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

8 – Behind the Scenes

Since my 14th birthday party, time had flowed once again.

Afterward, Ariel and I entered the academy. Fortunately, both Ariel and I excelled in the entrance exams, placing first in the departments of magic and archery respectively, and we continued to thrive within the academy.

Both of us, maintaining top-tier grades, saw a significant improvement in our skills. During this time, Ariel and I spent a lot of time together.

It was expected, really. Before entering the academy, we had plenty to do individually, and we could only meet by visiting each other’s mansions.

But things changed after entering the academy.

While there were still many responsibilities, completing them left us free, and living in the academy dormitory, above all, increased the time we could spend together.

So, Ariel and I would occasionally meet to play chess or engage in various conversations.

And on that day, while we were spending time together as our third-year courses were coming to an end, Ariel spoke up with a thud.

“Hey, why don’t you block this move?”

With a thud, Ariel laid down her words. I smiled at her move.

“Why? Because it’s a fishing move.”

As I made my move, Ariel’s face contorted, and I quickly gained the upper hand.

“Like this.”

Ariel knocked down her king with her own hand. It was my victory. She sighed and said,

“When did you become this good?”

I replied with a smile.

“When? Well, it happened while playing with you all the time.”

Ariel looked at me with a puzzled expression. I smiled at her adorable look.

“So, today’s score is 1 win and 3 losses. Not bad.”

Although I was still less skilled than Ariel, spending time with her almost every day had improved my abilities considerably. Looking at me with a slightly jealous gaze, Ariel spoke up.

“Hey, let’s go one more round.”

“Hmm? I have plans today.”

Ariel, narrowing her eyes, looked at me and said,

“You’re meeting another girl, aren’t you?”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t play dumb. Do you think I don’t know there are many girls around you? Hanging onto someone else’s fiancé, I don’t like it.”

I looked at Ariel and said,

“Do I seem like a cheater to you? I have nothing to do with them.”

Ariel shrugged and said,

“Well? Even if it means nothing to you, who knows if it means nothing to them.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I know something only women know.”

I shrugged at Ariel’s mysterious words and said,

“Anyway, I have to go. Because of a promise.”

Ariel continued to look at me disapprovingly, but I was not about to yield.

Then, at that moment, someone knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

Ariel, the owner of the room, went out to see who was knocking on the door. I followed her towards the entrance.

And there, standing in front of the entrance, was a young woman with black hair and red eyes.

Ariel, with a surprised expression, said,

“Professor Cordelia?”

Professor Cordelia, a professor in the Department of Magic and my mentor, looked at Ariel and me before saying,

“So, you’re both here. Ariel, there’s news I need to share with you.”

Ariel, clearly taken aback, said,

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

Professor Cordelia sighed once, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke.

“…Your father, he’s gone.”

Ariel spoke with a blank expression.

“…What?”

Ariel mumbled with a blank expression. Professor Cordelia closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again and continued.

“Let me say it again. Your father… I mean, Duke Ludden Cyelline, has passed away.”

Something felt amiss.

…

Cyelline began to tremble. It wasn’t just about the Duke shaking; it meant that countless loyal followers of Cyelline, those who pledged allegiance, began to waver.

Just shy of 18. A child with over a year left until graduation from the academy. It seemed implausible that young Ariel, who appeared so fragile to the world, could handle one of the Empire’s five major noble families.

Given enough time, she might be able to overcome it. But how often does the world wait?

External attacks could be repelled somehow. Even if shaken, facing the onslaught of the Imperial faction, if there was unity from within, Ariel Cyelline might manage to buy time until she could become the master of Cyelline.

But if there was a problem… it was whether that unity could truly be achieved.

Cyelline was one of the dual pillars of the noble faction. And the death of the head, Duke Ludden Cyelline, presented an opportunity for the other pillar of the noble faction to take the lead.

The House of Kainus.

Yes, that was my family.

I spoke to my father, who was sipping tea in the garden.

“Father, what are your thoughts on Cyelline?”

My father, Baron Kainus, looked at me and said, “What do you mean? Is that what you say to your father as soon as you come home after the semester?”

I looked at him, furrowing my brow.

“Don’t pretend not to know. Right now, Cyelline… the head is dead. Wouldn’t you agree, Father, that you can’t just sit idly by in such a situation?”

My father looked at me in that way and, after taking a sip of tea, said, “Fine. Speak. I… am considering abandoning Cyelline.”

I scratched my head.

“Discard her?”

“Yes. Cielline is currently at her weakest. It’s only natural for a weak and wounded beast to die. I plan to absorb Cielline’s influence.”

“…What does that mean?”

“Cielline will be eliminated from the five major clans and reduced to the fourth. This will make our Kainess the unrivaled leader of the aristocratic faction.”

I shouted at my father.

“What!? In that case, Ariel…!”

“That child will share the fate of Cielline. She might die, or she might suffer a miserable fate in the power struggle. You will be separated from her as well.”

My father, Baron Kainess, said this and took another sip of his drink.

“…I cannot accept that.”

My father looked at me.

“No matter what anyone says, I will marry Ariel.”

“In other words, are you asking to help Cielline?”

“Yes.”

I stated firmly.

“Of course, by discarding Cielline now, Kainess alone may be able to establish a monopoly as the only aristocratic power. However… even if we could do that, I don’t think it’s a better choice than making Cielline an ally in her complete state.”

“That’s a story about Cielline in her complete state. Do you really think that young child can handle the Cielline lineage? Even if we don’t discard Cielline, that child’s fate is destined to be torn apart. So, we should move in the direction that benefits us the most.”

I still couldn’t understand. No, I couldn’t accept it. I looked at my father.

To save Ariel, for the best future I hoped for, I had to convince my father in the opposite direction.

Could I convince him? Baron Kainess, the stronghold that had protected Kainess like a fortress, the leader of the aristocratic faction.

No, it wasn’t about whether I could convince him or not. I had to think about how to persuade him.

“…Father, Cielline can endure.”

My father let out a scoffing laugh. As if that laugh was mocking me, I frowned.

“Don’t talk nonsense. No matter how exceptional she may be, that child is still young.”

“We can help. With just a little time, Ariel can make it.”

My father looked at me with a smirk on one side of his mouth.

“Help? Us? For Cielline?”

“Yes.”

Father chuckled.

“Don’t be absurd. While Cielline’s situation is not ideal, she is still a prominent family in the Empire, commanding attention. Yet, this very family seeks assistance from another, a family we were in competition with until just before your engagement?”

Baron Kainus began to laugh heartily.

“Hahaha! Even a clown couldn’t make a funnier joke!”

I remained silent. Is this the end then?

No. It couldn’t be. I spoke up.

“…It can be done without anyone knowing.”

Father looked at me, furrowing his brow.

“…What?”