Chapter 33

However, reality was not so easy.  

Perhaps the children had been reminded by their parents to behave properly in the Imperial Capital, as they were trying hard to maintain their composure.  

Even so, the occasional unexpected actions left Hazel flustered.  

After a thorough tour of the main castle, they decided to take a short break in the garden located between the main castle and the western palace.  

Watching the children gather in small groups to rest, Hazel let out a deep sigh she had been holding back.  

‘Ha, I just want to go home….’  

The overwhelming pressure of simply being in the Imperial Capital had her tense, even though all she was doing was following Enoch around.  

Hazel sat a little further away and gently shook her feet, which were sore from her shoes. The shoes Vanessa had sent her, insisting that this was the minimum standard for visiting the Imperial Capital, still hadn’t been broken in.  

‘If I’d known it would be like this, I would’ve worn them around the house a few times.’  

She hadn’t even thought about her shoes due to being so busy preparing for the practical class.  

The only silver lining was that Enoch had also been busy preparing for the class, so she didn’t have to deal with his usual inappropriate antics.  

Exhausted in both body and mind, Hazel was wishing fervently to return home when a familiar voice reached her ears.  

“Hazel Hoover?”  

“…Professor Nelson?”  

It was Marquis Nelson, the professor who had greatly helped her when she decided to become a professor at the Academy.  

Surprised by the sudden appearance of such a welcome figure, Hazel sprang to her feet with a delighted expression.  

Looking at the elegantly dressed Hazel with kind eyes, he let out a hearty laugh.  

“So this is the strange practical course His Highness the Crown Prince mentioned. It must be today. It’s been a while, Hazel. It feels like just yesterday that you said you wanted to become a professor at the Academy, and now here you are, a proper teacher!”  

Receiving praise from someone she respected deeply, Hazel blushed and smiled shyly.  

“No, not at all, Professor. I still have a long way to go before I can be like you. By the way, how have you been? I heard you went to the financial management department. I’m sorry I haven’t reached out to you.”  

As she bowed her head apologetically, Marquis Nelson waved his hand dismissively.  

“No need to apologize. I’ve been busy too, so it’s no different. Well, I’m managing. Though, whether here or there, people seem to lack common sense. The more they learn, the less practical they seem to be. They make simple tasks unnecessarily complicated—it’s driving me mad! Wouldn’t you consider working under me? That would make things much better.”  

“I like it here. The work is hard, but it suits me.”  

“Ah, what a shame. I was hoping to get rid of some of the fools under me.”  

One corner of his mouth lifted slightly, as if he were genuinely disappointed.  

Hazel laughed, remembering how he used to complain in a similar manner in the past. His unchanged demeanor brought her comfort.  

At that moment, Enoch, who had stepped away briefly, returned.  

He naturally stood beside Hazel and gave a slight bow. Marquis Nelson patted Enoch on the shoulder.  

“Lord Meyer, it’s been a while.”  

“I’m glad to see you’re in good health.”  

“Haha, I’ve always been healthy. So much so that my subordinates complain because I never leave my post.”  

Marquis Nelson smiled warmly as he alternated his gaze between Hazel and Enoch.  

“Seeing the two of you standing together like this brings back memories. It’s been over ten years, but I still remember it vividly. Whenever Lord Meyer was training, he had a habit of checking somewhere, and that place always…”  

“Marquis!”  

Enoch suddenly raised his voice. This was so unlike him that Hazel turned to him in surprise.  

“What did I say to make you glare at me like that? You nearly burst my eardrums.”  

“You promised to keep that a secret.”  

Enoch gritted his teeth as he spoke. Hazel, who had never seen him react so sensitively, widened her eyes in astonishment.  

He looked distinctly uneasy. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed Marquis Nelson knew one of Enoch’s weaknesses—and a significant one at that.  

Seeing Enoch’s desperate expression, Marquis Nelson tilted his head and replied,  

“Did I promise that? Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t.”  

It was obvious he was teasing Enoch.  

What kind of secret could it be for Enoch to be rendered speechless like this? Could it be that Marquis Nelson knew about his perverted tendencies?  

It wasn’t impossible. After all, Enoch wouldn’t dare to threaten someone with greater political power and authority than himself.  

‘Could it be one of those situations where he’s weak to the strong and strong to the weak?’  

The thought made Hazel realize once again how pitiful her position was. As she wore a bitter smile, a scream suddenly echoed from somewhere.  

“Good heavens! Marquis, what are you doing here?! Don’t tell me you ran away because you were given some work?!”  

“Oh dear, I’ve been caught already.”  

A man with disheveled hair stood at the entrance of the garden, shouting and jumping in frustration. His voice was so loud that, despite the distance, his words were perfectly clear. Marquis Nelson clicked his tongue in annoyance.  

But only briefly. He quickly returned to his usual demeanor, smiling slyly as he said,  

“By the way, there’s going to be an Imperial banquet soon. I suppose I’ll see you there.”  

“I….”  

Hazel hesitated, glancing at Marquis Nelson nervously. Just as she was about to apologize and say she wouldn’t attend, Enoch interrupted her.  

“We’ll see you there. In the meantime, you should return now. Your aide is waiting for you with a very long neck.”  

Enoch’s quick response created some distance, and Marquis Nelson frowned as if displeased.  

In the meantime, Marquis Nelson’s aide hurried over, grabbing his sleeve tightly to prevent him from escaping again. What followed was a tug-of-war between the Marquis, who claimed he was just taking a short break, and his aide, who pleaded with him not to run off like last time.  

In the end, Marquis Nelson, who had intended to sneak away, was caught and taken back by his aide.  

“See you next time, Hazel.”  

Waving goodbye to the visibly reluctant Marquis, Hazel glanced at Enoch, who wore an unreadable expression.  

“Are you going to the Imperial banquet?”  

“I have to. It’s not something I can skip.”  

His brow furrowed slightly, as if the mere thought of it was exhausting.  

Considering how he rarely kept people close even during his school days, Hazel thought it must be tiresome for him to meet so many people.  

His life was so different from hers. As a daughter of the Hoover Earldom, she had no wealth or influence, and no one paid her any attention.  

“Are you going too?”  

“I’m not going.”  

“…What?”  

His eyes trembled slightly, as if he hadn’t expected her response.  

Still excited from meeting her respected mentor after so long, Hazel failed to notice his reaction.  

“But the Marquis just invited you.”  

“Oh, that wasn’t an invitation. He was just being polite.”  

Waving her hand dismissively, she acted as though it was no big deal, which made Enoch let out a dry laugh.  

“It’s one of the few holidays we get, so I’m going to take the chance to visit my hometown and rest. Besides, my father and sister will be attending, so I don’t need to go. No one will complain if I say I’m busy with work.”  

When is the banquet again? It lasts about three days from the opening ceremony, so this time I’ll really be able to rest.  

I should ask Emily to bake plenty of apple pies by then. And I’ll buy some treats from that new pastry shop….  

Just then, the sound of a bell marking the hour rang out.  

“Oh, it’s time to move. Let’s go. The kids are waiting. The next destination is the knights’ training grounds, right?”  

After carefully checking her dress to ensure it was in order, Hazel walked toward the students.  

Enoch stood still, as if rooted to the ground, watching her retreating figure. Eventually, he let out a deep sigh and rubbed his forehead.  

“…She’s still as clueless as ever.”  

But that’s what makes her so endearing.  

Swallowing the words that had risen to the tip of his tongue, he followed her silently.