kscans

Chapter 45 - The Nobles' Academy and the Little One

"A dorm?"

As she put on the nobles' academy uniform, the Little One tilted her head at Naya’s explanation.

"That is correct. It is about a two-hour journey one way from the royal capital to the nobles' academy. It is a bit difficult to commute every day, so most of the students use the dormitories. What will you and your brother do, My Lady?"

The nobles’ academy was located in the southwest of Frontier.

It had taken the form of a city, and many people lived in the town surrounding the academy. It was said that since children of high status gathered there, they spent quite a bit of money. Many shops and merchants, seeing a business opportunity, came and went, and where people gathered, vitality naturally arose, and before long, a town called the academy city was formed. The academy, where students from seven to fifteen years old gathered to learn, also housed the headquarters of various guilds for those who sought to master their research, making it, in a sense, a city more developed than the royal capital. One might say it also had the aspect of a scholarly hub. A place where knowledge was accumulated. That was the nobles’ academy. For that reason, many scholars and researchers besides the students stayed there, renting rooms or lodging, and to save the students the time of commuting back and forth, the academy was equipped with dormitories.

Listening to Naya’s explanation, the Little One pondered.

An academy city, huh. Hmm, a four-hour round trip is indeed a waste of time. What should I do?

After changing into her uniform and tying the red ribbon, the Little One looked at herself in the mirror. Reflected in the smooth mirror surface was her jet-black hair. Her hair, which had never been cut since she was born, reached down to her waist and shone with the gloss of a bird’s feather. She had slender eyebrows and large, slightly upturned eyes. When she was young, they were a deep green, but as she grew, their color lightened, and now they were the color of fresh spring leaves. Her generally delicate features also gave a soft and gentle impression, accentuating her smooth, fine-textured, ivory skin. In Frontier, where deep-featured Caucasians were the majority, her appearance was somewhat unusual and conspicuous, but her lovely and modest air, like a single flower standing quietly, drew people’s eyes. Chihiro, who resembled her radiantly beautiful mother, already had the appearance worthy of being called a beautiful young girl. The uniform, black with red accents, suited her well.

"You look lovely. I am glad it fits you perfectly."

It was a one-piece dress with fine pleats extending from the chest, paired with a bolero jacket. The uniform, designed to suit any body type, was very easy to move in and was a perfect match for Chihiro’s taste.

"Ah, you’re cute. It looks great on you, Hiiro."

Chihaya, who had arrived with a smile, was also wearing his uniform. A white shirt with black pants. He also wore a black bolero-style jacket, and his tie and accents were red.

"You look very handsome as well, dear brother. It suits you very much."

Chihiro gently pinched the hem of her skirt and smiled sweetly. Instantly, a blush spread across Chihaya’s face.

"Hey, that’s cheating! Ah, no, let’s just be normal at home. It feels really weird."

"Ehh? Didn’t we decide to be careful all the time so we don’t slip up outside?"

That was right. The academy they were about to attend was a gathering place for nobles. There was no telling where or what might lead to a mistake. So, the twins had decided to be mindful of speaking and acting in a manner befitting their station, even in their daily lives.

"I know, but... still, something about you saying that while dressed like that makes you seem like a stranger."

"I’ll be dressed like this more often from now on, nyo. Get used to it, nii-ni."

Being called "nii-ni" made Chihaya’s expression visibly soften.

"Hiiro is better when she’s not all dressed up. It’s like you’re a different person, it makes me restless."

"How rude. I’m a girl too, so I want to look cute!"

"Hiiro, you are cute. You’re incredibly cute without doing anything, so you don’t need to do anything."

His eyes softening, Chihaya placed a kiss on Chihiro’s hair. He used to be about the same height as her, but now Chihaya was half a head taller. Chihiro glared at Chihaya, who was patting her head and calling her cute, and pouted.

"Does that mean it’s useless no matter what I do, so I shouldn’t bother?"

"Eh? That’s not what I meant... I just don’t want you to. Is that not allowed?"

At her brother’s upward glance, the Little One was at a loss for words and turned away.

"It’s not that it’s not allowed. I’m more comfortable in casual clothes anyway. If nii-ni says so, I guess it can’t be helped."

"Good. Let’s play in the Queen’s Forest again. I was feeling lonely, like Hiiro was suddenly becoming an adult."

At her brother’s helpless murmur, Chihiro’s face broke into a soft smile. Chihaya, who resembled Drago, was the Little One’s weak point. He had dark brown, rather firm hair, and obsidian-like eyes inherited from Sakura. His features were also much more delicate and refined than Drago’s, so at a glance, it wasn’t obvious, but when he stood next to his father, Chihaya looked very much like Drago. The Little One, who was weak to Drago, was consequently weak to Chihaya as well. Chihaya, who had always watched Drago shower his family with a rain of kisses, had no qualms about showering his family with kisses either. In fact, he unleashed a storm of physical affection as if it were second nature.

I think this is more of a problem than me dressing up, though.

Chihiro found it unbearable that he would do this in public. At their current age, it could still be seen as endearing, but as long as Drago didn’t change his ways, she could clearly see a future where Chihaya wouldn’t change either.

While his sister sighed and fell into thought, Chihaya was thinking of other things.

Hiiro is too unaware. She’s cute enough as it is, but what would happen if she dressed up? On top of that, she has the grand title of Golden King and is a quasi-royal with the King and Queen as her guardians, yet she has no sense of danger. Since then, Chihaya had visited Romel, had many of his questions answered, and came to realize just how precarious his sister’s position was. That few knew of his sister’s past life, but many had a vague suspicion. That accordingly, the royal palace and the knights were ensuring her safety, but there was no telling what might happen. That if she continued her pilgrimage, her value and existence would inevitably be made known, and there was a high risk of her being targeted by foreign countries. And that even aside from that, attractive noble daughters were always targeted as political pawns.

