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Chapter 13 – After confirming that Undine was no longer in sight, I stepped out of the bedroom.
Six maids and butlers trailed behind me as I crossed the lobby.
Footsteps echoed chaotically across the marble floor.
“Butler, prepare the academy admission documents and all necessary supplies for Piace.”
“You’ve already decided on her admission? But you haven’t even attended an observation yet.”
“She’s going to end up attending anyway.”
“…Did the young lady say she wanted to attend the academy?”
“No.”
Because the story won’t progress otherwise.
The butler, mistakenly believing I had made a unilateral decision, didn’t question further.
“Milady, here it is.”
A maid following behind handed me a clutch. Like the dress, it was golden.
I took the clutch and casually tucked it under my arm.
“You made sure to submit the class observation request properly, right?”
“Yes, since the observation program didn’t exist, I recommended its implementation.”
“…And?”
“It was implemented.”
The butler’s tone was so nonchalant it sounded like he was saying, “I watered the plants.”
But it couldn’t have been easy to create a new system in just a few days—especially in a conservative institution like the academy.
“From now on, parents will be able to observe classes once a year.”
“I’m not a parent, though.”
“You may observe anytime, Milady.”
[Step 2: (Casually touching your earring) What did we promise them again?]
Huh? What did we promise the academy? And why?
Following the prompt, the butler replied without hesitation.
“We agreed to fund the entire construction of the equestrian grounds and donate fifty horses.”
“……”
Whether in real life or fiction, money really does make anything possible.
I used to just watch the rich throw money around, but now I was the one throwing it. The feeling was… strange.
“They’ll probably ask for a final confirmation when we meet today.”
“I expect so.”
As we stepped out of the estate, Piace was waiting in front of the carriage.
“D-Duke, ah, hello.”
She grabbed the hem of her dress and gave a small, curtsy-like bow.
The soft pink dress, styled hair twisted into twin buns on the crown of her head—it all suited her perfectly.
The white ribbon around her neck and the one tying her hair were a matching pair.
They elevated her already-adorable charm to the next level.
[Step 1: (Scan Piace up and down with a scoff) What a disaster… Replace her dresser.]
“Give a reward to whoever dressed Piace.”
“…Excuse me?”
I stared coldly, and the butler quickly composed himself.
“Y-Yes, as you wish. How many attendants shall accompany you?”
“One.”
“…Considering the recent royal incident, I suggest five.”
“One.”
“What about three? For minimum safety, at least—”
I turned and boarded the carriage before he could finish.
“Luna, come.”
“Yes, Milady!”
As the butler hesitated, Luna lifted Piace into the carriage and climbed in after her.
The carriage rolled forward.
The Academy
The academy was located within imperial grounds.
Only children of nobles residing in the capital were eligible to enroll, so many provincial nobles entrusted their domains to deputies and moved to the capital.
The academy building was a single structure.
But it was anything but modest—its grandeur was overwhelming.
A massive central clock was flanked by towering spires. An elegant domed roof crowned the structure.
The stonework of the outer walls was astonishingly intricate.
I gaped at the sculptures adorning the eaves, carved as if to guard the building.
Everywhere I looked, I was surrounded by the height of ornate and majestic architecture.
“Feels like I’m at some cathedral in Europe.”
I glanced behind me.
Luna and Piace were staring blankly at the building in awe.
Their dazed expressions were adorable, and I was smiling to myself when a voice addressed me.
“Magnificent, isn’t it? It moves me every time I see it.”
An elderly man spoke.
His wild white hair reminded me of a famous scientist.
“It’s been two years since we last met, hasn’t it? How have you been?”
The man smiled broadly, revealing a large gap where his front teeth used to be.
As I stared at the gap, he scratched his head.
“There was a lab accident during an experiment… Ahem! Welcome to the academy, Duke Ybrante.”
He seemed to know me well. I, on the other hand, had never seen him before in my life.
As expected, the hack author hadn’t given me any intel about him.
But I’d come prepared.
“That’s why I did my homework beforehand.”
His name was Oswald Franklin, an Expert-level mage and the academy’s headmaster.
“It’s been a while, Headmaster.”
“I’ve heard you’ve made a significant decision for the academy. On behalf of the institution, thank you.”
He must’ve already discussed it with the butler and was now looking for my final confirmation.
I didn’t expect him to bring it up so openly, though.
“Reminds me of Ruthpell.”
Well, compared to Ruthpell, this old man was pretty mild.
Not that someone like Ruthpell would ever become a headmaster anyway.
“I spoke with my butler, but I’m still not sure it’s the right call.”
“As you know, our academy offers the best facilities and elite instruction to a carefully selected few. You won’t regret your donation.”
“You’re stating the obvious. That’s not what I’m curious about.”
“Then… what would you like to know specifically?”
“Will the equestrian grounds follow the same architectural style as the main building?”
“Of course. The plans were made long ago, but we were delayed due to budget constraints.”
“Good. I’ll donate.”
“Oh-ho, how generous you are, Duke!”
I gave Oswald a brief smile and motioned toward the child beside me.
“Piace Ybrante. She’s the child I’m sponsoring.”
“What a delightful young lady! I’ve never seen anyone pull off a pink dress and twin buns so perfectly! Wait—her choker and ribbon are a matching set! Absolutely flawless!”
…This old man and I might actually share some taste.
Piace hesitated, then grabbed her skirt and gave a cute little greeting.
“H-Hello. Uh… G-Grand… Grandpa?”
She didn’t know what to call him.
Her voice trailed off, and she looked up at me, her little fingers fidgeting.
“So. Cute.”
I quickly forced down the smile tugging at my lips and kept a cold expression.
“I’m a ruthless, unsentimental guardian. I don’t fall for cute little antics. I’m cold-blooded.”
Still, I wasn’t alone in this struggle. Oswald had already melted halfway.
He knelt down to meet Piace’s eye level.
Even though his cloak trailed in the dirt, he didn’t care.
“You can call me Grandpa. I suppose I am a grandpa. Piace, why don’t you give it a try, hmm?”
Piace hesitated but then smiled sweetly.
“Hehe… G-Grandpa.”
“Yes, that’s right! Shall we explore the academy with Grandpa?”
As Oswald extended his hand, Piace looked up at me—asking with her eyes if it was okay to take it.
[Step 2: (Arrogantly) I assume I get to choose which classes she attends?]
Maintaining a controlled expression, I followed the prompt.
“I assume I get to choose which classes she’ll attend?”
“Of course. At 10, we have basic magic and swordsmanship. At 10:30, there’s an architecture course. Which would you like to observe?”
“What about theology?”
“Ah, unfortunately, theology is only offered in the afternoon today… Piace, are you interested in theology?”
Oswald smiled kindly as he asked.
But Piace just blinked, not knowing what theology even was.
She fiddled with her dress nervously, then nodded with exaggerated enthusiasm.
She lied because she didn’t want me to feel awkward. That sweetness drew a long sigh from me.
Piace probably wasn’t interested in magic or swordsmanship. Architecture followed by theology would be a reasonable schedule.
I was donating a massive amount to this academy. Observing two classes wasn’t too much to ask.
“Then, let’s go to the architec—”
[Step 3: Choose the magic class instead.]
