I Broke Off My Engagement and Got a Job at the Academy

57 – The End of the Festival

Ariel gave the order to watch over Eden Keynes after they had parted ways.

Why, I cannot explain. She had already abandoned him, and he had rejected her as well. It is a mystery why she gave such an order.

Could it be a lingering attachment in her heart? Or perhaps a regret for a future that could never be achieved?

In the midst of it all, Ariel received news that Eden Keynes had been taken to the palace.

She hesitated for a moment. Hadn’t Eden already said that they should never see each other again? But was it right for her to intervene?

However, Ariel soon made up her mind.

There couldn’t have been a good reason for the emperor to summon Eden. Neither the emperor nor Eden harbored any positive feelings towards each other.

And those who were close to Eden wouldn’t dare to defy the royal family.

In other words, the only one who could take action was herself.

And… she still carried the burden of not stepping forward when Eden was at his most difficult, or rather, not being able to step forward.

Of course, it is unknown what would have been the best course of action back then. Even if she were to go back to the past, it is uncertain if it would have led to a different outcome.

But this time, she didn’t want to leave any regrets in her heart.

Eden… probably wouldn’t have anything nice to say. There wouldn’t be any lingering positive emotions either.

Even so, this time she wanted to follow her heart’s desire.

She wanted to confront the emperor.

Therefore, she stepped forward. She headed towards the palace.

And this is the result.

Facing her with cold eyes, the emperor observed her, and Ariel met his gaze. Eden Keynes was looking at her with trembling eyes.

The emperor cleared his throat and spoke.

“What’s the matter here, Duke?”

“I have a matter to attend to with Eden Keynes, so I came here because I heard he was here.”

“Hmm, haven’t you considered that begging like this goes against the protocol?”

“Oh, I apologize. I haven’t considered breaking the protocol, and moreover… it doesn’t seem like a situation that warrants such scrutiny.”

Ariel calmly replied to the emperor’s words as a duke of the grand gate. The emperor’s face turned red.

“Oh, is that so? I am very curious about what conversation you, who used to be his fiancée, could have. How fascinating.”

“That is not something for you to judge, Your Majesty. May I take him with me? It seems that it would be better for Eden, in my opinion.”

The emperor’s face twisted and contorted. The equilibrium of emotions shattered.

“…Do you still have lingering feelings for my former fiancé? Considering how quickly you came upon hearing the news, it seems as if you’re glued to him.”

“That, too, is not a matter the emperor should concern himself with. It’s not important to me either. Right now… I’m discussing taking him with me.”

The emperor spoke in a low voice.

“Duke, there’s nothing good about acting like this.”

“Well, there doesn’t seem to be any harm. Besides, leaving things as they are might be worse.”

Ariel said so and grabbed the bewildered Eden by the arm.

“Then, we’ll be on our way.”

“I won’t allow it.”

“I don’t need your permission to leave. Eden doesn’t either.”

The emperor stared at Eden with fiery eyes.

“…Anticipate it. I’ll make sure you regret today, make sure a positive answer springs forth.”

Eden met the emperor’s gaze and replied.

“Well, we’ll see. It depends on who ends up regretting.”

Ariel took Eden and left the imperial palace. As soon as their figures disappeared, the emperor overturned the table.

“Ugh! Duke Sielaine, how dare you! You caught the elusive prey!”

Now that things had turned out like this, seizing the next opportunity would be difficult. The emperor knew that and, after smashing objects for a while, finally regained composure and said,

“…Figure out a way to capture Eden Kainus, by any means necessary. Inform the Moonlight Knights.”

The Moonlight Knights, unlike the Sunlight Knights who handled affairs related to justice and war, were the shadow of the imperial knights, dealing with covert operations.

The emperor lowered his head deeply, and the reply came.

“Yes.”

Meanwhile, Ariel and Eden left the imperial palace. As soon as they stepped out, Eden pushed away Ariel’s hand and asked,

“…Why did you come here?”

