Chapter 08
“……This is actually good.”
Hildegard couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
And a little later, she exclaimed again.
“Huh? Really, this is good!”
Learning costs money.
But teaching? Teaching doesn’t cost a thing. In fact, it can even earn money.
Since she wasn’t running a business, there was no need for a large sum, nor would it damage the reputation of the dukedom.
The natural order was for a student to respectfully follow and learn from their teacher.
Moreover, Hildegard was quite a capable instructor.
“You can do both swordsmanship and magic. Where else would you find a teacher like me?”
It was a slightly arrogant statement, but no one present would dare to pick at it.
Even if someone wanted to, it would be hard to argue.
Eighty years ago, Hildegard had no equals in skill.
She was top-tier in both magic and swordsmanship.
And that wasn’t all.
In her previous life, Hildegard had trained two students.
One learned swordsmanship, the other magic. The experience she gained teaching them remained with her.
If she were to take on students now, she was confident she could teach them well.
“The only problem is that I’m too young…”
Twelve years old.
An age more suited to being a student than taking one.
Few nobles would respectfully treat a young girl as their teacher.
But even if the sky fell, there’s always a way out.
“I’ll let you tour the capital, so don’t run away.”
Opportunities to show talent were endless.
Magic, after all, is a discipline where a seven-year-old prodigy surpasses a seventy-year-old ordinary practitioner.
If one shows skill early, they’re regarded as even more exceptional.
Born with magical affinity.
And with the name of the House of Arakxia behind her, even at twelve, taking students wouldn’t be difficult.
“I won’t let age hold me back.”
A sly smile appeared on Hildegard’s lips before fading.
“Only students of noble status… not slaves… would make it easier.”
In her previous life, she had even trained a prince who cried over a single chameleon.
By nurturing students, she could cultivate a network favorable to Arakxia, uncover hidden wealth…
And if she started a venture only she could manage…
“……It’s a perfect plan.”
The proverb said a thousand-mile journey begins with a single step.
Start gently, like a soft breeze,
but let the end come like a fierce storm.
With a method only a reincarnated person could use, she would rebuild her house.
She would restore the name of Arakxia to shake the Empire.
Hildegard smiled brightly.
“Alright, shall we prepare?”
Humming, she put her hat back on.
It seemed she would be busy until they went to the capital.
Valfram, Capital of the Drotselmeyer Empire
A young man walked through the palace garden, lush with greenery, glancing around nervously.
“Your Highness! Where are you?”
The man in white uniform was too handsome to be only a bodyguard.
Dark teal hair like an emerald gem, striking features.
A gold belt with a sun emblem marked him as a royal guard, and a sword hung at his waist.
“Your Highness! Prince Kisuke!”
After wandering for a while, a breeze blew, and Nova instinctively looked up, concern etching his face.
“Your Highness, so you’re here.”
The boy sitting in the shade of a large tree had heard the call but hadn’t moved.
“……”
“Your Highness, I heard you disappeared during archery class.”
Nova’s expression stiffened.
Kisuke Lamof Drotselmeyer.
The fourteen-year-old grandson of the Emperor often hugged himself to hold back tears, just like now.
“Did something happen?”
Kneeling on one knee to meet his gaze, Nova was surprised.
“Your fingers…!”
Kisuke’s fingertips were red and raw, as if cut by a sharp blade multiple times.
Most of his ten fingers were visibly cracked and blistered.
“Your Highness!”
“Don’t make a fuss.”
Kisuke pressed his lips together and lifted his head.
His red eyes, a symbol of royalty, looked calm, but emotions flickered within them.
Golden hair gleamed like sunlight broken into fragments.
“I pulled the bowstring too hard.”
“Count Pessas let your fingers get like this?”
“……He probably ignored it.”
Nova gritted his teeth.
“That’s worse! That’s teacher incompetence! How could he just ignore it?”
The more the bodyguard raged, the harder it was to tell whether the sting was from Kisuke’s hands or his heart.
“This must be reported to the Emperor.”
“Don’t!”
Kisuke shook his head frantically.
“Don’t. This isn’t something to be solved that way.”
“But how long can this continue…!”
“What’s the difference if I cry and torment every teacher the Princess Robarne appoints? I still have to go to the academy, don’t I? And I refuse that!”
“Your Highness!”
“I’m not one, but two grandsons. Karadin exists too.”
“Your Highness!”
“It’s fine. I can endure this.”
Kisuke smiled nervously. His lips trembled.
“Do you think I can’t handle this?”
“……”
“I’m not hurt at all. Not even a little…”
“Your Highness says that, but it hurts me more just watching.”
Nova carefully took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood from Kisuke’s fingers.
The wounds would heal and harden, but would his heart ever heal the same way?
“……I’m fine. Really.”
“You’ve always said that.”
When meeting the astronomy teacher who wouldn’t let him sleep, or the swimming teacher who wouldn’t allow rest, or the classic literature teacher who constantly compared him to Karadin…
“Would you at least consider going to the academy?”
“No. Absolutely not. I won’t run away like that.”
“Your Highness……”
Kisuke ground his teeth, stood, and left the garden.
He had stubbornly refused the academy before, and he still refused now.
Nova followed behind, worry etched across his face.
They encountered an unfortunate meeting at the garden entrance.
“Kisuke.”
“……Aunt.”
Princess Robarne, the Second Princess Consort, was walking toward them with several maidservants.
“What are you doing here?”
“……”
“Wasn’t it archery class time?”
Robarne’s cold eyes swept over Kisuke.
“Can you hear me?”
“Following class was hard, so I was taking a break.”
Her gaze landed on Kisuke’s fingers.
Even seeing the red, raw marks, she didn’t flinch.
“Was it hard?”
“……”
“Answer me, Kisuke. Was it too hard to continue?”
Behind him, Nova clenched his teeth.
How could someone like the princess understand the pain of pulling a bowstring until flesh tears?
“This was the teacher I personally selected for you, for your lessons. Any complaints?”
“……None.”
“Then return to class immediately.”
“But Princess, Your Highness Kisuke……”
“How dare a lowly guard speak directly to me!”
A maid near Robarne scolded Nova loudly.
Nova clenched his lips, held back by Robarne’s cold gaze and Kisuke’s shaken head.
“From his poor attitude in class, Count Pessas must be held accountable.”
“……There’s no need.”
Kisuke suppressed the flood of emotions.
“I will return to finish class immediately.”
“Very well. The results will be reported to Count Pessas separately.”
“……”
Sigh. “A first-born heir of the empire, yet this…”
Robarne turned away, the maids trailing behind with parasols.
“Don’t worry too much, Second Princess Consort.”
“Indeed. With Prince Karadin being so wise, what could be your concern?”
“Let’s go. Prince Karadin must be waiting for his mother.”
Nova lowered his head as their voices faded.
Kisuke spent most of his time alone in the sprawling palace.
Though he managed to hold things together for now, could he continue to do so in the future?
“I wish he had someone to confide in, at least…”
Nova sighed quietly, unheard by anyone.
“Your Highness Kisuke, at least let me give your fingers emergency treatment…”
The guard hurriedly followed his stubborn master.
