HTNSA 109

Chapter 109

The northern border of the Litsha Forest.

Usually silent, the forest edge was now filled with an unbelievable crowd.

Colorful tents and flags fluttered in the spring breeze, while people bustled about beneath them.

Soldiers in gleaming armor stood in neat lines, while students in academy uniforms and nobles from nearby territories gathered in groups, conversing among themselves.

“Doesn’t this year’s Subjugation Festival seem even grander than last year’s?”

“It’s probably because multiple royals are attending. Look over there.”

A student jerked their chin toward the center, where the largest, grandest tent was set up.

Seated beneath it were the Academy’s dean, several professors—and side by side, Prince Darian and Princess Pioni.

But the two siblings’ circumstances were markedly different.

People lined up to greet the prince, constantly coming to pay their respects, while few dared to approach the princess.

Taking advantage of a lull when the crowd thinned, Pioni spoke in a flat voice.

“What brings you all the way here, Brother? I thought I was the only royal scheduled to attend this year’s Subjugation Festival.”

“Well, I wanted to see you. How have you been feeling lately?”

“…Oh, about the same as always.”

Pioni averted her gaze with a faint smile.

But Darian, seemingly oblivious to her coolness, returned a gentle smile.

“You look healthier than before, at least. I’m glad the Academy seems to suit you.”

Though he spoke lightly, Darian was inwardly asking himself the same question as Pioni.

To attend this event, he had canceled a packed schedule and come here in haste.

‘Why did Mother suddenly make that suggestion?’

Darian recalled the conversation he had with Eliza a few days ago.

“You’ve been working far too hard lately. Why not take this chance to clear your head and attend the Subjugation Festival at the Academy?”

“What? The Subjugation Festival?”

“Yes. I hear there are many talented students these days. It would be a good chance to find someone who might aid you in the future.”

“But I already have a full schedule for that day…”

“You always attend the knights’ departure ceremony, don’t you? Skipping it once won’t change much. I’ve already spoken to His Majesty, so you needn’t worry.”

“……”

“Oh, and take Sir Anton with you. He will assist you well.”

It was the first time his mother had intervened in his plans so strongly, even demanding he change a fixed schedule.

But Darian had soon admitted to himself that Eliza was right.

This year’s Subjugation Festival included many talents he had been observing with interest.

Above all, discovering and fostering hidden talent was crucial for someone like him, who aimed to become Emperor.

Darian gazed at the bustling crowd with clear eyes. Then he turned to Professor Stephan seated beside him.

“By the way, the Litsha Forest is quite far from the Academy… I’m surprised it was chosen as the location for this year’s subjugation.”

The location for the festival changed every year, but this time, it was an unusually remote area.

Momentarily surprised by the unexpected question, the professor soon answered calmly.

“Ah, yes. While this forest is quite a distance from the capital, it is large, and monsters frequently appear here. Especially during harvest season, there is significant damage to nearby villages. We believed it would be a valuable experience for the students to serve the people as Imperial talents, so we chose this location.”

“Hmm, a wise decision. It will be an excellent opportunity for the students to grow.”

Relieved by Darian’s gentle tone, Professor Stephan smiled warmly.

“His Highness experienced it once as well, didn’t you?”

“Yes, and it taught me many valuable lessons.”

A faint smile crossed Darian’s lips as he recalled those days.

The Subjugation Festival was a high-risk event where students faced monsters without instructor intervention, and injuries were common.

Perhaps because of this, some students already looked pale as they prepared for real combat.

Darian watched them with a wry smile until his gaze halted on a particular spot.

At the edge of the formation stood a girl, calm and unshaken amid the tension.

The breeze from the forest gently tousled her thick, pink hair as it passed by.

The sight triggered a memory of their recent encounter at the Imperial Palace.

Back then, she had stood before the Emperor without a hint of fear, maintaining calm composure and polite dignity.

As he recalled that moment, a natural smile appeared on Darian’s lips.

‘Talent aside, she truly is a likable person.’

Not only had she become the master of the Black Dragon, but she also possessed exceptional magical talent.

With abilities like hers, she had every right to desire more.

But Eila had politely declined his offer to work under him, expressing her wish to quietly focus on her studies.

‘……’

Remembering the unwavering gaze with which she rejected his offer made his mouth go dry for some reason.

Was it simply because she was an especially eye-catching talent?

As Darian’s throat tightened slightly, another figure approached Eila.

A familiar face. He had spoken with this man at the recent ball.

Recalling that memory, Darian let out a quiet, self-mocking chuckle.

‘Who would have thought that man was the biological son of Duke Argenta? It still feels like an unbelievable coincidence.’

What was even more intriguing was that the two were still together.

The young Duke Argenta and a commoner girl. Normally, it would have been an impossible match.

Yet, seeing them converse and laugh together so comfortably made Darian feel an inexplicable heaviness in his chest.

From his perspective, it was a relationship difficult to comprehend. Nobles typically married within their own status.

‘Because that is our duty.’

Even Kadyn’s engagement with Eila had likely ended for that very reason.

But Duke Argenta’s son appeared strangely free from such noble obligations.

‘Come to think of it, I heard the Duke dotes on his long-lost son.’

If that were true, it was enviable.

Despite holding a position that demanded heavy responsibility, he was allowed to live freely under the Duke’s protection.

‘But what if… that man wasn’t by Eila’s side…’

For some reason, he began to suspect that Eila’s firm rejection of his offer had been because of that man.

Perhaps knowing from the start that Felix was the heir to House Argenta, Eila had no need for Darian’s offer.

The thought was plausible enough that he even felt a bit of resentment toward this Felix.

If he had met Eila before they had met, perhaps he could have been closer to her than that man was now…

But Darian quickly snapped out of his foolish fantasy.

‘…What am I thinking right now?’

Eila had no interest in him. That was the reality.

And at her side now was the heir to House Argenta, standing confidently as her lover.

The very emotions he felt were wrong from the start.

And really, how many times had he even met her? How absurd was it to feel this way about someone he barely knew?

No matter how beautiful or talented she was, it was improper.

He had duties and responsibilities that could not be neglected.

‘Pull yourself together, Darian.’

He bit his lip, yet his mind continued to swirl with countless emotions.

Just then, someone stepped into his view, blocking his line of sight. It was the Academy’s dean.

“Your Highness! Before we begin the subjugation, we will be organizing the student teams. Would you like to come and check with us?”

“Ah… of course. Since I’m here, I should cheer them on.”

Darian nodded awkwardly and stood up.

In the distance, he caught sight of Eila, who had just finished speaking with Felix, entering the barracks.

His gaze lingered on the spot where she had disappeared before it finally moved away.