[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]

Side Story Chapter 17: Academy (1)

I took a tour of the Academy under the guidance of the Princess.

"That's the East Hall cafeteria. The Academy has one cafeteria for each cardinal direction. You should probably remember their locations."

"The Academy dormitories are largely divided into three types. There's a place for commoners, a place for nobles, and a place for royalty."

"Ah, this is the garden. It's quite famous in the Empire for its beautiful scenery. You should definitely come see it later."

The Princess's explanations were very kind and detailed.

Thanks to her, I was able to get a grasp of the Academy's layout.

I looked around the various parts of the Academy with a fascinated expression.

To think I was actually here, at the place where my uncle once worked as an instructor.

My heart was pounding.

But as time passed, I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on the Princess's explanations.

"Isn't that Princess Dorothea? Where is she going?"

"Haaah... She's so beautiful, no matter how many times I see her."

"Look at that elegant figure. Just as you'd expect from the imperial bloodline."

Just by walking with the Princess, we drew the gazes and attention of everyone around us.

Seeing how everyone was completely captivated by her, she must be a very popular person.

Then again, being this beautiful and a member of the royal family, there's no way she wouldn't be popular.

"But who's the little kid next to her?"

"How cheeky, occupying the spot right next to the Princess. I haven't even been able to talk to her!"

"That's not what's important right now! That punk is getting a tour of the Academy from the Princess herself!"

Naturally, people's attention also poured onto me. Most of it was not favorable.

"But isn't that kid pretty handsome?"

"More than just pretty handsome, don't you think? Which family did a kid like that pop out from?"

"He'll be something to see when he grows up a little more."

I was walking while listening to the murmuring of the crowd.

"Wait, that boy is him! That guy!"

"Who's that guy?"

"Damien Haksen's nephew!"

Eventually, someone who recognized me popped up.

"Damien Haksen's nephew? No way, was that rumor true?"

"It's certain! My younger brother was enrolling so I attended the ceremony, and I saw the headmaster say it himself!"

"I, I saw it too! It's for real! That kid is Damien Haksen's nephew!"

As soon as my identity was revealed, the crowd's reaction became even more explosive.

"Wow, my god... so that's Damien Haksen's nephew. I've never seen him before."

"Information about Damien Haksen's family is strictly controlled, after all."

As time went on, people began to gather from all directions.

It seemed they had heard I was here and came to find me.

"That's Damien Haksen's nephew? Are you sure? He's too small."

"That's what I'm saying. I saw Damien Haksen from a distance once, and he was a massive, muscular giant."

"But their faces do seem to resemble each other..."

"He's definitely as handsome as Damien Haksen."

Oh, boy.

At this rate, the headmaster's effort to pull me aside was for nothing.

He had called me to his office because he was worried about people flocking to me.

Besides, I wasn't too keen on all the attention either.

Whenever this many people gathered, a problem always seemed to pop up.

"Wait, the Princess and Damien Haksen's nephew are together?"

Just as I feared, the situation I was worried about came to pass.

"Could this be a coincidence? I don't think so."

"I think the same. This is clearly some kind of political message."

"What reason could there be for those two to be together?"

"What if Damien Haksen's nephew and the Princess are engaged?"

What is this ridiculous nonsense.

I was so shocked that my legs got tangled up.

As I was about to take a big fall, the Princess asked in alarm.

"Theo, are you alright?"

"I'm, I'm fine."

Contrary to my words, my expression was not fine at all.

It was because of the wild speculation I was hearing from all around.

"The two of them are engaged...?"

"N-No way! The, the Princess with a noble from another country... Th-That can't be!"

"It depends on the noble. That kid is Damien Haksen's nephew."

"If he's Damien Haksen's nephew, he's more than qualified... more than qualified..."

The crowd's topic of conversation instantly shifted.

A few people tried to dismiss it as nonsense, but it was no use.

Just as no one can stop a bull with its tail on fire.

"Doesn't this mean Damien Haksen and His Majesty will become in-laws?"

"Th-Then what advantage does the Empire gain?"

"What's there to weigh? Just becoming closely related to Damien Haksen would be an astronomical gain!"

I know from experience that people have a habit of interpreting things in whatever way they prefer.

It seems the nobles of the Empire are no different.

I was lamenting the standards of the Imperial nobility.

Just then, a statue erected in the plaza caught my eye.

The statue was in the form of a knight.

The full-body steel armor and the heavy greatsword exuded an intimidating presence, even though I knew they were fake.

I observed the statue carefully. It looked very familiar.

"Your Highness?"

"I told you to call me Dora-noona."

"...Yes, Dora-noona. I have something to ask."

"What are you curious about?"

"Is that by any chance... my uncle?"

I asked, pointing at the statue.

The style of the armor and greatsword was similar to my uncle's.

At my question, the Princess smiled brightly and answered.

"You have a good eye. You're right. The Academy erected that to honor Lord Damien Haksen."

"Woooow, really?"

I looked at the statue again with a surprised expression.

The statue was massive. It seemed to be about ten times my height.

"After Lord Damien Haksen saved the continent, they were built in important facilities across the Empire by order of my father... that is, His Majesty. To commemorate Lord Damien Haksen's achievements."

I gazed at the statue with shining eyes.

I knew very well that my uncle was great, but I rarely had the chance to feel it so tangibly.

"It's huge, right?"

"Yes!"

"In the Empire, Lord Damien Haksen is greatly respected. There isn't a single person who doesn't look up to him."

"Is my uncle that amazing?"

At my question, the Princess nodded.

