Patricia van Frentier was the daughter of a Duke of the Lorelan Empire and a distinguished lady renowned as the next Crown Princess.
With her lustrous black hair and violet eyes, she was beautiful to behold, and her keen intellect made her someone whose opinion even the Emperor sought.
As the next Crown Princess, in beauty, lineage, intelligence, and conduct—there was none thought to surpass her.
—But.
One day, that very lady vanished from the Imperial Capital.
There were no sightings of her at the Royal Palace, the Duke’s Residence, or even at her favorite shops.
Those unaware of the circumstances whispered that she had found it uncomfortable to remain after “that incident,” and had perhaps fled to the provinces.
Yes, “that incident” was such a momentous affair that it drew the attention and speculation of the people—a problem sufficient to stir all manner of gossip—
Unaware of the commotion in the Imperial Capital, Patricia had come to the remote region of [Albazain].
This place, reached after five days of travel by carriage with many rests along the way, was a beautiful harbor town rich in nature, quite unlike the capital.
Patricia was so taken with this land that her eyes sparkled the first time she beheld the sea.
Of course she was.
She was here to take her first step on a new path.
“Lady Patricia. I have brought your luggage.”
“Thank you, Sir Cecil. Thanks to you, I was able to arrive safely. …I’m sorry for dragging you all the way out here with me. Even though you serve as a royal knight.”
“Please, think nothing of it. I have devoted myself each day to serving you, the future Empress. …That has only changed a little, that’s all. Besides, this too is by order of His Majesty the Emperor.”
“…I see.”
The kind Emperor.
He had worried for her journey and assigned her a trusted knight to accompany her.
Ryan Cecil, with his red hair and gray eyes, was the second son of a baronial family and, thanks to his skill with the sword, was well known as a royal knight.
Thanks to him, there had been no attacks from bandits, and she had arrived here relatively safely.
She truly owed him her gratitude.
“We won’t be able to see each other for a while, but… Sir Cecil, please convey my thanks to His Majesty the Emperor. Tell him I arrived safely, thanks to his care.”
“…I believe His Majesty would be much more pleased to hear it from you yourself, Lady Patricia.”
“A mere lady cannot so easily have an audience with His Majesty.”
“…As you wish.”
Yes, things could not continue as they had before.
The gentle, great Emperor.
She had wanted so dearly to call that precious person her father.
The serene, kind Her Majesty the Empress.
She had wished to call that admired woman her mother.
But such things were no longer possible.
“…Well then, this is the Academy where I’ll be attending.”
Her violet eyes gazed upon the grand building.
It was the Academy—a place of learning where young men and women of promise from every nation gathered.
Patricia had always longed for this place, yet never thought she would set foot here—a place from her dreams.
“It’s beginning now. My life…”
Patricia van Frentier was the daughter of a Duke of the Lorelan Empire.
And nothing else—no more, no less.
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