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The direct descendants of the Count’s House, excluding the innocent Shione, all share the same habits.

Perhaps it’s because Shione is gentle. When something displeases her, she pouts and protests. Even that can be soothed with a little treat in her mouth and a gentle pat.

The others, however, have personalities that are quite the opposite. Whenever they get annoyed, their expressions and actions all mirror each other.

‘They exude a vibe that can freeze someone in place.’

I still can’t forget Ainel’s expression when I first met Shione, like a chilling glare.

A deadly cold expression, with narrowed eyes. An indifferent blue gaze filled with intent to pierce through and dismantle the opponent. Moreover, crossed arms, reflecting a heavy mood.

Now, Sion is just like that. Perhaps it’s too reminiscent of my younger brother, who used to spit thorns at me. Thus, Shione opened her mouth more carefully than usual.

“…It seems like the discussion didn’t yield much good, did it, Sion?”

“It’s not that we got nothing from it—it’s just that I heard something that shouldn’t happen at the Royal Academy. You would be shocked if you heard it too, sister.”

“Hasn’t something that shouldn’t happen already happened?”

“That’s true, but… something greater is entangled in this, and it seems like it will keep getting tangled. Just listen.”

Sion scratched the back of his head and complained.

“All the additional training sessions planned for this semester have been canceled. They said once the current ones wrap up, they’ll be postponed until the situation is resolved. I didn’t think that would be the case, especially after staying behind to keep an eye on Evan.”

“Sion… isn’t that more serious than the cultists showing up?”

Sion… no matter how I look at it, it seems odd that the cultists crawling out of the Academy would be more important than the competitive relationship between my brother-in-law and Evan.

When Shione and I exchanged blank stares, he cleared his throat a few times, masking his disappointment.

“…The important thing is the reason why the training was canceled.”

“The fact that you mention a separate reason means it’s not simply because of the cultists’ appearance.”

“Exactly, Sir Ray.”

Something smells fishy.

After all, the Count’s precious son should be worried about his life at the Royal Academy right now. The reason can’t be ordinary.

“I’ve heard there might be a traitor colluding with the cultists inside the Royal Academy. I don’t know if it’s external or internal personnel, but I’ve been told that a professor is currently under suspicion.”

To think a professor could be involved… that’s an even bigger bombshell than I anticipated.

‘A professor might be colluding with cultists?’

The position a professor holds at the Academy is significant.

Professors contribute to the education of talent and the advancement of the kingdom’s studies. They need to pass tests from the Headmaster and the royal tests before they can act as professors.

‘A professor shouldn’t be easily swayed by a cultist’s sweet words.’

It’s strange enough that someone who has undergone rigorous ideological scrutiny by the royal family would join forces with them.

Moreover, having a professor on the suspect list is shocking, but there was something even stranger.

“Sion, I’m sorry, but the fact that the headmaster shared such important information with you raises suspicions.”

Shione’s remark was identical to mine.

Even if Sion has experienced war, he’s merely a cadet at the Academy. What might he have done as an incomplete talent to be entrusted with such crucial information?

“I said this at the beginning, sister. Something great is entangled and will keep entangling.”

Sion is a noble. This doesn’t mean Shione isn’t a noble too, but he has grown up avoiding contacts with cultists and retainers since he was young. He’s the kind of person who can quickly use insights honed through trained coldness if the need arises.

With an exceedingly serious expression, he spoke.

“There was a command and message from Your Highness Princess Adelhaite. It seems the princess’s influence has been quite substantial at the Academy recently. It looks like she had a channel to communicate smoothly with the headmaster.”

Adelhaite Aisiliah. A princess born with the royal family’s legitimacy deeply inherited. A woman with mesmerizing eyes that seem to unveil the destiny of others.

I didn’t expect to hear the name of the next queen pop up so suddenly.

“If our Count’s House requests it, information concerning the current situation will be provided without hesitation. I don’t know the princess’s intentions, but thanks to her, the headmaster also conveyed words left by the princess.”

“Did the message come to us?”

“Yes.”

The order given by the princess to the headmaster was to provide information if our Count’s House requested it.

Since the Count’s House is part of the royalist faction supporting the royal family, had she given a direct order, we would have leaped into action to eradicate cultists without much resistance. I can’t help but wonder why only such orders were given.

“The message was, ‘I have prepared something there, but sometimes wouldn’t it be better if it changes according to your will?’”

It was a puzzling statement.

A phrase that could have different meanings for its readers.

If I follow Sion’s line of thought, it seems the princess recently exerted some influence at the Academy, managing the royalist headmaster while navigating her own desires.

From the headmaster’s perspective, her message might signal that she allows sacrifices of what he has achieved to resolve this matter.

‘This seems like it’s meant for me.’

Moreover, if such a message was left for us instead of the headmaster, then it seems like no one else could say such a thing apart from me.

