Chapter 168
After a weekend that had raged like a storm passed, Selina returned to the academy right away.
She resumed her usual routine—living her life and studying as always—until the final exam period arrived.
While Selina was in the middle of taking her finals, a large-scale noble council was convened at the imperial palace.
The agenda was Selina’s guardianship.
It almost felt absurd to gather all the major nobles over a single commoner girl—but since she was an Apostle, it couldn’t be helped.
Freiman quietly swept his gaze across the hall, assessing the situation.
The Hailers family was firmly aligned with the imperial faction, so in order to keep Freiman in check, the noble faction was likely to support him.
However, they didn’t seem eager to hand over an Apostle to the Moon Temple without resistance either.
Moreover, after hearing about Selina’s outrageous behavior that Saturday, the number of people coveting her abilities had increased.
I need to stay sharp.
As Freiman steeled himself, a past memory suddenly came to mind.
Could this be the “bad thing” Selina mentioned?
When he had asked her for a reading at the academic festival, she had said that in about a month, she would clash with some organization.
She really is Stella’s daughter.
It was so accurate it was almost chilling—enough to make him laugh.
When Freiman let out a quiet chuckle, Baon and the other priests beside him shot him sharp looks.
“Your Excellency.”
At that moment, someone called out to Freiman from behind. Turning around, he saw Arthur Paulin.
Freiman immediately stood and shook his hand.
“I said we’d meet again soon, but I never expected it to be this soon.”
“Indeed. And in a place like this, no less.”
Arthur let out an awkward laugh, then glanced around before lowering his voice so only Freiman could hear.
“I’ve heard the situation, more or less. Is Miss Selina all right?”
Freiman nodded bitterly.
“Truly… the gods can be so indifferent. How could they burden such a child with trials this cruel?”
“Haha, are you insulting the gods right in front of a priest?”
“Oh—no, that wasn’t my intention.”
“I know. I understand how you feel, Marquis. The gods really are indifferent.”
Arthur looked at Freiman with a face full of sympathy. Compared to when they’d met at the academic festival, he looked far more worn.
“What does Miss Selina say she wants?”
“She says she doesn’t want to go to the Hailers estate. I want to respect the child’s wishes as much as possible, but given the circumstances, it’s not that simple.”
“…I see.”
Just as an awkward silence settled in, the Emperor entered. The previously noisy crowd quickly returned to their seats.
“I should take my seat as well. Let’s talk again later.”
As Arthur walked away, Freiman sat down, hearing the voice that signaled the start of the meeting.
“Then, we shall now begin the noble council.”
After explaining Selina’s situation, the real debate began. Each faction fiercely exchanged arguments.
Compared to last Saturday, no one acted emotionally; everyone argued logically.
That made it hard to break through, but Freiman still poured his heart and soul into it.
“Selina has only recently been chosen as the Moon’s Apostle and is in a state of confusion. For her mental well-being and to protect her from the dangers that may lie ahead, she needs my protection and that of the Moon Temple.”
“And precisely for that reason, Miss Selina should come to our marquisate. If she needs the Moon Temple’s help, you can simply dispatch priests to stay by her side at any time. More than anyone else, a child needs a true family.”
A sharp standoff formed between Freiman and Arnold. With the two men insisting on opposing positions, there was no end in sight.
The Emperor raised a hand, cutting them both off.
“This time, let us hear from others as well. If anyone has an opinion, speak freely.”
“I agree with Marquis Hailers. His Excellency Freiman argues that Selina must stay at the Moon Temple for her mental health and protection, but by that logic, Marquis Hailers is equally capable of protecting her.”
“That’s right. And isn’t she family they were separated from in childhood and only just reunited with? No matter who raised her, blood ties cannot be ignored.”
As time passed, momentum gradually shifted in Arnold’s favor. As the situation grew more unfavorable, Freiman clenched his fist tightly.
“I think differently.”
At that moment, someone spoke—it was Arthur.
“Everything argued so far has been based on your own perspectives. Has anyone mentioned Miss Selina’s own wishes even once?”
Uncomfortable coughs echoed throughout the hall.
“In the end, the one who must endure all of this is not the people here, but Miss Selina herself. That is why her opinion should matter above all else. I have heard that Miss Selina previously expressed her wish to be formally adopted by His Excellency Freiman.”
Arnold narrowed his eyes at Arthur.
The Paulin family was not on bad terms with his own—so why was Arthur throwing a wrench into things now?
“She’s only sixteen years old. That’s an age where adult protection is necessary. She may not yet be capable of making an accurate judgment.”
Another noble supporting Hailers countered Arthur’s words.
“No. She’s not seven or eight—she’s sixteen. Legally a minor, yes, but among commoners, sixteen is often treated as a near-adult. She’s more than capable of making decisions for herself.”
Arthur didn’t yield an inch, shooting back before turning to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty. This is a matter that will determine a young girl’s fate. I humbly ask you to make a wise decision.”
