Chapter 57
In his hand was a ring.
A simple silver band, neither adorned with jewels nor crafted with intricate detail.
But it was clear how dearly it had been cherished—the condition was pristine.
“…A ring?”
Rudiana asked, absentmindedly examining the ring she had just received.
“My mother left it to me. Could you keep it for me until I return?”
“That’s not possible.”
Speaking with a feigned sternness, Rudiana stretched out her hand, gripping the ring tightly.
But Karlos merely covered her hand with his own.
Startled by how broad and steady his palm was—hardly believable that they were the same age—Rudiana flinched as he stepped closer.
“Rudi, I’ll come back as someone more worthy of standing at your side.”
“Karl…”
“I like you.”
The hand that held hers trembled faintly. That trembling was so achingly tender that Rudiana couldn’t bring herself to look up at his face.
“Go on the path you’ve chosen. Instead, let me be the one to guard your side.”
A short silence fell, and just as Rudiana’s lips parted to speak, Karlos hurriedly stopped her.
“No, don’t say anything. Not now. Wait until I return. Then… we’ll talk then.”
“……”
She felt the hard calluses of his palm press against her lips. His voice wavered—so unlike the strength of his touch—that Rudiana found herself unable to say anything back.
“…Alright.”
All she could do was postpone the inevitable answer.
Pulling down the firm hand that had silenced her, Rudiana smiled.
“Come back safely.”
“Yeah.”
Karlos’s long lashes quivered faintly. Rudiana ignored the bitter taste rising in her mouth.
The little ring in her hand somehow felt burning hot.
“Did you say… the Eastern Academy?”
“Yes.”
Before the emperor’s throne, Christina knelt and bowed her head.
“Didn’t I tell you not to draw attention to yourself?”
Resting his head lazily on one hand, Kashimir frowned. His voice, usually impassive, now rumbled low with irritation, showing his displeasure without disguise.
“Even if I enroll in the Eastern Academy, how could the likes of me ever overshadow Your Majesty’s radiance?”
“Hmph.”
“I only wish to serve as Your Majesty’s eyes and ears.”
Forcing her trembling voice into steadiness, Christina pressed her head even lower.
Since attending Rudiana’s birthday party, she had been exchanging letters with her almost daily. They were nothing more than simple updates about their days, but before long, Christina realized she eagerly awaited each reply.
‘So this… this is what having a friend feels like?’
The mere act of sharing words brought her joy. For the first time, she understood the friendships she had only read about in books.
It was Rudiana’s letter that finally lit a spark in her heart:
“Your Highness, what about enrolling in the Eastern Academy?
There, you’ll surely find even more people with whom you can share true friendship—not just through letters like now.”
At first, the idea seemed absurd. But the way Rudiana described the academy made it sound irresistibly enchanting, as if even the impossible might be possible.
Dormitory life. An equal education where neither status nor gender drew lines.
A freedom Christina had never dared to imagine.
“What are you talking about?”
Kashimir’s tone remained curt, uninterested.
“I cannot claim to understand everything yet, but I’ve heard the Eastern Academy is a very important place—one that could prove useful to Your Majesty.”
“And?”
“But since it is far from the capital, I thought perhaps it might be difficult for Your Majesty to observe its affairs closely.”
Lifting her gaze, Christina met his. His crimson eyes—so much like her own—flashed coldly, piercing through her.
Swallowing hard under that gaze, Christina continued:
“Even if they appear loyal now, who knows when they might turn against you.”
“That is none of your concern.”
His voice grated low and threatening, like stone being scraped from deep within.
‘Perhaps it was too much to hope for…’
Christina bowed her head again, her voice falling to a whisper.
“I beg your forgiveness. I overstepped. I shall take my leave.”
“Stop your foolish thoughts and remain quiet.”
‘Your role is not freedom, but obedience.’
That was what Kashimir’s eyes seemed to say. And the light that had sparked in Christina’s eyes dimmed under their weight.
Clenching her fists tightly, she admitted it to herself.
It was Rudiana—her winds of change—that had swayed her. By chance she had grown close to her, and for a moment she had dared to dream a dream that did not belong to her.
In the end, her role was nothing more than being a puppet in the palace, until one day the emperor commanded her into marriage.
‘At least then I won’t have to live caged like this…’
But would marriage really free her from the suffocating cage that had bound her since birth?
Of course not.
“Your Majesty.”
