The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 26
Chapter 13.2
The marchioness patted my head and offered to provide a letter of recommendation should I ever need one.
‘I was thinking of studying independently rather than attending the academy.’
I hadn’t expected to consider enrolling so suddenly. Moreover, the end of the year was approaching, and Rilford’s entrance exam would be held soon.
However, even after returning home, my dilemma persisted.
‘Just meeting that professor doesn’t guarantee I’ll learn about the madness of the small kingdom.’
If that’s the case, perhaps conducting a separate investigation here would be smarter.
‘What should I do?’
I wrestled with the decision for over a week, unsure of what lay ahead of me.
But eventually, I had no choice but to choose Rilford.
‘Finding a way to completely eliminate this madness is the most certain solution.’
That evening, I made my decision known to my mom and dad.
“I want to enroll at Rilford.”
My unexpected announcement drew their focused attention.
“This is quite sudden.”
Anyone could see it was a risk.
‘If this doesn’t work out… should I run away from home?’
Setting down the knife and maintaining a thoughtful silence, my mom asked,
“Have you found something you’re genuinely interested in studying?”
I could only nod my head.
My motive differed from mere studying, but when I thought about it, going to school was the right choice. Their reactions, however, were polar opposites.
“Then go ahead.”
“No, you can’t.”
Dad disapproved instantly and turned to Mom. With big round eyes, Mom shifted her gaze toward me and then smiled.
“Mommy is all for it, but you’ll have to convince Daddy.”
In reality, I wasn’t sure whether my mom would support me or oppose me, but I anticipated my dad’s reaction.
“Do you know what kind of country Croscentine is?”
“It’s one of the two empires on the continent.”
“It is not a country favorable to those born in Castone. What’s more is, you are of noble blood.”
We don’t know what might happen, so you can’t go, was Dad’s opinion.
Before I was born, during the days when Roveline was alive, tension brewed between Croscentine and Castone.
Castone swallowing the small kingdom of Asilesque was a natural consequence.
Both countries had similar national and military power, and if they went to war, both sides calculated that it would only result in substantial losses. If not for this, the two empires would have likely become bitter enemies much earlier.
“It’s only four years, and I’ll come home four times a year, once every season.”
“No.”
“D-Daddy…”
Even now, peace was still hanging by a tight thread. However, there wouldn’t be any incidents of the two nations colliding, at least in the future I’m familiar with.
“I understand that you’re worried about me, but I really want to attend Rilford. There are things I want to learn.”
“No, you don’t understand how much weight a parent’s worry carries. You are not going to Croscentine, and that’s final.”
My dad was firm, perhaps a little too firm.
Since it seemed futile to persuade him at the moment, I decided to take a step back. Given the reassuring smile my mom gave me when I looked to her for help, there might be some hope.
When I returned to my room, Isana and Elena comforted me, sensing my disappointment.
“His Lordship acts like this only because he cares so much for you, my lady.”
“Even Isana is troubled by the thought of my journey to Croscentine.”
“To tell you the truth, I’d say… you’re right.”
Though the citizens of Castone and Croscentine did not show much hostility on the surface, there was always the awareness that the two countries might clash someday.
Castone invaded and engulfed the small kingdom, while Croscentine, with its relatively short history, strongly rejected Castone as a foreign nation.
“Rilford Academy is a place where many nobles from other countries gather. It’s only four years; not much trouble should arise during then. Think of it as neutral ground.”
But Isana still remained negative about the situation.
“Don’t assume things you can’t foresee. Even if it’s of little consequence, the young miss should at least be treated with respect at the academy…”
“I just want to go somewhere where people know nothing about me.”
My words may sound plausible, but I couldn’t afford to wait. Just like in my previous life, now that Emil has gone north, I needed to find a way to stop him as soon as possible.
Thus, Isana couldn’t break my stubbornness.
More precisely, it was better to say that it was unbreakable.
* * *
When morning came, I hurried into the dining room and called for my dad.
“Daddy.”
“The answer is no.”
“Daddyyy….”
“I said no.”
“Why can’t I go to the academy?”’
“Because no, Vel…”
My attempts weren’t working.
Mom observed Dad and I with keen interest before she burst into laughter.
“Honey, why do you disapprove?”
“It’s dangerous.”
“But it’s only the neighboring country. And…”
With a smile, my mom became my pillar of support.
“Has our little girl ever expressed such a clear desire to do something before?”
“Well…”
“No, at least, not up until now. She promised to come home every season.”
“…”
“Our little girl wants to learn something, and we should grant her this chance.”
My mom is… truly an amazing person.
I was grateful. Even though I had deceived my mom about the real reason for wanting to go to the academy, her unwavering support made my heart flutter.
‘Thank you.’
So, I needed to find out for sure—about Emil’s madness. And, if possible, a definite way to cure it.
After some gentle persuasion from my mom, my dad finally wavered.
“If anything happens…”
“If you guys tell me to come back, I will, right away.”
“But still, leaving for three months at a time is extreme.”
“I feel the same way. I want to stay with Mommy and Daddy…”
“Yes, I know.”
“But I also want to exchange letters with you every day. I really want to try and do this, Daddy.”
“…”
“I promise to make the most of your trust by focusing on my studies before I return.”
Before breakfast, I had prepared two books and brought them down with me. I set them on the table.
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