Chapter 08

“What is going on?”

Elizia stepped closer to the flower vase.

No matter how many times she looked, her name was unmistakably engraved on it.

I never signed up for this.

Startled, she tightened her grip around the flower stem in her hand.

Snap.

The delicate lily stem broke cleanly in two.

Holding a rose and a lily against her chest, Sophie walked over slowly. She looked just as confused.

“Elizia… did you register for this?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Then why is this…?”

“I have no idea either. Besides, I don’t even know enough people—or have enough connections—to receive that many flowers.”

Shaking her head in bewilderment, Elizia sighed.

Since the neutral kingdom of Swena was located much closer to the Empire, the Royal Academy was filled mostly with students from the Empire and its allied nations rather than from the Kingdom of Ortigia.

Sophie and Rakan were both Imperials, while Beth was a princess from one of the Empire’s allied kingdoms.

There was no way a princess from Ortigia—a kingdom openly hostile to the Empire—could receive enough roses to win.

She knew that perfectly well.

She wasn’t naïve enough to volunteer herself as a Rose Candidate under those circumstances.

Besides, she disliked attracting attention like this.

Next to her oversized flower vase stood another vase of equal size.

[Elizabeth Marche.]

It belonged to Beth.

Elizia quietly studied the two vases before turning away without hesitation.

She had no idea how this had happened, but it had already been done.

Standing there in shock wouldn’t change anything.

It was time to stop being flustered and regain her composure.

Taking Sophie’s hand, Elizia gently led her farther inside the ballroom.

As she walked, countless eyes followed her.

The male students stared dreamily at her retreating figure, while the female students openly admired the fabric and design of her dress.

“Elizia, you look beautiful today.”

A compliment drifted toward her.

She responded with a playful wink.

The girl burst into cheerful laughter.

Sophie and Elizia settled beside a table near a marble lion statue.

Picking up a drink, Elizia glanced across the hall.

Beth and her group stood at a table on the opposite side.

Beth kept looking toward Elizia while whispering continuously to the girls around her.

A mocking smile lingered on her lips.

So that’s what’s going on.

A faint smile appeared on Elizia’s face.

The shape of this troublesome situation was finally becoming clear.

Beth had practically secured the Rose title.

And beside Beth’s vase sat Elizia’s own vase…

One that would almost certainly remain empty.

Beth had obviously arranged all of this simply to embarrass and humiliate her.

And Elizia was expected to sit quietly and endure the spectacle.

Honestly, she didn’t care whether she received roses or won the title of Rose.

That wasn’t embarrassing.

Other people’s opinions were just that—their opinions.

What irritated her was something else.

Once again…

She had been made Beth’s target.

Such childish, malicious behavior.

Just how much longer was she supposed to tolerate it?

If Beth had been a man…

Elizia would have thrown down a white glove already.

Enough of these pathetic tricks.

Let’s settle it properly—with a duel.

Unfortunately, Elizia happened to be skilled enough with a sword to defeat most male students…

While Beth was a delicate noblewoman who had probably never even held one.

The previously gentle music shifted into a livelier melody.

Outside, the sunset disappeared into darkness.

Inside, crystal chandeliers bathed the ballroom in brilliant light.

Guests from outside the academy had begun arriving as well.

The party had officially begun.

Elizia chatted and laughed with Sophie and her friends, acting as though she had already forgotten what happened.

She simply wasn’t the type to waste emotions on problems she couldn’t solve.

“So, Elizia,” Layra began with a grin, “Professor asked, ‘During the final years of the Plenet Dynasty of the Holy Ancient Empire, the streets were filled with fake monks and wandering pilgrims. Rakan, can you tell us what symbolic slogan became popular during that dark age?’”

“Mm-hmm?”

“And Rakan answered, ‘Obviously: “Death to those garbage imperial royals and nobles.”‘”

“The professor looked completely horrified.”

