Disappointnt ca from having expectations in the first place. That was why I stopped expecting anything. The more I hoped for sothing, the deeper the despair would be when it inevitably failed.
"We can't stay in the Empire forever, can we?"
So when Rutis said that so nonchalantly, I felt more confused than happy. It was like scratching a lottery ticket while expecting nothing and winning the second-place prize.
Of course, the first-place prize would be if these idiots dropped out, but I'd already given up on that.
"Really?"
"Haha, are you sad that we're leaving?"
What nonsense was he talking about? I was very thrilled.
I didn't say it out loud, but my expression must have conveyed it because Rutis burst out laughing again.
"We should at least spend the New Year in our holand. It's not as grand as the Empire's New Year Ball, but Arin has a ceremony for it, too."
It was a convincing reason, so I accepted it.
Indeed, it would be problematic if royal mbers didn't attend the New Year event. Rumors of discord in the royal family could spread, causing headaches for their king.
Lather and Tannian nodded in agreent when I looked at them.
The Union eting and Ascension Ceremony.
The importance of the New Year was even greater for Yuben and the Holy Kingdom than it was for Arin. The Union eting was where the rulers of the five kingdoms gathered, while the Ascension Ceremony celebrated the day Enen's first apostle ascended to heaven. These events were too significant to miss just because they were abroad.
"Then there's no choice. Only those who can go will go."
Saying that out loud made feel much better. Although things had been relatively quiet recently, it was still for the best if they returned to their own countries.
I felt like crying at this unexpected year-end gift. Maybe it was a small rcy from Enen for all my hard work.
Thank you...
It was sad to be thankful for such a thing, but gratitude was gratitude nonetheless.
Please keep giving gifts like this in the future.
***I watched Rutis, who was telling the Advisor that he would bring back Arin specialties as gifts, and then sat down.
I honestly didn't want to return ho. When I first entered the Empire’s Academy, I had vowed to endure until graduation.
It's for the royal family.
The more I stayed in our holand, the more I would threaten my brother's position as the crown prince. But which noble would support a prince who studied abroad for three years?
So, I planned to endure for three years—
I can't intrude cluelessly.
I glanced at Louise. She was smiling brightly, happy about going on a trip with the advisor.
Yes, how could I say I'd join when she looked like that? I had feelings for her during the sumr vacation so I went with them, but the situation had changed now. We'd given up on Louise and had decided to support her love as her friend.
So, this was only right. Trips to the capital should be dates for couples. We already had a club trip during sumr vacation; that should be enough.
I have no choice but to return ho.
I leaned back in my chair, feeling a little bitter.
Giving up the trip to the capital didn't an that I had to go ho. I could also stay in the academy dormitory during vacation, but I now had a reason to return.
— The Crown Prince will be attending the Union eting this ti.
A few days ago, I heard through my contact with the holand that my brother would be attending the Union eting.
Even though he would just be attending as the King’s assistant, his participation was significant. Attending the eting beside the King was a clear move to solidify his position as the heir. It was an activity that demonstrated his status as the crown prince both internally and externally.
If a prince close in age to the Crown Prince didn't show up at such a monuntal event, it would only fuel rumors that undermined the Crown Prince's position and suggest discord within the royal family.
He planned this.
I rubbed the back of my neck. No matter how I looked at it, this seed like a sche by the King to bring back the son who had no intention of returning from a foreign country.
He had created a situation where my brief appearance wouldn’t threaten my brother's position. Moreover, it would spark rumors of discord within the royal family if I didn't show up.
So what choice did I have? I had to go.
Tannian also has no reason to insist on staying in the Empire.
Tannian had reasons to return as well. The Ascension Ceremony was a significant event for the Dawn Sect. The Pope and Cardinals would be aghast if their future saint didn't attend such an important ceremony.
"The academy does have classrooms for priest candidates. I'd like to see the future leaders of our church and share knowledge with the priests of the Empire."
Moreover, I rembered the reason Tannian ntioned for his enrollnt. He had enrolled to interact with the priests of the Empire, where the largest number of believers gathered on the continent.
It was an important reason, but not significant enough to stay in the Empire and miss the Ascension Ceremony. Interaction and camaraderie can be pursued actively during the sester.
On the other hand...
I glanced at Rutis, who was still laughing and chatting.
"My reason for enrolling?"
Rembering what he had said back then made automatically frown.
"There’s none, actually. I just got bored of staying in Arin, so I enrolled in the Empire’s Academy for a change!"
His 100% insane answer left speechless. I thought that there had to be so reason, but it turned out that it was just for fun.
Sir Villar, who heard the answer with back then, quietly closed his eyes. He didn't shed a tear, but his expressionless face looked like he was crying.
