Chapter 19
Chapter 19
The morning of a theology student at the academy began with humble prayer.
For Tiana, life was a series of miracles.
Who could have imagined that the girl who herded sheep in a rural field just a year ago would now learn the providence of God at the continent’s most prestigious academy?
If not by the grace of God, what else could this be?
Golden sunlight filtered through the window and broke upon the cross she held.
"Everything is by the grace of the Holy Completer, a miracle. Grant courage and wisdom to the lost lamb today as well."
She closed her eyes, holding the cross with both hands, praising God.
White sunlight fell on the cross, spreading a golden gleam. Her heart filled with devotion.
Tiana spent a lively morning. She grew closer to Him through theology lectures and deepened her understanding of the scriptures.
She also made new friends, all kind and devout people.
"Did you hear the news? Senior Ophilienne did something huge!"
"Oh, the Professor Harsen incident?"
"I never imagined that professor would be like that."
"If it weren’t for Senior Ophilienne, we would have just blindly followed the professor. Ugh, chills."
"His Highness Crown Prince seems very fortunate. To have such an extraordinary woman as his wife."
"Honestly… Ophilienne is such a waste."
"I agree."
…Of course, they spoke in whispers behind backs as well.
They were good friends.
"So Marty’s sister is the Crown Prince’s fiancée…"
Tiana gradually came to understand the world. It was a complex place, not simple at all.
"Marty is truly remarkable."
Marty, the first friend she made after leaving her hometown. He wasn’t the typical aristocrat. He was cute rather than elegant, familiar rather than luxurious.
Like a little puppy she raised at home.
Yet he had a connection to the Crown Prince. Tiana had grown up in a countryside with nothing, but she knew what an emperor was—Friedrich the Great, a ruler seated on the throne for a century, dominating the world.
The idea of Marty being part of that family didn’t feel real. It was simply grand, and a subtle distance lingered.
"…Did I behave too rudely?"
Without permission, she had hugged him, called his name, patted his head. Looking back, she realized it had been wrong.
"…I have discovered why salvation does not come to this world. Everyone, let us offer prayers to God and conclude the lecture."
The lecture ended. The cardinal opened the Bible.
A young cardinal, directly dispatched by the Vatican, held a professorship in the theology department.
While her friends were astounded by his extraordinary presence, Tiana neither knew who he was nor understood what a cardinal was.
The theology students were fawning over him.
"He’s really handsome…"
"He carries the blessing of God in one body."
"Oh…! God, please forgive my desires."
Contrary to common images of cardinals, he was a young, handsome man. He smiled at the students while reciting the prayers.
After a while, Tiana recited the prayer herself and got up to attend her next lecture.
"….."
And the young cardinal watched her quietly.
Tiana ate in the cafeteria. She chose an inexpensive meal due to her limited funds. Still, it was freshly baked bread with soft cheese and ham. She ate gratefully. Compared to her hometown, this was plenty.
"Where’s Tybwin?"
Joy sat beside her. Her meal was the same as Tiana’s.
"Ah, Joy. Tybwin said he already ate with friends, so he’s not eating."
"And Marty?"
"Marty?"
Tiana paused. She thought of Matios. Matios was a high-ranking aristocrat. He wouldn’t eat something like this.
"…I don’t know. Maybe he’s eating somewhere else?"
"Ask with your watch."
"Me…?"
"Yes. I’m not friends with Marty on social media yet."
"Okay, I’ll do that."
Tiana turned on her watch, went to Matios’ contact, and started to type a message, then stopped. Somehow, she felt a distance from Matios.
"Mm. I don’t want to bother him."
"…Well, then, I guess it can’t be helped."
Tiana and Joy finished their simple meal and parted ways. Joy majored in art. She seemed well suited to such a beautiful, artistic major.
Crunch, crunch.
The academy grounds were filled with the vitality of early spring just waking from sleep.
