### Chapter 87: Return to the Academy (Part Two)
Tap, tap, tap—
The war chariot brigade thundered in from the southern road next to the training grounds. The first thing that caught Sara’s eye was the royal guard cavalry dressed in golden-embroidered armor. Their sleek, head-to-toe outfits made them look like something out of a heroic tale, even their sprightly Floris steeds were decked out like they were heading to a fashion show.
The heavy iron hooves of the gigantic beasts stomped with a rhythm that could rival any marching band.
Accompanying the thunderous hoofbeats was the metallic clanking sound of armor. As they broke into view, one could see a very extravagant golden-inlaid royal war chariot, protected on all sides by an entourage of knights—probably because they were trying to keep it from getting jacked or something.
The chariot sped through the slushy muck, the opulent design and sparkling jewels on the wheels immediately caught everyone’s attention inside and outside the training grounds.
“Look over there!”
“The palace guard! That’s the palace’s war chariot…”
“Well, duh! The only ones that can swagger in like that are the palace’s.”
“What about the church ones…”
“Those don’t count right now.”
The cadets halted their training, milling about and gossiping as the chariot sped by.
“The royal guard looks so cool…”
“I’m not mistaken, the driver wearing formal attire must be from the palace, right?”
“So, that means someone from the royal family is inside…”
“Wait, are one of the princes or princesses from Ethanbel enrolling here next year?”
“Is there… really?”
“Not a chance.”
“Haven’t heard a peep about it…”
As the chariot and its royal guard vanished into the distance, Sara and Daisy stood behind a rusty railing, gazing at the iron cavalry wagon slowly disappearing down the road.
The conversation they were having earlier had been abruptly cut off.
“Tsk.”
Sara couldn’t help but click her tongue. “What a showing! It’s like they want the whole world to know they’re from the palace, while the rest of us ‘common folk’ just blend into the background.”
“Shh!”
Daisy jumped at her words. “Sara, keep it down… we don’t even know who it is…”
“Pfft.” Sara curled her lips. “Who cares who it is?”
She didn’t think much of these royal parades. She had little patience for the nobles who insisted on dragging out complicated and pompous rituals as a way to flaunt their supposed superiority over commoners.
The only thing she genuinely envied were those glimmering swords at the waists of the guards and the armor they sported.
Reluctantly pulling her gaze away from the training grounds, she sighed. “The academy seems extra lively lately. A lot of visitors coming by. I wonder who the big shot is today.”
“Maybe something happened again…” Daisy still looked troubled.
“Hey, Peter!”
The two girls hadn’t moved very far, and they could still hear the boys’ chatter behind them. Perhaps due to the excitement of the chariot, they were edging toward the rusty railing.
“Aren’t those guys from your father’s crew?”
“Who’s escorting that chariot with such flair?”
“Normally, aren’t these types not allowed inside the academy?”
Being so close, Sara could clearly hear their conversation. “Is someone from the royal family coming over? Is it a princess…?”
“She pretty?”
“Oh! Speaking of princesses…”
Peter’s voice drew nearer. “I think I heard my father mention that some princess from the empire is coming to the royal city…”
“The princess from the Valen Empire?”
“But weren’t both Valen princesses captured in Chielis City due to the defeat of Keynes? Haven’t heard anything since…”
“Will you please keep it down? Don’t you know how sensitive this stuff is right now?” someone snapped.
“Wha…?”
The voice immediately dropped. “Does that mean there’s still a princess from the empire?”
“I don’t know!”
“Which princess?”
“The… national princess…”
Muttering to himself, but little did he know, Sara had perked up her ears and caught that.
Her expression turned astonished.
“Ah?”
The boys chatting behind her still hadn’t figured out what Peter just said, and were still asking, “Which princess?”
Yet Peter suddenly changed his tune. “No, it’s nothing. I’m not too clear either…”
Not too clear about what, my foot!!
“Hey—!”
Sara felt something within her snap, as if a hammer was pounding on her chest. Ignoring Daisy’s shocked expression beside her, she turned around and grabbed Peter, dragging him away.
“Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? You trying to steal me or something?”
Peter looked taken aback at first, then chuckled. “Didn’t you just say you wanted space?”
“You mentioned the national princess?” Sara glared at him.
Peter’s smile froze faster than a popsicle. “What? I don’t know anything.”
“You’re full of it.”
Sara scoffed. “I just heard you talking!”
“That’s because you misunderstood…”
“The national princess. The one the Northern Army celebrated after winning big and was officially declared in Cold Winter City.”
“…The palace strictly forbids spreading such news. Where did you hear this?” Peter glanced around, lowering his voice, looking suspicious.
“Don’t you worry about that.”
Sara waved her hand, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Just tell me what you know. Quietly!”
…
The war chariot, escorted by nearly twenty royal guards, slowly pulled up in front of the highest tower within the academy.
The steward, with an air of grace, gallantly helped me out of the chariot. I brushed off my dress and adjusted my lace hat, casting a shadow over most of my face as I heard the commotion around me. Looking up, I noticed many students standing along the roadside, curiously peering in.
Seeing this, the royal guards dismounted their steeds and surrounded me, one of them said, “Princess, let’s not draw too much attention.”
They immediately created a path and led the way toward the tower.
I followed behind them, listening to the rising buzz of conversation around me, unable to suppress a sigh. Honestly, I found myself confused about what exactly constituted “too much attention.”
Clearly, this parade of guards wasn’t my idea. When I arrived at the palace this morning, I thought their job was done. But to my surprise, I learned they had received orders to keep a part stationed at Vilo Garden Estate while the others would stick with me for “safety reasons.”
Safety reasons, my foot.
Sure, I understood them hanging around the estate, but following me—did Viki really think I needed protecting?
Surveillance, more like.
Of course, I had expressed such sentiments, but the guard captain appeared quite caught in a dilemma.
Following last night’s incident, while the kids from The Choir of Saints acted with restraint—thankfully no one died—the situation seemed tense. These loyal kingdom warriors were under strict orders, and if they failed to comply, I’d be fine, but the guard captain had to answer to higher-ups.
After thinking it over, I relented. I wasn’t about to make it difficult for them.
Fine, follow me then.
Ascending the swirling staircase, we reached the top of the tower, and the principal’s office loomed before us. The guard captain pushed open the door for me and stepped inside, while the rest stood guard at the entrance.
Inside the room, a clean-faced scholar had been waiting for a while. Upon seeing me, he bowed and led me to a mahogany table to sit down, murmuring for me to wait before he turned to leave.
I bit my nails quietly as I waited, the guard captain standing straight with his sword behind me. Before long, an old man wearing a scholar’s hat bustled in.
The old man had a long white beard and looked to be over sixty—thin, but fit. He entered with a slightly grim expression, clearly in a hurry as if he rushed over from some crisis. Upon seeing me, he smiled and said, “Word from the palace said someone is here to see me. I thought it was just some scared kid trying to avoid flunking the entrance exam by coming here to boss me around…”
He reached the desk, pouring himself a cup of hot tea before pouring one for me. He handed the steaming cup to me while he took a seat in the principal’s chair with the other cup.
“Who would have guessed it’d be a distinguished young lady?”
He chuckled, blowing on the tea before taking a sip: “You don’t look like you’re from the royal city. You aren’t here for enrollment, right? Speak up and let this old man see how I can help you?”
“Ehe.”
I chuckled lightly.
Gently lifting the lace veil, I slowly took off my hat: “Long time no see, Teacher Melville.”
“Pfft—”
Melville promptly spewed his tea: “Xi, Silvya?!”