“Hm…”
The Emperor tapped the armrest with his fingers as he pondered.
Selina was undeniably a highly desirable asset. Not just because she was an Apostle, but because of her resolve—she never faltered even before the Emperor himself. That kind of mettle could never be found in an ordinary person.
To secure her, it might be best to side with Hailers and place a leash on her.
But perhaps, rather than forcing a leash onto a wild, untamable horse, letting it run free and using it only when necessary would be more effective.
Moreover, he couldn’t forget the proposal she had once made to him.
With my abilities, I can find the answer Your Majesty seeks. What do you say? Shall we join hands?
The grief of losing his beloved Empress, and the helpless rage of being unable to catch those responsible for her murder.
If that absurd ability of hers could truly uncover the mastermind behind the Empress’s assassination…
“I’ve made my decision.”
The Emperor’s red eyes flashed.
“I hear that this Saturday is the academy’s winter vacation ceremony.”
Everyone tensed, waiting for his words—only for something completely unexpected to follow.
“Winter vacation lasts nearly two months. How about having Miss Selina spend one month with the Hailers family and one month at the temple?”
Arnold and Freiman, momentarily stunned, quickly sharpened their gazes.
“That way, she can learn what she didn’t know about each side. As Marquis Paulin said, the most important thing is Miss Selina’s own will. But rather than deciding hastily, wouldn’t this be better for everyone?”
Arnold and Freiman locked eyes.
“Yes, that will be sufficient.”
“We will not raise objections, even if Selina makes her decision later.”
Neither man looked away. Each resolved to bring Selina into his own care, no matter what.
“Vacation!”
“Ugh—being freed from that endless studying, I finally feel alive.”
“Doesn’t this second semester feel way shorter than the first?”
“Probably because so much happened. And we had the academic festival too.”
“Sigh, I totally bombed my finals because of that festival.”
After the ceremony, students began packing their belongings and filing out of the dormitories.
“T-T-T-Two hundred gold?!”
At last, the settlement money from The Veiled Lady, sold at the academic festival, had arrived. Seeing such an amount for the first time in her life, Mie’s hands trembled.
“T-This isn’t a dream, right? Selina, pinch my cheek.”
Mie nudged Selina beside her—but no reply came.
Turning her head, she saw Selina standing there blankly with a serious expression.
“What are you doing?”
“…Huh?”
Selina snapped back to her senses and looked at Mie.
“You’re spacing out like you’ve been possessed. Did you have a bad dream or something?”
“Ah, well…”
In truth, the night before, she had heard the outcome of the noble council from Simon and Veronica: during the two-month vacation, she would have to spend one month under each guardian.
It wasn’t a result she liked, and even on such a joyful day, unease lingered.
Looking at Mie’s face, Selina hesitated. Only a handful of people knew about this.
But they would find out eventually—maybe it was better to say it now.
“Um, Mie…”
“There you are! Where on earth were you two? I’ve been looking everywhere.”
Just as Selina was about to tell her, Theodore and Chris approached. In the distance, Sylvia, Sylvester, and Becky were coming as well.
“Weren’t you going to say something?”
At Mie’s question, Selina glanced between her and the approaching Sylvia.
“…It’s nothing. I’ll tell you later.”
“What? That’s anticlimactic.”
Mie brushed it off, packed her things with Chris, and headed out.
As Selina stood watching them, Theodore walked up beside her.
“Shall we get going too? Straight home?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll take you home. Or do you want to stop by my place for a bit? My father said he’d like to meet you—he contacted me about it before.”
“His Holiness Dies? I don’t mind either way.”
“Then let’s go to my place. They’ll have some good food prepared.”
Feeling the warmth of his hand as he held hers, Selina smiled faintly. The anxiety she’d been carrying seemed to melt away.
“Selina! What are you doing during vacation?”
At that moment, the Hailers siblings and Becky approached.
Seeing Sylvia and Sylvester, Selina stiffened.
“…I’m not sure yet. I haven’t decided.”
“It’d be a shame to part like this—want to hang out at our place today?”
“Your place?”
“Yeah. Our parents are in the capital right now. Something must be going on.”
The moment she heard that the Marquis and Marchioness of Hailers were in the capital, Selina’s face hardened.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t today. I already have plans.”
“Really? That’s too bad. We should’ve said something earlier.”
“Then give in this time. You live in the capital anyway—you can see Selina every day.”
Amid the friends’ lighthearted banter, Selina alone wore a dark expression.
“Huh? That’s Mother.”
As they headed toward the carriages, Sylvia muttered softly. Selina flinched and looked up.
In front of a carriage emblazoned with an eagle crest stood Anais, fidgeting nervously.
“Mother!”
Sylvia waved energetically. Upon spotting the children, Anais’s face brightened, and she hurried over.
“Mom, slow do—”
“My child!”
Anais rushed past the laughing Sylvia and embraced Selina instead.
Caught completely off guard, Selina—along with everyone nearby, including Sylvia—stared at Anais in shock.
