Chapter 20: Whispers and a New Resolve.

Amelia quickly prepared to head to the academy and left her dormitory room.

She had barely slept due to nerves, so her body felt slightly heavy.
Yet when she filled her lungs with the clear morning air, the drowsiness receded and her mind sharpened.

She wasn’t quite as extreme as Sarju, but before enrolling, Amelia had often stayed up until dawn absorbed in magical studies or organizing data.
A night of shallow sleep was nothing she couldn’t handle.

Perhaps she and Sarju were more alike than she had realized.

Maybe that was exactly why he favored her—a mere provincial noble—and wanted her close by.

She felt a gaze and looked up.
The person next door was just stepping out at the same moment.

She started to offer a greeting—then stopped herself.

She remembered how, right after enrollment, they had briefly grown friendly—only for Erika to begin avoiding her afterward.

(Erika-san, wasn’t it…)

Back then she had truly thought of her as a friend.
The sudden rejection had hurt.

But compared to being betrayed by a fiancé of many years, it was understandable if someone she had only just met chose to cut ties for self-preservation.

Even so, Amelia had no intention of ever becoming friends with her again.

Betrayal had a way of repeating itself.
Even if they grew close once more, the moment something arose, Erika would likely abandon her again.
She had no desire to befriend someone like that.

Assuming a greeting would only be a nuisance, Amelia averted her eyes and walked on without looking back.

“Ah…”

Erika made a small sound, as though she wanted to say something.
But there was nothing left to discuss now.
Amelia continued forward without turning around.

When she entered the classroom, every classmate’s gaze turned toward her at once.

She had arrived a little later than usual, so nearly everyone was already present.
The moment she lifted her face, they all awkwardly looked away.

If she had been left behind in that suffocating atmosphere yesterday, it might have been unbearable.
She was quietly grateful Sarju had taken her away.

As expected, neither Emira nor the three girls were present.

The three had apparently been suspended.
What about Emira?

Even as a high-ranking noble’s daughter, with both Julius and Sarju involved, she might have received the same punishment.

But for her, the dissolution of her engagement to Julius was undoubtedly the far greater blow.
Even if she returned to the academy, she could never act the same way again.

She might even struggle to secure a new engagement at all.

(But she brought this on herself.)

It might sound cold, but that was the only way Amelia could feel about it.

One’s actions always return to oneself.

Amelia took her seat and waited quietly for lessons to begin.

From around her came perplexed murmurs.

Her classmates clearly didn’t know how to treat her now.

Amelia herself had no desire to suddenly become friends with any of them.

As long as they no longer directed malice her way, that was enough.

The best course was simply to avoid one another.

“Amelia.”

Just as she thought that, a familiar voice called her name.

She looked up.
Sarju stood at the classroom entrance.

“Sarju-sama?”

She rose hurriedly.

Behind him stood Kaido—his knight guard—as promised.
Seeing him there eased her worry.
Even though the incident had happened ten years ago, after hearing that story, she couldn’t help feeling anxious whenever Sarju was alone—even within the academy.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t see you off this morning.”

“N-no, please don’t apologize for that.”

She shook her head quickly.

“My brothers—and my sister-in-law—seem to have taken quite a liking to you. They said you’re welcome anytime.”

Sarju spoke with a soft smile.

She felt gazes from every direction.

Now the entire class knew—not only that she had gone to the palace, but that she had met the Crown Prince and the other royals, and even spent the night there.

(What should I do…)

For a brief moment she felt troubled—but she quickly reconsidered.

There was no one in this class who would press her for details anyway.

“Sarju-sama. Lessons will begin soon.”

Kaido whispered with a sympathetic glance toward Amelia.

“I know. Oh—there was something in yesterday’s materials that caught my attention. May I come ask you about it later?”

“Yes—of course.”

Feeling a sense of duty to stay close to him as much as possible, Amelia nodded.
Surely that would ease Julius and the others’ worries as well.

After Sarju left with Kaido, the teacher soon entered and lessons began.

Looking at the blackboard, she couldn’t help remembering yesterday’s reproduction.

Julius’s magic had captured not only the malice directed at her, but also Emira’s mocking voice—perfectly.

Even if Emira faced consequences and made amends, the wounds she had inflicted would not heal so easily.

Amelia pushed unnecessary thoughts aside and focused on the lesson.

Right after morning classes ended.

She was debating whether to go to the cafeteria when her name was called again.

“Amelia—do you have a moment?”

She looked up.
Julius was peeking in from the doorway.
Of course, two guards stood behind him.

“Yes.”

Feeling every classmate’s gaze, Amelia stood.

Being summoned by two different princes in a single day would surely make anyone wonder what was happening.

Yet no one would persistently question her—and for that she was quietly grateful.

As she followed Julius, such thoughts drifted through her mind.

But she was genuinely startled when he led her to the royals’ private dining room.

“Come in.”

“N-no… um, this is…”

A place so strictly guarded that even royal fiancés were rarely permitted entry.

They might have called her a friend—but surely she wasn’t allowed here.

“I’m in a bit of trouble, you see.”

Seeing her hesitate, Julius let out a deep sigh.

“Sarju almost never comes to lunch. He’s usually in the library at this hour. That would be one thing—but like yesterday, he sometimes skips breakfast entirely…”

“That’s…”

Amelia couldn’t help feeling concerned.

Being dedicated to research was admirable, but continuing like this could ruin his health.

“If you’re here, he’ll definitely come. After all—you’re the living source of the local data he’s always wanted.”

Urged by Julius—and told that His Majesty had already given permission—she could no longer refuse.

The room was as large as a classroom, complete with its own kitchen.
A dedicated chef and serving maids were present.

Apparently Julius—and even his guards—ate here together.
Relieved by that small detail, she sat down as directed.

As Julius had predicted, Sarju soon appeared—Kaido at his side.

“Amelia.”

Seeing his delighted smile upon spotting her warmed her chest.

Even someone like her was needed by someone.

After all the pain caused by Reese’s betrayal and her classmates’ cruelty, that realization gently soothed her wounded heart.

If she was so sincerely wanted—if it was permissible for her to remain at his side as a friend—then she wanted to support Sarju however she could.

The meal provided was delicious.

The atmosphere remained warm and relaxed throughout lunch.
Both Julius and Kaido earnestly asked her to keep coming here—and she found herself nodding before she could think better of it.

Kaido, bound to Sarju’s side as his guard, had apparently barely eaten lunch at all until now.
For a knight who relied on physical strength, that must have been grueling.
So she quietly offered him the same sympathetic look he had so often given her.

After lunch, she arranged to meet Sarju in the library later—he had questions about the materials.
Then she returned to the classroom.