The 21st Century Grand Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy - Chapter 17

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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A Twenty-First Century Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy
Winter to Spring
It was only in the late hours before dawn that Hwan’s eyes fluttered open, and he groaned at the splitting ache that threatened to shatter his skull.
“Is anyone outside?”
His voice came out hoarse, and no one answered. After coughing several times, Hwan pushed away the suffocating blankets. Only then did he notice Wan sleeping beside him. Though his brother’s peaceful face was a welcome sight, something felt wrong about the situation. If his memory served him correctly, his younger brother should have been in Onyang.
“Sigh…”
Hwan blinked his eyes, now adjusted to the darkness, and slowly surveyed his surroundings. All his cherished possessions lay scattered about in ruins.
I’ve caused another rampage.
A wave of self-loathing washed over him as the situation became clear. It had been only a week since Mother left. That single week had felt like a century to endure, and he recalled the night he finally thrashed about in desperation. Conflicting desires warred within him—the wish to do nothing and the urge to do anything at all. Unable to bridge that gap, his last memory was of reaching for alcohol.
“So you cleaned up after me again.”
Hwan murmured softly, gazing at his sleeping brother’s face. He remembered how delighted Wan had been about visiting Onyang Hot Spring Palace, and the thought that his brother had come back out of concern for him made Hwan despise himself.
“Brother…?”
Wan stirred awake.
“You’re up?”
“You were making noise.”
His younger brother spoke softly, though his eyes were barely open.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“You couldn’t rest because of me.”
“It’s fine. Hot spring baths get boring after a while anyway.”
Hwan understood that Wan was deliberately being dismissive so he wouldn’t feel guilty.
“When Mother returns… she’ll be angry, won’t she?”
“So what? I’ll just write a reflection.”
“I could write a hundred reflections.”
“Then what?”
“She’ll be disappointed again.”
“…”
“I’m terrified of seeing that.”
Wan, lying on his side with his face propped up in his hand, furrowed his brow.
“You’re afraid of the most pointless things.”
“What?”
“Brother, children are meant to disappoint their parents. Just give up. It’s easier that way.”
Now it was Hwan’s turn to furrow his brow. For Wan, this wasn’t mere bravado—it was how he actually lived. Scolded daily yet defiant every day, unafraid of writing reflections. Sometimes he seemed like someone who feared nothing at all.
“You’re not afraid of anything.”
“What are you talking about? Do you think I’m some kind of monster?”
“Are you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then what is it?”
“Well…”
The playful glint in Wan’s eyes grew oddly serene. Just as Hwan thought his brother looked sad, Wan smiled again.
“It’s a secret.”
“What, you brat?”
“Why? What good would it do you to know, hyung?”
“How dare you insult the Crown Prince of this nation?”
“Yes, I dare.”
He feared neither his father’s nor his brother’s disappointment, and possessed an exceptional talent for exasperating them both. And Wan—
‘Wan, why won’t you come here???’
was happiest when wielding that talent.
And Hwan deeply loved that joyful expression on his face. In the East Palace, where every cherished possession had been destroyed, Wan alone remained untouched.
If only it could remain so.
Hwan prayed.
The fragrance of flowers bloomed across the Royal Academy’s School Grounds. Though winter still held dominion and spring had not yet arrived, the bouquets prepared for the graduation ceremony swept away the bitter cold wind.
Sung Hee-joo carried a large bouquet in her arms as she headed toward the Grand Hall. She was thoroughly displeased that she had to present it to Sung Tae-joo, but she had resolved to endure it today. Tomorrow, Sung Tae-joo would depart for America.
“Tae-joo!”
Just then, Han Da-young approached, waving her hand. Her unusually subdued energy and puffy eyes suggested she had spent the night weeping.
“Have you been crying?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Very much so.”
Han Da-young released a deep sigh and rubbed her eyes.
“We have to take photos later. This is a disaster.”
Just then, Han Da-young’s family called out to her. True to their reputation as a distinguished family in the Legal Profession, the atmosphere around them felt decidedly austere.
