The Mouthwatering She-Lion
The next morning dawned, but nothing had really changed. Well, actually, there was one thing.
“Ugh… bleh…”
My stomach churned—.
I’d drunk way more than usual yesterday from all the tension, so the hangover hit harder than normal. Come to think of it, I had no clue when I’d passed out. When you’re wasted, reality fades, self-control vanishes, and all that.
But now that I was awake… on top of the nausea, regret crashed over me like a wave. Did you lose your mind, Joseph? No matter how frustrated you were, going off without even consulting Raval…
I’d slept a good long while. The fatigue lifted, my head cleared… and that’s why all sorts of bullshit thoughts assaulted me first thing in the morning.
Sure, the current situation had limits even for the Raval I knew stepping in for me. I’d rationalized it as my own desperate countermeasure, then gone all-in with that reckless tackle… but what if Sir Raval’s inner world held more than I realized? Maybe he wanted retirement like me. Or perhaps he harbored some grand secret plan in silence. Unease flooded in.
No doubt the emperor couldn’t ignore my words. The old bastard I needed to watch out for? Not worried about him.
“Argh, argh, argh…”
Right now, in my heart… a sliver of guilt lingered toward Lagrange, the house that took me in. Had I caused them harm?
Yeah. What was wrong with me? Like I was good at anything.
“Gotta… go to work…”
So, inevitably, I knotted my tie and headed to the academy today too.
Minus the one suspended, the whole class had gathered yesterday. As their teacher, I felt bad for not holding down the fort and taking unavoidable leave.
But I learned my worries were mostly unfounded… right in the center of the school gate, heels clicking against the stone.
“Sir Joseph, have a good day.”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
In this school where everyone was hostile to me… only the security guards at the gate greeted me warmly like this. Nothing new there.
“And we heard the news. Congratulations…!”
“News…?”
“It’s already buzzing all over school. You’ll see lots of good things today.”
They’d always gotten curt nods from me before. Now, like we were buddies inside, they were making a fuss about something great happening?
In my past life or this one, the only time people spoke that happily was pregnancy announcements. Guess Kim Joseph had knocked someone up without knowing.
But the guards’ excitement wasn’t hype for nothing.
“Professor. Good day.”
“Yes?”
“Good morning.”
“Oh, sure.”
“—Lady Rosenberg offers her respects.”
“Hello?”
What the hell were these crazy bitches? Why were they greeting me?
For the record, these weren’t the same people. The flat-headed runts who usually glared with beady eyes were suddenly all sweet? Why?
But I wasn’t a total idiot. I quickly guessed the reason.
It worked better than expected? My reckless tackle landed?
Clack, clack, clack—.
So I swiped the morning paper stuck in the mailbox of whatever building was right there. The headline?
No surprise—it was jaw-dropping.
“—‘Duke Lagrange’s Sir Raval Appointed Head of the Imperial Inspection Corps’?”
O. Oh… oh my god.
What the fuck hit so perfectly? Shit, I didn’t see this coming.
His Majesty suspects everything hardcore, but damn, he’s got a bold streak. Filling our big bro’s belly right away like this?
And that title. Head of the Imperial Inspection Corps—sounds badass as hell. Like the Gestapo or something?
Yeah… yeah. Worth the greetings.
Rumor hadn’t pinned it on me intentionally, apparently. But everyone knew I was Lagrange family. They didn’t want to piss me off and get first-hit, huh?
If ass-kissing grew spines that easily, why not sooner…
“……”
At that realization, for the students’ sake, I pulled out the cigarette I never smoked on school grounds and lit up.
No other reason right now.
“…Gotta tone it down. Sir Raval’s gonna smack me upside the head.”
Reckless tackles deal a third of the damage back as recoil. The hit to my chest? Critical.
Sorry, class babies. Teacher’ll head in soon…
* * *
“────?!”
“──.”
“───!!”
“───.”
High-pitched chatter buzzed loud from outside the door.
Time to get used to it—no need to tense up. But why the racket?
I’d dawdled smoking, running five minutes late. So Mist Flower was in full student-mode, shit-talking before teacher arrived.
I’d been to school. Knew they’d shut up fast when teacher entered.
But hey, I was the teacher. Had to go in.
Just as I neared the door… voices inside sharpened.
“—Uhehehe, lemme sum up the big picture.”
“V-Valentina… sit down now. Professor Joseph’s coming soon…”
“No no no way? Tiel? Can’t end it all deflated when discussion’s ripening? Right?”
