“Huh? Why should I go all the way to that crappy academy to do my research?”
Inside Misha’s Research Institute.
Azalea and Lorabelle were also in the Research Institute, and sitting across from them was Misha, who looked thoroughly annoyed.
“Exactly, Lorabelle, isn’t it fine for Misha to do her research here? The kingdom provides her with plenty of funding for her studies—something the academy can’t give her.”
Azalea’s expression soured a little as she quietly edged closer to Misha. Her turquoise eyes pleaded with Lorabelle, hoping she would take back what she had just said.
She didn’t want Lorabelle to take her to the academy, because then she wouldn’t be able to see Misha anymore.
“The academy can provide funding too…”
The flat response came, showing Lorabelle paid no attention to Azalea’s pleading gaze.
Her intention was firm, and Azalea’s face became even more downcast.
“Those noisy kids at the academy are way too loud. I don’t like it.”
Misha spoke, her face twisting in pain as if she was imagining the raucous scene.
But in reality, she was also among the ranks of the young, just far too much of a recluse.
Azalea hugged Misha from behind, resting her chin lightly atop her gray hair, and echoed her words, “Exactly, exactly! Our Misha is too gloomy and damp, she likes a quiet environment!”
“Who are you calling gloomy and damp?!”
The mingled scent of red sandalwood and strange perfumes swirled around Lorabelle’s nose, making her impatience even worse.
She’d already wasted too much time since entering the castle, and her longing for her sister was almost at its peak.
She had planned to take things slowly, guiding Misha bit by bit, but the princess beside her kept siding with Misha, making her approach useless.
Left with no choice, she decided to play her trump card.
She took a deep breath, calming her anxious heart, then said, “And most importantly, the academy can give you access to the restricted books.”
“Restricted books…”
Misha was finally tempted, lowering her gaze as if seriously considering it.
“The kingdom’s restricted library has always been open to her, I don’t believe the academy has more restricted books than the kingdom does!”
Azalea protested, but was quickly met with Misha’s blunt rebuttal.
“Orphea Academy doesn’t belong to any country. It holds nearly all the restricted books of every kingdom—definitely several times, maybe even a thousand times more than the First Kingdom.”
“M-Misha! You’re not really thinking of leaving me behind to go to that stupid academy, are you?”
Azalea blinked her big, dazzling eyes, trying to squeeze out a few tears.
But honestly, she’d already cried herself dry earlier when reading that picture book, so no matter how hard she tried, nothing came out.
Seeing Misha still deep in thought and not responding, Azalea grew even clingier.
She pressed her face close, rubbing against Misha’s cheek.
Rubbing and wailing, she cried, “Misha! Don’t leave me, Misha!!”
“Alright, alright, it’s not like I’m dying.”
Misha reached out and forcefully pushed her face aside, then shot a glance at Lorabelle. “But I have conditions.”
“Name them.”
“If I leave, the kingdom will definitely take all my research results.”
“I must keep my research, and my Research Institute.”
“So I want to go to the academy under the pretense of further study, but I might return to the kingdom at any time.”
Lorabelle crossed one arm over her chest, the other hand pressed to her lips, as if pondering.
Right now, the most important thing was to calm things down at the academy. She had to bring a replacement first, then figure out the rest later.
She nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll think of a way for you.”
“So when do we leave?”
Seeing that Misha seemed to have really agreed, Azalea immediately prepared to change targets.
She ran up to Lorabelle, grabbed her wrist, and started dragging her outside.
“Let’s talk in private!”
Her silky golden hair left a faint, elegant fragrance in the air.
She shut the Research Institute’s door, glaring angrily at Lorabelle.
“Why! Are! You! Taking! Her! Away!”
Each word dripped with fury, filling her sapphire eyes. Her puffed cheeks were bigger than ever.
This was as serious as if her forbidden novels had been discovered by her father, leading to a lifetime ban on sweets—meaning she’d never eat cake again.
“I’m not like you, blessed by the goddess and able to live for thousands of years!”
“You know I like her. In less than a hundred years, do you really want to shorten the time I have with her…” Her last words trailed off, barely above a whisper.
Lorabelle kept her eyes lowered, not meeting her gaze, and simply said, “Sorry.”
Normally, she might have given in to Azalea’s wishes.
But this was about her sister. If she compromised, she’d never hear the end of it.
“So… what am I supposed to do when she’s gone?”
Azalea also noticed Lorabelle had changed—whenever her sister was involved, she would do anything, no matter what.
“My sister is above all.” Back then, she’d thought Lorabelle was joking. But now, she realized Lorabelle was not the joking type.
Lorabelle lowered her eyes, as if thinking deeply.
After a long while, her eyes suddenly lit up and she said, “Your Highness, maybe you can go to the academy with Misha.”
“Me? How is that possible!”
“With my father’s stubbornness, I have to apply in advance just to leave the castle, let alone leave the kingdom for the academy!”
“You and Misha can both enter the academy under the guise of further study. I can volunteer to be your bodyguard. Maybe then His Majesty will agree.”
Misha laughed self-deprecatingly. “Come on, I know what kind of father I have. Even Misha says I’m a once-in-a-lifetime idiot, let alone being allowed to study together.”
“Misha and I can help plead for you—as long as you can stand going without sweets every day.”
“Really?! If it means Misha won’t leave me, I can give up cakes and everything else.”
“That’s good then.”
Click.
Just as their conversation ended, the door to the Research Institute swung open.
A tuft of gray hair poked out first, followed by Misha’s resentful little eyes.
“Are you two done talking? My time is very precious.”
Azalea immediately yanked the half-open door wide, and Misha stumbled straight into her arms.
“It’s decided! I’m going to the academy with Misha!”
“…Just kill me already.”
Then, as if remembering something, she looked at Lorabelle and asked curiously, “But what about after that? Once Misha and I go, where will you take your sister? The kingdom doesn’t allow family members and Holy Knights to live together, you know.”
“If you bring your sister to the First Kingdom, she’ll be given another house anyway, and you’ll be separated again, won’t you?”
“I…”
To be honest, Lorabelle had never thought that far ahead.
Her mind had been set on saving her sister from the witch’s grasp and figuring out how to break the Familiar Red Chain.
But that last step was always the most unclear—she still hadn’t found a way to break it.
Now that she thought about it, maybe asking Misha for help was her only option.
“I…”
She looked at Misha and said, “I need your help…”
“Still that question you asked me before? I told you, breaking the Familiar Red Chain is impossible. It only disappears when both people are dead.”
“But what if one of them really died? I mean, faked death well enough to fool the goddess.” At this, Azalea suddenly spoke up.
“Fool the goddess… and you call yourself a princess, Azalea.”
“But… that does give me an idea.”
Misha bit her nail, her brain working furiously.
After a long while, she finally said, “There’s a place not under the goddess’s control.”
“Where?” Lorabelle asked anxiously.
“That’s the world where the Nether Demons live—a place without gods.”