Chapter 46 (1/2)

Translator: Wyvern

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Chapter 46

“What do you want to do?”

“Hmm?”

“The balcony across the hallway on the second floor will have a nice view, will it be open?”

“What did you come to the party for? Don’t you want to socialize?”

Hanging out with people? Really? Was he not thinking about his safety? Even if he covered his face, it wasn’t hard to recognize acquaintances. I easily found Vincenzo sitting at a table far away and sighed inwardly. I couldn’t stop thinking about whether or not people would recognize the emperor.

He looked around and muttered, “All eyes are on you.”

“There’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Hmm.” The emperor’s eyes swept through me. “Red hair isn’t that common, and it’s that long too. No matter how much you cover your face with a mask, anyone can tell that it’s you.”

Of course, it was true that I had a hair color that grabbed attention no matter where I went. But who would stare at someone you ran into every day? It was the emperor himself who was drawing attention.

Compared to the boys who were still attending the academy, his broad shoulders and masculine beauty drew attention. Besides that, he had a sharp jawline and a strong physique. He would have caught anyone’s eye.

However, I didn’t want to compliment the emperor so glibly, so I just shrugged. “I’m a little more beautiful today, though.”

The emperor stared at me again and nodded, the joke falling flat. I pouted.

This was why one shouldn’t argue with politicians. They were exceptionally good at making others feel embarrassed.

I changed the subject. “But I’m glad it’s so peaceful. I think the raider or whatever has decided to quit today.”

“No, I’m sure they came.”

I almost brushed off his comment due to his nonchalant tone.

“Yes…?”

“I can’t specify who it is unless I use my powers, but I can feel that they’re here. I’m sure it’s the one who came into your room.”

“Oh…”

From the time I dragged the emperor out of the palace, I was already given a huge task to bring the emperor back safely.

I looked around and saw those standing next to me leaving their seats. There weren’t that many people in the academy who could make such a stir.

I smiled at the lady who wore a red dress in a very similar design to what I had at the court banquet last time. “Hi, Vicky.”

She looked me up and down, and even shot a look at my partner standing next to me. “Oh, a partner. Where did you get your clothes? You’ve been riding in the palace wagon and you’ve been chosen for a charitable effort for the poor, haven’t you?”

I glanced down at my clothes. It was too much to call this a charitable effort. She would have known that just one of my earrings was worth a fortune if only she had the eye for it.

“I got it as a gift.”

“I’m sure you did. A gift… This is why you shouldn’t let the vulgar mix with the aristocracy. I don’t know what they’re going to have to get out of their tails.”

I had no reaction to that, but the emperor seemed a little annoyed. But problems became bigger when the emperor opened his mouth, so I clasped his arm to silently ask him not to, hoping that Vicky would stop getting on his nerves and leave.

Alas, hope was such a fragile thing.

“Are you sure you’re graduating early?”

Vicky’s blue eyes flashed when I nodded. “You must have paid off the instructors. How can someone like you graduate early?”

“What about me?”

“Oh, you’re playing dumb, now?”“I’m not asking because I don’t know. Didn’t you just say that I’m from a low background and that I don’t have money? But now you’re telling me I paid for my early graduation. I’m asking you to explain, because you keep saying nonsense.”

“This is…!”

“If graduating from the academy is as easy as dropping a few coins into the right pockets, then I’m sure you’ll have no problem doing the same.”

“Shut up!”

Vicky hated losing in the presence of others. Perhaps I imagined it, but it seemed as though the skin under her colorful mask turned red.

She took a deep breath, perhaps conscious of the eyes watching us. Vicky glared at me. “You’ll regret graduating in a hurry.”

“Will I?”

“I told you so, didn’t I? We’re totally different in society outside the academy. Remember when I told you you wouldn’t even dare look back at me once I marry the emperor? When the time comes, you’ll be begging to lick my feet. You’re not even going to come into the palace.”

Ah, I’d managed to rein the emperor and myself in until now. Why mention the emperor at all? I couldn’t control my exasperation.