Disappointment came from having expectations in the first place. That was why I stopped expecting anything. The more I hoped for something, the deeper the despair would be when it inevitably failed.

"We can't stay in the Empire forever, can we?"

So when Rutis said that so nonchalantly, I felt more confused than happy. It was like scratching a lottery ticket while expecting nothing and winning the second-place prize.

Of course, the first-place prize would be if these idiots dropped out, but I'd already given up on that.

"Really?"

"Haha, are you sad that we're leaving?"

What nonsense was he talking about? I was very thrilled.

I didn't say it out loud, but my expression must have conveyed it because Rutis burst out laughing again.

"We should at least spend the New Year in our homeland. It's not as grand as the Empire's New Year Ball, but Armein has a ceremony for it, too."

It was a convincing reason, so I accepted it.

Indeed, it would be problematic if royal members didn't attend the New Year event. Rumors of discord in the royal family could spread, causing headaches for their king.

Lather and Tannian nodded in agreement when I looked at them.

The Union Meeting and Ascension Ceremony.

The importance of the New Year was even greater for Yuben and the Holy Kingdom than it was for Armein. The Union Meeting was where the rulers of the five kingdoms gathered, while the Ascension Ceremony celebrated the day Enen's first apostle ascended to heaven. These events were too significant to miss just because they were abroad.

"Then there's no choice. Only those who can go will go."

Saying that out loud made me feel much better. Although things had been relatively quiet recently, it was still for the best if they returned to their own countries.

I felt like crying at this unexpected year-end gift. Maybe it was a small mercy from Enen for all my hard work.

Thank you...

It was sad to be thankful for such a thing, but gratitude was gratitude nonetheless.

Please keep giving me gifts like this in the future.

***I watched Rutis, who was telling the Advisor that he would bring back Armein specialties as gifts, and then sat down.

I honestly didn't want to return home. When I first entered the Empire’s Academy, I had vowed to endure until graduation.

It's for the royal family.

The more I stayed in our homeland, the more I would threaten my brother's position as the crown prince. But which noble would support a prince who studied abroad for three years?

So, I planned to endure for three years—

I can't intrude cluelessly.

I glanced at Louise. She was smiling brightly, happy about going on a trip with the advisor.

Yes, how could I say I'd join when she looked like that? I had feelings for her during the summer vacation so I went with them, but the situation had changed now. We'd given up on Louise and had decided to support her love as her friend.

So, this was only right. Trips to the capital should be dates for couples. We already had a club trip during summer vacation; that should be enough.

I have no choice but to return home.

I leaned back in my chair, feeling a little bitter.

Giving up the trip to the capital didn't mean that I had to go home. I could also stay in the academy dormitory during vacation, but I now had a reason to return.

— The Crown Prince will be attending the Union Meeting this time.

A few days ago, I heard through my contact with the homeland that my brother would be attending the Union Meeting.

Even though he would just be attending as the King’s assistant, his participation was significant. Attending the meeting beside the King was a clear move to solidify his position as the heir. It was an activity that demonstrated his status as the crown prince both internally and externally.

If a prince close in age to the Crown Prince didn't show up at such a monumental event, it would only fuel rumors that undermined the Crown Prince's position and suggest discord within the royal family.

He planned this.

I rubbed the back of my neck. No matter how I looked at it, this seemed like a scheme by the King to bring back the son who had no intention of returning from a foreign country.

He had created a situation where my brief appearance wouldn’t threaten my brother's position. Moreover, it would spark rumors of discord within the royal family if I didn't show up.

So what choice did I have? I had to go.

Tannian also has no reason to insist on staying in the Empire.

Tannian had reasons to return as well. The Ascension Ceremony was a significant event for the Dawn Sect. The Pope and Cardinals would be aghast if their future saint didn't attend such an important ceremony.

"The academy does have classrooms for priest candidates. I'd like to see the future leaders of our church and share knowledge with the priests of the Empire."

Moreover, I remembered the reason Tannian mentioned for his enrollment. He had enrolled to interact with the priests of the Empire, where the largest number of believers gathered on the continent.

It was an important reason, but not significant enough to stay in the Empire and miss the Ascension Ceremony. Interaction and camaraderie can be pursued actively during the semester.

On the other hand...

I glanced at Rutis, who was still laughing and chatting.

"My reason for enrolling?"

Remembering what he had said back then made me automatically frown.

"There’s none, actually. I just got bored of staying in Armein, so I enrolled in the Empire’s Academy for a change!"

His 100% insane answer left me speechless. I thought that there had to be some reason, but it turned out that it was just for fun.

