Chapter 7.2

A week later, a giant banner hung on the front gate of the Grand Duke’s residence. It wasn’t a real banner, but a long piece of red velvet with gold embroidered lettering. The words read:

[♣Congratulations on the First-Place Admission of Lady Eloered to Haiola Academy♣]

For my own honor, I would like to offer a small explanation.

I never—not for a second, not in my wildest dreams—intended for a banner longer than the front gate itself to be hung up there. I swear it on my conscience.

The incident began when Hilda happened to be with me when I checked the letter of acceptance. The acceptance was not from the Head of Admissions but from Nia, who had appeared in person. I was worried she would say something strange like “take me on as your teacher,” but she didn’t.

Hilda clapped as soon as she heard the word “passed.” I remained calm and haughtily tilted my teacup.

In truth, I thought I would pass. I had done so well on the written exam, and whether the whole “successor of light magic” thing was true or not, I had successfully demonstrated divine magic.

However, the words “first-place admission” that came out of Nia’s mouth fueled Hilda’s excitement. Hilda didn’t give me a chance to stop her and ran out of the room, shouting at the top of her lungs.

“First place! She got first place! The Lady got first place! …Oh, by the way, Lady, does ‘first place’ mean number one, right?”

“Yes, it does. Hilda… did you get excited without even knowing what it meant?”

“Hehe. What’s wrong with that? You got first place!”

Thanks to Hilda’s shouting, every corner of the mansion, including the potted plants, knew that I had passed.

The usually composed Alberto insisted on holding a celebration party, and Hilda actively supported him. If I hadn’t stopped them, they would have thrown a neighborhood-wide feast.

In the process of trying to calm the two of them down, I made a mistake. I sarcastically asked if they were going to hang a banner on the gate.

I tried to pass it off as a forgotten custom I had read in a book, but I couldn’t stop Hilda from gathering maids with excellent sewing skills to embroider the banner after hearing my explanation.

That’s how the bizarre banner was born. It was so big and beautiful that the red color was clearly visible from the front gate.

“They’re so skilled. Who hung that up? Alberto?”

“Oh, no. The butler was busy, so we went out by ourselves. It was so high that we were struggling, but a mage helped us.”

“A mage?”

I, who had been sitting at a table by the window and admiring the banner, turned my head. Hilda poured tea into my cup and said,

“He was wearing a hood, so I couldn’t see him well, but he didn’t seem very old. I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman. He just hung it on the gate with magic and disappeared.”

I had a feeling about this.

“Was their voice really slow? Like they were sleepy?”

“Yes! It was like, ‘I’ll… help… you…'”

So, she’d followed me all the way to my house, that old woman. At least she hadn’t actually come inside the estate, though.

‘Does she listen to people or not…? It’s hard to tell.’

I decided to let the small things slide. I didn’t know how many people had passed, but first place was first place! I’d enjoy myself without a single worry today. This achievement was even more rewarding because I had worked so hard day and night for it.

As I was proudly looking at the banner fluttering in the wind, I heard a knock on the door.

“It’s Alberto.”

Alberto stood at the door and said. His stylish mustache was curled up even more than usual, making him seem very happy. I was a bit embarrassed. Everyone was so happy for me, as if it were their own achievement.

“His Grace, Her Grace, and the Young Master have sent a congratulatory gift.”

“Really? What is it?”

“It would be best for you to see for yourself, Lady.”

A meaningful smile appeared on Alberto’s face. No way… I had told them not to come, but they couldn’t have all shown up as a congratulatory gift, could they?

I jumped up and followed Alberto.

***

“Are you ready? Can I speak now?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Please look this way.”

The video flickered as the mage touched the crystal orb. The faces of the Grand Duke, Grand Duchess, and Sion, all gathered in front of the orb, became clear.

The moment our eyes met, my heart felt a warm flutter.

“Ahem, ahem! Eloe, my cute and lovely daughter. Are you doing well in the capital? Your father… Your father wants to do well, but he can’t. My heart aches thinking about you living all by yourself in a far-off place…”

The Grand Duke, who had been speaking so smoothly, suddenly started to choke up. The Grand Duchess and Sion looked flustered. Finally, the Grand Duke bowed his head and sobbed quietly. Sion patted his father’s shoulder. The Grand Duchess opened her mouth, clearing the awkward air.

“Eloe, it’s me, Mother. Don’t mind your father. He’s just worrying excessively about you. You know how he is, don’t you? He’s a man who goes out of his way to worry.”

“I can’t do this. I must go to the capital and see you right away. I can’t just stay here and trust what my unreliable son says. You must have lost so much weight from studying. Who’s going to take care of you if your father doesn’t, Eloe!”

“Can’t someone use magic to quiet this man?”

The Grand Duke threw a tantrum, scattering tears, causing an uproar.

The screen went dark for a moment before returning. The Grand Duke was now tied to a chair. If they had gagged him, he would have looked like a perfect criminal.

Seriously, nothing’s changed. I let out a dry laugh and continued to watch the boisterous video letter.

“We’re busy preparing for the typhoon season these days. Even with annual maintenance, there’s always new work to be done. It won’t affect Rivai, but please be careful. Don’t go out when it’s raining heavily.”

“Mother, the congratulatory message…”

“Oh, right. Look at me, I’m already nagging. Eloe, my daughter. Congratulations on getting into the academy. They said you got in as the top student? You must have worked so hard.”

“Congratulations, Eloe. You worked hard studying.”

