Chapter 98 - 98
The day of His Highness's graduation party arrived. I changed into a blue dress and headed to the academy to meet him. As the student council president, he was currently in the waiting room, doing a final check of the party's flow with the council members and giving instructions to the new first and second-year members.
Abbott-san, a member of the council, noticed me and waved. I waved back, and after a moment of thought, she gestured for me to wait just a little longer. It seemed the preparations were almost finished. I nodded to show I understood and stood in the corner of the room to stay out of the way.
As I watched him, His Highness finished his explanation and looked up, our eyes meeting. His eyes softened into a gentle gaze, and I saw his lips move as he whispered my name. After saying a word to Cyril, who stood beside him, he walked toward me.
"It suits you beautifully."
"Thank you. You look... wonderful as well, Your Highness."
"Thank you. I'm glad to hear that from you. Shall we head to the hall? The other third-years have already entered."
"Yes. ...Oh, but before that..."
"Is something wrong?"
"Your Highness, congratulations on your graduation."
I took the hem of my dress and curtsied. "Thank you," came his soft voice from above. I looked up to see him offering his arm.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
I took his arm and we walked toward the hall. As we moved through the corridor, he murmured, "I suppose I won't be walking these halls anymore."
I looked at him. He wore a somewhat lonely expression.
"My school life felt like it passed in the blink of an eye. To be honest, I wasn't very interested in the academy when I first enrolled."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. I could learn everything from tutors at the palace. I felt it was a waste of time."
"But you feel differently now."
"I do. Studying alongside peers, debating, joking around... mimicking a teacher's habits with friends, making bets over lunch in the cafeteria... These are experiences I could only have had here."
I, too, had been taught by tutors since I was young. I had never experienced seeing people my own age every single day. It must have been even more pronounced for a Crown Prince. The academy brought together nobles and even a few commoners. People of different ranks, abilities, and backgrounds gathered here. I hadn't thought about it before, but it truly was a precious experience.
"And I have so many memories with you here, Rachel. Spotting you from a window and chasing after you, spending time in the rooftop garden... I think I'll remember those moments for years to come."
"...It's a bit sad, isn't it?"
"It is. So, I hope that you, too, will have an irreplaceable final year here."
"Thank you."
In the somber air, he looked around nostalgically before giving me a gentle smile. We reached the entrance to the hall. As the large doors opened, the students, teachers, and guests welcomed us with thunderous applause. We moved toward the center, smiling in response. I stole a glance at his face. The melancholy from a moment ago was gone, replaced by a bright, dignified expression.
Graduation.
In my previous life, I had died just before graduating. So I didn't truly know how the third-years or His Highness felt. But looking at him now, I sensed that while there was sadness, there was also pride. And perhaps, expectation for the future. I wonder what kind of graduation I will have. Will I be able to hold onto hope for an unseen future? The thought crossed my mind as I watched his profile.
The party proceeded pleasantly. I danced with His Highness and Ernest and greeted guests by his side. Cyril also asked me for a dance.
"This is our first time dancing, Cyril."
"It is. A certain jealous someone is currently glaring at me while skillfully maintaining his smile. I hope this isn't the first and last time..."
"You're always by his side. I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities."
"Yes, I will continue to be by his side. And you will be as well."
"I hope so."
"It must be so. Rachel-san belongs at His Highness's side. ...I am grateful to you."
"To me?"
Cyril noticed my confusion and his expression softened.
"Yes. As you know, His Highness is brilliant, but he had certain... deficiencies as a person. He was a fine ruler, but as his milk brother, it was frustrating. Recently, however... he's stopped wearing that cold, resigned expression. He looks happy, full of life..."
Cyril's face was gentler than when he was standing stoically by the Prince's side. It showed just how much His Highness meant to him. I watched him with a warm feeling until he noticed and awkwardly looked away.
"Well, he's also started making more impossible demands of me."
"I'm sorry about that."
"I will continue to support him. So, Rachel-san... please, take care of him."
"...His Highness has a wonderful friend. Yes, Cyril. Of course. As a fellow supporter of His Highness, I look forward to working with you."
"Likewise."
I had never spoken with Cyril at length before. It was good to share our feelings, even if only for the duration of a slow song. When the music ended, Cyril took my hand and led me back to His Highness. The Prince took my hand from Cyril, looking at him with dissatisfaction.
"What were you two talking about? You looked quite happy."
"That is a secret between Rachel-san and me. We are comrades, after all. Right, Rachel-san?"
"Eh? ...Yes, I suppose."
"Now, Your Highness. Please, feel free to agonize over it. Consider it my graduation gift to you."
"I don't want a gift like that!"
I couldn't help but laugh at his mock-outraged tone. He turned to me, his eyes full of tenderness. Surrounded by such warmth, the time passed in a blur of smiles. A week after the graduation party, I set out once more for the Milicier territory.
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Is this Cyril's first appearance in a while? His name comes up occasionally, but I feel it's been a while since he was actually present.