Chapter
(The Imperial Academy)
The grand gates of the Imperial Academy opened to a sea of nobility.
Silks brushed marble floors. Carriages arrived one after another. Laughter, pride, and quiet competition filled the air.
And then—
Eyan Lucien Therald stepped into view.
The effect was immediate.
Voices faltered. Eyes followed.
A hush rippled outward like a wave.
"Who is he…?"
"He's breathtaking…"
"That must be royalty…"
Eyan ignored it all.
His gaze remained forward, steps measured, expression unreadable.
Behind him, Luca took one look around and smirked. "You're causing a disturbance already."
"I'm walking," Eyan replied coldly.
"That's the problem."
Before he could say more—
Someone stepped in front of them.
A noble lady, nervous but resolute. Her hands were clasped tightly, her breath uneven.
"Y-Your Highness…" she said, bowing slightly. "I—I wished to introduce myself—"
"I'm in a hurry," Eyan cut in calmly. "Move."
It wasn't rude.
Just dismissive.
But she didn't move.
"I won't take long," she insisted, voice trembling. "I just—"
"I have matters to attend to."
Another excuse. Another attempt to leave.
Still—She stayed.
Luca watched with growing amusement.
"…Persistent," he muttered.
The girl gathered her courage again. "Please… I only wish to say that I admire you. If you would allow me, I would like to—"
"I am allready engaged ," Eyan said without hesitation.
A lie. Smooth. Immediate.
The girl froze. Her expression faltered— Hope cracking.
Behind him—
Luca sighed loudly.
"No, he isn't," he said, stepping forward with a grin. "He's lying. He's completely single."
Eyan went still.
"…Luca."
Thud.
Eyan hit him without looking.
"OW—!"
Luca stumbled back, clutching his side. "You're violent for no reason!"
Eyan didn't spare him a glance. Instead, he turned—and walked past the girl.
Conversation over. Or it should have been.
"…W-Wait!"
Footsteps rushed behind him. Before he could react—Her hand grabbed his wrist.
Everything stopped. Eyan's body went rigid. Slowly—very slowly—he looked down at her hand gripping him.
Something cold flickered in his eyes.
"Let go." His voice dropped.
The girl hesitated, voice trembling. "Please… just hear me out—"
That was enough.
Eyan yanked his arm back sharply, slamming her hand away as if it disgusted him.
She stumbled, nearly losing her balance.
The air around him felt sharp now—dangerous.
"Did I not make myself clear?" Eyan's voice dropped, colder than before. "Or do you simply refuse to understand?"
The lady shook, tears already forming. "I—I just—"
"Just what?" he cut in, his tone cutting deeper. "Thought if you chased me like this, I would suddenly change my mind?"
She flinched.
His gaze hardened further.
"Do you have no dignity?" he continued. "Clinging to someone who has already rejected you?"
Her breathing faltered.
"I said I'm not interested," Eyan went on, each word deliberate and merciless. "That means you are unwanted. Is that so difficult to comprehend?"
The word hit. The woman's face went pale.
Her hands trembled uncontrollably now.
"I—I'm sorry—" she whispered, barely able to stand.
Eyan took a step forward—
And that was when—
"Alright, that's enough."
Luca stepped between them, one hand lightly pushing Eyan back.
"Don't make her faint in the middle of the courtyard," he muttered under his breath.
Eyan's eyes narrowed, but he didn't move forward again.
Luca turned to the girl, his tone softening immediately.
"I apologize," he said, offering a small, reassuring smile. "He's… not very good with people."
The girl nodded quickly, still shaking, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I—I understand…" she whispered, though it was clear she didn't.
She turned and hurried away, barely holding herself together.
Silence followed.
Luca exhaled slowly, then glanced sideways at Eyan.
"…You went a bit far."
Eyan said nothing. He simply turned and walked away.
Luca watched him for a moment… then shook his head with a faint sigh before following.
"Heartbreaker," he muttered.
Then added quietly—
"…Cold-blooded one."
Eyan's response was distant, indifferent—
"She should have listened the first time."
Luca let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Eyan… don't be so angry," he said. "It's not just you who goes through things like this. There are others too."
