Special Story 5

The Raonel Academy, located in the capital of the Alterun Empire, was a prestigious institution for the children of the nobility. As the new semester began following the break, nobles were flocking back—some lamenting the return to academic life, others rejoicing in their freedom from parental restraint.

However, the primary topic of conversation was not the mundane academy life, but rather Evan von Weiss, the heir to Weiss Duchy, who had been diagnosed as terminally ill after being poisoned. This news had been splashed across the headlines: Young Lord Weiss Collapses from Poison: Is the Heir’s Position Secure?

As an academy for noble children, it functioned as a microcosm of society where one had to grasp political trends quickly to survive. Naturally, as soon as the nobles gathered, the topic of Evan surfaced.

“You’ve heard about Lord Evan being terminal, right?” one noble started, and another immediately chimed in. It was an open secret.

“Of course. The Weiss family practically broadcasted it by searching for a primary physician to cure him.”

“My parents said the Duke and Duchess are acting like nothing’s wrong, though.”

“Would they ever show weakness in that circle?”

“I suppose not…”

Many noble families were watching like hawks, hoping to shake the Duchy now that its heir was failing. The downfall of a man who had stood so firmly at the top had massive ripples.

“In a way, it’s impressive. I heard that at Count Restar’s banquet, a certain Count provoked the Duke, and he just ignored him completely. He said his son would never be taken down by such a measly poison.”

“But he was taken down, wasn’t he? Oh, what should I do? Think of all the effort I put into building a connection with him…”

“God is fair, after all. Honestly, he had too much—status, talent, looks. If he has everything else, it’s only right he lacks health.”

“Be careful. If someone hears you, you’re in trouble.”

“I’m just stating facts.”

Listening to this conversation from behind, a young lady snorted in disbelief.

“To say such things so shamelessly… It’s obvious the Young Lord will rise again.”

“Your family has served House Weiss for generations, haven’t they?”

“Yes, exactly. As a member of that family, I firmly believe in his full recovery.”

“Then, My Lady, do you happen to know who was behind the poisoning?”

“T-that, even we don’t know. But since it was an assassination attempt on the heir, the Duke will handle it. Even the Count who tried to assassinate the Empress and the Prince was sent to the dungeons by the Duke.”

Nobles who disliked House Weiss rejoiced at their perceived downfall, while those who served them grew anxious. Meanwhile, those who had sided with Evan agonized over their next move.

Amidst this chaos, one person was feverishly digging for information: Carrot.

“Lady Carrot, please stop asking. I know nothing,” a young lady snapped, turning away in irritation.

“How can everyone know absolutely nothing specific?” Carrot muttered.

She had tried approaching families loyal to the Weiss Duchy, but they only offered vague hopes for his recovery. The only certainties were that he was terminal and that his status as heir remained unchanged. She scratched her head with her quill.

Undeterred by the cold shoulder she just received, she prepared to charge toward her next “prey,” but a hand caught her shoulder. It was her childhood friend, Michel.

“Oh? Michel?”

“What are you doing?”

“Can’t you tell? I’m reporting.”

The academy had many clubs, and Carrot was in charge of the Newspaper Club. Seeing the spark in her eyes, Michel was speechless. She clearly didn’t realize how dangerous it was to pry into the affairs of a Duke’s heir. Except for the loose-lipped, everyone was being extremely cautious.

“What if Lord Evan gets angry? You’re the one who said he’s terrifying.”

“I know! But that doesn’t mean I can suppress my curiosity! The Young Lord is terminal! I’ve been waiting for the new semester just for this!”

“To write an article?”

“Of course! I can’t miss a scoop like this!”

Michel clicked his tongue. As the crowd waited for Evan, who had yet to appear, the consensus was growing that he wouldn’t show up at the academy at all.

“He’s terminal. Why would he bother coming to the academy?”

