Forbidden Desires: Conquering Kingdoms And Women In a Fantasy World!

Dawn had barely broken when I found myself stirring awake, my body instinctively responding to the weight of the day ahead. The entrance exam. Through the thin walls of the manor, I could hear the gentle padding of footsteps—Alicia was already up as well.

After washing away the remnants of sleep with cold water from the basin, I dressed in my simple shirt and breeches.

When I descended the curved staircase to the main hall, I found Alicia already waiting, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. She had chosen a dress of deep silk that complemented her green hair perfectly—elegant yet practical, with sleeves that wouldn't restrict movement should the exam require physical demonstrations.

"Good morning," she said softly.

"Morning. Ready for this?" I asked, though I could see the answer written in the tension of her shoulders.

Before she could respond, Creon emerged from his study, already dressed despite the early hour. His sharp eyes immediately took in my appearance, and I watched as his expression shifted to one of gentle concern.

"Hm, maybe I should have bought a new set of clothes for you, Harold," he mused, stroking his chin as he examined my commoner's attire. There was no judgment in his tone, only the practical consideration of a man who understood the subtle warfare of social presentation.

He was right, of course. Among the peacocking nobles at the academy, I would stand out like a sparrow among golden eagles—and not in a favorable way.

"I am fine like this," I said with a shrug, attempting nonchalance. "It's just an entrance exam."

Creon's eyebrows rose slightly, a knowing look crossing his features. "Yes... but you will have it better wearing better clothes. The nobility can be... particular about such things."

I had to concede the point. With clothes like these, I would paint a target on my back for every young noble looking to establish their superiority. The academy was as much a political battlefield as it was a place of learning.

"Later then," I agreed, making a mental note to address my wardrobe situation once this hurdle was cleared.

"Good. For now, both of you have an important exam ahead." Creon's voice brightened as he turned to include his daughter. "I am sure you will both succeed brilliantly!"

I noticed how Alicia's face paled slightly at her father's confident declaration.

"Y…yes, father," she stammered. "I won't disappoint you."

"Then good luck to both of you," Creon said warmly. He stepped forward to press a gentle kiss to Alicia's forehead, his hand briefly cupping her cheek in a gesture of paternal affection. Then, to my surprise, he reached out and patted my head with the same fatherly care.

I couldn't suppress the slight flinch that ran through me. The gesture, meant in kindness, struck something raw and uncomfortable within me. I kept my expression neutral, swallowing down the complex emotions that threatened to surface.

"Unfortunately, I cannot accompany you myself—pressing matters at the estate require my attention," Creon continued, seemingly unaware of my internal struggle. "But Jameson will see you safely to the academy grounds."

The butler in question appeared as if summoned. "The carriage is ready, my lord," he announced with a respectful bow.

As we made our way outside, I couldn't help but admire the vehicle that awaited us. The carriage was a masterwork of craftsmanship—polished wood inlaid with silver accents, wheels bound with steel, and upholstery that spoke of luxury without ostentation. Creon had clearly chosen his finest conveyance for his daughter's important day.

Alicia gathered her skirts gracefully and stepped up into the carriage, settling onto the plush burgundy cushions. I followed, taking the seat across from her as Jameson secured the door and climbed up to join the coachman.

With a gentle lurch, we began to move, the well-sprung carriage providing a smooth ride despite the cobbled streets. Through the window, I watched Creon's figure grow smaller as he waved farewell from the manor's front steps.

As the familiar sights of the estate grounds gave way to the bustling activity of the city proper, I found my gaze drawn to my traveling companion. Alicia sat with perfect posture, her hands folded in her lap, but I could see the subtle signs of her nervousness.

The morning light streaming through the carriage window caught her profile, highlighting the delicate curve of her cheekbone and the way her green hair had been arranged in an elegant style that framed her face.

Looking at her this close, she was, I had to admit, genuinely beautiful.

But there was something else, something I couldn't quite put my finger on.

"I... is there something wrong?" Alicia's voice broke through my contemplation. She had caught me staring, and a delicate blush was spreading across her cheeks.

"Nothing's wrong," I said. "I was just thinking that I look rather miserable beside you in these clothes. The contrast is rather stark."

Her blush deepened, but she shook her head earnestly. "T…that's not true! You are... you look very handsome, Harold," she said, the words coming out in a rush before she ducked her head, hiding her crimson face behind a curtain of hair.

"Thanks," I replied.

I turned my attention to the window for the remainder of our journey, watching as the residential areas gave way to the grandeur of the city center. The buildings grew taller and more elaborate, their facades decorated with carved stonework and gleaming windows that reflected the morning sun.

After what felt like both an eternity and mere moments, the carriage began to slow. Through the window, I caught my first glimpse of our destination, and the sight made my breath catch in my throat.

