Chapter 7.1

“Even though everyone knows the truth, such shameless behavior…” 

Noah clicked his tongue as he watched Thomas Allen standing on the podium, taking the oath as the representative of the new students. 

“It seems the shameless one isn’t just the student representative.” 

Daniel, standing beside Noah, remarked, his gaze fixed on Otis, who was receiving Thomas Allen’s pledge. 

“Hmm.” 

Noah’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his half-brother. 

Due to the emperor’s sudden illness, he was unable to attend the entrance ceremony at Kunst Academy. Coincidentally, Prince Otis, who was staying in Dupleuri, stepped in to fulfill the emperor’s role. 

But Noah, who already knew too much about the dirty dealings of the imperial court and the empress, couldn’t believe it was mere coincidence. 

“It looks like he’s trying to solidify his position as the heir.”

Daniel said, his expression as sour as if he had bitten into something rotten, as he looked at Otis, who stood in the highest seat. Otis’s face, glowing in the sunlight as he graciously praised Thomas Allen, shone with an almost blinding radiance. 

And it wasn’t only Noah, who was staring at Otis. 

“Mother, look at him. He is the one truly suited to sit on the emperor’s throne.” 

The Duchess of Wiblow and Valeria, who had attended Frances’s entrance ceremony, were also present. Neither of them paid the slightest attention to Frances. 

Their gazes were fixed solely on Otis. 

“How fortunate it is that His Majesty the Emperor couldn’t attend due to illness, and that His Highness the Prince Otis happened to be in Dupleuri.” 

Valeria murmured softly, her words causing the Duchess of Wiblow’s eyes to narrow. 

“Duchess of Wiblow.” 

“Countess Allen. It’s been a while.” 

“I heard the news. It’s truly unfortunate. I hope that mad wizard is caught soon so that the noble ducal name can be cleared.” 

Though her words were meant to console, the sharpness in Countess Allen’s eyes was unmistakable. 

“I’m not concerned. I’m simply grateful that my son’s safety was preserved. To be honest, I didn’t expect him to pass the entrance exam on his first attempt, so I’m relieved it turned out well.” 

“Oh! I was worried too when I heard he was taking the entrance exam so soon after such a major incident.” 

Countess Ferrane interjected, prompting the Duchess of Wiblow to smile. 

“Whether it was luck or not, the fact that your son is standing confidently on that podium means you can sleep soundly from now on, Countess Allen.”

“Pardon?” 

“Failing twice and succeeding on the third attempt—though he’s not the rightful owner of the position, he’s taken it as if he were—surely you should enjoy it. But do try to keep your thoughts a little more refined.” 

At the Duchess of Wiblow’s words, Countess Allen’s face turned pale. 

The night before, the emperor’s sudden illness had prevented him from attending the entrance ceremony, altering Frances’s fate.

Although he had proudly taken the top spot in the rankings, his involvement in Adrian’s incident caused unexpected variables in the results of the entrance exam. 

“Oh! It looks like it’s over now. I must take my leave. I need to comfort my son, who, despite achieving the best scores, was pushed down by the tides of circumstance.” 

The Duchess of Wiblow turned first, and Valeria, who had been watching the exchange with a faint smile, followed her. 

“Is it alright to treat a family that supports His Highness Otis so coldly?” 

“Valeria, His Highness has not chosen you yet. Do not act recklessly.” 

At the Duchess of Wiblow’s sharp rebuke, Valeria pouted slightly. 

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve chosen him, so he will become emperor.” 

The Duchess of Wiblow paused mid-step, letting out a sigh at Valeria’s arrogance, which went far beyond recklessness. But Valeria walked ahead, leaving her mother behind. 

“Frances!” 

Her clear, ringing voice echoed across the wide field, drawing everyone’s attention for a moment. Waving her hand energetically and smiling brightly, Valeria looked more beautiful than anyone else. 

She smiled as if she couldn’t contain her pride in her younger brother, who had just passed the difficult exam and was entering the academy. 

Without hesitation, Valeria approached Frances, who stood calmly, and threw her arms around him. 

It was an impulsive act, leaving her no time to refuse. 

