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The quiet forest, usually filled with silence, was crowded with an unbelievably large number of people today.
Colorful tents and flags fluttered in the spring breeze, and people bustled about beneath them.
Amidst soldiers standing in rows wearing shining armor, students in academy uniforms and nobles governing the surrounding territories were chatting in groups of twos and threes.
“Doesn’t this year’s Subjugation Contest seem grander than last year’s?”
“It’s probably because several members of the Imperial Family are attending. Look over there.”
One student pointed with his chin towards the largest and most magnificent tent located in the center.
Underneath it, Prince Darian and Princess Peony were seated side by side, along with the academy dean and professors.
However, the two siblings were in markedly different situations.
Various people were constantly visiting the Prince to offer greetings, while hardly anyone spoke to the Princess.
Taking advantage of a lull when the crowd thinned out somewhat, Peony opened her mouth in a flat voice.
“What brings you here, brother? I thought I was the only member of the Imperial Family participating in this year’s Subjugation Contest.”
“Well, I came because I wanted to see you. How have you been feeling lately?”
“…I’m always the same, I suppose.”
Peony smiled, subtly avoiding his gaze.
However, Darian seemed not to notice her coldness, maintaining a gentle smile.
“Still, you look healthier than before. I’m glad it seems academy life suits you.”
Although he said that, Darian was also harboring the same question as Peony.
He had hastily come here for today’s event, even canceling a previously scheduled appointment.
‘Why did Mother suddenly make such a suggestion to me?’
Darian recalled the conversation he had had a few days ago.
“You seem to be working too hard these days. Why don’t you attend the Subjugation Contest held at the academy to clear your head for a while?”
“Pardon? The Subjugation Contest?”
“Yes. I hear there are many talented students these days. Go and find someone who can be of assistance to you.”
“But my schedule is packed that day…”
“The royal guard send-off ceremony is something you always attend. It won’t change much if you miss it. I’ve already spoken to His Majesty, so you don’t need to worry.”
“…”
“Oh, and take Sir Anton with you when you go. He will assist you well.”
It was the first time his mother had interfered in his affairs to the point of forcing him to change a previously scheduled appointment.
However, Darian soon agreed that Eliza’s words were correct.
There were many talented individuals he was interested in observing at this year’s Subjugation Contest as well.
Above all, discovering and nurturing talents that no one else had noticed was an important task for him, who aimed to be the Emperor.
Darian gazed at the bustling crowd with clear eyes. Then, he spoke to Professor Stefan, who was sitting next to him.
“By the way, Ritsha Forest is quite far from the academy… How did you manage to select this place as the subjugation site?”
The location of the Subjugation Contest changed every year, but this year, unlike previous years, a rather remote area had been selected.
The professor looked momentarily surprised by the Prince’s unexpected question, but soon answered calmly.
“Ah, yes. Although this forest is a bit far from the capital, it is large and Monsters frequently appear here. In particular, the damage to the villages is quite significant every harvest season. We chose this location because we thought it would be good for the students to gain experience working for the people as talents of the empire.”
“Hmm, that’s a good idea. This year’s Subjugation Contest will be a great opportunity for the students to grow.”
Professor Stefan smiled affably, seemingly relieved by Darian’s gentle tone.
“Something Prince Darian also experienced once.”
“That’s right, that experience taught me a lot as well.”
Darian smiled faintly, recalling past memories.
The Subjugation Contest required students to face Monsters only among themselves without the intervention of instructors, so the difficulty level was high enough that injuries often occurred.
Perhaps that was why some of the students facing the battle were already pale.
Darian watched them with a wry smile, his gaze soon stopping at one particular spot.
A girl stood silently in a corner of the formation, without a hint of nervousness.
The wind blowing from the forest gently ruffled her abundant pink hair.
The moment he saw that scene, he remembered meeting her at the Imperial Palace not long ago.
At the time, she had been calm and polite in front of the Emperor, without being intimidated at all.
Recalling that image, a smile naturally appeared on Darian’s lips.
‘Talent aside, she’s definitely an appealing person.’
She had not only become the owner of the Black Dragon but also possessed outstanding Magic talent.
A talent like that could afford to desire more.
However, Ayla politely declined his offer to work under him and quietly wished to focus on her studies.
‘…’
Recalling her calm gaze as she rejected his offer, his mouth felt inexplicably dry.
Was he feeling this way because she was a particularly eye-catching talent?
Darian slowly moved his Adam’s apple when a man approached Ayla, whom he was watching.
It was a familiar face. It was someone he had met and even had a conversation with at the ball not long ago.
Darian chuckled, recalling that memory.
‘To think that he was Duke Argenta’s biological son. It’s still a surprising coincidence.’
What was even more interesting was that the two were still dating.
Duke Argenta’s son and a commoner girl. A relationship that could never have been possible under normal circumstances.
Nevertheless, seeing them chatting and exchanging smiles so affectionately made him feel strangely suffocated.
In fact, it was something he couldn’t quite understand with his common sense. Generally, nobles tend to meet people of similar status to themselves.
‘Because that’s their duty.’
Wasn’t that the reason why Kadin broke off his engagement with Ayla?
But Duke Argenta, strangely enough, seemed relatively free from such noble obligations.
‘Come to think of it, I heard that Duke Argenta is extremely devoted to his long-lost son.’
If that was true, it was truly enviable.
Even though he had a position that demanded high responsibility, he was able to live a free life with the Duke’s approval.
‘But what if that man wasn’t by Ayla’s side…’
He couldn’t help but think that the reason she had rejected his offer so decisively might have been because of that man.
From the beginning, she knew that he was the Heir of the Argenta Noble house, so Ayla wasn’t particularly interested in his offer.
He even felt a slight resentment towards Felix for that plausible speculation.
If he had met her before the two of them met, perhaps he could have become closer to her than that man…
But soon, Darian was startled by his own imagination.
‘…What am I thinking right now?’
Ayla has no interest in him. That was the reality.
Besides, the Duke Argenta’s son was currently by her side as her lover.
The very fact that he was feeling this emotion was abnormal.
And how many times had he encountered her so far that he was harboring such feelings for a woman he didn’t even know well?
No matter how beautiful and talented she was, this was not right.
He had duties and responsibilities to bear.
‘Get a grip, Darian.’
He bit his lip tightly, but all sorts of emotions still swirled and disappeared in his head.
Then, fortunately, someone appeared, blocking his view. It was the dean of the academy.
“Your Highness! We are planning to organize the students’ groups before the full-scale subjugation begins. Would you like to come and check it out with us?”
“Ah… Of course. Since I’ve come all the way here, I should go and cheer on the students.”
Darian nodded awkwardly and stood up from his seat.
In the distance, he saw her, who had been talking to Felix, entering the barracks.
Darian’s gaze lingered on the spot where she had disappeared before falling away.
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