Side Story Episode 2. Academy
Renisha flipped through her documents with a troubled expression.
It was a day before the capital was to be moved to Hiloshine.
The opposition from the nobility was fierce, but it was bearable. She had become accustomed to alternately offering the nobility carrots and sticks.
However, this one thing she couldn't quite get used to.
"Hmm. Our Baryton is only eight years old. Is it right for him to enter the Academy?"
It was about being a parent. For every hurdle she overcame, another awaited her.
Renisha had to make a decision in every situation.
And her decisions often had a profound impact on her child's life.
The Academy was one of those choices.
Some of the ministers insisted on sending Baryton to the Academy, while others argued for inviting renowned scholars to teach him the art of kingship.
Renisha and Kassius chose the Academy.
They understood the importance of experiences gained from interacting with others.
Especially for Baryton, who grew up in the narrow world of the Imperial Palace, he needed experiences that exposed him to the world.
Renisha and Kassius chose the Academy as a marketplace for that experience.
It was true that they were agonizing over this careful decision.
That's why, before sending Baryton away, they called Isabella, who was about to graduate.
Isabella smiled.
"Auntie. You don't know much about Baryton."
"What do you mean?"
Renisha asked, puzzled.
Isabella shrugged and said,
"Shouldn't you be asking Baryton that question, not me? He's grown enough to make his own decisions."
Renisha's eyes widened.
"And I liked it."
Even before graduation, Isabella hadn't returned to Hiloshine once.
During the Academy breaks, she'd visited friends' houses or spent time in the islands.
Brixton and Haylin were disappointed, but they, too, remained in Hiloshine.
It was partly because Hiloshine would be paralyzed without them, and partly because Brixton's rehabilitation was dragging on.
It was difficult, though it seemed to understand Isabella's reasoning for not returning to Hiloshine.
Isabella continued,
"I've made a lot of friends, learned new things, and found things I can do on my own without my parents."
"Isabella, your parents..."
"Yes, I know. They love me. And they've been hurting just as much as I have. I thought they needed time to focus on themselves without me."
Isabella spoke maturely.
Renisha sighed softly, looking into Isabella's sparkling eyes.
How could Isabella have grown so much?
Well, considering Baryton was eight years old, time hadn't flown just for Isabella.
"Isabella, do you plan on returning to Hiloshine after graduation?"
Isabella pondered, then smiled brightly.
"Yes. I'd like to see my parents again."
"What do you plan on doing after graduation?"
“I guess... I need to learn something, don’t I?”
Isabella said cheerfully.
“It’s true that I’ve been neglecting Lotterr’s affairs. If I really have to inherit Lottera, there’s a lot to learn. I want to stay in Hiloshine and travel the continent. Then, when I come back, I need to study again, under my parents’ guidance.”
“You don’t hate that, do you?”
Isabella shook her head.
“I’ve never thought about anything else.”
Isabella had grown considerably while attending the academy.
Renisha gazed at Isabella, feeling both affectionate and admiring.
Isabella, now a young woman, drank tea.
Haylin’s presence lingered in her mind.
As they shared a moment of affectionate silence, the door to the reception room swung open.
Baryton came barreling in, hugging Isabella tightly.
“Sister!!”
“Baryton! My goodness! How tall have you been? How long has it been since we last met?”
"A week! You clearly said you'd come three days ago..."
Baryton glared at Isabella with wide eyes.
Isabella burst out laughing.
"That's right. You were wrong, sister. The graduation project wasn't easy."
"Graduation project? What's that?"
“What do you have to do to graduate? What do you have to do when Baryton goes to the Academy?”
“Um.”
Isabella ruffled Baryton's hair.
“Baryton. Can't you even see this mother anymore?”
“No, Mother.”
Baryton turned and hugged Renisha tightly.
“I love you, Mother.”
Baryton smiled bashfully.
Renisha and Kassius had raised Baryton to be a flawless child, so that, unlike the life they had lived, Baryton could enjoy this peace.
Baryton laughed easily, cried easily, and was not afraid to express his emotions.
Fortunately, he had grown up just as Renisha and Kassius had hoped.
“I love you too, Baryton,”
Renisha whispered.
“Baryton.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to go to the Academy? Or is there something else you want to do?”
Isabella asked lightly.
Baryton tilted his head.
Baryton circled the room. His small face was filled with worry.
Even at that age, he had serious concerns.
And going to the academy seemed to be a major concern for Baryton.
“...What’s the benefit of going to the academy?”
