“I want to ask for his daughter.”
As the Empress’s brow furrowed, Orl smiled.
“I want to see who the third lion chooses. Me or Grayon.”
“No, Orl. That’s not a good idea.”
Orl’s questioning gaze turned to the Empress.
“It’s still too early. If you force her to choose now, she’ll try to remain neutral. Don’t force her to stay away from you by asking questions.”
“...”
“When you ascend to the throne, you should have at least one lion sitting by your side. You’ve already lost one.”
Orl’s expression distorted for the first time since the conversation began.
It was bitter and bitter to have the son of the first lion, who held the empire’s forces in his hands, swear allegiance to Grayon.
The Empress said.
“You already have Viscount Rene. You won’t find a more experienced and capable attendant than him, both inside and outside the palace. He will definitely make you stand out in the competition.”
“No. The Count’s daughter is a gift.”
“Helden Loire greets Your Highness, the First Prince. Eternal glory to Tagar.”
Orl smiled comfortably and poured the Count tea himself.
“How is your health lately, Your Highness?”
“It’s the same as always. I can barely ride a horse because my body is so weak. I only overwork my head because of that.”
“A person’s strengths come in many forms. ”
“How kind.”
“Why have you called me?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Please ask.”
“His Majesty has decided to hold a competition for the Princes and Princesses. He wants you to show off your skills in front of the entire empire.”
“That is a wise decision.”
The Count smiled as he answered, but he realized that he was now in a tiger’s den.
However, his expression did not waver at all.
“But as the eldest son, I think this competition is unbalanced. In a competition, shouldn’t each of us have a servant to help us? I have Viscount René, and Grayon has Prince Kydel, but Miliora doesn’t have anyone.”
“...”
“You know, Miliora is in a difficult position. She has a self-centered personality that even the Queen can’t hold... If this continues, the fairness of the competition will be questioned.”
As the Count slowly met his gaze, Orl said with a soft smile.
“I would like you to send your daughter as Miliora’s maid. If she is the daughter of the third lion who encompasses the empire’s scholarship, no one will say that Miliora is having a disadvantageous competition among her brothers.”
“...Can I refuse?”
Orl just smiled.
The Count asked.
“When will the competition announcement be made?”
The students who had been hanging out with Kalin Ankart were extremely uncomfortable with Misha, who had recently joined their study group.
They were all honor students, but Misha would ruin their study atmosphere with her low-level questions. They were dissatisfied with why Kalin accepted Misha, but they did not say it out loud. It was because Kalin had been protecting her, and the sight of the intelligent and elegant middle-aged Count Loire at the last party had evoked a certain respect in them.
His welcoming speech was short but touching. He was the answer to the question of where they would go after toiling themselves at the academy. They hoped that his appearance would be their future.
So they had no doubt that Kalin was helping Misha out of sympathy and a sense of duty. They even admired Kalin’s nobility, saying that she was sacrificing herself to protect the status of the Third Lion from Misha’s stupidity.
However, that illusion did not last long. After they became accustomed to hanging out together, Kalin started calling Misha “Misha” instead of “Miss Loire.”
At first, the group members looked at Kalin like that and wondered if it was okay. But Misha would just lower her eyes whenever that happened. So the atmosphere naturally followed Kalin.
However, whenever Misha tried to call them by their names, Kalin cut them off with a stern expression, making the atmosphere cold.
Only then did the cadets begin to fear Kalin. Kalin Ankart was the type of person who wanted to dominate rather than admire others like a girl.
Nevertheless, Misha was desperate. Whenever they gathered to study until dawn, she would personally prepare tea and snacks, and borrow and return books for them from the library.
If Kalin even coughed, she would immediately say,
“Oh, Miss Ankart. Would you like some hot tea?”
The cadets who saw her thought,
‘She’s just like a maid.’
Misha’s desperate attempt to avoid being expelled created tension not only in her study group but also in the other cadets who saw her.