Eyan didn't slow his steps.
"I don't see anyone else," he replied coldly. "And you—" he glanced at Luca briefly, "—you're standing right beside me. You're not exactly unpleasant to look at. So why is no one approaching you?"
Luca gave a small, almost proud smile.
"That's because," he said casually, "I've placed an illusion spell on myself. To others, I look terribly ugly."
Eyan stopped mid-step. Slowly… he turned to face him.
There was a pause.
Then—
"…You lucky idiot."
Luca laughed under his breath.
But before he could reply—
A sudden commotion rippled through the courtyard.
"Look—she's beautiful…"
"Who is she?"
"She looks like an angel…"
A group of young noblemen had gathered not far from them, forming a loose circle around someone.
Eyan and Luca both turned toward the noise.
At the center stood a young lady.
Her presence alone seemed to draw the light around her. Soft, silken hair fell gracefully down her back, catching the sun with a faint glow. Her features were delicate, almost unreal—clear eyes, gentle yet distant, and a quiet elegance that set her apart from everyone else.
She wasn't doing anything—
And yet, all attention belonged to her.
Luca tilted his head slightly, watching the scene.
"See, Eyan?" he said with a small smirk. "You're not the only one suffering. She's suffering too."
Eyan's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than expected.
"…I've seen her before."
Luca blinked. "You have?"
"Yes," Eyan replied. "She's a princess from the Bluebird Empire. She attended my coronation ceremony with her father."
He paused slightly, narrowing his eyes as if recalling something distant.
"Her name… I think it was Violet Green."
Luca looked genuinely surprised.
"Well, that's rare," he said. "You remembering a lady's name?"
Eyan's expression didn't change.
"It's not that I remember her," he said flatly. "She looked different back then."
Luca's grin slowly returned.
"Oh?" he leaned closer. "Are you in love, Eyan?"
Eyan shot him a sharp look.
"Shut your mouth."
Without another word, he turned and continued walking, completely uninterested.
Luca chuckled, following right behind him.
__________________________________
(Two Days Later – Outside the Imperial Academy)
The morning air was calm. Too calm.
Eyan stood near the outer gates of the Imperial Academy as a royal knight approached, armor gleaming under the sun.
"Your majesty," the knight bowed, extending a sealed letter. "A message from His Majesty, King Thalor Therald."
Eyan took it without a word.
"…You're dismissed."
The knight bowed again and left.
Eyan glanced briefly at the royal seal before turning back toward the academy, already breaking it open as he walked.
His expression remained neutral as his eyes scanned the contents.
He folded the letter neatly and continued toward his chambers—
Until—
"…So we'll approach him together."
Eyan's steps slowed. He didn't look up immediately, but his senses sharpened.
A group of young noblewomen stood not far ahead, gathered in a small circle, whispering excitedly.
"I heard he rejected Lady Seraphine," one giggled nervously.
"That just makes it more interesting," another replied. "If we plan it properly, he won't be able to refuse."
"We should corner him near the west corridor—"
Eyan stopped. Slowly, he lifted his gaze. "…Corner?"
A faint, almost invisible shift crossed his face.
Then—
One of the girls turned. Their eyes met.
Silence.
"…It's him."
Everything happened at once.
"Oh—Your Highness!"
"We were just talking about you—!"
"Wait—please—!"
They started walking toward him.
Then faster.
Then—
Running.
Eyan stared at them for a split second.
Then—
"…No."
He turned and walked away.
Quickly.
"…Your Highness, wait!"
Faster.
"…Why are they running—?"
"Don't let him get away!"
That was enough.
Eyan broke into a run.
_________________________________
(Academy Gardens)
He didn't stop until the noise faded behind him.
Tall hedges and blooming flowers surrounded the quiet garden, far removed from the chaos of the courtyard.
Eyan slowed, catching his breath slightly, clearly irritated.
"…Ridiculous."
He stepped deeper into the garden, scanning the area.
Empty.
Good.
He moved behind a cluster of tall hedges, finally allowing himself a moment of stillness.
"…This place is insane."
He turned—
And froze.
Just a few steps away—
Two figures stood close together, half-hidden by the greenery.
