Jefferson, the chancellor of the Jupiter Empire University, adjusted the fit of his clothes. He politely greeted the tall man who had just entered the chancellor’s office.

“It is an honor to meet you like this.”

“Please be at ease. I have come here as a student.”

The man smiled and shook hands. With light brown hair and pale sky-blue eyes, he had an intelligent and gentle impression. It was enough for anyone to feel likable at first sight.

“You must have had a tiring journey, Your Highness Rainien.”

“Please just call me Rainien. Isn’t everyone equal without rank at the Imperial University?”

“Then… I will call you Sir Rainien.”

Jefferson leaned forward in his seat, focusing on the conversation with the prince of the neighboring empire.

“We received a letter from the Lisandro Imperial Family in advance. You’re coming to study at our university.”

“The reputation of Jupiter Empire University is famous even within the continent. Please teach me well.”

It was a plain and humble tone without any of the arrogance typical of royalty.

Jefferson suddenly recalled the words of a friend he had met at a conference held in the Lisandro Empire. That noble and scholar of the Lisandro Empire expressed frustration while discussing the empire’s political situation.

– It’s a pity.

– What do you mean?

– I’m talking about His Highness the 3rd Prince Rainien. He’s a person of excellent character and scholarship… but he has no interest in competing for the throne.

– Isn’t the power of the Empress’s maternal family faction strong in Lisandro?

– That’s just it. If only he had been born to the Empress…

As his friend said, meeting him in person, he was a man with a generous dignity that charmingly put others at ease.

‘He’s certainly too good to be exiled like this.’

Jefferson inwardly expressed his regret as he looked at Rainien’s admission documents placed on the table.

“I heard you chose the Department of Administration.”

“That’s right. I’m interested in it as a field of study tailored to the rapidly changing social environment these days.”

“The Department of Administration will have many excellent students this year.”

With expectant eyes, Jefferson recalled the future Grand Duchess who would soon be enrolling. Who would have thought the top entrant in the Department of Administration would be the future Grand Duchess…

He had been shocked when he heard the news in the newspaper. He finally understood why the Grand Duke had insisted on personally delivering her acceptance certificate on the day of the entrance exam.

The future Grand Duchess of Jupiter and the Prince of Lisandro… With two people who would attract public attention enrolling together, he thought he should specially instruct Professor Nichen of the Department of Administration.

Come to think of it, Nichen would be meeting with the future Grand Duchess, who would give the representative speech at the entrance ceremony, right about now. He had heard she would visit in person to discuss the content of the speech.

“If you have time, I will guide you around the Imperial University campus. It must be unfamiliar since it’s your first time.”

“I appreciate your consideration, but it’s alright. I like taking walks, so it might be nice to look around slowly by myself.”

Rainien politely declined the offer and rose from his seat, concluding the conversation with Jefferson.

“Then take care.”

“I’ll see you again.”

Escorted by Jefferson, Rainien left the chancellor’s office and leisurely walked along the lined corridors.

The building of the Imperial University, with its long history of over several hundred years, was itself a cultural heritage. He was in the midst of enjoying the quaint charm of the campus, taking in the antique architectural style.

“Professor, you must know. Even though industrialization led by capitalists has developed society, it is exacerbating the poverty of workers.”

The voice of a woman, straight and unwavering, stopped his steps.

In the lounge that appeared after turning the corridor, a woman wearing a bonnet and a middle-aged man were conversing.

“There’s also an argument that capitalist industrialization actually brought tenant farmers who were dependent on landlords to the cities, making their lives more prosperous.”

The man, who appeared to be a professor, countered the woman’s words. The woman quietly shook her head.

“The wage levels and working conditions in the industrial cities around the capital are extremely poor. On top of this, housing costs are skyrocketing, making slum areas even larger. From financial difficulties to public health, child education, and crime issues, various social problems are expanding.”

“Is this why you made such an argument in the entrance exam? That the poverty brought by industrialization is not an individual problem but a structural problem of society, and that active intervention by the state is needed to solve it?”

“That’s right. Social problems cannot be solved by leaving them to the free market economy. Rather, the gap only widens. The reason for poverty lies in the unfairness of distribution where people don’t receive proper compensation for their labor. It’s the role of the state to resolve this unfairness.”

Rainien’s pupils dilated with interest at the woman’s words, which clearly presented her argument in a convincing tone.

He stroked his chin with his fingertips, intently gazing at the side profile of the woman hidden by her hat.

‘Who on earth is she…?’

He was genuinely curious about the woman’s identity. Judging from the professor’s words about taking the entrance exam, she seemed to be a new student.

