The Villainess' Son is Innocent - Chapter 31
Chapter 16.1
It felt like just yesterday when I first set foot at this school four years ago. Time, however, proved to be relentless.
And now, graduation was looming on the horizon.
‘I feel like I’m the only one taking it easy, and it’s making me feel guilty.’
The routine of my academic life had become boring. Study sessions, running errands for Professor Rostad, occasionally accompanying him on business trips, and my visits back home each season.
How many times had I found myself caught in this repetitive pattern?
One year melted into another, then swiftly two years passed. As years went by, the amount of upperclassmen decreased, and before I realized it, I was standing in their place.
‘Still, graduating two years ahead isn’t too bad.’
Most of my peers were busy preparing for graduation exams and writing papers.
At Rilford Academy, graduation exams and papers acted as a safety net, allowing one to make up for their insufficient grades. In other words, the lower the grades, the heavier the reliance on exams and papers.
And since having consistently excelled in nearly every subject, I began to lose sight of the importance of these exams and papers, leading to me spending the remainder of the semester alone.
Even though I had nothing to do, I consistently showed up at Professor Rostad’s office.
“Professor, are you busy?”
“Yes, extremely so.”
The professor’s desk was piled high with submitted papers, and the precarious tower seemed to be teetering on the brink of collapse.
“If I’d seen this coming, I would’ve at least failed a class.”
“Any other student would’ve killed you for saying such a thing.”
“That’s precisely why I’m only saying it in front of you, Professor.”
“Don’t interrupt me. If you’re bored, go read one of the books over there.”
The professor would always favor me, regardless of what I said.
In the unique environment of the academy, having a supporter with more authority than others could lead to receiving various privileges. I aimed for these privileges, and I utilized the advantages of being a favored student both publicly and privately.
While tampering with grades remained off-limits, I seized opportunities such as accompanying the professor on business trips or freely reading within the confines of his office.
“But I’ve already read all those books.”
“In that case, perhaps now would be a good idea to leave. I did mention I was busy, didn’t I?”
“But then you’d just call me back for a favor or to give me something to do.”
“And that makes it okay for you to interrupt me?”
“At least, I’ll always be on standby for your instructions, Professor.”
To be honest, the professor’s office was far more comfortable than the dormitory, so although I had no intention of leaving, Professor Rostad remained focused on his task, accustomed to my lingering presence.
Coming from the small Kingdom of Asilesque, Professor Rostad held a position within the royal court as a pharmacist. He bore witness to the madness that plagued the royal family, an affliction widely known to the public. Had the kingdom not displayed signs of its downfall, he might have retained his position without facing exile.
I retrieved a bound thesis from a nearby desk. It delved into the rise and fall of Asilesque and its causes, presented to the professor by an acquaintance.
“Do you mind if I read this?”
“It might still be difficult for you, but if you can understand it, then, by all means.”
The thesis reminded me of the old books from Marquis Raymon’s library.
’Is it because of the similar title?’
Curious to see if I could learn something, I glanced toward the professor.
“You met her in person, right, Professor? The princess… who arrived in Castone as a hostage?”
The mother of Roveline Castone, a hostage and short-lived princess. To my question, the professor gave me a brief nod.
“She was a good person. I didn’t expect to see her go so soon.”
‘I wonder if I should also ask about the madness in the small kingdom.’
Our gazes locked, and an awkward smile crossed my lips. Yet, the professor’s response was anything but amiable.
“I see exactly what you’re thinking.”
“I-is that so?”
“Your mother has built quite the reputation for sentencing the villainess to her death. You must be curious.”
However, unlike previous people, the professor did not commend my mom’s actions. Instead, he offered a different perspective.
“Lancaster, what are your thoughts on madness?”
“…My thoughts?”
In the original story, Roveline’s descent into madness served as a narrative device, emphasizing the antagonist’s extreme actions.
The victim-turned-perpetrator. This was Roveline’s tragic role.
However, when it comes to madness, one might refrain from speaking casually about it, due to the sensitivity of the topic, as it might imply a kind of mental illness.
“While madness may stem from psychological states and emotional turmoil, it’s more so a curse.”
“A curse?”
“Are you aware that the small kingdom conquered the continent hundreds of years ago?”
“Yes.”
“A founding myth has been passed down through generations. It speaks of <’The Almighty God’ sent the ‘God of Victory’ down to the earth as a gift for his children, mankind.>”
The professor took the thesis I held, unfolding it to show me the front page.
“Lancaster, how would you describe ‘victory’?”
His question caught me off guard.
“Fighting and winning against something.”
“Indeed. Humans blessed with ‘victory’ emerged triumphant in every war. However, when the god attempted to return to the heavens, humans, blinded by greed, severed the god’s wings.”
Upon hearing the professor’s explanation of the sins committed by humans, I could somewhat piece together what happened next.
“Then, does this mean that the royal family descends from a demi-god…?”
“According to the myth, yes.”
“And did the god’s anger manifest as ‘madness’?”
The professor affirmed.
“Before the curse happened, the god had fallen in love with the kingdom’s princess… yet, an intervening event led to the god’s blood being shed. But the result remained the same.”
“He must have felt a great amount of betrayal…”
“The humans who incurred the god’s wrath were cursed to bear the full weight of his fury, and that is the curse of the royal family.”
I wasn’t familiar with the myths of other countries, whether on Earth or here, but the wrongdoings of humans appeared ceaseless, a never-ending cycle. It now dawned on me why madness was seen as a curse.
If it stems from the curse of a god… is there no hope for a cure?
“Is there a way to cure a person’s madness?”
“There isn’t.”
A surge of anxiety, one that I’d long forgotten during my time at the academy, clawed its way back into my consciousness.
Observing my stiff expression, the professor looked puzzled.
“But there is a temporary solution.”
“And what…?”
What is it? I was so quick to reply without thinking, only to realize as the professor’s expression changed.
“You’ve been particularly curious about madness.”
His skeptical gaze bore into me.
“For the past four years, it seems.”
I was still uncertain if I could talk about it. After hesitating for a few seconds, I ultimately chose to avoid the situation.
“I’m sorry, I’ll be leaving first.”
* * *
‘Should I tell the professor about Emil?’
As I was walking back to the dormitory, gauging whether I could trust him and how much he could help me…
“…had a fatal injury, so it couldn’t have been a simple accident.”
I suddenly paused at the conversation. When I called out to two passing students, they turned around, looking quite surprised.
“Oh, Lady Velsia!”
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