“Cousin!”

  The girl who rushed into the carriage threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly.

  I smiled helplessly and returned the embrace.

  “Natalia… it’s been a while.”

  Natalia Arius curved her lips shyly before sitting down beside me. Her movements were graceful, refined—just as expected from the Arius Family’s eldest daughter.

  “It’s because Cousin rarely visits,” she said softly. “I missed you.”

  I raised my hands in surrender. “That sounds like an accusation.”

  Daphne took the opportunity to greet her politely. Natalia responded with a warm smile.

  However, I noticed something interesting.

  Daphne looked slightly… grumpy.

  She had probably been enjoying the private atmosphere inside the carriage before Natalia’s sudden intrusion.

  Natalia Arius was one of my maternal cousins—the daughter of my eldest aunt, Seraphine Kainridge. She was a striking beauty with fiery red hair and clear blue eyes that shone like polished sapphire. Like me, she would begin attending the Aurelian Imperial Academy in a week.

  If circumstances aligned, we might even end up in the same class.

  The Arius Family was considered a modest noble house within the Eldoria Imperium. Normally, Natalia wouldn’t qualify for direct admission into the Academy.

  But Natalia was no ordinary noble lady.

  She was widely recognized as a genius—both in mana cultivation and academic studies. On top of that, her beauty alone had earned her dozens of admirers across the capital.

  And although my late mother’s time as Empress had been short-lived, her status had elevated her maternal relatives considerably.

  “… Are you heading to the Academy as well?” I asked.

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  “Yes.” She nodded elegantly. “I was riding one of Father’s carriages. When I saw yours pass by, I decided to join you for the rest of the journey.”

  “How willful,” I teased lightly.

  Natalia blushed faintly. “I only wanted to speak with you for a bit.”

  I laughed softly. “I understand.”

  She pouted for a second before her expression gradually turned serious.

  “Cousin… is the rumor I heard true?”

  My smile faded slightly. “What rumor?”

  She hesitated.

  “T-They said… that Lady Evelyn intends to cancel the engagement.”

  The atmosphere inside the carriage shifted instantly.

  Daphne’s eyes widened.

  Cancel the engagement.

  So it had already spread through the capital.

  When Natalia saw my expression darken, she quickly panicked.

  “I-I don’t know if it’s true! Lady Evelyn isn’t the type to act recklessly! And you two grew up together—she wouldn’t end it without a reason!”

  I remained silent for a few seconds before speaking calmly.

  “It’s probably true.”

  Natalia’s face paled.

  My fiancée—Evelyn Noctis—had once been part of our childhood circle. Back then, it was Natalia, Marielle, Sylvia, Evelyn, and me.

  We played together in the palace gardens, carefree and ignorant of politics.

  Evelyn had always been a quiet girl. Gentle. Timid. Honest.

  But everything changed after our engagement was officially announced.

  From that day onward, she avoided me.

  She declined invitations. Claimed illness during formal gatherings. Gradually, distance replaced familiarity.

  The last time I saw her in person was nearly a year ago.

  I never truly cared.

  To me, she had simply become another piece on the political board.

  From what I knew, she wasn’t entangled with another man. So this decision wasn’t born of romance.

  Which meant—

  It was political.

  And that made it interesting.

  Even if I didn’t particularly value the engagement, I would not allow it to be severed publicly without consequence.

  The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the grand gates of the Aurelian Imperial Academy.

  Natalia looked at me anxiously.

  “Cousin… please don’t be troubled. Many noble ladies would be honored to marry you.”

  “Oh?” I leaned slightly closer. “Are you one of them, Cousin?”

  Her entire face turned crimson.

  “I-I—”

  She couldn’t finish the sentence.

  For a brief moment, I felt a mischievous impulse rise within me.

  But I suppressed it.

  Instead of crossing a dangerous line, I simply flicked her forehead gently.

  “Relax. I was teasing you.”

  Natalia blinked in confusion before letting out a breath of relief.

  Daphne, however, narrowed her eyes at me suspiciously—as if she knew I had considered something inappropriate for a split second.

  The carriage door opened.

  Natalia stepped out first, regaining her noble composure.

  Before leaving, she looked back at me.

  “Cousin… whatever happens, I will stand by you.”

  Her words were soft, but firm.

  Interesting.

  The Arius Family choosing sides so early?

  That could become useful.

  Daphne and I stepped out of the carriage shortly after.

  The towering white spires of the Aurelian Imperial Academy stretched toward the sky, radiating authority and prestige.

  A new battlefield awaited.

  And it seemed the first storm was already gathering.