It appears that she has already grasped that Shione and I are at the Academy.

Lost in thought while mulling over Sion’s recounting of the princess’s message.

‘The princess knows I’m altering destiny.’

She must have directly witnessed how my quests or incidents weave fates with her lilac eyes.

In fact, she’s the one who confirmed with her own eyes that her fate of being stabbed and killed could be altered.

It seems like she’s been preparing some sort of countermeasure against the impending crisis at the Academy using her abilities.

‘She said it would be better if it changed according to your will.’

Fundamentally, she seeks to observe and comprehend the fates of others. At some point, she must have prepared for a situation that would indirectly protect the Academy.

However, even if she can see fate, the princess had always seemed incapable of actively steering her fate in a more desirable direction.

The preparations she made might indicate readiness for a lesser evil rather than the worst-case scenario… the uncertainties are vast.

Thus, this could very well imply that it’s okay for me to step in and alter her plans.

But—

‘I lack information on the princess’s abilities.’

It’s impossible for me to gauge how much of the turmoil at the Academy she has read with her own eyes.

I have no knowledge of how accurately her foresight works or if there are fluctuations in her abilities.

Even more so, considering that a person who should have already died is still alive now. It’s safe to say that the paths she influences are inextricably tied to new destinies being forged.

If she possesses greater abilities than I assume and what she’s prepared isn’t a lesser evil, but a sufficient solution…

There’s no need for me to disrupt what the princess has already set in motion.

‘Her words are so vague, and I have no clue how far her abilities extend…’

In a situation where we’ve only tossed around ideas, she casually throws out such statements without elaboration.

That’s just cruel.

Having an archer who excels in magic think deeply about matters is an overwhelming task.

‘Nobles are.’

They love crafting complex sentences unnecessarily, causing trouble.

Someone help me, it’s okay. Just saying one of these two would wrap things up neatly. Yet, she’s making me choose for no reason.

I guess the noble elite who wield sweet-tongued mental magic is indeed different.

“And also—”

Sion’s discourse showed no signs of ending.

From how the headmaster is understandably furious to the current situation he obtained through him. How the remaining cadets at the Academy would fare before things got sorted. Even more details about the royal family sending additional knights and wizards for support.

As he chattered on about various topics, he frowned and said.

“The headmaster expressed a desire to meet with you and Sir Ray if possible.”

It seems clear that the headmaster’s thoughts are not very much to my liking.

*

From our conversation with Sion, we did not reach a definitive conclusion on whether we would actively help with the eradication plan.

Despite my deep contemplation over the princess’s message.

‘It seems that I have no choice but to assist the Academy.’

Regardless of what the princess’s preparations or intentions are. Even if she doesn’t have to assist, it’s better if she does. How could we draw back after saying that?

Supporting the royalists of the Count’s House, Shianella Count House. Given the future queen’s subtle remarks, I couldn’t simply shake my head coldly.

After concluding a minor summit among the Count’s Houses, Shione and I decided to cool our heads, which were currently heated.

As we were heading back to our lodging.

“Lady Shione, what are you hiding?”

Shione, who had vanished for a moment claiming she would go somewhere, reappeared with something hidden in her arms.

“I-I’m not hiding anything!”

“The clothing looks a bit bulgy. Anyone would think it’s suspicious.”

“What on earth is bulging? Not at all!”

My gaze inadvertently fell to Shione’s chest.

“It looks like there are three lumps there now. If you’re hiding something, it might be better to hide it somewhere else, not in your cleavage.”

“Shut up…!”

What on earth did she go and procure to be so eager to hide it from me?

In the end, I hurriedly matched her fast-paced steps.

After finally arriving at the lodging, she revealed the hidden item.

“Tada!”

What she had hidden in her clothes turned out to be alcohol.

“I heard alcohol is the best when your head feels dizzy.”

“Who told you that?”

“Lady Diolia.”

“Your captain has made a mistake. Shione gets even more heated when she drinks.”

“…”

“Don’t you remember? When you got drunk at the coming-of-age ceremony… you were so excited—”

Shione grabbed hold of the bottle.

To think a food meant for indulgence had turned into a dangerous weapon directed at me.

The scariest part was Shione clenching her jaw while suppressing her embarrassment.

“…How about we set that down first before we talk.”

“Set the table. By the window.”

“…”

“Quickly.”

Following Shione’s command, I swiftly moved the table and chairs to set the place up.

Since it’s an expensive accommodation, wine glasses are prepared in the cabinet within the room. Thanks to that, we could avoid the fail of pouring wine into regular cups.

While we slowly shared our thoughts about this matter and the princess’s intentions.

“Hyuk…! Uugh….”

How much she drank to begin hiccuping now.

Her face began to flush rapidly as the hiccups started.

I realized once more while watching Shione.

“Oh.”

How much she couldn’t handle her alcohol.

 

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