“Welcome, Lady Frentia. I never thought I’d have the pleasure of meeting you.”
The walls of the room, built from the same wood as the hallway, were lined with countless books.
From ancient tomes to new volumes in a variety of languages, their presence alone told her what kind of person the master of this room must be.
He was surely the type who found joy in acquiring knowledge.
His white bangs were brushed back and tied into a single ponytail along with his long hair.
Judging by his appearance and manner, he seemed close in age to her grandfather.
With a gentle smile, the Principal gestured with his hand toward the sofa, inviting Patricia to take a seat.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you very much. Excuse me.”
When she sat down to face him, the Principal smiled brightly and said,
“Well, well. I never imagined the day would come when the daughter of the Duke of Frentia would attend our Academy.”
“I apologize for any trouble I may have caused.”
Enrolling at such an odd time must have caused some inconvenience to others.
She bowed deeply, but was immediately told to raise her head.
“On the contrary, I am delighted. Wisdom is power. No matter one’s position, there is nothing meaningless about gaining knowledge. Especially for women.”
“…However, that is not regarded favorably.”
“Yes, that’s true. I, too, have wished to change that. It might even be divine guidance that brought you here at such a time. Though I must admit, I’m not a particularly devout man.”
With a mischievous wink, he made her lips curl up into a smile before she realized it.
“I believe your actions will surely inspire courage in others and change the future.”
“…The future, you say? Can someone like me really do that?”
“It is not a matter of whether you can. You already have… Congratulations on the passage and enactment of the Slave Liberation Bill.”
“Thank you. But that was only possible because of His Highness the Crown Prince’s efforts.”
“Yes, that’s true. But knowing that, we still wish to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Up until the very last moment before coming to this Academy, Patricia had been working to make the Slave Liberation Bill more concrete.
She’d left all the packing to Emma, sacrificing her sleep to work on it; one week before her journey to the Academy, the bill was officially passed and enacted.
She felt a little sad that she couldn’t watch what would happen, but she believed His Majesty the Emperor and the Duke would see it through.
“You are fine just as you are. If you keep moving forward, I’m sure the place you seek will come into view someday.”
“…The place I seek.”
Until just a short while ago, she would have confidently declared that her future was to become Her Majesty the Empress.
But now, she couldn’t say that.
She had never really considered what she wanted, always prioritizing freedom.
She had never thought about her own future.
“…What do I want to become? What do I wish for my future?”
“That is what the Academy is for. It is a place to meet people, deepen your knowledge with those who think differently from yourself, and gain new wisdom. I’m sure this place will be harsher and more painful than you imagine, but also irreplaceable. That is my hope.”
It would not always be enjoyable.
In fact, there were already things she was worried about because of earlier events.
But somehow, the Principal’s words gave Patricia a smile that dispelled all such anxieties.
“That… sounds like a wonderful place. I’m truly looking forward to it.”
“That’s good. Anticipation is one of life’s greatest pleasures. It is essential for people. Find that pleasure, and live each day to the fullest.”
As she gazed into the Principal’s sparkling eyes, she remembered what Clive had told her.
‘The Principal likes people who can entertain him.’
He must believe that Patricia’s presence would bring change to the Academy.
No, he was asking her to do so.
“…”
What an interesting person.
If taken at face value, he seemed like a paragon of virtue, but if you could see behind that, he was indeed a difficult man to pin down.
“Indeed. I might meet people here I could never have encountered in my small world.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Teachers, friends, lovers. Encounters that will lead to your future are certain to be found here.”
“…Yes. Thank you very much.”
‘Let’s enjoy the days to come.’
Because this is the place she had always dreamed of.
“I’ve kept you too long, haven’t I? Here, let me give you this. It’s the key to your room in the Dormitory. The Duchess Household has already prepared the inside, so I think it will be comfortable, but let me know if anything is lacking.”
“Thank you for everything.”
“Not at all. I was looking forward to this myself.”
With that, their conversation concluded.
She accepted the key, exchanged farewells with the Principal, and left the room.
Perhaps it was because she had been a bit tense.
