HTNSA 93

Chapter 93

“Because Eila asked me.”

Felix smiled softly as he scratched his cheek and added,

“Nothing much happened, really. They confirmed I was the Duke’s son with a paternity test, I went through the official succession ceremony, and… I’ve just been training nonstop since.”

Felix trailed off there.

He couldn’t bring himself to tell them about the future he had seen at the ruins.

‘It’s better if I keep that to myself.’

No matter what, he was determined to change their fate and make sure that future never came to pass.

Peony looked deflated by Felix’s calm demeanor.

“Ugh, who talks about becoming the heir to a duchy like it’s no big deal?”

“Well, it is the truth.”

“So, are you planning to be just as boring at social events?”

“The Duke is pretty quiet himself, but no one seems to complain about him.”

Watching the two bicker, Eila smiled quietly.

‘Even after everything they went through over the break, they’re still cheerful. I’m glad.’

As she gently touched her teacup, she glanced between them and then carefully spoke.

“Actually, there’s something important I need to tell you both.”

Immediately, the two turned their full attention to her.

Eila took a deep breath and spoke with deliberation.

“I’m planning to graduate early—before the end of this semester.”

Clatter.

Peony dropped her teacup in shock.

Tea spread across the tablecloth in an instant.

Felix didn’t react as explosively, but the knuckles gripping his teacup turned pale.

Though his face remained composed, a flicker of emotion crossed his eyes.

“Is it because you can now create a complete cure?”

Felix asked quietly, and Eila nodded.

“Yeah. Once I fully recover my magical ability, I won’t have a reason to stay at the academy anymore.”

She bit her lip as if apologizing, then added,

“I know it must seem sudden. And you’re probably wondering why I’m doing this. I want to explain honestly…”

“…”

“But I’m afraid if I tell you, it might put you in danger too.”

At her words, Peony’s expression turned pained.

“Is it as serious as Darian trying to take my life?”

Eila looked at her silently for a moment, then nodded slowly.

“Yes. It might even be worse. And there’s still a lot I need to do to deal with it.”

A heavy silence followed.

Peony hesitated, then asked gently,

“I don’t know what it is, but Eila… is there anything I can do to help?”

She continued, her voice earnest,

“You saved my life. Without you, I wouldn’t have uncovered the truth about Darian.”

The tips of her ears turned red.

This was the first time she had poured her heart out like this to someone.

“And I’ve thought about it a lot over break… I like you, Eila. Not just because you saved me—but because I like you as a person.”

She paused briefly to collect herself, then added with determination,

“So if you’re going to walk a difficult path, I want to stand beside you. We can support each other, can’t we?”

“Peony…”

“I know I’m not strong like Darian, but I plan to gather talented people. And I want you, Eila, to be the first one by my side.”

Peony carefully voiced a thought she’d long kept to herself.

She had grown up taught that commoners were inherently inferior.

As a princess, that kind of education had been unavoidable.

But after meeting friends at the academy, she realized how wrong her prejudices were.

The world was full of capable people, regardless of status—or gender.

Looking at Eila, Peony spoke with conviction.

“I used to believe I could never become emperor. After all, there’s never been a woman on the throne. So I gave up on wanting anything.”

“Peony…”

“But not anymore. I don’t want to limit myself like that.”

She clenched her fists and declared,

“I’m going to become emperor. And I want to create a world where talented people like you are recognized, no matter their status or gender.”

When she finished, her cheeks flushed red.

Now that she had said it aloud, she felt deeply embarrassed.

‘What if Eila thinks I’m being ridiculous?’

Eila, the Black Dragon’s chosen, was so exceptional that even other royals wanted to recruit her.

Both Darian and Adolf had tried to bring her into their circles the moment she was recognized.

But Peony had nothing to offer her yet.

Her influence within the palace was still insignificant.

Asking Eila to join her under those circumstances felt shameless.

Yet, to her surprise, Eila looked genuinely touched.

“That’s amazing, Peony.”

“Huh? You really think so?”

Peony blinked in disbelief.

Eila smiled brightly and answered,

“Yeah. You’re not doing it for revenge. You want to become emperor to change the world. How could I not support that?”

“Eila…”

Peony’s eyes grew moist.

Eila hesitated a moment, then nodded with resolve.

“Okay. Then let’s do this—once I finish what I need to do, I’ll graduate and join you.”

“Really?!”

“Yeah. I think working under you, with the palace’s support, would be a great way to continue my research.”

Peony stood up in joy and hugged Eila tightly.

She already liked her—but now she liked her even more.

“Thank you so much, Eila! I’ll work hard so I don’t let you down!”

Just then, Felix, who had been quietly listening, jumped into the conversation as if he couldn’t hold back.

“If Eila’s graduating early, I will too.”

“Felix?”

Eila turned to him, startled.

Felix raised a brow, completely unfazed.

“I’ll just become a Swordmaster after taking the full cure. Then I’ll be even more helpful to you both.”

“But…”

When Eila tried to stop him out of concern, Felix just smiled gently.

“I told you. I owe you so much. So if there’s anything you need, I want to help.”

“…”

“I’m doing this because I want to. You both know how stubborn I can be.”

At that, Eila and Peony exchanged a helpless look—

And then both burst into soft laughter.

How rare it was to have people willing to help without asking for anything in return, especially in such uncertain circumstances.

Yet, in this moment, all three of their hearts were in sync.

With tears welling in her eyes, Eila looked at her friends and spoke quietly,

“Thank you—both of you. I can’t tell you everything right now… but I promise. Someday, I’ll tell you everything.”

Peony and Felix smiled warmly.

Then Felix added, with a playful seriousness,

“Don’t forget that promise, okay?”

A few days passed since the semester began.

For Rosia, they were nothing short of miserable.

No one dared mock Eila as a commoner anymore.

In fact, people admired her—as the chosen of the divine beast, and now, as Felix Agenta’s lover, she had become the most talked-about student on campus.

Rosia could do nothing but watch it all unfold.

Unlike Eila, her reputation had hit rock bottom.

‘That vile headmaster… how dare he sell me out?’

In order to avoid blame, the headmaster had publicly outed Rosia as the one who reported Eila.

He was too busy claiming innocence to take any responsibility himself.

As a result, Rosia couldn’t show her face—not at the academy, nor within her own household.