In a Female-Dominant World with a 5:1 Gender Ratio, I Saved a Girl as a Kid, and She Said She Wanted to Be My Bride—Who Would’ve Thought She Was a Princess… - 2

Chapter 2: Father’s Expectations and a Modest Send-Off Party

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“The Royal Academy… is it?”

When I showed the letter of recommendation to my father, he was, as expected, overjoyed.

“Alto! Just as I thought, you truly are my son! Do you see this? Knowledge! At last, the results of all your diligent studying have been recognized!”

My father was as excited as he had been three years ago, when he was granted our territory.

…Dad, I’m sorry. This probably isn’t the result of my studying.

I couldn’t shake the possibility that this letter of recommendation was a “trap.” Someone was trying to drag me out to the royal capital. This letter of recommendation, and the territory that had been granted to us three years ago. No matter how I thought about it, there had to be “someone” pulling the strings behind the scenes. But I couldn’t tell my father the truth.

After my mother left and he lost everything, “studying” and “my success” had become his only reason to keep living. I couldn’t take that hope away from him.

“…I’ll go, Dad. I’ll prove that what you taught me was right.”

“Oh, Alto! That’s my son!”

My father rejoiced with tears streaming down his face. Looking at him like that, I quietly steeled my resolve.

…Fine by me, I guess.

I didn’t know whose scheme this was, but whether it was the Royal Academy or anywhere else, I would simply do what I had to do. Just as my father wished, I’d show them the fruits of this so-called “studying.” And I would absolutely keep this infinite magical power hidden. I’d keep a low profile, avoid making waves, quietly take first place, and graduate as quickly as possible.

That would probably be the greatest act of filial piety I could offer my father. In the few days before my departure, my father’s joy was overwhelming, and he went around spreading the news throughout the entire small territory of this fallen noble house.

“My son Alto was recommended for admission to the Royal Academy!”

As a result… When I packed the bare minimum of luggage and stepped out the front entrance of the manor, the people of the territory were gathered there. A modest crowd of a little over a dozen people.

“Congratulations, Young Master Alto!”

“That’s amazing, Alto!”

“To think someone from our territory would get into the Royal Academy!”

Voices like that flew at me from all sides. Not knowing how to react, I stood there awkwardly, at a loss.

After my mother left and my father shut himself away, most of the people of the Kirschwasser territory had abandoned this land and left. The only ones remaining were these dozen or so people. And now, every single one of them was smiling from the heart as they celebrated me.

…I was grateful. I really was grateful, but….

“Young Master! When you get to the academy, you have to catch the eye of a duke’s daughter!”

“That’s right! Aim to become a proper husband!”

In the end, this was how it was. Their expectations, like my father’s fixation on “knowledge,” were steeped in this world’s so-called “common sense,” just in a different direction. To them, the meaning of my going to the Royal Academy was nothing more than a stepping stone to “marry into a good family.” As I stood there unable even to force a polite smile, the baker stepped forward and held out a large bundle.

“Young Master Alto, here. It’s bread I baked this morning. Eat it in the carriage on the way to the royal capital.”

“…Ah… Thank you very much.”

“Don’t be so distant! We know you’ve been studying all this time for your father, the lord.”

“Do your best!”

The bread handed to me was warm. Their expectations weren’t what I wanted. But their desire to support me was genuine.

…Ah, damn it.

Because I had memories of a previous life, I couldn’t just accept this happily. I found myself hating, just a little, the twisted heart that could only receive their pure goodwill in such a cynical way.

“…Yeah. I’m heading out.”

I hugged the bundle of bread tightly and bowed deeply. Seeing me off, the people of the territory watched as I climbed into the only shared carriage in the village.

“Wait a moment!”

My father said that, then ran up to the second floor of the manor. He threw open a window, and waved frantically.

“Alto! Do your best! First and foremost, study hard!”

At his sheer exuberance, I let out a small wry smile.

I know, Dad.

The carriage began to rattle forward. I clenched the letter of recommendation in my breast pocket once more. I wasn’t going to look for women. I was going to the royal capital to meet my father’s expectations and to protect my secret. I would live a quiet academy life and deepen my knowledge.

(Lilianna’s POV)

At the same time, in a room within the royal palace in the royal capital. I—Lilianna—looked up from the thick stack of reports I had been reading when I sensed the head maid entering.

“…How did it go?”

The head maid bowed deeply, her expression unchanged.

“I report to you, Your Highness. …Alto-sama of House Kirschwasser departed early this morning from his territorial village, traveling to the royal capital by shared carriage.”

The hand with which I was turning the documents stopped dead.

“…I see.”

I made an effort to stay calm, to keep my voice from trembling. Maintaining the perfect mask of a princess, I gave my next instruction to the head maid.

“What about the arrangements for the academy?”

“All preparations are complete. The environment he will likely ‘desire’ has been fully arranged.”

“Good work. …You may withdraw.”

After the head maid exited silently and I waited for the heavy door to close, I… With a clatter, tossed the documents in my hands onto the desk and rushed straight to the terrace window.

At last…!

My heart trembled with joy. The sky stretched far into the distance beyond the window. Somewhere beneath that sky, at this very moment, he was heading toward the academy.

Ten years…!

It had been so long. That small back that had saved me that day… That warm healing magic, something that was impossible for a man… And the promise of our shared “secret.”

“Alto…”

Aware that my reflection in the glass was far too relaxed for a princess, I whispered softly.

“…At last, we can meet.”

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