MMLP 18

Chapter 18

The moment I entered the office, Wilhelm skipped greetings and went straight to the point, reporting how Pfefferkues had evaluated my class performance.

“They say history will change. That a legendary genius has appeared.”

His voice carried more weight than usual, as though he himself had heard such praise directly. Naturally, as my guardian, it made sense for him to feel proud—but at this rate, I might really end up kidnapped by the academy.

This is troublesome… How am I supposed to confess that I’m actually an idiot?

I lowered my head, tears welling up, trying to reduce the soaring expectations.

“Um… I actually have a confession.”

“What is it? Tell me what troubles you.”

“The truth is… I memorized the lesson in advance. It wasn’t skill—it was cheating.”

It was practically the same as saying I’d smuggled a cheat sheet into class, except it was in my head.

“I was too scared to admit it to the teacher, but I felt I had to be honest with you… I’m sorry. I won’t ever do it again.”

“…Hmm.”

Wilhelm stroked his chin, as if wondering where to even begin teaching such a pure-hearted soul.

“Levietta. Was this truly the first class you ever attended?”

“Yes. I could read things through newsletters, but I’d never had a proper lesson before.”

“Then you wouldn’t know about preparation either?”

“Preparation?”

“Studying the lesson in advance is called preparation. You didn’t do wrong—you showed the attitude of an exemplary student.”

“So… you’re forgiving me?”

I fidgeted with my fingers in feigned worry. Suddenly, he burst into booming laughter. Hahaha! His laugh echoed like thunder.

“No. I’ll give you a punishment.”

Opening a desk drawer, he handed me something.

“This is…”

A white bridle decorated with ribbons.

“It’s about time the flowers in your vase are replaced. As promised, I’ll give you your own means of transportation.”

“A horse for me to ride?”

“Would you like to meet it now, at the pasture?”

“Yes, yes! I want to see it!”

My very first horse—what would it look like?

With a pounding heart, I headed toward the pasture.

Mikhail Grimroar tucked the finished letter into his inner pocket. The faint scent of flowers lingered on the paper, perhaps from perfume.

“I knew you’d be slacking off in the backyard. Hey, Mikhail! Let’s make a bet. With you, we’ll be four—perfect number—and the stakes are high.”

At the voice calling out, Mikhail leapt down from the tree. Now that he was older, the dust rose higher than it had when he was younger.

It had been three years since he entered the knight-training academy at age ten. His mind was still stuck in that springtime of childhood, but his body had grown—and he mimicked adulthood.

“No thanks. Do your silly games without me.”

“Where are you going? Don’t tell me… to class?”

Even just walking toward the dorm would have been enough of an answer, but Mikhail deliberately turned around, making his intentions clear.

“A knight fights for those dear to him. I’ve had my fill of theory—now it’s time for action. To destroy the vermin bullying my little sister, I’ll return home for a while.”

None of the instructors dared stop the young lord of the Grimroars, so Mikhail confidently packed his things, mounted a horse, and left the academy.

Levietta, Grimroar? How dare something like that call itself Grimroar? The funniest thing I’ve ever heard.

And the most infuriating.

The favorable wind only fueled his anger further. If his horse maintained this gallop, he would arrive at the Grimroar duchy before the scent of flowers faded from the letter.

Soon after, I arrived at the pasture…

“Don’t get too close. I’ll hold it down, and you attach the bridle.”

Wilhelm warned me, but that wasn’t the problem.

The horse he showed me truly was a splendid white steed, worthy of the bridle. Its snow-white mane flowed in the breeze, like a scene out of a masterpiece painting.

Handsome, even for a horse.

A strong, elegant build.

…Wings on its back.

…A horn on its head.

I twitched my lip and asked,

“My lord… This isn’t a horse, it’s… you know, a unicorn.”

“Unicorn?”

He glanced at the horse and tilted his head, then smiled gently, as though remembering I was only nine.

“You must have been deeply moved by fairy tales. That creature doesn’t exist in reality.”

So he couldn’t see the horn or wings?

Even Zerodines, usually silent, spoke up beside me. If he stepped in, it must have been frustrating to watch.

—I can’t see them either. Unicorns reveal their true form only to young girls. A pity I can’t expose you for the sly villainess you are.

Always has to add some venom along with the facts.

I glared at him, then approached the horse with the bridle. Wilhelm flinched.

“Dangerous. I’ll pin it down, and you—”

“It’s fine. It won’t struggle.”

Revealing its true form meant goodwill.

As I drew closer, the unicorn lowered its head, making it easy for me to fasten the bridle. Just as I expected.

“Oh? This fellow once put three warhorses out of commission, yet he seems to recognize his master.”

A male, then. Once the bridle and saddle were on, he looked like a proper mount.

He even knelt down, folding his legs to make it easier for me to climb. Thanks to that, I mounted safely without Wilhelm’s help.

The unicorn wasn’t too large either—perfectly suited for me.

“Have you decided on a name?”

“Yes. Rosinante.”

For a unicorn neither old nor shabby, it was an oddly ill-fitting name. Wilhelm asked again, puzzled.

“Rosinante?”

As horse names go, it was textbook—but in this empire, giving such a name to an animal could be considered insulting to royalty.

But I had my reasons.

If I name him this way, it’ll create an opening later.

When the time came to approach the spy Rosinante deliberately, I would need the seed already planted.

Operation ‘Pursue a Manufactured Encounter’!

If you leave things to fate, when will you ever meet eyes, fall in love, and marry—only to sell off your husband for a handsome bounty? Love requires effort and dedication.

“He’s swift and healthy, so the name feels strange. Why that choice? Surely it’s not because of the prince with the same name?”

“It is related. I’m interested in Prince Rosinante.”

Splutter! Wilhelm choked at my bombshell declaration.

I asked with concern,

“My lord, are you all right?”

“…I’m fine. But what did you mean just now?”

“After a private conversation with him, I found we got along well. I’d like to grow closer.”

“Ah… a friend.”

“And if our feelings match, I wouldn’t mind marrying him.”

This time his coughing fit was even longer. It looked serious—was he going to die earlier than expected?

I dismounted. The damp earth smelled stronger. I remembered hearing somewhere that strange scents appear when someone’s about to die.

Terrified, I shouted in haste,

“Let’s get inside!”

The sky darkened, silver-gray and heavy. The clouds dragged their weight across the land, sprinkling rain.

Puddles quickly filled the paving stones, and the smell of earth and grass spread. It was the kind of weather where frogs might start croaking—yet only thunder rolled.

Flash. One, two, three—BOOM!

The view was mesmerizing, but the draft sneaking through the window frame was too strong. I shut the curtains and stepped back.

“A shower as soon as we came inside—close call.”