Chapter 17
Unlike the neutral nation of Swena, where square-cut stones paved the roads, the Kingdom of Ortigia had roads made by crushing stones finely and pressing them down firmly.
Thanks to that, the carriage ride was smooth and comfortable.
Elizia was busy waving her hands around as she enthusiastically explained her life at the academy.
Among all the stories she poured out, the most important one was, of course, that she had ranked second in the entrance exams.
“You all heard, right? That I got second place!”
“Of course. Your Highness even used that expensive one-time communication stone that evening just to tell us.”
“So? What do you have to say to this proud princess?”
Elizia’s eyes sparkled as she placed her hands on her hips.
Damian, the nanny, and Sir Lancelot exchanged glances before clapping and cheering rather excessively.
“You’re the best!”
“As expected of our princess!”
“We’re proud of you, Your Highness!”
Playful compliments followed in a flood.
Scratching her cheek with her fingertip, Elizia waved her hand as if to say that was enough. She had wanted the praise, but receiving it made her feel a bit shy.
She leaned slightly toward Damian.
“Damian, when you enroll in Swena Royal Academy next year, just follow in this princess’s excellent footsteps.”
“You haven’t even passed the entrance exam yet. Isn’t that advice a bit early, Your Highness?”
“If I got second place, someone like you could easily take first.”
“I think you’re overestimating me.”
“Damian, I know you best. You’ll definitely pass with excellent results. You’re going to be Ortigia’s future treasure.”
“Even hearing that much is an honor.”
Damian placed a hand over his chest and bowed politely.
Elizia smiled quietly as she watched him.
Though he was her painful first love, there was no doubt he was intelligent and talented.
And as the future queen, she found that quite appealing.
Golden hair fell softly over his lowered face. Seeing that color, Elizia was reminded of someone else.
A man who had once taken first place in the entrance exam. Like Damian, he also had golden hair.
‘Rakan.’
Yet despite sharing the same hair color, their auras were completely different.
Damian’s golden hair felt warm and gentle, while Rakan’s felt cold and sharp. He shone brilliantly, yet his relaxed smile carried an eerie chill.
Perhaps that was why he was so difficult to approach.
Though somehow she had become his direct junior and grown somewhat close to him.
Thinking of him even after returning to the kingdom… she should stop.
Elizia shook her head and waved her hand in the air, as if brushing away his lingering image.
Watching her, Damian leaned slightly closer.
“What have you been thinking about, Your Highness?”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“…Now you’re keeping secrets too. I thought I was always the one closest to you, Your Highness. It pains me a little.”
He said that with a gentle smile—kind and friendly, yet somehow faintly unsettling.
But Elizia didn’t notice anything off.
What pain? Being here with me instead of Melissa must hurt more, she thought, shrugging.
It was strange.
Before, she would have found meaning in every little thing Damian said, feeling touched and happy.
But not anymore.
Her lips pouted slightly, her thoughts turning twisted and sour.
Maybe it’s because we’ve been apart for months.
Her feelings were complicated.
How could a person’s heart change so easily?
She had realized she liked Damian at the age of twelve.
It had been a feeling she held onto for years, yet it had quietly faded within just a few months—so easily that it was hard to believe she had suffered over it for so long.
I guess when distance grows, so does the heart.
But that shouldn’t be the case.
Someday, the man she would marry was right here—Damian.
Even if he loved someone else, even if her heart dropped whenever she saw Rakan, the future path was already set.
Thud.
The carriage jolted violently as if it had hit something.
Just like Elizia’s wavering heart.
Her body lurched, and Damian caught her by the shoulder.
But even with his warmth, her face didn’t flush like before.
Even in his arms, she felt nothing at all.
With a blank expression, Elizia lightly brushed his hand away.
At the same time, Damian’s expression stiffened slightly.
Unaware, Elizia stared blankly out the window.
Beside her, Damian looked down at the hand she had pushed away.
His eyes were sunken, his expression complicated.
