Four Days
Four Days
Quite astonishingly, the academy's classes proceeded normally despite Esmue's sudden visit.
Once the professors and students understood that Esmue had no intention of breaking the academy's rules, seeing them pass her as though she were an ordinary student felt profoundly strange to me.
Even the nobles, when they recognized her, merely exchanged light greetings as if greeting a fellow student before passing by.
"Such is the trust placed in the Empire's laws. It is possible only because of the immense effort it took to reach this point."
Perhaps reading my expression, Esmue explained with a hint of pride in her voice. Well, it was certainly a sight that made her pride entirely understandable.
No matter how strict the academy's rules were, these were people who would one day leave this place and become members of a stratified society. The professors, whatever else you said about them, were already adults out in society.
It was clear that without a firm belief and absolute certainty that everything observed within these academy walls would cause no disadvantage once outside, even the professors would not follow such a system.
They'd be watching their backs, fearing some unknown future retaliation.
"I expected something along these lines... but I didn't think the trust in the rules would be this absolute. I can't even begin to imagine how long it must have taken to establish this."
"As expected, you are quick on the uptake. But it did not require such a lengthy time. People are made to follow the rules just by a few hardline measures confirming that 'this is simply how things are.' Once a decade or so has passed, it becomes upheld as tradition."
I had a feeling that Esmue's eyes sharpened slightly at the mention of 'hardline measures,' but I decided to let it slide.
"Though differences in status exist, all positions and authority flow from the Imperial Household. In this place, established by His Majesty's decree to discover the Empire's talents, any discrimination or persecution stemming from status differences is in itself an insult to His Majesty the Emperor."
Walking with her back straight and steps full of grace, Esmue kept up the conversation, utterly unbothered by the gazes cast upon her and me—her escort—every time the scenery changed.
Since many foreign nobles had been visiting the academy since yesterday, I was immensely grateful for her consideration in protecting me from further incidents under the pretext of being her escort. But frankly, it was stressful in a different way.
The height difference between us was so great that even linking arms was clearly a struggle for her, and the sight was pitiful.
It wasn't hard to guess that she had deliberately worn high heels, but even so, the height difference seemed to be well over 30 centimeters, and she inevitably had to raise her elbow all the way up to her own shoulder just to keep her arm linked with mine.
"Esmue. I'm thankful for your consideration regarding yesterday's incident, but isn't that posture uncomfortable?"
"Huh? I-it's fine! W-wouldn't a day like this once in a while help relieve shoulder stiffness? I have frequent desk work, so I need this!"
No, it looked like your shoulder would get stiff, not relieved.
The way she smiled brightly despite what must have been considerable discomfort... perhaps her expression management was indeed top-notch, as befitting a princess.
"A-and what of you, Eldmia? Are you not uncomfortable? Having to match my pace, or leaving the Margrave of Levien..."
"No? It doesn't bother me at all. In fact, it's nice to be able to hear all sorts of things while we walk."
I didn't know why she was asking about Ragnis, but anyway, it was fine if I said it was fine. Ah. Or maybe she was asking if, as Ragnis's retainer, escorting her instead of my master meant I was neglecting my duties?
Ragnis wasn't such a naive friend that she'd call getting friendly with the leading candidate for emperor dereliction of duty, so there was no problem... then again, she hadn't met Esmue yet, so she was probably thinking in general terms.
"Anyway, Hero, why have you been walking around with such a grim scowl since earlier?"
"Because every time I open my mouth, you two lay into me."
"Come on, do we really lay into you just for speaking? We lay into you because you say stupid shit."
"Keep that up and you'll hurt my feelings."
"If you're upset, you should've won the sparring match."
"Ah, fuck. Let's go again, you bastard!"
Right. For better or worse, that Zeke bastard was most like himself when he was throwing a tantrum. Watching him sulk with a sullen face was just twice as ugly.
I looked at Zeke and grinned.
"I don't fight losers twice. I have my pride, you know."
"Aaargh! Now he's pulling that toxic shit!"
Even if you lose 99 times, as long as you win the last one and claim mental victory, you're the final winner. Not that I'd ever even come close to losing, so it went without saying.
Apparently that was one of Zeke's hot buttons, because seeing him look so unfairly wronged was surprisingly satisfying. He was fun to tease, so I decided to keep using it while I still had time.
"Eldmia...?"
As I was messing with Zeke like that and we arrived in front of the classroom where the tactical theory lesson was being prepared, we ran into Ragnis.
