Chapter 178

Now that I think about it… I recalled Ren and Marcella whom I found suspicious when planning the temple infiltration. After that, so many chaotic things happened that they completely vanished from my memory.

I started to move toward where the two of them were but paused for a moment.

‘It’s the first time I’ve really seen him use a sword like this.’

I knew Ren trained every morning without fail. But since we met in an office role, I rarely had the chance to see him handle a sword. It was almost as if the temple incident was the first time. And besides, a working person’s morning is too brutal to go watch morning training.

‘Even as Chancellor, every time I have to get up I feel like I want to take a day off.’

There were countless times I only barely got up thinking of Ren. He was busy too, so I could only see him when he went to the central ministry. In any case, as he casually toyed with Marcella, even his sword movements were concise and graceful. Rather than flashy swordsmanship, this clean, solid form perfectly matched his character.

‘Even with all the rose-colored glasses off, he’s honestly cool. I’ll admit it.’

I praised myself for making a cold, rational judgment and walked toward the two who were engrossed in practice.

“Ria?”

He didn’t move when I approached, so I thought he’d noticed, but his expression showed he didn’t realize it was me. After all, today’s visit to the academy was scheduled the night before after hearing Julie and Rio’s plans, so Ren didn’t know about it.

“If you had told me beforehand, I would have almost missed seeing them like this.”

Marcella also looked flustered. The headmaster beside her bowed politely to Ren. Seeing that he didn’t seem particularly surprised, Ren must visit the academy often. The two stopped their sparring and came over.

“What brings you here?”

“They said classes ended early today, so I came to surprise them and pick them up. Also, I thought I’d take a look around the academy.”

“Come with me.”

“Sorry, it was decided suddenly last night. But I’m the one who’s surprised— did you two know each other already?”

“Ah, well…”

Marcella blushed slightly and scratched her cheek with her index finger.

“The noble who offered to watch my swordsmanship at the academy was actually the Duke.”

“What?”

I strained to recall earlier memories that didn’t come easily. I remembered Marcella saying that soon after she enrolled she caught the eye of a certain noble and occasionally received one-on-one lessons. That was Ren?

“But it’s not like you were supposed to be meeting him with me…?

I turned my head toward Ren and he cleared his throat and looked away.

“I didn’t even realize I liked you, I was so distracted doing this and that.”

“Huh?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. What on earth had this man been up to without my knowledge?

“I heard it from my teacher. He said he wanted to keep an eye on your brother and sister entering the academy. By chance he had business at the academy and saw your brother practicing. He would stay and practice every time he visited. Although he started later than others, his natural build was good and he had perseverance, so the teacher thought that with instruction he could become a fine knight and advised me accordingly…”

“So that’s what happened.”

But I couldn’t understand why he hid it.

“Brother, why did you hide it? Were you afraid I’d object?”

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn from the empire’s strongest swordsman, but how burdensome would that be for you? He’s also your superior. And the Duke did not want it revealed either, for the same reason.”

I let out a hollow laugh. He had helped when my sister was sick, recommended staff so we could come to the capital, and now he’d even improved my brother’s skills with one-on-one sword lessons—all without showing any sign.

“…What, is he a mysterious tall gentleman?”

“Mysterious tall gentleman?”

“There’s an uncle who secretly helps from behind the scenes. It’s a metaphor from a book! Don’t get serious.”

He immediately relaxed his expression, seemed to think for a moment, then smiled faintly.

“Maybe. Back then he wandered around your surroundings without realizing his feelings and couldn’t stay still. How does that tall-uncle story end? Does it end with them getting together, like you and me?”

“I’m not sure. I don’t remember well. I don’t recall it being a romance novel…”

“Oh dear. What a pity.”

I was a little hurt he hid it, but I understood. I would have felt pressured too and probably been cautious. He might have hesitated to contradict opinions. Either way, I was truly grateful.

“Thank you.”

“That’s why he didn’t want it revealed. He did it because he wanted to. You’re being overly grateful.”

“You can never say thank you enough. You shouldn’t be stingy with praise and gratitude.”

“I should praise a subordinate for a change.”

“Illya will like that.”

He brushed off his nearly spotless clothes and put on his jacket.

“Marcella, today’s training should end here.”

“We only did ten minutes, though?”

“Didn’t you hear why Ria came?”

Only then did Marcella seem to come to her senses and shouted with a voice full of energy.

“Ah! Yes! Let’s go!”

He hurriedly grabbed his outerwear and followed us. The headmaster we made eye contact with smiled warmly. I felt a bit embarrassed.

