Chapter 69

It was during the time I stayed at the academy in preparation for the enrollment ceremony. My father, who used to send daily greetings through the communication device, suddenly stopped responding, and it took a long time before he finally left a short message.

I found it strange, but I thought he must be busy. After all, Father is the head of the viscount's household and responsible for various businesses. He had been sending daily messages since I entered the academy, knowing that I wouldn't see him for a while, but he might suddenly be too busy.

Father was indeed busy, but the problem was that his busyness was in a very wrong direction.

- Irina, don't worry. It's just a misunderstanding.

"Big brother, are you okay? Father, is Father okay?"

- He'll be fine.

When Father stopped even leaving messages, I received a call from my pale and haggard brother. The news I heard from him was shocking. Our family had become the target of the Inspectorate.

The Inspectorate. The watchdogs who, under the Emperor's command, punish disloyal nobles, or who can take action on their own and report later. And the final fate of families targeted by the Inspectorate was almost always annihilation.

No way. Why us? Father is more diligent and honest than anyone. He's always kind and warm to commoners. Sure, he likes money, but that's not a crime that warrants the Inspectorate's intervention.

- It must be a misunderstanding. So don't be shaken and try to stay well. Understand?

"Big brother..."

- I was planning to attend the enrollment ceremony, but it will be difficult. I'm sorry.

With a bitter smile, my brother ended the call. I stood there in a daze, hugging the communication device and crying for a long time. The sudden disaster, the helplessness of not being able to do anything, and the fear of what would happen to my family made me feel like I had fallen into hell.

The news that followed was the worst. I heard that Mother had fainted and was lying in bed. My younger siblings were crying every day, looking for Father, who had been taken away, and the collapsed Mother. If only I had been at the mansion, with my family.

And then a miracle happened.

- Irina, are you okay?

"Ah, Father?"

During the time I felt like I was living in a daze, I received a call from Father. Seeing him, who looked like he had aged ten years, made me burst into tears, but I also felt a surge of joy. Father was safe, and our family was safe.

- It's all over. Don't worry and focus on your studies.

"Sniff... Yes, yes... I will."

I could barely answer, hiccupping several times.

When I heard the full story from Father, it turned out that this inspection was a mistake by the Inspectorate. The section chief who led the operation visited the mansion to apologize and compensate, and the Inspectorate chief sent an unprecedented apology letter acknowledging the mistake.

Although the disaster was caused by the Inspectorate's mistake, we couldn't blame them. In the empire, the Inspectorate is an entity that you just have to lie flat and pray that nothing happens. No one in our family died in the Inspectorate's inspection, and we even received compensation. It was truly a miraculous event.

In the early days of enrollment, when I was not in my right mind due to the family's affairs, I met a good friend and was able to recover quickly.

"Hi! Irina Yuron, right?"

At first, I hated that child, who seemed so carefree. I was going through such a hard time, and I was so angry at how he could be so happy. Now, thinking back, it's embarrassing.

"Want to have lunch together?"

"Sure."

A child with a bright and kind personality, who was friendly to everyone. At first, I coldly pushed him away, but strangely, I felt at ease when I was with him.

"Irina, how about this? Isn't it pretty? I brought it because it matches your hair color!"

"Yep, it's pretty. Thanks."

Before I knew it, I had become his closest friend. Probably, the fact that our family's innocence had been proven and I felt relieved also contributed to this.

That's how I started spending time with the pink-haired child, Louise. Thanks to her, I made many friends I wouldn't have met otherwise. During this process, I also met the Inspectorate chief's younger brother, but since Erih was innocent, I didn't hold it against him. Erih also seemed to avoid talking about his brother, so I tried not to bring it up.

I also faced the terrifying situation of the Inspectorate chief being dispatched to the academy, but fortunately, I didn't have to meet him, so I could live in peace. As I forgot the past disaster and enjoyed my time, the day of the school trip approached.

"Time flies, doesn't it?"

"Yeah. It feels like the fair was just yesterday."

Until last year, the academy didn't have a school trip schedule. So, I came to the academy prepared to stay there except during breaks, and I didn't think it was particularly hard.

After all, most facilities were inside the academy. Going outside was more of a hassle? So, when I heard that we would start going on school trips from the year I enrolled, I honestly thought it was a troublesome schedule.

"Is this your first time at the beach, Irina?"

