CH 129

I hadn’t heard anything from Zen since that afternoon.

The students were disbanded from the drill hall without any problems, but the story about Zen was issued from numerous mouths.

Most of their whispers were ‘a young professor from the magic tower’, ‘a crazy man who is impudent to the young duke’ and such.

I was uneasy hearing the name Ardin being spoken out of people’s mouths even though it wasn’t his real name.

Looking worriedly at me, who was slowly crumpling the corner of my note, Rany made a promise to me.

“I will reveal the detailed situation even if I have to half-kill Bertin. Don’t worry.”

This had already happened regardless of hearing the detailed situation.

I was more troubled with Zen showing himself in front of numerous people rather than the problem with the young duke.

I dejectedly boarded the carriage and looked down at my pendant.

I still couldn’t hear a single sound from the pendant.

This was not even broken, so he must have been hearing my words.

Why on earth did he ignore my call?

“I have to at least hear your explanation so that I can be convinced.”

As the confusion subsided, regret and worry filled it in.

Unlike my heavy heart, the carriage ran lightly to the mansion.

As soon as I opened the carriage door and entered the mansion, I saw Orion waiting for me.

Usually, I would greet and talk with him, but my head was a mess so I didn’t want to do it.

“How was your day, Mari-”

“I’m sorry, Orion. I’m very tired so I want to rest.”

Orion, who opened his arms welcoming me, stunned in the place like a statue.

Dana, who was a step behind him, looked at Orion and then hurriedly approached me.

Worried also flashed in her eyes, who took my outer coat.

“Ah ,did something bad happen in the academy?”

There was but if I told him now, I didn’t feel like I could explain it calmly.

I also didn’t know how far I could tell him about Zen.

“I won’t tell you for now.”

I was planning to tell him later when my head had been sorted out.

After all, this was related to the Bolton Family, so I couldn’t not tell him.

With a smile, Orion nodded.

“All right. My Marianne might have been nervous since it’s her first day so it’s not a surprise. Yeah, all right.”

“I’m sorry. You’re worried about me, but I…”

“No. I actually already prepared for this. I’ve already heard that at your age, everyone said they won’t speak with their older brother because they’re tired.”

I was about to enter my room, but I stopped.

Why was my age mentioned there?

At that moment, a question arose, but the confusion had not subsided yet for me to ask and talk to Orion.

Once again, I asked for his understanding.

“I’m a bit confused now . . .”

“Yeah, it’s the time of storm and gale of life.”

Ending the conversation that oddly went astray, I entered my room and plopped down on the chair.

It was not a lie that I was tired.

My head that had been filled with various thoughts was so heavy that I felt it would break.

I didn’t feel like I could think properly until I cast away all the cumbersome thoughts.

* * *

The dinner time was quiet.

Jeremy, who arrived a bit later than me, also returned to the mansion with a dark face, and inevitably came to the dining room for dinner.

We nibbled on our food with dark faces, so everyone rolled their eyes, trying to read the situation.

Sir Rune asked me.

“It seems like your first day in the academy wasn’t good, My Lady?”

“I don’t think it will be good at all.”

“Erm, did something bad happen?”

“Mhm. Well, something like that.”

As if he had expected that he wouldn’t get a proper answer from me, he turned his head.

Jeremy, who nibbled on his food, sent me a gaze filled with his agreement with me, and he flinched when he met Sir Rune’s eyes.

“What about you, Your Highness?”

“It’s not good at all.”

Orion blinked his eyes as he looked at us who gave the same answer as though we had planned this.

And surprisingly, Jeremy spoke to his master, Orion, first.

“Master, you graduated from the academy amicably, right?”

“Erm . . . yeah.”

“It is said that human’s life is full of suffering, but I don’t think there’s a more dangerous and troubling place than the academy in my life.”

I felt like I understood Jeremy’s feelings.

He met Young Duke Bolton who he avoided and feared the most.

I didn’t know if he also saw Zen who fought against him, but even if he saw, I was sure that rather than happy, his fear would only double.

The more terrifying fact was both were professors.

“But the academy is a safe place.”

“It’s more dangerous than the palace.”

Everyone turned silent hearing Jeremy’s words that were imbued with an ardent honesty.

They all looked curious about what happened in the academy, but frustrated because we didn’t tell them.

Sir Rune, who looked at both of us with a strange expression, eventually spoke.

“I think the academy after we graduated has a bit, a lot, changed. The academy in my memory is only an academy.”

“Thank you for the dinner.”

“Thank you for the dinner.”

Worried gazes followed behind us who said the same words and went up to our rooms.