She let her body relax and let out a quiet sigh.
“Patti.”
“Clive, Lord Heine. Have you been waiting for me?”
“We have to guide you to the Dormitory, don’t we?”
“Ah, …that’s right. I forgot.”
“We were chatting and the time just flew by.”
“Exactly. We even got to hear some precious stories, really.”
From the look Clive shot at Heine, it didn’t seem like it was anything good, so Patricia decided not to pry further.
She handed Clive the key she had received from the Principal, and the three of them headed toward the Dormitory.
“Everything you need for class should already be in your room. There are separate communal baths for men and women, but with a teacher’s permission, you can use a private one. Meals are provided by the Academy, so you can eat in the Cafeteria. What will you do today?”
“The journey was longer than I expected and I’m quite tired, so if possible, I’d like to rest early.”
“Got it. Then we’ll come get you tomorrow morning.”
“Mind if I come too?”
“Of course not.”
Clive’s gaze briefly sharpened at Heine, but the two of them decided to ignore it.
To the left after exiting the Academy building stood another building as large as the Academy itself.
It looked much the same from the outside, and the inside was similarly designed.
There was a wooden corridor that split to the left and right.
Directly ahead upon entering was something like a reception desk, where an elderly woman sat.
Clive walked straight up to her.
“This is Lady Frentia, who will be joining us from today.”
“Oh my, Prince Clive, Prince Heine. Thank you for your trouble. So this is the daughter of the Duke of Frentia, I see.”
Patricia was surprised that someone could speak so informally to Clive, even knowing he was a prince.
At least, no one in the royal family would treat him that way.
But Clive nodded with practiced ease, showing her the key in his hand.
“Which room is Patti’s?”
“I saw so many people from the Duchess Household coming and going, I didn’t even need to check the key. Top floor, end of the hall. Same as you, Your Highness, and the Prince—special rooms.”
“May we go up now?”
“There are hardly any students here at the moment. Go ahead.”
“Thanks. Let’s go, Patti.”
“Ah, yes.” She had no idea what was going on.
Led by Clive and Heine, she climbed the stairs and in no time at all, they arrived at their destination.
The long corridor was well-lit with sunlight streaming in through the windows.
There was a door immediately at the top of the stairs, and another at the far end.
Apparently, Patricia’s room was the one at the very end, so the three of them walked down the hall to the top floor.
“Normally, rooms are shared by two people and much smaller. Two beds, two desks, a small closet, that’s about it. But the top floor is a bit different.”
Clive handed back the key, and when Patricia opened the door, she saw that it was quite different from what she’d heard.
“This is…”
“Students of noble status like us also attend the Academy, after all.”
The room was spacious, nothing like what she’d imagined for a dormitory room.
A canopied bed was placed farthest from the door, with a large closet and a polished vanity nearby.
Near the entrance, a carpet was laid out, with a table and a fluffy sofa.
“Every three days, a servant hired by the Academy comes to clean, so don’t worry. Just put out your laundry and it’ll be taken care of. Baths and changing clothes are up to you on a daily basis, though…”
“I came prepared for that. Actually, I thought I’d have to do everything myself.”
“Normally, yes… Even here, we’re reminded that we’re not normal. It’s troublesome.”
With that, Clive promised to come fetch her in the morning and left with Heine.
Left alone in her room, Patricia locked the door and sat down on the bed.
“…What a whirlwind of a day.”
No, perhaps the whirlwind had started even earlier, she thought as she stretched her arms.
Breaking off her engagement to the Crown Prince, writing letters to inform those close to her, preparing for Academy life, and working on the Slave Liberation Bill.
It had been a schedule so grueling that she surprised herself, and if possible, she never wanted to do it again.
“…”
She glanced at the window, drawn by the sunlight, and opened it.
A gentle breeze lifted her long hair, feeling like a divine wind to Patricia at that moment.
Warm and comfortable.
The trees rustled softly.
From afar, the cheerful voices of students could be heard.
Everything was unfamiliar, but that only made her happier.
She had finally made it here.
“—Let’s do my best.”
For the days to come.