Chapter 51

At dinner, Emily showed off her test scores to Adelia. It was a preliminary test for admission to the academy. Adelia was surprised by Emily’s excellent score, but realized that Emily’s admission is approaching.

If Emily passes the entrance exam, she will have to enter the academy dormitory within two weeks.

‘Ha… I didn’t know I’d feel the feelings of a parent.’

She felt like she became a worried parent as if her beautiful daughter will live in a faraway place. Adelia gazed happily at Emily, who was proud of her achievements.

“Have you thought about which major to choose?”

At the Grand Duke’s question, Emily thought for a moment and answered shortly.

“I decided to major in divinity.”

Adelia opened her eyes wide at Emily’s words. 

The department of divinity is a special department at the academy, and as its name suggests, it is a department that teaches about divinity.

However, unlike other departments, there is a specific condition in addition to test scores, it is the ability to use divine power.

Adelia explained carefully to Emily.

“Emily, but the department of divinity requires divine power to enter.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Emily proudly stretched her right hand forward.

Then a small sphere of light appeared on her small palm. Adelia looked at the sphere that had formed on Emily’s hand with her eyes wide open.

“It’s…”

“That’s right! It’s divine power!”

Adelia glanced at the Grand Duke, unable to escape the shock. The Grand Duke was not surprised to see as if he already knew.

“What is going on….”

“One of my former teachers is a priest who was excommunicated.”

“Ha…”

Adelia laughed and looked at Emily’s divine power.

So, without my knowledge, the Grand Duke’s teacher awakened Emily’s latent divine power.

“…what a warm light.”

Divine power had different characteristics depending on the owner.

It was like magic. Some harbored the sea, others harbored the sky, and others harbored lush bushes. Emily’s was a feeble but warm fire to Adelia’s feelings.

“Thank you, Viscount. In fact, I know that my divine power is not that great. But I want to go to the department of divinity.”

“May I ask why?”

“I… just want to know. Why did the disaster arise and what the goddess wants…? Why did my hometown become like that…?”

Emily’s voice sank low as if it were submerged.

Adelia couldn’t stop Emily. She chose her path, so all she had to do was trust and watch.

Adelia smiled softly and said to Emily, who looked at her.

“Emily, I respect your choice.”

“Oh, my lady….”

It’s been a while since she called her “Lady”.

Adelia smiled at the welcome call, but Emily was not. Emily quickly realized her mistake and opened her mouth and eyes wide.

Soon a warm laugh rang out on the table. Emily felt her heart tickle in the laughter. It was a warm evening that she felt after a long time.

***

Emily and Adelia waited for correspondence from the academy as soon as they woke up in the morning.

In the afternoon, Liam finally came to those two.

“The letter you’ve been waiting for has arrived.” Liam smiled and held out a silver tray to Emily. On top of it was a letter engraved with the text of the academy.

“Go ahead and check it out.”

At Adelia’s urging, Emily opened the letter carefully with a strained face.

Emily, who checked the contents, stiffened.

Adelia frowned at Emily, standing blankly staring at the letter.

‘No way…’

Then, Emily’s tightly closed mouth finally opened.

“…I passed.”

“…you pass?”

“Yes…”

Adelia and Emily hugged each other with joy as if they had everything in the world.

It was only after so much joy that the two fell apart.

“Well, I’ll let the others know…!”

“Okay, go ahead. I’ll be waiting.”

Emily disappeared quickly with a light step.

“We’ll have to get ready soon.”

Adelia nodded silently at Liam’s words. Since the admission was decided, she had to hurry up and prepare to send her to the academy.

Adelia had a slightly bitter smile around her mouth.

“I think this spacious castle will be lonely when Miss Emily enters the dormitory.”

Liam’s calm voice expressed regret as if it represented Adelia’s feelings.

“I’m already lonely.”

“Huh. It’s an inevitable feeling as a guardian. Make as many fun memories as you can before she leaves.”

Liam advised Adelia comfortably.

Adelia nodded helplessly.

Emily. My dear little friend. I couldn’t tell when you became so special.

Maybe she felt the same way.

When she saw her eyes empty after losing everything precious, she felt an indescribable emotion.

She hopes Emily grows up happy and lives to fulfill her dreams.

Since she couldn’t do that herself.

That’s all Adelia wanted from Emily.

Emily passing the entrance exam of the academy caused a stir in the quiet Grand Duchy.

“Congratulations!”

“Congratulations!”

“What pleasure would I have in living in this wicked castle without Miss Emily?”

