#101. Is It Okay to Send a Letter?
The emperor, who had withdrawn his excessive favor, was a far easier person to deal with.
“If you wish, I won’t add my word to the punishment. However, since I’ve come in person, I can’t prevent the faculty from being intimidated and issuing a harsher penalty than necessary.”
That was understandable. If His Majesty told the faculty not to worry about him and to punish fairly, it would only make the aftermath more troublesome.
As soon as he arrived, he had gone straight to the crowded dining hall, so news of His Majesty’s visit must have already spread throughout the academy.
And now, he was saying not to punish the students too severely, even the one who had fought with my playmate? The entire academy was buzzing already.
Of course, it would have been best if he hadn’t shown up at all, but since he was already here and rumors had spread, simply making a brief appearance was probably for the best.
I could claim he had come out of concern for my well-being.
“However, I will see those three separately and leave them with just a warning. After all, some people are especially foolish. If anyone misunderstands my mere visit as a sign that I care for you less, it could be problematic.”
I assumed His Majesty would handle it well, but just in case, I asked politely.
“Please don’t scare the children too much…”
No, it probably wasn’t necessary. In his later years, His Majesty had been a bit excessive, but in reality, he wasn’t someone who ruled by fear as long as the other party didn’t cross the line.
“Who is giving advice to whom now?”
His Majesty was right. I tended to consider various factors and often avoided severe punishment, but when I did punish, it was strict.
So instead of arguing, I corrected my words.
“It’s not advice—it’s a request.”
I had changed my tone, but I couldn’t change my mindset. To call it advice to His Majesty? That would have been absurd.
His Majesty chuckled softly and reached out to lightly pat my head. Well, more like a gentle tap than a pat.
“Is it okay to send a letter?”
Those words struck my heart. Startled, I flinched, and His Majesty followed up.
“Will you send a reply?”
The tone reminded me of a memory from long ago, when I was not his subordinate and he was not my lord.
Back then, we could sit across from each other, share tea, and smile.
I had been captivated by this young man and dared to dream of a future with him.
After we parted, I had to bury those memories deep.
Ah. This person is truly not easy. Blushing, I covered my face with both hands and answered quietly.
“Did I seem so rude that I wouldn’t even reply…?”
I was relieved he had promised not to do anything I disliked. It was also fortunate that I didn’t have to attend the academy with him daily.
If I had faced him every day, being persuaded constantly, I might have lost sleep every night and suffered from recurring memories, yet still wished for his happiness.
Even with my flushed face, my mind made such calculations. It was almost instinctive.
My dealings with Blanche had been entirely private, so on the surface, Melchizedek had gained nothing from coming here.
Some claimed that despite gaining nothing, his visit was a display of affection, but the Duke’s movements were never trivial enough to be motivated by mere sentiment.
Thus, Melchizedek still had nothing to show for his visit.
Yet, his steps back north were light and buoyant.
“You seem in good spirits.”
“Because I am.”
Even to his aide’s cautious question, Melchizedek responded graciously. He truly was in high spirits.
Blanche’s attitude was defensive, but that alone reassured him.
In their previous life, their relationship hadn’t progressed because they were master and subordinate. Affection could be transactional, but loyalty could not.
Their exchanges had always been one-off.
He could commend Baekryeon’s achievements, but she had not repaid the gifts he had bestowed with accomplishments.
But now it was different. Blanche would respond to what he sent. She would reply to his letters and answer his words. Emotions would accumulate in their exchanges.
Distance, in this case, was actually an advantage.
Though distance can create emotional separation, it also reduces negative feelings.
The gap would ease the sharp thorns in Blanche’s heart.
Seeing him, she may have cried, but a single letter would not cause her suffering.
Maintaining an appropriate distance while exchanging letters would gradually calm resentment and foster new affection.
Recalling past memories during this process would only enhance the effect.
Melchizedek remembered Blanche blushing, recalling her youthful embarrassment and tears over the traces of the past.
The time gap in between might make her perceive her father’s second son and Emperor Jaecheong as separate entities.
Either way, if there remained good memories, it was beneficial for him. Perhaps he could even write the letters using honorifics. His older brother used formal speech with his spouse, so it could serve as a gesture of respect for a future partner.
“Redillon.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“When you return north, gather some paper suitable for love letters. You know, the kind with pressed flowers or something similar.”
It wasn’t his first time sending a letter, but a love letter? That made Melchizedek’s heart race.
Sprinkle perfume, leave a kiss at the end, write a love poem for no reason, and eagerly wait for a reply, checking the window each day.
Yes, perhaps he had been given a second life for this very purpose: to experience what he had missed in his previous one.
He tapped his lips lightly.
He recalled that last time, he had only managed partial confessions about what he liked.
Well, with five years ahead, he would surely have a chance for a direct confession.
He smiled and took in the scenery outside. He thought he might describe this view after returning to his estate. Sending his most heartfelt emotions in the very first letter might scare Blanche into burning it.
Though not the ending I had hoped for upon enrollment, all the incidents had been resolved.
Hairmitch and his gang were assigned probation and community service.
Of course, punishment for hitting me had been a formal apology, as Lady Wellington had instructed. They bowed with genuinely apologetic faces.
Apparently, His Majesty had reprimanded them properly.
Seeing their genuine remorse, I abandoned the thought of intimidating them further.
Watching them apologize so earnestly in front of everyone, I achieved my goal of rising in the school hierarchy. I gradually became friends with Lady Varandis, fostering bonds I had intended to form only after my promotion.
I could now exchange casual greetings with my classmates and even share meals with friends.
Honestly, I had more friends in this life than in my previous one, which had spanned over sixty years.
Keeping up with lessons was not a problem. With Hairmitch’s gang properly scolded, no one else harassed me. Relationships were smooth. I could devote myself to studies as I wished. Though I didn’t often go down to socialize, I could visit Tula at the townhouse on weekends if I wanted.
Truly, my days held nothing more to wish for.
For the first time since being granted a second life, I thought, “This life is worth having a second chance.” That alone showed how smooth my life had become.
Ah, Paniya had also sent a letter, still cherishing our friendship.
Unlike me, her handwriting was round and pretty, and even the letter paper was beautiful.
She had pressed flowers into the paper—it was so lovely and thoughtful that I wanted to frame it.
Feeling a bit guilty about replying with plain paper, I gathered my courage and bought colored stationery at the store.
The clerk suggested patterned or scented paper, but I wasn’t ready for that yet. Perhaps I’d try it later.
Returning with the paper, I wrote my reply.
I assured her that I was truly fine regarding Hairmitch’s gang and said I would return to the capital during vacation. I added that if she happened to pass nearby the townhouse on the weekend, she was welcome to stop by.
It wasn’t a direct invitation, so it wouldn’t feel forceful, right?
Since the other noble students hadn’t said much, there’d be no issue. Still, I asked if she was doing well lately, in case she had small concerns she didn’t want to mention.
I filled the letter with trivial matters and placed it in an envelope. Then I noticed some remaining items.
I glanced at my neatly closed desk drawer.
Inside were Paniya’s letter from yesterday and the letter from His Majesty.
“…I suppose I should open it after all.”
