My choice was a safe navy suit.
It was made from Zegna's finest fabric, so I was told it would be quite expensive.
I said to charge me the full price.
"But how could I?"
In the end, we settled on just adding a minimal fee to the fabric cost.
Ugh.
How can I possibly overturn the elder's stubbornness!
"It may not be a masterpiece, but I can make something close to it."
"Please do."
Just as I was about to leave the store feeling good…
Clunk.
As the door opened, a familiar face walked in.
'Oh?'
That guy…
'Wasn't his name Benedict Hiddleston?'
You know, the one I interviewed with… the guy crazy about theater.
And of course, he's brought a Shakespeare play with him today as well.
'Him being here means?'
It means this guy Benedict also got accepted to the Royal School.
So, all three of us who interviewed together got in?
'Is that even possible?'
I heard the acceptance rate was over 100 to 1…
Benedict quickly grabbed a few shopping bags and left right away.
Meanwhile,
The noise of the senior students' voices still filled the air outside.
Will they be like that all day?
This is a school with expensive tuition, after all.
But that thought didn't last long.
After all, they're teenagers, right?
It's a time when it's only natural to go through ups and downs, building up embarrassing moments in life.
'Were you any different?'
Ahem.
I was different, sure.
Back then, I was juggling multiple part-time jobs that didn't even pay minimum wage, just to barely get by.
Compared to that…
'A custom-made suit from a master who's been knighted, huh?'
At only seventeen, I'm living a life of luxury!
Hehehe.
As I was about to leave the store, lost in such thoughts…
"… ."
The chatter of the seniors outside suddenly stopped.
Was it because of me again?
An awkward silence filled the street.
Then came the flood of cautious stares.
'Well, whatever.'
I was about to move on when…
Thud thud thud thud!
The sound of an engine, like horses' hooves, echoed from the end of the street.
Soon, a motorcycle, speeding toward us,
Screeeech.
The motorcycle skidded to a stop right in front of the tailor shop.
All the uneasy eyes that had been following me immediately shifted to the bike.
A hundred eyes, at least, were focused on one spot.
A situation that would make anyone uncomfortable.
But perhaps this person was used to such situations.
The rider calmly removed their helmet.
Golden hair spilled out like it was bursting from the helmet.
"Waaah!"
Cheers erupted from all around.
Everyone probably expected a tough-looking man, but suddenly, it's a blonde woman.
She wore a leather jacket that emphasized her waist.
With matching skinny pants and boots that must've had 10-centimeter heels.
Maybe it was the overwhelming atmosphere.
"Political Philosophy!"
"Law!"
Each student shouted out the name of their club.
"Cheerleader!"
"We need a cheerleader!"
"Indeed!"
Even the sports clubs raised their voices in unison.
Hmm.
Sorry to say this, but…
A girl who rides a high-performance bike wouldn't be impressed with those guys.
Sure enough.
"What are those idiots doing?"
With that short remark,
Click, click.
She walked into the tailor shop with model-like strides.
I'm sure they all heard her call them idiots…
But to the spirited teenagers, that only made her seem more attractive.
Heh.
Good times.
Well, I'm still in my prime, too.
Ahem.
To be honest, I was more interested in the bike than the girl.
'Is it even possible to get a license at just seventeen?'
Or maybe she's the daughter of a rich family, boldly riding around regardless of the law?
Anyway.
'That bike is pretty cool, though.'
Maybe I should get one…
Nah.
I'm already struggling with the car I bought last time, and now I'm thinking of a bike, too!
'Still, just having it parked in the garage wouldn't hurt…'
Ahem.
I shook my head and forced myself to keep walking.
'The houses all look similar, but the biggest one…'
That was how I found the house I had moved into.
Looks like I got it right, seeing as there's a Bentley limousine parked out front.
It seems Baker spotted me as he soon opened the driver's door.
"Sir!"
He quickly got out, carrying bags full of groceries.
"You should've gone inside. Why…"
"I just got here myself."
I hurriedly took out the key from my bag.
Clunk.
Unlocking the door with this big key,
It was one of those moments that made me realize I was truly in Europe.
Baker immediately started filling up the fridge.
I appreciated it, but Baker should be focusing on acquiring Manchester United.
I can handle these small tasks myself.
Maybe he sensed my thoughts.
"I was just planning to do this for today."
Baker smiled sheepishly before continuing.
"Oh, and this."
He pulled out a folded piece of paper from his pocket.
"You need a guardian, at least nominally, to apply for school, right? I registered my name in a hurry, and this document arrived today."
It was a notice from the school.
Nothing special.
It just said there would be an orientation before the start of school.
If there was anything unusual, it was…
'There's going to be a test?'
In Korea, most tests are written exams, but here, interestingly, the focus was on debates.
The subjects would include literature, history, politics, society, art, and so on.
"I found out that the test results determine class placements."
"Like honors and regular classes?"
"Exactly."
Hmm.
