Noble Academy Entrance Ceremony
The morning of the noble academy’s entrance ceremony had finally arrived.
I packed everything I needed into a leather satchel, then stepped out of the mansion and made my way to the carriage waiting at the front gate.
There, already in position, was Siana—she turned toward me and spoke with a gentle tone.
“Master, today is the day at last, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, it is… I’m heading off now. Things might feel a little different around here without me, Siana, but if anything comes up, you can talk to me anytime, okay?”
“Thank you so much! And Master, if you run into any trouble, please don’t hesitate to tell me as well!”
“Thanks, Siana… Alright then, I’m off.”
As I boarded the carriage and gave her a light wave, Siana returned it with a bow and a bright, reassuring smile.
…If I’m to be worthy of being Siana’s master, then I need to carry myself with pride starting today.
Siana’s Side
“Lux-kun really is so kind… But that very kindness might draw the wrong kind of attention. There are plenty among the nobility who would exploit it for their own twisted ends—that’s the only thing that worries me.”
“——Will you simply stand by and let that happen, Ojou-sama?”
A tall girl in a black hood, who appeared the moment Lux was gone, posed the question coolly. Siana replied with a sigh of exasperation.
“You’re joking, right? If something like that were to happen, I’d crush their influence and erase them from society… That said, I doubt anyone would try something on the very first day of the entrance ceremony. So for today at least, I’ll set that aside… Still, would you keep watch over Lux-kun for me, just in case?”
“Understood. However, if something should happen to you, Ojou-sama——”
“That might have mattered back when I was still a maid. But now, as Felisiana—the third princess of this kingdom—if anyone dares lay a hand on me, I’ll respond in kind. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“…Forgive me for overstepping.”
“It’s fine. Now go. Follow after Lux-kun.”
As soon as Siana spoke, the girl in the black hood vanished without a trace.
Afterward, Siana rode to the royal castle, changed into her formal dress, and set out toward the noble academy that Lux would be attending.
Lux’s Side
After about ten minutes in the carriage, I arrived at the gates of the noble academy.
True to its name, the academy exuded wealth and tradition—the grand gate appeared to be made of solid gold, and beyond it, the main building stretched out in stately elegance. Large windows dotted its façade, terraces adorned the second floor, and looming above it all stood the famous clock tower known throughout the region.
I couldn’t help but lose myself in the sight—until a voice, soft and gentle, called out to me from behind.
“It really is a magnificent structure, isn’t it? No wonder it’s spoken of as a noble academy of great heritage.”
I turned instinctively toward the voice and saw a woman with flowing blue hair and pale blue eyes. Her features were refined, and her expression carried a warmth that put me at ease.
She wore an elaborate, high-class dress—its skirt delicately embroidered with intricate patterns. Yet the low-cut neckline left me unsettled, revealing just enough to make me worry that, with one wrong movement, it might expose even more.
That’s when Siana’s warning came back to me.
[Fourth: Do not associate with women who wear revealing clothing.]
…Maybe I should’ve followed her advice and avoided getting involved. But she meant that for everyday life.
In noble society, dressing this way for formal events like an entrance ceremony is probably considered standard. So just this once, I figured it would be alright.
“Yes, it’s stunning. I couldn’t help but stare.”
“I find it refreshing—someone who can speak honestly about what moves them. Most others didn’t even seem to notice. It saddened me, just a little… But you, it seems, are different.”
As she spoke, the blue-haired girl smiled with a tenderness that lingered in the air.
…There was something about her—a calm, unhurried way of speaking that felt unlike anyone I’d ever met. Yet her words carried a quiet strength that resonated deeply.
“I would truly enjoy speaking with you more, but the entrance ceremony is about to begin. We should be on our way.”
“You’re right.”
“Well then, Lux Rodwell-sama… please excuse me.”
With a final graceful bow, the blue-haired girl turned and walked into the academy.
I found myself wondering how she knew my name—but she was already gone before I could ask.
…That brief encounter with such a mysterious person had almost eased my nerves—but then I remembered that Felisiana-sama, the third princess, would be attending today. The weight of that thought settled in, and I quickly made my way to the auditorium where the ceremony would be held.
After sitting quietly for a few minutes, the entrance ceremony began, and the academy’s director welcomed us with a heartfelt speech.
And then——
“Next, we will receive an address from Her Highness, Felisiana-sama, third princess of the kingdom.”
At the director’s announcement, the auditorium erupted in thunderous applause. And in the midst of that applause——Felisiana-sama stepped forward before us.