Another person had lost their sense of direction due to the commotion caused by Crown Prince Patrick’s broken heart.

Good grades, active participation in school activities, and harmonious friendships.

Everything Michaela had worked so hard for had crumbled.

[Michaela Shirin rejected the Crown Prince’s confession.]

It was a lie.

The Crown Prince had never confessed to her.

She was the only woman close to him.

To be honest, Michaela didn’t dislike the attention and envy that came with it.

There were even times when she had entertained the possibility—just in case.

However, she knew all too well that such a thing would never happen.

And she was not about to risk everything she had worked so hard to achieve on a mere possibility.

That was why, whenever people asked about their relationship, Michaela always gave the same response.

“We only had a few conversations about the academy as senior and junior. Besides, it was at the professor’s request.”

Some were satisfied with her answer, while others remained unconvinced.

But no one confronted Michaela about it directly. The rumors only grew behind her back.

The woman who rejected the Crown Prince. A strong-willed woman.

It was a reputation laced with mockery.

Yet, since the scandal itself was false, Crown Prince Patrick would undoubtedly find it offensive.

That was what Michaela feared most.

Deceiving and humiliating the future emperor would render her reputation utterly meaningless.

Michaela Shirin despised both the name “Shirin” and the father who had given it to her.

‘In the end, they’ve ruined my future.’

Michaela had set a goal early on—to remain at the academy through a professor’s recommendation.

‘I worked so hard just to avoid going back home.’

If she failed to achieve results by the time she graduated, the outcome was obvious.

Her father would surely marry her off to the highest bidder, treating her like a commodity.

And after disgracing the Crown Prince, there was no way she could stay at the academy.

‘The Crown Prince won’t allow it.’

Everything had turned to dust.

****

Two weeks earlier…

When Baron Shirin heard the rumor that his eldest daughter, Michaela, was quite close to Crown Prince Patrick, his face flushed with excitement.

The mere thought that his daughter might become the Crown Princess was enough to send a thrill through him.

The person who delivered the news clicked their tongue inwardly at the sight of the baron’s barely concealed joy.

‘How naive. Acting so grand while living in such squalor.’

Still, their words dripped with honeyed flattery.

“I’ve heard that your eldest daughter is quite intelligent. The future of House Shirin looks bright indeed.”

Even in his excitement, Baron Shirin feigned humility.

“Oh, no, no. My unworthy daughter could never be so fortunate.”

Satisfied with this response, the messenger wasted no time getting to the point.

“Hmm… I’m not sure if I should say this, but becoming Crown Princess is certainly no easy feat. Some even say that, if not for her family’s salt mines and the wealthy Oberon Harbor, the current Empress might never have taken the throne.”

Casually, Baron Shirin’s gaze wandered around the room.

Even the best chamber in his house, the drawing room, was old and shabby.

No matter how blinded by love the Crown Prince might be, there was no way he would choose a family like theirs.

‘Michaela isn’t even particularly beautiful.’

Watching Baron Shirin slowly come to terms with reality, the messenger spoke again.

“Instead, why not take this opportunity to win the favor of someone powerful?”

With those words, a pouch was casually dropped onto the table.

From the sound alone, it was clear the sum inside was significant.

Greed and hesitation warred within Baron Shirin.

He feared that he might be letting a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip through his fingers.

‘If—by some miracle—Michaela really does become the Crown Princess, then a mere pouch like this would be nothing…’

The other person spoke.

“I understand your concerns. First, why not ask the young lady herself? But honestly, wouldn’t it be better for her to secure a reasonably wealthy marriage than to get caught up in endless rumors?”

“That’s true.”

“Ask her. Find out what her relationship with the Crown Prince really is. If she says they’re nothing special… then it would be wiser to seize this opportunity.”

Baron Shirin’s gaze shifted toward the pouch.

That afternoon, Baron Shirin pressed Michaela about her relationship with the Crown Prince.

Michaela answered,

“His Highness doesn’t interact closely with many students. I’m the only woman among them, which is why such rumors started—but there’s nothing between us.”

“I see. I thought as much.”

For some reason, his voice seemed to deflate.

With that, Baron Shirin had made his decision.

Michaela spoke firmly, as if giving a final warning.

“There really is nothing between me and His Highness, so please don’t have any expectations.”

