The Crown Princess's Investiture
"……Silvia."
Silvia had been on her way back to the dormitory when she heard a familiar voice calling her name. She stopped and turned to find her friend standing there—a face she knew well, though she hadn't seen him in quite some time.
The moment she recognized him, Silvia's expression bloomed into a radiant smile, like sunlight breaking through clouds.
"Cain!"
Cain, who had been absent from the Academy for so long, had finally returned. He looked somewhat thinner than before, but he managed a faint smile and raised his hand in a small wave.
"It's been a while."
"It really has. Were you busy with work?"
Felice and Helena were precious friends to her, but Cain was no less important. He had been the first person she could truly rely on after entering the Academy. Because of that, Silvia didn't bother hiding her excitement as she walked briskly toward him.
"Yeah. Family matters took longer than expected. Nothing happened while I was gone, right?"
"Nothing happened…? Of course not…!"
While Cain had been away, many things had happened to Silvia—enough that she might not have endured them alone. Yet now, all of it felt like "nothing at all." Because she had a reliable friend by her side.
Cain nodded quietly at her bright answer and began walking.
"Heading back to the dorm?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
"Same. I'll walk you there. Let's go."
"Okay."
The two of them fell into step together, chatting as they made their way toward the dormitory. Cain had something he wanted to say, but he sensed the timing wasn't right yet. Instead, he simply listened to Silvia's stories in silence.
"So Felice……"
"……Yeah."
As he listened to her talk, Cain's expression suddenly hardened, his face turning cold.
"You two seem pretty close now."
"Huh…? We are, I guess? I've gotten close with Helena too…!"
Cain bit his lower lip without realizing it. But the moment Silvia gave him a puzzled look, he quickly smoothed his expression back into something neutral.
It wasn't simply that Silvia had grown close to someone else that bothered him. It was the way her face changed whenever she spoke about Felice that left him uneasy.
Unlike Leonhardt, however, Cain wasn't the type to let his emotions show so easily. He was also skilled at keeping his feelings hidden from Silvia. Even so, the restless feeling in his chest was impossible to ignore.
A brief silence settled between them. Silvia found it strange, but didn't press the matter.
"Silvia."
They had reached the dormitory. Cain steadied himself and called her name.
"Yeah?"
"Do you have any plans this Friday?"
His voice was cautious. Silvia thought for a moment, then shook her head. Felice would be away from the Academy that day as well, so she had nothing particular to do.
"No? Why?"
"Would you come somewhere with me that day?"
"……Where?"
Cain rarely made such requests, so Silvia blinked slowly, curious.
He took a deep breath before continuing.
"After the Crown Princess's investiture ceremony, there's going to be a banquet. I'd like you to attend it with me."
"……Would it be okay for me to go to something like that?"
Cain was a member of a ducal family, but Silvia was still a commoner. She genuinely wondered whether she was even allowed to attend a noble banquet.
"I was pushed out of the succession race, but I'm still attending, aren't I? Besides, you'll be there as my partner, so you don't need to worry about it."
Cain was cold and blunt toward most people, but with Silvia, he was always gentle. Silvia didn't realize that this wasn't simply because they were "friends."
"If that's the case…… yeah, I don't mind."
Thinking it was just another case of him needing a partner and turning to her as a friend, Silvia accepted. Cain gave her a faint smile.
'……Felice said he'd be there too, so I'll get to see him.'
Believing that being with both of her friends would make even a noble banquet bearable, Silvia smiled and waved as she headed into the dormitory.
Cain watched her retreating figure in silence. Once she disappeared from sight, he let out a long breath and ran a hand through his hair.
"……I guess that's a relief."
Having learned everything Leonhardt had done, Cain felt conflicted as he looked at the seemingly cheerful Silvia. He was glad she appeared fine even without him, yet the thought that she might not need him at all left him unsettled.
He knew full well that Silvia didn't see him as a romantic interest. That was precisely why he had invited her to the banquet as his partner.
After calming his turbulent thoughts, Cain slowly walked away.
@
Friday morning arrived.
After finishing my half-hearted preparations, I stretched my stiff body and left the Academy at a leisurely pace. With the Crown Princess's investiture ceremony taking place, the entire Empire had been declared a public holiday so that many young nobles could attend the banquet. Even commoners were flocking to the capital to celebrate the princess's ascension.
As I watched the stream of students heading toward the capital, I spotted a lavish carriage parked at the Academy's main gate and made my way over to it.
The Crown Princess must have put considerable thought into the arrangement—the golden carriage was so ornate that it was almost intimidating. Anyone who saw it would immediately assume someone important was riding inside.
I wasn't the only one who noticed. Curious glances were already gathering around the carriage.
The identity of the person escorting Princess Achillea remained a closely guarded secret. When a carriage presumed to belong to the imperial family appeared, everyone's attention naturally focused on who would step inside.
I was still hesitating, reluctant to approach under so many stares, when an elderly knight waiting beside the carriage walked over and addressed me politely.
"……Are you Sir Felice van Astria?"
My red hair must have made me easy to spot. I returned his courtesy with a polite bow.
"I am."
"My name is Godric. I have come at Her Highness the Princess's command to escort you."
At once, every gaze turned toward me. Though they were too far away to hear our conversation, they clearly realized I was the one meant to ride in the imperial carriage. The thought that everyone would know soon enough at the banquet already made my head spin.
"……I'll be in your care."
Following Godric's guidance, I approached the carriage with my head lowered, trying to ignore the stares.
"Please raise your head. You are a guest of Her Highness Princess Achillea."
Godric spoke in a gentle voice, as if accustomed to such situations, easing my discomfort. He was right—I hadn't committed any crime, so there was no reason to cower. I straightened my posture and nodded. Only then did Godric smile in satisfaction.
Climbing the ornate steps, I stepped into the carriage. Its interior was just as grand and luxurious as its exterior.
"Then we shall depart."
"……Yes."
I sank into the plush seat and answered. Godric handled the reins with practiced ease, and the carriage began to move smoothly. Staring out at the passing scenery, I let out a small sigh.
If I was already struggling with this much attention, how was I supposed to survive the banquet? I didn't know many people there, and I couldn't exactly cling to Princess Achillea's side the whole time. It would have been nice if Helena were attending, but knowing her personality, that seemed unlikely.
As I gazed out the window, a sudden realization struck me.
"Oh, right."
I hadn't told Helena anything.
……Would it be okay?
Silvia would be there, at least. Since I hadn't mentioned to anyone that I was escorting Princess Achillea at the investiture, only Achillea, Silvia, and I knew about it. Silvia would probably explain things to Helena herself. Helena might sulk a little, but I could always make it up to her later.
With that thought, I relaxed and leaned back against the soft cushions.
Meanwhile, Helena, left behind alone……
"Everyone left me behind……!!"
She had known about the Crown Princess's investiture, but since neither Felice nor Silvia had told her their plans, she had been completely abandoned.
"This is too much!!!"
All alone in the empty Academy, Helena could only wail in despair.