The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 38

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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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Chapter 38
The morning of Rachel’s birthday brought its own share of happenings.
Theo offered Noah a sincere apology, and Noah accepted it.
Noah’s expression as he accepted the apology wasn’t particularly bright, but he didn’t reject it or make a fuss either.
‘I suppose that counts as half a victory.’
Rachel could at least exhale in relief.
‘Still, the children seem to be preparing quite a lot.’
The children kept the classroom’s decoration plans under strict secrecy. In truth, she was curious about what they were doing, but she deliberately pretended not to notice and kept a careful eye on Noah’s mood.
“Noah, how are you feeling today?”
“Not bad.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Thank you for looking after me, teacher.”
Noah’s words came as quite a pleasant surprise. Rachel, who hadn’t anticipated them at all, was taken aback.
“Hearing you say that makes me all the more grateful.”
Noah had grown so much. Perhaps even more than Theo.
‘I’m just grateful you’ve stayed with me.’
Unlike Theo, who adeptly sidestepped guidance with a certain slickness, Noah grew slowly but steadily. The fruits of that growth were showing now, and Rachel beamed as she gently patted his head.
“Happy birthday, teacher.”
After hesitating several times, Noah finally told Rachel happy birthday. In his outstretched hand lay a small letter.
“Did you write me a letter?”
“Yes. It’s not very long.”
“Length doesn’t matter at all. What matters is that you wrote it for me.”
Rachel accepted the letter with a radiant smile. She could feel the faint indentations of his careful writing beneath her fingertips.
“This is the happiest birthday of my life. Truly.”
Rachel clutched the letter and clasped Noah’s hand in return.
“I’ll read this letter carefully later.”
“There’s nothing special about it…”
Noah felt embarrassed. But his expression was far more relaxed than usual.
“Teacher, you just need to come into the classroom at ten-thirty.”
Noah, who had stayed with Rachel unlike the other students, spoke quietly. Though he hadn’t participated in decorating the classroom, he too seemed eager—especially at the thought of making Rachel happy.
“How many minutes left?”
“About two.”
“One minute now.”
Noah glanced at his watch and counted down by the second. Before long the minute had passed, and a commotion erupted from inside the classroom.
“Rachel, teacher! Come in!”
Theo called out. Rachel, unable to resist, pushed open the classroom door.
That was the moment when the children cheered in welcome.
The classroom was decorated lavishly with colored paper of every hue. And that was just the beginning—Roca played the violin to set the mood, while the teacher’s desk was covered with handwritten letters.
“Rachel, teacher! Happy birthday!”
The children began singing “Happy Birthday” in unison. Rachel covered her mouth with both hands, unable to hide her emotion.
“Teacher, we really respect you.”
The children expressed their affection in their own languages. Rachel felt tears threatening to spill. It was simply too moving.
‘This is what makes teaching worthwhile.’
It had begun as an awkward relationship, the distance between them gradually narrowing. But through fierce confrontation and patient care, that distance had steadily closed.
Somewhere along the way, the children had become irreplaceable treasures in Rachel’s life. And now was the moment when that deepened bond struck her with its full force.
‘I’m truly happy…’
Rachel smiled broadly and gently patted each child’s head in turn.
“I’m so grateful you celebrated my birthday this way. Because of you, I’ve become the happiest person in the world, truly.”
It was no empty sentiment. In a school full of problem children, they had pooled their efforts to celebrate her birthday. What greater growth could there be?
Rachel had believed in these children, and they had proven her right. This must be what it feels like to walk on clouds.
“Teacher, do we need to read all the letters we wrote?”
“Of course you do.”
“We wanted to buy a birthday cake ourselves, but we couldn’t, so we’re sad. Though we’re really thankful it’s here!”
They couldn’t buy it themselves, yet it was here? That meant someone had bought it for her, didn’t it? Rachel tilted her head in confusion.
“The Crown Prince himself had a cake delivered from a famous bakery! We’re so grateful!”
Lucas was suddenly mentioned by the children.
Rachel’s eyes widened in bewilderment at this revelation. In that moment, the children brought out a magnificent chocolate cake.
“Teacher, blow out the candles!”
“There are candles too? Then I will. One, two, three!”
As Rachel blew out the candles, the children applauded.
It had been a perfect birthday.
Except for one person: Noah.
* * *
‘The Crown Prince himself purchased a cake from the famous bakery for me! I’m truly grateful!’
Noah turned this phrase over in his mind again and again.
He’d heard of that bakery before, caught in snatches of conversation among the other children. It was famous among the people outside the Imperial Palace—nothing like the palace confections, but a name everyone knew. Outside these walls, they bought from there often.
‘There are dozens of pastry chefs in the Imperial Palace, and he bought the cake from outside?’
It made no sense. By any reasonable measure, it was absurd.
‘But if Lucas truly intends to become a Commoner, then it’s possible.’
Noah released a heavy sigh. No matter how he looked at it, his brother seemed bent on walking the Commoner’s path.
‘What am I supposed to do about it? Is there even a way?’
He was a Prince. Lucas was the Crown Prince. The age gap between them was considerable, too. There wasn’t much he could do.
‘What can I possibly do.’
Lying in his bed, Noah’s mind churned ceaselessly. But no clever solution emerged from his small head.
After staring at the ceiling for a couple of hours, Noah gradually began to grasp the thread of the matter.
‘If Lucas just can’t leave the Imperial Palace, then he can’t become a Commoner.’
Noah’s thinking took an extreme turn.
‘So then….’
Noah sprang from his bed. Without delay, he began to write a letter. He had to get it to the Imperial Palace as quickly as possible.
* * *
“Your Highness.”
The commander of the Imperial Palace First Knights Corps approached Lucas, who was attending to his duties as always. The commander should have been guarding the Imperial Palace; there was no explaining why he was here.
“You must return to the Imperial Palace with me.”
“What are you saying at this moment?”
“We have received an anonymous report that there is someone who poses a threat to Your Highness’s safety.”
“An anonymous report?”
Lucas brushed his hair back with an air of exasperation. Then he fixed the commander with a look that said: go on.
“Who submitted such a report?”
“That is….”
“It would be wise for you to answer directly.”
Lucas’s voice had turned cold.
“…It was, Prince Noah, who….”
“Noah?”
The moment he heard the name Noah, Lucas rose from his seat. He meant to find Noah immediately.
“Noah! Noah!”
Though he called loudly, Noah did not appear.
For all Lucas could tell, the boy had hidden himself. But their time together had been long enough—he had a sense of where Noah might hide.
It did not take Lucas long to find him. The atmosphere was tense.
Lucas stared at Noah hard before he spoke.
“It seems you’ve caused some trouble.”
“Caused trouble? I only did what needed to be done.”
“Deceiving the knights into action is hardly a trivial matter.”
“I had to—!”
Noah raised his voice. His emotions burned hot.
“Otherwise, you won’t stop thinking about it!”
“Thinking about what?”
“Becoming a Commoner!”
Noah finally spoke what he’d been holding back.
In that moment, the air around them seemed to freeze. Lucas’s face went rigid. A hollow laugh escaped him, more in shock than anything.
“Brother. We’re going to abandon it, aren’t we? We will, won’t we?!”
Noah called out harshly toward Lucas.
What was he supposed to do about this? He didn’t even know where to begin explaining.
Lucas fell silent, lost in thought. But that lasted only a moment. Slowly, he opened his mouth.

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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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