The Grand Festival
"It's been a while, Milia. Schwarz."
With a soft clink, Amelia set down her teacup and raised a hand in a light wave toward the two of them.
"Tch…"
Milia clicked her tongue, her face twisting with open displeasure at the sight of her.
She had known Amelia would show up sooner or later, yet the sudden appearance right in front of her still drew that reflexive reaction before she could stop herself.
Amelia, long accustomed to such responses, merely let out a short chuckle and took another sip of her tea.
"Good day to you, Lady Rosenberg."
"Schwarz. Didn't I tell you before? There's no need to be so stiff. Just call me by my name."
Amelia offered a faint smile as Schwarz bowed his head.
Of course, saying it was one thing—actually doing it was another matter entirely. If word ever reached the ears of the ducal household, vanishing without a trace would be the least of his worries. Schwarz could only manage a bitter smile at the thought.
"So. Is it another sparring match today? I'd appreciate it if you finished quickly and left. I may look free, but the Grand Festival has me buried in work."
"You don't need to tell me. That was already my plan for today, so stop fretting."
Amelia set her cup down as she answered Milia's sharp retort.
The chill hanging between the two of them made Schwarz want nothing more than to flee the room on the spot. Naturally, that was impossible…
"Um… My Lady. You said that was your plan for today. Does that mean you've come for something else?"
"Hm? Ah. Right—forgive me."
Unable to bear the silence any longer, Schwarz carefully spoke up. At the same moment Amelia let out a soft "Ah" of realization and drew a blue paper envelope from her coat.
"Here."
"This is…?"
"A letter from Her Highness the Princess, addressed to the two of you. Read it when you have a moment."
"From Her Highness?"
The Princess. That could only mean Elis Nella Elianos of the Elianos Kingdom.
"Why would Her Highness send a letter…?"
"It seems she has matters that make it difficult for her to come in person."
"…"
Amelia folded her arms as she answered Milia's puzzled question.
It was not hard to guess the reason. Rayvan der Elianos—Crown Prince of the Elianos Kingdom and Elis's older brother—stood first in the line of succession. There was no way he would look kindly upon the sister ranked immediately below him.
"Thank you, Senior. You didn't have to deliver it yourself."
"No need for that. I was only passing by and decided to drop in for a moment."
Milia accepted the letter from Schwarz and inclined her head lightly. Amelia rose from her seat with a faint smile.
"Well then. Business finished—I'll be on my way."
"Take care, Senior."
Milia spoke as Amelia turned to leave; Schwarz bowed respectfully. Amelia gave them a casual wave and vanished from sight.
"Haa…"
The instant she was gone, strength drained from Schwarz's entire body and he let out a short sigh.
Every time Amelia visited it was the same. His head always ended up throbbing. She always laughed it off, but no matter how close the Valentine countship stood to ducal prestige, a count's house was still a count's house. If the duke's daughter ever chose to press the matter in earnest, Milia would be the one left at a disadvantage.
"My Lady…"
"Ugh…"
When he called her name quietly, Milia let out a low groan and averted her eyes.
Did she at least realize she was in the wrong? With that thought, Schwarz looked at her and spoke.
"Next time Lady Rosenberg comes, please apologize properly. You were clearly the one at fault."
"I-I'll think about it…"
She fidgeted with her fingers, still refusing to meet his gaze as he sighed.
Of course, even as she said it, both of them knew full well she would never actually apologize.
"As punishment, no snacks for a week."
"W-What!? Th-That's not fair! I'll go apologize right now!!"
At Schwarz's next words Milia yelped in panic and bolted out the student council president's office door. Watching her go, Schwarz let out a quiet snort of laughter.
A short while later…
"You did apologize properly, didn't you?"
"Y-Yeah…"
Schwarz asked as Milia returned, still catching her breath. She nodded reluctantly.
"I'll be checking with Lady Rosenberg next time."
"…"
At that warning, cold sweat beaded on Milia's brow and she looked away again.
This feels a little risky… Schwarz thought, watching her. He would probably have to ask Amelia whether the apology had actually happened.
"W-We'll worry about that later—let's just read the letter first!"
"…"
As if sensing his thoughts, Schwarz narrowed his eyes at her. Milia pretended not to notice and pulled the letter from Elis—delivered by Amelia—out of her coat.
Schwarz drew a letter opener from an inner pocket and handed it over. Milia accepted it and carefully slit the envelope open. From inside she withdrew the neatly folded letter and began to read.
And then…
"My Lady?"