“I only entertained the thought for a moment. I never expected much from you. Even after stubbornly going to the academy, nothing good has come of it. Will you at least manage to get married?”

Michaela did not respond.

Baron Shirin shook his head.

‘In the end, intelligence in a woman only causes trouble.’

He had never had any grand intentions when he allowed Michaela to attend the academy.

His son had neither interest nor talent in academics, so he had simply permitted it out of necessity.

‘Still, at least I’ve found a chance to make some money.’

***

When the scandal erupted, Michaela immediately suspected her father.

Baron Shirin didn’t even try to deny it.

Michaela was exasperated.

“What on earth were you thinking? Do you realize who you’ve involved? That’s the Crown Prince!”

“Thanks to me, your reputation has risen. What good is the academy? With this kind of recognition…”

“What’s the point of a reputation gained by spreading false rumors about the future emperor?”

Baron Shirin had never thought that far. He retorted immediately.

“The nobles don’t even like the Crown Prince. It’s not certain he’ll become emperor yet…”

“Father!”

Michaela struggled to contain her anger.

“Do you even know who gave you the money? What will you do if His Highness decides to investigate?”

Baron Shirin scoffed.

“The higher-ups have already calculated everything. The Crown Prince won’t do anything. If he was going to make an issue of it, he would have acted by now. Besides, if I hadn’t taken the money, who knows what would’ve happened?”

Michaela felt despair settle over her.

‘I’d rather abandon the name Shirin altogether.’

***

In the end, Michaela never found out who had approached Baron Shirin.

Since he had no intention of returning the money or any means to do so, Michaela decided to confess everything and ask for forgiveness.

Even in the midst of the ongoing scandal, Patrick met Michaela when she insisted on seeing him.

Michaela spoke.

“Even my father doesn’t know who was behind it. He acted purely out of greed. I sincerely apologize, Your Highness. I tried to explain the truth, but…”

“No one will believe you.”

Patrick had been angry at first, but now he saw this as an opportunity.

‘If I watch carefully, I’ll see who benefits from this commotion… Not that it isn’t already obvious.’

Michaela, her expression resolute, said,

“I will withdraw from the academy. If I disappear from sight—”

“Then rumors will spread that I or the royal family forced you out. Besides, we won’t even have overlapping classes next semester. You only have one year left—it would be a waste to quit now. As for Baron Shirin…”

“My father doesn’t think about what the Crown Prince or the imperial family might do. That means he’s not a real threat. I am truly sorry, Your Highness.”

Patrick, truthfully, felt sorry for Michaela.

It wasn’t her fault that she had a father like that.

Patrick spoke.

“I heard you planned to stay at the academy after graduation. But that won’t be possible anymore. Instead, work in administration after you graduate—not in the capital, but in a province.”

Realizing that this was both Patrick’s way of granting her an opportunity and his way of forgiving her, Michaela immediately responded.

“I will do so. I will dedicate myself to serving the empire as atonement. Thank you for your generosity.”

Patrick watched Michaela leave, deep in thought.

‘It’s truly a waste. If only Baron Shirin hadn’t been so foolish.’

Patrick didn’t dislike Michaela. In fact, he had once felt a certain fondness for her. But now that this had happened, he could no longer treat her the same way. He was the Crown Prince.

“I might as well use this situation to my advantage.”

From the Crown Prince’s perspective, this incident was beneficial, though still somewhat regrettable.

“There’s still much to learn… but I suppose I should give up on the idea of being an ordinary academy student.”

Taking this as a lesson, Patrick became even more cautious about interacting with women within the academy.

His change in behavior led to rumors that he was acting out of heartbreak.

In truth, Patrick had no way to suppress such gossip.

‘Using it to my advantage is the only option.’

Meanwhile, Michaela withdrew from campus activities and focused solely on her studies. Whenever she encountered Patrick, her demeanor became formal and reserved, as if addressing a future superior rather than a peer.

Ironically, their changed behavior only made the rumors seem more credible.

Contrary to Patrick’s expectations, Duke Rosalind did not take any action.

Instead, the duke quietly distanced himself from certain people within his circle.

Michaela Shirin, Crown Prince Patrick, and even Duke Rosalind—each of them kept a low profile.

Though there was some initial commotion, other ambitious students within the academy quickly stepped in to fill the void.