If they fail, they will end up like Misha Loire, and the other cadets will look down upon them. Their drowsiness will disappear, and they will concentrate on their studies.
One day, while exchanging a formal greeting with Kalin in the break room, Locard saw Misha borrowing all the books of her study group members at once and carrying them with difficulty.
“Miss Loire follows you very much, Miss Ankart.”
She smiled and replied,
“If you always try hard, people will naturally follow you. I guess you can cultivate charm. However, compared to you, I am nowhere near enough.”
Instead of answering, Locard rolled his eyes and smiled.
After the fierce final exam period, the results were finally announced.
It was a miracle. Misha Loire had avoided being expelled by just one point.
After checking her grades, Misha collapsed in front of the bulletin board and burst into tears. Then a cadet approached and whispered,
“Misha, think about Miss Ankart’s dignity!”
“Huh! Yes!”
Misha automatically answered and jumped up. She instinctively turned her head to see Kalin glaring at her from the other side.
She had also sent someone to tell Misha to shut up.
Kalin Ankart was probably a person who despised decency more than theft.
“Miss Loire, your grades have improved significantly. Congratulations.”
Locard, who had always been the top student, tried to comfort her kindly, but even though it was the first time he had spoken to her, Misha could not look at him because of the overwhelming shame.
Misha ran to her dorm room.
Misha Loire hated the fact that she was allowed to stay at the academy.
She was clearly happy, so happy, but she was shocked that she could no longer look Prince Kydel in the eye.
And she felt anger. It was anger that had been building up for a long time.
Living like a maid for Kalin Ankart and her study group, and pricking up her ears like a dog when she even breathed, trampled her pride terribly.
She had never done anything for anyone since she was born. So every little thing she did for Kalin Ankart was painfully painful, like carrying a pile of rocks on her back.
During the exam period, she told herself that this was for her own good, that it was the only way to save her family’s reputation, and that she could stay by Prince Kydel’s side.
However, when she finally confirmed that she had avoided being expelled and met Kalin’s contemptuous gaze, the dam of emotions she had been holding back burst.
“I paid for my sins.”
Misha decided to break up with Kalin. Since she had learned some study skills under her guidance, she planned to somehow get a tutor’s help from now on.
It was virtually impossible to improve her grades at the academy to this extent. Misha believed that the third lion's blood flowing through her was the reason she had been able to achieve this miracle, even with the help of others.
Misha thought.
Let's continue to rely on that and move forward to protect our pride as Loire's legitimate daughter. That's what she really has to do.
After making that resolution, the pain from the slap on the cheek from her mother finally began to ease.
The atmosphere in the academy dormitory after the first semester was chaotic. The cadets cleaned their rooms that they had unintentionally messed up, packed their bags, and prepared to return to their parents' house during the vacation.
Misha, who had gathered her courage, went to see Kalin. Kalin was still studying at that time. She said that she would try to defeat Prince Kydel. She was like a damn poison.
Misha felt that Kalin was trying to trample on him, and felt a surge of hatred.
Kalin didn't even know that and spoke absentmindedly while reading a book.
“Misha, you have to come to my house during the holidays. There’s a tea party. Our family’s close friends will be attending, so dress up nicely and come. You have to entertain the guests. Do you know what I mean? Miss Milena will be coming too.”
When Misha heard that, she felt as if someone had poured ice water on her head. It wasn’t enough that she had treated her like a maid, but now she was going to treat her like a hostess.
She spoke stiffly.
“Loire. Please call me Miss Loire. Miss Ankart.”
Kalin’s fingers, which had been quickly moving across the bookshelf as if searching for something, stopped. She slowly raised her head and looked straight at Misha.
“What did you say just now?”
“We... are the same cadets. Strangely, I’m the only one called by my name.”
Kalin smiled elegantly and said that.
“Well, that’s because you’re the only thief, Misha.”
