685 – How Dare You Compare – 2

It’s almost two years since I graduated from the Imperial Academy and returned to the United Kingdom of Juven. For those two years, I lived quietly, as if I was not there.

The reason I went abroad to study in the Empire instead of spending my student days in Juven was to establish a solid succession for my brother. During the three years I spent at the Imperial Academy instead of my home country, my status and presence became very blurred, but in return, I gained contacts such as the imperial family of the empire, the prince of Armaine, the next saint, and the best sword on the continent.

A strange person whose domestic connections are ruined, but who has enormous connections abroad. If I show active movement, I may look like a prince challenging the throne with foreign powers on his back.

That’s a problem. If you receive such attention and suspicion, the three years you spent in the empire will turn into waste.

‘It wasn’t a meaningless three years.’

While touching the queen in her hand, she raised her eyebrows.

When I first decided to enroll, the Imperial Academy was a place of exile where I imprisoned myself. There was no particular will to achieve anything at the Imperial Academy, nor was there any desire to show Juven’s dignity in the Empire.

But who knew? I had no idea that the year I decided to enroll, the prince, the prince, and the next saint would all enroll. I never thought I would belong to the same club as those guys and be friends with them for 3 years.

‘It was fun.’

To be honest, it was such a unique thing that I thought it was just a collection of things like this, but at the same time, I was also one of ‘those things.’ It was fun to gather with similar comrades.

So much so that the Imperial Academy is considered a place of social gathering rather than a place of exile.

“Degradation?”

“Oh, sorry. I was thinking about something else for a moment.”

While fiddling with Quinn, I came to my senses when I heard Rachel’s voice her sitting across from her.

I made a mistake. You can’t believe you’re thinking about something else while playing chess, which requires all your heart. If you do this, isn’t it just as rude as that evil b*stard, Ryutis?

“Are you okay? If you’re still uncomfortable, you can rest today…”

“It’s okay. There’s no need to worry.”

At Rachel’s words her her her, she firmly shook her head and put down her queen her.

I appreciate your concern, but it’s really okay. It’s true that I was shocked by being remotely defeated by Ryuutis a few days ago, but right now I’m just recalling memories from my academy days.

“I was just excited to see a good friend.”

“Ah.”

When I told him honestly, Rachel let out a small exclamation as if she understood.

“I see. If I see a close friend I thought I would never see again, I think I will get very emotional.”

Then she moved the bishop and nodded.

Unlike me, Rachel entered the Imperial Academy a year later. She was told that that’s why she spent her third year without me, and that she lived a carefree life at the academy because she didn’t have a prince to attend closely.

A comfortable school life and true friends I made. Since Rachel returned home with her graduation, leaving behind those beautiful memories, she would be able to fully understand my feelings.

“Why didn’t you choose the path of an assistant teacher while you were studying abroad? I heard that your close friend also chose that path.”

“Your Majesty the Prince has returned to his homeland, so how can I remain in the empire alone?”

Rachel responded to her insinuation as if it wasn’t worth worrying about.

I was grateful but also sorry. Because of me, he spent his school days in the Empire instead of Juven, and because of me, he chose to return home rather than the friends he made in the Empire. My stake in Rachel’s life is too big.

“I should try not to regret that choice.”

At those words, Rachel’s gaze upon her, which had been looking down at her chessboard, turned to me and smiled slightly.

“From the moment I became your friend, I have never regretted it.”

“I’m saying this because from now on we will be in a relationship other than friends.”

Only then did Rachel’s eyes open…

“I think you said it with some romanticism in your own way, but your voice is cold, so…”

I naturally burst out laughing at the criticism that came my way.

Although he dared to criticize the royal family’s words, he was not angry. Rather, I think it’s Rachel’s own shy expression and it’s just cute.

Besides, neither I nor Rachel could have imagined that our relationship would develop this way. So it is completely understandable that there is some resistance.

‘It’s marriage.’

This time she grabbed the knight and smoothed her chin.

Shortly after I graduated from the academy and returned home, as I turned 20, the pressure from His Highness the King increased. Since I have already become an adult and graduated from the academy, there is pressure on whether it would be right to find a partner.

My father-in-law said that he was already sorry that I had gone to the empire to seek the succession of my brother. Since I made sacrifices as a royal, as a person, I want to find a good partner and create a harmonious family. This is probably the goal and promise of His Majesty the King.

I was grateful for the consideration, but it was also a burden. There were no particular thoughts on marriage, and the prince’s marriage inevitably attracted attention. I thought that if I could just breathe for a few years, I would be able to completely escape the sight of the nobles.

