Epilogue (Part 1)

Finally, it was graduation day.

Sienna didn’t particularly feel like attending the ceremony, but Eden’s overwhelming desire to share her graduation with her left her with no choice but to participate.  

“Graduates, please proceed to enter.”  

On a warm afternoon with the sun shining brightly, the graduate students rose at the Academy headmaster’s words and began walking in line onto the red carpet.  

Since it was rare for students to complete a doctoral program, the total number of graduates, including undergraduates, was small enough to count on ten fingers. However, from the family seating area in the back, applause louder than ever erupted.  

“Ugh…”  

Sienna bit her lips nervously, trying to suppress her embarrassment and shyness as she moved forward. She knew all too well whose hands were responsible for the loudest applause.  

Behind the family seating area, there was an unusually large crowd for a graduate ceremony. More than half of them had undoubtedly gathered just to see Eden’s face.  

The sight of people glancing at the family seating area and pointing fingers while whispering was captured in her view.  

By now, there wasn’t a single person at the Academy who didn’t know that she and Eden were a couple. The rumor about the auction, where a whopping 300 million Er had been at stake, had refused to die down despite Sienna’s wishes.  

People had buzzed about how a graduate student named Sienna Onyx had “won” Duke Felice in the auction. Even two weeks later, they continued to whisper, especially when they saw the Duke frequently visiting the Academy.  

And then, as if to put an end to their curiosity, Duke Felice’s actions—firmly holding Sienna’s hand and escorting her to a carriage—only fueled the rumors further.  

It marked the birth of yet another legendary couple from the Academy’s Slave Mate Auction.  

From that point on, chaos ensued. Articles about Duke Felice being utterly smitten with his lover filled the front pages of every newspaper in the capital.  

The dormitory building, where not a single soul had passed by before, was now swarming with reporters camping out to verify the rumors and interview the student rumored to be the Duke’s lover. Suddenly trapped inside the dormitory, Sienna found herself in a difficult situation.  

Eden, exuding an aura of anger, seemed ready to sweep them all away, but Sienna calmed him down with a single gesture—reminding him that they could easily escape using teleportation and that being alone together in this situation wasn’t so bad.  

When others reminded him that the Academy was a neutral zone and a sacred place of learning where the use of force would cause trouble, Eden reassured her by stating that there were plenty of ways to crush them without resorting to violence. His words gave her a sense of relief.  

The Felice household formally lodged a complaint with the Academy, and thanks to Eden’s intervention, Sienna’s face was spared from being plastered across newspapers and broadcast everywhere.  

However, the commotion couldn’t be entirely avoided. Although no one openly tried to gawk at her, Sienna had to quickly get used to the many gazes that followed her wherever she went on campus.  

Unlike Sienna, who was burdened by the overwhelming attention from strangers, Eden was thoroughly satisfied that so many people now knew he was her lover. After Sienna decided to stay at his villa instead of the dormitory until graduation, she found herself even more at the center of his attention.  

He was the one who insisted on attending the graduation ceremony, yet even after the sun had risen long ago, he refused to let her go from the bed. Recalling how she had nearly been late that morning, Sienna carefully stepped onto the carpet, ensuring her steps didn’t falter.  

When she finally reached the seemingly endless red carpet’s end, the Academy Headmaster’s speech began. Even the Headmaster, with his long, flowing beard, couldn’t help but glance curiously in Eden’s direction, causing Sienna to suppress a laugh.  

Moments like these made her keenly aware of just how famous and desirable the man by her side truly was.  

“…Yes, and finally, when we look back at the long history of our prestigious Academy, we can see just how many achievements have been made by its alumni, who have quietly worked behind the scenes for the boundless glory of the empire since its founding. For instance, Maren Gong, who is currently achieving remarkable accomplishments as the Minister of the Imperial Household, is also one of our proud graduates, and… Lastly, I have no doubt that this year’s graduates will also uphold the noble intentions and passion of their predecessors, working diligently in their respective positions to bring further honor to our Academy…”

The Headmaster, having already uttered the word “finally” for the fifth time, continued his seemingly endless speech.  

The few graduates, who were starting to feel numb in their feet, began to loosen their once-rigid postures and shifted their weight from side to side. Sienna joined in their movements while occasionally glancing toward where Eden was waiting for her.  