As the Empress’s brow furrowed, Orl smiled.
“I want to see who the third lion chooses. Me or Grayon.”
“No, Orl. That’s not a good idea.”
Orl’s questioning gaze turned to the Empress.
“It’s still too early. If you force her to choose now, she’ll try to remain neutral. Don’t force her to stay away from you by asking questions.”
“...”
“When you ascend to the throne, you should have at least one lion sitting by your side. You’ve already lost one.”
Orl’s expression distorted for the first time since the conversation began.
It was bitter and bitter to have the son of the first lion, who held the empire’s forces in his hands, swear allegiance to Grayon.
The Empress said.
“You already have Viscount Rene. You won’t find a more experienced and capable attendant than him, both inside and outside the palace. He will definitely make you stand out in the competition.”
“No. The Count’s daughter is a gift.”
***
“Helden Loire greets Your Highness, the First Prince. Eternal glory to Tagar.”
Orl smiled comfortably and poured the Count tea himself.
“How is your health lately, Your Highness?”
“It’s the same as always. I can barely ride a horse because my body is so weak. I only overwork my head because of that.”
“A person’s strengths come in many forms. ”
“How kind.”
“Why have you called me?”
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Please ask.”
“His Majesty has decided to hold a competition for the Princes and Princesses. He wants you to show off your skills in front of the entire empire.”
“That is a wise decision.”
The Count smiled as he answered, but he realized that he was now in a tiger’s den.
However, his expression did not waver at all.
“But as the eldest son, I think this competition is unbalanced. In a competition, shouldn’t each of us have a servant to help us? I have Viscount René, and Grayon has Prince Kydel, but Miliora doesn’t have anyone.”
“...”
“You know, Miliora is in a difficult position. She has a self-centered personality that even the Queen can’t hold... If this continues, the fairness of the competition will be questioned.”
As the Count slowly met his gaze, Orl said with a soft smile.
“I would like you to send your daughter as Miliora’s maid. If she is the daughter of the third lion who encompasses the empire’s scholarship, no one will say that Miliora is having a disadvantageous competition among her brothers.”
“...Can I refuse?”
Orl just smiled.
The Count asked.
“When will the competition announcement be made?”
***
The students who had been hanging out with Kalin Ankart were extremely uncomfortable with Misha, who had recently joined their study group.
They were all honor students, but Misha would ruin their study atmosphere with her low-level questions. They were dissatisfied with why Kalin accepted Misha, but they did not say it out loud. It was because Kalin had been protecting her, and the sight of the intelligent and elegant middle-aged Count Loire at the last party had evoked a certain respect in them.
His welcoming speech was short but touching. He was the answer to the question of where they would go after toiling themselves at the academy. They hoped that his appearance would be their future.
So they had no doubt that Kalin was helping Misha out of sympathy and a sense of duty. They even admired Kalin’s nobility, saying that she was sacrificing herself to protect the status of the Third Lion from Misha’s stupidity.
However, that illusion did not last long. After they became accustomed to hanging out together, Kalin started calling Misha “Misha” instead of “Miss Loire.”
At first, the group members looked at Kalin like that and wondered if it was okay. But Misha would just lower her eyes whenever that happened. So the atmosphere naturally followed Kalin.
However, whenever Misha tried to call them by their names, Kalin cut them off with a stern expression, making the atmosphere cold.
Only then did the cadets begin to fear Kalin. Kalin Ankart was the type of person who wanted to dominate rather than admire others like a girl.
Nevertheless, Misha was desperate. Whenever they gathered to study until dawn, she would personally prepare tea and snacks, and borrow and return books for them from the library.
If Kalin even coughed, she would immediately say,
“Oh, Miss Ankart. Would you like some hot tea?”
The cadets who saw her thought,
‘She’s just like a maid.’
Misha’s desperate attempt to avoid being expelled created tension not only in her study group but also in the other cadets who saw her.
