Chapter 102

Although we traveled together, we didn’t enter together. After all, what meaning would it have for someone like me, who isn’t even a student, to be at a graduation ceremony? So, I sat quietly among the attendees and watched the graduation ceremony unfold. Once the headmaster concluded his long-winded speech, the representative came out to give their greeting. This year’s representative was Princess Chloe.

The graduation ceremony wasn’t much different from those on Earth. We took an oath, received our diplomas, and delivered a short speech. Once all the events concluded, students started to move towards the banquet hall with the announcement marking the end of the ceremony.

This was the most significant difference from Earth’s graduation ceremonies. Given that Apatem Academy itself was a battleground for nobles, it was only natural, but the academy had balls attached to both the entrance and graduation ceremonies. I also quietly made my way to the banquet hall. Unlike the times I came here dressed as a maid, I stood in a proper dress at a corner of the banquet hall, quietly observing the laughing and chatting students.

“What are you doing here, Catherine?”

“…I just realized I’ve become a noble without any educational qualifications.”

“Isn’t that pretty common in the Empire? After all, our father didn’t graduate from the academy either.”

“That’s only because Your Excellency didn’t need it.”

While Marquis of Portus didn’t attend the academy, it was only natural since he had already inherited his title and was working since the age of twenty, the age required for entering the academy. In the Empire, nobles without educational backgrounds were mostly second or third sons who unexpectedly inherited their titles when the eldest son passed away suddenly, or those like Marquis of Portus who had inherited their positions early on.

Of course, I could technically say I belonged to the latter group, but frankly, no one in the social circles would look down on you for lacking an academy diploma. It’s true that academy graduates get closer to the center of social circles, though.

“Well, what does it matter? It’s hard to ignore a Count of the Empire, especially one who’s a hero. Plus, His Majesty still seems to be concerned about you.”

“Probably because of Princess.”

“That’s true. If Chloe hadn’t said she was going to marry Catherine, I think His Majesty would just hand out the title and move on.”

I quietly shut my mouth in response to Lilian’s sharp fact. Just then, Yulia approached us with graceful steps and presented me with champagne.

“Ah, thank you.”

“This one’s pretty tasty.”

“That’s high-proof champagne… What are you trying to do, get Catherine drunk?”

“What do you mean? I’ll probably just sleep. What do you think I am? I’m the saint of the Church, after all.”

“Saint? More like a seductress, right? Do you think I wouldn’t know your ulterior motives?”

At Lilian’s jab, Yulia pouted. Honestly, I think the one who changed the most in the past three years was Yulia. Perhaps it’s because she broke free from her endless reincarnation. The once gentle yet mysteriously gloomy aura was nowhere to be found, replaced with an air of saintliness, as she herself would put it. Her demeanor had brightened a bit too.

The one who likely hasn’t changed at all would be Chloe. Still just as confident, she retained that spirited vibe even after three years. And there she was, utterly unable to escape from the crowd of nobles. I subtly ignored her SOS signals and glanced back and forth between Lilian and Yulia.

“What’s up?”

“Speaking of which, what are you planning to do after graduation? Lilian, are you going back to your territory?”

“Hmm, no. I’m going to Vexter Territory instead.”

“Huh? But you’re the heir of the Marquis family.”

“I can take heir classes at Vexter Territory. Besides, it sounds like you don’t even have retainers, right?”

“Uh…”

As I gazed at her in surprise, Yulia quietly chimed in.

“I’m going to Vexter Territory too.”

“Uh-huh. I thought so.”

There’s a Church in Vexter Territory too. Of course, saints typically stay in the capital, but there’s no strict rule saying they must remain in the capital. The Church merely states that as long as they stay at a church, it’s fine. So, it made sense that she would head to the church located in Vexter Territory.

“I heard Chloe will also go to Vexter Territory.”

“No, no, even if all three of you go, you’ll eventually have to return to the capital…”

“I’ve waited three years already; are you planning to make me wait longer?”