‘That’s how I lasted a year.’

I still want to stay alone. The fatigue from living in the empire had not completely subsided. I have no intention of meeting anyone until I completely get rid of the Empire life and get used to Juven again, etc. I postponed and postponed my marriage, citing all sorts of reasons.

Then Rachel returned home. My childhood friend and playmate. Among my friends, Rachel is the only one of the same nationality.

Rachel comes from an ordinary family that no one will check even if she marries a prince.

“Rachel.”

“Your Highness.” It’s great to see you again after a year”

“What do you think of me?”

“Yes?”

It was a blunt statement that would make her jump out of her sleep when she thought about it now, but when she saw Rachel returning home, she couldn’t bear the question.

No matter how much I think about it, if I could have a partner, it would be Rachel. She has been with me since childhood, she understands that I die for her brother, and her family’s prestige is not enough to threaten her brother’s position as crown prince. It was truly like a condition given by heaven.

Of course, I didn’t choose Rachel solely based on conditions. If the conditions are strictly followed, there will be a safer family and a more obedient daughter.

“I consider you my only companion. Even in the next few decades, I cannot imagine moving on with anyone else but you.”

Still, she chose Rachel. After thinking about it alone for a year and imagining my future, I came to a conclusion.

Even if I were to live and die alone for the rest of my life, I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else than Rachel. Even though I lost my heart to Louise, except for that moment, Rachel was always by my side.

“If you think the same way as me, stay with me for the rest of your life.”

Because she was so confident, she braved her shame and made her first and last confession to Rachel.

“Your Majesty. I haven’t even unpacked my luggage yet. Did you freeze your heart while training your ice magic?”

Unfortunately, because it was a hasty confession, I received a cold response, but the result was good anyway. His Majesty the King was so happy that I found a partner on my own after holding on for a year.

“I think my Sarah is you.”

– Then you could become Rachel Ostia sooner or later.

Then, I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Rachel when I was a student at the academy, when I saw that Erich had a partner named Sarah and Count Horfeld.

Even though I was avoiding dating for the sake of the stability of the royal family, I thought my tact and intelligence were okay. It’s not that I can’t date, it’s that I don’t, and I was confident that I was above average, at least within the pastry club.

However, Erich made two partners. When I saw that, I felt ashamed, and Rachel comforted me, and even now that I think about it, we had an embarrassing conversation.

“Rachel.”

“Yes, sir.”

“As expected, you were right about my Sarah.”

Rachel also burst into laughter at those words.

Luckily, it didn’t seem to be the conversation I was the only one remembering.

“Degradation.”

“Okay.”

“If I hadn’t died as Ostia, I would have lived as Sorta for the rest of my life.”

This time I burst out laughing.

What I’m saying is that if you hadn’t married me, you would have been single.

The Holy Church’s pilgrimage group is scheduled to make a pilgrimage to holy sites and churches located in the United Kingdom of Juven starting tomorrow.

This means that after today, you will not be able to meet Tanian until the pilgrimage group leaves the country. Maybe that’s why Tanian came to my room with wine.

“I’m going to be busy preparing for the pilgrimage. Is it okay for me to leave?”

“It’s so busy that I have to disappear. It’s not me who does the preparation, but other people, so how much of a burden would it be if I just sat there?”

I nodded because it was true.

It would be terrible for the next saint to watch them from the side and help them carry their luggage with them. It is better for both parties to leave space.

“And a friend I haven’t seen in a while has good news, but it would be a shame if I couldn’t have a drink.”

After saying that, Tanian held the bottle and muttered a small prayer.

Is that really a blessing on wine?

‘You’re drinking too much.’

I started laughing without realizing it. This wine has been blessed by the next saint. Isn’t this something that even His Majesty the King cannot easily eat?

“Congratulations. Brother Ainter and Brother Erich are getting married so soon, and Brother Laterer is also planning to start a family. How happy I am.”

“What about rheumatism?”

“There are signs… But it will still take some time.”

The corners of his mouth went up because he said these words with satisfaction. Of course I knew he would do that.

‘I won.’

A sense of victory welled up from deep in my heart. She didn’t really intend to compete over the timing of marriage, but she felt human happiness before that of him.

No, perhaps this is not a victory against Ryutis, but a victory against the entire club. Unlike Ainter and Erich, whose engagements were made through politics or the other’s confession—I made my partner with my own hands.

It wasn’t because His Majesty the King pressured him to decide on a fiancé, and it wasn’t because Rachel confessed first. Isn’t it all made up of my will and actions?

‘After all, the intelligence that changes the world is a wizard.’

They are superior to those who wield swords.