Seeing her face go suddenly pale, Schwarz tilted his head in confusion. Milia's hands were trembling faintly.
What on earth could be written there to provoke such a reaction? He stepped closer and asked,
"What does it say that has you looking like that?"
"W-Well, you see…"
The cold sweat still running down her face filled him with a sense of foreboding. Schwarz took the letter from her and began to read it himself.
"…!!"
A moment later the color drained from his face as well.
"I think I finally understand how Sister felt during the martial arts tournament…"
"Y-Yes… I suppose so…"
Milia let out a short sigh. Schwarz could only nod in agreement.
The Grand Festival.
Ever since the founding of Central Academy, the tradition had continued unbroken: for one full week the academy district east of the royal palace transformed into a roaring celebration.
With that, I hereby declare the opening ceremony of the Central Academy Grand Festival concluded.
Waaaaaah—!!
With the aged headmaster's final declaration, the Grand Festival began amid the thunderous cheers of countless students.
Fireworks shot skyward with a deafening roar, bursting into clouds of multicolored smoke that painted the heavens. In a noisy, laughing throng the students poured out of the ceremony grounds. The invited dignitaries soon followed, until only a handful of professors and the student council members remained.
"Haa…"
Milia gazed over the suddenly empty hall, let out a short sigh, and stepped down from the platform.
"All right, everyone. Let's get to work."
"Yes, President. You've worked hard these past weeks."
At her words the student council members nodded and began clearing the venue.
"You've worked hard, My Lady."
"Yeah. Thanks."
Schwarz approached as she descended and draped a blanket over her shoulders.
"It's finally over."
"It really is."
Milia turned to look once more at the deserted hall. After five years spent in this place, even she had grown attached in her own way. A faint smile touched her lips before she started walking again.
"What would you like to do today? Since it's a special occasion, shall we go see the festival?"
"No… I just want to rest in my room. I'm exhausted."
She shook her head at Schwarz's question.
As student council president she had insisted on checking every last detail herself for the past month, determined that nothing would be left half-done until the very end. Even someone like her had been pushed nearly to her limit. That she had not collapsed yet was thanks entirely to Schwarz's tireless assistance with her duties.
"Understood."
"Wait."
Just as Schwarz bowed his head, she stopped him.
"Is something the matter?"
"You're resting today too."
"Pardon…?"
He blinked at her sudden command.
"Don't give me that 'pardon.' You've worked just as hard as I have. Isn't a break the least you deserve?"
"B-But, My Lady…"
It was not as though he failed to understand. Roughly half of Milia's workload had been handled by Schwarz, which meant he had labored every bit as much as she had. Offering him a short rest was only natural—yet Schwarz found no joy in it whatsoever.
Still, what choice did he have? Once Milia made up her mind, there was never any way to change it. Especially not on matters like this…
"Tsk."
"…Understood."
At the short click of her tongue he reluctantly nodded. Only then did Milia look satisfied, offering a faint smile as she set off down the corridor. Schwarz followed close behind.
Leaving the noisy, crowded academy behind, the two of them walked toward the empty dormitory.
And then—
"Ah—cold."
"My Lady?"
At her sudden exclamation Schwarz looked over. She was staring up at the sky with a puzzled expression. He followed her gaze.
The next moment both of them saw it: white snowflakes drifting down from the overcast sky.
"It's snowing."
"So it is…"
The first snow of the winter. Beneath the gray sky the two of them stood still for a while, simply looking up.
"Ah… Achoo!!"
"Are you all right?"
How long had they been watching? Her sudden, powerful sneeze brought Schwarz to her side at once.
"Yeah… I'm fine. Just a little cold."
"It seems a chill is coming on."
People always said fatigue left one vulnerable to illness. Schwarz pulled off a glove and carefully laid his palm against her forehead.
"You have a slight fever."
"R-Really…?"
A faint warmth against his skin. Not severe, yet nothing to ignore either.
"Come on. Climb on."
"W-What!?"
When Schwarz crouched in front of her, still wearing his remaining glove, Milia's face flushed scarlet and her voice rose in flustered protest.
"You're exhausted. If you push yourself any further right now, your condition could worsen rapidly."
"B-But…!!"
She glanced around in panic. Most of the students were off enjoying the festival; not a soul was in sight. Even so, the embarrassment remained.
"Hurry."
"A-All right…"
It should be fine now, right? With that thought she carefully leaned against his back. Schwarz rose to his feet at once.
"Hold on tight so you don't fall."
"Y-Yeah…"
Milia nodded. Schwarz gave her a gentle smile and started walking toward the dormitory.