Freshly sprouted leaves held a vibrant light green hue, and sunlight filtering between them scattered in small beams over Tiana’s shoulders.
She closed her eyes, enveloped in the soft warmth. A small habit she had developed.
When vision is blocked, other senses sharpen.
The scent of grass brushed her nose, a gentle breeze tickled her cheeks, almost like a living creature.
Under the cloudless sky, lying on the swaying grass, she felt the sun.
Breathing deeply with her eyes closed, this place no longer felt like a strange foreign land.
It reminded her of home, the Sorren fields, where endless plains and the peaceful cries of sheep stretched as far as the eye could see.
Thud!
Her shoulder, still with eyes closed, collided with something. The sudden impact sent her stumbling backward.
"Ah! What the—?"
Tiana raised her head in confusion. A scowling girl brushed off her shoulder. Around her, upperclassmen glared down at Tiana with contempt.
"Sorry… Are you hurt…!?"
Tiana had been the one who fell. She quickly dusted herself off and tried to check on the girl.
"I’ll help—"
Smack!
The girl slapped Tiana’s cheek. Her head snapped to the side, her wheat-colored hair flying. Tiana staggered.
"Hey, first-year. Can’t you watch where you’re going? What are you doing with your eyes closed?"
"Sorry…"
The girl scanned Tiana from head to toe. Ordinary. No ring, no bracelet, no badge. Only a simple cross hung around her neck.
All academy students wore uniforms, regardless of aristocrat or commoner. Many aristocrats disliked this. They did not want to be treated the same as commoners.
So they adorned themselves with extravagant accessories to insist they were a “different breed.”
In contrast, Tiana had nothing. The cross was standard for theology students. Meaning, she was a commoner with nothing else.
"Hey."
Satisfied with her assessment, the girl twisted her lips into a sneer.
"Follow me for a moment."
When Tiana came to her senses, she was between buildings, in a shaded area. The upperclassmen who had bumped into her had cornered her against a wall.
They spat out filthy words, poking and prodding her. Tiana had no idea what was happening and lowered her head in despair.
"What do I do…"
Her mind went blank.
The courage she had shown on the train against ruffians had long since worn away.
She had come to understand the world. How aristocratic power could trample a person’s life, the weight of their laws and violence. Her old shameless daring was gone.
"Knowing the Crown Prince…"
And these weren’t ordinary aristocrats. They were close friends of the Crown Prince. She had overheard this from their conversations.
"What’s your name?"
A tall male student loomed over Tiana like a shadow.
"Tiana Filrn."
Franz von Georg, eldest son of the Duke Georg family. His father was a trusted aide of the Emperor, a master tactician, even commanding in battle.
He had grown up playing alongside the Crown Prince, their bond strong. He was essentially the Crown Prince’s right-hand man.
"Right… Tiana Filrn."
Franz scanned her from head to toe. Her face, neck, ample chest, and hips all came under his sticky gaze.
Ho.
Franz had three pleasures: women, alcohol, and military affairs.
Even at a young age, he had inherited his father’s talents, excelling militarily.
So he could act like a hooligan without consequence. He could assault women, even kill, and escape punishment. His father praised such behavior, saying that was what a soldier should do.
From that point, Franz lived freely, enjoying countless women.
Even in his eyes, Tiana Filrn was highly attractive.
"How can you walk with your eyes open? I nearly got hurt, Tiana Filrn."
"…I already apologized…"
"Apologized… Do you think we’re the same as you? What has a lowly girl done to talk back? Do you think we’re a joke?"
"No, that’s not it…"
"Was it wrong?"
"…I’m sorry."
Tiana answered, voice trembling. Grief surged. She couldn’t believe a small mistake could bring such humiliation. Her vision blurred with tears.
Then she saw a familiar figure.
Marty…!
Matios stood there, motionless.
For a moment, Tiana felt rescued. If it was Matios, he would save her…
Ah.
She remembered.
The situation Matios was in.
The complex web of interests.
Tiana lowered her head.
