The Archduke’s Flower Is in Danger - Chapter 15

Jefferson, the Dean of the Jupiter Imperial University, straightened the set of his clothes. He politely greeted the tall man who had just entered the office.

“It is an honor to meet you.”

“Please, treat me comfortably. I have come here as a student.”

The man shook hands with a smile. With light brown hair and pale sky-blue eyes, he gave off an intellectual and gentle impression. He was the kind of person anyone would find likable at first glance.

“You have had a long journey to get here, Your Highness Ranian.”

“Please, just call me Ranian. Is it not true that at the Imperial University, everyone is equal regardless of rank?”

“Then… I shall call you Lord Ranian.”

Jefferson leaned forward in his seat, focusing on his conversation with the Prince of the neighboring empire.

“I received the letter from the Lysandro Imperial Family in advance. I understand you wish to study abroad at our university.”

“The reputation of the Jupiter Imperial University is famous throughout the continent. I ask for your guidance.”

His tone was plain and modest, lacking the typical arrogance of the Imperial Family. Jefferson was suddenly reminded of the words of a friend he had met at an academic conference held in the Lysandro Empire. A noble and scholar of Lysandro, his friend had expressed frustration while discussing the state of the empire.

—It is a piteous thing.

—What do you mean?

—I am speaking of the Third Prince, His Highness Ranian. He is a man of excellent character and learning… yet he has no interest whatsoever in the competition for the throne.

—Does not the faction of the Empress’s maternal family hold immense power in Lysandro?

—That is exactly it. If only he had been the offspring of the Empress…

Just as his friend had said, the man before him possessed a generous dignity and a charm that comfortably drew others in.

He is certainly too fine a figure to be cast out as if into exile.

Expressing his pity internally, Jefferson looked at Ranian’s admission documents on the table.

“I hear you have chosen the Department of Administration.”

“That is correct. I am interested in it as it is a field of study adapted to the rapidly changing social environment of late.”

“There will be many outstanding students in the Administration Department this year.”

With expectant eyes, Jefferson thought of the prospective Grand Duchess who was soon to enroll. To think that the top student entering the Administration Department this year was the prospective Grand Duchess.

He had been utterly distraught when he heard the news through the newspapers. Only then did he understand why the Grand Duke had taken her acceptance certificate, saying he would deliver it personally on the day of the exam.

From the prospective Grand Duchess of Jupiter to the Prince of Lysandro. Since two people who would draw the world’s attention were enrolling together, he decided he must tell Professor Niechen of the Administration Department to pay special attention.

Come to think of it, Niechen was likely meeting the prospective Grand Duchess right now, as she was to give a speech as the representative of the incoming class. He heard she was visiting personally to discuss the content of her speech.

“If you have the time, I shall guide you through the campus. It must be unfamiliar since it is your first time.”

“I appreciate the kindness, but it is alright. I enjoy walking, so I think it would be good to look around slowly on my own.”

Ranian politely declined the favor and stood up after finishing his conversation with Jefferson.

“Then, I shall take my leave.”

“I look forward to seeing you again.”

Leaving the Dean’s office with Jefferson seeing him off, Ranian moved leisurely along the lined corridors. The buildings of the Imperial University, with a history spanning several centuries, were cultural assets in their own right. He was enjoying the atmosphere of the quiet campus, taking in the classical architecture.

“The professor must also be aware. Even though industrialization led by capitalists has developed society, it is aggravating the poverty of the workers.”

the steady, unwavering voice of a woman caused him to stop in his tracks. In a lounge that appeared after turning the corridor, a woman wearing a bonnet and a middle-aged man were in conversation.

“There are also arguments that capitalist industrialization actually brought tenant farmers, who were subordinate to landowners, into the cities and made their lives more prosperous,” the man, who appeared to be a professor, countered.

The woman shook her head quietly. “The wage levels and working conditions in the industrial cities surrounding the capital are extremely poor. On top of that, housing costs have plummeted, causing slum areas to grow even larger. Not only is there economic hardship, but various social problems such as public hygiene, child education, and crime are also expanding.”

“Is that why you made such an argument in the entrance exam? That the poverty brought by industrialization is not an individual problem but a structural problem of society, and that active government intervention is needed to solve it.”

“That’s right. Social problems cannot be solved by leaving them to a free market economy. Rather, the gap only grows wider. The cause of poverty lies in the injustice of distribution, where workers do not receive proper compensation for their labor. It is the role of the state to resolve this injustice.”

Ranian’s pupils dilated with a peculiar light at the woman’s words, as she clearly laid out her argument in a persuasive tone. He stroked his chin with his fingertips and stared intently at the woman’s profile, which was partially hidden by her hat.

Who on earth is she?

