Chapter 10
Students from the Empire, as well as students from nations allied with the Empire, began placing roses into Elizia’s vase.
Those who had been watching Rakan interpreted his action as a silent message.
Elizia tilted her head slightly.
Then she tried to make sense of the situation.
…Could Senior Rakan’s family be extremely influential within the Empire?
Otherwise, there was no explanation for everyone following his lead.
To be honest, influence on this scale was difficult to imagine unless one was the Crown Prince himself.
No matter how prestigious his family was, this seemed excessive.
Still, she simply concluded:
Popular people really are different.
Since this was a school rather than an imperial palace or royal court, perhaps such things were possible.
More importantly, the thought that Rakan might actually be that Crown Prince never once crossed her mind.
What should I say when he comes back?
Should I thank him?
Or tell him he didn’t have to go this far?
As she was pondering this, Rakan—who had been walking toward her—was stopped by Frederick.
After a brief conversation, the two men headed toward the terrace.
Rakan wore his usual relaxed smile.
Frederick’s expression, however, was unusually stiff.
Once inside the terrace, Frederick and Rakan moved to a corner untouched by moonlight.
Frederick turned toward him.
His gaze was serious.
“Your Highness… surely you haven’t developed feelings for Princess Elizia. She is the princess of an enemy nation.”
It was extremely rare for Frederick to use formal speech with Rakan within the Royal Academy of Swena.
Only under two circumstances.
When he was being serious.
Or when he had something to say as a loyal vassal.
Unfortunately, this situation was both.
“Of course not.”
At Rakan’s answer, Frederick visibly relaxed.
But not completely.
Resting both hands on the terrace railing, Rakan stared expressionlessly at the flower garden below.
“I wouldn’t approach the princess of an enemy nation for romantic reasons.”
“Then why…?”
“To improve relations with the Empire and introduce her to Lahan.”
“Introduce her? An enemy princess?”
“Yes. Introduce her. An enemy princess.”
“…The person everyone should be worried about is you. You keep refusing engagements. Everyone’s concerned.”
Now that he felt somewhat reassured, Frederick unconsciously dropped the formal speech.
“That’s not the reason.”
Rakan’s voice remained calm.
“It’s for the future peace between the Empire and the Kingdom.”
“The peace between the Empire and the Kingdom?”
Frederick looked bewildered.
He had been confused from the beginning.
But Rakan didn’t seem interested in elaborating.
Looking toward the distant river, he brushed windblown hair from his face.
“The meaningless truce has lasted over twenty years.”
His voice was quiet.
“Perhaps it’s time to loosen the rope we’ve kept tightened for so long.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“Don’t worry. This isn’t an impulsive decision.”
“…All right.”
Rakan always appeared relaxed.
Yet Frederick knew better than anyone that there was nothing frivolous beneath that easygoing exterior.
He understood the weight of the position he occupied.
And he knew how to use it.
Feeling slightly reassured, Frederick decided to voice another concern.
“Then why did you put a rose in Princess Elizia’s vase? You didn’t have to go that far.”
“Because she suits that position better than anyone.”
Rakan recalled Elizia’s damaged hands.
The way she looked ready to collapse from exhaustion, yet refused to put down her sword.
If someone was to represent the academy, it should be a student like her.
Of course, that wasn’t the only reason he had given her the rose.
“No. You should have voted for Princess Beth. Everyone is confused, wondering if there’s some hidden meaning behind your actions.”
“I simply looked after my direct junior.”
Rakan shrugged.
“Stop trying to turn everything into politics. This is a school.”
Frederick remained silent for a moment before sighing heavily.
“Even if I try not to, I can’t help it. You have to consider your position.”
At those words, one corner of Rakan’s mouth curled upward.
“Is my position truly so unstable that I must worry about even this, Frederick?”
“…”
The look he gave Frederick was cold.
And Frederick immediately understood.
It was a warning.
A final one.
Don’t cross the line.
The words on Frederick’s lips died there.
People often misunderstood Rakan because he smiled so easily.
They assumed there was softness beneath it.
The truth was quite the opposite.
At his core, Rakan was not gentle.
He was decisive.
Once he believed something was right—or necessary—he moved forward without hesitation.
And in those moments, no advice could sway him.
While Frederick struggled with complicated thoughts, Rakan remained focused on his own.
He imagined a future meeting between Elizia and his half-brother, Lahan.
Elizia.
Lahan.
Both loved their countries.
Both possessed unusually open minds for people of such high birth.
They would likely get along well.
If they became acquainted…
And someday rose to positions suited to them…
Perhaps something greater could come of it.
Twenty years of ceasefire.
He was tired of it.
Then another image surfaced.
Elizia smiling, her eyes curved into crescents.
The way her raised hair swayed softly as she walked.
Her personality was charming.
Her appearance attractive.
Perhaps she and his brother might even become something more.
It sounded like wishful thinking.
But no one could predict matters of the heart.
And if that happened…
Perhaps the idea of true peace would no longer feel impossible.
“…”
Rakan frowned slightly before relaxing again.
He stared at a bed of blooming phacelia flowers.
Then clicked his tongue.
“…Is there something in the flower bed?”
Frederick followed his gaze and looked around.
All he could see were purple flowers shining beneath the moonlight.
Elizia had just finished another dance.
Her partner was a male student with a puppy-like appearance.
The third young man she had danced with that evening.
The moment he released her hand and stepped away, someone else immediately approached.
“Elizia, would you dance with me as well?”
The hand extended toward her trembled slightly.
“Of course. Let’s dance, Hedrick.”
Smiling brightly, she accepted his hand.
She was in a wonderful mood.
She had plenty of energy.
There was no reason to refuse.
