The maids seemed quite suspicious. Moreover, after the trial, there was a constant doubt lingering in the air, questioning whether my dad was really such a pushover.

‘I should tease these maids a bit.’

With a skeptical expression, I immersed myself in contemplation. While pondering how to smoothly lead the conversation toward gossip, the carriage door suddenly creaked open.

“Leonhardt, Acid?”

I raised my eyes toward the familiar faces visible through the slightly opened carriage door.

It was Leonhardt and Acid, both wearing expressions that seemed to have undergone solid mental training since the trial.

“No, Your Highness!”

“We’re here, Miss Sienna.”

With an arrogant demeanor, Leonhardt occupied the seat on my left, sending me a meaningful glance.

“Why such a profound expression?”

“Profound? That’s not it.”

“Then?”

At that moment, without anyone noticing, Acid, who had taken the seat on my right, whispered quietly.

“Thanks to Lord Matthias’ favor, we are also going to the academy.”

“Oh, really?”

I rolled my eyes. While it made sense for me to go to the academy, Leonhardt, being a prodigy, didn’t need to attend.

“It should be interesting.”

‘…Well, it would be nice for those kids to have friends.’

Since we were all going to the academy now, I hoped for something interesting to happen.

‘Instead of asking the maidens about my dad’s suspicious behavior…’

But at this point, I couldn’t talk about my dad. Bringing up my dad’s story in front of Leonhardt felt a bit awkward.

‘Leonhardt doesn’t have a family… I’ll ask later!’

Deciding to change the subject, I grabbed the hands of Leonhardt and Acid, who sat like knights guarding me on either side.

They had submitted their admission applications as soon as they heard I was going to the academy.

Actually, being ten years old, I could go alone without any problem. However, they insisted on following me, vowing to protect me.

Feeling the thick trust that had built up until now, I couldn’t help but feel proud.

“Let’s go to the academy quickly!”

At that moment, Acid whispered hesitantly.

“U-um, is it okay?”

“Hmm? Why?”

“They say the taxes are high.”

“Then I’ll take care of it!”

Surprised, Acid looked at me with wide rabbit eyes. I stared at him with a grandiose expression.

I naturally expected Acid to feel embarrassed and say, ‘Yes!’

But…

“No, I will take care of it.”

He firmly drew the line. I stared at him in surprise until he said nothing more.

The carriage we rode passed through winding unpaved roads and entered the magnificent boulevard.

The imperial children’s academy, created for nobles, was located on the most expensive land even in the heart of the empire, just as expected.

Having become accustomed to the splendor of the Mirmod family, I was dazzled by the vibrant street unfolding before my eyes.

In the end, I arrived.

The Imperial Children’s Academy!

“…Phew!”

The Imperial Children’s Academy.

Of course, my dad didn’t just send me to the academy without any consideration.

‘Acid is on the left, and Leonhardt is on the right.’

Although it was true that connections were already firmly established within the academy, considering Acid’s words, it was not bad to have someone follow me around.

‘Rather muscular maidens are here!’

Even if the taxes were high, attacking me, a Mirmod, would be out of the question.

‘Maybe I can live more comfortably in the academy!’

While walking down the corridor adorned with gold decorations, I looked around.

Here, too, gold; over there, gold!
The scene was a spectacle that evoked admiration spontaneously. The academy, strangely enough, appeared to be gilded with money, not befitting its name as the bastion of imperial knowledge.

“Why is it sparkling so much here?”

Leonhardt said, lifting his mask.

“Most academy graduates become the core workforce of the empire, and they consistently support the academy’s remodeling expenses. In short, a virtuous cycle!”

More surprising than the fact itself was that Leonhardt knew about the history of the academy. I blinked at his eyes beyond the mask.

Come to think of it, the mask I always wore seemed to be even more dazzling than usual.

“I wonder if he was looking forward to coming to the academy?”

Since Leonhardt rarely had the opportunity to make friends of the same age, it was understandable that he might have expectations.

Thinking that it was a good decision for us to come together, I gripped Leonhardt’s hand and brightly said, “Thanks, Speedwagon. Uh, no. Leonhardt!”

“Heh, it’s nothing.”

Seeing Leonhardt raise his nose proudly, I turned my head to the side.

“Is that Miss Sienna Mirmod?”

“Yeah, the one who conducted the friendly inspection at the trial?”

“Right, her!”

The children in the academy began to murmur. I pricked up my ears in confusion. I wondered how those kids knew about me.

“Something feels a bit strange. Usually, does gossip spread this quickly?”

It felt as if someone behind the scenes was manipulating the atmosphere. Puzzled, I tilted my head. But that’s when it happened.

“As expected, Lord Matthias did something.”

“…?”