Just as she reached the door, Christina stopped and turned back. Kashimir sat, arms folded, eyes devoid of concern, affection, pity, or even regret.
Christina clenched her fists tighter and spoke:
“I’ve heard that Irene Roemberg and Karlos will be enrolling at the Eastern Academy.”
At the mention of those names, light finally flickered in Kashimir’s eyes.
“For Your Majesty’s sake, I will seek to build ties with them.”
“You will?”
“Yes.”
Red eyes met red in the air between them. Narrowing his gaze, Kashimir hummed low. Nervous sweat dampened Christina’s clenched palms.
“Hm. Not a bad thought.”
“Then—!”
“I’ll consider it. Wait in your chambers.”
Beaming brightly, Christina bowed and hurried from the chamber, afraid he might change his mind.
“Roemberg and Pianus, hm…”
Alone in the hall, Kashimir stroked his chin, smiling.
“If things go well, I might even forge a marriage alliance with the Pianus family.”
Lea entered the dining room with a bright expression. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement she could not conceal.
‘A family meal together… after so long!’
Ever since her father and brother had perished in her stead, Jonas had all but ignored her. Even when she went to him, he refused to see her. But now—finally—he had asked for a family meal himself.
Her fears of being abandoned by him seemed almost laughable compared to the joy that lit her face now.
‘Makeup, dress—perfect!’
Determined to win back Jonas’s favor, Lea fussed over Nartas’s clothes.
“You must look proud and behave properly.”
“Yes, sister!”
Tension stiffened Nartas’s little shoulders.
Thud.
The door swung wide, and Jonas entered. His eyes were as cold as ever, barely glancing at Lea and Nartas before taking his seat.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Father.”
Lea replied with a singsong sweetness, guiding Nartas into his chair. Moments later, the dishes she had personally ordered from the chef were served.
“The chef prepared something very special for tonight.”
“……”
“What do you think?”
“…It’s fine.”
Jonas ate with little interest. Lea and Nartas quickly followed suit.
A few minutes passed in silence.
“Nartas.”
“Y-Yes, Father!”
Startled, the boy nearly leapt from his chair. Jonas rarely spoke first during meals. Lea, too, was caught off guard.
“You will sit for the Academy entrance exam.”
“The Academy…?”
In shock, Nartas dropped his fork. The clatter rang loudly in the air. Lea’s eyes widened, waiting for more. But Jonas simply continued eating.
“Husband, do you mean the Academy in the capital?”
“Don’t state the obvious.”
He frowned, clearly annoyed.
“B-But… Nartas is only eleven.”
The official entrance age for the Academy was twelve. Nartas was expected to enroll the following year, after his birthday.
“It is unacceptable for the heir of Nürenbern to be either useless or late to the Academy.”
Jonas muttered, clicking his tongue as if at some unworthy thought.
Lea bit her lip, immediately realizing who he meant.
‘He means Irene… worthless.’
Softly, she added:
“Do you think they’ll even allow it, though?”
“Who would dare bar the heir of Nürenbern from admission?”
He scoffed.
“This year you’ll enter. Live in the dormitory as well.”
“The dorms…?”
Nartas looked desperately at Lea, who was equally flustered.
“Husband, the Academy isn’t far. He could commute—”
“The Academy’s principle is dormitory life. Now is no time to give the emperor an excuse to find fault.”
Jonas finally lifted his gaze. His green eyes met Nartas’s trembling ones.
“Do not bring shame to Nürenbern.”
“Y-Yes, Father…”
Clicking his tongue in disgust, Jonas rose, giving Lea a pointed glance.
“You will, of course, place first in both the entrance exam and your Academy studies.”
Reaching out, he ran his hand through Lea’s flowing hair, smiling faintly.
“Isn’t that right?”
“……”
Nartas shook in silence. But Lea, with perfect poise, turned and smiled seductively at Jonas.
“Of course.”
Behind her radiant smile, her mind raced.
‘I’ll need to find an information broker quickly.’
The broker she had once used for an assassination had been destroyed by Jonas. Since then, she had avoided such dealings. But this was different.
‘This carries no real risk.’
Bribing examiners was already rampant in the capital. Everyone knew, but no one intervened. It wasn’t nearly as dangerous as hiring an assassin.
There was little chance Jonas would ever find out.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, my love.”
“No mistakes this time. This is your last chance.”
Nodding, Lea wrapped an arm around his shoulder, hiding her calculation beneath her smile.