“You can make lots of friends. And you can study subjects you like. There’s so much to learn.”
“But you have to be away from your parents,”
Baryton said with a dejected expression.
“Mom and Dad are going to Hiloshine soon, and I’ll be the only one left here.”
“Baryton can come to Hiloshine during vacation, too.”
“...What if my friends hate me?”
Renisha flipped through her documents with a troubled expression.
It was a day before the capital was to be moved to Hiloshine.
The opposition from the nobility was fierce, but it was bearable. She had become accustomed to alternately offering the nobility carrots and sticks.
However, this one thing she couldn't quite get used to.
"Hmm. Our Baryton is only eight years old. Is it right for him to enter the Academy?"
It was about being a parent. For every hurdle she overcame, another awaited her.
Renisha had to make a decision in every situation.
And her decisions often had a profound impact on her child's life.
The Academy was one of those choices.
Some of the ministers insisted on sending Baryton to the Academy, while others argued for inviting renowned scholars to teach him the art of kingship.
Renisha and Kassius chose the Academy.
They understood the importance of experiences gained from interacting with others.
Especially for Baryton, who grew up in the narrow world of the Imperial Palace, he needed experiences that exposed him to the world.
Renisha and Kassius chose the Academy as a marketplace for that experience.
It was true that they were agonizing over this careful decision.
That's why, before sending Baryton away, they called Isabella, who was about to graduate.
Isabella smiled.
"Auntie. You don't know much about Baryton."
"What do you mean?"
Renisha asked, puzzled.
Isabella shrugged and said,
"Shouldn't you be asking Baryton that question, not me? He's grown enough to make his own decisions."
Renisha's eyes widened.
"And I liked it."
Even before graduation, Isabella hadn't returned to Hiloshine once.
During the Academy breaks, she'd visited friends' houses or spent time in the islands.
Brixton and Haylin were disappointed, but they, too, remained in Hiloshine.
It was partly because Hiloshine would be paralyzed without them, and partly because Brixton's rehabilitation was dragging on.
It was difficult, though it seemed to understand Isabella's reasoning for not returning to Hiloshine.
Isabella continued,
"I've made a lot of friends, learned new things, and found things I can do on my own without my parents."
"Isabella, your parents..."
"Yes, I know. They love me. And they've been hurting just as much as I have. I thought they needed time to focus on themselves without me."
Isabella spoke maturely.
Renisha sighed softly, looking into Isabella's sparkling eyes.
How could Isabella have grown so much?
Well, considering Baryton was eight years old, time hadn't flown just for Isabella.
"Isabella, do you plan on returning to Hiloshine after graduation?"
Isabella pondered, then smiled brightly.
"Yes. I'd like to see my parents again."
"What do you plan on doing after graduation?"
“I guess... I need to learn something, don’t I?”
Isabella said cheerfully.
“It’s true that I’ve been neglecting Lotterr’s affairs. If I really have to inherit Lottera, there’s a lot to learn. I want to stay in Hiloshine and travel the continent. Then, when I come back, I need to study again, under my parents’ guidance.”
“You don’t hate that, do you?”
Isabella shook her head.
“I’ve never thought about anything else.”
Isabella had grown considerably while attending the academy.
Renisha gazed at Isabella, feeling both affectionate and admiring.
Isabella, now a young woman, drank tea.
Haylin’s presence lingered in her mind.
As they shared a moment of affectionate silence, the door to the reception room swung open.
Baryton came barreling in, hugging Isabella tightly.
“Sister!!”
“Baryton! My goodness! How tall have you been? How long has it been since we last met?”
"A week! You clearly said you'd come three days ago..."
Baryton glared at Isabella with wide eyes.
Isabella burst out laughing.
"That's right. You were wrong, sister. The graduation project wasn't easy."
"Graduation project? What's that?"
“What do you have to do to graduate? What do you have to do when Baryton goes to the Academy?”
“Um.”
Isabella ruffled Baryton's hair.
“Baryton. Can't you even see this mother anymore?”
“No, Mother.”
Baryton turned and hugged Renisha tightly.
“I love you, Mother.”
Baryton smiled bashfully.
Renisha and Kassius had raised Baryton to be a flawless child, so that, unlike the life they had lived, Baryton could enjoy this peace.
Baryton laughed easily, cried easily, and was not afraid to express his emotions.
Fortunately, he had grown up just as Renisha and Kassius had hoped.
“I love you too, Baryton,”
Renisha whispered.
“Baryton.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to go to the Academy? Or is there something else you want to do?”