The cheerful sound of carriage wheels rolling echoed.
And thus, the vacation began.
When Elizia arrived at the royal palace, the first thing she saw was a surprise celebration prepared for her.
[Celebration Banquet for Elizia Woder Ortigia’s Second Place]
Brilliant magical letters floated like clouds, and everyone she met praised her achievement.
If I had always had good grades, I wouldn’t get this kind of treatment, would I?
Though she smiled awkwardly, Elizia accepted their congratulations wholeheartedly.
She didn’t forget to enjoy the party with a bright expression.
Eating a variety of dishes, dancing with Damian, Sir Lancelot, and several noble acquaintances—
Before she knew it, the moon had risen high in the sky.
She had already drunk several glasses of wine and was pleasantly tipsy.
Unlike usual banquets filled with soft string music, today was a celebration.
The court rang with lively percussion and fast-paced rhythms.
With flushed cheeks, Elizia spun around while holding Sir Lancelot’s hand.
Sir Lancelot—when he was her swordsmanship instructor, he was strict and unforgiving, but outside of that, he was endlessly kind and gentle.
“Sir Lancelot, spar with me tomorrow. With real swords.”
“You plan to pick up a sword the moment you return, Your Highness?”
“Yes. I learned something really good. I want to beat you at least once.”
She recalled the advice Rakan had casually given during lessons.
Relax your wrist. Stop the habit of freezing when the blade comes from the left. Don’t blink before attacking.
They seemed like small things, but each tip had improved her skills.
She had gone from equal footing with male classmates to defeating most of them.
After spinning her once, Lancelot placed his hand politely on her back.
Leaning into his arm, Elizia bent back slightly and smiled.
“By the way, Your Highness, it seems you’ve grown quite close with people from the Empire lately.”
“How do you know that?”
“The kingdom has eyes everywhere.”
He smiled gently.
Startled—whether from alcohol or surprise—Elizia stepped on his foot lightly.
“Is that not allowed? Because they’re enemies?”
Did he know about Sophie? About Rakan?
Her anxious eyes scanned his expression.
Lancelot shook his head kindly.
He couldn’t bring himself to say harsh words to a princess who looked like a lost puppy.
Instead, he said something else.
“At the Swena Royal Academy, anything is possible. You may share a room with someone from the Empire, laugh together, dine together—it’s all fine.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“But after graduation, it won’t be the same.”
“….”
“Just remember that one thing. This dreamlike situation is only temporary. If you give them your heart, you will suffer later.”
Her movements slowed.
The excitement from before cooled instantly.
She had known this already.
After graduation, things would change.
Relationships built on affection would inevitably transform.
But hearing it aloud made her chest feel heavy.
A strange mix of regret, sadness, and longing.
Sensing her mood, Lancelot spun her playfully.
“That’s for the future. Don’t be sad about it now. Enjoy the party.”
“…Okay.”
She nodded.
Behind them, laughter and music continued to flow like waves.
The chandelier above shone brilliantly.
Dazzled, she closed her eyes.
That sparkling light reminded her of golden hair.
Her chest ached.
She knew why—and that made her smile bitterly.
It was a feeling she shouldn’t have.
After several more dances, Elizia leaned against a pillar, exhausted.
She needed a moment to rest.
Between the celebration and the alcohol, her emotions were heightened.
She slowly rotated her aching ankle inside her dress.
Then—
Someone approached and leaned against the pillar beside her.
She looked up.
Damian.
He smiled kindly.
“Are you enjoying the party, Your Highness?”
“Yes. Since you left for the academy, there have hardly been any parties. This is nice.”
“It’s all thanks to me getting second place. You should be grateful.”
She grinned proudly.
No matter how many times she bragged, she wanted to do it again.
It was a feeling people like Damian or Rakan—who always ranked first—would never understand.
Damian smiled softly, then stepped closer, his expression turning slightly serious.
“Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“At school… did something happen?”
“No. Nothing.”
“…Then did you miss me?”
His gaze lingered on her.
