My Disfigured Duke Husband Helps Me Plot My Revenge
Chapter 38: Her Sponsor

Chapter 38: Her Sponsor

Prince Stephano waited for Leonor in the foyer of the dormitory she would be staying in. She insisted that she needed to get out of traveling clothing before she was to face the town.

Since the King likely had people in Magia who were put there to watch him, Stephano imagined he wasn’t helping his father’s opinion of him. After acquainting himself with women more often than men, it was a hard image to escape.

However, the Prince had noticed that, with his association with a noble house’s daughter, there was different attention on him than usual. He could move other plans forward in silence since most were focused on who he would court. After all, whoever he courted would be the next Queen.

He imagined it was much of the same for Leonor. If her father truly believed that his daughter and the Prince were courting one another, he would support it considering it may benefit him one day.

It gave them both a small cushion regardless if it was true. If Leonor needed to use him for that, he didn’t mind.

The lady soon made herself known with a quiet "Are you ready, Your Highness?" that caused Prince Stephano to straighten himself out. He would be her tour guide for the day before he had to return to the capital the next day.

Without needing to keep up the noble charade of a lady unable to guide herself as she held onto a man’s arm, Leonor was thrilled to walk next to the Prince and not have to make any contact whatsoever. She had played up their closeness around Burien Manor so her father would think she was far more cunning than she was trying to be.

The Prince and Leonor found themselves on a street gently sloping upwards where the main building of the Magic Academy sat nestled into the middle of the city.

It was a pale brown building with a large dome on top of it. Surrounding it were four smaller buildings with points and flags atop each one.

After years of research, scholars broke mana down into four different categories. Most mages fit under offensive, defensive, healing, and enchanting magic. Part of being educated at the Magic Academy meant figuring out which category was most suitable for your natural mana and educating yourself based on that.

There were rumors the test was grueling yet she was excited to figure herself out once and for all. However, there was much to do before she could even dream of taking the test.

Since she was a year behind most others, she needed to work hard and play catch up until she was equal to those in her age group. Some went to the Academy with at least slight knowledge of mana, but she was going in entirely ignorant of the subject altogether.

As they walked towards the academy, the Prince turned to Leonor.

"Education in Magia is unlike any other learning you’ve ever done," he explained. "While you’re used to reading as a form of learning, expect to get your hands dirty here."

Leonor allowed his words to sink in momentarily.

"I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to stay here," Leonor reminded him, as she had many times before. "I couldn’t let my sponsorship go to waste."

The Prince smirked lightly and shook his head, causing his striking red hair to fall into his face.

"You could have gotten in by yourself because of your mother’s influence in the magical space," he admitted. "I just sped the process up before it was too late."

"And I’m forever indebted," Leonor responded. "Don’t let me forget it."

The trip to the edge of the Academy’s campus was only a short walk. As they made it to wide open gates, Leonor marveled at the types of people in that place.

People with skin darker or lighter than hers roamed together without a second thought. A multitude of different hair colors were noted as well. It was a melting pot of mages and everyone lived with each other peacefully.

Momentarily, she wondered if anyone from Eirenguard was there. She didn’t know what she would do if she saw striking ruby eyes and blonde hair.

Somehow she was lucky enough to be born in a region next to Magia. Many others sailed from far away or traveled over continents to educate themselves in a place like that.

"Your dormitory is so close to the campus," Prince Stephano observed. "When I was here, I had to travel far each day. Guards aren’t allowed here so my father forced me to stay in a house at the border where I could be watched at night."

Despite him walking around without anyone escorting him, she felt sympathy for the man who seemingly had a stricter upbringing than her. They had many commonalities, but there was never a chance to talk about everything considering the constant watch on them.

"I’ll consider myself lucky," Leonor said. "Although I’m sure my father has someone here lurking. I would never be allowed to do this if it meant my father had to give away his control."

It also occurred to her that the only person she wanted to misbehave with was in the north fighting for Burien County despite it not being a problem he should have had to handle. Her father likely saw it that way too. The Prince’s reputation was far too important to tarnish by doing anything with her that many people could see.

At the thought, she clutched the locket she wore around her neck. It was a habit she had picked up each time she thought about Valerio. She pretended that the very flower inside was one he had touched while cutting the blooms for her. Each night she looked at the flower and breathed a sigh of relief as if to confirm the short few months he was in her life existed.

It would always feel like a good dream that had turned into a nightmare. At least it would until she was in his arms once more.

The Prince and Leonor’s conversation came to a lull, but there was plenty to look at to keep them occupied.

You could pick students who were currently studying based on whether or not they were wearing uniforms. She knew there were uniforms but hadn’t been fitted with one yet. For the most part, most could wear their regular clothing underneath mage robes. Many wore a patch that indicated which group they fell into after their test.

She was itching to find out what she was.

"The mana groups," Leonor muttered. "Which one were you categorized into, Your Highness?"

They walked through the gates as the Prince answered.

"My strongest category is enchantment magic," Prince Stephano explained. "Although most in the Royal Family have attributes from each group."

"How amazing," Leonor responded quietly.

She realized quickly that she had lost the Prince’s attention. His hazel-golden eyes were elsewhere.

As they approached the largest building, the Prince saw a silver-haired mage sitting on the steps. In his pale hands was a book taking all of his attention.

"Quinn," the Prince said warmly. "You look exactly the same as when I graduated. Full-blooded mages truly do age slower."