Chapter 631: Interrupting the Cast
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 631: Interrupting the Cast
"Your Majesty."
"Thank you for your hard work, Professor Prang."
Celicia stepped down from the carriage. Before her lay the familiar grounds of St. Maria Academy.
The gates remained unchanged. The massive characters carved into the mountain stone were bold and powerful, said to have been written by the First King himself a thousand years ago.
The academy was the same as ever, but in the span of a single holiday, Celicia’s status had undergone a world-shaking transformation. Once, even as a princess, she had been merely a student here. Now, the academy’s professors had to receive her in person.
"Have the students not arrived yet?"
Celicia’s cool gaze swept across the grounds. Amidst the lush greenery, the campus was quiet, lacking its usual vitality.
"The students have already arrived, but we adjusted the schedule to ensure their activities didn't overlap with Your Majesty’s visit, so as to avoid any chaos."
Professor Prang answered respectfully, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
"…I suppose that makes sense. From now on, whenever I come to the academy, it can only be as a visitor."
Celicia waved her hand, signaling the Royal Knights behind her not to follow. She then walked into the campus alongside Professor Prang.
"What about the people from the Kingdom?"
"They have already sent a letter stating they will arrive tomorrow."
"Tomorrow… they certainly are impatient."
Professor Prang stroked his beard. As an old rival, he understood Hertz’s personality quite well. He had once suppressed Hertz so thoroughly that the man couldn't even lift his head. For Hertz to be this confident now, it wasn't just a momentary rush of blood to the head; he surely had something up his sleeve.
"Listen to you… Do you lack confidence, Professor Prang?" Celicia’s elegant brows arched slightly.
"Haha, Your Majesty needn't ask me that."
Professor Prang chuckled. "That young man of yours is going to be one of the main forces in the coming days. You should ask him."
"Hmph."
At the mention of the man who had suddenly vanished again, Celicia let out a soft snort. "Is he back at the academy?"
"He is."
Professor Prang cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "Does Your Majesty wish to find him? Although women aren't allowed in the men’s dormitory, for Your Majesty…"
"Why would I go looking for him?"
Celicia coldly interrupted Professor Prang and walked off in the opposite direction without looking back.
"I am here at the academy on official business. It’s better that he isn't here to disturb me."
"..."
Professor Prang blinked, watching Celicia’s aloof silhouette as she walked away. He stroked his beard and shook his head helplessly.
*
"Hmm? Celicia is at the academy?"
In the dormitory, Ariel, who had been mid-cultivation, jolted upright at the news.
"Great! My chance has come!!"
"Aren't you being a bit too impatient?"
The candlelight flickered as a misty figure rose beside Ariel. "It’s said the Kingdom’s people won't arrive until tomorrow. Wouldn't it be better to prepare today?"
"Oh, Teacher, you just don't understand!"
Ariel stood with her hands on her hips, brimming with confidence. "Is volunteering your services the same as being called upon? It’s precisely because the exchange starts tomorrow that I must go to Celicia today to show her my resolve! That’s the only way to leave a deeper impression!"
"Will that actually work?" Ariel’s teacher asked doubtfully.
"Of course it will!"
Ariel’s lips curled into a confident smirk. "Based on my vast romantic experience, the prerequisite for making a beautiful woman’s heart flutter is to leave your own mark on her heart. Only after the mark is made will everything else follow naturally!"
"Is that so?"
The teacher’s gaze turned somewhat peculiar. Although her disciple often claimed to be romantically experienced, the "Crystal Palace" she vowed to build didn't even have a foundation yet. The only one who had seemed like a sure thing had ended up being snatched away while Ariel was busy playing the "slow-boil" game. And yet, here she was, confident as ever…
"Don't worry. I’m completely different now. I’ll move faster than that Muen Campbell. I definitely won't repeat the mistake I made with Liya—being too hesitant and giving him the chance to steal her away!"
At the mention of that bastard Muen Campbell, Ariel felt a surge of indignation. But the thought of finally besting him, getting her revenge, and perhaps even winning Liya back in the future made her chest swell with pride and her mood brighten.
That’s right! A true powerhouse is never truly defeated!
This was her golden opportunity to turn the tables!
*
The Student Council Room.
Celicia dismissed all her attendants and pushed the door open alone.
As the familiar door swung wide, dust motes danced in the air. Bright spring light seeped through the gaps in the curtains, leaving a trail of time’s passage across the desk where she had worked for so long.
Several months had passed, and since no one else had moved into the Student Council Room, it had sat vacant. The flowers in the vase on the desk had long since withered, leaving only dry, yellowed, drooping remains.
Celicia’s palm brushed lightly over the room’s contents. A gentle wind and snow drifted in from outside the door, swirling and sweeping away the dust on the floor.
She pushed open the window, clearing away the grime just as she did every time she returned after a holiday.
Shasha…
The sound of footsteps treading on fallen leaves reached her ears. Celicia instinctively looked down, but she didn't see the familiar figure she expected. Instead, she saw the new students, full of youthful energy, sprinting through the shaded grove of plane trees.
It feels… like it’s been a very long time.
Celicia sighed softly, then shook her head with a smile before sitting in the seat she had occupied for so long.
