Chapter 81

All school events have finally come to an end. It's the graduation ceremony today.

"Finally, it's today..."

"Yeah..."

Sera and I, walking side by side to the school, will do this for the last time today.

Every day, we would have Schwart drive the two-seater carriage to pick up Sera from the Colette family's capital residence, and then walk to school together from there. It's a bittersweet feeling.

"Hey!"

On the way to school, in front of the student dormitory, Jack and Silfa were waiting.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

I greet Silfa as well.

"Let's go!"

As usual, Jack calls out to us.

"Today is the last day we'll be friends, huh. From tomorrow, you'll be a prince."

"Yeah, it'll be like that. But that's why every day at school was precious to me."

It's a strange conversation, but it's the truth, so there's nothing we can do about it.

"Alright, let's not be so formal."

"Right, when we're not at school, we can just be the same as always. Silfa, I'd like you to do the same."

"Sure!"

Tomorrow, Jack and Silfa will return to their own territories. They are set to join their parents, who are lords, in managing their territories.

"So, Jack and Silfa, when are you planning to get married?"

"We want to do it by summer. Though, it depends on my dad's schedule too."

Jack answers matter-of-factly, without any embarrassment or attempt to dodge the question. Silfa, however, turns bright red.

"Wow! Please invite us to the wedding!"

Sera is overjoyed.

"W-well, nothing is decided yet. We haven't even talked about it with anyone."

Silfa is in a panic.

"I'm not that important to be invited to a prince's wedding..."

"We'll come in secret."

"That's a big problem too."

"You invite us every year for the summer vacation."

"We're not kids anymore..."

I remember the fun times we had as children.

We've known each other for a long time...

It feels like today is the last day we can have such conversations, and it's a bit sad.

Wearing a robe over our uniforms and a hat, we enter the hall. After the principal's speech, each graduate is called up to receive their diploma.

"Shin Midland."

"Here."

It's my turn, and I stand up and walk to the podium.

"Congratulations on your graduation. As a token of being the top student of this year's graduating class, I award you the Flora Prize."

The audience cheers.

I've been at the top for almost the entire three years. I receive the diploma and a shield.

"Shin, a speech!"

"Prince—give a speech!"

"Speech! Speech!"

Whistles and cheers rise from the audience.

The principal nods and gestures towards the auditorium. It's time for the speech.

"Thank you all. Graduates, do you remember what I said the first time I stood on this stage when I came to the school?"

The applause dies down, and the hall becomes quiet.

"'Those who pass through these gates must abandon all status.' These are the words of His Majesty the King, inscribed at the school gates. It's easy to say, but it was difficult to put into practice."

I look around the hall. I see the faces of my classmates who struggled with me.

"Only for the three years we were in school. In a long life, just three years. The days flew by, and now three years have passed. For just those three years, to forget our status and be equal friends with all the students. At first, I didn't think it was something I could achieve, even though I said it myself."

There are some chuckles and laughter.

"But you accepted it. Those who helped me, those who recognized me as a friend, those who complained to me, and even those who challenged me to fights."

The hall is filled with laughter.

"Many people came close to me, without keeping their distance. Friends, true friends regardless of status, which I thought I might never have in my life. I was able to have a truly enjoyable student life here at the school, all thanks to you. I want to thank every graduate who became my friend. Thank you for being my friend!"

The hall is filled with thunderous applause and cheers.

It's so heartwarming!

I run down from the podium, wave, and sit down. I clap with everyone for the next graduate's diploma ceremony.

Outside the hall, everyone is eagerly waiting to do something.

"Shin! Give us a cheer!"

A classmate calls out.

"Alright! Everyone, let's do it!"

"Ooh—!" The graduates respond.

"Three, two, one, fly!!"

"Wah—!"

The hats thrown up by all the graduates dance in the blue sky.

We pat each other on the back, hug, shake hands, and celebrate our graduation.

Some couples are kissing their fiancés or lovers.

The hat I threw is being fought over by some girls. It might tear!

Sera is being jostled around and is trying to escape. Haha.

I look up at the school building. Although the three years were short, I can now see that my youth was truly here. I'm really glad I graduated properly.

There are still things to talk about, but we can do that at the graduation party. Traditionally, the graduation party is hosted by the school's parent-teacher association. This year, with a royal family member, it will be even more luxurious. It will use almost all the floors of the school. It's not the student council's job, so they don't get involved.

Sera and I will also change into tuxedos and dresses to attend. All graduates are required to attend, and current students can attend voluntarily. It starts at 6 PM.

We returned to the Colette residence to change.

Sera is wearing a simple dark navy dress with white decorations.

As usual. Sera doesn't like flashy outfits. But I think her natural beauty shines through. The hem of her skirt is a bit higher than the current trend, showing her ankles, which is Sera's style. You can't do this without confidence in your dance steps.

"You look beautiful, Sera. My proud wife."

"Thank you. You look handsome too, Shin. My proud husband!"

"Shall we go...?"

"Yes."

I take Sera's hand and head for the main gate of the Colette residence. The maids and servants line up to clap and see us off. We then get into the royal carriage sent from the palace.

"Hey, Schwart, thanks for the three years. This is the last day."

"Yes, it's been a quiet three years, really."

Schwart, who has been my guard behind the scenes for three years, opens the carriage door for us. He will drive us to the school party venue today. I help Sera into the carriage first.

"Um, will the condemnation event start as soon as Sera enters the venue?"

"...If it were a game."

"It's nothing like a game. There's nothing to worry about."

"You're right... In the game, no matter which route you take, Shin wouldn't come to escort me to the party. Just being able to go to the party with you now makes me feel at ease."

But Sera's hand is trembling.

I gently hold her hand.

It's okay, it's okay. Everything will be fine. I'll protect you.

I put my arm around Sera's shoulder as the carriage sways.

In front of the school, the graduates' carriages are causing a traffic jam. Everyone is used to the school buses, so they are confused by the sudden line of carriages. Our turn seems to be quite a bit later.

"Let's get out!"

"Sure!"

There's no need to be the last to enter and face condemnation in front of everyone. We quickly get out of the carriage and stand on the sidewalk.

When everyone sees Sera and me walking on the sidewalk, they are surprised.

Many graduates quickly get out of their carriages and start walking with us.

"Shin, you're walking even now!"

"Shin, walking to the graduation party on the sidewalk... That's unprecedented!"

"You're a prince, so at least act like one on graduation day!"

"Sorry, sorry, I just thought walking would be faster and couldn't resist."

When I say this, everyone around us laughs.

"Actually, me too!" "Me too—!"

Walking on the sidewalk with me might be the last experience for today. It could be a good memory.

The guards at the school gate are surprised by the group of students walking in.

"Hey, you need to come by carriage for identification!"

The guards are flustered. They usually identify students by the coat of arms on the carriages.

"These are all my classmates. They're definitely from my class."

"Oh, Your Highness! Even you!?"

Well, that's that, so we walk through the school gates without hesitation.

The main gate is open, and we all enter the hall together.

The audience naturally starts clapping. I take Sera's hand and enter the venue!

"See, nothing happened!"

"Right!"

Sera and I bow to the audience. Sera curtsies gracefully, then steps back to make way for the next entrant.

The classmates who follow also bow and take their partners' hands, making way for the next entrant...

And the graduation party begins!

Next: "81. The Condemnation Comes Suddenly"