Isabella asked lightly.
Baryton tilted his head.
Baryton circled the room. His small face was filled with worry.
Even at that age, he had serious concerns.
And going to the academy seemed to be a major concern for Baryton.
“...What’s the benefit of going to the academy?”
“You can make lots of friends. And you can study subjects you like. There’s so much to learn.”
“But you have to be away from your parents,”
Baryton said with a dejected expression.
“Mom and Dad are going to Hiloshine soon, and I’ll be the only one left here.”
“Baryton can come to Hiloshine during vacation, too.”
“...What if my friends hate me?”
Baryton's soft little face frowned.
Baryton had often hung out with other kids his age, but this was the first time he’d been thrown into a group of kids like this.
Baryton clung to Isabella’s skirt.
He’d never made friends on his own, so it was understandable to worry.
Isabella patted Baryton's head.
Baryton was incredibly cute, resembling both Renisha and Kassius.
Isabella gently pinched Baryton's cheek, wanting to bite it.
"No one could hate you."
"Why?"
"Our Baryton is handsome."
"Yes?"
"That's pretty important too."
Isabella rubbed Baryton's cheek vigorously.
"Ugh, sis!"
"You're handsome, smart, and brave. All your friends will love Baryton. Once they know about you."
Baryton had been receiving private lessons, including swordsmanship, at the imperial castle.
As expected, as the heir to the throne, he had learned a lot since he was young.
Moreover, since Baryton was the only one with Renisha and Kassius, the entire empire's attention was focused on him.
Barytontwisted his body and said,
"Is that so?"
"Of course. What else are you worried about?"
"Hmm."
Baryton touched his cheek with his small hand.
“Will I be able to do well? What if I fall behind?”
“No way. Baryton studies hard. You should be better than anyone else.”
It was a worry any child his age would have.
Baryton expression softened slightly at Isabella’s calm answer.
Isabella stroked Baryton's face, the dark clouds clearing.
“Sister! I’m eight years old now!”
“Barry. Even so, you’re still my cute little sister.”
Isabella said firmly and hugged Baryton tightly.
Renisha watched, a smile lingering in her eyes.
Calling Isabella today was a good idea.
Baryton could easily confide in Isabella things he couldn’t even tell Renisha or Kassius.
And Isabella would give him answers with ease. Always.
Baryton had often hung out with other kids his age, but this was the first time he’d been thrown into a group of kids like this.
Baryton clung to Isabella’s skirt.
He’d never made friends on his own, so it was understandable to worry.
Isabella patted Baryton's head.
Baryton was incredibly cute, resembling both Renisha and Kassius.
Isabella gently pinched Baryton's cheek, wanting to bite it.
"No one could hate you."
"Why?"
"Our Baryton is handsome."
"Yes?"
"That's pretty important too."
Isabella rubbed Baryton's cheek vigorously.
"Ugh, sis!"
"You're handsome, smart, and brave. All your friends will love Baryton. Once they know about you."
Baryton had been receiving private lessons, including swordsmanship, at the imperial castle.
As expected, as the heir to the throne, he had learned a lot since he was young.
Moreover, since Baryton was the only one with Renisha and Kassius, the entire empire's attention was focused on him.
Barytontwisted his body and said,
"Is that so?"
"Of course. What else are you worried about?"
"Hmm."
Baryton touched his cheek with his small hand.
“Will I be able to do well? What if I fall behind?”
“No way. Baryton studies hard. You should be better than anyone else.”
It was a worry any child his age would have.
Baryton expression softened slightly at Isabella’s calm answer.
Isabella stroked Baryton's face, the dark clouds clearing.
“Sister! I’m eight years old now!”
“Barry. Even so, you’re still my cute little sister.”
Isabella said firmly and hugged Baryton tightly.
Renisha watched, a smile lingering in her eyes.
Calling Isabella today was a good idea.
Baryton could easily confide in Isabella things he couldn’t even tell Renisha or Kassius.
And Isabella would give him answers with ease. Always.
In fact, from Isabella’s perspective, Baryton's worries seemed trivial.
“Don’t call me Barry!”
Baryton blushed and thrashed in Isabella’s arms.
“Ugh! I’m not a baby!”
“You cute thing.”
Isabella nipped Baryton's soft cheek before letting go.
Baryton sulked and ran away, but he didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.
“My Strawberry, come here. I bought a bunch of macarons for you. From your favorite coffee house.”
“Not strawberry!”
“Blueberry?”
