Chapter 101: The Path to You (1)
“You barged in here requesting a meeting, and that’s what you wanted to say?”
“Yes. I can’t think of anything more important than this.”
Ortega.
Ortega van Daikins.
He was the principal of this academy and also the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Army.
That alone spoke volumes about his strength, serving as a de facto representative of the Emperor in matters of military authority.
And now, Ortega was seated across from Leopold von Einthafen.
Several orchid pots were arranged on the wide table between them.
Seated at the head of the table, Daikins glanced sideways at Leopold, who sat to his right.
Though his gaze was fixed on Leopold, his hands were busy tending to the orchids.
Mist sprayed lightly from a sprayer, and with his other hand, he picked up a cloth and gently wiped the leaves as if caressing them. His touch was gentle and deliberate, almost tender.
“Do you think this makes sense, Your Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Why wouldn’t it make sense?”
“There are times in life when emotions must be restrained. To be unable to suppress them and then propose stepping away from the academy’s curriculum for personal reasons—does that sound reasonable to you?”
“It does. Why wouldn’t it?”
Daikins set down the sprayer and the cloth.
Sunlight streaming through the window gleamed off his smooth, shiny head. Leopold nearly burst out laughing but managed to suppress it just in time.
This was precisely the kind of situation for which he had trained in the art of kingship.
The ability to hide one’s emotions and mask one’s expressions was essential.
Leopold had never imagined that such lessons in kingship would come in handy in a setting like this.
“The midterm exams are approaching soon. While we granted a special exception to Cadet Astrid, what are we supposed to do if Your Highness also insists on this? Does the academy’s discipline seem like a joke to you?”
“I’ve never treated it as such. Besides, the midterms are a mere formality for me, aren’t they? My academic performance and classroom behavior should speak for themselves.”
Daikins pressed his lips into a thin line, letting out a low grunt.
Indeed, Leopold was an exemplary student. While he didn’t hold the title of top student in every subject, his grades were consistently among the highest, and his classroom demeanor was impeccable.
Unlike Astrid, who dozed off in class and whose grades were nearly catastrophic in everything except practical skills, Leopold was her complete opposite. But that didn’t mean he could easily grant permission.
“Even so, it’s a two-week round trip. By the time you complete your business there, it’ll take close to a month. Missing that much class time will be a significant loss for you, Your Highness.”
Daikins’ tone carried an implicit threat: just follow my advice and stay put. But Leopold remained utterly unfazed.
Instead, he opened the small box that had been sitting on the table before him.
A gray bracelet.
It was plain, devoid of any elaborate decorations or distinctive features—a simple bracelet that could easily be mistaken for a trinket sold in a bustling marketplace.
“This is the artifact you mentioned, isn’t it? Designed by Marquis Baizik and crafted by Cadet Emilie.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“You wish to deliver this personally. That’s what you’re saying.”
“Yes, exactly.”
“Isn’t that rather reckless? To break the academy’s rules just to deliver a mere artifact?”
Daikins let out a deep sigh.
Was this immaturity or sheer recklessness?
Leopold had shown up out of nowhere earlier in the day, declaring that he needed to leave the academy for a month.
When Daikins asked why, Leopold said he needed to go to Astrid, who had gone north. And this was his reason.
“I need to deliver this protective gear to the woman who will become my wife. It’s not just some ordinary artifact—it’s essential equipment for Astrid.”
Daikins studied Leopold’s face intently.
Would this argument hold water or not?
As the principal of the academy, Daikins had met countless cadets over the years.
He could usually size them up at a glance.
At this moment, it was clear to him: the academy was the least of Leopold’s concerns.
Even if permission was denied, he’d probably find a way to leave anyway.
But even knowing that, Daikins was reluctant to set a precedent.
What if the next Crown Prince—or even Leopold and Astrid’s children—enrolled in the academy and cited this as an example? It would be a headache.
“If I don’t grant you permission?”
‘I knew it,’ Daikins thought, seeing Leopold’s resolve. The young man was clearly prepared to leave, even without approval.
Thinking of how much trouble this could cause, Daikins shook his head in resignation.
“Fine. Do as you wish.”
Leopold’s face lit up with satisfaction.
In contrast, Daikins’s expression darkened with irritation.
“Can I take that as permission?”
“Yes. If I refuse, you’ll probably just desert the academy anyway. If the Crown Prince does that, it’ll throw our instructors into chaos, and ultimately, it’s more trouble than it’s worth. Do whatever you want. But you only have one month. Understood?”
“One month is plenty.”
Plenty, indeed.
With a triumphant grin, Leopold pocketed the box containing the bracelet and rose from his seat.
“Thank you, Principal.”
“I don’t feel particularly thankful. Now leave before my headache worsens.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
“Do as you like.”
***
The royal carriage was in a league of its own.
For this journey, Leopold even brought out his Crown Prince-exclusive carriage, fully preparing to head to the northern Miterien territory.
The carriage was gilded with gold, drawn by eight horses.
While it fell just short of the Emperor’s carriage, which required ten horses, it far surpassed the typical noble carriages, which used a maximum of six. In endurance, speed, and distance covered in a day, it was unmatched.
Leopold’s seriousness was evident, given he had mobilized such a grand carriage.
“Are all preparations complete?”
“Yes, everything is ready. The destination is set. You may board whenever you wish.”
Guided by his attendants, Leopold climbed into the carriage.
Clutching the box containing the bracelet close to his chest, he settled into his seat.
“Let’s depart,” he ordered.
“As you command.”
The carriage began moving quietly.
The scenery outside the window started to blur as the carriage picked up speed, eventually becoming almost indiscernible.
A journey that would ordinarily take a week by regular carriage would be much faster with this one.
“…Wait for me, Astrid. I’m on my way.”
It had been over a week since Astrid left. It felt like more than ten days had passed.
Her absence was deeply felt.
Leopold found himself missing her presence.
Her sleepy figure in the sunlit classroom.
The way she reluctantly followed him to supplementary lessons, even while protesting.
Her flushed, embarrassed face.
He missed everything about her.
And so, this was the result.
Delivering this artifact to her, one that would provide her with at least some magical protection, gave him a convenient excuse.
She was in a dangerous place, and he wanted to give her something to keep her safe. That was his justification.
‘Even Father would commend me for this.’
Leopold carefully placed the box into the carriage’s valuables compartment, pressing the lid firmly until it clicked shut.
It was only natural.
There are things one realizes only when apart.
Ten years ago, he’d been slapped so hard that the sting still felt vivid whenever he touched his cheek.
But now, Leopold found himself touching his neck instead, recalling the warmth of Astrid’s lips.
He struggled to calm his pounding heart.
‘I’m coming, Astrid… Wait for me.’
Leopold opened the backpack he had been carefully carrying since boarding the carriage.
Inside was something gradually revealed under the preservation of ice magic.
It was the same brand of champagne that he and Astrid had shared during their dinner at the Imperial Palace, though—
The alcohol content was slightly higher.
And the taste, a bit sweeter.
It was a champagne highly popular among women.
“Why don’t you ever eat your salad, huh? Are you going to keep doing this? Earlier, your sister… Huh? No, wait… Was it me?”
“Uhuhuhu… Your Highness the Crooooown Priiiince…?”
“Eeeeeek…”
“Hehehe…”
As Leopold recalled Astrid’s tipsy, incoherent demeanor from that evening, he smiled and placed the champagne bottle into the valuables compartment alongside the bracelet.
What did it matter?
They were going to be husband and wife anyway.
The order of things might shift slightly, but it made no difference.
They would end up as a married couple regardless, so why dwell on the details?
With renewed determination, Leopold firmed his resolve once more.