Kazura's Kingdom (Part 1)

The three-day preparation period Ordos had provided was over.

As Shirone rode in the carriage toward the academy with Reina, he was tested on royal etiquette.

Reina: "What's the first thing you do during an audience?"

Shirone: "Kneel, lower your gaze to a 45-degree angle, place your hand over your heart, and say, 'I humbly await Your Majesty's summons.'"

Reina: "The royal court's official definition of 'morning' is…?"

Shirone: "Thirty minutes before the lunch bell rings."

Reina nodded in satisfaction.

Reina: "Good. You're doing great!"

Shirone: "Hehe! It's similar to Tormia Kingdom's customs, so it wasn't too hard."

Though separated by era, Tormia and Kazura were sibling nations that had both gained independence from the Yakma Republic, so their cultures weren't vastly different.

Still, for someone like Shirone—who wasn't nobility—memorizing all this was no small feat.

But Reina wasn't worried.

He had always been sharp, and sure enough, he'd absorbed every rule in just three days.

Yet, Shirone still seemed uneasy.

Shirone: "What if I mess up? Like, 'thirty minutes before lunch' is kinda vague, right?"

Reina patted his head reassuringly.

Reina: "Relax. Even nobles get that wrong. They won't throw you in jail for a minor slip-up."

Even after arriving at the academy, Shirone and Reina kept chatting as they walked to the dormitory.

When Reina teased him with a mischievous joke, Shirone's face turned red—which only made her laugh harder.

Male students shot envious glances at Shirone.

Reina wasn't just beautiful; she was a famous pianist, practically the idol of nobility.

Seeing her walk arm-in-arm with Shirone made him seem far more impressive by association.

Amy and Seriel paused when they saw the two heading to the dorms.

They had been on their way to greet Shirone, but the intimate sight made them hesitate.

Amy knew Reina was Rian's sister—but the atmosphere was nothing like three days ago.

Back then, they'd been distant. Now, they were practically glued together.

Seriel nudged Amy, whispering excitedly.

Seriel: "Oh my god! Amy, see that?! There's no way they're 'just friends'!"

Amy: "How should I know? She's Rian's sister, so maybe they're close? They probably lived together when he was a butler."

Seriel: "Nope! I checked—when Shirone was a servant at the Ozent Family, Reina was away as a pianist's apprentice. They had zero time to get close. So for them to bond this fast… Could it be—?!"

Amy shoved her.

Amy: "Ugh, whatever. Let's just go."

Seriel's digging proved how curious she was—but Amy wasn't feeling great either. Still, Shirone's situation took priority, so she suppressed her emotions and followed.

Normally, girls weren't allowed in the boys' dorm, but Shirone's departure was an exception. The potential discovery of Kazura's First Prince was an event big enough to override school rules.

The Ozent Family's carriage waited outside.

Teachers chatting at the entrance nodded absently at Amy and Seriel's greetings before resuming their conversation.

Before they even reached Shirone's room, Reina's laughter echoed from inside. Amy's chest tightened, but she forced herself to keep walking.

Inside, Iruki and Neid were giggling while Shirone and Reina danced in each other's arms—likely practicing for a royal ball.

Shirone's movements were painfully awkward.

(Which made no sense—the kingdom's top magic student had to have decent reflexes. Clearly, he'd frozen up under Reina's affectionate gaze.)

Shirone: "Eh?! A-Amy!"

Spotting her, Shirone scrambled out of Reina's embrace.

Amy pretended not to notice, stepping inside. She ignored Neid and Iruki's gawking as well.

Reina smirked and waved.

Reina: "Oh, Amy's here! Hi~"

Amy forced a polite smile.

Amy: "Hello. Today's the day, right?"

Reina: "Yep! Just doing some last-minute practice with Shirone. He's… surprisingly bad at dancing."

Shirone flailed defensively.

Shirone: "N-No! I was just nervous—!"

