Chapter 17

Thank you always. This is the second part of today's story.

I plan to post again at the same time tomorrow.

Noel took the graduation exam for skipping grades as soon as the final exams of the second semester ended.

In any academy, the year-end exams are held early to allow time for remedial classes and retakes, which help students avoid being held back or having to repeat the year.

The principal of the National Academy rejected the request from the Deputy Prime Minister to delay the exams. Furthermore, when asked to advise the first-year students taking the graduation exam to study more at the academy, the principal also refused.

In the end, the Deputy Prime Minister came secretly to consult with the principal. The principal understood the situation but only increased the content taught in the second and third years of the high school division. This was the limit of what a fair educator could do.

Noel is not a genius; she is a hard worker. While other young ladies were attending tea parties, evening gatherings, strolling through the city, and going on dates, she diligently studied. Her "study hard" attitude was well-known within the school. Prioritizing the will of such a student is what an educator should do.

Noel passed the exam with a score that left no room for complaint.

All that was left was to attend the classes before the year-end break.

The two of them were looking forward to their honeymoon, but a problem arose here.

"Why is Noel's passport issuance being stopped, Robert?" Sirius asked in his usual laboratory.

"No, I haven't done anything.

Isn't it the Prime Minister?

If Noel disappears, the Knights will be in trouble.

And there's that cooling cup too."

"I've already reproduced Noel's cup with a magic device."

"It's the sleek design without the characteristic magic stone that must have appealed to her."

"Selfish.

But, I don't think that's the reason.

Do they think we're trying to escape?

If it comes to it, we don't need a passport."

"I don't want my brother to become a wanted man, so please don't do that.

Just wait a little.

Until the end of the lords' meeting."

"Are you telling me to wait until the end of the year?" Sirius glared.

"No, the lords' meeting this year has been moved up.

It will be held a month earlier.

The Emperor's condition is not good."

"...You know a lot."

"My brother is too indifferent."

"The lords must have complained.

Surely, they didn't move the winter events too?"

"Of course not. The end of the year isn't moving up.

But, there are only a few really busy lords.

For those who hesitated to participate because the climate is still suitable for magic beasts, the Knights have been dispatched.

This time, the lords' meeting does not allow proxies, and those who do not attend will be removed from the lords' meeting. The order was strict."

"Hmm.

It seems the lords' meeting will have fewer members."

"No, all the lords themselves have responded that they will attend.

The Knights have also been sent to areas where bandits might appear, so there should be no problem."

"The royal palace is quite enthusiastic."

"My brother should also be enthusiastic."

"I am not involved."

"You are the one in the middle!"

"If that foolish king and queen fall into hell and Jules takes over, I might lend a hand.

But, if it's Sariel, I will watch the country collapse from afar."

"What if I take over?"

Robert asked, slightly interested.

"You will run away, won't you?

You've been saying that since you were old enough to understand."

"Yeah, I remember.

That's right.

I'm only interested in magic."

Noel listened to the conversation while enjoying tea with Theo.

She also knew about Robert's mother from a previous conversation. When Noel gave a white ceramic planter with the earth magic "Nourishment" as a thank-you for the clothes, Robert's mother told her that the second queen enjoyed growing roses, which is why she chose the planter.

Robert's mother loved the king.

When the second queen's proposal came, she happily went to the palace.

However, her father, the finance minister, was hesitant.

He knew the king was infatuated with the queen.

Moreover, as a finance minister, he knew about the "tradition of magicians."

The minister often told his daughter.

The second queen realized she shouldn't have become a queen after five years without a child.

The king's attitude was also harsh.

Therefore, when Robert said he didn't want to be king, she readily agreed.

"I want to introduce Noel to the lords."

"Do you want to show Noel to those raccoons?"

"Don't say it like that.

It's an introduction, an introduction.

Before the meeting, I will make the lords swear by contract magic to keep Noel's secret.

The Knights' commander will also be present, so it will be fine.

The commander will protect her with all his might.

Of course, the Prime Minister will too..."

"I refuse.

The lords' meeting is a gathering of fools."

"Huh? Is that true?"

Noel couldn't help but voice her thoughts.

"Since the lords' meeting members have been decided by the amount of tax paid, the number of lords who have money but lack conscience and intelligence has increased.

Previously, contributions to orphanages, healing hospitals, and relief hospitals were also conditions."

Sirius looked bitter.

"This time, those conditions will be reinstated."

"Of course, they will oppose and crush it.

That's what has happened before."

"No, this time it won't be like that."

Robert smiled with a dim look in his eyes.

Still, Sirius rejected it, saying, "But, I won't let Noel go."

◇◇◇

"Hey, Prince Robert, isn't this a place I shouldn't come to?"

"Since you're my sister, call me Robert."

Noel was brought to the back of the palace with the promise of a special passport.

She thought they would go to the legal department, but it turned out to be the conference room for the lords' meeting. There was no sign, but today, with the lords' meeting, it was where the Prime Minister and the Knights' commander were relaxing. ——Only the commander was relaxing, and the Prime Minister was having a meeting with someone like an assistant.

In this room, there were also a few deputy commanders and clerks, and the other lords were in different rooms.

"Here, Miss Noel, these pastries are delicious."

The deputy commander took care of her enthusiastically.

"Thank you."

——The deputy commander, no matter when I see him, is so handsome.

But, that's not the point right now.

The commander was so stern that he seemed almost inhuman, while the deputy commander was very handsome. The commander always won the swordsmanship tournament, and the deputy commander was a magician-type knight.

——This is it.

This is the flow where Mr. Rochet kept refusing to "introduce a magician to the lords."

Sirius had firmly refused, but Noel, being asked by the Prime Minister and Theo, was starting to think it might be okay to be introduced. The lords were to be made to swear by contract magic that the content of this lords' meeting would be kept secret. Normally, the lords' meeting was held under such regulations, but the regular members were lax in their understanding, and the content often leaked.

Therefore, this time, they were informed in advance that "contract magic would be used to disclose confidential information." The procedure was being carried out in some waiting room right now.

It was finally time.

Noel, who had been completely won over by the delicious pastries and tea, was escorted by the deputy commander to the magnificent conference room.