Chapter 182
Afterward.
A week passed.
The intense days remained in memory like a photograph.
At the bitter end of the Snowfield, only spring, having shed winter, now flowed.
We returned to the Academy.
“It truly was a long week.”
The downfall of House Vanity was officially declared.
To save face for the Imperial Family, the true orchestrators of this coup’s suppression were kept hidden.
Instead, it was announced that the Emperor, having discerned their intentions, had swiftly purged them.
For us, who didn’t particularly welcome public attention, it was a welcome development.
Even just handing over the Renegade Faction was an excessive courtesy from the Imperial Family.
If I hadn’t had a debt owed to me by the Emperor, it would have been difficult to obtain permission.
I let out a sigh of relief.
<F1>[So, when are you considering the royal marriage?]</F1>
<F1>[Elise and Charlotte both seem to be looking forward to it.]</F1>
<F1>[If both Princesses were taken, the entire Continent would be turned upside down.]</F1>
<F1>[Still, since it’s what the children wish for, I suppose I should support it.]</F1>
<F1>[I hope you’ll give me an answer by summer, at least.]</F1>
<F1>[Ah, and considering heirs...]</F1>
It was attached to the usual greetings.
Though a strange pressure came from Valcaros, I decided to postpone my answer for a while.
As the final act was approaching, there was a lot of work piled up.
I neatly folded the letter that had arrived as usual and sent it back.
Then, I continued processing the remaining documents on my desk.
The aftermath was handled swiftly and smoothly.
The betrayal of House Vanity, one of the Empire’s three Ducal Houses, left a great shock.
However, the Imperial Family suppressed it overnight, announcing their continued strength across the Continent.
If the Emperor truly willed it, even a Prestigious Family with a long history could be annihilated.
Indeed, overwhelming military might.
It brings relief to those within its fence, and fear to those beyond.
In that sense, this operation could be considered quite successful.
As it once again imprinted the image of absolute power.
*Fortunately.*
Deron Vanity, the ringleader of the coup, was assassinated.
The Elders of the Family who had supported him, and all his close associates, were executed.
Furthermore, anyone even slightly involved in the matter could not escape public display of his or her head.
While the principle was to eradicate three generations, given Emilia’s direct involvement in suppressing the coup, a merciful pardon was granted to the innocent.
However, this was only for those who had staunchly resisted House Vanity’s betrayal.
*It feels a bit lenient, but... it should be enough.*
This much would serve as a warning.
Other Noble Families who had harbored similar intentions, besides House Vanity.
Since the ally they believed to be the strongest had fallen, they would inevitably hesitate.
They needed to realize what they had almost made an enemy of.
So that they would never again take a coup lightly.
*It’s truly laughable.*
What is it about such greed?
They are willing to sacrifice their honor, wealth, family... everything.
I scribbled with my pen, with a sneer mixed with contempt.
Families with a collusive relationship with House Vanity were still under investigation.
If their involvement became clear, not a single one would be left unpurged.
I pushed the completed documents aside.
<F1>[Fallen Pride, and the Last Guardians.]</F1>
At a glance.
A copy of a newspaper caught my eye.
It was a newspaper published by the Academy itself, for the students.
It contained news about the coup and the story of the twins who thwarted it.
Beyond the printed words, they had become heroes.
<F1>[Emilia Beniti. Ruska Beniti.]</F1>
<F1>[The two Direct Lineage descendants of House Vanity led the charge in suppressing this coup.]</F1>
<F1>[They led the Knights Order from the forefront and successfully purged Deron Vanity, the instigator themselves.]</F1>
<F1>[The two have become the last of the bloodline to inherit the pride of the Guardians of the Snowfield.]</F1>
<F1>[Thus, the Emperor greatly commended the twins...]</F1>
The heroic tale of the twins.
As it became known that they had thwarted the rebellion and brought down their own Family with their own hands.
They were able to escape the dishonorable accusations.
The power of a suitably embellished story, perhaps.
*Of course.*
As much as they had betrayed their own bloodline.
There was also quiet murmuring among the public, but no one openly spoke out.
Ruska and Emilia were already children under the Emperor’s protection.
I, too, was watching the path they had chosen.
Though complicated in many ways, they seemed to have no particular regrets.
I simply continued to support them silently.
“Hmm.”
*Scratch...*
The elegant pen nib stopped moving.
I organized the documents I had finished processing.
As I stretched, stiff from work, a voice suddenly came from beside me.
It was none other than Ruska, who had been helping with the document processing.
“Finished?”
His blue eyes glanced my way.
In response, I pointed to the neatly organized desk.
“As you can see.”
“Surprisingly, you handle paperwork quite well.”
“Have you forgotten that I was the Top Student (Written Exams)?”
“Now that you mention it... Lady Emilia used to get annoyed, saying she was always pushed to second place.”
“That’s the fate of the runner-up, you see. That’s the fate of the runner-up, you see.”
“......Why are you saying it twice?”
“Ah, it just slipped out.”
“......”
The relentless teasing flowed like water.
As if dumbfounded by it, Ruska let out a low sigh.
It was as if a father-in-law had discovered a childish side to his son-in-law.
I spoke with a small burst of laughter.
“Young Master, you should rest now too.”