Reina covered her mouth, laughing.

Reina: "Hohoho! Nervous? Because of me?"

When Shirone stammered, Amy's temper flared.

Even if their relationship was fake, they were supposed to be dating. Shouldn't he at least pretend to care?

But no—he'd been clinging to Reina like a lost puppy.

There was some unspoken understanding between them, and Amy didn't like it.

She pushed the thought aside and asked:

Amy: "You ready?"

Shirone: "Yeah. But… I'm worried I'll mess up."

Amy: "Don't be. They'll overlook small mistakes."

For a split second, she caught a flicker of tension in Shirone's eyes.

So he was aware—his brain hadn't completely short-circuited from Reina's attention.

On the surface, this was about reuniting with his birth parents—but something felt off.

Reina patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Reina: "You'll be fine. Kazura wouldn't risk announcing this if there were dangers. They're not a military powerhouse like Tormia, and our family won't stay idle either."

Her words eased his nerves.

Reina was sharp, politically savvy, and well-versed in noble dynamics.

With her leading, nothing too strange should happen.

Shirone: "Yeah. I'll trust you, Noona."

As he smiled, Reina happily ruffled his hair—then noticed Amy's darkening expression.

'...Oops.'

Over the past three days, Reina had thoroughly analyzed Shirone's relationships.

Most of his friendships were solid—Iruki and Neid would be great lifelong companions.

But Amy was the issue.

They claimed to be dating, yet their conversations screamed otherwise.

Real couples had a unique intimacy. Shirone and Amy had none.

Yet they'd kept up this charade for a year.

Normally, people either broke up or got closer—not hovered in limbo.

Reina had seen countless cases like this, where time eroded fake relationships into mere friendship.

In her eyes, they were nothing to each other.

(Though the potential for passion was there, their personalities made it unlikely.)

Part of her wanted to meddle—but the thought of them actually getting together annoyed her so much she dropped the idea.

'Hmph. Guess I'm jealous too.'

But if there was no real competition, why bother?

Reina checked the time.

Reina: "Let's go. We need to pick up your parents soon."

Amy cut in.

Amy: "Wait. Let me talk to Shirone first."

Reina: "Hm? You can chat on the way down. The carriage needs prep time anyway."

Amy insisted.

Amy: "Just a minute."

Reina blinked, then relented.

Reina: "Fine. I'll wait downstairs. Shirone, come down when you're done."

As she left, Neid and Iruki bowed like starstruck fools.

Amy scoffed and shooed everyone out except Shirone.

He adjusted his backpack and turned to her.

Shirone: "I'll be back. Good luck with your exams."

Amy got straight to the point.

Amy: "You feel it too, right? Something's wrong."

Shirone smiled bitterly.

Shirone: "I do… but I don't want to think about it. If they're really my parents, I shouldn't doubt them…"

She understood.

To the world, this was about a lost prince—but to Shirone, it was about meeting the parents who abandoned him.

Even if they were his blood, that wound wouldn't heal.

Amy: "Will you really be okay?"

Shirone: "I don't know. Right now, I'm… numb. I'll figure it out when I get there. But I don't want to judge them yet."

Sadness and anxiety flickered across his face.

Amy hesitated, then spoke up.

Amy: "Should I come with you?"

Shirone: "Huh? What?"

Amy: "I'd help, right? Classes are over anyway."

His chest warmed—but he shook his head. He couldn't steal this crucial time from her life.

Shirone: "It's fine. Reina Noona's with me."

A sudden chill flashed in Amy's eyes—gone as fast as it came, but her voice turned icy.

Amy: "Right. Let's go. Wouldn't want to keep Reina Noona waiting."

She stormed out without looking back.

Shirone stood confused, too burdened by his own turmoil to decipher her feelings.

Outside, Reina checked the carriage's cargo while reviewing documents.

Shirone said goodbye to his friends. The trip would last ten days at most—yet it felt like a final farewell.

