#092. That’s How Affection Works
The thing I worried about most when entering the academy alone, without His Majesty, was Tula’s situation.
Originally, I had planned to leave her at Jasper Palace to look after the palace affairs, but circumstances had clearly changed.
Even just considering the difference in status between a Grand Duchess-to-be and a playmate of the Grand Duke, the contrast was enormous. On top of that, I had just experienced an assassination attempt right before leaving the palace.
Although the rumors were suppressed, the conspiracy theory that the Grand Duke himself had orchestrated the assassination attempt was probably circulating quietly.
In this situation, I couldn’t possibly leave Tula in the palace without any protection.
So, worried as I was, Lady Melek, being the most mature and socially experienced among my acquaintances, offered some genuinely useful advice.
“Why not arrange a townhouse for her to stay in?”
“Is it okay for a student to have something like that?”
“Since it’s outside the academy, the rules shouldn’t forbid it. Besides, Your Highness is treated like semi-royalty in the empire and is also foreign royalty. I think a slightly conspicuous action like this will be overlooked.”
After checking the rules, there was, of course, no clause prohibiting students from having a house outside the academy. As for overstepping authority…
Comparing the attention Tula would draw from others with the courage I’d have to show in facing everyone’s scrutiny, I ultimately chose the latter.
The palace itself, both the owner and the administrator gone, had been under the care of the Empress Dowager in the meantime. Leaving it completely unattended would have been awkward, given my status as a peace envoy from Lamore Kingdom borrowing the imperial palace. So her intervention worked out well.
“After all, managing the interior of the palace is my responsibility, and since I have to manage Melki’s palace too, overseeing Blanche’s palace won’t be a big deal,” the Empress Dowager thought.
Unlike Liana, who seemed unaware of the situation, the Empress Dowager could read the circumstances. She had been the one to send Princess Starte away while also sending Mastera Yeongsik.
So while she understood the current situation to some extent, she had no way of knowing about my past life. From her perspective, I likely just acted strangely and suddenly.
Anyone else might have summoned me immediately to question me fiercely, yet the Empress Dowager’s attitude remained unchanged. She would have countless questions, yet she kept silent—an impressive display of political tact.
It’s likely that such skill is why she could rise to Empress Dowager in her mid-forties and still manage both the social scene and the inner palace as she did during her time as Empress.
Regardless, if I could accept her help without needing to explain myself, there was no reason to refuse. Especially since having her manage the palace would make it easier to move Tula out.
So, I gladly accepted her help.
Arranging the townhouse, however, was my responsibility.
Once I explained that I would provide a townhouse for Tula, not only His Majesty but also Liana, the Empress Dowager, and even Paniya and Lady Melek offered to provide a private residence near the academy if needed.
Even the Emperor, whom I had met only twice, offered a residence if I wished. The options were truly numerous.
But having decided to draw a line with His Majesty, I figured imperial support should only go to where it was truly necessary. Paniya and Lady Melek had no pressing reason for a residence, and calculating my own funds, including the expenses I had prudently saved over ten years while sponsoring scholars, I could easily manage a house myself.
So I only sought Lady Melek’s advice in choosing a house, as I had never chosen one myself even in my previous life.
After selecting the house, moving in, and relocating Tula there, the day of the entrance ceremony finally arrived.
With Tula’s help, I changed into my uniform and muttered to myself,
“I’ve never been to an educational institution before… I hope I can adapt.”
I’ve never been good at getting along with children, let alone peers. The academy was a place where I would be with classmates all day long.
Even though I’d learned a bit of tact in this life—interacting with peers more than in my past life, and forming a reasonably close relationship with Paniya—my fundamental nature hadn’t changed.
Until now, the children I interacted with could tolerate me just for a few hours during tea parties, but at the academy, seeing each other 24 hours a day, my anxiety naturally grew.
“Are you worried about that?” Tula asked.
Of course I was. Unlike adults who weigh costs and benefits before emotions, children act on impulse, which can be frustrating.
Worrying about it doesn’t mean I would forgo enrollment, but I couldn’t help being concerned.
As I mulled over patterns in children’s quarrels that I barely remembered, Tula adjusted my uniform and gently hugged me.
“If it’s hard for you, come back on weekends and vent all you want. I’ll listen to everything,” she said.
Venting doesn’t solve problems, and simply having a townhouse might already attract attention. So I planned to avoid coming back during the semester if possible.
But I understood why Tula said that—she wanted to comfort me, provide emotional reassurance.
Even if her method wasn’t quite suitable for me, I found her intention endearing and hugged her tightly without a word.
“If you need anything, write me,” I said.
“You’re worried about me?”
“Of course.”
At this point, the townhouse was just set up, so Tula would have to hire staff and manage it herself. Life would differ greatly from the palace, where everything was provided.
Still, I trusted her ability. After all, that’s how affection works—you still worry about someone even if they can manage perfectly, watching over them, hoping they’ll lean on you and be a little spoiled.
If only I had known this earlier… then I could have treated Yuhyun better. Reflecting on this, I released my arms from around Tula’s neck.
“Then I’ll be off.”
“Wait a moment,” Tula said, stopping me and gently kissing my forehead.
She was no child, and I had already debuted and enrolled in the academy. This wasn’t the type of intimacy one usually shows, but she preempted my scolding.
“Go ahead, I’ll be waiting,” she said.
I glanced at her with narrowed eyes, pretending to scold her, but Tula didn’t lose her smile.
Yes, this was my fault for raising her to be spoiled. Even now, I didn’t feel like scolding her. I realized how much I had softened toward her.
“Alright, be good and wait,” I said lightly, smiling, and pulled away. It was nearly time to depart.
Since the entrance exam, all sorts of rumors about Princess Blanche circulated in Sherazade Academy.
She topped the exam, or she didn’t. She bought her way in despite missing the cutoff. She came to an academy with commoners due to her relaxed nature, or because she wanted to be around commoners rather than nobles. She associated with older students because of maturity, or because she was spoiled and self-indulgent…
By the time nobody could tell the truth about Blanche Loa Bandaluin,
“Is this the way to the entrance ceremony?” someone asked.
It was then that Blanche appeared at the academy.
Naturally, what people noticed first was her appearance.
Under the sunlight, her silver hair glimmered. Tied loosely with a black ribbon that contrasted with her hair, it fell to her shoulder blades.
Her eyes, the same black as her ribbon, were large and round.
Her face, neat like a porcelain doll, bore no expression. With her buttons fastened to the collar, a tightly knotted tie covering the upper buttons, and stiff cuffs, she resembled a living doll.
“…She really is beautiful,” someone murmured.
Though there had been countless rumors about her looks, this was undeniable. Claims that she had captured the Grand Duke’s heart, or that she was surprisingly ordinary despite flattery, were confirmed in part by what people now saw.
Unbothered by whispers about her appearance, Blanche followed the academy guide toward the auditorium.
As she walked, the crowd naturally parted, and she neither hesitated nor seemed concerned. Observers learned one more thing: this girl clearly paid no attention to others’ gazes.
