Chapter 111

TLS : Shenks

Since then, we've stopped by the "most famous and popular restaurant in the Capital" and headed back to the Lombardy mansion by sunset.

In a quiet carriage, I enjoyed the wind with the windows open as I did on the trip here.

But thanks to the hairpin Perez gave me, I didn't have to worry about messing up my hair.

"Tia."

At Perez's call, I opened my eyes.

"Are you ready to talk now?”

'…Yes,' Perez said, taking a small breath.

"I'm going to the academy.”

And there was silence in the carriage.

Perez somehow looked a little nervous.

"Yeah, that's what we decided to do."

I had some idea.

The new semester of the academy will begin soon.

"Perez, are you going because you want to?”

'Yes,' Perez answered my question with a tight lip.

In his previous life, Perez left for the Academy at the age of 15.

There's only one difference between then and now.

In his previous life, he was forced to go to the academy by Imperial Order, who was instated by the empress.

"Good for you. Go learn a lot, Perez."

"…I want to ask you something, Tia."

"What is it?"

"Is it good for me to go to the academy, does Tia think so?”

"That's right."

"Why?"

Because you’ll meet your people there.

The people who’ll make you the crown prince and eventually an emperor.

"You'll learn a lot."

"But why didn't you convince me? You could have told me to go to the academy because it's a good thing for me.”

"It's……."

I was tongue-tied for a moment.

And I said.

"It's something you have to decide for yourself."

Perez has been through so many things at a young age.

But clearly not as much as the Perez from the past life.

At that time, he was a desperate man trickling of venom.

And the venom made Perez overcome everything and become the crown prince.

But the present Perez in front of me is not.

In this situation, even if you are pushed into the academy, you cannot achieve the same results as in your previous life.

Perez's people were all who held grudges to someone and wanted the world to pay back for everything.

They were driven by his venom.

If he was going to waste time vaguely at the academy, He'd rather not go.

That's why I didn't convince Perez to go to the Academy.

"What I have to decide for myself…….”

Perez pondered what I said.

"Tia, you're right."

A gentle smile spread around Perez's mouth.

"This is the first path I've decided and chosen.”

Perez's face looked much more comfortable than before.

"After much thought, I found out the reason why I have to go to the academy."

Perez's red eyes looked at me.

They were deep and clear eyes without a smile.

After a while, the carriage arrived at the Lombardy mansion.

Even though I said he didn't have to, Perez got off the carriage and escorted me.

Just before I said goodbye, I asked Perez.

"So when are you leaving for the academy?”

Perez thought for a moment and said,

"…I'm not sure yet.”

"Call me as soon as it's decided. I'll see you off."

"I see."

After walking into the annex, I looked out the window and saw Perez's carriage leaving late.

* * *

It was still early in the morning where dawn had not broken out yet.

Caitlyn approached Perez, who was alone in the dark room tying the leash of the cape, as well as prepared to leave for a long journey.

"Your Grace, everything is ready."

"Okay, I'll be out."

"Well, Mrs. Impigra would like to see you for a moment.….”

"Chief maid Impigra?"

Perez, who tilted his head, allowed her in.

After a while, Impigra with a cane came into the bedroom.

The coldness of the dawn seemed to be hard work, and the Chief maid didn't look so good.

"I was told last night that you were leaving for the Academy a long way today, Your Highness."

"What's going on?"

"I have something for you."

Mrs. Impigra said so and handed over a long box.

Perez, who opened it very lightly, murmured blankly.

"…Gloves?"

It was a black leather glove, apparently of high quality.

"When I asked the Knights of the Palace, they said there was nothing better than gloves for midwinter training.”

"Oh?…"

"The Academy is located in the mountains, so winter is very cold, unlike the capital. It's a snowy area."

Perez took his eyes off his gloves and looked at the chief lady-in-waiting.

Though keeping a tough face, there was a look of concern about Perez heading for the Academy at an early age.

"Thank you……."

Perez said, clearing his throat for a moment.

"I only heard yesterday that I’m leaving for the academy. How……."

The maid of honor replied bitterly.

"I knew you were leaving for the Academy one day. And……."