As Epherna wore a sad expression, much like a wet kitten, Ern felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.
“It’s not a big deal. I just think some students might be approaching us with impure intentions.”
Ern, hiding the fact that he had fallen under an aphrodisiac spell, tried to downplay the situation.
“Someone cast a spell on you, Mister? Where? Who? Are you okay?”
But Epherna, worried about Ern, persisted with her questions. Ern had no choice but to admit it.
It was an aphrodisiac spell.
“I was caught off guard, but I’m fine.”
If a hero’s name could be tarnished by a mere student-level aphrodisiac spell, wouldn’t that be laughable?
“Can you track them?”
“I can, but I’m giving them a chance.”
They must be watching even now.
Ern gestured with his eyes in the direction where he had traced the spell.
“Some students are excited by the idea of us being engaged and are trying to scan us. It’s better if we keep our distance to prevent strange rumors.”
“But Mister is my Personal Guard! We’re already keeping our distance, and if we stay even further apart…”
“That’s a problem, but we’ll have to bear it.”
Within the Academy, there’s more risk of getting caught up in strange rumors than of Epherna being in danger.
Therefore, Ern decided it was better to make caution the rule of action.
“Are you okay with that?”
“…Yes, that would be best.”
*****
Epherna was slightly annoyed.
She was already frustrated by the reduced time she had with Ern, and now these insolent girls were interfering again.
The more she thought about their motives, the more infuriated she became.
What benefit do they think they’ll get by meddling in their relationship?
They should focus on their studies.
This calls for direct intervention.
For the sake of her time with Mister, and to ensure she’s not underestimated at the Academy she’s finally enrolled in.
Epherna reminded herself of the original purpose of coming to the Academy. Although she had to come, one of her reasons for being here was to find talent.
Specifically, talent that would be loyal to her.
To do that, having a discerning eye is important, but so is the charisma and magnanimity needed to win over their hearts.
Epherna didn’t think she lacked charisma.
If she did, it would have been impossible to control the corrupt nobles for four years.
However, she felt a lack of generosity, to be honest.
Epherna had never used her own abilities to win someone over.
Everyone she had gained was initially connected to the Second Prince, and she had only manipulated them so far.
But with the Second Prince gone, it would no longer be possible to gain people that way.
She would have to earn the nobles’ trust solely through her social skills and magnanimity, and only then could a strong imperial power be established.
She must not allow the current imperial situation to repeat itself. The current imperial family is in a state of chaos due to the absent Emperor and the plummeting prestige of the Second Prince.
Although the situation hasn’t exploded yet, it’s like a giant bomb waiting to go off.
Even though Epherna’s own prestige has risen as the Emperor’s and Second Prince’s have fallen, the overall situation is still far from favorable.
Duke Tesran’s hesitation to commit is no coincidence.
He, too, has sensed the Second Prince’s decline and is now reaching out to Epherna.
Epherna knew she needed to recruit the right talent to prevent such a situation.
The Empire needs individuals who are genuinely willing to devote themselves to the nation, like the Minister of Finance.
That was the kind of talent Epherna sought.
So, her goals were twofold: to find and reprimand the forces trying to cause trouble between her and Ern, and to recruit talented individuals who could work under her in the future.
To accomplish both efficiently, perhaps it would be best to start by bringing the Student Council under her influence.
Lurun Academy’s Student Council room.
No one hindered Epherna as she stepped inside.
On the contrary, they naturally cleared the way for her.
“Welcome, Your Highness.”
There was even a student who greeted her in advance.
“What are you looking for?”
“I just came to take a look around. What’s your name?”
“I am Leon from the Haron family, a Count’s house. I serve as the secretary in the Student Council.”
“Haron… Isn’t that the family involved in the gold mining business?”
“It’s a small family that survives thanks to your benevolence, Princess. I am honored that you remember.”
“Drop the formalities. We’re at the Academy.”
“….”
So stiff.
Epherna quietly observed the interior of the Student Council room.
There wasn’t anything particularly special.
Apart from Leon, the room was empty, likely because the others were in class, but that was fine.
It’s often easier to build rapport through one-on-one conversations than by addressing a group.
“There are more documents piled up than I expected. Do you have a lot of work?”
“It’s not much, really.”
“May I take a look?”
“Of course.”
Epherna glanced at the top document.
It was titled “Planning Proposal”, giving her a rough idea of the plans.