“Hey, no matter how happy you are, watch your language. Can’t you feel Liam’s eyes?”

Everyone was both happy and sad about Emily’s admission.

Adelia smiled proudly at the sight.

Adelia approached the people who taught Emily and greeted them.

“Thank you for teaching Emily so well.”

“No, I enjoyed teaching a smart girl, it was quite rewarding. Don’t you think so?”

Baron Fidel, who taught Emily history, looked at others and asked.

Like Fidel, Mrs. Molnir, who taught Emily math, nodded with a smile.

“That’s right. She has the willingness to learn! She is a very determined student. I’m sorry she has to go to the academy, but I’m also happy to think that she will accumulate a variety of knowledge there.”

Others nodded as if they sympathized with Mrs. Molnir.

The people whom the Grand Duke invited as Emily’s teacher were mainly those who had been teaching to high-ranking nobles or royal families.

Frankly, when the Grand Duke first ordered teaching a common child, everyone was taken aback.

There was a clear difference between a child who had been educated since birth and a child who experienced a proper education for the first time in her life.

She wondered if she could understand what they were saying.

However, the child they faced was too passionate.

The child was not ashamed of her ignorance. If there was anything she didn’t know, she asked questions right away. 

She has the will to learn new things. 

That was the difference between a common child and any noble child.

Of course, it was a positive difference.

The girl’s passion made the instructors feel proud.

It was a natural result.

Listening with sparkling eyes, they felt joy and responsibility as an adult before an educator.

“Really… I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to see such a student again for the rest of my life.”

Adelia smiled heartily.

Emily was working hard.

She is no longer a child who behaves like she is in Rohen and has become a different child. 

Adelia was very relieved and delighted by the fact.

The night of celebration deepened.

***

A carriage with a splendid grand duchy’s pattern passed through the gate to Noiten.

Emily looked excitedly out the window.

Adelia smiled quietly at Emily, who was no different from her peers.

For the past two weeks Adelia has had a good time with Emily, leaving the Duchy for a while.

She wanted to make a good memory with Emily as much as she could. And she wanted to let her know that she is behind her. Adelia reflected on her short trip with Emily.

Maybe it’s impossible to travel like this with Emily for years to come.

Thinking like that made her sad again. The human mind was really complicated.

While she wanted Emily to experience the wider world at the Academy, she couldn’t help but be sadder that she had to leave.

“We’ll be at the academy soon.”

“Hmm, I’m so nervous.”

“There’s nothing to be so nervous about. They’re all kids your age anyway.”

Despite the encouragement of the Grand Duke, Emily could not calm down.

“Maybe they’ll make fun of me as I’m from the countryside…?”

Emily recalled her next-door sister who had once returned to Rohen to take a break from working in the city.

She hated the rustic Rohen.

‘Because I was born in the countryside, the girls spoke ill of me.’

The lament of the sister next door came into Emily’s head.

The Grand Duke asked Emily.

“What are you worried about? You have learned basic knowledge from my teachers, and you are under the protection of the Viscount of Yurpheon. Viscount Yurpheon is my person, so you are under my protection.”

“…Is that so?”

Emily tilted her head in confusion.

“Yes, that’s the way it is.”

“Hmm…”

“If someone picks a fight with you on the pretext of your origin, say this. I’m going to tell you to Your Highness.”

Adelia, who was listening to the two in silence, burst into laughter.

Their eyes naturally turned to Adelia.

Adelia said with a bright smile.

“Emily, don’t worry, you’ll do well. And remember what the Grand Duke said in case something came up.”

“…Yes!”

The shadow that hung over Emily’s face vanished cleanly.

Finally, the carriage arrived in front of the academy. Adelia got out of the carriage with her hat fixed and escorted by the Grand Duke.

“This is the academy.”

In terms of scale, the size of the academy was beyond imagination, as it is known to be larger than the Empire Academy.

Adelia looked admiringly at the steeple of the Academy. Emily looked at the academy with her small mouth wide open like Adelia.

“We’re here.” Ivan said to those two.

Adelia looked down at Emily.

“…I’ll go now.”

Emily opened her mouth with difficulty and said goodbye.

Adelia tried to smile as gently as possible, forcing up the corners of her mouth that wouldn’t go up.

“I’ll be waiting.”

At the end of the greeting, Emily followed the instructions of the academy staff. Adelia looked blankly behind Emily and then turned her head.

“We’re leaving.”

Ivan turned around nodding his head without saying a word.

She had a lot of things to do, leaving behind the sadness of parting.