Isabella teased. She looked just like Renisha.
Renisha clicked her tongue and drank her tea.
“Not blueberry either! I!”
“Baryton.”
Isabella grinned.
Baryton glared at her with an indignant face.
“So you’re not going to eat these delicious macarons?”
“Don’t call me Barry!”
Baryton blushed and thrashed in Isabella’s arms.
“Ugh! I’m not a baby!”
“You cute thing.”
Isabella nipped Baryton's soft cheek before letting go.
Baryton sulked and ran away, but he didn’t seem to be in a bad mood.
“My Strawberry, come here. I bought a bunch of macarons for you. From your favorite coffee house.”
“Not strawberry!”
“Blueberry?”
Isabella teased. She looked just like Renisha.
Renisha clicked her tongue and drank her tea.
“Not blueberry either! I!”
“Baryton.”
Isabella grinned.
Baryton glared at her with an indignant face.
“So you’re not going to eat these delicious macarons?”
Isabella held up the bowl.
“Really?”
“T-that’s not it!”
Baryton quickly ran over and sat down next to Isabella.
In the palace, he could only eat carefully planned meals that adhered to nutritional standards.
So, he couldn’t help but enjoy the snacks Isabella brought him sometimes.
Isabella wiped the dirt from Baryton's mouth.
“Our strawberry.”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t worry too much. Our Barry will do well anywhere. Of course, if you want to go to the academy.”
When he was younger, he'd cried and begged Isabella to go to Academia.
"I want to go,"
“Really?”
“T-that’s not it!”
Baryton quickly ran over and sat down next to Isabella.
In the palace, he could only eat carefully planned meals that adhered to nutritional standards.
So, he couldn’t help but enjoy the snacks Isabella brought him sometimes.
Isabella wiped the dirt from Baryton's mouth.
“Our strawberry.”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t worry too much. Our Barry will do well anywhere. Of course, if you want to go to the academy.”
When he was younger, he'd cried and begged Isabella to go to Academia.
"I want to go,"
Baryton said cheerfully.
"It sounds fun."
"Your parents won't be able to come see you."
"Your sister can come instead. And you can go to Hiloshine and tell her I'm doing well!"
"This kid already thinks of you as an errand boy."
"Huh! You say you love me, but you can't do that?"
"Just look at the way you talk."
Isabella ruffled Baryton's hair.
Baryton didn't flinch, just munching on his macaron.
Renisha chuckled quietly.
In Renisha's eyes, Isabella was still a child, but when you put them side by side, you could tell they'd definitely grown up.
Isabella held Baryton in her palm, just like Renisha had done to Isabella in the past. Even in a past that was too long and too little to remember, there were still a few good memories left.
It was time spent with Isabella and her family.
Renisha's eyes clouded slightly.
"In return, I'll give you a nice present."
"What?"
"It's your birthday soon, sister. I saved up my allowance to buy you a present!"
Baryton said proudly.
"Oh, what are you going to buy me?"
"Um."
Baryton thought of Renisha. What did Renisha usually like?
"Uh, a necklace? A ring?"
It wasn't even in the budget allocated to the Crown Prince Palace, and it wasn't enough for Baryton's allowance.
Nevertheless, both Renisha and Isabella burst into laughter at Baryton's cuteness.
"It sounds fun."
"Your parents won't be able to come see you."
"Your sister can come instead. And you can go to Hiloshine and tell her I'm doing well!"
"This kid already thinks of you as an errand boy."
"Huh! You say you love me, but you can't do that?"
"Just look at the way you talk."
Isabella ruffled Baryton's hair.
Baryton didn't flinch, just munching on his macaron.
Renisha chuckled quietly.
In Renisha's eyes, Isabella was still a child, but when you put them side by side, you could tell they'd definitely grown up.
Isabella held Baryton in her palm, just like Renisha had done to Isabella in the past. Even in a past that was too long and too little to remember, there were still a few good memories left.
It was time spent with Isabella and her family.
Renisha's eyes clouded slightly.
"In return, I'll give you a nice present."
"What?"
"It's your birthday soon, sister. I saved up my allowance to buy you a present!"
Baryton said proudly.
"Oh, what are you going to buy me?"
"Um."
Baryton thought of Renisha. What did Renisha usually like?
"Uh, a necklace? A ring?"
It wasn't even in the budget allocated to the Crown Prince Palace, and it wasn't enough for Baryton's allowance.
Nevertheless, both Renisha and Isabella burst into laughter at Baryton's cuteness.
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