The Empire's Three Pillars
The awkward lunch at the VVIP restaurant had mercifully(?) concluded, and we were back in the first-year Class 1 classroom, awaiting the afternoon theory lesson.
"Zzz…."
A beast had buried its nose into my right shoulder and was dozing peacefully. Was it because I'd forced her to chew and swallow all that greenery for the first time in ages? Or had the full belly combined with the warm sunlight triggered some primal post-meal drowsiness? Reina clung to my arm like it was her lifeline, breathing softly and obliviously in perfect peace.
Agh. My arm's going numb. And sleeping right after eating is bad for digestion.
I ignored the growing ache in my right shoulder and stared blankly out the window at the training grounds, my tired eyes unfocused. At least with Reina sleeping quietly, I could reclaim a sliver of peace for this moment. I dared to hope she'd stay like this through the dull afternoon Imperial Affairs lecture.
That's when it happened.
Crinkle, crinkle.
Cautious yet quick footsteps approached my desk. I turned to see a silver-haired girl standing there, gripping a crisp leather notebook in one hand and a hefty quill in the other. It was Elarra von Sterling, the young lady from the Sterling count family who'd conjured ice spears in midair during the morning practical evaluation.
Her emerald eyes—tinged with blue—flicked between Reina snoring on my shoulder and my own impassive face looking up at her.
Oh... what does she want?
I clicked my tongue inwardly and waited for her to spit it out. On closer inspection, her gaze wasn't like the shocked stares from the other kids at lunch. It sparkled dangerously with excitement and curiosity, like a tabloid reporter who'd just landed a massive scoop.
"Baron Evans. My apologies for interrupting your peaceful rest."
Elarra tapped her quill against her lips, cheeks flushing as she leaned in with a conspiratorial whisper.
"…Is there something Lady Sterling needs from me?"
I replied with feigned politeness, and she stepped closer, twirling the quill over her open notebook.
"Those astonishing sights you showed us today… no, the special secret to taming the empire's untamable sword into such a docile lamb—I'm just dying to know it."
"……."
"Might you indulge my burning scholarly curiosity(?) with a little interview about your own subtle, fatal charm that captured Her Highness the Archduchess's heart in an instant?"
Great. Some weirdo latched onto me on the first day of the semester.
I suppressed my exhaustion and simply stared at her. Heir to the empire's top trading house, they said—not sniffing out gold, but hyena-like after romance scandals. It reminded me of my past life as a teacher, dealing with those gossip-hungry girls obsessed with celebrity rumors and staff room flings.
To slice through her burdensome delusions, I gently stroked Reina's silver hair as she slumbered on my shoulder and opened my mouth with utmost courtesy.
"I truly admire Lady Sterling's passionate journalistic spirit…"
I trailed off, furrowing my brow as if troubled.
"But as you can see, I'm holding my breath, focusing every nerve to avoid disturbing Her Highness the Archduchess's sweet slumber. I have no energy left to assist in your excellent creative endeavors."
At my polished, perfect refusal, Elarra's blue-green eyes widened dramatically.
I subtly nodded toward the other kids in Class 1.
"Do you really need to waste your precious break prying words from a dull baron like me?"
A master's adult tactic: humble yourself thoroughly while indirectly saying, Stop writing fanfic and go play over there.
But Elarra's reaction was the polar opposite of what I'd expected. Her wildly shaking eyes filled with a manic glow of reverence.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, clutching her notebook to her chest.
"Oh my, oh my goodness…!"
What? Why's she like that?
"Sealing your lips to guard Her Highness the Archduchess's precious nap? That selfless devotion, humbling yourself endlessly to protect your beloved…!"
Her cheeks bloomed rose-red. Her quill flew across the notebook like mad, scribbling furiously.
"Baron Evans! You're far more profound and romantic—a true pure love story!"
No, it's not pure love—I'm just scared she'll wreck the training grounds if she wakes up!
I spat blood inwardly from the injustice, but sensing no explanation could pierce her gossip filter, I merely offered a faint, weary smile.
Elarra stepped back gracefully and whispered like driving in the final nail.
"Your noble silence, young Baron—I, Elarra von Sterling, shall etch it beautifully into the annals of the Imperial Academy. Rest well!"
With that, she skipped away, the picture of an entertainment reporter fresh off an idol scandal.
As Elarra returned to her seat and began scribbling, the sliding front door opened, and the afternoon lecturer entered.
