"Help!"

Ett gasped, sitting uprightly with widened eyes and robotically sitting up from her bed. Cold sweat ran down her back as she coughed vehemently.

"Just what was that?"

She just dreamt of the ML marrying her.

Son of a, this is absurd! She, who had a son not far from the MC's age, go through with that kind of kinky stuff?

Ett's not even to that kind of age difference! Pass, pass. She shivered in disgust.

Wedding the ML while having my son as the protagonist's enemy. It's still a no-no, even if we remove that story role.

Suppose she became Peterpan, who never grows up; that's still a big X.

"Hah."

Ett didn't even interact deeply with Ercid. Gross.

Dreams are sometimes weird. Don't make it come true. Don't just don't of all the don'ts.

It'll make her cough all of her blood if that happens.

"Your Ladyship, it's time for your bath."

"Coming."

Seeing the beautiful 'maid', Ett can't help but feel strange.

"You can even be the Empress, and no one might know as long as you don't show your manhood."

"Aiya~ Your Ladyship, even if I did, they might still want me."

Akan winked seductively.

"Ugh--cough!"

Ett shivered.

"Your expression wounded me, Your Ladyship."

"..." That confidence, with that face and daringness. Even his voice doesn't seem manly. Just what had he been doing when he was young?

Well, for sure, it's dark...

"Uhm, Your Ladyship, why are you looking at me so pitifully? Pray tell what odd thoughts you have uncovered."

"Nothing."

"How about I help you with your garments?"

"Scram."

"Yes, yes."

Now, it's the start of her second day.

***

"Where do you want to go, Your Ladyship?"

"Superior."

"But that's... With this kind of walk, we'll reach it by evening."

That's just how comprehensive the Academy is. If by carriage, it'll be mid-afternoon.

"..."

"Why would you even go there, Your Ladyship?"

"Just because."

"As you say..."

What can Akan do? If he would walk a thousand miles by the order of his master, then he would.

Good thing he prepared water and snacks, and the parasol is big enough to cover the Dowager.

Who is she even paying a vis— "Ah, are you perhaps looking for that Garth?"

Garth in Superior Grade? Ett frowned.

"He's here?"

"Then it's not him?"

Akan asked back in bewilderment. So, it's not that youth?

"I see. Sure."

She wants to see each grade pass by the Major and then stop at the Superior Grade. Furthermore, it's where the Dean has his own building.

If that Garth assassin, who hadn't visited her palace, was staying with her, it's a great way to greet him.

"You really didn't know?"

"You're the one gathering telltales, not me."

Ett replied. Besides, she had never visited Cashim recently.

"Ah, yes. Apologies for my oversight."

There's no need for Akan to know her other source of information.

The two of them would sometimes rest, Ett taking out some snacks to eat, looking around a reasonable distance from Akan, who would sometimes sit and relax.

Almost all of the noble's sons and daughters are here except for those who have not passed and sick children who can't attend the Academy. Of course, being the nobles, there would still be places for them to find.

Nevertheless, it is no wonder that the Academy is famous even to outsiders.

The Academy stood tall and grand, with stone walls covered in ivy and spires reaching high into the sky like the lances of ancient knights.

Stained glass windows showing beasts splashed colourful light onto the cobblestone courtyard, where young nobles practised under the gaze of granite statues.

Inside, the arched corridors echoed with the soft rustle of velvet robes and quiet conversations while the scent of old parchment and leather filled the air in the halls.

"Hmm?"

Akan was looking at another male student who was talking with his peers.

Ett followed his look; who could it be? They're still in the Major Grade, though.

"Who is it?"

"That's him, Veralis Garth."

"Him?"

The Garth's eldest son?

Ett looked back again.

Indeed, they were the same height, but what she had seen before was only his eyes and not his entire face.

If Akan had not distinguished him, Ett might not have known his true face. Is he visiting the Major Grade when it's still time to be in class?

"Ah, what did I call him again?"

Etta forgot how she called him.

"Should we follow him, Your Ladyship?"

Veralis was with the other families from the north and some from the western nobilities.

He is more introverted, looking opposite to his energetic self that night. He doesn't look like a killer at all. Even his soft smile seems clean.

"Oh, he looked at us."

"Then let's go."

Ett said.

"Akan, you speak for me."

"Understood."

Veralis Garth is the eldest brother but the second of the siblings.

He was excellent in everything he does. Swordsmanship, literature, archery, hunting, and many more.

As long as he puts his mind to it, Veralis will do his best to improve himself.

Prospected to be the next duke.

These following months, he had been practicing sportsmanship day and night with little time to rest.

"Hey, Veralis, I can't find my sister."

Veralis' female friend, Illa, muttered.

"Isn't this time for them to be in the Open Hall already?"

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Oh yes, they should be doing physical training right now."