I understood why Han Da-young was called the Han family’s mutation. Especially the two men who appeared to be her older brothers—they had the kind of intimidating presence one might see in gangster films.
“Sung Tae-joo is going to have a rough time.”
Sung Hee-joo shook her head and entered the Grand Hall. Family seating was arranged beside the center section where graduates sat. She found the Azure Dragon Palace section and took her seat alone. Her father had contacted her saying he would arrive around the time the ceremony ended—his business trip to Japan had been delayed.
“I’m so disappointed our father can’t be here.”
Muttering to herself, Sung Hee-joo recalled a scene she had witnessed a few nights ago. That evening, having fallen asleep unusually early, she had awakened late at night and left her room.
The moment her foot touched the staircase, she heard laughter rising from the first floor. It was her father’s and Sung Tae-joo’s. Without thinking, she held her breath and descended, spotting a bottle of whiskey between the two men.
It was one of her father’s whiskey collection that Sung Tae-joo had been eyeing for some time. Whether he had finally obtained permission for it, Sung Tae-joo’s face was flushed. The look in her father’s eyes as he gazed upon his newly adult son could be described as nothing but love.
‘….’
A sudden hollowness overcame Sung Hee-joo, and she turned back toward the second floor. She hated herself for ultimately feeling disappointed. She hated that she had to envy her father’s natural love for his child. Why couldn’t she receive something so obvious?
So she simply resolved to desire it again. Remembering the name of the whiskey Sung Tae-joo had been drinking. Vowing that when she came of age, she would surely receive a whiskey gift. It was childish, but there was nothing to be done about it.
“My, Prime Minister Min has arrived as well?”
“My only son’s graduation—I had to be here.”
As her thoughts deepened, murmuring voices filled the space. Prime Minister Min had arrived with his security detail. Compared to his son, who bore a somewhat sharp expression, the Prime Minister possessed a far gentler demeanor. The smile he offered as he shook every extended hand, the warmth in his voice with each word—
A middle-aged beauty standing beside him recognized Sung Hee-joo.
“Oh my, Hee-joo!”
The woman with the affectionate voice was Jung-woo’s mother. She was someone Sung Hee-joo had met before, on the day she had visited with a cookie set in hand. Despite her refined appearance, she was quite talkative. She had so many questions that Sung Hee-joo’s throat had grown hoarse answering them all that day.
“Hello, ma’am.”
“Don’t call me that.”
She gently chided Sung Hee-joo while warmly clasping her hand, then moved without hesitation toward her husband, who was surrounded by people.
“Dear, this is the friend I mentioned—Sung Hee-joo.”
“Ah, our son’s junior at the Academy! It’s wonderful to meet you.”
“Hello, Prime Minister Min. I’m Sung Hee-joo.”
“She’s been top of her class since enrollment. Impressive, isn’t it?”
In an instant, I found myself conversing with the Prime Minister and his wife, my smile growing increasingly strained. I could feel the weight of countless gazes upon me—some tinged with envy and jealousy, others brimming with curiosity.
“How’s the early graduation you were preparing for coming along?”
She asked naturally, her arm linked through mine.
“Yes, I’m preparing step by step.”
“Your brother Sung Hee-joo is graduating this term too, isn’t he? I thought he mentioned studying abroad?”
“Yes, today….”
“If I’d known you were coming, I wouldn’t have bought flowers. Jung-woo probably prefers gifts from you anyway.”
She enjoyed her mischievous jokes, particularly when they left others flustered. I was already exhausted from maintaining this facade of the dutiful student. I desperately wished someone would end this conversation. And precisely on cue—
“Sung Hee-joo.”
“Father?”
My father had arrived. Though he’d said he’d be late, he recognized Prime Minister Min immediately and shifted into his businessman’s demeanor. His smile was measured, his handshake natural. After exchanging a few obligatory pleasantries, the two men created distance between themselves as if choreographed.
In that moment, I noticed the Prime Minister and his wife’s expressions shift. A flicker of confusion crossed their faces—they hadn’t anticipated that I was Sung Hyun-guk’s daughter.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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