The 21st Century Grand Grand Duchess in the Royal Academy - Chapter 6

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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
Personal Feelings
Wan visited the Principal’s Office early in the morning and spoke.
“Please consider opening the Archery Range to full access.”
“The Archery Range?”
The School Principal asked with a puzzled expression. He had harbored some anticipation upon hearing that the Grand Duke—who had never sought him out even once since enrollment—had a personal request. After all, before being his student, he was a Grand Duke of this nation.
It was tradition for the Royal Family and their relatives to study at the Royal Academy, yet remaining inconspicuous from enrollment to graduation was an unspoken rule. Being too exceptional risked drawing unwanted attention, while being too lacking would damage the Royal Family’s dignity—so the art of moderation was the constant pursuit.
In that sense, Grand Duke Ian was a somewhat unusual case. Despite being the King’s second son, he shone remarkably brightly.
It was almost laughable to hope someone with his tall stature and refined features wouldn’t stand out, but he showed no fear of shining. He consistently maintained top grades and demonstrated excellence in both archery and calligraphy.
As if he wished to announce his talents to the entire world.
Yet he was not the arrogant type. One could not deny a certain inherent pride characteristic of royalty, but he neither looked down upon others nor spoke condescendingly. He simply possessed an inborn nobility, and with it came an effortless composure that paid little mind to those around him.
So how strange this personal request regarding the Archery Range must have seemed.
“Might I inquire as to the reason Your Highness makes such a request?”
The School Principal asked with formal respect that transcended the typical teacher-student relationship. After tilting his head briefly, Grand Duke Ian spoke with measured composure.
“Confucius once said that a gentleman has no rivals, yet in archery he must always compete.”
“And so…”
“The upcoming friendly competition has ignited our fellow students’ enthusiasm. Would it not bring them even greater joy if you, Principal, were to support their fervor?”
It was a clear answer, yet equally obscure. But there was nothing more to ask. One could not disappoint the Grand Duke, who smiled as if he had already received the answer he desired.
“Since Your Highness speaks thus… I shall give it my earnest consideration.”
A small smile graced the Grand Duke’s face upon hearing words he recognized as acceptance. Not too bright, not too deliberate—perfectly measured.
Leaving the Principal’s Office, Wan crossed the corridor with his usual unhurried gait. Though he maintained an upright posture without effort, an air of refined nobility emanated from him, yet his mind churned with confusion.
To make a personal request at a school devoted to learning—and all because of one girl. It was unthinkable.
“You said that? To the Principal?”
Hwan, who had come to Wan’s private residence, asked.
“What of it?”
Wan grumbled, unable to hide his displeasure. No matter how quiet the request, he knew every action of his was reported to the Palace. It was only a matter of time before Mother’s ears caught wind of it.
He had confessed his worries to his older brother, and now the man had come rushing over.
“My little brother is nursing an unrequited love…”
“It’s not like that.”
“Then what? Pity? Charity?”
“What?”
“That girl is an illegitimate child of Castle Group, isn’t she? A commoner and a bastard in that wretched school… she’s lucky to be alive at all, isn’t she?”
It was an anachronistic remark, yet one he could not refute. Though officially the nation aspired to equality, class distinctions existed.
As long as the Royal Family existed and noble bloodlines persisted, hierarchy was inevitable. Given humanity’s tendency to band together and reject those unlike themselves, discrimination could never disappear.
“That’s not quite it…”
“Not quite?”
“Your words aren’t wrong.”
Wan shrugged, recalling Hee-ju’s words.
“She said she would seize every opportunity her rivals enjoy, that she would become equally tainted in the process—and you’re just going to watch that happen?”
“Ah, so you helped her? To keep her from becoming tainted?”
Wan hurled a cushion at the teasing tone. Hwan, struck squarely in the head, cried out “That’s treason!” and the attendant standing outside the door asked if everything was alright. The two brothers’ laughter froze instantly—
“It’s fine. Don’t concern yourself.”
Hwan’s reflexes were quick, as if practiced.
“Park Sanggung, you’re not eavesdropping at the door right now, are you?”
“Probably. She does it all the time at the East Palace too.”
Unlike the unbothered Hwan, Wan waved his hand in exasperation.
“Ugh, just hurry back to the Palace. Don’t get scolded by Mother for nothing.”
“Mother doesn’t scold me.”
“Right, I’ll take the scolding instead.”
Wan’s expression remained flat as he spoke the absurdity. Unable to comfort his younger brother despite pitying him, Hwan changed the subject.
“So, is that girl pretty?”
“What?”
Once again, Hwan’s head met the cushion.
At that moment, Hee-ju was consumed by anxiety. The confrontation with Wan last night gnawed at her relentlessly.
Having lived as the mad dog and scrappy fighter of Vermillion Phoenix Palace, boasting an undefeated record, Hee-ju found dealing with royalty somewhat daunting. No—deeply daunting.
“I won’t be expelled, will I?”
Unable to eat dinner properly, Hee-ju sat on a bench, spiraling in regret.
“They won’t throw me in prison for insulting the Royal Family, right?”
Replaying her words to Wan, Hee-ju descended into terrible imaginings. Expulsion. Expulsion. Nothing but expulsion.
As she tore at her hair in self-torment—
“Hey, hey. Wake up. There’s a notice.”
A friend from Vermillion Phoenix Palace, introduced through Jung-woo, shook Hee-ju’s shoulder.
“A notice? Why?”
“Come on, get up.”
It wasn’t the time for announcements. Exams had only recently ended, and the semester schedule had been shared long ago. Could it be? Terrified that her imagination might become reality, Hee-ju bolted toward the central building.
“What…”
Pushing through the murmuring crowd of students, Hee-ju reached the bulletin board, unable to hide her deflation.
The Archery Range was being fully opened.
“That’s good, right? It’s open for a whole month. You were always complaining about not having enough practice time.”
It was good news. Full opening meant she could practice all day without needing approval.
Yet somehow, her mood remained sour.
The more she read the clause stating that , the more her pride stung. She couldn’t help but recognize that the Prince had personally intervened after hearing of her grievance last night.
“How infuriating.”
Hee-ju muttered darkly and turned away sharply. She wanted to exhaust every ounce of the magnificent Prince’s benevolence. Until nothing remained.
Hee-ju wasn’t ignorant of her own pettiness. She could acknowledge that he was quite an admirable senior for finding a better way than punishment.
But the fact that he occupied a position where he could bestow such grace was unbearably insulting. That all she could do in return was feel grateful was unbearably humiliating.
It felt like he was telling her—someone who had resolved to gladly become corrupted to win—that there was a way to win cleanly. As if lecturing someone living a life where winning wasn’t necessary. How dare he.
So Hee-ju immediately gathered her bow and sought out Jung-woo.
“Let’s practice.”
“Right now? It’s not even seven yet.”
“Starting today, we’re doing intensive training.”
“Did you get into another fight with that Ryu Min-seok kid or something?”
Hee-joo shook her head at Jung-woo’s worried question and spoke only one thing.
“I really hate losing.”
Royal Academy School Regulations
Article 50, Section 1: The Academy shall host a friendly competition each autumn to promote goodwill between dormitories.
Article 50, Section 2: The events for the friendly competition shall be archery, horseback riding, and calligraphy.
Article 50, Section 7: The representative for each event shall be individually selected by each dormitory.
Article 50, Section 8: In the friendly competition, victory and defeat are secondary; the representative of each dormitory shall regard the preservation of dignity and honor as their foremost duty.
Article 50, Section 12: The student who wins the friendly competition shall receive the Royal Commendation Flower on behalf of the Royal Family’s recognition.

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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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