"It's great that Veralis is here, my sister would be so happy to see you."

"I...don't feel the same."

"Oh hush, don't be shy. My sister is shy enough."

Veralis just shook his head.

It's not that he doesn't know the feelings of his little sister; he doesn't have time to think about such meaningless things.

Other than practising his sword this past few months, he was thinking about how to deal with the Adiand princess.

He had delayed their meeting more and more. Veralis even expected a secret summoning letter, but there was none.

Just what is she thinking? Are they thinking that he should come by himself? Even the Emperor seems to be silent about this.

His father also searched for ways to know more about the Adiand princess and the herb to cure his sister, but there was none till now.

The more he delays, the more he thinks about his sister, who just had another relapse.

Do they think he is unaware? How could he think of fluttering hearts with moments like this?!

"...lis Veralis!"

"Hm? What?"

Veralis looked back at his companion. They were looking at front.

"The lady-in-waiting crossing the fountain aisle seems to be calling you."

"How dare such a lady-in-waiting call upon a duke's son!"

His other friend snorted in disappointment.

"Hey stop it! A lady in waiting is also a noble!"

"At what rank? I could understand if she's a princess's lady-in-waiting, but Adiand royals don't have such!"

All the while Veralis stared at the young girl in the wheelchair starting back at him. A stare that reminds her of that Adiand princess that night.

"!!!"

No, it can't be.

"Greetings to all the Young Masters and Young Ladies, forgive me for my intrusion. My Lady seems excited to see her friend, Garth's second son, whom he hasn't seen in a long time."

"Friend?!"

Ett was expressionless.

Veralis' friends look at Ett, noting she doesn't look excited at all; they turn back to Akan, who is still smiling softly like a noble aunt.

"My Lady has a weak constitution so please pardon her for not greeting you properly. Allow me to introduce My Lady, The Daughter of Froiz, so of the Archduke, Ettna."

"Archduke!"

"Greetings Lady Ettna!"

Archduke Froiz has a daughter?!

The Major students with Veralis are shocked, looking at Ett, who only has her eyes on Veralis. They immediately looked down.

Akan spoke again, "May we take your precious friend, the young master of Garth, for a while? My Lady heard his father was a good friend of the Archduke."

Friend...were they friends? How come they didn't know?

Veralis was confused at first before regaining his composure.

"As is, My Lady came here for the first time. Would you mind showing her around?"

Akan pushed further, directing Veralis.

One of Veralis friends caught on, "Haha! Alright! Then, we will excuse ourselves first. Veralis, see you thereon!"

"Hold on, wait!"

"Come on, let's go."

"..."

"Okay."

They turned back to Veralis, who just stood still.

His friends began to whisper as they walked away, "Are you sure the Grand Duke and the Archduke are friends?"

"So, what if it's not? It looks like they are going to talk about something."

"Not marriage, right?"

"Ugh, let's just let them be and ask Veralis when he returns!"

"Right..."

On the other hand, Veralis organized his words by bowing curtly, "Forgive me for the late greetings. I'm Veralis, the Eldest of Garth, the second son of the main family. It's a pleasure to meet the Archduke's daughter. Then I will guide you."

"Then why not hold this handle to guide My Lady. I'll open the umbrella for you two."

"..."

Veralis wants to reject it but seeing the lady-in-waiting's persuasive smile and this abnormal setting he nodded.

He cleared his throat and began to point out the names of each place like a real guide. All the time Ett was silently listening at him.

He was good at explaining things, even knowing when it was established, the essential people that work here, who she must know as the first important person, the area of each department and what could be attractive to see.

"Seems fun to be here, huh?"

Veralis stilled. This voice...

"Ralis."

This time, Ett looked up at him with big brown, lazy hazel eyes, tilting her head towards meeting his own eyes, "Surprise?"

Veralis immediately let go, backing away but bumped into Akan, who held his right shoulder with one hand.

Strong.

That's what he first thought. Does such a lady-in-waiting have this strength?

"Calm down, Young Master. Her Ladyship, only wanted to talk with you."

"You..."

"Ralis."

Cold and slippery, that one word was like a snake wrapping around him. The Adiand princess' eyes were like a dead fish looking at him.

"Make up your mind."

In other words, she's not patient enough to wait for him.

"Let's go back."

"As Her Ladyship wishes. Then,"

Akan slightly tapped his shoulder and whispered happily, "Your father must be worried sick."

"!!!"

Akan merely chuckled, taking turns to move Ett with the wheelchair and slowly fading from his sight.

What did they say?

Veralis clenched his fist and ran to the nearest carriage to see his father.

This is not good.

Maybe he should not have delayed meeting the princess. How foolish of him!

"Father, I beg nothing happens to you."

Archduke daughter was simply a ruse!