Crazy bastard.
No matter how I thought about it, he wasn’t soone who would look for a reason to return but for a reason to stay in the Empire.
It wouldn't be surprising if he went back ho and didn't co back for his second year.
To think that I'm in the sa class as that guy...
Realizing this made feel miserable. No one knew my reason for enrolling, or Rutis's. From others' perspectives, both Rutis and I would seem like eccentrics who abandoned our country's educational institutions to co to the Empire.
It was frustrating to be compared to that lunatic when I moved here for the sake of the royal family and my country.
...Whatever.
Yeah, what did it matter? A year had already passed, and there were still two years left.
It was too late to feel wronged now.
Damn it.
***There were others who declared their absence besides the three foreigners who were heading ho.
Ainter, whose ho was originally the imperial palace, and Erich, who decided to stay in the territory this ti.
"I'll stay in the territory. I need to see Sarah after a long ti."
"Sure. Send her my regards."
"Will do."
A son going straight ho after the sester ended without wandering elsewhere? Mother would surely be pleased.
Speaking of Sarah, it had been a while since I last heard her na.
I haven't seen her in ages.
She was the younger of the two children born to the Head Maid. But with her brother passing away due to illness, she beca the only child.
Furthermore, she wasn't in the best of health either, making her the Head Maid's precious child. Still, I heard that she had beco quite healthy thanks to her mother's devoted care and Mother's generous support.
I'm glad she's doing well.
Thinking about my younger brother’s good friend made feel happy. Since our mothers were close, we children saw each other often, and Erich and Sarah, being the sa age, quickly beca friends.
Of course, that wasn't the case for . Even in the past, we were just an older brother and younger sister who exchanged greetings. And there was no need to ntion what happened after my possession.
Childhood friend.
It was honestly a bit strange how the bond between Mother and the Head Maid extended to us, their children, as well. It was a situation I never could have imagined in my previous life.
If there was such a thing as a family where relationships spread like this...
"Who's Sarah?"
Tannian, who was shuffling cards out of boredom, casually asked.
How long had it been since this guy finished a ga of foot volleyball that he was already playing another ga? Wasn't the future saint being a bit too indulgent?
"...Erich's childhood friend. She's the Head Maid's daughter, so we've known her since way back."
"Oh, that's a good connection. There's a saying that friends and wine get better with age."
Tannian smiled lightly, and I nodded.
"I wouldn't know about the friends part, but wine does get better with age."
The atmosphere in the clubroom suddenly beca solemn. Rutis and Lather, who were chatting among themselves, Ainter, who was watching them, and even Louise, who was making tea, all turned to look at .
Ah.
Only then did I realize that I spoke too thoughtlessly.
I didn't mind not having friends, so I said it without much thought... But to others, it must have sounded like a tearful, self-deprecating remark.
"Well, you were busy. You were training when you were younger, and now with your official duties..."
"Not all friends are made during childhood. You'll et many more as you go through life."
Erich, who had many friends, and Tannian, who inadvertently started this, quickly tried to comfort .
No, don't.
This was only making feel worse. It was making feel like I was truly pathetic.
"...Yeah, thanks."
Still, it would be weirder to react negatively to their comfort, so I tried to respond normally.
Damn it...
Was it so strange not to have friends?
***Despite the small commotion, the participants for the capital trip were finally confird: , Louise, Irina, and Marghetta, who imdiately agreed when I asked her through the communication crystal.
Even though it was a trip to answer their confessions, having this group felt a bit awkward. Anyone would think it was a harem trip.
...They're not wrong.
On second thought, it wasn’t entirely wrong. Denying it would only seem petty.
I activated the communication crystal with a sigh. Considering the favor I was about to ask, it was too late to deny that now.
— Hm? Executive Manager?
"Yeah, it's ."
It didn't take long for the face of the 2nd Manager to appear. It felt depressing to contact him myself just a few days after the ntal attacks, but he was the only one who could answer my questions properly.
"Is the 1st Manager nearby?"
— No. It's just right now.
It was the answer I wanted, so I nodded. What I was about to say wasn't for anyone else to hear, especially not the 1st Manager.
— Why are you asking? Are you looking for a place that can host five brides?
"You son of a—"
— I’m just joking.
I swallowed the curse that ca out instinctively.
Hold it in. I’d just be ridiculed endlessly if I got upset here.
Biting my lip slightly, I carefully asked while watching the 2nd Manager chuckle.
"Do you know a good place that makes rings?"
— Wedding rings? I don't know any place that can make five at once.
I hate him.
I hate my past self, and I hate that guy now...!
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