Neid grinned.

Neid: "Come back safe. And if you become king, buy me a jumbo cream bun!"

Shirone: "Haha! Deal. But when I return, it'll be vacation time."

Reina watched fondly as Shirone chatted with his friends.

Like Rian, he had grown so much in a year.

Defeating Dante—the kingdom's former top student—had become one of the Ozent Family's proudest moments.

Rian's instincts hadn't been wrong.

And neither were hers.

As Reina gazed at Shirone with quiet affection, Seriel trembled with rage.

Seriel: "Ugh, Shirone's so disappointing! A real man would've drawn the line by now."

She glanced at Amy for agreement—then froze.

Amy, who usually brushed things off, was glaring daggers at Reina, her eyes sharp as a blade.

"Seriel, I'm off."

Seriel's face turned pale. Of course, they had discussed this before, but she never thought she would actually go through with it.

"Amy, are you serious?"

Seriel's eyes quickly filled with concern.

In just two weeks, the graduation exams would begin. This was not the time to be distracted by anything else.

"It's fine. Classes are over anyway, and it'll be good to take a break—call it an overseas trip."

Seriel knew better than anyone that this wasn't the whole truth.

In a way, she envied Amy, who was willing to throw everything away for this moment.

If she was determined to go, she had to send her off with all her heart. So she wouldn't look back. So she wouldn't have any regrets.

Seriel gave Amy a push on the back and spoke.

"Go ahead. This big sister gives you her permission."

Amy hastily added,

"I-It's not like I'm doing this because I care about Lady Reina or anything! I'm just worried about Shirone…"

"Hohoho! Sure, sure! Who's judging you? Go and crush their pride!"

With Seriel's encouragement, Amy walked toward the carriage.

Just then, Shirone, who had been preparing to leave, turned and waved goodbye.

"Amy, good luck! You have to pass. I'll do my best too."

"Move aside, will you?"

"Huh?"

Shirone didn't understand. Amy flicked her hand dismissively to the side.

"I said move. Ladies first, ever heard of it?"

Shoving Shirone aside, Amy climbed into the carriage, leaving Reina with a bewildered expression. Unfazed, Amy bent her back slightly and entered.

"Hello. I'll be in your care on the way there."

"Oh my, where are you going?"

Reina, thoroughly annoyed, pretended not to know. Even if nothing would change, she didn't want to acknowledge this situation with her own words.

"Well, I couldn't just send him alone. I figured I'd have to look after him."

Shirone opened the carriage door and stuck his head in.

"Amy! What's going on? Are you really coming?"s

"That's why I got in. Hurry up and sit down. We don't have time."

Reina's insides burned like a furnace.

Carmis Amy.

From what she had observed over the past few days, she was usually cautious in everything she did, making her fun to tease. But now, it seemed she was just as hot-blooded as Rian.

She regretted lighting an unnecessary torch, but the spilled water couldn't be taken back.

"Are you really going? I'll be fine on my own."

Shirone didn't like the idea of Amy distracting herself with other matters right before the graduation exams.

Even if she was the top candidate, anything could happen in a competition. If she failed, Shirone would feel responsible.

Of course, Amy would never think that way, but as someone who wanted her to succeed, Shirone couldn't help but want to stop her.

"This is important to you. Lady Reina will be busy handling palace procedures, so you'll need someone by your side to escort you. What, don't want me to come?"

If Amy accompanied him, Shirone couldn't ask for a more reliable ally.

Just like during their time on Galliant Island, Amy was an absolute powerhouse in terms of ability.

"No, of course I'd love for you to come…"

"Then it's settled. End of discussion. I owe you, so it's time I repaid the favor."

Shirone couldn't recall what Amy owed him, but countless memories flashed through Amy's mind.

When Arcane attacked, it was Shirone who saved her from the cliff. And when she was captured by Kariel in Heaven, she wouldn't have made it back alive without him.