Chapter 116
"Well then, I'll take my leave."
"Yes... thank you very much."
After leaving the Headmaster's Office, Clael parted ways with Yurii, who had guided him this far, and walked down the academy hallway with Reina.
Reina seemed to be in an unusually good mood. Cheerfully... she led the way with steps that seemed to glide across the corridor.
"Sir Clael, this way. Please follow me! Come on, let's go!"
"Ah, ah, yes. Reina... um, you don't have to hold my hand, you know? I can walk just fine on my own."
Clael gave a wry smile as Reina pulled him along by the hand.
Reina was pulling Clael's hand with a radiant smile... but in the first place, Clael was a graduate of this academy.
The sanctuary where he would soon begin teaching... even the classroom for theology was one he had visited almost daily during his student days.
"Nope. I won't let go."
"You won't!?"
"Nope, not a chance!"
Reina stuck out her tongue mischievously and tightened her grip on Clael's hand.
They were in the academy hallway. Naturally, other students were around... and those who passed by turned back with stunned expressions at the sight of Clael and Reina.
"Ah... Reina. We're family. But at the academy, we're just a teacher and a student, okay?"
Clael voiced his disapproval.
No matter how close they were as family, as long as they were teacher and student, they had to draw a line.
He wouldn't play favorites over other students, nor could he allow overly familiar behavior.
"I see. So, in other words, we're simply a man and a woman."
"Exactly, that's what I—... huh?"
A man and a woman.
Had he really said something like that?
Clael felt puzzled... but Reina's face was beaming.
Perhaps she was just that happy that Clael was now working at the academy... she was more hyper than usual.
"It's fine. I'm just guiding the new teacher around. There's absolutely nothing improper about it."
"Of course, I know you wouldn't do anything strange, Reina. But still, other students might misunderstand if they see us..."
"Reina! What are you doing!?"
Cutting off Clael's words, a sharp voice rang out from down the hallway.
When they turned toward the voice... a blond man with an afro stood there, eyes wide in shock.
"Prince Eric..."
It was none other than Eric Seincle, the Crown Prince.
It was the first time Clael had met him again since their encounter at the beach resort—one of the four main capture targets.
"Walking hand-in-hand with a man inside the school... just who is that man...!?"
"...It's been a while, Prince Eric."
When their eyes met, Eric showed a slightly surprised expression.
"Priest Clael Byrne... or rather, should I say Saint Clael now? Why are you here...!?"
"Didn't you hear? I've been appointed as the new theology teacher."
"N-Now that you mention it, I did hear something about a new theology teacher... I can't believe it was you...!"
Eric's expression twisted for some reason.
He looked like someone frustrated by the unexpected appearance of a rival, but was Clael becoming a teacher really such a problem for him?
"Tch... I thought I could close the distance while my greatest rival wasn't around. And now, even here...!"
"...What are you talking about?"
"...It's nothing. Just talking to myself, Saint Clael."
Eric shook his head with a pained expression.
"More importantly... Reina. Even if you're family, holding hands between a man and a woman within the school is indecent. As royalty and as a member of the student council, I can't overlook it."
"............"
Reina's radiant smile vanished, replaced by a dissatisfied look.
She seemed to be searching for an excuse to justify herself... but everything Eric said was completely reasonable.
With a reluctant air, she let go of Clael's hand and instead moved to stand closely beside him.
"...Understood. I'll refrain from holding hands."
"...Please keep more distance. You're still too close."
"............"
Reina furrowed her brows and stepped just half a step away from Clael.
Even so, it was still close, but perhaps this was the absolute limit of what could be tolerated.
"Reina, you...!"
"By the headmaster's orders, I must guide Sir Clael to the sanctuary... If your business is done, may I be excused?"
"...As long as you maintain proper distance."
Faced with Reina's unusually formal tone, Eric could no longer press the issue.
With a resigned expression, he backed down.
"Well then, Sir Clael. Shall we go?"
Reina turned back to Clael, her bright smile restored.
It was a completely different expression from the one she had shown Eric.
"...Yes, let's go."
Clael responded honestly and began walking with Reina.
"............"
He could feel Eric's glare on his back... but he made a conscious effort to ignore it and walked away from the scene.