But why did she look like she'd just lost her country again...?
"So you are the Margrave Ragnis Lien da Levien."
As Esmue naturally unlinked her arm from mine and approached Ragnis, I was staring blankly when Zeke, who had been following behind me and had already rejoined his women, asked carefully.
"You gonna be okay? This isn't about to turn into a knife fight, is it?"
"What the hell kind of crazy talk is that? Why would there be a knife fight between the Margrave and the Princess?"
The crazy bastard really did spout catastrophic nonsense as if it were nothing. Normally, Eselua would have scolded him for this level of bullshit, but... oddly, the mood this time seemed to agree with Zeke's opinion.
The hell. What was this?
But regardless of what we thought, Ragnis and Esmue kept up their conversation with smiles.
"It was the Empire that extended the invitation, but believing the Hero's achievements should be showcased first, my greeting was delayed."
"I am honored to meet you. The White Star of the Empire, Princess Esmue Bistim Tel Nua."
"Hmm. I, too, am bound by the academy's rules at present. Please, feel free to call me Esmue."
"...What damn knife fight are you talking about when they're smiling and greeting each other like that?"
Watching two beautiful women smiling and chatting was just a pleasant sight. When I glared at Zeke as if I couldn't understand him, the gazes of all four—now looking at me as if I was the one making no sense—greeted me.
"I see. Then... Esmue? Has 'my' retainer committed some discourtesy?"
"Hm? You need not worry at all. 'Eldmia' and I already shared 'many stories' and deepened our friendship yesterday. It is rather the Empire that has committed a discourtesy against him with this matter of the honor duel."
Twitch. A spasm seemed to pass over Ragnis's smiling face.
"Then I am relieved. But may I ask what brings you to the academy? My meager knowledge tells me that Esmue has already completed all courses at the academy... I could never have imagined you suddenly appearing, escorted by my retainer."
Something... she sounded a bit displeased... but since she was smiling, it was probably my imagination, right?
Ragnis asked with a smile that somehow never reached her eyes. From where I stood, all I could see was the back of Esmue's head; her shoulders trembled as she answered with a small laugh.
"As a princess of the Empire, must I not make amends for the Empire's mistakes? Many foreign nobles have already been invited and arrived since yesterday, but with no way to guarantee there won't be another incident like the one with the Young Lion of Rudra, I decided to personally stay by Eldmia's side and deny any pretext entirely."
"B-by his side, constantly together, you say?"
"Indeed. Having invited a guest, it would not do to resort to threats, would it? I would be grateful if you accepted this as a gesture of apology for this incident."
"Y-you need not go so far, the thought alone is more than enough..."
"Hahaha. It is because 'my heart' would not be at ease otherwise. Fortunately, we communicate rather well, so I assure you, I will cause you no discomfort."
"...Heh heh heh. If that's the case, I suppose I have no choice."
Seeing the two wrap up their conversation with friendly laughter, it really must have been my imagination after all.
"It's nice to see them getting along so quickly. I thought Ragnis would want to be all formal and proper no matter what. Don't you agree?"
The sight was so satisfying that I smiled happily and turned back toward Zeke, only to find the bastard wearing an utterly sour expression. He shook his head and punched me in the side. What, this son of a bitch?
"Agh! Why the hell are you throwing another fit?!"
"Just gouge your damn eyes out, you bastard. Why are you carrying around useless things like that?"
"Why the hell would I suddenly gouge out two perfectly good eyes?!"
"You call those perfectly good? Then I guess your brain's the thing that's not working, so rip that out instead, you prick!"
I wanted to snap back, but the bastard threw that punch with such absolute conviction that I genuinely started wondering whether I'd done something wrong and couldn't bring myself to argue.
"Eldmia? Shouldn't you come to class?"
Then Ragnis, who seemed to have absolutely no intention of protecting me while I was being unjustly beaten, smiled and called out to me. Turning my head back to look at Esmue, who was facing me and smiling... one thing became clear.
No matter how I looked at it, her eyes were not smiling.
I didn't do anything wrong, so why was she acting like that again...
"Are you not coming?"
"No. I'm coming."
For a moment, I heard a murderous edge in her voice and instinctively became meek.
Leaving Zeke clicking his tongue behind me, I stepped closer. Esmue naturally linked arms with me again, and Ragnis's eyes went cold as ice as she watched.
Something... something was going on.