JOONWOO
I got off the carriage in front of the Royal Academy and gestured to the knights to unpack the load.
I glanced at the carriage before me and saw a young girl with her… Brother. Most probable. They stood in front of the gates, and an elderly man was standing with his hands at his back. The girl and the boy bowed down. It might be some respectable elder of the academy. I turned back to mind my own business when I saw my brother had already gotten down from his carriage.
"Why did you not have the carriage halted before the gate?"
"Another carriage stands before us, brother."
My brother eyed that carriage and folded his hands.
"Ask them to get my baggage."
"Yes, brother."
I asked the knights to help me get the luggage down and take it to his dormitory. The baggage was about to pass the gates when that elderly man said, "You may not take more than two bags of clothing, my child."
He looked up to the elder and then towards me. "Take some of my luggage back. Leave two."
"Should I take the sword carrier as well?" I asked.
"Leave the sword carrier here", said the elder.
ISEUL
The boy in emerald green attire took up his casket of swords. How strong! He walked inside without looking back at his brother, who was waving at him. His brother turned around and left with the luggage.
Jesus Christ! Now we don't have to worry about all those luggages. We would have to carry it back again with us.
I looked up when I saw my grandfather looking at me.
"Do you wish to be instructed in something?", he said in a very calm tone which commanded respect. I bet he saw me eyeing the sword carrier..
It was my first time meeting him. I heard about him from my brother and father. They said we rarely meet. And he has not visited us since the time I was two.
"What is it that we are taught here?"
"History, logic, mathematics, swordsmanship, magic, archery, spearmanship, the crafting of seals, the brewing of potions-"
"I shall!"
My grandfather was taken aback and his expression was that of utter bewilderment.
"Do you truly wish to learn all of this?"
"Yes!" I burst out and some eyes turned towards me. I quickly composed myself and nodded.
How can I… I mean, how can any Isekai reader refuse such an offer?
"Ah. You are still but a child, my dear. This may yet be nothing more than a passing, childish whim."
"I should very much like to learn all of it."
He looked at me with solemn eyes.
"There ought to be more girls such as you, my child, who yearn to read and to learn. We shall see what you truly desire when you are grown. Return here then; I shall be waiting for you."
"My lady, we need to depart."
As I was about to get up on my carriage, a voice called out, "Iseul!"
I stopped and dared not turn back. I gulped the lump in my throat and gently turned my head around as if astonished by such an act.
It was a boy, the same age as my brother. We locked eyes.
His blue hair shone like the moonlight reflecting on the folds of waves during a full moon. He too had a box in his hand like the other students. I never saw him, but I knew him and so did he…
"M'lady, may I have a word with you?" he approached. My knight moved his hand in front of me in a protective manner. I asked him to put it down. I took his hand and walked down towards the boy.
It was Haejun…
"I think I know you," he whispered.
"Isekai", I whispered back.
His faced lightened up with joy.
"Ahem! Pray, fair lady, may this humble servant be graced with the exalted privilege of learning the venerable name by which Your Radiance is known?"
"Ruelle Delacroix"
"Delacroix?", he turned back to look at my grandfather, who was observing us from the beginning.
"And you, Monsieur?"
"Everard de Carlton. The honor is mine most humbly to be granted the pleasure of making your esteemed acquaintance," he bowed.
"The pleasure is mine," I said in my most lady-like tone and returned the greetings.
"Ruelle, the sun is close to setting. I urge you to return, for the forest at night holds dangers best avoided," my grandfather said.
I nodded obediently.
"I will write to you", I whispered.
Haejun nodded.
HAEJUN
I watched as Ruelle left in her carriage. She is Iseul. Ruelle is her. I had this feeling after a long time. Her eyes shone like crystals,and she appeared so happy. After such a long time, I see her genuinely happy. Now that I think about it, I once went to her birthday. She was so small back then. I chuckled to myself
I turned back and saw ex-Duke Delacroix glaring at me. My expressions automatically straightened.
"Pray, Carlton, are you acquainted with my grand-daughter??"
"Yesss… Elder Delacroix. I had the pleasure of accompanying my father to celebrate her fourth birthday."
"And you recall her from that day?"
"Yes", I nodded, which almost looked like a bow.
"Inside."
I hastily obeyed. Now, who does not know ex-Duke Delacroix? He is the Father of Female Education, that is what my father calls him. He led several reform movements to change the views of society. Though people still oppose his ideas, he is too powerful. Even the previous king changed the laws of the land and let his daughter be the first legally educated woman of the nation. After Queen Alicia married King Ardon Silvercrest during the formation of the West Empire of Humans, a lot of successors made laws of stopping girl education, it was the ex-duke and his associates' work that made female education relevant again!. Respect!