Patrick was surprised to see that Duke Rosalind was avoiding people altogether while attending the academy.

‘What is he up to?’

***

There was a difference between complaining that the imperial authority had weakened and committing treason.

Some people couldn’t help but sneer when they encountered Patrick.

Among them were those who at least tried to conceal their irreverence and those who made no effort to hide it at all.

The latter likely came from families that openly opposed the imperial family.

‘I need to remember who they are.’

A person’s attitude toward the Crown Prince was rarely an individual decision; it was a reflection of their family’s political stance.

Just as Patrick resented the elder nobles who constantly spoke of his father’s legitimacy, these students mirrored their own families’ views.

Patrick had expected Duke Rosalind to be the first to mock him over this incident.

But time passed, and the duke remained silent.

‘Does he understand my intentions and is playing it safe?’

A rival who was too intelligent was nothing but exhausting.

****

When Patrick and Duke Rosalind were seen together, people stopped in their tracks and stared.

Walking through the academy, Patrick slightly regretted accepting the duke’s request to talk.

‘We’re drawing too much attention. I just wanted a quiet conversation.’

Patrick spoke.

“Won’t your supporters be displeased to see us together? Aren’t you afraid?”

“What’s there to be afraid of? Your Highness is not my enemy, and I am not yours.”

Patrick stopped walking and looked at Duke Rosalind.

“Do you really believe that, or are you just saying what you think you should?”

Hearing Patrick’s sharp response, Duke Rosalind smiled.

“Did you think I orchestrated this scandal?”

“Even if you didn’t start it, I assumed you fanned the flames. I’ve heard the entire empire is in an uproar. I even received a teasing letter from my cousin in Ariel.”

If the news had reached Ariel, that meant the entire empire knew.

With a wry expression, Duke Rosalind replied.

“There are certainly those who eagerly spread the story. But I had no part in it. Though, I’m sure some claim they did it on my behalf.”

Patrick didn’t like how Duke Rosalind was trying to separate himself from the situation.

“So you’re saying this has nothing to do with you?”

Duke Rosalind responded.

“Honestly, I don’t see why Your Highness being rejected is such a big deal or why it warrants such a fuss. I’m more disappointed by the level of those causing the commotion.”

Patrick still wasn’t sure whether the duke was being sincere.

Duke Rosalind continued.

“This incident made me realize the quality of those around me, so I did some pruning.”

“I heard as much.”

“Is that why you’re here? Because you think I’m cutting ties?”

“It was clear that something was going on.”

Duke Rosalind spoke.

“Your Highness may not know this, but I have acted and been educated as a duke since I was a child. Being fatherless, being a young child trying to fulfill the role of a duke—it was not easy. My mother, in particular, suffered a great deal.”

Patrick had always thought only about the ambitions of Duke Rosalind and his mother. He had never truly considered the difficulties the duke had faced.

As Patrick hesitated, Duke Rosalind gave a faint smile and continued.

“We needed power. There’s no way His Majesty or Her Majesty the Empress didn’t understand my mother’s intentions. And of course, neither did you, Your Highness.”

When Patrick nodded, Duke Rosalind went on.

“It would have been strange if they hadn’t known, given how we followed imperial events and sought out the elder nobles. But His Majesty merely observed. Even with the title of duke, there wasn’t much a child could do. I’m sure he knew that well.”

Patrick looked at Duke Rosalind.

He was only two years older than himself.

Yet he had been called a duke before he was even old enough to understand what it meant.

Patrick had always envied and disliked how effortlessly the duke navigated social circles.

‘I didn’t start attending imperial events until I was over ten years old. And even then, it was because I envied the praise Rosalind received. But I was always with my mother and father.’

Rosalind had no choice but to become adept at dealing with the world early on.

Unlike Patrick, he had faced people and politics from a young age.

‘Even now, at my age, fully accepting the title of Crown Prince isn’t easy. How could a young Duke Rosalind have done anything but be swayed by those around him?’

Patrick found himself seeing Duke Rosalind in a new light.

Duke Rosalind spoke again.

“Entering the adult world early meant gaining some things and losing others. Lately, I’ve been thinking about what I might have lost. While I’m at the academy, I intend to reflect on that as much as possible. So, I won’t be causing any trouble for Your Highness.”

As he said this, Duke Rosalind’s expression looked remarkably at ease.