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Chapter 97
In fact, there was no reason for Edward to personally make this visit.
It would have been enough to have one of the many palace servants send a letter expressing his wishes to Saint John College, but Edward said he would go himself.
Perhaps because he had behaved without rebelling until now, Emperor Ivan easily allowed him to go out.
‘First, get the offer to repeat the year. Then ask Senior Genevieve what she wants.’
The order was different from his original plan, but this was his only chance.
As Edward rode in the carriage toward the college, he watched the scenery outside change from moment to moment and remembered the conversation he had with his father before leaving the Imperial Palace.
‘Why did you choose Saint John College? Was there something wrong with the teaching staff?’
He was neither questioning Edward angrily nor trying to suppress his anger.
The voice was filled with genuine curiosity, making it clear that anyone could tell this was simply a question because he wanted to know.
The reason Edward had decided to continue his studies at the college was—apart from a little personal motive—the political views of the teachers, which were completely different from his own.
But he did not answer honestly.
After experiencing his father for a short time, Edward decided that it was better to give him the answer he wanted to hear.
‘I can build connections at the college.’
As expected, it was an answer that perfectly pleased the practical-minded Emperor Ivan.
‘……Ahaha! They said you were smart, and they were right. Yes, connections are important. More importantly, it matters who you build those connections with.’
The question clearly meant, ‘Who are you going to build connections with?’
Edward mentioned several major families of the Emperor’s faction.
Meyer, Turner, Henderson, and so on……
They were the families of the people who had bullied him around Charles Collins.
He wanted to bite his tongue for speaking those names so casually.
‘I think you are better than Randolph in that regard. Yes, it is better to leave the past in the past. There is no need to stir things up and make the situation worse. It would only be a waste of time.’
It seemed that Emperor Ivan had already finished investigating his forgotten son. He let slip words that suggested he knew about Edward’s bullying.
“……I have no intention of doing that.”
Remembering the Emperor he had once liked while hearing that answer, Edward muttered to himself.
He wanted to think positively by repeating to himself that the power of the parents was also the power of their children, but he could not.
How could every single person who had bullied him belong to the Emperor’s faction?
Edward clenched his fist.
Perhaps Emperor Ivan was worried that Edward had a bad impression of his supporters.
The private tutors who had taught him were extremely biased, regardless of their abilities. They all criticized the nobles’ faction with such unity that it almost felt like they were trying to brainwash him.
The more they did that, the more Edward came to think that the Blythe family was better than any of the other families in the Emperor’s faction.
“Your Highness, we have arrived.”
Just then, the coachman, who had been driving the carriage since Bilzen, announced their arrival, breaking Edward out of his thoughts.
Edward looked at the familiar scenery.
After the semester had ended somehow, he had never had a reason to visit Saint John College again.
The college looked strangely warm under the summer sunlight, but whenever he entered the shade of the trees, it became cool again, just as he remembered.
The college seemed different, yet it was exactly the same as before.
Judging by the metal structures covering the walls, it seemed that construction work on the facilities, which could not be done during the semester, had begun again.
“Your Highness Edward, please come inside.”
Thanks to the advance notice, Principal Declan was waiting for Edward in a prepared state.
“……It has been a while, Principal.”
Edward had not expected Principal Declan to come out personally, so he did his best to act naturally as he followed him.
“I have been waiting for you. Please come in.”
Principal Declan spoke politely.
“Thank you for coming personally, Your Highness. I was very surprised when I received your letter. Such a thing rarely happens, so I prepared as much as I could. If there is anything lacking, I hope you will kindly understand…… Haha.”
“……”
It felt strange.
Principal Declan, who always looked stern and was so difficult to see outside of school events, was now doing everything he could to humble himself before Edward.
“And…… I immediately expelled Charles Collins. The college will also do its best to make sure that such a thing never happens to any student again.”
Principal Declan spoke carefully after mentioning the history of the college, something Edward had heard at every entrance ceremony.
Principal Declan looked nervous.
He had no idea whether Edward would continue attending Saint John College or leave.
He had not heard anything.
Even his promise to ‘do his best’ was ultimately meant to persuade Edward to stay.