A stern old gentleman with neatly combed gray hair and a monocle, clutching a thick tome titled Imperial Affairs.
"Everyone, take your seats. I am Professor Winston, who will teach you fledglings the empire's political landscape and currents for the coming year."
Professor Winston swept the room with a hawkish glare from the podium. Predictable. First class of the semester, in a room crawling with high noble brats—veteran teacher routine to clamp down on discipline from the start.
"I've heard Class 1 boasts heirs from great houses destined to lead the empire. So before we open the textbook, a light question."
The professor drew a large triangle on the blackboard with chalk.
"The empire's glorious history endures thanks to three great pillars."
His sharp gaze through the monocle scanned specific students in turn.
"The imperial family's absolute authority."
It lingered on Leonhardt von Leonis, the emperor faction marquess heir sitting ramrod straight in the front row.
"The noble houses' honorable loyalty."
Now to Julian von Vander, the noble faction top student, elegantly crossing his legs by the window.
"And… the military might to cleave foreign foes in a single stroke."
Finally, the professor's stern eyes landed on my right shoulder.
Precisely, on the silver-haired beast rubbing her cheek there in deep slumber: Reina de Astrea.
Blatantly spotlighting the three faction heads in the room. What a helpful pinpointer of a lecturer.
I swallowed a yawn at the professor's blatant gaze-roaming.
He withdrew his eyes and declared solemnly to the class.
"We all harmonize for the empire."
A keen glint flashed through his monocle.
"But what do you think is the true driving force behind these vast powers maintaining a precarious 'peace' and balance for centuries without devouring each other? Top entrant Julian von Vander. Answer."
Julian rose leisurely, adjusting his glasses.
"It is the profound loyalty to His Majesty across all strata, and the noble noblesse oblige to safeguard the empire."
A textbook-perfect, patriotic model answer. But Professor Winston tsked and shook his head.
"Wrong. That's a greenhouse flower response. Flowery idealism like that won't survive real politics."
Julian's face flushed crimson, and a stifling silence blanketed the room like cold water doused.
The professor, pacing sternly, fixed his gaze on my right shoulder again—specifically, the silver-haired nape buried there.
"Then, what thinks the empire's strongest sword, Archduchess Astrea? What is the true force upholding these elegant three pillars?"
Cold sweat trickled down my spine.
No, you mad old coot! I just got her to sleep after veggies—why poke the beast's whiskers now!
"Mm…."
Reina's silver hair rustled against my shoulder. She slowly lifted her head, heavy purple eyes blinking open lazily.
"…Sleepy. Why."
A drowsy, chilling voice slipped from her red lips. As she furrowed her brow in irritation, the classroom air crushed down like it had multiplied tenfold in weight.
Political dynamics? Power balances for peace? Such petty human wordplay crumbled to dust before a supreme predator's displeased yawn.
Aigoo, the room might collapse. Professor, back off quick. She's genuinely pissed from sleepiness.
I gripped her gloved hand under the desk, forcibly suppressing her rising energy. Cold sweat beaded on Professor Winston's pale cheek amid the heavy air. His monocle-hidden eyes darted lostly before he cleared his throat repeatedly.
"Ahem! Hah, hahaha. The Archduchess is… remarkably innocent-looking."
He desperately tugged his lips into a smile to salvage teacher dignity.
"Y-yes. Too pure and clear for political underbelly. I knew it was a tough question! Ponder the answer deeply today. Now, open to page 14!"
The professor hurriedly turned to the blackboard, scribbling. As the crushing air lifted, the Class 1 brats' faces regained color—they'd barely breathed.
The mood shifted subtly, and I quietly met the probing stares directed our way.
"……."
First to catch my eye: front-row emperor faction marquess heir, Leonhardt von Leonis. He gripped his pen like it might snap, glaring daggers at the beast's crown dozing on my shoulder again.
Still not giving up the staring contest? College athlete competitiveness, huh.
Meanwhile, noble faction top Julian—who'd been rebuked for his model answer—had paled but recovered, casually peering over his glasses at Reina and me alternately.
Why's he glancing like that?
Irritation surged at the high nobles' tiresome attention.
"Mm, Cadel…."
But as this beautiful, pure monster leaned back onto my shoulder, all thoughts evaporated.
Eh, whatever. No need to care about the hassle.
I stroked her hair. "Yeah, sleep. I'll nap too."
Only I offered my shoulder to the beast, enduring the languid, peaceful afternoon.