“My assigned duties aren’t finished yet.”
“Indeed... didn’t I tell you I could handle it alone?”
“Is this not work related to our family? It would be absurd if I didn’t take charge of it.”
“Young Master, you have such a rigid side.”
“Quiet.”
The response was curt.
However, the hand holding the pen was moving busily.
*Scratching Sound-.*
*Is he concerned...?*
The Beniti Purge Order.
Perhaps the fact that he was confined to a sickbed at the time weighed on his mind.
Once I was conscious, Ruska offered to help with the aftermath, taking most of my documents.
He must feel a sense of responsibility for the current situation, with his family’s collapse.
Whoever he took after, he was truly a diligent person.
He said, drawing his pen nib indifferently.
“I still have work, so you should go ahead.”
“Even if you say so, I’m still concerned...”
“I heard Lady Emilia is waiting. Surely you’re not planning to neglect her?”
“That would be unacceptable. In that case, I’ll take my leave first, if you’ll excuse me.”
“He leaves happily.”
Ruska furrowed his brow slightly.
Then, he lightly tapped my shoulder with his fist.
A rough, resonant touch.
“Hey.”
It was a somewhat awkward call.
I paused my movement to stand, looking down at the young man.
He seemed to be hesitating, as if he had something to say.
Soon, Ruska parted his lips.
“......Thank you.”
Unexpected words.
I thought he disliked such cringeworthy topics.
He seemed to have swallowed his embarrassment, surprisingly.
“Oh?”
“It’s just that I haven’t really had a chance to say it.”
“I never expected to hear such words from Young Master Ruska.”
“Since I owe a debt to House Vanity’s pride, I can’t just let it pass, can I?”
“Ah.”
So that’s what it was, another story about pride.
They really are twins, aren’t they?
They were both willing to stake their lives on the word ‘pride’.
I nodded with a mild sentiment.
“Young Master’s gratitude I will gladly accept.”
“And one last thing.”
“Hmm?”
“......Please take good care of Lady Emilia.”
His voice softened.
As expected, his Lady’s well-being is his top priority, awake or asleep.
I smiled faintly at his tender concern.
I replied.
“As I promised.”
The promise.
Regarding the pledge from a few days ago.
-If Lady Emilia were to fall into trouble, what would you do?
-I would become her strength, by her side.
-This is because I, too, like countless others, admire her.
What hasn’t changed.
And what won’t change.
The path these children will tread with unwavering steps, despite their clumsiness, is a testament to their spirit.
I rose from my seat, accompanied by the gentle spring air.
“Leave it to me.”
My steps were exiting the Workshop.
On the path I walked, I did not hesitate even a little.
***
“You’re late!”
Her usual peevish tone.
Emilia greeted me upon my return from work.
I stroked her blue hair with a playful smile.
Her voluminous bun-like hair softened under my touch.
The girl didn’t push away the contact.
“There were more documents than I expected.”
“Why didn’t you call me? If you’d just asked, I would have helped right away.”
“Young Master Ruska helped me, so there were no particular problems.”
“Hmph... You seem to be getting along well with Ruska, calling him by his name and all.”
“Are you perhaps jealous?”
“......Quiet.”
We walked through the spring.
Unlike the landscape that had been a snowfield just days ago, cherry blossoms were in full bloom on Academy Street.
Pink fragments fluttered here and there, carried by the gently blowing wind.
The sight of the Ice Princess blending into it was like a painting.
I put aside my trivial thoughts and headed towards the Dormitory.
Steps taken side-by-side, and small talk.
“Lady Emilia, you’re not very good at expressing yourself.”
“I said be quiet!”
“But your face is red.”
“It’s because it’s hot.”
“To be embarrassed by just this much. And to think you were the one who hugged me first...”
“Eeeek! I told you to be quiet! You really...!”
“You’re a hundred years too early to hit me.”
“Eek, ugh...!”
Everyday bickering.
We were crossing the center of the Shopping District.
Suddenly, the girl stopped in her tracks.
As she stood still, her blue eyes looked up at me.
I expressed my confusion at her sudden reaction.
“Lady Emilia?”
What is it?
Did I tease her too much?
As I tilted my head, her red lips trembled.
Emilia’s cheeks were as red as her lips.
“Um, Yuda...”
Her stammering words caught my sleeve.
It was an uncharacteristically timid demeanor.
“There’s something I want to ask of you.”
“A request, you say?”
“Th-that is...”
Her face was burning hot.
At this point, I realized what The Vain One wanted.
However, I deliberately asked a mischievous question.
As if I wanted to hear that request directly from her own lips.
“Today too, I want you to... do it for me...”
“Hmm?”
Emilia furrowed her brow but continued speaking.
“Today too... I want you to kiss me.”
A kiss.
The lips that finally uttered those words were trembling.
Her wavering gaze couldn’t meet mine and sank.
I merely smiled.
I gave a playfully evasive answer.
“Of course.”
*Swoosh-.*
My steps approached The Vain One.
The unique cold scent of the Snowfield brushed my nose.
Beyond her flowing blue hair, the heat, mixed with a blush, was endlessly beautiful.
I placed my hand on her pale cheek.
“If it’s your request, then gladly.”
I gently lowered my head.