He was genuinely curious about the woman’s identity. Judging by the professor’s mention of an entrance exam, she seemed to be a freshman.

“Haha. That was a delightful discussion. In truth, after reading the answer sheet you submitted, I wanted to hear Lady Idel’s thoughts in person. I am glad I had the opportunity today.”

“I was also able to organize my thoughts through our talk, Professor. Thank you for making the time.”

“Think nothing of it. I believe we can draft the speech for the entrance ceremony based on what we discussed.”

“Understood. I shall see you again at the ceremony.”

“Lady Idel, please return home safely.”

Idel. He repeated the name internally as if to remember the woman who was standing up after finishing her conversation with the professor. Somehow, he felt a fluttering sensation, as if a spring breeze were blowing through his heart.

He had been leaning against the wall listening to the conversation, and now he hurriedly straightened himself as he watched the woman walk in the opposite direction. His legs moved instinctively to follow her. He had no time to consider why he was walking behind her.

He only knew one thing: if he missed this woman without saying a word, he would regret it for the rest of his life. The argument she had made was identical to the thoughts he usually held. It was not easy to meet someone with such a matching mind.

The woman’s gait as she walked ahead was so steady that the hem of her dress barely moved. Her wheat-colored hair, spilling out from beneath her bonnet, fluttered gently in the wind, teasing him like something almost within reach yet just out of grasp.

Ranian stopped on the arched bridge connecting the buildings. He had already closed the distance with his long legs, but he hesitated for a moment. Should he call out to her? His reason was fiercely debating what excuse he should use to start a conversation.

Suddenly, a short, strong gust of wind blew.

“Ah!”

The woman let out a small exclamation of surprise as she met the oncoming wind. The loosely tied string of her bonnet came undone, and the hat was swept away by the breeze. She tried to catch the flying bonnet, but it escaped her. Idel Fleure turned back toward where the hat had flown with a flustered expression.

Nearby, she met the eyes of a man standing about two steps away, holding her bonnet. Idel’s eyes rounded at the sudden appearance of the man.

Ranian, who had caught the flying bonnet by chance, also stood with his lips slightly parted, momentarily dazed by the sight of her. The image of the woman looking at him while holding her hair in the wind was etched vividly into his retina, like a captured photograph. Ranian stared at her intently, not even blinking.

“…Thank you for catching my hat.”

Idel spoke first, breaking the silence. Her eyes wavered slightly, perhaps startled by the sight of the strange man.

“Think nothing of it. Here it is, Lady.”

On the trees lining the campus, green buds were already sprouting vividly. He thought the woman’s light green eyes resembled that sight. Ranian smiled brightly at her, as if welcoming the sudden arrival of spring. Idel was momentarily struck by his angelically kind smile as she took the bonnet.

“Ah, my name is…”

Ranian started to introduce himself with his full name but stopped. the surname Lysandro was a clear sign of his imperial status. If this woman, who was about to enter the university, were a commoner, his status would surely be a burden.

He did not want to be a burden, even if she were to find out his identity later.

“My name is Ranian. May I ask the Lady’s name?”

Ranian, who had only given his first name and hidden his surname, offered a greeting and extended his hand with an elegant bow.

After hesitating for a moment while looking at the man’s long hand, she carefully took it.

“I am Idel.”

Judging by his naturally dignified movements and the exquisite, custom-fitted suit he wore, she surmised he was a noble. Nevertheless, seeing that he did not reveal his surname, she assumed he was being mindful of the fact that this was the Imperial University, where there was no rank among students. She, too, did not reveal her surname.

Ranian’s lips lightly touched the back of Idel’s hand. After the light kiss, he looked at her intently.

“It is a pleasure, Lady Idel.”

Below the arched bridge where they stood was a lake that crossed the campus. Ranian’s pale blue eyes were as clear and still as that lake. They were the kind of eyes that made one feel at peace just by looking at them.

Ah!

Idel, who had unknowingly fallen into his gaze and lost her focus, snapped back to her senses in a startle. Seeing the woman’s slightly reddened cheeks, Ranian’s eyes crinkled.

“I am in the Department of Administration.”

“The Administration Department? I am in the Administration Department as well.”

“Is that true?”

Startled by the unexpected connection, Idel nodded. Ranian, whose eyes had widened slightly, smiled brightly.

“This truly is  fate.”

His eyes sparkled and rippled like the waves of a lake catching the afternoon sun.

Chance becomes fate, and fate becomes destiny.

This sentence he had read in a book once struck Ranian’s heart in this moment. He gently curled the palm where her hand had rested, like a butterfly alighting, and made a vow. He would make sure that this chance meeting with her became destiny.

The breeze that had begun to blow softly permeated into his heart. It was the height of spring.