"Lord Damien Haksen not only saved the continent, but he also had a very large influence on the Empire. Thanks to the knowledge he shared, our swordsmanship and magic developed greatly."

Ah, now that I think about it, my uncle occasionally went on business trips to other families as a consultant.

It seems he must have visited the Empire as well.

"Theo, you should take pride in the fact that Lord Damien Haksen is your uncle."

"I already feel it every day."

I answered while looking up at the statue.

It goes without saying.

My uncle is my greatest source of pride.

The Princess watched me silently for a moment, then smiled and spoke.

"Shall we get going, then? There are still more places to see."

"Yes!"

I answered energetically and was about to follow the Princess.

"Theodore Haksen!"

A familiar voice rang out thunderously.

Me, the Princess, and the people around us all turned our heads in surprise.

"Hazel?"

Unsurprisingly, the person who had shouted was Hazel.

She ran toward me with a face that was clearly furious.

"What do you think you're doing? You've already hit on another girl in the short time we've been apart?"

"H-Hit on? What is this nonsense all of a sudden!"

"You're going to deny it when I've caught you red-handed?"

Hazel spoke with a face full of anger.

Wait a minute, why is she angry?

There's nothing between us, is there?

"Who's that girl? Judging by her clothes, she doesn't seem to be an Imperial noble."

"But she's kind of... cute, isn't she? Which family's daughter is she?"

The crowd showed great interest in Hazel, who had appeared out of nowhere.

From my perspective, this was nothing short of a huge headache.

"Hazel, come here for a second..."

"Hey, you!"

I tried to get away from this spot with Hazel.

But before I could, Hazel stood right in front of the Princess.

"Who are you to be hitting on Theo-oppa!"

"H-Hitting on me?"

The Princess looked at Hazel with a very bewildered expression.

There was a significant height difference between them, so the Princess was looking down, and Hazel was looking up.

"Theo-oppa might be cute and handsome, but don't you dare make a move on him!"

"Uh... um... I understand. But what's your name?"

"It's Hazel Ryan Bloom! You'd better remember it!"

Saying that, Hazel wrapped her arms around my arm.

I was startled and pulled my arm away, but it was already too late.

"D-Did you just see that? That girl just hugged Damien Haksen's nephew!"

"It means they have a serious relationship! D-Don't tell me she's his fiancée?"

Someone put forth the hypothesis that Hazel might be my fiancée.

The problem was that in the heated atmosphere, the hypothesis was accepted as if it were true.

"Damien Haksen's nephew has a fiancée?"

"But he was hitting on the Princess?"

"Th-This is terrible...! I will absolutely not stand by and watch this happen!"

"But what can we do? His opponent is Damien Haksen's nephew."

"How can we stop the nephew of an absolute being that even His Majesty is wary of."

"Kuh... To be unable to protect the Princess. I curse my own powerlessness!"

N-No, what is this all about.

H-Hey, everyone? I'm not that kind of person, you know?

I looked around frantically in a panic. Anyone would do, is there anyone who would listen to my explanation...

"Th-Theodore Haksen...!"

Then our eyes met.

With none other than Geisel Huko.

Geisel Huko was hiding his body behind a nearby tree.

Along with his two cronies.

"How dare you... toying with the pure heart of that noble lady...!"

Geisel's body trembled as he shouted at me.

"I swear on my family's honor, I will not forgive you!"

After declaring his revenge on me, he left the scene.

It seems our relationship has crossed a river of no return.

Though I have a feeling he crossed it all by himself.

Right, this is no time for this. First, I have to stop Hazel.

"Hazel, Hazel."

"Oppa, don't even think about stopping me. I will absolutely not let this matter go."

"This is Her Highness Dorothea Adelard, the Princess of the Empire."

The moment she heard my words, Hazel's body froze solid.

Hazel stiffly turned her head to look back at the Princess.

The Princess smiled brightly and said.

"What Theo said is true."

"Kya, kyaaah!"

Hazel screamed and hid behind me.

She buried her head in my back and shouted urgently.

"To not recognize Your Highness the Princess... I have committed a crime worthy of death!"

"Don't be so scared. I have no intention of reprimanding you."

"B-But!"

"Now, will you come out?"

The Princess coaxed and soothed Hazel, eventually drawing her out.

Oh, she's good at handling people. I wonder if she has a younger sibling.

"Will you tell me your name?"

"I-It's Hazel Ryan Bloom."

"That's a pretty name."

"Isn't it? My dad gave it to me himse... Eek! I must be crazy. I'm sorry for speaking when Your Highness didn't ask!"

"I told you not to be so scared."

The two of them started to get close at a rapid pace.

I couldn't help but admire the Princess's social skills.

Phew, that's a relief. With this, the misunderstanding won't spread any further...

"L-Look at that. After Damien Haksen's nephew said a few words, the two of them reconciled!"

"To be that skilled at handling women at such a young age."

"He's a playboy... a total playboy."

The crowd's misunderstanding, far from being resolved, had entered an even deeper realm.

No, why? Why on earth did this happen?

"Theo!"

Just then, Hazel grabbed my hand. Her expression was very bright.

"Dora-unnie invited us to a meal! You should come too!"

"No, why should I..."

"Hurry up and come on!"

Hazel pulled my hand with all her might.

I didn't even have the energy to resist, so I was quietly dragged along.

As I was being dragged away, I briefly looked back and saw people earnestly whispering amongst themselves.

I don't even want to imagine what kind of terrible rumors are being born right now.

[Translator - Pot ]

[Proofreader - Kawaii ]