0&1 Ch 21.17

It was Alex’s duty to protect such a prince.

Prince Joffrey accepted Alex. He allowed Alex to take the oath of a knight.

At first, Alex thought that was enough.

Just being able to stand behind the Prince felt like he had everything in the world.

But Alex was more greedy than he thought.

“Can you help Idella? To the infirmary.”
“Did you know her?”
“I just met her today.”

His heart fluttered.

The Prince knew the girl’s name even before she introduced herself. But he didn’t tell Alex.

He probably thought there was no need to tell him.

Just as Alex had hoped that she wouldn’t enroll this year, the Prince must have had his own thoughts.

The Prince was a wise man. When Alex was helpless and at the mercy of circumstances, it was the Prince who had his soldiers rescue Alex.

The entrance ceremony began as all the students entered the auditorium.

The top student was called to the stage. A dazzling blond head moved forward above the students’ heads.

The murmuring students gradually fell silent. When Prince Edward climbed the steps and stood on the stage, the auditorium fell so silent that you could hear a pin drop.

It wasn’t because they knew that the person standing on the stage was Prince Edward. Prince Edward had that kind of presence, and Alex had often witnessed such moments at his side.

It was strange that someone so conspicuous had never been the subject of any rumors, as Prince Edward’s presence was overwhelming.

No other sound could be heard as Prince Edward read the student oath. Alex wondered if everyone had stopped breathing.

The students looked up at Prince Edward as if they were being sucked in. Alex looked back at Prince Joffrey. He was staring at Prince Edward with his dark eyes.

His expression was gentle. He looked like a sincere and well-behaved student. He had the kind of attitude that made it impossible to guess that the person standing on the stage was his brother and rival.

Prince Joffrey was second in the class. According to what he had heard, he had submitted such an excellent answer that it would not have been surprising if he had come first.

“I guess His Highness Joffrey must be in a bad mood.”
“Isn’t he rumored to be very intelligent?”
“Well, academic studies are different from business.”

Did His Highness not hear that?

The students were having such conversations as they entered the auditorium.

The nobles spoke as if the competition for the throne between the two Princes had begun, and Count Baumkuchen’s thoughts were similar.

However, Prince Joffrey did not seem to feel any rivalry toward Prince Edward.

Even Dot, who was closest to the Prince, advised him not to mention Prince Edward in front of His Highness.

Alex had no idea what the Prince was thinking. The Prince would not tell him.

Should Alex be worried about the Prince? Or should he just ignore those who were talking without knowing anything?

Alex ended up protecting the Prince as he had wanted, but he did not feel that the Prince accepted him.

The Prince was so trusting that he let the grown Alex sleep in his bed, and he was so kind that he reached out his hand to someone who was crying without hesitation.

Did Prince Joffrey accept Alex because he was worthy?

Or was it because he cried like a fool?

Alex didn’t know. He still didn’t know what use he was to the Prince.

All he could do was try to be as useful as possible.

When the student oath was over, applause filled the auditorium. Prince Joffrey was also applauding.

Prince Edward descended from the stage.

Only after Edward had descended did the students turn their attention back to Prince Joffrey. Alex thought the rolling eyes were creepy.

Even though everyone was glancing at him, Prince Joffrey remained calm, and Alex’s mood sank.

He didn’t show it on his face.

Alex kept staring at Prince Joffrey’s profile.

Was Prince Edward Prince Joffrey’s rival? Or were they just brothers? Contrary to popular belief, the two Princes had been close when they were young.

What was Prince Joffrey thinking?

I’m ruined. 

I always thought I was ruined, but it was definitely worse than I had imagined.

Edward was admitted as valedictorian and read the student oath as the representative of the new students. Prince Joffrey, the second prince, was standing below the podium, looking up at Edward.

What was this familiar and terrible situation?

Was it real?

Who on earth would give second place to someone like Joffrey?

I wondered if the academy had given the Princes special treatment. I clapped my hands and smiled, but inside I was thinking, ‘I’m ruined.’

I was worried about the entrance exam. Not because I wanted to be first or second like Joffrey, but because I was afraid I wouldn’t pass.

They said the academy was full of talented people, but it was a lie.

Or maybe there was corruption.

They swore they would grade the exams anonymously, but they didn’t.

How could they make a random student the top student when the Princes were taking the entrance exam?

There’s no other explanation. It was a flaw of the class system.

Even if Edward was the top student, Grey should have been at least second.

Grey was like a private tutor to me. He was addicted to reading and would constantly read books and papers in my study.

I didn’t have the confidence to study like that.

In fact, it wasn’t a matter of confidence, but rather a matter of whether it was possible or not.

For Grey, acquiring knowledge was more like a habit or a game. I think there was a saying by Confucius that went something like, ‘Is it not enjoyable to learn and practice what you have learned?’

That saying came to mind when I looked at Grey.

Thanks to his voracious reading, Grey’s eyesight had deteriorated. Now he wore glasses when he concentrated on a book.

When I returned to the dormitory, Grey greeted me wearing his glasses. He was reading something that looked like a thin booklet.

He looked very relaxed.

I closed the door and asked, “Didn’t you go to the entrance ceremony?”

“I did. I stood in the back and came back early.”

Grey turned the page.

“Did you hear Edward give his speech as valedictorian?”
“Yes. He was excellent.”
“Do you know that I’m the runner-up?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you find that strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why aren’t you the runner-up?”

“Are you angry?” Grey looked up, looking dumbfounded.

“It’s strange. Aren’t you upset? Why don’t you say that the Prince is your student? No matter how I think about it, there must be some corruption involved in you not being first or second.”

“What’s strange about it? I just wrote answers that would get me a modest passing grade.”
“What? Why?”
“What would I do with good grades?”

Do you need a reason to get good grades? 

“You can brag to your parents.”
“…Is that why you take exams?”
“No?”
“Exams are for confirming what you’ve learned, right?”

Grey spoke like a model student. It was a correct definition of an exam.

But how many students take exams just to confirm their own abilities?

“Did you think I’d naturally be the top or second-best if I took the exam based on my actual abilities?”
“Do I need to think about it? It’s the truth.”

“Hm.”  Grey smiled slightly. He pretended to push up his glasses and covered his face with his hand, but I could see everything.

See? You like to brag too.

“Your Highness must be proud. You’re second in your class,”  Grey said with a smile.

“Yes. That’s because you only take tests to confirm your learning.”
“That’s a strange way to put it. Aren’t you proud?”
“Why wouldn’t I be? I feel like I’m flying.”

The moment I heard my grades, I got goosebumps.

I wondered if Joffrey would be second in class no matter what.

Just as I wanted to lower Joffrey’s value so that he couldn’t be compared to Edward, the same was true for grades.

I had no intention of struggling like Joffrey to outdo Edward.

As a result of his efforts, Joffrey secured the second-place position. While second place may sound unimpressive, it actually means second in the entire school.

I didn’t believe I could achieve that.

I couldn’t let that happen. Otherwise, others would see me as someone who could at least be second.

The Queen wouldn’t be able to give up hope for Joffrey just because of that.

But I came in second in the entrance exam. I got off on the wrong foot. The Queen will hear about this right away.

I don’t know if she’ll be happy or upset. But one thing is certain: she’ll think that I might be able to beat Edward.

The top and second place are just a hair’s breadth apart.

If the second place candidate tries a little harder, maybe…

The Queen would start hoping. And hope doesn’t let go.

The Queen will have expectations. Hope never lets go of people. Over the next year, the Queen’s expectations and disappointments will repeat themselves, and that is how the main story of Joffrey will be written.