Shadow Academy
Shadow Academy was regarded as the most prestigious school in the kingdom, attended mostly by noble-born children.
It trained and educated them in the ethics of the land, preparing them for the scholar’s examination, through which they could secure positions in the royal court or serve as ministers.
The academy stood far from the main city, yet closer to one of the busiest regions in the kingdom.
It was surrounded by vast green pastures and lay near a dense forest, giving it a quiet yet majestic atmosphere.
Its walls were built like a fortress—tall, solid, and impossible to climb.
The main entrance courtyard alone was so large it could accommodate nearly a hundred carriages at once.
The academy was divided into several main buildings: the teachers’ quarters, the classroom block, the kitchen hall, the grand library, and the rest areas.
Today marked the return of students, as the previous batch had already graduated.
New students were now being admitted.
Since Ella had been personally assigned by the king, she carried a referral letter bearing his seal, which would serve as her permit.
The rest of the applicants would have to sit for an entrance examination before being accepted.
A carriage from the palace brought her to the academy gates.
Tyla accompanied her, though she was not permitted to stay inside.
She held Ella’s belongings tightly and continued reminding her of proper behavior and how to avoid trouble.
Ella, however, was already growing tired of her constant lectures.
Many students had already arrived.
With Tyla’s help, Ella stepped down from the carriage and collected her bag.
After a brief farewell, Tyla left.
Ella joined the line of female students, while the males stood on the opposite side.
The atmosphere was lively—some students reunited with old friends, others boasted about their wealth, some looked down on others, while a few simply stood quietly or tried to make new connections.
“Oh!” a girl behind Ella suddenly gasped.
“Isn’t that Young Master Eric?!” another girl squealed excitedly.
Ella turned toward the commotion.
A carriage had just entered the courtyard, drawing immediate attention.
From it stepped a young man whose presence alone seemed to silence the surrounding chatter.
He was elegantly dressed, with dark hair and caramel-colored eyes.
His expression was calm and unreadable, yet his appearance was striking enough to earn admiration from every direction.
Without acknowledging the excited murmurs around him, he walked directly toward the male line.
“Who is he?” Ella muttered.
“You don’t know him?!” a sharp voice answered from behind.
Ella turned and saw a cheerful-looking girl who appeared unusually casual for a noble.
She was even eating candies as she spoke.
“That’s Young Master Eric Patrick,” she said.
“The most admired man in the kingdom—and the object of many girls’ affection. His father is an elder in the court, and he is the second young master of the Patrick family. No one really knows his personality, but he is highly trained and extremely disciplined.”
She clicked her tongue.
“Tsk… they’re ridiculously rich.”
“Oh,” Ella replied simply.
Soon, another carriage arrived.
A different young man stepped out, smiling warmly as he waved at the girls before joining the male line.
“That’s Desmond Williams,” the girl continued.
“The third young master of the Williams family. His father is a minister. He’s known for being kind—the sweetest of them all.”
Another carriage followed.
This time, a young man stepped out while reading a book, completely uninterested in the noise around him.
He walked calmly toward the male line without looking up.
“That’s Zeliah Shen,” the girl said dreamily.
“Second young master of the Shen family. He’s the kingdom’s most talented poet. His words can make your heart melt. I swear, any love poem he writes would feel like snow falling on a mountain.”
She sighed.
“He’s my dream man.”
Ella glanced at the three boys who were now talking among themselves.
“They seem to know each other,” she observed.
“Yes,” the girl replied quickly.
“When they’re together, they’re called—”
“The Three Seasons!” several girls nearby chimed in excitedly.
“That’s right,” the girl confirmed.
Ella turned slightly.
“And you are?”
The girl grinned.
“I’m Isabella, third young mistress of the Edward family. My grandfather is an elder in the court. I lost my father—he was a general.”
“Oh, I’m Ella,” Ella said brightly.
For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine something she had never truly experienced—a normal life.
A life without palace burdens, without political pressure, without constant expectations.
Just friends.
Laughter.
Secrets.
Peace.
The life she had always wished for.
Her thoughts were interrupted by another arrival.
Two more carriages pulled in.
From the first, a young woman stepped out.
She was breathtakingly beautiful, yet carried an intimidating presence.
She wore no makeup, no jewelry, and no elaborate dress—yet her aura alone drew attention.
However, instead of admiration, her arrival was met with murmurs of displeasure.
“What is she doing here?”
“I thought she was in the knight academy!”
“I’m sure she came because of Young Master Patrick…”
“She’s just trying to get his attention.”
The voices turned harsh and judgmental.
“That’s Roselle Bill,” Isabella said coldly.
“Third young mistress of the Bill family, and cousin to Nora Frederick—the second beauty of the Frederick family, who is also the step-cousin of Selena Frederick, the most beautiful woman in the kingdom.”
Isabella’s tone grew sharper.
“Roselle once disguised herself as a boy and attended knight training. She was exposed later. It caused a scandal—ladies are not supposed to join knights. It’s considered improper.”
Ella nodded slowly, taking it in.
But then—
The name struck her like a blade.
Selena.
Her expression changed instantly.
Why was that girl everywhere she went?
Was she here again just to ruin her life?
Or was she not satisfied with whatever scheme she had already played in the palace?
Why now?
Why here?
Ella’s thoughts darkened.
If Selena thought she could follow her into the academy and continue interfering in her life, she was wrong.
Tyla’s lectures would mean nothing if Selena was here.
She would not allow it.
At that moment, Selena Frederick arrived.
She walked into the line calmly, her presence instantly shifting the atmosphere.
A single cold glance passed over Ella—brief, sharp, almost deliberate—before Selena turned away.
Then she smiled softly at the boys nearby.
The reaction was immediate.
Several young men visibly stiffened, their attention locked on her.
And just like that, she became the center of the entire courtyard.
Ella stood still.
Her grip on her bag tightened slightly.