"Sweet mercy," I murmured under my breath.

The Royal Academy of Erestia rose before us like something from a fairy tale—or perhaps a fever dream of architectural ambition. The main building was indeed more castle than school, its soaring spires and elaborate battlements speaking of both beauty and defensive capability. Towers crowned with gleaming copper domes caught the morning light like beacons, while massive flying buttresses supported walls of pale limestone that seemed to glow with their own inner radiance.

But it wasn't just the building that took my breath away—it was the sheer scale of the gathering before it.

And the people...

Young nobles stepped from their carriages dressed in fabrics that could have funded entire villages. Silk and velvet, cloth-of-gold and the finest wools, all tailored to perfection and adorned with jewels that caught the light like captured stars. The girls wore gowns that managed to be both fashionable and practical, while the young men sported doublets and breeches that screamed privilege and refinement.

Each outfit represented more wealth than the entire village of Millbrook might see in a generation. The casual display of luxury was almost overwhelming, a stark reminder of the world I was attempting to enter.

And yet, strangely, as I observed this glittering assembly, I felt a odd sense of... familiarity. Not belonging, exactly, but recognition. The subtle hierarchies, the calculated displays of wealth, the careful social positioning—it all felt like a dance I had once known, even if the steps were somewhat different now.

The carriage finally came to a halt, joining the queue of vehicles disgorging their precious cargo. I stepped down first, my humble boots touching the pristine cobblestones, then turned to offer my hand to Alicia.

The etiquette lessons Isadora had drilled into me merged seamlessly with half-remembered instincts from another life, creating a natural grace I hadn't expected to possess. Alicia accepted my assistance with a grateful smile, her gloved hand warm in mine as she descended.

"Where exactly do we need to go?" I asked, surveying the controlled chaos around us.

"The registration should be over there," she replied, pointing toward a set of elaborate archways where a stream of young people was flowing into the academy grounds proper.

As we began to walk, I couldn't help but notice the family scenes playing out around us. Parents offered last-minute encouragement to their children, straightening collars and adjusting jewelry with the practiced ease of those accustomed to public presentation. Some families clustered in small groups, their animated conversations suggesting final strategy sessions, while others maintained more formal farewells.

Anyway.

We joined the flow of applicants moving through the academy gates, and I took the opportunity to study our competition. The crowd was a fascinating mixture of confidence, nerves, and barely controlled panic. Some strode forward with the assured bearing of those who had never doubted their place in the world, while others walked with the careful precision of people afraid of making a single misstep. A few looked genuinely ill with anxiety, their faces pale and hands trembling.

I scanned the crowd, looking to spot a familiar face. Rumia should have been somewhere in this throng, but I saw no sign of her.

Of course, I realized with a mental shake of my head. She wouldn't be here with the rest of us. Rumia's exceptional talent, combined with her prestigious junior academy education, would have earned her direct admission without the need for examination. The same privilege extended to the highest-ranking nobles and all members of the royal family—their places were secured by birthright rather than merit.

Which meant that everyone around me was, in the grand scheme of nobility, relatively minor. The sons and daughters of counts at best, with the majority being from baronial families, wealthy merchants, or lesser landed gentry. We were all here to prove ourselves worthy of spaces that others simply inherited.

That was ironic.

In my previous life, I might well have been among those who gained admission through privilege alone. Now, dressed in my simple clothes and bearing no family name of consequence, I was just another hopeful face in the crowd.

As we approached the main courtyard where the examination would take place, I caught sight of the testing areas being prepared. Multiple stations were being set up by academy staff—areas for written examinations, spaces for practical magic demonstrations, and what looked like a small arena for physical trials.

"This is it," I murmured to Alicia,.

She nodded wordlessly, even more nervous.

Would she really be okay? The question gnawed at me as I watched her struggle with what appeared to be a full-blown panic attack. At this rate, she might very well collapse during the written examinations—a humiliating failure that would haunt her for years to come. The thought of being the only one of us to pass the entrance exam didn't seem right How could I face Creon if his beloved daughter failed while I succeeded?

Without hesitation, I moved closer to her, positioning myself so that my body partially shielded her from the curious glances of other applicants. The last thing she needed was to become a spectacle.

"Alicia," I said. "It's going to be fine."

"Harold..."

Acting on instinct, I reached out and gently took her trembling hand in mine. To any observer, it would appear as nothing more than a comforting gesture between friends. But as our skin made contact, I carefully channeled the subtlest thread of healing magic—not to mend any physical ailment, but to ease the chaotic storm raging in her mind.

The magic flowed between us like warm honey, seeking out the knots of anxiety and fear that had tangled themselves around her thoughts. I felt her pulse slow slightly under my touch, her breathing beginning to find a more natural rhythm. The technique was delicate work, requiring precise control to avoid detection while still providing meaningful relief.