Hearing all the things he had never known before, Chihaya’s face turned pale.

"So, you see? We have to protect her. Chii-Hiiro may seem like an all-powerful person who can do anything, but in reality, she is constantly walking a very dangerous tightrope."

Chihaya nodded repeatedly at Romel’s words.

Just hearing about it was terrifying. Chihiro’s surroundings were a minefield of dangers. If she were to take even one misstep, she would plummet straight to the bottom of the abyss. The fact that nothing had happened so far was merely good fortune. It was the result of the efforts of those around her, led by Romel. If the Frontier royal family had become her enemy, the Drago family would have chosen a life of wandering. If the Flowers royal family had become her enemy, his sister might now be leading monsters and playing a part in a war. Such tightrope walking would continue from now on. And what’s more, she would have to face countries that were not as friendly as Flowers.

Chihaya felt a chill run down his spine.

Seeing Chihaya’s apparent understanding of his words, Romel’s eyes widened slightly.

He had thought it would be enough if he understood half of it, but this was...

It is well said that upbringing is more important than birth.

Chihaya, who was always with the Little One, had apparently grown into an extraordinary child. Come to think of it, he had heard there was an invitation from the knight order. Often overshadowed by the Little One’s superhuman talents, a rare talent existed here as well.

Romel’s lips twisted into a wicked smile as he looked at the promising young child.

"If you’re so inclined, I will lend you my strength. Would you like to learn how to protect Chii-Hiiro from malicious people?"

Chihaya’s head snapped up, and he looked at Romel with pleading eyes. Seeing the earnest light in those eyes, Romel’s smile deepened, and he nodded magnanimously, taking both of Chihaya’s hands.

"From now on, come with Chii-Hiiro on the weekends. I will teach you various things separately from Chii-Hiiro."

"Th-thank you very much, I’ll do my best!"

And so, ensnared by Romel’s ulterior motives, Chihaya also began his weekend service at the royal palace.

All sorts of things were stirring in places the Little One didn’t know.

Oblivious to such matters, the twins, having changed into their uniforms, walked towards the drawing room where their parents were waiting. The parents, who had been waiting expectantly in the room, were wide-eyed at the sight of their two children’s splendid appearance.

"Oh, you both look wonderful!"

"Really, you’ve both grown so much."

Chihaya stood there shyly, while the Little One spun around cheerfully.

"Now, about that matter we discussed..."

As Naya flipped through something like a ledger and took out a fountain pen, Drago, who had been all smiles, instantly boiled over. He suddenly scowled and spat out.

"No, I won’t allow it."

"Dear..."

Averting his eyes from Sakura’s exasperated face, Drago crossed his arms and shook his head vigorously.

"A four-hour round trip every day would be a burden on the children. To be honest, I am not in favor of it either. However..."

"No! I will never allow Chii-Hiiro to live outside this house!"

Watching Drago stubbornly shake his head, the Little One couldn’t help but chuckle.

"It’s okay, Daddy. I’ll commute from home."

"Chii-Hiirooo."

Sakura cast a cool glance at the Bear in the Kitchen, who was overcome with emotion and teary-eyed, and looked at Chihiro with concern.

"Don’t push yourself. Commuting from the royal capital to the academy by carriage will be tiring, won’t it?"

Sakura, who had heard that all the nobles from the capital commuted to the academy from the dorms, had intended for the twins to do the same. Long-distance travel would be a burden on small children. Smiling at the worried Sakura, the Little One answered innocently.

"We have a flying carriage, don’t we? With that, it’s a thirty-minute trip one way, nyo."

The adults started.

That's right, with that carriage, they would arrive in no time. Since it was made for the pilgrimage, the idea of using it for daily travel hadn't occurred to them. His face brightening, Drago lifted Chihiro into his arms.

"That’s right! I’m glad we had that made! It was worth spending a fortune on!"

Sakura also hugged Chihaya and stroked his head.

"I’m so glad. I was worried. No matter how nice the dorms are, you’re still too young to let go of."

It wasn’t that Sakura had happily agreed. She had simply decided it was for the best, considering the burden on the children.

And so, the matter seemed to have been settled, but it was later thwarted by Romel when he found out.

"Listen here! If you ride that thing around on a daily basis, it will attract unnecessary problems and curiosity, so please stop!"

If they commuted to the nobles’ academy, a scholarly hub, in such a mysterious vehicle, there was no future other than being flooded with complaints from other nobles and inquiries from researchers, Romel declared, and he granted them permission to use the royal family’s exclusive teleportation device.

Apparently, it was something created by disassembling and reconstructing the one from the Tower of David.

"There’s a limited number of devices in the tower, so we can’t make multiple. It connects to the academy city so that the royal family doesn’t have to waste time on commuting, and as an emergency means of travel."

It seemed to consume a great deal of magic, so only those with a certain amount of magic could use it.

I see. As long as children are born, this device will not be a waste, and in the long run, it is a very effective use of it. Moreover, it is natural to prepare a means of escape in case something should happen to the capital.

"If you had something this convenient, you should have told me from the start."

"Could you please consult with me first?! You just got scolded by Harold the other day, didn’t you!"

So I did.

The little girl smiled sheepishly. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.

"Your sister is this kind of creature. I’m counting on you, Hāya."

"Understood, Your Highness Prince Romel."

Romel chewed on a bitter bug, while Chihaya stood at attention and nodded. The Little One tilted her head in confusion, sensing the unspoken understanding between the two.

A new wind was blowing through the ever-normal royal palace.

Spreading worry to those around her every time, the Little One is full of energy today too.♪