"What am I doing? I can’t even help others, and yet I’m about to cause harm."
She gripped her cross.
She endured. She held on.
Someday, someday…
…
Time passed. The torrent of abuse and mockery strangely stopped.
Tiana lifted her eyes. She saw Matios’ small back.
"What is this?"
Franz tilted his head and looked down at the small boy blocking him, irritation in his eyes.
"Matios. What are you doing?"
"And what are you doing, senior?"
"I asked first."
A tense silence stretched between them.
They knew each other. As one of the few great aristocrats of the empire, they had crossed paths at social events.
That was all. They had acknowledged each other, but never properly spoken.
The old Matios would never have dared to block the heir of the ducal family.
"Tiana is my friend."
"Oh? You know she bumped into people, right? Eyes closed and all."
"Did she apologize?"
"Yes, but that’s not enough—"
"Then it’s settled, isn’t it?"
Matios stood firmly, looking up at the towering Franz. His gray eyes unshaken.
"You’ve changed a lot, Matios. You weren’t like this before."
"So, an apology is enough?"
Whoosh!
Without warning, Franz’s heavy fist shot toward Matios’ face. Matios leaned back, narrowly avoiding it. Just barely.
"Ah, my apologies."
Franz chuckled, shaking off his large fist. His cruel smirk faded.
"An apology ends it? Matios. I won’t let it go. For your sister’s sake, this is as far as it goes."
"…"
"Leave. Today, we’re settling this, no matter if she’s your friend or not."
He gestured for Matios to go, but he did not budge, standing as if nailed to the ground.
Tiana grabbed his collar with trembling hands.
"…Go, Matios. I’m okay…"
Her voice betrayed her as it trembled.
Matios quietly patted her hand, then smiled at Franz with an unnervingly bright smile.
"Brother, do you know the Crown Prince?"
"What?"
Franz raised an eyebrow at the sudden question. Matios’ smile deepened.
"The one who gives roses. Does the Crown Prince know about it?"
"!!!"
Franz’ face instantly turned pale. Shock and disbelief overwhelmed him.
"What… What are you talking about?"
"What is he saying?"
"Franz, do you know?"
The other aristocratic youths turned to Franz. He shot them a deadly glare before turning to leave hastily.
"…Let’s go. It’s nothing. Annoying. Watch yourself, Matios. Even trusting your sister has its limits."
"I’ll handle my own affairs."
"Tsk."
Franz disappeared. The aristocrats left, bewildered.
As the storm cleared, Tiana slid down the wall, tension leaving her body.
"Are you okay, Tiana?"
"You…! Why did you do that?"
"Huh?"
"Why did you help me…! You could have been in trouble."
"You’re fine."
"Still… still… haah. But how did it happen? I didn’t think a few words would make him back off."
"Ah, that’s because…"
The Crown Prince knew about the roses.
"It’s nothing."
The Crown Prince has a woman he deeply loves. Franz also loves her. A love triangle.
Franz sent her red equipment each time. Red equipment’s flower meaning: passionate love.
Naturally, the Crown Prince does not know. If he did, their relationship would collapse, and the empire could be in danger.
"That was the woman’s goal all along."
The Succubus Queen, disguised as human, holds high position, protected by the Crown Prince and Franz’s love. She is not easily touched.
A chance will come to act later.
"From now on, no one will bother you, sister."
"…Really?"
"Yes. Really."
Holding Franz’ weakness, he could never harm Tiana.
If he did, "I’d crush him completely."
Then it would be death for both Franz and the Crown Prince. He would know best who loses.
"Anyway, I should head to class…"
She hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her forehead. She buried her face in his shoulder and cried, shaking with relief.
"Thank you, thank you so much, Matios. Without you, I really… sob."
The deep emotion faded, and her expression softened.
"Sister…."
"Yes, Matios."
After shedding her tears, Tiana’s voice brightened again.
More than anything…
"…It’s suffocating."
Sister, I’m dying.