Suddenly, I thought of Jack's face.
Unless there's a subject like military studies,
He's pretty much guaranteed to end up in the lower class…
"Just in case, I gathered some materials."
"…?"
"I got not only past exam questions but also textbooks for advanced learning…"
I shook my head.
"It's fine."
"Sir, it took quite a bit of effort to get these. It might be worth looking over at least once…"
"No, no."
I'm only here to escape from my grandfather.
I'll be happy just to barely avoid flunking and graduate.
If I perform well academically, it'll only stir up more gossip, given that I got in on the Queen's recommendation.
"Being in the top class comes with several perks, though…"
"What more perks could I possibly need?"
"Pardon?"
"Just look around."
Baker glanced around the large house.
"Well, I suppose."
He nodded in understanding.
***
That night,
Sir Lewis had such a busy day, with non-stop orders, that he barely had time to breathe.
Even after closing the store, he had to keep working for a while.
He finally caught a moment to rest, but…
"A guest has arrived."
At the staff member's words, Sir Lewis lifted his head with difficulty.
"A guest?"
"Yes, Professor Middleton is here."
Was it a welcome name? Sir Lewis forced his heavy body to stand up.
When he stepped out of the workshop, sure enough, a familiar face came into view.
"Sorry for barging in when you're so busy."
"You don't look particularly sorry."
"Well, on second thought… I couldn't imagine a time when you're not busy. So, I just rushed over."
Heh. Middleton has always been a sly one.
The thing about people like him is that they are always full of energy.
Otherwise, how could someone who's held the position of an Oxford chair professor still have the energy to take on the role of principal at the Royal School?
"You look like your wrinkles have smoothed out."
"Nonsense. I have so much to adjust to with my new duties, there's no end to what I have to worry about…"
"The more you use your brain, the younger you get, don't you?"
"Well, that's true, I suppose."
After a light-hearted laugh, the conversation turned.
"Now, tell me the reason for your visit."
"The reason?"
"You wouldn't have come knowing how busy I am without a good reason."
"Well, it's a bit of both…"
Despite saying that, Middleton didn't hold back.
"I couldn't stand the curiosity about how the new students are."
"…?"
"You're the one who's met the new students up close, aren't you?"
"You want to hear my impression of them?"
Middleton nodded eagerly, his childlike excitement almost amusing.
For a man already brimming with energy,
Perhaps his recent appointment as principal had filled him with even more enthusiasm.
But what could he say?
Even if they were chosen from elite families, they were still just immature children.
Still, he couldn't disappoint a principal so full of passion.
As he carefully chose his words,
"Well, there is one particularly interesting student."
"Aha, I think I know who you're talking about."
"…?"
"Tennessee Grosvenor."
That's a special case in an entirely different way…
Luckily, Sir Lewis wasn't the type to enjoy gossiping about others.
So he tried to naturally steer the conversation elsewhere.
"One of my students visited the Duke of Grosvenor's estate, so while that was happening, I met someone rather interesting."
"Interesting?"
Sir Lewis recounted his encounter with a student from earlier that day.
Middleton showed immediate interest.
"You were that surprised?"
"Indeed."
"I'm scheduled to meet the new students in a few days myself…"
Though it's not really a situation for a principal to get involved in.
But from the look on his face, it was clear he planned to drop by out of sheer curiosity.
"What's this student's name?"
"Even if you don't know their name, you'll recognize them right away."
"…?"
"There's only one Asian student."
"An Asian student… that must be the one who was admitted on the Queen's recommendation."
"The Queen personally recommended them? That stickler?"
"That's right."
But Middleton's reaction was short-lived.
He adjusted his glasses and continued.
"Let me get this straight: not only did he capture the Queen's attention, but now he has also charmed you? Must be quite a talent."
His curiosity seemed to grow even more, and the corners of his mouth lifted into a smile.
***
Time flew by quickly.
Every day, I exercised, read books, and enjoyed delicious food, savoring my freedom.
Of course, time passed in a flash!
And so, the day of the orientation arrived.
While others were tense about today's exam,
'I'll gladly take last place!'
I was as relaxed as could be.
Hmm.
Since the school is just around the corner, leaving now should be fine.
I took out Sir Lewis's suit from the wardrobe.
'There's no need to dress up, but…'
Thinking that I wouldn't have another occasion to wear it, I slipped my arms into the shirt.
'Oh.'
It felt different.
It was like a soft hand gently brushing down my arm.
That's not all.
Once I buttoned it up, the suit hugged my body perfectly.
And when I put on the jacket…
Comfort aside,
'This looks pretty sharp.'
I usually don't say things like this, but I have to admit, I looked far more stylish than before.
'Maybe I should get a few more tailored suits while I'm at it?'
Hehe.
As I left the house with a satisfied grin,
Thud thud thud thud!
In the distance.
Thud thud thud thud thud!
I heard the heavy engine sound, like the clopping of horse hooves.