Larissa wanted to go to elementary school.

“You don’t have to go,” said Siod, but Larissa was determined to attend.

“I really want to go…”

“Why?”

“Don’t children have to go to school?”

Siod glanced at Larissa’s clenched fists, amused by her habit of gripping them when trying to be brave. He felt a bit sorry that no one had taught her about the lifestyle of the upper class. Even Guinevere or William might not know it.

“Hmm. Typically, noble young ladies don’t go to school. Do you know why?”

“Why?”

“They get compared. Until they reach a certain level, they usually receive education at home with subject-specific tutors.”

Larissa didn’t know that. She thought of William, who attended elementary school, and Guinevere, who said she could go if she wanted. She hesitated, her eyes wide.

“You must have a reason for wanting to go, though?”

“…Yes.”

“Can you tell your teacher?”

Larissa hesitantly replied in a small voice, “I want to get a scholarship.”

Siod was surprised by her unexpected response.

“You can get a scholarship if you do well in school. William said so.”

William had received a full scholarship and graduated early. Larissa admired him and thought doing the same would repay the Rodanthe family for their support.

“You don’t need to worry about that. Guinevere is rolling in money,” Siod reminded her.

“But…”

Larissa couldn’t find the words to argue and just hung her head, making Siod sigh.

“You can go if you want.”

Her eyes lit up, and she looked at Siod, sparkling with excitement. Siod inwardly admitted defeat to her cuteness.

“But you have to promise me something.”

“What?”

“Even if you don’t get a scholarship or fall behind your peers, don’t be upset.”

Siod extended his pinky.

“…Okay.”

She hesitated but eventually pinky-swore. Siod ruffled her hair, messing up her carefully done half-up style, but she felt happy.

Guinevere found herself standing in front of the school with Larissa, having been dragged there by Siod’s insistence.

“We look like a family, don’t we? Mom, Dad, and our cute daughter,” Siod joked.

Guinevere was incredulous. Larissa seemed to agree, looking at her questioningly.

“Mom, aren’t you busy?”

“Not busy.”

She was busy, struggling with the cursed time regression spell. But she couldn’t discuss that with Larissa.

Guinevere reached out and pinched Larissa’s blushing cheek.

“Let’s go in.”

The school staff, who had been anxiously waiting at the gate, sighed in relief. They had worried Guinevere might find fault with something.

“What an honor to welcome the Protector of Adelia, Lord Rodanthe,” the principal greeted formally.

“Quite an elaborate greeting,” Guinevere remarked.

“We didn’t expect Lord Rodanthe to come personally.”
Indeed, it was surprising that Guinevere had come to enroll her foster daughter in the school. She hadn’t even attended when her only son enrolled. Who could have expected her to visit for the transfer of her foster daughter?

It was almost a relief that she didn’t just appear out of nowhere using teleportation but had given a heads-up beforehand.

“Sorry for the late introduction. I am the principal, Mr. Boldman. Please, come this way.”

Larissa looked around the principal’s office where they were guided. Siod took care of the transfer procedures as Guinevere remained silent. Larissa felt conscious, wondering if she had caused inconvenience to the busy Guinevere.

“Here, eat this.”

Guinevere handed a cookie from the served refreshments to Larissa. As always, Larissa couldn’t refuse food.

Looking at Larissa nibbling the cookie like a small animal, Guinevere slightly pursed her lips. Watching someone eat was unexpectedly interesting. Discovering this new pleasure, Guinevere continued to hand her more cookies.

After finishing the paperwork, Siod cheerfully suggested, “Shall we write the sponsorship contract now?”

“Sponsorship?”

“Oh, I forgot to mention. The Rodanthe family has decided to sponsor this school.”

The principal’s eyes widened in surprise. Sponsorship? There had been no such funding even when William Rodanthe enrolled. The principal was flustered by the unexpected news.

“About the sponsorship…”

“Just bring a standard contract for now. We didn’t prepare one on our end.”

“Okay, I’ll get that.”

Guinevere, who had been indifferent, suddenly reacted to Larissa dropping her cookie in shock.

“What’s wrong?”

“Sponsorship?”

Larissa felt guilty for causing more expenses because of her.

“What about it?”

“No, nothing.”

Larissa quickly shook her head, not wanting to interfere in adult matters. But she seemed downcast, making Guinevere frown.

“Is something bothering you?”

“No?”

Larissa nervously shook her head, hunching her shoulders. Guinevere, puzzled by her dejected look, tried to figure out the issue.

‘She seemed startled since the sponsorship was mentioned.’

Guinevere glanced at Siod, who was finalizing the sponsorship contract without consulting her, but she didn’t mind it as she liked the idea.

Sponsoring the school would ensure they take good care of Larissa. Guinevere admired Siod’s understanding of human society, unlike her limited knowledge of magic.

‘But what’s the problem?’

Guinevere, staring at the almost finished contract, wondered.

‘Is it the amount?’

She added another zero to the amount Siod had written. Larissa gasped. Guinevere then added one more zero.

“Yikes.”

Larissa seemed overwhelmed.

“Enough.”

Siod urged Guinevere to sign. Even after signing, Guinevere couldn’t understand why Larissa’s face had turned pale.

“Are you sick?”

“No…”

Guinevere quickly picked up Larissa, who sounded weak.

“We need to leave; she’s not feeling well.”

“But the orientation for the school life…”

The principal hesitated, but Guinevere was planning to teleport away. However, Siod dispersed her magic. Guinevere glared at him, and he smiled, saying,

“Shouldn’t we at least tour the school on the first day?”

“Larissa looks sick. She’s pale.”

“No, it’s okay,” Larissa interjected quietly, trying to be brave.
Just as Larissa was about to deny with a pale face, Siod quickly intervened.

“Larissa, Guinevere loves to sponsor.”

“…What?”

“Guinevere is kind-hearted and compassionate. She can’t just pass by people in need without helping. Look at this school. It’s almost falling apart, right? That’s why she’s sponsoring its reconstruction.”

Guinevere looked at Siod as if he was insane. The reason she didn’t immediately object was that she was too flabbergasted. Just as she was about to speak,

“Really?”

Larissa was looking up at her with sparkling eyes.

“Mother, did you plan to sponsor the school from the beginning?”

Before Guinevere could respond, Siod jumped in again.

“Of course. At Guinevere’s level, random sponsorship would lead to everyone asking for help, which would be problematic. Guinevere actually wanted to sponsor William’s alma mater, and Larissa provided a good reason. So, you don’t need to feel burdened. It was all Guinevere’s plan from the start.”

Larissa’s cheeks turned a rosy hue. As Guinevere watched this change in bewilderment, Larissa suddenly grabbed her clothes and asked,

“Mother, did Larissa do well?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

For the first time, Guinevere made what she considered a benevolent lie. She had never thought that Larissa would feel burdened. Larissa, looking up at her with shining eyes, said,

“Mother is so kind.”

It was also the first time Guinevere had been called kind. She couldn’t bear the strangely awkward atmosphere and glared at the principal.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to guide us?”

“Yes, this way, please. Let me first introduce Larissa’s homeroom teacher.”

Following the group, Siod sighed secretly. The combination of overly considerate Larissa and utterly tactless Guinevere was the epitome of opposites.

‘What would have happened if I weren’t here?’

Siod realized he had a lot more to do in the future.