Chapter 77
I couldn't help but smile as Celes widened her eyes in surprise upon realizing we were now at the same eye level—she was just too adorable.
Her features, so similar to Mother's, must stir something in Celes's heart; every time she looks at me, her eyes sparkle, and now, she's reaching out to pat my head with a gentle smile.
She often looks like she's seriously wondering if I might be an angel, but I've been acting cute on purpose just to get her attention—that part is my little secret.
"......You're growing so fast."
As she stroked my head while I hugged her tightly, Celes said something just like Mother used to, making me chuckle. I glanced around at the curious onlookers, silently warning them with my eyes, and those who understood quickly looked away.
For those who didn't catch the warning and kept staring blankly, I pressed my cheek against Celes's to show off. As for the girls blushing while watching us, I gave them a sweet smile.
"......So cute."
I know Celes likes how cute I am, but once I grow taller and gain muscle, I won't be an angel anymore. I wonder if this beautiful woman realizes that...?
"Celes, do you like me?"
Tilting my head cutely as I asked, Celes nodded and gave me a radiant smile.
"......That's not fair."
"What isn't?"
With just one smile, Celes can charm everyone around, yet he seems unaware of his own appeal—maybe he has low self-esteem?
After the entrance ceremony, we stepped outside to head to the dorms, only to find the corridor more crowded than expected. Since no one was guiding or organizing the lines, we ended up stuck near the door with the attendants. Then, from ahead, we heard excited voices saying "Amazing!"
It seemed something was happening further down the corridor, and people had stopped to watch, causing the congestion. Realizing waiting would be pointless, I turned to Hale, one of the attendants beside me. He gave a small nod and raised his voice.
'Everyone standing still in the corridor, move immediately! You're blocking the way for those coming after you!'
He's such a capable attendant and friend—he can act on my intentions without me saying a word.
'There's no need to rush, but please pass the message along to those in front of you.'
Snow, the other attendant, gently raised his voice to support Hale's more forceful tone.
Those ahead turned around in confusion, looked at the two of them, then at me, and hurriedly urged the people in front of them to move along.
The two of them, so different in appearance and demeanor, made sure I wasn't crushed in the crowd by securing some space as we moved. It must've been exhausting, staying alert like that... As I thought about it, the corridor opened into a wider area, and I finally saw what everyone had been looking at.
At the edge of the corridor stood the beautiful Celes, accompanied by what looked like noble-blooded cats.
Celes had her back to us and was deep in conversation with them, completely ignoring the gazes of admiration and envy surrounding her.
I had missed her so much, but her attention was on those beside her—that made me irrationally upset, and before I knew it, I was pushing through the crowd and running.
'Make way...! His Highness is coming through!'
'Please move to the sides!'
I think Hale and Snow called out to stop me, but of course I didn't stop. My body just moved on its own, driven by my longing for her.
Just a little more, almost there... I reached out my arm as I got closer to Celes.
I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her forcefully toward me. Her eyes, which had been looking elsewhere, finally turned to me.
I held her so tightly there was no space between us, declaring to everyone around that this woman belonged to me.
※※※※
When I tilted my head at being called unfair, Renato puffed his cheeks and sulked.
Renato rubbed his cheek against my shoulder like a child, and I couldn't stop patting his head. Calling someone adorable or childlike when they're the same height and the opposite sex might be odd, but since it's Renato, everyone would understand.
"So, what are you sulking about?"
"It's fine now. We're together again, and that's all that matters."
"You may look more mature, but have you regressed on the inside?"
"I've missed you so much, Celes. Isn't it okay for me to be a little clingy?"
Even as he said it was fine, Renato lowered his gaze and spoke in a sad voice. I chuckled and patted his back with my free left hand. Just that was enough to lift his mood—he's still such a child.
"Celes is way too cool. That was unconscious, right...? Wait, was it on purpose?"
"With that kind of behavior, the men are the ones who'll suffer."
I heard Sil and Severi saying something behind me, but I'll deal with them later—no problem.
More importantly, I scanned the area. There were some who looked the part, but... I wasn't sure.
"Renato."
"What is it?"
"I can see a few guards, but which ones are your attendants?"
"Attendants... Ah!"
"You left them behind, didn't you...?"
I scolded him in a low voice, wondering if he had really come through this crowd alone. Renato averted his gaze. Though security was fairly tight, I sighed at his lack of awareness as a prince. Still, knowing I couldn't be too harsh with him, I raised my hand toward the ones who looked like attendants.
A short distance from us stood two noble-looking boys, both watching me nervously.
One had delicate features and a sweet, fragile look. The other was sturdier, with a sharp, intense gaze and a commanding presence.
I gently patted Renato's back—tap, tap—and when he looked up at me, I gestured with my chin toward the two. Renato turned to them and nodded. I moved my fingers to beckon the pair, who looked like a princess and her escort knights.
"Sorry. It seems I caused you to get separated from him."
As I apologized to the two who had come up to us, I heard another cheer from behind—"So cool!"—but I ignored it.
"......No, it was our carelessness."
"Thank you for capturing—no, protecting him in our place."
"Snow..."
Contrary to appearances, the delicate-looking one seemed braver than the one with the sharper eyes. Even when Renato grumbled resentfully, he just smiled and brushed it off.
"Shall we get moving?"
Most of the students at the military school are commoners or lower nobles, so it's no surprise that seeing the Second Prince in person would make them stop in their tracks.
The line that had been slowly moving came to a complete halt. If this continues, we'll be the ones blamed by Instructor Harrison later. A scolding would be fine, but I'd rather not be stuck with extra chores on top of it.
So I decided we should get out of here quickly and gave Sil and the others a hand signal.
Once I saw them go down the stairs, I moved onto the dirt path, leaving Renato behind. His two attendants followed without a word, and together we headed toward the gazebo.
A gazebo with a brown roof and white benches.
I often have lunch here twice a week with Ellie and the others from different classes, and on holidays, I bring a few books and stay until evening. People say that if I'm nowhere to be found, I'm probably at the gazebo. It's only natural I'd bring them here first.
"I didn't know the military school had a place like this..."
"Apparently, it was built with donations from female graduates."
"Most of the people who use the gazebo are girls, including Celes. Lately, some of the boys have started saying that the gazebo is filled with dreams and hope."
Sitting directly on the ground near the entrance, Sil gave a mischievous smile and said, "So simple," and I chuckled in agreement.
Renato, sitting beside me, and the two attendants across from us stared intently at Sil and Severi as they sat on the ground.
But rather than being surprised, Renato—who had visited Ransheen Fortress—seemed more like he was observing. It was the attendants who were visibly shocked. What Sil and the others were doing wasn't unusual at the military school. If this much surprises them, they won't last.
I lightly clapped my hands to draw the attention of the sons of the count family and get them to focus on me.
"Well then, could you introduce yourselves?"
In terms of peerage and position, I'm lower than the prince's attendants.
But this is a military school where ability matters most.
There's no way a fledgling who just entered could be better than me, so I decided to finally act like a senior for once.