A lively waltz filled the ballroom.
Spinning through the center of the hall while holding Hedrick’s hand, Elizia burst into laughter.
It was because of something he said.
“Elizia… you look incredibly beautiful tonight.”
His voice trembled slightly.
Clearly, he meant every word.
Stepping gracefully with her left foot, Elizia giggled.
“I’m always beautiful, Hedrick.”
“I-I know that, but… tonight especially… And your dress suits you so well…”
“Of course. It’s an expensive dress.”
The gown was undeniably magnificent.
Probably the most expensive dress she had brought with her.
Or rather, the most expensive one her nanny had insisted she bring.
She felt sweat gathering in Hedrick’s palm.
His nervousness was obvious.
“When you entered the ballroom earlier, everyone was shocked.”
“Why?”
“Because you looked completely different than usual. Ah, don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying you aren’t beautiful normally. You are. Very beautiful. But today… today you’re even more beautiful.”
He stumbled over his words.
In that short speech, he had called her beautiful three separate times.
“I’m not offended.”
She smiled.
“You look handsome today too, Hedrick.”
“Thank you!”
The boy looked absurdly happy.
Elizia couldn’t help laughing.
Just because she was wearing a fancy dress and Sophie had spent some time dressing her up, people kept showering her with compliments.
Back at the royal palace, this appearance was completely normal.
To her, it felt familiar.
To everyone else, it must have seemed entirely different.
The fact that their reactions pleased her so much made her realize something.
Perhaps she also wanted to be beautiful.
Maybe I should dress up every day.
Senior Beth is always pretty.
Her dresses are lovely too.
Then she immediately dismissed the idea.
Who disliked beautiful things?
The problem was the effort required.
If maids dressed her, that was one thing.
Doing it herself was another matter entirely.
Her honest opinion was simple:
I’d rather sleep a little longer than wake up at dawn to decorate myself.
At that same moment, Rakan emerged from the terrace.
Leaning against a marble pillar, he quietly watched Elizia dancing with Hedrick.
His expression was strangely blank.
Tilting his head, Rakan folded his arms.
His gaze settled on Hedrick.
Specifically—
On Hedrick’s flushed face.
And the foolish smile stretched across it.
The music gradually softened.
A new song was about to begin.
Elizia withdrew the hand resting on Hedrick’s shoulder.
A silent signal that the dance was over.
Reluctantly, Hedrick released her hand.
Yet instead of leaving, he remained standing before her.
He looked as though he still had something he wanted to say.
Finally, he lifted his head with determination.
But the words never left his mouth.
“…”
Because Rakan was suddenly standing behind Elizia.
Watching him.
His expression unreadable.
His presence enormous.
Rakan had always been tall.
Yet somehow he seemed even larger tonight.
Perhaps that was why.
Hedrick’s instincts screamed at him to leave.
Pure instinct.
“W-Well then… I should be going. I had fun, Elizia.”
After an awkward farewell, he quickly retreated.
Even so, he couldn’t stop himself from glancing back at her with lingering regret.
After Hedrick disappeared into the crowd, Elizia turned around in confusion.
Clearly, he had fled because of whoever was standing behind her.
Then she spotted him.
Rakan.
The expression he had shown Hedrick was already gone.
He was smiling lazily as usual.
“You’re back?”
“Yes.”
Elizia glanced at the couples walking past them toward nearby tables.
By coincidence, they were standing in the very center of the ballroom.
There were only two options.
Move aside and rest.
Or dance.
Elizia chose the latter.
“Senior, dance with me.”
She suddenly extended her hand.
Palm upward.
As though she were the one inviting him.
Normally, boys invited girls.
But Elizia had never cared much about such conventions.
Rakan slowly blinked.
Then looked at her.
Perhaps because she had danced so much already, her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink.
His gaze lowered.
He found himself staring at her hand.
Small.
Soft.
A hand that looked as though it might break if he gripped it too tightly.
“…”
Elizia began to feel awkward.
Rakan was only staring at her hand.
Saying nothing.
She had thought they had become somewhat close.
Yet her invitation was met with silence.
“If you don’t want to, then forget it.”
Embarrassed, she started pulling her hand back.
The moment she did—
His large hand closed around hers.
Firmly.
At the same time, an arm wrapped around her waist.
Her body was pulled against his before she could react.
It happened in an instant.
Elizia buried her face against his chest.
She could hear the steady beat of his heart.
And catch the faint scent of his cologne.
A low voice sounded above her head.
“Not at all.”
His voice was deep.
Soft.
“I’m honored, Princess.”
The sound of it sent a strange shiver through her.
Slowly, Elizia looked up.
The corner of Rakan’s lips had lifted.
Even that smile was breathtaking.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Then she hurriedly regained her senses and pushed against his chest with both hands.
Trying to create distance.
Beneath her palms, his body felt solid.
Strong.
He didn’t move an inch.
The difference in their strength suddenly felt very real.
“W-What is this?”
She leaned back slightly.
Yet Rakan only pulled her closer.
His hand tightened around her waist.
Lowering his head slightly, he spoke.
“The one who asked me to dance is trying to run away.”
His voice brushed against her senses.
His faint smile was far too close.
Golden hair slipped over his forehead.
Then he lifted her hand.
Warm fingers traced lightly along hers.
Not gripping.
Just touching.
A slow, deliberate caress.
“Hm—”
Elizia’s fingers twitched involuntarily.
His hand slid over hers.
Then enclosed it completely.
His palm was rougher than hers.
Hotter too.
“So…”
His green eyes, touched with hints of blue, gleamed darkly beneath the chandelier light.
“Do you want to stop, Elizia?”
At that moment—
The fine hairs on the back of Elizia’s neck stood on end.
