✩ Chapter 8 ✩
The entire ride to Duke Philip’s estate, Rachel’s mind was in complete chaos.
How did I deal with school bullying cases back then?
She couldn’t even remember the things that had once become second nature.
People said that when someone was cornered,
their mind went completely blank.
That was exactly how she felt.
“We’ve arrived.”
The coachman’s voice brought her back to reality.
The moment she had been putting off had finally come.
If she were being honest…
She wanted to run away.
Pull yourself together, Rachel.
Because she had sent a letter ahead of time,
Rachel was immediately escorted to the reception room.
Duke Philip’s mansion was one of the grandest estates in the capital.
His family possessed both immense power and enormous wealth.
Even the servants wore clothes that looked more expensive than Rachel’s own dress.
Following a maid dressed better than herself,
Rachel carefully walked inside.
“Your Grace, the Headmaster has arrived.”
“It’s been a while.”
Rachel bowed politely as she entered the reception room.
Duke Philip and his wife gracefully returned the greeting.
“Please, have a seat.”
After the Duke invited her to sit,
Rachel carefully settled onto the soft sofa,
doing her best to hide her nervousness.
“It seems you’ve come with news about our Roka.”
The Duchess gently lifted her teacup as she spoke.
She looked elegant on the outside,
but Rachel could clearly sense the worry she was trying to hide.
She was afraid her son had caused trouble once again.
If only Roka had been the one causing trouble…
Instead,
this time,
he was the one who had been hurt.
Rachel steadied herself.
“Yesterday, two new students enrolled at the academy.”
“I’ve already heard.”
“The Second Prince and Third Prince have joined your academy.”
The news had already spread throughout noble society.
That meant they probably also knew how troublesome the two princes were.
Rachel silently hoped that fact would at least help a little.
She continued carefully.
“There was an argument between His Highness the Third Prince and Roka.”
“Our Roka fought with His Highness the Third Prince?!”
The calm look in Duke Philip’s eyes instantly disappeared.
“What was that foolish boy thinking?!”
“How could he possibly fight with an Imperial Prince?!”
No matter how precious his son was,
the Duke clearly had no intention of making an enemy of the Imperial Family.
Now came the most important part.
Forcing a small smile,
Rachel spoke.
“During the incident…”
“Roka was… injured.”
“…What?”
This time,
the Duchess’s face turned completely pale.
She hurriedly set down her teacup.
“Our Roka…”
“Where was he hurt?!”
The Duke looked just as shaken.
His anger toward his son had vanished.
Only worry remained.
“…His face was injured.”
The atmosphere in the room instantly became freezing cold.
The servants quietly noticed the mood
and silently left the reception room.
Only Rachel and the Duke’s family remained.
One mistake here…
…and everything is over.
Handling parents after an accident could determine whether a school survived or not.
Rachel had been good at speaking with parents in her previous life.
Now…
It was time to rely on that experience.
“There’s a saying that children grow while arguing with one another.”
“Of course, disagreements can happen.”
“But injuries like this…”
“Should never happen.”
“You say that—”
“Yet how exactly were you managing your academy?!”
The Duke slammed his fist onto the table.
Rachel fought back every urge to run away.
Instead,
she calmly continued.
“I take full responsibility for not properly resolving the conflict between the students.”
“I’ll make sure nothing like this ever happens ag—”
“Enough.”
“I’m bringing Roka home immediately.”
“…Pardon?”
“I won’t leave my precious son in that academy another minute!”
The Duchess raised her voice.
At that very moment—
Colo announced the arrival of the Crown Prince.
“Master.”
“My apologies.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.”
“…The Crown Prince?”
The Third Prince had been involved in the fight.
No matter how high Duke Philip’s status was,
he still stood below the Imperial Family.
If the Crown Prince decided to ask,
“How dare a Duke’s son pick a fight with a prince?”
No one would be able to argue.
Both the Duke and Duchess stiffened.
Before anyone could react,
Lucas entered the reception room.
His expression was cold,
and the atmosphere around him felt even colder.
Why did the Crown Prince come himself?!
Rachel had planned to calm the Duke and Duchess first.
Then she would report everything to the Crown Prince later.
But seeing him here,
Colo had probably realized how serious the situation was and informed him first.
“I heard there was an incident between the children.”
Lucas asked in a calm voice.
Duke Philip forced a smile.
“Our Roka is still immature.”
“It seems he behaved rudely toward His Highness Noah.”
“I truly don’t know how we should apologize…”
“I believe…”
“I’m the one who should apologize.”
“…Your Highness?”
“Noah injured Roka’s face.”
“The one who caused the harm should apologize.”
Lucas turned toward Rachel.
His eyes silently asked,
Isn’t that why you’re here as well?
Rachel quietly swallowed.
“I’ve always taught my brothers that violence is never acceptable.”
“But…”
“They don’t always listen to me.”
He slowly let out a sigh.
Then he placed one hand over his chest.
“I sincerely apologize for injuring your precious son’s face.”
The sincerity in Lucas’s apology left the Duke and Duchess speechless.
The future Emperor…
Lowering his head…
For his younger brother’s mistake?
Neither of them could believe it.
“And…”
“I owe you an apology as well.”
Lucas looked toward Rachel.
Rachel was stunned.
She had expected him to blame her.
“I should have explained Noah’s personality in greater detail.”
“My judgment was lacking.”
“N-No, Your Highness.”
Rachel shook her head.
Her academy had been created to reform troublesome children.
Naturally,
students with difficult personalities would enroll.
That responsibility belonged to the headmaster.
“This isn’t something Your Highness should apologize for.”
“It happened because I failed to manage my students properly.”
She meant every word.
And yet…
He still apologized to me.
For the Crown Prince to apologize to someone beneath him…
Especially over something he hadn’t personally done…
Was far from ordinary.
Yet Lucas hadn’t hesitated even once.
“Your Highness.”
“You truly don’t need to worry.”
“Children grow while arguing with one another.”
Only moments earlier,
Duke Philip had looked ready to throw Rachel out of his mansion.
Now…
His face had completely softened.
The shock that his son had challenged an Imperial Prince…
The fear after hearing his son had been injured…
He had poured all those emotions onto Rachel.
But now,
everything had changed.
Because the Crown Prince himself had sincerely apologized first.
“Then…”
“I shall take my leave.”
The Duke and Duchess respectfully bowed.
Rachel hurriedly bowed as well.
But just before leaving the reception room,
Lucas suddenly looked back at her.
“Lady Rachel.”
“Don’t you still have something to discuss with me?”
“…Pardon?”
“Come.”
“Ride in my carriage.”
His tone was completely natural.
There was no reasonable way for Rachel to refuse.
She quickly said goodbye to the Duke and Duchess
and followed Lucas outside.
A magnificent carriage bearing the Imperial crest waited at the entrance.
A servant opened the carriage door.
Lucas held out his hand.
He wants me to take his hand… doesn’t he?
After hesitating,
Rachel awkwardly accepted it and climbed inside.
The inside of the carriage was just as luxurious as its appearance.
Everything glittered so brilliantly that it almost made her dizzy.
Still…
There was something she needed to say.
“Your Highness.”
“Thank you very much.”
“For what?”
“If it weren’t for you…”
“The academy might not have survived today’s incident.”
If Roka left the academy,
rumors would spread throughout noble society.
Parents would naturally think,
“We trusted that academy… and our child came home with a scar on his face.”
The academy would close sooner or later.
And if that happened…
Rachel would never be able to repay her debts.
Lucas had prevented all of that.
She honestly wanted to kneel and thank him.
“I should be the one thanking you.”
“…Me?”
