As the warm breeze began to blow, the atmosphere at the Imperial Magic Academy gradually shifted toward a festive mood.
The end of the first semester was approaching, with the final week of classes now almost over, and vacation just around the corner.
“Finally, the first semester is over…!”
With the end of the last class on Friday, Yuri stretched her stiff body and let out a joyful shout.
Though the classes themselves had been enjoyable, the desire to learn more had made her sign up for everything, leaving her schedule packed.
Before she knew it, her weekly timetable had no free time, except on weekends.
The remaining weekday evenings and weekends were almost entirely spent working for Vermont Security.
In reality, she barely had more than 10 hours of free time per month.
Studying was enjoyable at the time, but looking back now, it seemed like an incredibly tough schedule.
So, would she take it easy next semester?
‘No, I want to make the most of my time…!’
That was definitely not the case.
There had been so much gained from her studies.
Spending time focusing solely on training wouldn’t have been as helpful as studying the theory of physical enhancement magic, which contributed to her growth.
By becoming stronger, improving her skills, and building her experience, she aimed to rise in status.
That way, she would steadily work towards becoming Aslan Vermont’s wife…
Wait?
‘Ah… Is this the right thing to do…?’
Suddenly, the image of the dark-skinned man appeared in her mind.
Yuri bit her lip tightly.
I like Mr. Black.
The only person I like is Mr. Black.
Is it really okay to marry Aslan Vermont, though?
It would be a marriage without any feelings, and the plan was to divorce as soon as it happened, but would Mr. Black accept her, someone who had already been someone else’s wife?
As she thought about it, the plan to become Countess and stop Charlotte and Julia’s marriage seemed to grow more and more unpleasant.
Did it have to be done?
Was there no other way?
Was I too fixated on one idea and unable to think of other options?
Once I become a countess, I can’t turn back, but I can still turn back now.
If I give it up completely, I won’t have to become Aslan’s wife.
Yuri clenched her fist tightly, making a decision to find another way to restore Charlotte and Julia.
“Hey, Yuri? A letter arrived for you at the dorm…”
“Really? Hehe! Thanks!”
A student handed Yuri an envelope.
She immediately stood up and took the letter.
The students watching her all squinted their eyes.
‘So, she’s definitely involved with Count Vermont…’
The moment Yuri received the letter, a bright smile appeared on her face, a radiant expression that was rarely seen in her everyday life.
The owner of the letter was obvious without even needing to check.
It was Count Vermont, who had been accompanying Yuri during her few free days.
At first, Yuri thought that whenever she met Count Vermont, it was always work-related for Vermont Security.
But those meetings had become so frequent, and the locations varied so much, it seemed more like a convenient excuse for a man and woman to meet face to face.
“Kraaaak! Our Yuri!”
“Hey! This guy is coughing up blood again!”
“Hold yourself together, man! How are you going to endure when Yuri sends wedding invitations!”
“Kraaaak! Kraaaak!!!”
Yuri is meeting a man?
Yuri, the idol of the Imperial Magic Academy?
And it’s Count Vermont, the one with rumors spreading about him being a man with lecherous eyes toward children?
As this thought spread, cries of distress echoed among the students.
“Are we just going to sit back and watch? Are we just going to let Count Vermont take Yuri away?”
“What can we do? He’s a man of immense power, practically the Archduke…”
“You don’t have to face Count Vermont directly to save Yuri. I have a clever plan.”
“What is it?”
Wiping the blood from his mouth, the student smirked, waiting for the other students to gather before he whispered quietly.
“She’s a chosen one from the gods. You know that saints can’t get married, right? We could make Yuri a saint…”
“Shut up, you idiot. Say something that makes sense.”
“This guy’s already lost it. Let’s send him to a mental hospital.”
“It’s not just coughing up blood. It’s a brain hemorrhage…”
I was foolish for listening seriously.
The students dispersed with a sigh of relief, realizing how ridiculous the idea was.
Was it truly impossible to protect the academy’s idol from Count Vermont, who was radiating a frightening aura?
Amidst this heavy, unbearable dilemma, it was a day when the sunset was especially beautiful.