“He might. Actually, I even doubt the fact that he was poisoned. Think about House Weiss. It’s a position under constant threat; it wouldn’t be strange if he had been trained for poison resistance. For someone like him to be rendered terminal by poison? The type of poison and the circumstances haven’t been revealed. And…”

Carrot looked around cautiously before whispering.

“I found out from the daughters of the vassal families—he’s engaged to the daughter of Count Clies. Engaged while bedridden from poison? And apparently, even the strict Duchess has been singing her praises.”

“Engaged…? And to the Clies family?”

“A veiled fiancée and a terminal Young Lord! Where else would you find a scoop like this?”

Carrot’s eyes shone with a determination to uncover the truth. Michel sighed; he knew her personality—once she set her sights on information, she charged forward regardless of the consequences.

“Wasn’t there a Clies son in the Young Lord’s year? Just think simply. They’re probably friends, so they arranged the engagement.”

“Then let me ask you: would you want to be engaged to my brother?”

“…No thanks.”

“Exactly. And why get engaged now? What’s so special about House Clies? The Duchy could have chosen any high-ranking family. But as soon as he’s diagnosed as terminal, they engage him to Lady Clies. This is definitely love!”

“…”

“The Young Lord, realizing his days are numbered, confessed his feelings to the one he held in his heart!”

Ignoring Michel’s worsening expression, Carrot let her imagination run wild.

“You’re writing fiction.”

“News is a story. You write something provocative that people will like. But it’s plausible, isn’t it? Think about Lord Clies’ attitude.”

The circumstances were indeed strange. Lady Clies was the sister of Piote. Since she rarely engaged in public activities, little was known about her, leading to various rumors. However, Piote himself was famous—mostly because he spent every waking moment bragging about his sister.

“He’s not the type to just give his sister away. Especially to a terminal man who might die any day?”

He had once even shouted at the Princes that his sister was too good for them.

“I can sell this to people who love politics and those who love romance. I’ll have to write two different theories at once!”

Carrot chuckled, her eyes sparkling like gold coins. As she moved to ambush more nobles, Michel grabbed her by the collar.

***

Students began to gather in the massive hall. A murmur rippled through the crowd as Evan von Weiss, who many thought wouldn’t appear, made his entrance. However, the rumors of his illness seemed true; his eyes were sunken, and he looked somewhat frail.

By his side stood a woman with pink hair—the veiled fiancée, Lepina Clies. The two seemed oblivious to the whispers around them, focused entirely on their conversation.

“Evan, are you truly alright?”

“Yes. Do not worry.”

“I can’t put my mind at ease at all.”

Evan smiled brightly at her. The two looked so close that one might actually believe Carrot’s “love” theory. Carrot, watching like she was at a thrilling opera, pulled out her notebook and began scribbling furiously.

“See? The doting Count Clies wouldn’t have sold his daughter off for a marriage of convenience. Lady Clies is genuinely worried about him. This doesn’t look like a social-climbing engagement at all. There’s no political element—it’s definitely love!”

Michel had no choice but to nod in agreement. Because…

“You two, get apart right now!”

Piote, true to his reputation as an overprotective brother, wedged himself between Evan and Lepina, glaring at Evan as if to mark a “no-entry” zone.

Furthermore, Evan had never looked at anyone with such a tender gaze before. He almost never smiled so warmly. Those who had whispered that it was a cold, calculated arrangement suddenly fell silent.

“Lep, see those chairs? They’re divided by department. Find yours and sit down.”

Piote pointed out Lepina’s seat and then tried to drag Evan away, saying they had to go elsewhere. However, Evan stood his ground.

“I didn’t realize the separation between freshmen and seniors would be this disappointing. Lep, I’ll see you later.”

Evan lingered, fidgeting with Lepina’s hand. Accustomed to his behavior, she shook her head and spoke.

“We were just together. More importantly, I’m worried about you, Evan. You have to sit for a long time; will you be okay? Even now, we could…”

“I’m fine. It’s our first time at the academy together; I can’t just stay lying down at the manor.”

As they lived in their own world, the whispers of the crowd grew even louder.