I Became an Outcast in the Academy

4. Healing (5)

“Jim is in favor.”

“… Yes?”

The emperor’s office located in the deepest part of the imperial palace.

Right there, the emperor said so in a relaxed tone, burying himself in his throne.

“Did you really not understand, or were you just pretending not to understand?”

The emperor didn’t understand his words and quietly clicked his tongue at Cartesia, who tilted his head.

He’s a really smart kid normally, but I just felt amazed why he seemed so careless at times like this.

“Son-in-law. Son-in-law. Jim seems to be a very nice guy. At first glance, your words and actions seem light, but in fact, there is a seriousness in them, and there is a meticulousness that knows how to take care of others even though it seems indifferent. In Jim’s experience, such guys usually make good husbands to his wives.”

“Your Majesty!”

Cartesia stopped screaming at the emperor when she called her husband.

Before, when did you look at Xian and say that he was your friend, and why did the title referring to him suddenly rise several steps?

“Huh, then, Cartesia, did you have no feelings for that guy? Hmm, but from Jim’s point of view, you don’t seem to have much feelings for your son-in-law either.”

In fact, he wanted to say outright that he went beyond that level and was very enamored with it, but the emperor decided not to be mean to that extent.

Because even if Cartesia didn’t bother to answer, her face, which turned bright red like a ripe persimmon, was answering all of them.

“… There’s no point in teasing me like that. Because the really important draft is that they don’t look at me that way.”

When Cartesia said that with her somewhat melancholy expression, the emperor raised his eyebrows upwards.

I’m not saying this just because she’s her own daughter, but from her point of view, Cartesia was a great beauty.

It’s understandable that the guys who saw Cartesia’s face were flattering her, saying that she was the incarnation of a goddess for no reason.

In that sense, the emperor couldn’t believe that Xian had rejected Cartesia.

Could it be that he had something wrong with his eyesight?

“… It’s not like that. However, Xian is usually very cautious when dealing with me. It’s like trying not to cross a certain line you set for yourself.”

“Is he concerned about the difference in his status with you?”

“Maybe. Actually I don’t know. Because I’ve never heard of Xian’s inner feelings.”

As the emperor listened to Cartesia’s complaints, he realized that Xian and Cartesia were really nothing more than friends, nothing less.

Also, the fact that Cartesia has one-sided feelings towards Xian is also true.

“If you also think the difference in status with Xian is a problem, Jim can solve it. Anyway, Jim was going to do a lot of tricks to get him innocent of the crime of injuring the royal family.”

“… Did you know? What situation is Xian now in?”

I didn’t expect that the emperor would know about the incident between the children, which only happened inside the academy.

“Well then, you know. I’m not sure whether you believe it or not, but looking at it like this, Jim is very interested in running the academy. In particular, as there are two members of the royal family currently attending school in Loutra, Jim has no choice but to pay more attention.”

It’s not a big deal for an adult to intervene in a place where the kids are bickering, it’s just that he thought about it and stayed still. In fact, the emperor knew very well what Xian and Cartesia had been through in Loutra.

“The reason you brought Xian to the imperial palace today is because Arietta’s condition worsened, but wasn’t it your intention to cover up the crime of injuring the imperial family in exchange for healing the imperial family? It was obvious, but it was a pretty cute trick.”

He seemed to be saying that on the outside, but in fact, the emperor didn’t feel bad about Cartesia’s ‘manipulation’.

Cartesia only moved to prevent Xian’s expulsion somehow and to save Arrieta, but there was no part of her actions to reap her own gains anywhere.

He does his best to help others, not for himself.

Isn’t that exactly the quality the emperor demanded above all else from his future successor?

‘Because you look like an ugly guy. No matter how much it was, I never thought that a guy named crown prince would show such ugly ugliness.’

And if you compare it to Cartesia, Ricardo’s recent actions were literally disappointing.

It was not enough to quarrel with Xian for the absurd reason of his low status, and it was pitiful to even get beaten in a duel by him.

Moreover, Ricardo, who was even seen sitting down on the floor due to Cyan’s momentary killing spree, caused his legs to loosen up… He is his own son, but he looks so pitiful and ugly.

‘Of course, Xian’s killing spree was unexpectedly great, but… ‘

If even the emperor, who was in a position quite far from Xi’an at the time, was startled and shocked by his life, he must have said everything.