“Class rep, rein in that redhead. She charged at me like a bat outta hell for smacking boys, but does nothing to her?”
“No… she’s just listening now. More than that, Countess Einheart’s got some serious lingering grudge.”
“You want a rematch?”
“I’ll pass. Done getting beat for a bit. Call it your win for now.”
What? What were they yapping about?
Then our casino flower girl explained to everyone.
“—Anyway, point is, no matter how you slice it, one reason Lagrange Duke house got tapped as head of the new Imperial Inspection Corps.”
“……….”
“Our professor Joseph took leave yesterday… must be his influence, right?”
“How’d it twist to that?”
“Sleeping through then asking questions. Prime study attitude, Zigrinde! Thanks to our Lulua’s testimony?”
“—Huh?”
“Sir Joseph entering the palace yesterday! Uhehehe, right, Lulua?”
“N-no… not exactly. What? How’d it go there? That’s not what I said!”
Hearing that, I flung the door open without a word.
Bang—.
What unfolded: Valentina’s mindmap sprawling the blackboard, plus a chalk scribble of someone looking like me, all sloppy.
Fuck what. Why’s the shoulder so huge?
This was a colossal giant peering down at Times Square.
That how you munchkins see me? Cavalry…
“—Hic.”
“……”
Our eyes met. She flashed an awkward “busted” grin.
Look at this one. Those glasses—Lulua’s, right? She snatched the kid’s specs for professor roleplay?
And the lecture? On Lagrange’s glory, tied to me…
Awkward stares all around.
“Sorry—flee—.”
Valentina sensed the vibe, bolted to her seat. Irina stood quick to cover, greeting calmly.
“G-good morning, Professor. Rest well?”
“Yep. Plenty of rest.”
……Truth? Barely slept. You nailed it. But if class rep saw me refreshed, good enough.
Still eyeing me warily—scared of scolding, probably.
No way I’d snap at kids over this. Guessing’s fine.
Nah, heart stung a bit. But adults don’t show it.
“Having fun, huh? Next time, keep it quiet.”
“Y-yes…”
“Valentina, no answer?”
“—Yes, Professor.”
I erased the board graffiti, gripped the podium with both hands, scanned the class calmly.
Good. Class state’s solid.
Hated-school-most Valentina now adapted best, performing for all. Zigrinde and Irina bickered but sat close, bonded from that “best bro/dad” showdown. Lulua, glasses stolen, frowned mildly seated, subtly minding Tiel beside her.
Silent through it: Alrun at the end by the window, and Sion, displeased by the chatter. Just those two.
But spotting me enter, Alrun peeked my face head-on for first time amid the crowd. Sion folded her fan, looked straight.
From just two seated at first? Massive progress.
They had tons to say to me. Me to them.
So I poured out my heart, sincere.
Clear as a mountain stream—must mean this.
“Rumors are flying wild in town. I get why you kids are hooked.”
“……….”
“But something matters more. Personally, wish you’d all know…”
All eyes on me.
Burdened hearing them talk me before entering. Seeing their guesses? Hands and feet shook.
Weird. Standing here gripping the pointer… those feelings vanished.
Yeah… they’ve stepped from crazy noble ladies, now my students following me. From here, easy mindset.
Deep breath, I said:
“—This year, I’ll stick with you to the end.”
More plea than statement.
“So… don’t see this teacher as a burden. I’ll help however I can, always.”
Nothing fancy. Alrun stared at her desk, feeling something—silent. Most eye-catching, sure. Others nodded their way—natural.
So I knew: No malice linking me to Inspection Corps. Just… interest in their caretaker me. Gathered, chattered common topic: me.
Day blurred after. Decent lessons. Decent breaks. After school, watched them scatter, packed to head to quarters.
“Night already.”
Normally clock out 5:30 sharp. Later tonight? Other kids’ overkill attention from morning hadn’t felt cozy.
But at quarters… black carriage waited.
Wish that door-rider was the grim reaper. Gut said who rode inside.
Creak—.
Window slid open. Cold, beautiful face poured toward me.
“Uncle.”
“Eek—.”
“It’s Sion. Been waiting.”
—Waiting till now? What the…
“Long time no family dinner?”
“Well, if miss calls, how could I refuse…”
“Not refusing, Uncle…”
“—Pardon?”
“Tonight, you’re the star.”
Her rotten glare all school day. Figured she’d heard from dad, mad at me. But those eyes now?
Total misread.
Sion, girl… eyes blazing fierce.
What to call it… like a she-lion.