We left the private practice hall and entered another building.

“This way is the Department of Business Administration and Public Management.”

This was the major Julie chose when she advanced a year. Julie, like me, said she wanted to become Chancellor and chose a major that noble ladies usually avoid. I worried she was making her life harder for nothing, but she proved me wrong by being smart enough to be top of the class.

‘Do whatever you want while your sister earns the money.’

Thinking of the precarious life of a salaried worker who could be fired at any time, I followed the headmaster to Julie’s classroom.

“Here we are.”

Through the glass, I could see the class in session. The young students’ bright, focused eyes were so cute. Of course some kids were dozing off or goofing around, but you can’t expect everyone to be the same anywhere. Even that was endearing.

‘Oh, there’s Julie.’

Even at just fifteen, my sister Juliana radiated an innocent charm. She looked like sparks might fly from her eyes if she missed even one word from the professor. I was used to seeing her help with housework and follow me around, so this new side of her was surprising. Kids really are different when left among their peers.

I watched contentedly when the boy next to her tapped Julie and pointed toward me standing in the hallway. Julie’s face shifted from surprise to delight when she saw me. She couldn’t stay still, bouncing in place, then raised her hand and said something to the professor. The professor, startled, flung the classroom door open.

“Chancellor? D-Duke?”

I felt awkward, as if I’d disrupted the class.

“Sorry. I meant to just watch quietly and leave.”

“Oh, no. My class was nearly over. Did you come to see Juliana?”

“Exactly. They said classes ended early today for the graduation ceremony, so I came to pick her up.”

At that moment Juliana ran out of the classroom and threw herself into my arms. In just a year she had shot up and reached my shoulders.

“Sister!”

I gently stroked Julie’s head.

“You said classes ended early today, so I came to surprise you. I reserved a table at a restaurant, so let’s all eat together before heading home.”

“Really?!”

“Of course.”

“Wow, I love it!”

Julie jumped up and down in place. I regretted not having come sooner. The classmates watching her seemed surprised, though.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Juliana smile like this. She’s been studying all the time lately.”

“So I thought the Chancellor was being extremely strict…”

“Let’s be quiet. If someone talks foolishly we might get in trouble…”

‘…What exactly is my image?’

Becoming Chancellor felt like various extra things were being added like seasoning. For now I belonged to the high nobility, but at first I worried since I came from a fallen noble family. Glancing at the kids’ faces, though, there didn’t seem to be any problems. Every time I saw Julie, I felt she was surprisingly dependable despite her youth. She was the one who took care of me when I first experienced Possession / Soul transmigration in this body.

‘Oh my, how cute.’

I ruffled Julie’s hair as if playing, and her happy smile was utterly endearing. One class was still ongoing, so we agreed to meet in the auditorium for the graduation ceremony afterward. I wanted to watch the graduation while I was here — a medieval graduation… something unimaginable in my previous world.

“Rio still has some class time left, so how about a cup of tea? It might be nice to greet the professor in charge as well.”

Having wandered the expansive academy, I was indeed ready to sit and rest. I accepted the headmaster’s proposal to hear about Julie and Rio’s academy life. Marcella packed her bag and said she’d meet us at the auditorium.

Ren and I entered the parents’ consultation room, where refreshments had apparently been prepared. Perhaps word of my arrival had spread among the professors, because Marcella’s, Julie’s, and Rio’s professors were already seated. After brief introductions, I asked whether my brother and sister were doing well at the academy.

“Juliana is very diligent. She’s also excellent—she almost never loses first place. She proudly tells people that her sister, the Chancellor, is her greatest pride. Usually quiet, but if someone speaks ill of the Chancellor she’ll not hesitate to make a fist—she’s that unyielding.”

“What? What did Julie do?”

I couldn’t believe what I heard. My Julie—make a fist?

I thought the scene of her fiercely hitting Olgard would be a one-time, first-and-last event… Still, given there was a justifiable reason, maybe I should pretend I didn’t know.

After hearing appropriately about other new sides of Julie through her academy life, I was about to turn the floor over to Rio’s professor.

“Chancellor, I truly respect you. Aren’t you the empire’s youngest and first female Chancellor? As someone in business and public management, I know very well how remarkable your abilities are.”

The professor’s tongue is long. What on earth were they trying to flatter me about like that?

“If you have something to say, feel free to say it.”

I needed to go see Rio too, so it would be a problem to waste time here. Then Julie’s professor cleared his throat a few times and spoke up.

“By any chance… what will the question direction be for this year’s Chancellery assistant secretary recruitment?”

“…Yes?”