“Already preparing for the autumn festival?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm…”
Epherna looked over the other proposals.
Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
The starting date for club recruitment announcements.
Recruitment of students for a campus tour during the summer term.
A planning proposal for creating study groups for new students.
A mentor-mentee matching proposal.
These were typical events that the Student Council would plan and organize.
“Leon, I have something I’d like to ask you.”
“Yes, Princess?”
“You’re aware that I’m engaged, right? Is it well-known at the Academy?”
“Of course, Princess. Sir Ern Astra, the Hero, is not only your fiancé but also your Personal Guard. Many students admire him and see him as an ideal to aspire to. Myself included.”
A textbook response.
So much so that it was almost laughable. It had the strong scent of a noble young master who had been drilled with this sort of education from a young age.
‘Far less impressive than I expected.’
Or maybe her expectations were just too high.
After all, despite being the Student Council secretary, he was still just a teenager.
He couldn’t compare in experience to the battle-hardened nobles Epherna had dealt with.
‘But at least he’ll be easy to handle.’
In a way, this might actually be better.
Someone this naive could be easily trained, and with that, his loyalty would likely increase as well. His abilities could be cultivated, and if he turned out to be disappointing later, she could just coddle him and give him a minor title to keep him in line.
Epherna asked a few more questions and finally said:
“You’ve done well. You truly live up to your role as the secretary of the Academy’s Student Council. Your preparations are thorough, and your organization is impeccable. Did you know I was coming here beforehand?”
“No, Your Highness. I heard you might be visiting the Student Council, and since I had no classes at the moment, I came here.”
“It seems someone had already set up surveillance on me. You’re very well-prepared.”
“I assure you, Your Highness, it was purely by chance that I heard about your visit today.”
How clumsy with his lies. Did he really think she’d believe that?
“Well, I suppose I was lucky today. I’ll be going now.”
“Please take care, Your Highness.”
“Oh, one more thing.”
Just before she opened the door to leave, Epherna added.
“I don’t dislike people who plot schemes. In fact, I find them quite pleasing.”
*****
Although Ern and Epherna agreed to keep their distance, that didn’t necessarily apply after work hours.
Her assigned dormitory was the best among the student residences, practically a mansion for just the two of them.
Being on a high floor, there was no worry about anyone seeing them.
“It reminds me of the old days.”
“This reminds me of the old days.”
“Right? Four years ago, I used to tie your hair like this. My skills haven’t rusted, have they?”
“It’s a mess compared to Merien.”
“Hey, you can’t compare me to the Chamberlain.”
Merien was the Royal Chamberlain of the Forest Shamans.
In terms of everyday skills, Ern couldn’t even compare.
“Does the food taste good?”
“Yeah, it’s delicious.”
“I didn’t like it much. Maybe it’s because it’s catered to the nobles’ tastes, but the flavor is too strong for me.”
“…Really?”
“Well, you eat anything well, whether it’s strongly flavored or not.”
“Are you teasing me?”
“It’s a compliment.”
Ern put down the comb.
After helping Epherna manage her hair post-shower, he suddenly asked,
“Epherna, how do you like the Academy?”
She thought for a moment before responding, sounding uncertain.
“Um… I’m not sure. It seems fine, but it’s kind of a hassle, and there’s a lot to think about. When I was registering for classes, I signed up for several subjects I hadn’t tried before, but now that I’m actually attending the lectures, it feels like there’s not much variety… Plus, I don’t have any friends yet. I still don’t really know what’s good.”
“Take your time making friends. Good things will come naturally as you go along.”
A satisfied smile appeared on Ern’s face.
Even though she would only be there for a year, he felt warm at the thought that each of these experiences would become cherished memories later on.
“And what about you, Mister? Have there been any good or troublesome things while teaching?”
Ern’s lips pressed together tightly.
He had been thinking only about Epherna, so when he suddenly tried to reflect on himself, nothing came to mind.
Then it happened.
“Well… it can be troublesome when a lot of female students gather around after class.”
At the casually muttered words, Epherna’s head whipped around.
“What?”
“There are many female students who come up to me, pretending to ask about class-related stuff. I don’t know what they want from someone who’s already engaged, but they do it anyway.”
Teenage students’ minds are hard to understand, he thought.
When Ern said that, something snapped in Epherna’s rationality.
Her patience was rapidly approaching its limit.