"Yep, I've never been."

But the school trip destination is the Boyar Dukedom, a famous resort mentioned as one of the continent's top destinations, though I never had the chance to go. It's quite far, and we couldn't hire a teleportation mage for a family trip.

But the academy is sending us? I just have to pack my bags? The annoying feeling disappeared, and I was filled with excitement. It was so much fun to go shopping with Louise over the weekend to pick out a swimsuit.

I looked forward to the school trip day by day. When I jokingly told a friend in the student council that I wished we could go tomorrow, she looked at me with teary eyes. I'm sorry, but I really am looking forward to it.

"Irina! Erih is in the same carriage too!"

Even the random selection for the carriage assignment turned out well. It was random, but within the same class, and we ended up with our close friends. Good travel companions, a good destination. This trip is going to be really fun.

"Huh? Big brother?"

The fun trip took a sudden turn when Louise said this as we got on the carriage.

'Big brother?'

Cold sweat trickled down. If I looked in a mirror, my eyes would probably be wide with shock. The only person Louise calls "big brother" at the academy, at least as far as I know, is one.

'Why, why...?'

I know he's Erih's brother. I know he's close to Louise. But I thought he would be in a different carriage since he's not a student. Why here? I haven't seen him since the first time we met. I thought I could avoid him and be safe.

I hurriedly hid behind Louise, crouching. I knew it was a meaningless action, but if I didn't do this, my legs would give out. And then, as if mocking me, the voice I least wanted to hear came.

"Hello. It's been a while."

'Seen.'

Just before the urge to run away burst out, he directly greeted me, making it impolite to avoid him further. I held back the tears that threatened to spill and opened my mouth, but my body couldn't stop trembling.

Next to me, Louise looked at me with concern and confusion. I hadn't told her about the incident with the Inspectorate chief. I didn't want to worry her, and I was afraid that the Inspectorate chief, who is close to Louise, might be provoked by my complaints.

I cautiously lifted my head and saw the black-haired young man, the Inspectorate chief, sitting across from Erih. He looked relaxed, leaning back with his arms crossed, but my heart raced wildly when his pitch-black eyes met mine.

"Don't stand there, come in. Your legs must be sore."

"Yes, yes! Thank you!"

"Thank you, indeed."

I quickly followed Louise into the carriage and faced a new challenge. Erih and the Inspectorate chief were sitting across from each other. The empty seats were next to Erih or the Inspectorate chief.

'Where... should I sit?'

Louise, what should I do? I feel bad sitting next to Erih. But sitting across from the Inspectorate chief is too scary.

As I hesitated, unsure of what to do, the Inspectorate chief gestured to me.

"Come, sit down."

"Yes..."

Mother, Father... I miss you so much... I will see you during the break, right?

***

Assuming that Erih and Louise would be together, this seating arrangement was the best option.

But it's the best for me, not for Irina. I could feel a slight tremor from her beside me. Still, it was the arrangement I decided on after much consideration.

'I'm going crazy.'

I'm really sorry, but Erih needs to be closer to Louise. If I make them face each other, Irina will have to face me. It's better to sit next to me where she can't see my face, rather than facing me for a long time. If Irina faints halfway, I have no excuse.

Actually, the previous incident was resolved smoothly. We compensated for the damage and sent an apology letter stating that we would overlook minor offenses. But the noble give-and-take and the young lady's frightened heart are two different things.

"Irina, are you really okay?"

While having a conversation with Erih, Louise glanced at Irina and asked worriedly. There's no problem for Louise to worry about. Irina is mentally exhausted, not physically.

"Yep, I'm fine. You know I'm tough, Louise."

The 17-year-old girl's forced bright smile was so heart-wrenching. I couldn't help but feel indignant at the evil person who made this poor girl so scared. Damn, Section Chief 3, you bastard. Did you lose your conscience along with your hair?

Feeling a mix of emotions, I looked at Irina, and our eyes met. Her lips trembled, and she quickly lowered her head. Her blue eyes, like Erih's and Louise's, made me feel even more guilty.

"I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up when we reach the city."

"Got it, brother."

In the end, I escaped into sleep. At least, sleeping would be better for my mental health than having the monster next to me awake.

Thus, the carriage set off for Boyar, carrying one excited young lady, one foolish one who thought sitting next to her crush was great, and two others enveloped in suffocating awkwardness and fear.