Sir Villar, who heard the answer with me back then, quietly closed his eyes. He didn't shed a tear, but his expressionless face looked like he was crying.

Crazy bastard.

No matter how I thought about it, he wasn’t someone who would look for a reason to return but for a reason to stay in the Empire.

It wouldn't be surprising if he went back home and didn't come back for his second year.

To think that I'm in the same class as that guy...

Realizing this made me feel miserable. No one knew my reason for enrolling, or Rutis's. From others' perspectives, both Rutis and I would seem like eccentrics who abandoned our country's educational institutions to come to the Empire.

It was frustrating to be compared to that lunatic when I moved here for the sake of the royal family and my country.

...Whatever.

Yeah, what did it matter? A year had already passed, and there were still two years left.

It was too late to feel wronged now.

Damn it.

***There were others who declared their absence besides the three foreigners who were heading home.

Ainter, whose home was originally the imperial palace, and Erich, who decided to stay in the territory this time.

"I'll stay in the territory. I need to see Sarah after a long time."

"Sure. Send her my regards."

"Will do."

A son going straight home after the semester ended without wandering elsewhere? Mother would surely be pleased.

Speaking of Sarah, it had been a while since I last heard her name.

I haven't seen her in ages.

She was the younger of the two children born to the Head Maid. But with her brother passing away due to illness, she became the only child.

Furthermore, she wasn't in the best of health either, making her the Head Maid's precious child. Still, I heard that she had become quite healthy thanks to her mother's devoted care and Mother's generous support.

I'm glad she's doing well.

Thinking about my younger brother’s good friend made me feel happy. Since our mothers were close, we children saw each other often, and Erich and Sarah, being the same age, quickly became friends.

Of course, that wasn't the case for me. Even in the past, we were just an older brother and younger sister who exchanged greetings. And there was no need to mention what happened after my possession.

Childhood friend.

It was honestly a bit strange how the bond between Mother and the Head Maid extended to us, their children, as well. It was a situation I never could have imagined in my previous life.

If there was such a thing as a family where relationships spread like this...

"Who's Sarah?"

Tannian, who was shuffling cards out of boredom, casually asked.

How long had it been since this guy finished a game of foot volleyball that he was already playing another game? Wasn't the future saint being a bit too indulgent?

"...Erich's childhood friend. She's the Head Maid's daughter, so we've known her since way back."

"Oh, that's a good connection. There's a saying that friends and wine get better with age."

Tannian smiled lightly, and I nodded.

"I wouldn't know about the friends part, but wine does get better with age."

The atmosphere in the clubroom suddenly became solemn. Rutis and Lather, who were chatting among themselves, Ainter, who was watching them, and even Louise, who was making tea, all turned to look at me.

Ah.

Only then did I realize that I spoke too thoughtlessly.

I didn't mind not having friends, so I said it without much thought... But to others, it must have sounded like a tearful, self-deprecating remark.

"Well, you were busy. You were training when you were younger, and now with your official duties..."

"Not all friends are made during childhood. You'll meet many more as you go through life."

Erich, who had many friends, and Tannian, who inadvertently started this, quickly tried to comfort me.

No, don't.

This was only making me feel worse. It was making me feel like I was truly pathetic.

"...Yeah, thanks."

Still, it would be weirder to react negatively to their comfort, so I tried to respond normally.

Damn it...

Was it so strange not to have friends?

***Despite the small commotion, the participants for the capital trip were finally confirmed: me, Louise, Irina, and Marghetta, who immediately agreed when I asked her through the communication crystal.

Even though it was a trip to answer their confessions, having this group felt a bit awkward. Anyone would think it was a harem trip.

...They're not wrong.

On second thought, it wasn’t entirely wrong. Denying it would only seem petty.

I activated the communication crystal with a sigh. Considering the favor I was about to ask, it was too late to deny that now.

— Hm? Executive Manager?

"Yeah, it's me."

It didn't take long for the face of the 2nd Manager to appear. It felt depressing to contact him myself just a few days after the mental attacks, but he was the only one who could answer my questions properly.

"Is the 1st Manager nearby?"

— No. It's just me right now.

It was the answer I wanted, so I nodded. What I was about to say wasn't for anyone else to hear, especially not the 1st Manager.

— Why are you asking? Are you looking for a place that can host five brides?

"You son of a—"

— I’m just joking.

I swallowed the curse that came out instinctively.

Hold it in. I’d just be ridiculed endlessly if I got upset here.

Biting my lip slightly, I carefully asked while watching the 2nd Manager chuckle.

"Do you know a good place that makes rings?"

— Wedding rings? I don't know any place that can make five at once.

I hate him.

I hate my past self, and I hate that guy now...!