Chapter 16

15.

There was no hesitation in the steps taken towards a familiar figure.

All eyes were naturally drawn to the unexpected appearance of the First Princess.

“Th-That’s the Princess….”

“Why is the First Princess at the Academy?”

“Could it be… she’s here to see the Second Princess?”

Lilian pushed through the murmuring crowd and approached the dusty workers, extending her hand toward a familiar male figure she’d just recognized—no, toward the leader of the secret organization that had swept across the continent’s darker corners over the past few months.

And then…

“Do you really think ‘coincidence’ is a convincing excuse? How childish.”

She questioned him—what scheme was he cooking up now? Why had this blood-soaked swordsman appeared in such a peaceful place?

However…

“Huh? Scheme?! I’ve never once entertained such wicked thoughts in my life, Your Highness!”

“…What?”

Instead of the familiar face Lilian expected, she faced someone completely unknown. The man she thought she had caught vanished like a mirage, leaving her to let out a hollow laugh.

Then came the captain of the royal guard’s voice.

“Is there something the matter, Your Highness?”

“No… nothing at all.”

Though she considered ordering the knights to search the area, she knew catching that man wouldn’t be easy. It would only lead to wasted effort.

Thus, Lilian turned her back on the curious gazes around her and headed toward the VIP quarters where the Selection Ceremony guests stayed—specifically, her own room.

‘It can’t possibly mean him when I’ve been waiting for this meeting, right? It mustn’t be him…!’

As Lilian boarded the carriage, her thoughts revolved around this. She desperately hoped the divine message leading her to Primus wasn’t referring to some half-mad individual.

When she arrived at her lodgings—a place as grand as a noble’s villa—several attendants awaited to serve the First Princess.

But claiming she wanted some quiet rest, Lilian dismissed everyone except the essential staff. Once in the spacious bedroom, she even sent away her guards.

“We’ll wait outside, Your Highness. Please relax.”

The intricately carved wooden door closed softly behind them, followed by Lilian’s faint sigh.

“…Why does it have to be him?”

With Carian around, trouble at the academy was inevitable. Though she didn’t care much about what kind of chaos might ensue, an ominous feeling lingered—this man seemed poised to interfere with her plans.

Whatever his purpose, Lilian wished he’d simply leave her alone. Whether he kidnapped students or stole ancient books from the Grand Library, she had no intention of getting involved—and hoped he’d reciprocate by staying out of her way.

Just then, a neatly folded note fluttered down onto her forehead.

“At 2 PM, I’ll meet you at the main hall café. Oh, foul-tempered princess.”

“Ha! Who’s calling who foul-tempered…!”

Of course. Despite the elite royal guards supposedly securing the area, he’d fearlessly appeared, tossed the note, and disappeared without a trace.

Once again, Lilian grimaced, realizing she hadn’t even heard his footsteps. Worse still, he still referred to her as the “foul-tempered princess,” which infuriated her.

-Zzzt!

A surge of heat welled up within her chest. In response, she crumpled, then tore the note apart before incinerating it with Fifth Circle Flame Magic.

“『Hellfire』”

The note floated briefly in mid-air before vanishing in flames. A corner of the carpet scorched slightly, but Lilian paid it no mind.

Still, she decided she should hear out Carian’s intentions—and deliver a warning not to meddle with her.

-Clop.

She left her quarters earlier than the time written on the note, alone.

“N-No, Your Highness. If anything happens while we’re not with you…”

“Would people really think well of a princess who can’t visit a café without her knights? They might call the First Princess the greatest coward in the continent!”

“But…”

“Icarth, I’m not that little girl anymore. I can take care of myself.”

With those words, Lilian shot a pointed glare at the stern-looking captain of the guard and walked away, adding a thinly veiled threat: anyone following her would be treated as disrespectful.

Her decision to walk to the main building alone stemmed partly from avoiding unwanted attention—but mostly because of the man she’d meet soon.

‘He’ll probably mock me, asking why I brought guards if I’m so scared.’

Unlike others, she didn’t want to appear weak before Carian Dejart.

Arriving slightly early, she waited calmly for him, determined not to give him any ammunition.

***

-Swoosh.

-Swoosh swoosh.

“Well then, that concludes today’s lesson. If there’s anything from today’s class you didn’t understand…”

I paused mid-sentence, noticing the glazed expressions of my students. At this point, they likely wouldn’t hear anything I said anyway.

‘Hmm, maybe I pushed them a bit too hard today.’

Prior to this, I had intensified the lessons due to the upcoming Selection Ceremony in a few days. As a result, most of the advanced students hadn’t even finished their notes.

Still, everything I taught was crucial. And once they started understanding, they’d gradually grasp it step-by-step.

So I exited the lecture hall without previewing the next session, intending to grab something sweet before preparing for my next class. I could’ve sworn I heard sighs erupt throughout the room after I left, but surely I imagined it.

‘Come on, being exhausted after just a three-hour lecture isn’t normal.’

A short while later, lost in thought about the next class—an introductory session on mana structuring—I wandered down the long hallway. However, my concentration kept getting interrupted by an insatiable craving for something sugary.

-Uh-huh.

-Clomp clomp clomp.

Eventually, instead of heading to my office where Irina and Evan waited, I changed direction toward the main building’s café. For some reason, since becoming pregnant, I’ve developed a sudden craving for sweets.

Of course, the café owner’s incredible skill played a big role. No matter where you go on the continent, his creations are unmatched.

Even custom orders tailored to my tastes are possible. I wonder why memories of franchised coffee shops from my original world keep popping up.

‘Indeed, the best perk of being a professor at Primus might just be this café.’

Considering the café’s delicious drinks, one could argue they’re part of Primus’ welfare system. This thought crossed my mind as I approached the familiar garden and entered the café nestled in its center.

Something felt off. The atmosphere inside the café seemed strange.

‘Was there a fight or something?’

Confused by the buzz both inside and outside the café, I stepped in—and immediately doubted my eyes.

“Let’s call it… a treasure hunt.”

“Treasure? Is the orphanage struggling that much these days?”

“In any case, I just have some personal inquiries. Your Highness can focus on nurturing sisterly affection.”

Golden hair cascading down to the waist.

Expensive-looking accessories.

An all-white ensemble.

Opposite her sat a man with jet-black hair, clean-cut features framed by round glasses, and a slightly lean build.

“You actually care about other people’s family affairs? You’re making me tear up, it’s so touching.”

“I’ve told you countless times, I’m three years older. Stop addressing me like a subordinate.”

“What’s wrong with calling a subordinate a subordinate? Complain about it to the palace if you don’t like it.”

Very familiar figures sat across from each other at a café table, exchanging remarks that sounded suspiciously like insults disguised as compliments. I barely resisted greeting them.

Still, despite trying to maintain forward focus and approach the café owner…

“Could you lower your voices? That young lady over there is too nervous to order because of you.”

“It’s not my fault, it’s his. Who wouldn’t be scared of a blood-drenched killer?”

“Let’s ask her, shall we?”

For reasons unknown, Carian rose from his seat and approached me—worse yet, he began petting my head with a sickeningly friendly tone.

-Pet pat pet pat.

“Just one question, may I─”

-Crack!

Without thinking, I kicked him hard in the shin. There was no way I could tolerate this guy, clearly younger than me by ■■ years, fondling my head.