"Listen to me," I continued, maintaining eye contact to help anchor her focus. "Don't think about your father's expectations right now. Don't think about disappointing anyone or living up to family traditions. Just think about yourself—about proving to yourself that you belong here. You've studied hard, you know the material, and you have every right to be here."

I squeezed her hand gently, allowing a bit more of the soothing magic to flow through the contact. "We're going to walk into that examination hall, we're going to show them what we're capable of, and then we'll meet each other at the end to celebrate our success. Can you do that for me?"

Alicia blinked several times, as if clearing fog from her vision. The color was slowly returning to her cheeks, and though she still looked nervous, the edge of panic had receded from her features. She took a deeper, steadier breath and managed a small but genuine smile.

"O…okay," she said, her voice stronger now. "Yes, I can do that."

"Good."

With her composure somewhat restored, we made our way toward the examination hall—a grand stone building with tall windows that allowed natural light to flood the interior. A line of applicants was forming at the entrance, where academy staff were checking identities against enrollment lists.

When our turn came, a stern-faced clerk examined the documents Creon had prepared for us, cross-referencing our names with his registry. "Harold of Millbrook," he read aloud, raising an eyebrow slightly at my lack of noble surname. "And Lady Alicia Lindow. Very good, proceed to entrance hall three."

The written examination room was an impressive space—a vaulted chamber that could have served as a cathedral, with rows of individual desks arranged in perfect formation. Tall windows lined the walls, their stained glass depicting scenes of scholarly pursuit and magical achievement. The morning light filtered through the colored panes, casting rainbow patterns across the stone floor.

Around a hundred applicants took their assigned seats, the nervous energy in the room almost palpable. I found myself seated several rows behind Alicia, close enough to see her but unable to offer any more direct support. From my vantage point, I could see that she was sitting straighter now, her hands folded calmly in her lap as she waited for the examination to begin.

A group of academy instructors entered the hall, their dark robes rustling as they distributed examination papers with practiced efficiency. The lead examiner, a woman with silver-streaked hair and piercing blue eyes, addressed the assembly.

"You have two hours to complete this examination," she announced. "The test covers three primary areas: historical knowledge of the kingdom and its magical traditions, practical understanding of magical theory and application, and analytical reasoning through various scenario-based questions. Begin when you receive your papers, and remember—any attempt at cheating will result in immediate disqualification."

As the examination papers reached my desk, I glanced over the questions with growing confidence. The historical section covered topics I knew already after reading countless books.

The magical theory portion was equally manageable. Years of secret practice had given me an intuitive understanding of mana manipulation that went far beyond mere textbook knowledge.

But it was the psychological and analytical questions that truly played to my strengths. Scenarios involving diplomatic crises, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making drew upon decades of experience from my previous life. While other applicants might struggle with abstract concepts of leadership and governance, I had lived those challenges firsthand.

I began writing immediately, my pen moving across the parchment with steady confidence. The words flowed naturally as I drew upon both my studied knowledge and hard-earned wisdom to craft comprehensive answers.

Around me, I could hear the scratching of pens, the occasional frustrated sigh, and the rustle of papers being turned. Some applicants were clearly struggling, their brows furrowed in concentration as they labored over questions that seemed beyond their preparation. Others worked with methodical precision, their noble educations serving them well.

I stole a glance toward Alicia and was relieved to see her writing steadily, the panic of earlier replaced by focused concentration. The calming magic seemed to be holding, allowing her natural intelligence and preparation to shine through.

Within thirty minutes, I had completed the entire examination. I reviewed my answers once, making minor corrections and additions where appropriate, then set down my pen and gathered the papers. The written portion had been thorough but not particularly challenging—at least not for someone with my unique combination of experiences.

Rising from my desk, I approached the proctor's station at the front of the hall. Several instructors looked up as I approached, their expressions ranging from curious to skeptical. The lead examiner—the silver-haired woman who had given the initial instructions—frowned as she accepted my papers.

"Finished already?" She asked, her tone carrying a note of disapproval. "Young man, this is not a race. Quality is far more important than speed."

"I understand, Professor," I replied respectfully. "I've reviewed my work and I'm confident in my answers."

She flipped through my papers quickly, her frown deepening as she scanned the length and detail of my responses. "Very well. You may proceed to the courtyard to await the practical examination. Do not leave the academy grounds."

As I walked toward the exit, I was acutely aware of the stares following me. Some applicants looked impressed by my apparent confidence, while others seemed to view my early completion as either arrogance or foolishness. A few whispered comments reached my ears—speculation about whether I had given up or somehow cheated.

I paused at the doorway for one final glance at Alicia. She was still working diligently, her posture relaxed and focused.

Please Alicia, get this test done and don't make the situation awkward for me and your father.