The Teacher of Budding Villains Suffers Today, Too - Chapter 88

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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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Episode 88
Everyone had learned that war had begun. Rachel was among them. She exhaled a sigh where no one could hear.
Having received no news yet, Theo and Noah sat before their desks, studying diligently.
‘It’s not something the children should hear.’
Rachel instructed the servants and attendants to keep quiet about the war, ensuring the matter would not reach Theo and Noah. They nodded quickly, as though sharing her thoughts.
‘When will I be able to see Lucas?’
Rachel wanted to meet Lucas as soon as possible. According to rumor, he was to take the lead in the fighting.
‘It’s likely true.’
If so, she had to find a way to help him. Perhaps she too could take to the front lines. That was what Rachel thought.
‘Even if I fight, I won’t be a mere burden.’
Though she had never seen combat, there were certainly ways her Mana Operation Ability could prove useful. Rachel intended to ask Lucas to take her to the Border.
“The Crown Prince has arrived.”
A servant announced Lucas’s arrival. Rachel reflexively lifted her gaze to the door. The firmly shut door swung open, and Lucas appeared. Rachel brightened her expression deliberately as she looked at him.
“Lucas.”
“Rachel.”
“Brother! Why are you so late?”
“Didn’t we promise to have dinner together tonight?”
Theo and Noah pestered Lucas. Rachel quieted their complaints and Lucas moved to her side.
“Since this is our first dinner together in some time, I hope you all enjoy it.”
Lucas offered a gentle smile as he ruffled Theo and Noah’s hair. They gazed up at their brother with eyes full of admiration. As they always did.
“Shall we go to the Back Garden?”
“Yes, I’d like that.”
“I’m really hungry.”
Theo and Noah sprang from their seats.
The moment they stepped into the Back Garden, the scent of food drifted toward them. Rachel walked in step with Lucas. Then she sat down directly beside him.
“Before we eat, I have a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“What if we painted a family portrait together?”
“A family portrait? With you and us?”
“Rachel as well.”
Rachel, who had been gazing somewhat blankly at Lucas, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise. A family portrait. She couldn’t fathom what this meant.
“Since you are betrothed to me, you are as good as my family. Won’t you join us?”
Lucas made the proposal with formality.
As good as family. Those words carried weight. It meant Lucas had accepted her as one of his own.
Yet Rachel could not answer easily.
Before departing for war, a family portrait was painted for one reason alone: so that if one did not return alive, the remaining family could look upon the portrait and grieve the deceased.
‘War is war, after all…’
Rachel bit her lip hard.
No matter how hard she tried to think positively, she could not. In the extreme circumstances of war, she could not know what might tear her and Lucas apart.
Rachel imagined a future without Lucas. Nothing came to mind—only darkness.
Rachel clenched her fists. Her nails dug into her palms, creating pain, but she barely noticed.
“Rachel.”
“…Yes, Lucas.”
“I know what you’re thinking. Such things will not come to pass, so do not worry yourself.”
Lucas sought to reassure her.
It wasn’t that she doubted him. But separate from that, her worry for him only grew.
“I’m told the painter is quite skilled and can complete the portrait quickly. Perhaps even by this evening.”
Lucas, holding a teacup, spoke to Theo and Noah. They nodded in understanding.
“It’s the first time we’re painting a family portrait with four people.”
“Mine too. We’ve always painted it with just three.”
Theo and Noah both showed signs of joy. Rachel, too, brightened her expression deliberately to match the mood.
“Where are we painting the portrait?”
“Inside the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“Then we should go right now, shouldn’t we?!”
After finishing their meal, Theo and Noah jumped to their feet. They hurried toward the Crown Prince’s Palace. Only Rachel and Lucas remained.
“Lucas… truly, is this alright?”
“Even if it weren’t, I would make it so. Do not worry. Shall we go?”
Lucas extended his hand to Rachel. She took it and rose from her seat. Their warmth mingled together. Holding his warm hand, Rachel thought of an uncertain future.
Painting a portrait was not a difficult task. One simply had to take one’s position, look at the painter, and remain still.
Yet for Rachel, even that simple action was not easy. Tears kept threatening to spill.
‘What in the world….’
Anyone watching would have thought some disaster had already struck. Rachel pretended composure, smoothing Lucas’s hand with careful fingers. His hand had never felt so achingly tender as it did today.
The skilled painter finished the preliminary sketch and base colors quickly. After explaining that she could complete the remaining work alone, she bowed politely and departed.
“I fear your tears might end up painted into the portrait itself.”
“I’m sorry?”
The moment Lucas finished speaking, Rachel’s fingers flew to her eyes. Sure enough, tears had gathered there, just as he said.
“When did this….”
“Are you alright, Rachel?” Theo asked.
Theo and Noah approached her, their expressions hardening. Rachel nodded.
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Then we’ll be going.”
“Take care.”
Theo and Noah, sensing something unspoken, quickly made themselves scarce.
“Theo and Noah still don’t know that war has broken out,” Rachel said quietly.

“I’m not sure when to tell them, but if I’m being honest, I want to keep it from them as long as I can.”
Rachel opened her heart to Lucas. In response, he tucked a strand of her slightly disheveled hair behind her ear in a gesture of understanding.
“Rachel.”
“Yes. I’m listening.”
“There’s somewhere I’d like to go with you.”
“Somewhere you’d like to go?”
“Would you spare me a little time?”
There was no reason to refuse. Rachel nodded at once, and Lucas led her away to an unknown destination.
The Imperial Palace was vast—impossibly vast. Because of this, Rachel couldn’t tell where Lucas was taking her. Yet her heart swelled with a buoyant certainty that she would follow him anywhere.
“Where are we headed?” Rachel asked.
Lucas drew in a long, slow breath.
“Can you smell it? The flowers?”
Rachel breathed deeply as well. Then a sweet, delicate floral fragrance began to unfold around her.
“Close your eyes,” Lucas said.
Rachel obeyed without hesitation, then took each step forward with her hand clasped in his, trusting him to guide her.
“Lucas….”
She didn’t know how far they would go, and part of her felt afraid. Yet she knew Lucas was not someone who would harm her. That knowledge alone gave her the courage to follow his lead.
The flower fragrance grew stronger. At some point, it seemed to envelop her entire body. Rachel felt her spirits lift—holding his hand, breathing in the sweetness, all of it felt like a dream.
For a moment, she forgot that she had to send Lucas to war. A faint smile crossed her lips.
Then came the moment.
“Rachel.”
He called her name.
“Open your eyes,” Lucas whispered, his voice tender and warm.
She opened them at his word.
“Oh…?”
And there, spreading before her, was none other than—
“This is… the Central Garden, isn’t it?”
The Central Garden—sealed off ever since Lucas’s mother, the First Empress, had lost her life there.

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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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