Two women. One gently held the other's face—And their lips were pressed together in a quiet, intimate moment.
Eyan's mind went completely blank. The world seemed to stop.
The two women froze as well.
Slowly—They pulled apart.
One of them turned. And Eyan recognized her instantly.
"…Princess Violet."
Violet Green stood there, her usually composed expression shaken for the first time.
Her companion stepped slightly behind her, equally startled.
Silence hung thick in the air.
Eyan looked away immediately, his composure cracking just slightly.
"…I apologize."
His voice was stiff. Controlled.
Without waiting for a response, he turned sharply— And walked away.
No—
Almost fled.
________________________________
The door slammed open.
Eyan walked in, clearly irritated, his steps sharper than usual.
Luca, who was casually lying across a chair, glanced up lazily.
"…You look like you just fought a war."
Eyan shut the door harder than necessary.
"Worse," he muttered.
Luca sat up slightly, amused. "Let me guess… admirers?"
Eyan shot him a look.
"They were planning to corner me," he said, his voice edged with disbelief and anger. "Corner me."
Luca tried—and failed—not to laugh.
"Ah… I see it's escalated."
"I had to run," Eyan added coldly.
That made Luca laugh outright.
"You? Running? From women?" he said between breaths. "This I would have liked to see."
Eyan's expression darkened.
"Say another word and I'll make sure you won't see anything ever again."
Luca raised his hands. "Alright, alright."
Eyan exhaled sharply and walked further into the room, clearly still irritated.
"This is absurd," he muttered. "I can't even walk through the academy without being chased."
Luca tilted his head, studying him for a moment.
"Well… of course."
Eyan stopped. "What does that mean?"
Luca shrugged casually.
"It means it's going to stay like this."
A pause.
Eyan slowly turned toward him. "…Explain."
Luca rested his chin on his hand, completely relaxed.
"As long as you're unattached, they'll keep coming," he said. "In their eyes, you're the most desirable man here—and completely available."
Eyan's eyes narrowed.
"I am not available."
"Tell them that," Luca replied lightly. "Oh wait—you did. Didn't help."
Eyan clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Then what do you suggest?"
Luca's grin returned, slow and knowing.
"Simple," he said. "Get into a relationship."
Silence.
Eyan stared at him like he'd just said something ridiculous.
"…No."
Luca sighed dramatically. "Then enjoy being hunted."
Eyan's jaw tightened. "I'd rather fight a battlefield than deal with this."
Luca laughed softly. "Unfortunately, Your majesty, this is your battlefield."
Eyan turned away, clearly done with the conversation.
But for a brief second—An image flickered in his mind.
A quiet garden. Soft sunlight.
And—
He frowned. "…she's into women."
Luca raised a brow. "Hmm?"
"Nothing," Eyan said sharply.
__________________________________
(Next Day – Imperial Academy, Classroom)
The classroom was unusually loud.
Not with open chatter—
But whispers.
Low, constant, spreading from one corner to another like a quiet storm.
"…Did you hear?"
"It's about her…"
"No way… is it true?"
Luca frowned, glancing around as he took his seat beside Eyan.
"…What's going on?" he muttered.
Eyan didn't respond. He seemed uninterested—until the murmurs grew louder.
Luca leaned toward a nearby student.
"You," he said casually, "what's everyone whispering about?"
The boy hesitated, then leaned closer, lowering his voice.
"It's about Princess Violet Green."
Luca raised a brow. "What about her?"
The boy glanced around nervously before continuing.
"A letter was found this morning," he whispered. "Someone wrote that they saw her in the garden yesterday… with another lady."
Luca's expression shifted slightly.
"And?"
The boy swallowed.
"They said… the two of them were kissing."
Silence.
For a moment, Luca didn't react. Then—
"…What?"
The boy nodded quickly. "Everyone's talking about it. Some say it's a lie… others say it explains why she never showed interest in men…"
Luca leaned back slowly, clearly stunned.
"…That's—"
He stopped himself, glancing sideways.
Eyan hadn't said a word. But his gaze— Had shifted.
Slowly, almost unconsciously, Eyan looked toward the front of the classroom.