“…And with that, I conclude the graduation address of the Academy. Congratulations to all the graduates.”  

After what felt like an eternity, the speech finally came to an end, leaving only the ceremony where each graduate would go up to the stage one by one to receive their diplomas and hear a few congratulatory words from the headmaster.  

When Sienna, the first graduate to receive her diploma, stepped onto the stage, the headmaster, whose white beard gleamed in the sunlight, grabbed her hand enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling just as brightly.  

“I’ve heard that you’ve achieved truly remarkable and creative accomplishments during your studies. You’ve made us all very proud.”  

“Th-thank you.”  

“It’s truly wonderful that such an outstanding talent has emerged from our Academy. Truly wonderful, Dame Sienna Onyx. Hohoho!”  

“Yes… Um, but when will you be giving me my diploma…?”  

Normally, shouldn’t the diploma be handed over before the handshake? 

Sienna looked awkwardly at her arm, which was being vigorously shaken by the Headmaster. At her words, the Headmaster let out an “Ah” of realization and, with a solemn expression, handed her the diploma before extending his hand for another handshake.  

“Do not forget this Academy or me, Dame Onyx.”  

The Academy might be worth remembering, but how could she possibly forget the Headmaster, whom she was meeting for the first time today? Sienna nearly burst out laughing at the Headmaster’s blatant behavior as he alternated between glancing at her and Eden, who was standing nearby.

After she stepped down from the stage, the second and third graduates moved to receive their diplomas. Since the number of graduates was small, the diploma ceremony didn’t take much time.

Perhaps worried that the Headmaster would drag the ceremony on forever, the Vice Headmaster, Count Vermel, took the microphone and delivered a brief closing speech.  

Soon, the crimson graduation caps, perfectly suited for the early autumn weather, soared into the air like falling autumn leaves. Thunderous applause resounded.  

“Congratulations on your graduation, Sienna.”  

When the ceremony ended, Eden, who had come forward to greet her, smiled warmly as she walked briskly toward him. With a gentle smile, he handed her a large bouquet of flowers.  

“Thank you.”  

Sienna grinned as she accepted the bouquet. Graduation. She had finally graduated. Truly graduated. The rich fragrance of the flowers made it all feel real at last.  

Hugging the bouquet to her chest, she opened the diploma she had received. Alongside her doctoral degree certificate was a noble title conferment document. It bore her name, stated that she was being granted a barony, and carried the imperial seal.  

“So, you’ve officially become Baroness Onyx now.”  

Eden softly wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they looked at the title conferment document together.  

She felt a bit flustered by his actions, especially since they were being watched by a crowd drawn to his presence. But this was something she had prepared herself for when she decided to stay by Eden’s side. Thinking back on the arduous days she had endured to obtain those pieces of paper, she nodded.  

Just as she was about to look up at Eden with a bright smile, a trembling hand suddenly appeared behind her, trying to hand her something.  

Sienna turned to see the owner of the smaller but sincere bouquet and let out an “Ah” as she finally noticed his presence.  

“So, you’ve come, Montague?”

“C-Congratulations on your graduation, Sister.”  

Montague stood stiffly, barely managing to extend his arm holding the bouquet. His awkwardness, combined with his sideways glances at Eden, was so amusing that Sienna burst into laughter as she accepted the bouquet.  

Now holding two bouquets, Sienna looked like she was buried in a flower garden. She nodded toward her younger brother.  

Seeing his pale face, drained of all color, she recalled how Montague had nearly fainted upon learning about her relationship with Eden.  

When her brother had turned white and nearly fallen backward, Sienna had barely managed to grab him. But then, he had muttered strange things like, 

“Why would His Grace the Duke be with someone like you, my sister?” 

So, she had let go of him in annoyance.  

Even as Montague fell backward and curled into himself, he kept mumbling incredulously to himself.  

“This can’t be… If I had known, I would have done anything… 300 million… Should I really be blessing them…?”  

Sienna had looked down at her crouched brother with a gaze full of pity and exasperation.  

“Should I arrange for you to meet him?”  

She knew how much Montague admired Eden. After all, wasn’t he the one who had pressured Sienna into bidding on his behalf during the auction? Montague had been the very reason for the absurd encounter between Sienna and Eden.