?”
Asiel’s eyes widened as she carefully examined both of her father’s ears.
Holding his chin with one tiny maple-leaf hand, she inspected him with complete seriousness.
Watching the adorable sight, Gale found it even harder to leave.
Unfortunately…
Gerald’s expression was becoming increasingly dangerous.
“Asiel! Watch your big brother!”
“Asiel! Watch your other big brother too!”
“Since when are you Asiel’s big brother?”
“Ah… Asiel’s still just as adorable. Mind if I kiss her cheek?”
“You can if I get to kiss yours.”
“Disgusting. Let’s go.”
After effortlessly brushing the clingy Gerald aside, Gale waved back at Asiel, who was enthusiastically waving both arms.
The instant he picked up the wooden practice sword…
…his eyes changed completely.
“Your big brother’s amazing, isn’t he?”
“Mm-hmm!”
Even to Asiel, who understood nothing about swordsmanship, her eldest brother looked incredibly cool as he flawlessly executed each stance and swing.
She clapped her tiny hands enthusiastically.
“I want to look around.”
Her attention didn’t last long.
The repetitive sword practice quickly became boring.
The Academy’s magnificent campus was far more interesting.
Just what makes this place so amazing that Bernard couldn’t stop bragging about it?
“I’ll take her.”
“Would you? I’ll stay here.”
“Don’t worry.”
Holding Asiel securely in his arms, Count Windsorberry considered where to take her.
Not far away was the Rose Garden.
The Academy grounds contained many gardens, each with its own theme.
The Rose Garden was relatively small, and its winding paths kept most visitors away.
But it was breathtakingly beautiful.
Filled entirely with blooming roses, it was decorated with elegant sculptures worthy of its splendor.
There was even a pavilion covered in climbing rose vines.
The Count was certain Asiel would love it.
As they strolled through the quiet garden, he also planned to tell her about the dates he and her mother had enjoyed there during their own Academy days.