“Hehehe. It’s a letter from Mr. Black…”
Meanwhile, Yuri locked her dorm door and hummed happily as she opened the letter.
Carefully peeling the seal off with a dull knife, she took her time.
“Slowly… slowly… Ah!?”
At that moment, she misjudged her strength, and the knife shot forward, tearing the envelope and seal. She wanted to keep everything in perfect condition…!
Yuri’s face quickly fell as she saw the damage.
Still, at least the letter itself was fine.
Sniffling and wiping away her tears, she unfolded the letter with a fluttering heart.
– I’ve heard your vacation plans. But your schedule seems so packed. I’m really worried that it might be too exhausting for you…
Yuri read the letter with a big smile on her face.
But as she reached the middle of the letter…
Yuri’s expression slowly began to stiffen.
“You’re telling me to skip this practical training!?”
It was an entirely unexpected order.
Why would she be suddenly told to skip the Imperial Guard’s field training?
Until now, Mr. Black had never directly told her not to do something, so this was even more confusing.
He was always the one to support and encourage whatever she did… so why now?
She couldn’t find any reason for it in the letter.
It simply said, “Do not attend,” and that was the end of it.
“At least tell me why…”
Yuri puffed her cheeks in frustration.
She knew there had to be a good reason behind it, as it was something Mr. Black had said, and she could imagine that perhaps it was something he couldn’t explain easily.
But even so, the sharp tone, so different from his usual warm words, made her feel upset.
“Something’s bothering me.”
If the dark-skinned man gave such an order, how could she not follow it?
Of course, she would follow it…
But the fact that she had to do so without knowing why was what made her unhappy.
It would have been better if he had at least said something like, “I can’t explain why right now, but for now, please follow my instructions. I’ll tell you later.”
“It feels like I’m being bound…”
It had been six months since she had escaped from the orphanage, where every minute, every second was under constant surveillance and control.
Mr. Black knew better than anyone how much Yuri hated those days in the orphanage.
Yet now, he was trying to bind her in some way, and that made her feel a deep, overwhelming sadness.
This couldn’t go on.
She had to send a message of protest.
“To Mr. Black…”
Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Yuri picked up her pen.
It was time for a showdown.
.
.
.
“Mister, you’ve been receiving a lot of letters lately?”
“Yeah, I guess it’s that time of year for tax processing.”
“Ahh…”
With a clatter, Charlotte ran over, carrying a stack of envelopes, and poured them onto my desk.
I ruffled her hair as a thank you, and she tilted her head happily, giving me a bright smile. She was such a good kid.
“Let’s see…”
As I sifted through the envelopes, I found the one from the Imperial Magic Academy.
It seemed like they had been coming almost every day recently.
It couldn’t be helped—Yuri and I had been having minor disagreements lately.
“I guess I should’ve bent a little.”
No. No matter how I thought about it, telling Yuri to skip the Imperial Guard’s practical training was not something I could back down from.
Some things just weren’t right.
Even though my heart ached, I didn’t regret my decision.
I steeled myself and tore open the envelope.
But this time, instead of being filled with a long letter, the page inside was empty except for a few lines.
Just three sentences?
– To Mr. Black.
– I understand. I’ll do as you say.
– I will obediently follow your orders without asking any questions.
– I won’t send letters during the break, so keep that in mind.
I couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh.
This kid must be really angry at me. I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of it all.
Then, just as I was thinking this, I heard a knock at the door.
“My Lord, there’s a visitor at the front gate.”
“Oh, has he finally arrived?”
“Yes, the person you called for…”
Sylvia burst into the room with the news.
I quickly put the letter in my drawer and stood up.
It had finally come.
My steps were quick but not careless as I made my way outside.
“Ah, hello… I will be staying at the Vermont estate for the duration of the vacation… I look forward to your guidance, Count…”
Yuri greeted me with a cold glare as she slightly lifted her skirt, showing her animosity.
So, why had she come here?
The reason was simple.
“Yes, I heard from your sponsor. Welcome.”
“…”
The intense, letter-filled back-and-forth had ended when I ordered Yuri to stay at the Vermont estate for the entire vacation.