Elizia couldn’t help laughing.

That sounded exactly like something Rakan would say.

He’s a noble himself…

Yet he casually said things like that without hesitation.

He really was a strangely contradictory person.

They continued eating finger foods and chatting when suddenly…

A group of elegantly dressed young women approached.

“Hello, Elizia.”

Beth and her entourage.

Though the greeting sounded polite, hostility overflowed from their eyes.

A sigh escaped Elizia.

Elizabeth Marche.

She had become someone Elizia was already too exhausted to deal with.

As always…

Beth looked flawless.

Unlike Elizia—whose nails were always kept short because she trained with a sword—Beth’s nails were beautifully manicured.

Her dress shimmered with exquisite embroidery.

Her silky hair cascaded elegantly over her shoulders.

She was undeniably breathtaking.

But Elizia knew better than anyone that beauty was only Beth’s exterior.

Four girls stood behind Beth like personal attendants.

Elizia offered them a perfectly practiced smile.

“Good evening, Seniors.”

“So… Rakan isn’t with you today?”

Beth smiled sweetly.

“You’re usually glued to his side.”

“We’ll probably be together later.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie.

They hadn’t made any promises.

But if she simply greeted him with,

“Hello, Senior,”

they would probably end up spending time together anyway.

“We’ll probably be together later.”

The words were deliberately spoken loud enough to be heard.

Beth’s eyebrow twitched.

One of the girls beside her quickly opened a folding fan to cool Beth down.

Beth slapped it away irritably.

“You’re always together because you’re his direct junior…”

“And yet nothing has happened between the two of you.”

“How strange.”

“Should something have happened?”

“Not necessarily…”

“But from where I’m standing, either you have no charm…”

“…or he has no interest in you.”

“Perhaps both.”

Elizia merely smiled silently before taking another sip from her glass.

“Have you ever considered the opposite?”

“The opposite?”

“That perhaps…”

“I’m the one who isn’t interested in Senior Rakan.”

“…”

Looking directly into Beth’s eyes, Elizia calmly drank her beverage.

“I am the Crown Princess of Ortigia.”

“And I’m beautiful too.”

“So why do you assume I’m someone waiting to be chosen by a man?”

“Wh… what?”

Beth had clearly not expected that answer.

Elizia smiled gracefully.

“Have you always lived your life waiting for men to choose you, Senior?”

“Y-you…!”

Beth’s face flushed bright red before twisting with rage.

The elegant mask she usually wore had completely disappeared.

Elizia’s own polite smile vanished as well.

Enough was enough.

From the moment she saw her name engraved on that flower vase…

Every last bit of kindness she had been showing Beth had disappeared.

The commotion gradually attracted everyone’s attention.

Clenching her fists, Beth stormed toward Elizia.

Elizia had no intention of backing away.

Even if Beth tried to strike her…

She doubted the girl could even reach her shoulder.

In the end…

The one who stepped between them was Sophie.

“That’s enough.”

“Stop this and go back, Beth!”

Sophie’s normally gentle voice rang out with surprising firmness.

Elizia quietly stared at Sophie’s back.

The coldness in her own eyes softened instantly.

Beth’s twisted expression also returned to its usual graceful appearance.

She stepped closer to Sophie.

Though Beth was shorter, she somehow looked down on her.

Disdain was written openly across her face.

“Well…”

“You really can judge people by the company they keep.”

“Hello, Sophie.”

“In the past, someone of your low birth wouldn’t even have dared meet my eyes.”

“And yet now you’re attending the same academy.”

“The Neutral Kingdom has many admirable qualities…”

“But treating people like you as equals is certainly not one of them.”

“…”

Sophie was a commoner of the Empire.

The daughter of a wealthy merchant.

Beth’s words dripped with contempt.

Unable to vent her humiliation on Elizia…

She chose Sophie instead.

Grabbing the fan from the girl beside her, Beth elegantly waved it before her flushed face.