From the circumstances, that life force was probably forged after surviving on the battlefield wielding a sword. Otherwise, it would not have been possible to surprise the emperor, who had gone through all the battles before birth, even for a moment.

However, these facts were no excuse for Ricardo.

‘Ricardo is half of Xian… No, how nice it would be if we were even half-half alike.’

No, rather, if Xian were his son, he wouldn’t even have to worry about this.

“By the way, Xian… I never would have guessed that he was actually hiding such an ability. He has the ability to artificially enhance the talents of others. If this fact is spread far and wide, it might cause a stir in the world.”

The emperors of the past thought that Xi’an was just a rare lucky man.

To think that the four step-sisters he picked up on the street were the owners of unique talents in this world. How convenient and nonsensical is this story itself?

Until now, I just lightly dismissed it as saying that the guy named Xian was a very lucky guy.

“The reason Xian’s four step-sisters had rare talents… It’s probably because Xian artificially enhanced the abilities of those children.”

At least, it is a more logical and reasonable story than a fairy tale where the four stones you picked up on the street turned out to be jewels.

Then, as the emperor of the empire, if Xian cancels that ability, he has no choice but to value Xian, the subject of the ability, more than his four stepsisters, who could end up like a kite that has fallen to the ground at any time.

‘Xian’s talent is dangerous.’

In the emperor’s eyes, Xi’an’s ability was so great that it had the potential to turn the world upside down.

If Xian were a little more ambitious and willing to actively use his abilities, it wouldn’t be too difficult to replace the emperor or establish his own country.

“Your Majesty. But you promised. Xian will not interfere in any way in the process of treating Arietta, and will pretend that he did not see anything… “

“Yes, I made that promise as the Emperor of the Empire with that bastard from Xian. But… I remember he hasn’t made any promises yet as you and Arrieta’s father?”

“… Yes?”

Cartesia, not understanding what her emperor was talking about, blinked his eyes, and the emperor whispered in her ear in a very secretive tone.

“From Jim’s point of view, he is the kind of person that should never be treated as an enemy. He’s someone you have to make an ally at all costs. And since ancient times, hasn’t there been only one surest way to turn someone else into an ally?”

“Ser, no way… “

Only then did Cartesia realize what the emperor meant by these words.

“If it’s a guy, it’s okay to get married. Please give me my special permission.”

“Your Majesty!”

“Still, I’m glad. No matter how much it was, I absolutely didn’t want to marry her, which she hated, but it didn’t seem like you had any feelings for her. I let go for an hour.”

When the emperor laughed and said that, Cartesia was stunned. What the hell is this human father saying to her daughter?

“Your Majesty! Didn’t I make it clear earlier! Xian and I… There is no relationship yet!”

“Oh, come to think of it, Jim forgot that. Yes, there is an order to everything, but I think Jim was too impatient.”

Saying that, the emperor smiled mischievously at Cartesia.

“Coming to think of it, it seems that the engagement comes first, not the marriage. It was the marriage of the princess of the empire, and if it went straight to marriage without a single engagement, people around it might laugh at it, saying that it was too hasty. So, why don’t we start with the engagement ceremony?”

“… Your majesty! Please stop kidding around here! Anyway, isn’t it a bit too much to joke about your daughter’s marriage?”

However, the emperor’s expression as he looked at Cartesia was still calm.

“You really haven’t grasped the situation yet. This is Jim’s proposal to give Cartesia a chance.”

“… Yes?”

“Do you really think you are the only one who bid on your son-in-law?”

“That, that… “

“From Jim’s point of view, it seems like at least one strong competitor has increased.”

Even if Cartesia refused her emperor’s proposal to the end, she had nothing to lose.

Because he had another daughter, and given the circumstances, it seemed that she would never refuse this offer.

“Cartesia, you know very well. What it means to stand right next to your son-in-law. And how much your son-in-law values the ‘family’ relationship.”

“…..”

So the emperor looked at the speechless Cartesia with a relaxed expression and opened his mouth slowly.

“Choose. Are you going to be true to the feelings you have right now, or… Are you going to stand in the back and just watch him with another woman?”

“…..”

“Tell me. Jim will gladly respect your choice.”

Of course, in the eyes of the emperor, there was only one path Cartesia could take in this situation.