Book 10: Chapter 1: Fun Winter Breaks Plans (1/2)

Boys' Dormitory.

Felix was sitting on the sofa in his room, polishing his pocket watch. A custom-made one, with the royal crest emblazoned in silver. However, what was important to him was neither the royal crest nor the function of the watch, but the item hidden underneath it.

Felix closed the once opened lid, twisted the bottom part of the pocket watch slightly then opened the lid again. Afterward, a panel, hidden underneath the hour digits cover, was revealed.

The panel was inlaid with a large aquamarine, around which was engraved a magical formula that signified a contract with a spirit. It was the proof of his contract with his contracted spirit, Wildeanu.

Aquamarine itself was not unusual, but the darker the color, the more expensive it was considered to be. And the aquamarine on Felix's hand was exactly the kind of light blue that deserves to be called top quality.

This aquamarine was once the necklace of a certain noblewoman. It was said that the lady who wore this necklace had very beautiful aqua eyes, just like this aquamarine.

Though he will never be able to see that aqua color again.

Closing the lid of his pocket watch with a snap, Will, who was sorting through the letters, called out reservedly.

”Your Highness, you've received a letter from Duke Crockford.”

”Pass it to me.”

Felix picked up the letter on the tray and cut the seal with a paper-knife. What was written in the letter were roughly things that he had expected.

”I've been assigned a diplomatic task. Envoys from the Falforia Kingdom were coming to the Duchy of Rehnberg and I was asked to welcome them.”

”I believe Duke Rehnberg is…”

”Yes, he's Eliane's father.”

In other words, Duke Crockford's order can be summarized as follows.

Once the winter break begins, stay in Duchy of Rehnberg and make some results in diplomacy with the Farforia Kingdom. Also, he had to deepen his relationship with Eliane, his fiancee candidate while she stays there.

The Falforia Kingdom was an agricultural country situated southeast of the Ridill Kingdom. The details of the diplomacy will undoubtedly be related to trade. Of course, they were an important ally for the Ridill Kingdom.

Now that relations with the Empire were very delicate, if the Falforia Kingdom and the Empire were to join forces, the Ridill Kingdom would be caught in the middle.

He will have to entertain them to strengthen the alliance while extracting some results from the trade deal.

As for Eliane, well, I guess that's just a bonus.

Having Felix stay at her parents' house would make Eliane very eager indeed.

After all, Eliane was favored by Duke Crockford. Now that she had Duke Crockford's approval, Eliane must already feel like she is Felix's fiancee.

…Well, rather than liking Eliane personally, Duke Crockford is probably pushing Eliane because his father, Duke Rehnberg, is someone he can easily control…

Whatever it may be, it's going to be a depressing winter break.

The air was somewhat lively with the other student council members all seemingly looking forward to returning home.

In particular, Cyril was unusually excited this year and was now preparing souvenirs and counting the days until he would return home.

”How envious,” sighed Felix as he read the letter, but he stopped at the last sentence. His eyes widened, tinted in red.

Will, who had been watching him, called out to Felix with concern.

”…Um, Your Highness?”

”Will, I've got some good news!”

Unlike his usual way of speaking, Felix said this rapidly before tracing the last sentence of the letter with his finger.

”Lady Everett… I would be able to meet with her!”

＊ ＊ ＊

Isabelle Norton haughtily raised her chin.

”This should be a peaceful New Year's day with my family, but now I have to spend my days with someone like you, what a spiteful day! I would never approve of you as one of my family! You should better have spent this winter in a stable!” So spat Isabelle at Monica with a hateful look on her face, and the next moment she collapsed in tears on the spot.

”…so, with that pretext, I should be able to invite you to my house. Then we can spend our winter breaks together in our household, Big Sis Monica!”

As Isabelle cried in tears, Monica perpexedly spoke, ”I-I'm sorry.”

Monica, who had been busy with the chess tournament and the school festival for a while now, had been invited to Isabelle's private room for a tea party. And now, they were discussing the winter breaks.

Everyone seemed to be talking happily about how they would spend their winter breaks now that it was less than a week away.