“Haha. It was a delightful discussion. Actually, after reading your submitted answer sheet, I wanted to hear Lady Aidel’s thoughts directly. I’m glad I had that opportunity today.”

“I too was able to organize my thoughts while talking with you, Professor. Thank you for your time.”

“Not at all. It seems we can draft the entrance ceremony speech based on the content we discussed.”

“I understand. I’ll see you again at the entrance ceremony.”

“Lady Aidel, then please return safely.”

‘Aidel…’

He silently repeated the name of the woman who was finishing her conversation with the man who seemed to be a professor, as if trying to remember it. Somehow, it felt like a spring breeze was fluttering in his heart.

He, who had been leaning against the wall listening to the conversation, hurriedly stood up as he saw the back of the woman moving away in the opposite direction.

His legs moved unconsciously, following her steps. There was no time to think about why he was walking behind the woman.

Just one thing, he felt that if he let her go without saying a word, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

The argument the woman had presented matched the thoughts in his mind. It wasn’t easy to meet someone whose ideas aligned so well.

The woman’s gait ahead was so neat that the hem of her dress barely moved.

Her wheat-colored hair flowing out from under the bonnet gently fluttered in the wind. As if teasing, almost within reach yet not quite.

Rainien’s steps stopped on the arched bridge connecting the buildings. He had already caught up to her with his long legs, covering most of the distance, but he hesitated for a moment.

Should he call out to her? If he stopped her, his reason was intensely considering what reason he should give for speaking to her.

Suddenly, a short, strong gust of wind blew.

“Ah…!”

The woman let out a small exclamation, startled by the wind blowing against her. The loosely tied strings of her bonnet came undone, and the hat was blown off by the wind.

She hurriedly tried to catch the bonnet that was about to fly away, but missed it. Aidel turned around with a surprised expression towards where the hat had flown.

“…!”

Her eyes met those of a man standing about two steps away, holding her bonnet. Aidel’s eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the man.

Rainien, who had inadvertently caught the flying bonnet, also seemed momentarily lost, his lips slightly parted at the unexpected encounter with her.

The image of the woman looking at him while holding her wind-swept hair was clearly imprinted on his retina like a snapshot. Rainien stared at her intently, without even blinking.

“…Thank you for catching my hat.”

Aidel broke the brief silence first. Perhaps startled by the appearance of the unfamiliar man, her pupils trembled slightly.

“It’s nothing. Here you are, my lady.”

New green buds were already sprouting on the trees lining the campus. He thought her light green eyes resembled that sight.

Rainien smiled transparently at her, as if welcoming the spring that had suddenly arrived. Aidel quietly marveled at his smile, full of goodwill and reminiscent of an angel.

“Ah, my name is…”

Rainien, who was about to state his full name to introduce himself, suddenly stopped. The surname Lisandro was a clear indication that he was royalty.

If this woman about to enter the Imperial University was of commoner status, his identity would certainly be burdensome.

He didn’t want to become a burdensome acquaintance. Even if she were to find out his identity later.

“My name is Rainien. May I ask for the lady’s name?”

Rainien, hiding his surname and revealing only his first name, greeted her with an elegant gesture, bending at the waist and extending his hand.

Looking at the man’s long, outstretched hand, she hesitated for a moment before carefully taking it.

“I’m Aidel.”

Judging from his innately dignified movements and the high-quality suit precisely tailored to his body, she guessed he was of noble birth.

Yet seeing that he didn’t reveal his surname, she thought he had considered that this was the Imperial University, where there was no difference in rank among students.

She too didn’t reveal her surname.

Rainien’s lips lightly touched the back of Aidel’s hand. He looked at her intently after the crisp kiss.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Aidel.”

Below the arched bridge where they stood was a lake crossing the campus.

Rainien’s pale blue eyes were clear and calm like that lake. They were eyes that somehow made one feel at peace just by looking at them.

‘Ah…!’

Aidel, who had unknowingly lost herself in his gaze, startled and came to her senses. Seeing the woman’s slightly flushed cheeks, Rainien’s eyes curved.

“I’m in the Department of Administration.”

“The Department of Administration? I’m in the Department of Administration too.”

“Is that true?”

Aidel nodded, surprised by the unexpected connection. Rainien’s eyes widened slightly before breaking into a bright smile.

“Well… this must be fate.”

His eyes sparkled and rippled like the waves of the lake under the afternoon sun.

‘Chance becomes destiny, and destiny becomes inevitability.’

This sentence he had once read in a book touched Rainien’s heart in this moment.

Gently closing his palm where her hand had touched, like a butterfly softly landing, he made a vow. That he would surely make this chance encounter with her into an inevitable fate for himself.

The wind that had started to blow gently seeped softly into his heart. It was full spring.