There she was. Princess Violet Green.
Seated in the front row. Her posture was straight, as always. But her head was lowered slightly. Her hands rested quietly on her desk.
And for the first time— She didn't look untouchable. She looked… alone.
The whispers continued behind her. Unkind. Curious. Relentless.
_________________________________
(That Same Night – Imperial Academy, Corridor)
The academy had fallen quiet.
Only the faint glow of lanterns lit the long, empty corridors.
Eyan walked alone, his steps echoing softly against the stone floor, his mind still unsettled from the day's whispers.
Then—
He stopped and looked at the ground.
He noticed a shadow stretched across the ground ahead.
Someone was standing at the top of the imperial academy buliding.
Eyan's gaze slowly lifted upward.
And froze.
At the very top of the academy— On the edge of a high balcony—A figure stood.
"…Princess Violet?" he muttered.
She was too close to the edge. Too still.
A bad feeling struck him instantly.
"What is she doing…?"
Without another thought—
Eyan ran.
_________________
(Upper Balcony)
His footsteps thundered up the stairs.
Faster....Faster.
"Stop—!"
But he was too late.
Violet stepped forward....And jumped.
Eyan lunged— And caught her hand mid-fall. The force nearly pulled him forward, but he held on, gripping tightly.
Violet hung in the air, her body trembling, her other hand instinctively clutching his arm.
Then, with a sharp pull, Eyan dragged her up and over the railing.
She collapsed onto the floor. Eyan followed, breathing hard—
And then—Anger surged.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he snapped.
Violet flinched.
Tears were already streaming down her face.
"I don't want to live…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Everyone knows now… I can't show my face anymore…"
Eyan's brows furrowed.
"It wasn't me," he said. "I didn't reveal anything."
"I know…" she said weakly. "It wasn't you, Your Highness…"
She lowered her gaze, fists trembling.
"It was the lady who was with me that day. She got scared… because you saw us. So she told everyone… to save herself."
Eyan's expression darkened.
"…Did you force her?" he asked bluntly. "And If you wanted to keep it a secret, you shouldn't have gone there with her in first place."
Violet shook her head quickly.
"No… it's the opposite," she said, her voice cracking. "She was the one who suggested it. She told me no one would find out… that she liked me too…"
Her hands clenched tightly.
"But in the end… she put everything on me."
Tears fell faster now.
"I know it's wrong…" she whispered. "But it's not my fault… I was born like this." Her voice trembled even more. "It's not my fault that I like women…"
Silence.
Eyan looked at her....Really looked at her.
"…And you think dying will solve everything?" he said finally.
Violet let out a broken laugh.
"It will," she said. "At least my family won't have to live with the shame…"
Eyan's gaze hardened.
"…This is just a rumor," he said. "Then prove it wrong."
Violet looked up weakly. "…How?"
"Do something simple," he said. "Date a man."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"That won't work," she said immediately. "In relationships… people get close. Physical. Do you think he wouldn't notice right away?"
Her voice dropped, almost hopeless.
"And where would I even find a man… who would agree to that? Who would stay with me… knowing my secret?"
Silence fell between them. Eyan held her gaze for a moment.
Then—
"I'll do it."
Violet blinked. "…What?"
"I'll date you," Eyan said, calm and direct.
For a second, she just stared at him, unable to process it. "Your Highness… you don't have to do this for me—"
"I'm not doing it for you," Eyan cut in. His tone was flat. "I'm doing it for myself."
Violet hesitated. "…For yourself?"
Eyan exhaled quietly, clearly annoyed.
"I want to spend these five years at the academy in peace," he said. "But those women won't leave me alone."
A pause.
"If we're in a relationship," he continued, "my problem is solved… and so is yours."
He looked at her directly. "So—what's your answer?"
Violet's eyes filled again—but this time, not just with despair.
"…Your Highness…" she whispered. "I promise I'll repay this kindness someday…"
"You don't have to," Eyan replied. "I'm choosing this."
A long silence.
Then—
"…Thank you."
And that was how it began. A relationship built on convenience. On secrets. On survival.
For five years—
Eya and Violet stayed by each other's side.
Not out of love—But because they needed each other.