Chapter 183:

Chapter 183:

Chapter 183

The reception at the Reheln Hill was an event organized by the royal family, so it was inevitable that things would change afterwards.

First of all, the most immediate change was the public opinion among the empire’s citizens, who protested against the removal of the barrier.

It was understandable.

Even though the princess was safe, the fact that vampires had attacked was terrifying for those who lived ordinary lives.

Especially since the human who was in danger was none other than the second princess, who was at the center of power.

The shock was greater because the noble bloodline that was thought to be untouchable was assaulted.

Not long after, a petition to reinstall the barrier was raised. Even the royal family, who usually kept silent, had to step in this time.

In fact, the royal family had their own grievances.

It was all because of the second princess Aurora’s unilateral action.

The royal family had to declare their position, calm down the people who were in uproar, and deal with the aftermath.

They had no time to rest.

─There was an unfortunate incident at the reception, but the royal family handled it well. The damage was minimized.

Regardless of the truth, this was the best the royal family could do.

The only witness, Aurora, was unconscious for a week and they couldn’t even verify the facts.

They couldn’t just announce that it was ‘Aurora’s mistake’ in this situation.

So their decision was simple.

They would announce it as calmly as possible and watch the situation.

But that was only the royal family’s opinion.

The opinion of the magic department was obviously different.

No, it was almost the opposite.

◈

The editing department of the magic department.

Bang─!

The door opened wide with a loud noise.

The next moment, the Dean’s secretary appeared through the gap of the door.

She had a lot of papers in both hands, and dark circles under her eyes.

She wasn’t alone, as she looked sideways and talked to someone after the door opened.

“You don’t have to follow me around.... Go outside and find out something. How can you act so frustrated in this situation?”

She scolded the person who seemed to be her subordinate and stepped into the editing department. Then she asked the chief editor, Sephia.

“Did you hear the announcement from the royal family?”

The eyes of the tired editing department staff were drawn to her, and she spoke with a weary expression.

“They announced that the participants caused trouble and the royal family took care of it. I don’t buy it. What about us?”

“We have something.”

Sephia nodded quietly.

“We have to do something if we have something. The whole magic department is paralyzed. This is driving me crazy. And I wonder how the Dean feels....”

She took off her glasses and sighed deeply.

Compared to her, Sephia looked quite calm.

“Secretary. Please sit down and have a sip of tea. You seem too agitated right now.”

Sephia pulled a chair with telekinesis. And on the desk, a teacup and a teapot were placed one after another.

The secretary still stood and sighed.

“I can’t help but be agitated. Don’t we know about Flan? He’s not the kind of person who would do that, but the royal family changed their attitude and pressured the magic department.... Huh?”

She was ranting and raving, but she paused for a moment. She looked closely at Sephia’s relaxed face, and tilted her head.

“...But, it seems like I’m the only one who’s in a hurry. You all look so different from yesterday. Is it related to what you have?”

“Correct.”

Sephia nodded. She put her hand on the shoulder of the student sitting next to her and smiled brightly.

“Ask this student. She did a great job.”

Soon, one of the organization members appeared.

“Miss Yushia.”

He had a rather urgent face.

“He finally showed up.”

“Who showed up?”

Yushia’s face bloomed like a flower.

If there was someone she was desperately looking for, it was none other than Flan.

But the organization member’s words dashed her hopes.

“Princess Aurora has revealed herself. She seems to be heading this way.”

“Ah...”

“There’s one thing that’s unusual. She’s alone.”

“Yes...”

A disappointment that she couldn’t hide spread over her face.

◈

It was a particularly sunny day.

The students who were bustling around the academy looked more anxious than lively.

The magic department was paralyzed, so they were all trying to do something.

And at the edge of the main gate, there was a tea house.

Yushia and Aurora sat facing each other. There was no conversation between them, even after the steaming tea had cooled down.

“...”

Aurora suddenly remembered the not-so-distant past.

When she met Yushia in the palace corridor, Yushia was tense like a cornered cat, and Aurora was immersed in her leisure.

But now the situation was reversed.

She was practically a criminal, and Yushia had a firm attitude like her old self.

She would become even firmer in the future.

It was inevitable.

Aurora, who was born as a vampire, had to step down from the princess’s position. It was her duty to do so, even if no one noticed this secret.

The first princess Naomi had no interest in the seat of power, so naturally Yushia would inherit it.

So she was nothing but a vampire, and Yushia in front of her eyes was the true princess now.

“....”

Aurora looked at Yushia blankly.

Her future vision was gradually returning, but Yushia’s future was still black and invisible.

Yushia’s future was still deeply involved with Flan. She was jealous of that, and she felt pathetic for being jealous.

Aurora had nothing to say.

“Is that you?”

Meanwhile, Yushia broke the silence with a cold voice.

“Why did you come to the academy? By what right?”

“To normalize the magic department....”

“Didn’t you come to find Lord Flan?”

The one who brought Flan to the palace, the one who made Flan participate in the succession ceremony....

...and the one who made Flan disappear now.

“Shameless woman.”

A tone that seemed to drop the blade of the guillotine.

A sharp gaze pierced through Aurora.

Yushia hated Aurora.

Beyond words.