Chapter 50
It really did feel strange.
I should have been suspicious from the moment Kyle, who had never asked me to go anywhere first, suddenly sent that letter.
Milly confessed that she had sent letters to both of us only two days before the graduation ceremony, so we wouldn’t have time to notice her plan.
“I’m sorry, Miss. I’m really sorry.”
She kept bowing her head. I let out a long sigh.
“Why did you do that?”
“I wanted you to experience a fresh, innocent romance at least once… You’re the one who helped Luke and me get together….”
Then Milly told me what she had heard from another family’s maid at a tea party.
Apparently, these days it was a trend to have a secret romance before debuting in society.
But since it would be troublesome if rumors spread, maids usually helped cover things up.
Teenagers were bold in any world, it seemed.
Milly said Luke had also agreed to help and asked me to forgive her partner in crime.
“Alright. I’m upset, but… I understand your intention. But why Kyle of all people?”
“Young Master Kyleus… likes you….”
Milly mumbled the end of her sentence.
“What?”
“…He’s handsome!”
I burst out laughing.
I might like handsome faces, but was Milly like that too?
Well, Kyle had grown more handsome lately as his good genes fully showed.
“…And he’s the closest boy your age.”
Milly added another reason.
That was true.
There really wasn’t any other boy around me who fit.
“You know we’re just 100 percent pure friends. That will never happen.”
“Yes… I’m sorry. It’s my fault….”
Milly’s eyes filled with tears as she lowered her head.
At that moment, the voice of the host echoed.
“We will now begin the 247th graduation ceremony of Landers Royal Military Academy!”
The national anthem played loudly.
…Sigh. She seemed to regret it enough. I decided to let it go.
Forging letters was a problem, but her intention wasn’t bad.
Milly and I returned to Kyle.
I briefly explained everything, changing only the part about Milly trying to match us.
Milly bowed deeply in apology.
Kyle pressed his forehead and groaned, but since what was done was done, he eventually forgave her.
“Since we’re already here, let’s watch the ceremony, look around the school, and ask my brother to buy us something good.”
I whispered to Kyle. He nodded reluctantly.
The graduation ceremony was grand and solemn, fitting for a royal academy.
After the long speeches of the principal and chairman, the congratulatory speech of the Third Prince, and the farewell speech from a student representative, my whole body twisted from boredom.
“Next, we will hear from the graduate representative. Graduate representative, Simon Brante.”
My brother, dressed perfectly in his sharp uniform, walked onto the stage with applause and cheers.
Standing straight at the center, he began reciting his speech.
He had memorized the entire thing.
After about ten minutes, the excited squeals from the female audience completely stopped.
It was too long.
Finally, before everyone turned into stone statues, he finished his speech.
At least he wasn’t dragged off the stage.
After the diplomas were awarded and the school anthem was sung, the ceremony ended.
From afar, I watched my brother surrounded by classmates and juniors.
Since he had graduated as the top student and representative, instructors, teachers, and even the Third Prince spoke to him as they passed.
Only after a long time did he notice us and run over.
“You two really came?”
“I didn’t really want to, but congratulations.”
I handed him the bouquet.
He was already holding about three bouquets and stuffed mine in between them.
“Thanks, Riez.”
He patted Kyle’s shoulder and smirked.
“Kyleus, you brat. I didn’t expect you to come all this way to congratulate me. You’ve got loyalty.”
“…Yeah.”
“It won’t hurt to stay on good terms with your senior. Especially if you’ll soon be my junior.”
Kyle’s jaw tightened. He clearly had many insults to say but held them back since today was my brother’s day.
Both of them needed some serious emotional healing.
“Give me money. We’re going to look around and eat something good.”
I held out my hand.
My brother grumbled but gave us a generous amount.
“Kids, meet me here around three-thirty!”
He then disappeared into the crowd. Why was he so popular?
Just watching exhausted me.
I waved at Kyle.
“Kyle! Let’s eat first. I’m hungry.”
After eating and having dessert, we finally explored the academy properly.
Past the plaza where the ceremony was held, grand buildings welcomed us.
As expected of a royal institution, there were magnificent castles, gardens, and temple-like structures.
The campus was so large that it took an hour to walk around once.
It felt like touring a historic European university or theme park.
At a four-way signpost, I pointed to the training grounds.
“It says the training grounds are that way. Let’s go.”
As I walked ahead, Kyle followed behind.
After a long downhill path, we reached the largest area of the academy — the training zone.
It was divided into shooting ranges, training yards, fields, running tracks, and fitness halls.
It clearly showed this was a military academy.
We couldn’t enter indoor facilities, but we could freely look around the outdoor areas.
When the sound of swords clashing echoed, something switched on in Kyle’s eyes.
“Now you’re interested?”
I nudged him with my elbow.
“Not really.”
He said that, but his eyes moved busily.
I stepped back and watched him.
Seeing him move around the training field, I realized this was truly his calling.
Even though he first learned swordsmanship out of rivalry with Darius, he seemed to genuinely love it.
Blood doesn’t lie.
In the end, you’ll walk the path of martial arts. Like your father. Like your brother.
I felt a little emotional seeing how much he had grown.
There was a time I tried to guide him to a different path.
Three years ago, I had brought a trunk full of board games and toys.
If he lost interest in this path, maybe he wouldn’t try to kill Darius.
But that plan failed.
After more than 200 competitions, nothing changed his goal.
Chess became a small hobby, but it didn’t change his life.
Behind the training grounds stood a tall dormitory building.
This was where Darius had lived.
As I looked up at it, I realized this would soon become Kyle’s home too.
And that we wouldn’t meet often anymore.
I turned to him.
“Kyle, you’ll live here for four years.”
“Three. I’ll graduate early.”
He said firmly.
Since Darius had graduated early, Kyle wanted to do the same.
“Well, whether three or four years. We won’t see each other much.”
“……”
“You’re my only close friend. What am I supposed to do? I’ll be lonely.”
It suddenly felt like my best friend was moving far away.
Kyle looked flustered when I said that.