If they fail, they will end up like Misha Loire, and the other cadets will look down upon them. Their drowsiness will disappear, and they will concentrate on their studies.
One day, while exchanging a formal greeting with Kalin in the break room, Locard saw Misha borrowing all the books of her study group members at once and carrying them with difficulty.
“Miss Loire follows you very much, Miss Ankart.”
She smiled and replied,
“If you always try hard, people will naturally follow you. I guess you can cultivate charm. However, compared to you, I am nowhere near enough.”
Instead of answering, Locard rolled his eyes and smiled.
After the fierce final exam period, the results were finally announced.
It was a miracle. Misha Loire had avoided being expelled by just one point.
After checking her grades, Misha collapsed in front of the bulletin board and burst into tears. Then a cadet approached and whispered,
“Misha, think about Miss Ankart’s dignity!”
“Huh! Yes!”
Misha automatically answered and jumped up. She instinctively turned her head to see Kalin glaring at her from the other side.
She had also sent someone to tell Misha to shut up.
Kalin Ankart was probably a person who despised decency more than theft.
“Miss Loire, your grades have improved significantly. Congratulations.”
Locard, who had always been the top student, tried to comfort her kindly, but even though it was the first time he had spoken to her, Misha could not look at him because of the overwhelming shame.
Misha ran to her dorm room.
***
Misha Loire hated the fact that she was allowed to stay at the academy.
She was clearly happy, so happy, but she was shocked that she could no longer look Prince Kydel in the eye.
And she felt anger. It was anger that had been building up for a long time.
Living like a maid for Kalin Ankart and her study group, and pricking up her ears like a dog when she even breathed, trampled her pride terribly.
She had never done anything for anyone since she was born. So every little thing she did for Kalin Ankart was painfully painful, like carrying a pile of rocks on her back.
During the exam period, she told herself that this was for her own good, that it was the only way to save her family’s reputation, and that she could stay by Prince Kydel’s side.
However, when she finally confirmed that she had avoided being expelled and met Kalin’s contemptuous gaze, the dam of emotions she had been holding back burst.
“I paid for my sins.”
Misha decided to break up with Kalin. Since she had learned some study skills under her guidance, she planned to somehow get a tutor’s help from now on.
It was virtually impossible to improve her grades at the academy to this extent. Misha believed that the third lion's blood flowing through her was the reason she had been able to achieve this miracle, even with the help of others.
Misha thought.
Let's continue to rely on that and move forward to protect our pride as Loire's legitimate daughter. That's what she really has to do.
After making that resolution, the pain from the slap on the cheek from her mother finally began to ease.
The atmosphere in the academy dormitory after the first semester was chaotic. The cadets cleaned their rooms that they had unintentionally messed up, packed their bags, and prepared to return to their parents' house during the vacation.
Misha, who had gathered her courage, went to see Kalin. Kalin was still studying at that time. She said that she would try to defeat Prince Kydel. She was like a damn poison.
Misha felt that Kalin was trying to trample on him, and felt a surge of hatred.
Kalin didn't even know that and spoke absentmindedly while reading a book.
“Misha, you have to come to my house during the holidays. There’s a tea party. Our family’s close friends will be attending, so dress up nicely and come. You have to entertain the guests. Do you know what I mean? Miss Milena will be coming too.”
When Misha heard that, she felt as if someone had poured ice water on her head. It wasn’t enough that she had treated her like a maid, but now she was going to treat her like a hostess.
She spoke stiffly.
“Loire. Please call me Miss Loire. Miss Ankart.”
Kalin’s fingers, which had been quickly moving across the bookshelf as if searching for something, stopped. She slowly raised her head and looked straight at Misha.
“What did you say just now?”
“We... are the same cadets. Strangely, I’m the only one called by my name.”
Kalin smiled elegantly and said that.
“Well, that’s because you’re the only thief, Misha.”
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