Lamieli Academy Entrance Ceremony (2)
Sunlight filtered through luxurious wine-red curtains.
The massive chandelier hanging from the ceiling reflected the incoming light, illuminating the room.
On the floor lay the finely tanned hide of a Minotaur, a monster resembling a bull,
and a translucent white canopy draped elegantly over the bed, casting graceful shadows.
In the center of this opulent chamber, a refined young woman stood before a full-length mirror, inspecting her appearance.
Her maids stood behind her like shadows.
Iriel Yustia.
A tall, slender figure with long, flowing lines.
Her emerald dress glittered with an array of accessories and jewels harmoniously placed throughout.
Her rose-red hair cascaded to her waist in waves,
and her matching red eyes, with slightly upturned corners, gave her a haughty, cat-like gaze.
She scrutinized her reflection meticulously, then a vein throbbed on her forehead.
"Where the hell did that guy go?!"
Her sudden outburst made the maids flinch and tremble.
In the end, she had to face the entrance ceremony without finding him.
He had definitely applied for the swordsmanship instructor position at the academy as instructed.
She'd even heard that a shabby military carriage had arrived in the capital.
Yet for some inexplicable reason, it was as if he'd sunk into the earth or shot up to the skies—
his whereabouts remained a mystery for an entire month.
All the money he had hidden away, he handed over to the military... Unless he's scraping by somewhere, he couldn't have afforded lodging or food... Is he seriously living like a bum?
They'd scoured every shop around the capital, but not a single black hair turned up.
Iriel had planned to plant one of her own people at Lamieli Academy with the new students.
That's why she'd pulled out her cherished pawn, one she'd prepared long ago.
But right from the start, everything had gone spectacularly wrong.
He didn't come straight to me... The coachman dropped him off and left the capital immediately. Where the hell did that guy disappear to?
Iriel habitually raised her hand to bite her nails but caught herself.
"It's the entrance ceremony—no ruining my nails."
Knock—knock—
A knock echoed through her room.
Iriel had her maids tighten the corset on her dress one more time before saying,
"Come in."
The door creaked open, and in walked a middle-aged man.
"Miss."
"Any news on that guy...?"
"No, the academy keeps saying they can't disclose anything..."
The man bowed his head apologetically.
Yes. That was the problem.
In truth, if she really wanted to, she could have mobilized people to track down Zeke easily enough.
But the academy, despite her repeated inquiries, parroted the same line: they couldn't reveal his whereabouts.
They even seemed eager to distance themselves, as if they didn't want to get involved.
This meant someone above the Yustia Ducal House—a power higher than a ducal family.
In other words, the imperial family was undoubtedly involved.
If she poked around too aggressively trying to find him in this situation and caused a scandal that besmirched the family,
she might not be able to attend the academy and would have to go home.
Her father's mood was already soured from her past escapades.
She'd barely wrangled this enrollment opportunity through a tantrum as it was.
If I have to go back, it'll be an engagement ignoring my tastes entirely, followed by boring lessons on being a proper bride...
She absolutely refused to let that happen, no matter what.
"Tch, the imperial family of all things. That guy hated getting tangled up in power plays... What the hell was he doing in the military anyway?"
Iriel clicked her tongue.
"Fine, it's the entrance ceremony today. We'll find out then. He's a swordsmanship instructor, after all. Everything ready?"
"Yes, miss. Shall we go? I'll escort you."
Iriel led her seven attendants and servants aboard a stately, grand carriage.
As the Yustia family-crested carriage passed, people stopped in their tracks and cleared the streets.
Other carriages pulled aside to make way as well.
She went about scattering inconvenience like this without a care, but Iriel was utterly unconcerned.
To her, they were born of different nobility, and respect for status differences was only natural.
In reality, it was the Yustia family's infamous temper that made people swerve away.
"What's the schedule today?"
The middle-aged man with a stern expression across from her pulled out a paper to check.
"Entrance ceremony in the morning, then a banquet at the mansion this evening inviting the new Lamieli students."
"Who's coming?"
"The Romie Marquess family, the Katrin Marquess family, and Ibarok..."
"Ugh, forget it. Same old faces. Swing by Hilais Bakery and grab some bread. I'll eat before the banquet."
"Yes, miss."
She barely ate at banquets to maintain her image, so she always filled up on bread beforehand.
Not too much, of course—she had to watch her figure.
Hilais Bakery was a new shop on the academy street.
The lady from the Katrin Marquess family had brought some as a gift to the last banquet.
Of course, she'd pretended not to care and passed it off to a servant,
but later snatched it back, took it to her room, and tried it.
The fluffy texture melting on her tongue, the nutty sweetness—it was perfect for Iriel's tastes.
Bread was a serious matter for Iriel.
She couldn't even eat cake without it.
Mmm... Should I sneak off and pick some myself...?
Thinking about bread always lifted her mood a bit when she was down.
Brioche? Nah, chocolate might be good too. Hate having to choose just one. Isn't there bread that doesn't make you gain weight? Hmm. But really, the classic is baguette with cheese and butter...
"Miss, we've arrived."
Lost in fantasies of bread varieties, she arrived before she knew it.
Iriel stepped down from the carriage and strode toward Lamieli Academy's grand gates, her heels clicking, attendants in tow.
She brushed back her hair, feeling the stares piercing her from all sides.
She'd strolled the grounds several times before, but it always filled her with pride.
She'd be attending this place from now on!
Her father had been reluctant to allow it,
but the hefty sum—nearly half her savings—was worth every coin.
Was there any space that suited her so perfectly?
Luxurious surroundings. Top-notch facilities. Delicious bread. And handsome men to boot.
Iriel had no real interest in studies, but she had to come to the academy.
It would have been even better with Zeke by her side, but soon enough, she'd see that stoic face again.
Way better than that airheaded Yohayden girl. She said she wasn't coming to the academy, right? What an idiot.
This was where the empire's future leaders, countless talents, and noble heirs gathered.
Young, smart, handsome—they were all here.
The engagement candidates her family pushed were all older men who'd already carved out positions in the empire.
Coming here was the right call.
Look to the future, not the present.
Here, free of that thorn in her side from Yohayden, she'd meet outstanding heirs from noble houses,
build connections, and marry someone Serena couldn't even dream of.
They say the First Prince is pretty great... Marry him, and I'd be empress?
Possible. Considering her ducal status, it was a viable future.
Iriel thrilled at the thought of the sparkling tiara that would one day crown her head.
Ahem. No getting ahead of myself.
With the Second Prince enrolling this time too, who would claim the throne was anyone's guess.
No need for risky bets.
She'd just keep her options open and choose at the pivotal moment.
She had confidence.
No one could resist her beauty,
and even the densest man would wag his tail after a few smiles and a touch.
Iriel turned to those behind her.
"Where's the entrance ceremony?"
"They said it's by the central flower bed in the academy."
"Oh, there. The place that was off-limits for a while."
Iriel knew the academy grounds well from her wanderings, including the blocked-off areas.
"Yes. It's not far, but we should hurry a bit."
"Right. Can't be late behind the Second Prince."
As Iriel walked toward the ceremony with her attendants, she suddenly raised a hand, halting them.
"Hold up."
A silver-haired girl was mumbling to herself in an alley, head down,
and a familiar name caught Iriel's ear.
Did that girl just say Zeke?
Iriel stared at the girl's infuriating nape and called out.
"Zeke?"
The silver-haired girl whipped her head around at the voice.
A face that shouldn't be here appeared.
Why the hell are you coming out of there?