Rosa's departure for the south took place the very next day.
Her mother and the few servants of their estate came out to see her off.
Countess Rosmund was so nervous before her daughter's departure that she had to take a sedative again that morning.
"Rosa, please... tell me you haven't changed your mind?"
It was a question her mother had asked her what seemed like a thousand times since yesterday evening.
And Rosa replied again:
"No, Mother. I am completely sure."
After these words, the countess sobbed again and hugged her eldest daughter.
"And yet... if at any point it becomes too difficult for you, you must return home without hesitation!"
Rosa nodded, burying her face in her mother's shoulder.
At that moment, the countess's maid, who was standing nearby, sighed sympathetically.
"Madam, you shouldn't worry so much. Otherwise, you may feel ill again."
"Exactly. Isn't Miss Rosa just going to the summer residence to rest? You're taking this too much to heart," lamented the butler.
Of course, none of the servants had any idea where their eldest mistress was actually going.
To be more precise, the estate's servants were given a different version of events: Rosa was going to their family's summer residence to rest, relieve her accumulated stress, and tidy up the place at the same time.
The servants were not told the truth not because they were not trusted.
No, in fact, Rosmund's estate had a small but loyal staff whom both the countess and Rosa herself trusted completely.
It was all a matter of security.
Rosa's secret mission to "rescue" her brother from the boys' academy was an absolute secret.
Only the countess and Rosa herself knew the true purpose of this trip, as well as the detective and the knight who was to accompany Rosa on the journey.
"Yes, I know," the countess nodded weakly, removing the maid's hand from her shoulder. "I shouldn't worry so much about it. And yet..."
At that moment, the countess's attentive blue eyes focused on the knight standing behind Rosa.
"Sir Dietrich, you must take good care of Rosa."
"Of course," the old knight nodded. "I will deliver my lady to her destination safe and sound."
The lady and the knight exchanged a brief glance.
Of course, only the two of them knew the true meaning of these words.
"Well, then I'll be going, Mother."
"Yes, take care of yourself."
The countess leaned over and kissed her daughter on the cheek goodbye. Rosa hugged her mother tightly in return.
After that, they parted ways.
Rosa got into the carriage that had been prepared in advance and looked out the window. The countess was still standing there, waving her handkerchief in farewell and wiping away her tears.
A strange and slightly exciting feeling arose within Rosa.
This was the first time she had traveled so far from home.
Moreover, she was heading to lands completely unknown to her and would effectively be alone there.
Rosa could not be completely calm, as she was obviously a little nervous about this.
The only trusted knight of their family, Sir Dietrich, was to ride outside on horseback and guard her.
Before leaving, he asked:
"My lady, are you ready?"
"Yes."
Rosa just nodded briefly.
After that, the carriage set off.
Rosa rode in the carriage and watched their estate for a while as it gradually became smaller and smaller.
Now that she was really going to do it, a slight excitement arose in Rosa's soul.
However, it was soon dispelled by the knight's voice from outside:
"My lady, no... Perhaps I should now address you as Lord Brown?" The man smiled.
Rosa pursed her lips.
"Did you want something, Dietrich?"
"I just wanted to ask... do you really know what it means to behave like a boy?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm just afraid you'll be exposed on the very first day."
Rosa smiled.
"You're wrong to think that."
"Hmm? And why is that? Do you have a plan?"
"A plan? I don't have a plan."
"What? You're going to the Arden Academy and you don't even have a plan?" The knight raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"I don't need one."
"What?"
"Ha... I'm just going to kick my little brother's ass. Is that such a big deal? I don't need a plan for that."
The knight couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Indeed. Now I know my senior mistress!"
Rosa smiled too, and it seemed that she felt a little better now.
***
Their journey south lasted about a month and a half.
During this time, Rosa felt completely exhausted.
After all, this was her first time on such a long journey.
In addition, she was traveling south, where she had never been before.
That in itself was exciting.
And yet, the day finally came when their journey came to an end.
The carriage stopped in front of the magnificent gates of the Arden Academy.
As soon as it came to a halt, a rather attractive young man came out to the academy gates.
He was short and slim. He had dark brown hair, slightly tousled.
The suit he was wearing seemed a little too big for him, but it wasn't too noticeable.
He looked like a perfectly ordinary young man.
Of course, no one suspected that he was actually the eldest daughter of a count's family.
In the end, the only thing left of Rosa's former image was her violet eyes.
Rosa changed into new clothes shortly before they arrived at the academy.
Finding herself in the sunlight for the first time in her new guise, the girl glanced briefly at herself.
Yes, indeed. Her mother had really done a great job: in such a short time, she had arranged for the servants to alter some of Gilbert's clothes so that they now fit Rosa.
Besides, that wig...
It was unclear where the countess had gotten it, but it fit perfectly. It was easy to put on, and it wasn't even that hot.
This was how the countess had solved the problem with her hair.
And it seemed like it was actually a pretty good solution.
Sir Dietrich also gave her a quick, appraising look and nodded.
"Lord Brown, I'll help you carry your things."
The knight almost smiled as he said these words, but managed to restrain himself.
Rosa tried to keep a restrained and unremarkable expression on her face.
"All right."
The knight picked up Rosa's few belongings, and they headed for the main gate of the academy.
Guards stood at the entrance.
"State your name," one of them said curtly.
Rosa smiled awkwardly at him.
"I'm Raon Brown. A new student."
The guard gave him an appraising look.
"Your documents, please."
Rosa obediently handed him her new ID card.
The guard silently checked the information for a while, carefully studying the documents and Rosa's photo on the ID card.
Finally, he nodded briefly.
"All right. I'll take you to the director."
"Thank you."
Rosa was finally ready to breathe a sigh of relief.
At that moment, the main gate of the academy began to open in front of them.
Rosa was about to go inside, and Dietrich was about to follow her.
But at that moment...
A second guard suddenly blocked his way.
"No unauthorized persons are allowed on academy grounds."
The knight froze.
"But I just wanted to help the young gentleman carry his things..."
"Don't worry about that. We can handle the things ourselves."
At that moment, the knight looked at her with concern, and Rosa nodded briefly in response.
It seemed that the academy's rules and security measures were indeed very strict.
Thus, it seemed that they really had to part ways right here.
"It's all right. You can go."
After her words, the knight sighed and put Rosa's suitcase on the ground. One of the guards immediately took it away.
"Young sir... Take care of yourself."
"Yes. You too."
Dietrich looked at her intently and seriously. Rosa responded in kind and nodded.
After that, their paths diverged.
The knight of the Rosmund family remained behind the main gate, while one of the academy guards led her inside.
As soon as the gate closed behind them, Rosa found herself on the grounds of the famous Arden Academy for the first time.
And the first thing that caught her eye, apart from the magnificent architecture, was...
Boys.
Lots of boys.
Students in the academy's burgundy uniforms, who seemed to be endless in number.
Rosa had never seen such a large gathering of young men in one place before.
And for some reason, she felt even more nervous inside.
The eldest daughter of Count Rosmund felt like a small fish thrown into the ocean among predatory sharks.