For any school, having a member of the Imperial Family or a royal family as a student was a great honor as well as a great benefit.
Having a member of the Imperial Family attend the school instead of receiving lessons from imperial tutors was proof and a source of pride that the education here was that good.
The increasing demand, along with the astronomical donations that naturally followed, meant that in Principal Declan’s eyes, Edward was nothing less than a piece of luck he could not afford to lose.
He entered Principal Declan’s office.
Principal Declan gladly gave Edward the best seat and served him the coffee he had prepared in advance.
Edward took a sip of coffee while watching Principal Declan desperately trying to hide his trembling hands.
‘It’s too hot.’
As he felt as though his tongue might burn, Edward frowned.
“Are you all right?”
Principal Declan asked in great surprise.
“Yes. Please put the napkin away.”
Edward said this while looking at the napkin in his hand.
If Edward had not stopped him, Principal Declan looked ready to wipe the corner of his mouth with it.
“I’ll get straight to the point.”
Edward immediately brought up the main subject.
Principal Declan, who had become accustomed to the noble way of speaking indirectly, became extremely alert when Edward got to the point only a minute after sitting down.
“I intend to graduate from this college.”
Edward spoke plainly.
Principal Declan’s expression immediately brightened.
“Thank you for deciding to continue attending Saint John College. We are simply delighted that such a talented student as Your Highness will continue studying here. Thanks to that…….”
Like someone whose tension had finally disappeared, Principal Declan smiled and began talking about the college’s promises.
At the same time, he mentioned the special treatment Edward would receive, while a celebration was already taking place inside his head.
“However.”
Edward poured cold water over that celebration.
“There is a condition.”
“What condition is that?”
Principal Declan asked.
“I want to talk about Genevieve Darling.”
Edward said this.
Judging by the change in Principal Declan’s emotions that was clearly visible on his face, there was no doubt that he was the one who was disappointed now.
“Ah…… about Genevieve.”
Principal Declan muttered awkwardly at the sudden appearance of a third person’s name.
“How can I help you?”
But he soon changed his attitude and asked.
“I heard that Senior Genevieve, no…… Genevieve Darling refused the offer to repeat the year.”
Edward said.
“That is correct. The parents, I mean…… Since she is no longer a student, I suppose I should say that we received an answer from the Darling family. Unfortunately, they refused the offer to repeat the year. From the college’s point of view, it was a very generous offer…… but it seems she did not like it.”
Principal Declan said something so innocent that it did not suit his age.
Edward gave a small smile as if he found it ridiculous while looking at the sly old man.
“I want Genevieve Darling to take the exam again. She was unavoidably held back in the capital. The school should also know the reason she was absent……”
Edward looked at Principal Declan as he spoke.
Even if Genevieve was simply offered the chance to repeat the year again, it would already be a success.
But Edward deliberately made a greater demand first.
‘If she can take the exam again, that would be good. If that doesn’t work, I’ll have to go with my original goal.’
Edward quickly organized his thoughts beneath his calm expression.
“Yes, of course we know. We are simply grateful that our student did not become involved in that tragedy……. But that would be difficult. We must not set a bad precedent.”
“Is it really that difficult?”
Edward deliberately asked once more.
“It is difficult. Even if it is an order from Your Highness, it is difficult. Moreover, it is currently vacation, so many foreign professors have already returned to their home countries, making it difficult to bring them back. But……”
Edward quietly waited for Principal Declan to continue.
“It would be an unusual case…… but we can recommend that she repeat the year again.”
“……”
The words Edward had been hoping to hear had finally come out.
When Principal Declan said those words himself, Edward desperately tried to hide how excited he was.
Instead of answering immediately, he pretended to be lost in thought.
“It is unfortunate…… but I understand. I think that will be enough.”
After keeping silent for a short while, Edward spoke in a disappointed voice.
“The college will contact Genevieve again, then.”
Only then did Principal Declan let out a deep sigh of relief that could not be heard.
Then Edward answered firmly to Principal Declan’s final words.
“No, there is no need.”
“What? Then……”
“I’ll tell her myself.”
Edward said with a faint smile.