“I’m so proud of you, Frances.” 

Raising her voice so that everyone could hear, Valeria’s actions drew attention. Frances, in turn, put his arms around her shoulders. 

“I could never have achieved this without your help, Sister.” 

“To think you’d acknowledge my contributions—of course, you truly are my brother.”  

Valeria’s hand brushed over the mask, causing Frances’s body to stiffen without her realizing it. The shameless act of stroking her wound, as if pitying her, with the very hand that had permanently branded her with an unhealing scar, sent shivers down her spine. Yet, Frances remained composed. 

Even if her inner turmoil festered like the pus in her facial wound, she showed no sign of it outwardly. 

“Mother.” 

“…I heard you got involved in some absurd incident. Be careful, and make sure not to tarnish the Wiblow name.” 

This exchange occurred amidst a flurry of congratulatory remarks. 

Unlike others, who had momentarily forgotten their dignity in favor of proudly praising their sons, the Duchess of Wiblow remained as cold as ever. 

“Yes, I will do so.” 

In a ceremony overflowing with blessings, Frances alone received reproach. Yet her expression remained calm, as though she had never expected anything else to begin with. Her face looked as if this were just another ordinary day in her life. 

From a short distance, Kailen observed Frances silently. 

“I heard it was you who provided significant help for Wiblow’s admission.” 

A voice suddenly spoke from behind, catching Kailen off guard. He stepped aside and bowed his head. 

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.” 

‘What a stiff brat.’ 

At least within Kunst Academy, no one besides the emperor could flaunt their status. Even Noah lived like any other cadet. 

Since the successor had yet to be officially decided, Otis was no exception. Though he had inherited his status by virtue of his parents, Otis had never once considered his noble birth to be mere luck. Though he had been born into privilege, Otis had never considered his status a stroke of luck.

From birth, he had believed that the throne was his by right.

For someone accustomed to a life where everyone bowed and catered to him, Kailen was the one thing he couldn’t have. 

Otis clicked his tongue and tilted his head slightly as he stared at Kailen. 

‘Still as insufferable as ever. It makes me want to break him.’ 

“Was it coincidence or fate? Not only did you pair up with Wiblow, but you also helped him pass as the top-ranked student, didn’t you?” 

“It was possible because Wiblow has the skills to match.” 

Kailen replied calmly, standing with the sunlight at his back. 

Otis ran a hand through his hair. He already knew well enough about Kailen’s unyielding personality. 

No matter what he tried, Kailen would never be swayed, which only made Otis more impatient. At first, he simply wanted to have him. But now? Now, Kailen was like a toy he wanted to break as soon as it was within his grasp. 

“Then why are you here?” 

At Otis’s question, Kailen’s eyes widened slightly. Since Frances had successfully been admitted to Kunst Academy, Kailen’s task was technically complete. 

There was no obligation for a senior student to attend the entrance ceremony for new students. 

“I just came to see the new cadets.” 

“Ah!” 

Otis nodded, stroking his chin. A faint, ominous smile crept across his lips. 

“Your Highness.” 

“Come to think of it, things have been quite chaotic in Dupleuri lately, haven’t they?” 

“…” 

“The murder cases, I mean.” 

“Ah…” 

Kailen unconsciously nodded. There had even been talk of delaying the entrance ceremony because of it. 

Not only had the Adrian incident occurred in Dupleuri, home to the empire’s most prestigious military academy, but a series of serial murders had also taken place there. 

With all eyes focused on Dupleuri, the situation was becoming increasingly disgraceful. 

“Serial murders in Dupleuri, where Kunst Academy is located. And it’s happening during the time when a prince and Duvel are enrolled. Tsk, tsk.” 

Otis clicked his tongue. 

“…” 

“Oh! And now Wiblow is included too. Truly a golden era for Kunst Academy, isn’t it?”

“…” 

“Come to think of it, I wonder if I’ll ever see such a glamorous lineup of students in my lifetime again. A prince, Duvel, and Wiblow.” 

“What exactly are you trying to say?” 