“…”

When you put it that way, I have nothing to say, Young Lady. Holding back those words at the tip of my tongue, I finally nodded my head weakly. The moment I did, the two looked at me with satisfied smiles. At that moment, Chloe managed to wriggle free from the nobles and approached us.

“By the way, Count. I was told by your father-in-law that you should come straight to the capital.”

“Who said that?”

“Who else? Your father-in-law. He mentioned I needed to come straight to the capital as well, so it seems he’s planning to hold the wedding pretty quickly.”

“Huh?”

At the sudden mention of a wedding, I looked at her, startled. Chloe wore a bright smile, and the other two looked equally shocked as if they hadn’t heard this news before. Then, Chloe added as if to make excuses.

“I’m sorry, but I received word from my father yesterday.”

“But, I’m not ready yet…”

“What preparations? The preparations will be at the Imperial Palace, so what do you need to prepare?”

Well, it’s about mentally preparing myself. But since I couldn’t say that in front of Chloe, I deflected the conversation.

“Isn’t it common for a wedding to be arranged without the couple?”

“Well, it might be difficult, but usually, you can solve most issues by throwing money at them, can’t you?”

Can it really work like that? As I was lost in shock, Lilian raised her hand high.

“Speaking of which, Catherine. Our wedding will be held at Portus Territory, according to my father.”

“Well, that’s not a problem… But where do you want to have it, Yulia?”

“Hmm? I don’t really want to do it at the Church.”

Yulia, who had been listening to our conversation blankly, replied coolly. Huh, having the ceremony in Vexter Territory wouldn’t be a bad idea.

“Then let’s hold Yulia’s wedding at Vexter Territory.”

“Well, it’s a bit funny deciding it at this point.”

“Well, isn’t good things good?”

By the way, a wedding right away? Does that mean we’re supposed to depart for the Imperial Palace right after the ball? I excused myself to the three and stepped outside to immediately draft a letter. It was a letter to be sent to Vexter Territory. After leaving the letter at the academy’s post office, I came out to find the three women waiting for me.

“Why are you waiting here?”

“Were you planning to run away?”

“That’s just a joke. A carriage from the palace is coming. Where’s your luggage?”

“Oh, Catherine’s luggage, I brought it with me.”

Lilian briefly lifted the bag she had left in her room. Since I wasn’t planning to stay long, it only contained a few changes of clothes, some personal items, and a handful of gold coins. We loaded that modest luggage onto the extravagant carriage, and as Lilian, Yulia, Chloe, and I climbed aboard, the carriage began to roll.

Honestly, it didn’t feel quite real. Am I really going to have a wedding with Chloe when we arrive at the capital? Lost in thought, I stared blankly at the ceiling when suddenly, Yulia and Chloe clutched my arms on either side.

“Why are you sticking so close…?”

“Because we can’t stick together outside.”

As I let out a small sigh while looking at the two snugly fitting against me, I glanced at Lilian, who was smiling brightly. Normally, I would have freaked out seeing this, but for some reason, today felt calm.

It was clearly winter, but being like this felt warm. Ah, is this why they say girl-on-girl bonding can be dangerous to the polar bears? It feels like the ice would melt any second now.

Albius Free City, where Apatem Academy is located, isn’t too far from the capital of the Empire. Although Albius is an autonomous territory, it was originally slated to be incorporated into the Empire, which makes perfect sense.

Even if it’s not far, in this world’s terms, we’d still have to travel by carriage for a whole two days. We parked our carriage in a city near the capital and decided to stay overnight. There were two rooms, and we were supposed to split into pairs for lodging, but for some reason, it seemed I was destined to share a room with Lilian. She didn’t say a word during the carriage ride.

“We’ll just hold hands and sleep.”

“Saying it like that makes it a bit scary.”

Until she said that, I hadn’t really thought much of it, but now I felt a hint of a threat to my virtue. As I slipped under the blanket, Lilian opened her mouth with an awkward expression.

“…Honestly, I think I might have said something unconvincing.”

But you’re not going to touch me before the wedding, right? I smiled as harmlessly as I could while nodding my head. And just like that, we really only held hands, and one night passed.