Volume 5 Chapter 46, Part 2 Catherine Might Foam at the Mouth and Collapse if She Hears This
"That's good to hear."
Cecilia, who seemed relieved, let out a deep sigh and glanced at the darkening western sky, "It's about time we go."
"Ah. Luke, Miss Cecilia, thanks for everything."
Randy waved at the two as they boarded the carriage, "Good luck with the exams!"
"See you later. I'm looking forward to hearing your stories."
"Take care."
Randy waved for a while as the carriage disappeared into the distance, then wandered off once again in search of dinner.
* * *
While Randy was searching for a place to eat on the main street, Julius, who had left the Cathedral, arrived at a simple lodging facility used by pilgrims.
The kingdom had offered him a high-class inn or a room in the royal castle, but Julius politely declined.
He had come here not as a member of the imperial family, but as a representative of the Church.
That was the message he wanted to convey.
Of course, the kingdom's government wasn't going to take that at face value.
Still, since Julius had refused on the grounds that he wasn't officially connected to the imperial family, the kingdom couldn't push too hard.
Especially since, on paper, Julius was a Church official.
After everything that had happened, the kingdom's government wasn't too keen on giving special treatment to someone associated with the Church.
The kingdom's government, caught between international relations and its stance toward the Church, could only do one thing: tighten security around the simple lodging facility.
They had to be cautious of Julius himself, but they also had to be prepared in case something happened to him.
After all, Julius was still... well, let's just say he was connected to the imperial family.
"I'm starting to hate myself."
Julius let out a deep sigh at the over-the-top security measures that felt out of place.
The walls were thin, the bed was cheap, and the light came from an old Row candle, which illuminated the hard, simple bread on the table.
Julius, staying in such a humble place, was under the watchful eyes of countless people.
Anyone would sigh at the weight and influence of the status he thought he had left behind.
"Guess I'm the only one who thinks I've abandoned it."
As Julius gazed out the window, he suddenly sensed a familiar presence and turned his eyes toward the door.
Without a knock, the door swung open, and there stood...
"Yaaah. It's Livia."
Livia, who was also his childhood friend.
"Livia... and──"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness Prince Julius. I am Lucius Elderwood, the principal of the Royal Academy."
Julius shook his head as Lucius bowed respectfully, "Please, drop the 'Your Highness.'"
"So? Why is the principal of the Royal Academy here to see me?"
Tilting his head, Julius listened as Lucius glanced at Livia and explained the earlier commotion.
He told of how she had stormed into the academy and clashed with a noble lady's attendant.
As soon as the explanation began, Julius held his head in his hands, but now he was surprised that someone had managed to fight Livia.
"Livia, a member of the Imperial Army, *caused trouble*. As a former member of the Imperial family, I'd like to apologize for that."
Julius bowed his head, and Lucius also bowed, saying, "Please be more careful in the future."
"I'll make sure to give her a stern warning. Lord Lucius, I'll also file a complaint with the country on my end."
With Julius's promise, Lucius didn't press further.
He simply bowed once more, saying, "Have a good night," and turned to leave the room──but Julius called out to his back.
"Lord Lucius. There's one thing I'd like to ask."
At Julius's serious expression, Lucius turned back, "What is it?"
"...What would you do if I said I wanted to attend your academy?"
At this bombshell, even Lucius's face twitched for a moment.
After all, while the Empire and the Kingdom had been relatively peaceful lately, they had a history of frequent skirmishes.
Even if Julius had renounced his status, the idea of a prince from such a nation attending a national academy would raise countless issues.
This was far different from a pilgrimage across borders under the Church's organization.
"That would be an extremely high-level diplomatic matter. I can't decide on my own... but if permission is granted, you'd be welcome."
With those final words, Lucius finally closed the door and left the room.
"Julius, are you going to attend school? "
"If possible, then"
Julius muttered, and once again looked out the window full of surveillance.
It's just a desire.
He doesn't think he can live a school life as normal with this mountain of surveillance.
For the first time, he simply wanted something that attracted him.
"If you say that, why is Livia here? Maybe the older brother?"
To Julius, who raised his brows, Livia handed out a letter from his pocket.
Julius opened a letter sealed with a mark indicating the Imperial Household.
'Use Livia as your escort. All that's left is to do what you like'
Julius frowned at the accepted sentence.
(Do whatever you want. No matter what you do, you're in my palm... so)
Julius bitterly bitterly looked out the window again.
The surveillance that has been steadily decreasing from the previous one is probably because Livia has arrived.
"Livia...you──"
"If I could attend school, I'd go with you. Lucas is there too"
Livia shows a big smile, and Julius shakes off the suspicions that have arisen when she grew up together since she was a child.
She's not the kind of person who could be a spy.
It's still a while before their meeting and their intentions have an impact on both countries, accelerating Edgar's rampage.
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