“Your father… your father is so proud of you. You are the treasure of our Grand Duchy!”

The Grand Duchess and Sion clapped, and the Grand Duke’s voice boomed. The realism, as if all three of them were right there with me, made me feel a little shy and embarrassed.

As the clapping stopped, Sion gave me a gentle and warm smile.

“The special exam is more difficult and complicated than the regular one, so getting in as the top student is amazing. Be proud. I know you’ll adapt well to academy life, Eloe.”

“If anyone bothers you or even comes near you, tell me right away! I’ll go and break their spine.”

The Grand Duke, who had been swaying from side to side while tied up, suddenly calmed down and gave me a gentle look. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess exchanged glances, and he nodded.

“Never forget that we are always by your side. Eloe, we’ll support anything you want to do, but don’t get so engrossed that you harm your health. Okay?”

“That’s right, health is the most important thing. I worry you’ll hurt yourself because you’re so diligent. You must not overdo it. Never.”

“I wanted to go and congratulate you in person… Your birthday is coming up soon, so I’ll bring our parents with me then. I’ll get permission from His Majesty beforehand.”

So my birthday was coming up soon. I didn’t know because it wasn’t mentioned properly in the original story.

With Sion alive, so many things had changed. Every time something like this happened, it felt real that I had saved Sion, and I was so happy.

“They say our time is almost up. I’ll contact you again, Eloe. Congratulations on getting in, and I love you!”

“My beloved sister, I’ll see you soon. Stay healthy.”

“Eloe! Eloe! My lovely daug…”

The video letter ended right in the middle of the Grand Duke’s wailing. The warm, comforting atmosphere that had lingered in the air vanished in an instant. As the short laugh that had escaped me subsided, my surroundings grew quiet.

Sion’s words lingered in my mind like an echo. Birthday… What would it be like to have a birthday party with my whole family, just for me?

I had never had a birthday party like that before. When I was little, my wish was to receive a cake with my name on it. It would be loud, boisterous, and happy.

My heart began to pound with a sudden surge of anticipation. I clasped my hands together. I missed my family.

***

I enjoyed a deep afternoon nap, feeling relieved. When I opened my eyes, it was a hazy evening.

After writing replies to all three family members, it was the perfect time for dinner. I told Alberto that I wasn’t hungry yet.

But as the night wore on, there was no news from Jeras. I was on edge, wondering if he would just burst in as he pleased, but the only ones who came in were Hilda and Alberto, full of concern.

The grandfather clock chimed nine times. At this point, I wasn’t so much hungry as I was annoyed.

‘If he couldn’t make it, he should have said so in advance. Is he trying to make me look like a fool for waiting all day?’

To be fair, it wasn’t Jeras’s fault. We never officially made plans for dinner on the day the results were announced. But that just made me even more irritated. It felt like I had taken a casual remark to heart and spent the whole day waiting for him, that jerk!

‘No way! Why would I wait for a jerk like that? I have no reason to see him anymore. It’s a good thing. Yeah.’

“Alberto, Hilda.”

“Yes, Lady. What is it?”

“We should have dinner. Since we had such good news today, how about we all eat together, all the people in the mansion?”

“It wouldn’t be proper for the employees to sit at the same table as the Lady.”

“No one is watching. And you all worked so hard to help me focus on my studies. It’s fine.”

“Still, I think…”

“I’m sure Mother and Father would have told you to do the same. I’m hungry. Please?”

“Yes, Lady! We’ll prepare it as quickly as possible!”

Hilda pulled the hesitant Alberto out of the room. A little later, dinner was served in the banquet hall. The dining hall was probably Alberto’s final compromise.

It was a bit of a late dinner, but everyone laughed, ate, and drank to their hearts’ content. Hilda giggled when I told her to eat all the veal and make it disappear from my sight. Did she think I was joking? I wasn’t.

Throughout the meal, I heard congratulations and praises about how amazing I was until my ears felt sore. Each time I heard them, it was exhilarating and joyful.

Caught up in the mood, I drank a little too much wine without realizing it. In the end, I was practically carried to my bedroom by Hilda.

“…It’s quiet…”

Because I had been in such a lively place just moments ago, the silence felt even heavier. I wrapped myself in the blanket and hugged my pillow tightly, but I couldn’t find a sense of comfort.

It had been a long time since I felt like I was left alone in the darkness. Up until now, there had always been someone by my side, or I was so tired that I would fall asleep instantly.

‘I used to be alone every night, and it didn’t bother me.’

Had I unknowingly become completely immersed in Eloe’s life? Where did “Han Seha,” for whom being alone was a given, go? Was I becoming weak?

I couldn’t sleep because it was so quiet, and all sorts of random thoughts came to mind. I quietly got up and retrieved the crystal orb on the table. After rubbing the smooth surface a few times, the images of the Grand Duke, Grand Duchess, and Shion brightened the room and chased away the darkness.

‘This is why dawn emotions are so scary. You never know what a person will do. It’s a good thing there’s no social media here.’

If there was, I might have taken a teary selfie and posted a caption like, ‘I… Sometimes… shed tears of Loneliness.’

I closed my eyes, using the voices of the three of them as a lullaby. Just before I fell asleep, that damn Jeras came to mind for a moment, but I tried my best to ignore it.

‘He probably never planned on coming in the first place.’

He’s got nothing to do with me anymore. It was disgusting while it lasted—let’s never cross paths again. Yeah.