In response, Ariel closed her eyes, then opened them and said,

“…Because you seemed in danger. Just… that’s all.”

Eden growled towards Ariel.

“You hired someone to follow me?”

“…Because I was worried about you. After showing a successful front in front of people, I thought others wouldn’t leave you alone.”

“Why are you worrying about me?”

Ariel seemed to struggle for breath. Though her words didn’t come out smoothly, she managed to force her mouth open.

“…Well, I don’t really know.”

“Our relationship has already ended. But seriously, did you have to attach someone behind me? Am I supposed to say, ‘Wow, thank you’ for this?”

“No, it’s just…”

“It’s not a ‘no.’ What the hell are you doing? Cheap sympathy? I don’t need your sympathy.”

“…It’s not sympathy. I just…”

“Then what is it!”

When Eden shouted, Ariel sealed her lips. Or what? What could it be? She couldn’t even understand herself, why she was doing this to Eden.

Seeing Ariel in that state, Eden shook his head.

“…I owe my life to you, but I won’t say thank you. Our relationship is already over.”

Ariel nodded at his words. It was true. Despite her efforts or the festival passing by, their relationship had already ended.

It was just… because of her own pathetic self, because she couldn’t properly organize her emotions about the things she couldn’t do anything about, she was wallowing in this pathetic mess.

Instead of saying anything else to Eden, Ariel spoke softly.

“…I’ve prepared another carriage. Take it.”

Eden looked at Ariel with a distorted expression, then turned his head towards the carriage. Ariel also boarded her carriage.

…It’s fine. Wasn’t this already expected? She had already anticipated that it would turn out like this. Despite trying to think that way, Ariel suddenly realized a tear rolling down her eyes.

She hunched her body, grabbed her head, and… tried to suppress her crying.

The festival was passing by.

…

Damn. It seemed like it started as a good day, but my mood had been ruined for a long time. What’s even more annoying is that Ariel’s last face still won’t leave my mind.

“Dammit….”

I lowered my head and quietly cursed. Whether the scenery outside the carriage window knew about my feelings or not, it was rapidly changing.

Everything just sucks. The emperor who ruined my family and shamelessly begs, Ariel who still clings to a relationship that’s already over, and that last look she gave me.

Nothing is not messed up.

I scratched my head vigorously. I thought it might help clear my mind of unwanted thoughts. But, unwanted thoughts didn’t give an inch of space in my head.

Feeling extremely complicated and annoyed, I continued to sit in the carriage.

And then, the carriage stopped.

I got off, and as soon as the carriage stopped, it started again and disappeared somewhere.

The scene in front of me was Derrin Mansion.

Seris ran towards me as soon as she saw me and said,

“Eden-nim!”

She groped my body and spoke.

“Are you hurt anywhere? Did the Emperor say anything? Just now, the carriage, what in the world…”

I spoke towards Ceris.

“The Emperor did try to threaten me a bit… but Ariel stormed into the palace and rescued me from the Emperor’s grasp. She also lent me this carriage.”

Upon hearing this, Ceris’s expression darkened for a moment, and she bit her thumbnail.

“Ariel, that woman… Oh, never mind. Anyway, are you hurt?”

“No. I’m not injured.”

It was just my mood that was momentarily shaken. Perhaps sensing my mood, Professor Cordelia approached and said.

“Well then, even though it’s a bit late, how about a congratulations party?”

I made a sound of agreement and said, “Sure.”

“What congratulations party? I don’t see any reason for a congratulations party.”

Professor Cordelia looked at me and said, “Well, even if it’s a bit late, it’s unfair to end the day with such a mood after something good happened. So, just the three of us, how about it?”

Ending the day with such a mood is unfair. I nodded my head and said, “Yes, that’s fine.”

So, Ceris, Professor Cordelia, and I opened a bottle of liquor and drank. Fortunately, the alcohol helped me forget the unpleasant mood.

After sharing a strong hug with Ceris and Professor Cordelia once each, I lost consciousness.