Esilla's Touch and the Crown Prince's Judgment
“Long time no see, Lady.”
Esilla's voice was as dry and stiff as ever.
She stood there with her arms crossed, looking down at me.
Her red hair neatly tied up. A uniform that hugged her body perfectly. And the sword at her waist.
The strangely relaxed vibe I'd seen in the carriage to the ducal territory was nowhere to be found.
She was the picture of perfection as the Imperial Guard Captain.
“Uh… yeah. Long time no see.”
I set down my spoon and greeted her awkwardly.
It had been over a month and a half since we'd parted ways.
Yet for some reason, she felt as vivid as if I'd seen her just days ago.
Then, a clattering sound came from across from me.
“H-Hiiik…!”
It was Aria.
Her face had gone pale the moment she spotted Esilla.
Maybe her brain had frozen from encountering high-ranking people back-to-back—her eyes darted around wildly, lost.
“U-Um… I've finished eating…”
Aria grabbed her tray and stood up awkwardly.
She hadn't even eaten half.
“Hey, Aria. Where you going?”
“Cl-Classes! I need to prepare for class! I'll head out first!”
Aria bolted from the cafeteria without waiting for my reply.
She vanished into the crowd in an instant, her retreat lightning-fast.
“Ha…”
I sighed and looked up at Esilla.
“So, what's up? Coming all the way to the dining hall?”
“His Highness summons you.”
“Adrian?”
What the hell does that guy want now?
“Yes. He commands you to his office immediately.”
Esilla nodded toward the door.
“Shall we?”
“Can't I finish eating first?”
“No. You wouldn't keep His Highness waiting, would you?”
Her tone was unyielding.
“Fine. Let's go. Let's go.”
As I left the cafeteria, the stares from inside followed us.
We headed toward the main building.
Esilla said nothing the whole way down the hall.
She just matched my pace at my side.
Her gaze fixed straight ahead—a thoroughly professional demeanor.
Well, this is the normal her, anyway.
The carriage ride was the weird part.
“Hey, Esilla.”
“Speak.”
“Why's the Crown Prince calling me? I just got back to the academy.”
“You'll hear it from him directly.”
Stone wall.
I gave up trying to pry more out of her.
We crossed the main building in silence, straight to the Crown Prince's office.
The only sounds echoing down the long corridor were Esilla's steady boot steps and my lighter shoe clicks.
“We're here.”
Esilla stopped before grand double doors.
I halted too.
As I reached for the handle, she blocked me.
“Hold on.”
“What?”
“You'll collapse if you go in like that.”
Esilla turned to face me.
Her eyes lingered on the silver restraint collar around my neck.
The mana-responsive one with the red gem embedded.
“His Highness is inside. The moment you cross this threshold, the proximity restriction will activate.”
“Oh.”
Now I remembered.
This collar was designed to send electric shocks and tighten around the neck if I got within ten meters of the Crown Prince or the Saintess.
Of course, without a mana core, it was just a vibrating necklace for me.
“I'll release it just for entry.”
Esilla stepped closer.
Now so near our noses nearly brushed.
She removed her gloves.
Then wrapped her bare hands around my neck.
Her hot body heat pressed against my nape, contrasting the cold metal.
-Click.
A small metallic sound, and the pressure eased.
Esilla deftly unlocked it and slipped the collar completely off.
“Phew…”
I pretended to sigh in relief.
“Feels like I can live now. Thanks.”
But Esilla didn't back off.
Collar in one hand, the other still cradling my neck.
“Lady.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“Are you all right?”
Her green eyes bored into mine.
“When we stopped here, you were close enough to His Highness for warning signs to trigger.”
Her thumb slowly traced the red mark left by the collar.
“Does it sting? Or feel like it's burning?”
Esilla's voice dropped low.
Her rough fingers slid past my throat, along my jawline, up slowly.
As if checking every pulse beneath my skin.
“A faint current must have flowed. Numbness in the nerves? Or like sharp needles pricking?”
Her green gaze pierced me.
That strange atmosphere from the carriage—and the valley—revived.
I felt nothing, really, but I couldn't say that in this vibe.
No, more than that—her touch was too hot; I couldn't think straight.
“A-A little… tingly.”
“I see.”
Esilla's eyes narrowed.
She didn't let go—instead, she gripped my nape and pulled me closer.
“Liar.”
“Huh…?”
“Stay still.”
Our faces inches apart, breaths mingling.
“Let me check.”
With that, her fingers trailed down my neck, delving into my collarbone.
Too thorough for a mere check.
They lingered on my skin, slow and deliberate, savoring.
“Hngh…”
My shoulders flinched involuntarily.
Right in the middle of the hallway.
Where anyone could see, she clutched my neck, exploring me.
“Skin's flushed. Feverish too.”
She whispered low.
“Pulse is racing. So it did hurt.”
No.
That's 'cause you're touching me.
I wanted to say it, but no voice came.
Esilla's lips curved faintly, satisfied.
She rubbed the red mark harder with her thumb.
Like inspecting a brand on her possession.
“I'll wait until you come out.”
Only then did she reluctantly release me.
The spot her hand had been burned hot.
“Go in. His Highness awaits.”
Esilla slipped her gloves back on, face impassive, and opened the door.
I hid my flushed face and hurried inside.
Even as the door shut behind me, it felt like her gaze followed.
-Creeeak.
The student council president's office—also the Crown Prince's—was spacious and ornate.
Adrian sat arrogantly at his desk, backlit by sunlight pouring through the windows.
Piles of documents towered beside him.
“You're here, criminal.”
Adrian twirled his pen in greeting. That irritating title from the start soured my mood.
“You called.”
I replied with attitude, hands on hips.
“So, what's this about?”
“Your attitude's as rotten as ever. Clearly, you spent your suspension lounging instead of reflecting.”
Adrian clicked his tongue and tossed a document at me.
“Read it.”
“What's this?”
I picked it up.
The bold title at the top jumped out.
Long-term absence, unauthorized departure, violation of academy rules, etc.
The title alone was brutal.
Skimming the contents was worse.
My offenses crammed in: prolonged truancy, going AWOL, rule-breaking.
“Disciplinary action? I was acquitted.”
I protested, indignant.
“Legal crimes may be cleared, but academy violations are separate. This is an educational institution, strictly speaking.”
Adrian dismissed it coldly.
“You skipped every class for a month. Natural consequence: insufficient attendance means F in every subject.”
“Ah.”
I'd expected it, but seeing it hit hard.
All Fs.
Not getting expelled was a miracle.
“So, expulsion? Am I kicked out now?”
“That would be standard. Considering your record tarnishing the academy's honor, immediate expulsion fits. But…”
Adrian paused dramatically.
“Your 'blank edict' saved you from that. The Emperor's pardon holds some sway over school discipline too.”
“Lucky me.”
“Lucky? We'll see.”
Adrian leaned forward.
“Expulsion avoided, but credits aren't restored. As is, you're held back.”
“Held back…”
“However, the academy's granting you one last chance.”
“A chance?”
“Yes. Special rehabilitation policy.”
The name oozed bad vibes.
“First, no regular classes for the rest of the semester.”
“No classes? Then how do I earn credits?”
“Voluntary service for the academy substitutes instead.”