She didn't handle any official business, as there was nothing left in this academy that required her personal attention. She simply flipped open a book at random, her slender fingers tapping lightly on the desk, sounding like the rhythmic ticking of a clock.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap-tap-tap-tap.
Just as the tapping began to sound noticeably impatient…
Knock, knock.
The door was suddenly struck.
"Who is it?" Celicia asked without looking up.
Knock, knock. Knock-knock-knock. Knock-knock-knock-knock.
No one answered, but the knocking continued with a distinct rhythm. It was like a busker on the street performing a jaunty tune; as long as Celicia didn't respond, it would keep playing.
"Come in."
After a long moment, Celicia finally looked up. Her voice remained cold, but her fingers stopped their tapping.
The door opened, and the first thing to enter her sight was… a bouquet of flowers.
The bouquet was incredibly vibrant and multicolored, clearly a meticulous arrangement of many different species.
But Celicia found them somewhat familiar.
"You’re trying to appease me with things you just picked from the flowerbeds downstairs?" Celicia’s gaze grew even colder.
"How can you call this 'appeasing'?"
Muen peeked out from behind the flowers with a half-smile, speaking with utter sincerity. "I picked these out personally. Every single one was the most beautiful and spirited flower in the bed, just like my feelings for Your Majesty."
"But you still picked them from the flowerbeds."
Celicia crossed her fingers, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Do you know that the academy forbids picking flowers from the beds? To commit such a breach of school rules right in front of me, the Student Council President… tell me, how should I punish you?"
"Student Council President, are we going to play that kind of rolepl—ahem… for such a small matter, let’s skip the punishment."
Muen coughed twice and quietly moved to Celicia’s desk. He leaned his upper body over the long table, gazing intently at her. "Actually, besides the flowers, I prepared another gift."
"Oh? And what is it?"
Celicia looked into Muen’s deep blue eyes—the kind one could easily drown in—and asked with interest, "I hope it doesn't disappoint me."
"Of course not."
Muen was full of confidence as he placed the bouquet in front of Celicia. "Here, stare at these flowers."
"Heh, playing these suspenseful little games?"
Celicia scoffed, appearing to look down on such tricks, yet her eyes obediently fell upon the bouquet.
"Watch closely, and then…"
Muen suddenly jerked the bouquet to the side with a sharp motion. Celicia’s gaze instinctively followed the movement.
In that split second, she felt a familiar aura draw near. A searing heat easily captured her lips.
Muen had launched a sneak attack while she was off-guard, a triumphant glint appearing in his eyes. Celicia was stunned for a moment, but she immediately responded by biting back at the little thief who dared to ambush her. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she tried to reclaim dominance inch by inch, intending to deliver an even harsher "punishment."
Lips and tongues intertwined fiercely. The struggle for dominance played out within that small space, and the sounds of passion echoed through the quiet, private room.
Finally, they pulled apart.
Muen licked his lips, which now carried a faint, sweet metallic taste. He smiled. "How was my gift?"
Celicia’s cheeks were flushed with rising desire, but she tilted her chin up and said haughtily, "Average."
"How is it still just average?"
Muen casually stuck the bouquet into the vase, then vaulted over the desk in one fluid motion to lean against Celicia.
Their foreheads touched.
"Since it’s 'average,' can I take that to mean 'very good'?"
"No."
"Then what counts as 'very good'?"
"Guess."
"Now that’s a difficult question."
Muen wrapped one arm around Celicia’s slender waist, while his other hand slid onto her smooth thigh. Feeling the exquisite texture, Muen couldn't help but marvel… as expected of Her Majesty, even the quality of her black stockings seemed to possess a more noble elegance.
"What were you doing just now?" Muen asked casually, inhaling the sweet scent of her skin.
"Nothing much."
Celicia gave a small smile. "I was just playing a game where I’d tap my fingers a thousand times. If you hadn't appeared by then, I was going to freeze you into an ice sculpture and put you on display for the whole school tomorrow."
"...That’s a terrifying game."
Muen quickly caught Celicia’s small hand. "You’re just joking, right?"
"What do you think?" Celicia replied with a beaming smile. "Do you think I’m joking?"
Muen felt a shiver run through his sturdy frame, but he pressed even closer to Celicia, nuzzling against her soft skin.
"Then, since I arrived in time, what’s my reward?"
"Reward? It seems the punishment from earlier hasn't even begun yet."
"How about both? I like them all."
Muen gave her a gentle lift, letting Celicia lean back against the high-backed chair as he slowly pressed himself over her. His fingers were already expertly hooking into the laces of her dress.
"Not here."
Celicia’s brow furrowed slightly, yet she didn't physically refuse. In fact, she even proactively lifted a leg.
Muen chuckled. "What’s wrong with here? The chair is soft, and it’s so quiet."
"What if someone comes…"
"You are the Empress. Who would dare disturb you?"
Seeing the melting look in Celicia’s eyes, the fire in Muen’s heart burned even hotter. Finally unable to restrain his desire, he lowered his head to capture that sweetness once more, intending to savor it slowly…
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, the door was struck.
A restrained yet excited voice pierced through the door at the most inopportune moment, reaching their ears.
"Celicia… wait, Your Majesty, are you in there?"
The owner of the voice, Ariel, shouted from outside, unable to hide her thrill. "I have something to say to you. Can I come in?"