Kailen lightly clenched and unclenched his fists. No matter how many times he endured Otis’s provocations, he could never get used to them. 

“Kunst Academy feels invincible now. I suppose I should be on edge.” 

“…” 

“Someone is waiting for me. May I take my leave?” 

Otis let out a dry chuckle as he followed Kailen’s gaze. 

“Still as arrogant and insufferable as ever. And yet, despite it all, I’m still waiting for the day Duvel—no, you, Kailen—take my hand.” 

“I’ll be going now.”  

Otis’s persistence exceeded even that of a suitor, but Kailen remained unfazed. As Otis bit his lip, watching Kailen’s retreating back as he walked toward Noah, the salty sea breeze made him grimace, and he squinted against the glaring sunlight. 

“Lady Wiblow?” 

Ignoring the murmurs of the crowd, Otis’s gaze fell on Valeria, who was gently stroking her younger brother’s cheek with an affectionate touch. 

Otis strode forward. 

Each step he took caused the crowd to part for him. With ease, he approached the Wiblow family’s gathering and turned his attention to the Duchess of Wiblow. 

“It’s been a while, Duchess of Wiblow.” 

“Yes, the first time since the New Year’s banquet.” 

Despite the death of the Duke of Wiblow, Otis had not attended his funeral—even though the Wiblow family supported him. 

The Duchess’s words subtly pointed this out, but Otis’s expression remained indifferent. 

Instead, he simply shrugged his shoulders with his gaze lowered. 

“I’ve heard about your son. I heard he got caught up in an absurd incident and lost his position.” 

At Otis’s words, the Duchess bit her lip. She closed her eyes briefly before opening them, her lips curving into a smile as if painted on—a smile so beautiful it seemed unreal. 

“He is still a child unfamiliar with the ways of the world. I suppose I should think of this as a valuable lesson for him.” 

“You are truly a woman of great patience and understanding, Duchess. Is this your son, the one fortunate enough to have such an extraordinary mother?” 

Otis’s gaze, which had previously shown no interest, suddenly shifted to Frances. 

“Allow me to introduce myself, Your Highness. I am Frances Wiblow, newly admitted to Kunst Academy.” 

The eyes hidden beneath the mask sparkled. 

The sunlight illuminated the thin neck visible beneath Frances’s bowed head. As Otis received Frances’s greeting with a calm demeanor, his eyes gleamed. 

“Such a shame.” 

“I am not bothered by it.” 

The eyes under the mask were not fully visible. It was a stark contrast to the way Frances had initially raised his eyes to meet Otis’s gaze. 

Unconsciously, Otis loosened the cravat constricting his neck with one hand. Letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, he gave a dry laugh. 

He was more tense now than when he had faced the most sought-after courtesan in the capital. 

‘He’s definitely a man, yet…’ 

Licking his dry lips, Otis couldn’t take his eyes off Frances. 

“I heard you suffered the indignity of falling into the sea before your wound even had time to heal. Are you alright?” 

At Otis’s question, Frances’s eyebrows momentarily rose before settling back into place. 

“Yes. Fortunately, Senior Duvel was nearby and helped me resolve the situation without issue.” 

“Is that so? It seems the intentions of the future Duke of Wiblow and the Duke of Duvel differ greatly from those of their predecessors.”

The corners of Otis’s lips curled upward, the smile as venomous as a snake’s tongue. 

“That’s not true. It seems there’s been a misunderstanding, Your Highness.” 

Valeria seized the momentary silence to interject. 

“A misunderstanding?” 

Despite the celebratory nature of the event, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. The sharp aura emanating from Otis seemed to stifle everyone around him. 

“Of course, a misunderstanding. Wiblow will always stand behind you, Your Highness.” 

Valeria spoke softly, her tone as smooth as honey, as she linked arms with Otis. All eyes at the entrance ceremony were on them. Valeria knew this was her moment and didn’t let it slip by. 

Otis pulled his arm away from Valeria. 

Valeria’s face flushed bright red as she hesitated, her embarrassment palpable. A faint sound of laughter, carried by the wind, seemed to mock her. 

“I’d like to hear such oaths from someone who can be held accountable for them.”