Chapter 7.2
If it weren’t for that, she wouldn’t be so busy like this. She tried to search her memories for clues.
“The Countess says you’re the same age as me.”
“He’s the same age as you. You’ll also run into him again even when you go to the academy.”
It wasn’t until she had properly organized her disheveled hair that Ariel remembered the academy.
The date of admission to the academy, which was previously notified by the Countess, was April. Additional registrations had to be completed by March at the latest.
While transfers were possible all year round, it was best to do it as soon as possible if you have a recommendation in the middle since the academy had to prepare differently depending on the position of the recommender.
Ariel’s eyes darted to the desk calendar the next moment. The month on the white calendar was February.
Today’s date was February 24th.
There was plenty of time for additional registrations, but being in such a hurry…
‘…Recommendation transfer from the Prince.’
The classic car of the imperial family was as smooth and polished as a car that had just been rolled out. Even after scanning with her wide eyes, there was no trace of the torrential rain. As a vehicle that directly serves the imperial family, the management was thorough.
She was nervous to get into a car like that. Ariel cautiously climbed into the car, staring only at her shoes.
Inside, white leather upholstered seats were placed facing each other.
The Prince, who sat in the window seat on the right side of the road, didn’t even look at Ariel. His eyes were closed as his brow furrowed frustratedly.
‘…What is he upset about now?’
Observing his mood, she quietly moved to the seat across from him. It was the farthest seat on the diagonal where his line of sight was out of line.
Meanwhile, sensing her presence in her seat, he eventually raised his eyelids. His blue eyes opened like a razor and swept over her.
It was only a fleeting glance, but it gave Ariel goosebumps.
“Go.”
The classic car moved smoothly at the Prince’s monotonous command.
She couldn’t help but feel a little out of place, sitting backwards like that. She wanted to check outside, but the curtains were drawn on her window. As she moved her hand to draw the curtains, she was unnecessarily distracted by the Prince’s presence for some reason.
Since he closed his eyes as if he were going to sleep, would he not like it if the light shone on him?
In the end, she quietly lowered her hand. By now, she vaguely guessed that they must have already passed the front gate. It still didn’t quite sink in that she had left the Count’s mansion, where she had been staying since she had woken up.
Ariel turned to the Prince, eager to know where they were going.
“Your Highness, are we going to the academy?”
“We’re going to a place similar to that.”
In response to her courageous question, the Prince gave a cold, vague answer as annoyance was evident on his face. She should have thanked him for giving me such an answer.
As expected, the Countess told her about the recommended transfer to the Imperial Academy. She even asked her if she was okay since she collapsed, but that was it. When she replied that she was fine, the Countess moved on.
She then mentioned that since the Prince had agreed to write a letter of recommendation, she might as well take care of it right away without wasting any time, and Ariel agreed. The reason was that transfer applicants had to wait until the submitted documents were fully reviewed, and that period ranged from a minimum of two days to a maximum of ten days.
As it was an urgent decision, the progress was also hasty. In their haste, Ariel only packed one bag, and she couldn’t even take her servants with her because she had to ride in an imperial vehicle.
Because of that, she had to leave home alone.
‘The Countess said that it was simply registering as a transfer student, so there was no need for me to worry even if I was alone…’
Holding the bag deep into her arms, she suppressed the slight anxiety rising up.
Even though she thought that she would go to the academy someday, even for the sake of advancing the story, she never thought it would happen so suddenly like this.
‘I don’t really have anything to do even if I’m at home.’
Besides, she was going to have to leave anyway, and while it was a bit of a stretch, it wasn’t something she couldn’t understand if she looked at it objectively.
‘Anyway, it’s unlikely that the Prince’s time will be available for a while, so it’s more efficient to deal with it while he’s here.’
Once she found a reason to do so, Ariel quickly accepted the circumstances.
In addition, it wasn’t gratis, considering the price she had to pay because of the Prince, Ariel was rather happy with the current situation.
‘Come to think of it, didn’t Canon say earlier that… the Prince healed me? With imperial power or something?’
Even though she suffered because of him, she also got a benefit as well… but somehow, the benefits seem to be bigger, so maybe she should say thank you.
As she thought so, Ariel glanced over to where the Prince was sitting.
He was still in a pose with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Although he wasn’t sleeping, it felt like an unspoken warning not to touch him, so she didn’t think he wanted to hear a thank you or anything.
According to his profile, she filled in one for likability, so he would still listen to her words well.
‘Still, shouldn’t I at least say thank you…?’
As she half-opened her mouth in thought, a sentence from his profile flashed through Ariel’s mind again.
The caveats that were tacked on like a warning, and the appearance of him who didn’t seem to be in a good mood…
‘…It feels like I shouldn’t talk to him.’
Ariel closed her mouth and glanced sideways at him. She could see the slightly frowning brow as his profile with closed eyes obliquely made the conversation impassable.
‘Come to think of it, his name is…’
A fairly lengthy full name floated on the profile. A middle name that symbolized the nobility of the imperial family and the same last name as the name of the empire, and of course, a unique name, first name.
‘…Skyla.’
It was the name of a noble royal family that Ariel, the daughter of the Countess, wasn’t allowed to say. Judging by the character of the prince, if she dared to utter it, he might send her to prison for blasphemy.
She should never call his name, even by mistake.
‘If this is going to happen, I’d rather not know…’
She couldn’t believe that the information she learned would be a penalty… Ariel pursed her lips, showing her displeasure.
On the other hand, he kept calling her by her first name, which felt a bit unfair.
Thinking so, she shot him a slightly resentful glance.
His eyelids were still tightly shut, completely shutting out his surroundings. In harmony with the quiet atmosphere inside the car, the figure looked even more noble. He was like a famous painting, a feast for the eyes.
‘Is it better because it’s obvious that he won’t say anything good even when he opens his eyes and mouth anyway?’
Come to think of it, it wasn’t all bad for her. In a way, the tranquility kept her calm as she knew the Prince’s sensitive disposition.
‘Yes, this was rather reassuring.’
Ariel leaned back against the sheet with a relaxed face.
‘Let’s get some sleep.’
In the end, she surrendered herself to the stillness and closed her eyes.
Thud!
A dull noise rang loudly through the body of the car.
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