"This is Noel."
"Greetings, Your Highness. It is an honor to meet you."
"Oh?"
Yuma raised an eyebrow slightly.
Most people believed the commander and the prince were two different individuals. Very few realized they were the same person, especially since the two identities used entirely different abilities.
So Noel addressing him as Your Highness immediately was somewhat surprising.
"Greetings to you as well, Noel Riggs Kaysen."
Noel kept his head lowered as Yuma turned toward Rue.
"So why is he joining the common class?"
"Because of my younger brother, Commander," Diana answered.
"Younger brother?"
"Yes. My youngest brother, Mylo. Because of his illness, he never received proper education growing up. He'll be entering the academy this year, so our family decided he should start from the common class."
"Hm. Then what does that have to do with Young Master Noel?"
Diana pointed her thumb toward Noel.
"This kid is my brother's childhood friend. Whenever my family was busy, he was the one taking care of Mylo. So he decided to enter the common class as well."
"Hmm..."
"And coincidentally, Chairman Rue said they were looking for a trustworthy noble to accompany the commander. So I talked to both the Duke and the young master of House Kaysen. They agreed."
Yuma looked at Noel.
"Is that true?"
"Yes."
Smack.
Diana suddenly hit Noel on the head.
"Don't act so stiff! Commander, don't be fooled by his blank face. This idiot is your biggest fan. Every time Duke Kaysen returns from a meeting, he waits outside the house just to ask about you. Honestly, I once thought he might become a stalker someday."
"Diana."
"What? Call me big sister! I'm older than you, brat."
Noel frowned slightly and turned his face away from Diana's annoyed expression.
"See? Perfect, right?"
Rue looked at Yuma with sparkling eyes.
"He'll be watching over the Colsen family's child anyway, so he might as well watch over you too."
"I can take care of myself."
"That's not the point. If some rude noble appears, you won't step forward. I know you'll just stay silent. Wouldn't it be better if someone could handle that for you?"
"They're just children. There's no need to retaliate."
Rue studied Yuma from head to toe.
"Hm. Children? You're one of them too, Yuma."
"Haaaa..."
Ignoring Yuma's sigh, Rue turned to Noel.
"Your job is simple. Protect Yuma and stay by his side. If he becomes ill, don't bring him to the infirmary. Take him directly to the headmaster's office. If there's anything Yuma needs that he doesn't have, contact me immediately."
"I understand."
"He'll be busy with school as well. Don't disturb him too much."
"Don't worry, Commander."
Diana smirked.
"I have no idea what circuit in his brain burned out, but he loves taking care of people. When he started visiting my house, I couldn't even tell who the adult was anymore. He nags, he fusses, he worries constantly. And since my brother is sick, he's already used to caring for someone."
"I'm not sick."
"Of course not. But this is preparation. We never know when your condition might worsen. It's better to have someone experienced nearby, right?"
Diana jabbed Noel's ribs with her elbow.
"Hey, say something. Don't just sit there. Don't tell me you're nervous?"
The smirk on Diana's face slowly disappeared when Noel lifted his head.
The boy's pupils trembled.
"...Seriously?"
"..."
"..."
"U-uh... I'm very happy to be of service to you..."
"...Wow. He's actually serious."
Diana stared in disbelief.
This was the same boy who once dragged her brother out of bed in front of their father without hesitation. Yet now he sat frozen in place, ears red and eyes panicked.
"Don't panic. You can refuse if-"
"No."
"?"
"I can do it, Your Highness."
Noel took a small breath, forcing himself to calm down.
"With pleasure-no, please entrust this task to me. I will make sure your time at the academy will be enjoyable."
Yuma chuckled softly.
"I'm going to the academy for a mission. Treat me like an ordinary student so no one becomes suspicious. That will be enough."
"Understood."
"Good."
Rue grinned in satisfaction.
He had known Yuma would accept.
This was far more effective than sending one of the soldiers to hide in the shadows to protect him.
With Noel nearby, Rue could receive updates if something happened-or if Yuma started pushing himself too hard again.
Perfect.
"Anything else?" Yuma asked.
"No. I'll discuss a few more things with Diana and Noel. I also need to contact Duke Kaysen for formal permission. What about you?"
"I'll go to the office and assist my uncle."
"Ck, just leave that old-"
Rue suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
He had just remembered they were not alone in the room.
"Ahem. Right."
Then something seemed to occur to him.
"Oh right... come with me to the city tomorrow afternoon."
"Hm?"
Yuma, who had just reached the door, paused.
"We need to buy school supplies."
"I can ask the head butler to prepare them."
"No."
Rue's expression turned serious.
"This is called the academy ritual. The day before registration, students must choose and purchase their own supplies as a sign that they are serious about studying."
"...I'm going there for a mission, not actual school."
"Even so. You still have to do it, Yuma."
Rue turned his head.
"Right, Noel? Diana?"
"Of course."
"...."
"Answer."
Diana immediately jabbed Noel in the ribs.
"...Yes."
Seeing that Rue clearly would not back down until he received a response, Yuma massaged his forehead and nodded.
"I'll wait at the back gate at one in the afternoon."
He paused briefly before adding,
"Remember, we'll be in disguise."
Rue leaned forward slightly.
"Don't forget to wear a cloak-no, I'll explain everything to the head butler myself later."
"Hmm."
Yuma simply shook his head before returning his faint smile.
"Then I'll be going."
"Yes. Be careful, Yuma. Watch where you're going."
"Mm."
The door closed softly behind him.
Once Yuma's footsteps faded away, Rue's expression immediately turned cold.
"You're a fan of His Highness?"
"Yes."
"Where did you learn that the commander and the prince are the same person?"
Rue narrowed his eyes.
"Did the Duke talk too much?"
"Please don't misunderstand."
Noel answered calmly.
"I once saw the prince use his power when I was young. I also saw the commander use his abilities when I accompanied my father."
"And that alone was enough for you to conclude they are the same person?"
Rue clicked his tongue.
"This boy has unusually sensitive senses," Diana interrupted.
"Remember when I told you my brother received a portion of someone's energy when he was young so he could survive?"
Rue glanced toward her and nodded.
"Because his soul is sensitive," Diana continued.
"He can use it to stabilize my brother's soul. So it's only natural that he can perceive the flow of souls more clearly than ordinary people."
Rue exhaled slowly, though his expression still showed reluctance.
Some children were born with unstable souls.
To help them survive, someone would usually share a portion of their spiritual energy until the child's soul stabilized.
Usually a family member.
However, the process worked far better if the person sharing the energy possessed a sensitive soul, since their energy would merge more easily.
"Anyway, this kid can be trusted."
Diana casually patted Noel on the shoulder.
"Don't forget the personalities of Duke and Duchess Kaysen either. I'm willing to vouch for him myself."
"Fine, fine."
Rue pressed his fingers to his temple.
"As long as he can watch Yuma and stop him from pushing himself too far while accompanying him at the academy, I have no complaints."
He fixed Noel with a sharp gaze.
"Remember this carefully. Treat Yuma like an ordinary student in front of others. Do not do anything that exposes the Imperial Prince's identity or security."
"You already know about the prince's power. The more secret it remains, the better."
"I will stake my life on it."
"I don't need your life."
Rue replied flatly.
"Just do your job and don't make mistakes."
"Understood."
"Diana."
"Yes?"
"Take me to the Duke's residence."
"Oh? Now?"
"Yes. The sooner the better."
"Alright, let's go."
Rue stood up and let out a quiet sigh before walking toward the door.
He could only hope that all these preparations would not be in vain.
I just hope everything proceeds smoothly...