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Chapter 12
While going to the academy, I talked with Raiden. When there was no conversation, we both read books. By the time we reached a small city, it was already night.
Raiden naturally found a hotel and went inside. When we reached the entrance, there were people there. The hotel we would stay in was small in size, but the interior was more luxurious than others.
“Raiden Pellis.”
Raiden introduced his identity and showed the family emblem. After the recent title promotion, the Emperor had chosen a blue butterfly as the Pellis family symbol. The blue butterfly was a symbol of wealth in the Sushian Empire.
“Oh my, it’s the young master.”
The hotel staff bowed after seeing Raiden.
“And the lady beside you must be Celia Roel.”
The staff immediately recognized me as well. Since I was only engaged, my surname was still Roel.
“Do you have three rooms?”
“Yes, we do.”
It seemed they were preparing rooms for the knights and the coachman, and one room for Raiden and me. The staff handed us the room key. The square key, made with magic, would activate the lights in the room when placed into a box.
I quickly took the key and went to the top floor room. As soon as I entered, I started unpacking. The hotel provided toiletries, but I had brought my own.
After forcing away my tiredness, I removed my makeup and even took a shower. Wearing a robe, I was drying my hair with a towel when I heard a knock on the door. It seemed like Raiden.
I quickly put on an outer coat and went to the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Raiden.”
I opened the door. He was standing there in a coat and held out his hand.
“This is your meal ticket for tomorrow. I forgot to give it to you earlier.”
“It’s okay. Thank you.”
This hotel required a meal ticket for breakfast.
I looked at him for a moment. It looked like he had just taken a bath—his hair was wet, and his cheeks were slightly red. Seeing him like that made my heart flutter.
“Thank you.”
I gently touched his hair. Instinctively, he stepped back.
“You must never do things like that.”
“But it’s my way of showing affection…”
“Celia.”
“Alright.”
Raiden looked slightly sulky. I wanted to mess up his hair, but I held back.
He really doesn’t understand my affection.
“See you tomorrow!”
I smiled and closed the door.
When the academy entrance came into view, Raiden and I got off the carriage. Carriages were not allowed inside the academy. From there, we had to walk.
Raiden looked around the academy curiously.
“Where is the principal’s office?”
“Over there.”
I pointed to a nearby building.
“I read in the newspaper that the principal always praised Celia. I suppose a talented Celia must have been well-loved.”
“How do you know that?”
“I read it in the newspaper.”
He even read things like that. But how did he remember it? The last time I was in the newspaper was four years ago.
I suppressed my thoughts and looked at him.
“The principal was very kind to me.”
As I said that, I tucked my hair behind my ear. The soft wind felt nicer than before, brushing gently through my hair.
The principal’s office was not far, so we arrived quickly.
“Who are you?”
A man stood at the entrance checking identities.
“Celia Roel, graduate.”
“Please show your student ID.”
Even after graduation, you needed your student ID to enter the academy. I handed it over, and he verified it with magic.
“You may enter.”
The door opened. Raiden followed closely behind me. Soon, a large door to the principal’s office appeared.
“Let’s go in together.”
At my words, Raiden looked tense. He always became like this when meeting people around me.
When we entered, a white-haired tall man stood in the sunlight. He was the academy principal.
“Oh, Lady Celia.”
The principal looked at me.
“I heard you would come in early spring.”
“I was late because of the engagement ceremony. I’m sorry.”
“No need.”
He smiled warmly.
“By the way, is the person behind you your fiancé?”
“Raiden Pellis.”
Raiden stepped forward and greeted him.
“So you followed Celia here? How admirable, taking care of your fiancée.”
The principal said in a pleasant voice. Raiden bowed slightly and smiled.
“I’ll take my leave. Celia, see you later.”
After bowing again, Raiden left. Only the principal and I remained. The wind from the open window gently moved his hair.
He made me sit and ordered tea. After it was served, we both took a sip.
“About your scholarship, what will you do with it?”
“I plan to save it.”
I answered naturally.
“Hmm, I see. Your fiancé followed you all the way here.”
“Raiden admires the academy. He also wanted to greet people I know.”
“The Pellis family seems to care a lot about you.”
“They treat me very well.”
The principal smiled.
“Celia is a talented person. If they don’t treat you well, they will lose.”
“It’s not that much…”
“You should have more confidence in yourself.”
He always encouraged me, even in letters when I was struggling. I was grateful again.
“Thank you.”
I smiled brightly at his kind words.
After leaving the principal, Raiden was waiting outside.
“Did you receive your scholarship well?”
I showed him the cheque.
“It’s not a large amount.”
“Isn’t this almost double a full scholarship?”
“I ranked first in the graduation exam.”
“Celia’s ability is dazzling.”
I blushed at his praise and shook my head.
We met the professors next. Those who cared for me told Raiden to take good care of me.
After meeting all of them, it was time for me to show him the academy.
“I’m really excited.”
He looked genuinely thrilled. I thought of where to take him and looked back at him.
“The academy is big. Let’s start with the well-known places.”
I walked slowly. Raiden followed behind me.
Next to the principal’s office was a garden, a famous dating spot for students. But since the semester hadn’t started yet, there were few students.
A stone arch bridge stood in the middle. Raiden looked down at the flowing water below. The water led to a lake.
It was well known that there was a lake inside the academy.
“There is a legend that if lovers walk by the lake together, they will be happy forever.”
He looked at me and asked,
“Did Celia often come here?”
“Sometimes, alone.”
“With a lover?”
“I didn’t have time for that.”
The wind rippled across the lake. I stayed silent for a moment.
What will happen from now on?
One thing was certain—I was now in a position to help Raiden. After all my efforts, I hoped fate would change even slightly.
“I used to walk alone and clear my thoughts when they became complicated.”
“Me too.”
I looked up, surprised.
“I have actually been here once.”
“Then you know the legend?”
“I didn’t know that.”
Raiden came closer and looked at me seriously.
“I want to live happily with Celia.”
His words made me sad.
If I didn’t know the future, maybe I could have dreamed the same thing.
“Me too.”
“That’s not something you should say with that expression.”
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
“It looks very sad.”
He gently touched my cheek, then kissed the back of my hand. Holding my hand, he walked with me around the lake, as if following the legend. My heart beat strangely fast, wondering if he could feel it too.
The wind moved softly over the lake, as if comforting me.