A twisted smile spread across her lips.

More and more male students affiliated with Beth gathered nearby.

Cold stares poured toward Sophie.

“So then…”

“What exactly did you come here to sell tonight, Sophie?”

“…”

“Pottery?”

“Dresses?”

“Or perhaps…”

“Your body?”

“I suppose enrolling at this academy was simply your attempt to sell yourself and climb the social ladder.”

“How utterly pitiful.”

Cruel laughter erupted all around them.

Mockery rained down upon Sophie.

“…”

Sophie lowered her head silently.

Her expression remained calm.

As though she had experienced this countless times before.

Instead…

It was Elizia whose face flushed crimson with anger.

She could laugh off insults directed at herself.

But insults aimed at Sophie…

She couldn’t tolerate them.

Especially when Sophie’s only crime had been standing up for her.

“Senior Beth!”

Calling her name sharply, Elizia stepped in front of Sophie.

The jewels sewn into her dress sparkled fiercely with every stride.

But before she could reach Beth—

A man standing beside Beth grabbed Elizia’s shoulder to stop her.

Apparently, he intended to shove her back.

His grip was far too rough for someone grabbing a woman’s shoulder.

He was from the Kingdom of Noah…

The one who had laughed louder than anyone while mocking Sophie.

Elizia glared at the hand gripping her shoulder.

Then…

She seized his wrist.

Before he could even react—

She twisted his arm behind his back.

Pressing down on his opposite shoulder, she forced him to bend forward.

“AAAGH!”

A scream escaped him.

His face contorted in agony.

He clearly hadn’t expected Elizia to fight back.

She pushed even harder.

He struggled desperately to escape…

But the pain in his twisted arm prevented him from doing anything.

She regularly crossed swords with fully trained knights.

Subduing a pampered noble who had likely never held one was effortless.

Keeping him pinned down, Elizia slowly raised her head.

Beth unconsciously took a step backward the moment their eyes met.

“This was your doing, wasn’t it?”

“W-What are you talking about?”

“My name.”

“The flower vase for the Rose voting.”

“You’re the one who put it there.”

“…”

Beth neither admitted nor denied it.

She simply breathed heavily.

That silent reaction told Elizia everything she needed to know.

A bitter laugh escaped her.

“M-my arm…!”

“My arm—please!”

The man continued whining dramatically.

What a pathetic lack of endurance.

Releasing his arm, Elizia shoved him forward.

He stumbled and crashed awkwardly onto the floor.

Fortunately, the lively music swallowed most of the noise.

“I wasn’t staying quiet because I was afraid of your childish schemes.”

“What…?”

“You may insult me all you like.”

“But I won’t tolerate you mocking the people around me.”

“If you insult Senior Sophie even one more time…”

“I won’t remain silent again.”

Beth gripped her fan tightly.

She wanted to ask,

“And what exactly will you do if you don’t?”

But…

The icy look in Elizia’s eyes stopped the words from leaving her mouth.

The humiliation burned at her pride.

All she could do was exhale sharply through her nose.

Just then—

A deep, familiar voice cut through the tense silence.

“Elizia.”

A man who called her name with effortless familiarity.

Someone she could recognize now simply by hearing his voice behind her.

It was Rakan.

She hadn’t even noticed him entering the ballroom.

Apparently, he had arrived sometime during the confrontation.

Elizia turned toward him.

Anyone with the slightest sense could tell that the atmosphere was far from peaceful.

Beth belonged to one of the Empire’s allied kingdoms.

Elizia was the princess of the Empire’s enemy.

And Rakan himself…

Was an Imperial.

For that reason…

Elizia couldn’t help thinking that if Rakan scolded her—

Or worse, took Beth’s side—

She would probably be furious.

Perhaps even…

A little hurt.

She didn’t understand why she felt that way.

But the words that came from Rakan’s mouth…

Were nothing like that.