Chapter 39

“It finally came……”

As I listened to the adorable chirping of little birds, I felt my spirits sink gloomily. Perhaps because I hadn’t been able to sleep from nervousness, there were faint dark circles under my eyes.

A year had passed in the blink of an eye.

It was fast.

Far too fast.

The more you wished time would stop, the more mercilessly it seemed to pass. Just like summer vacation.

Ever since Prince had entered the academy, he hadn’t been coming to our house very often, perhaps because he was busy.

It was only natural, when I thought about it, but I couldn’t help remembering how I’d angered Prince that day and what Schwarz had told me, so I could hardly remain calm.

I assumed Schwarz’s words had merely been a threat, or perhaps a little revenge for making Prince angry.

I wasn’t taking him seriously.

It was fine.

Everything was fine.

I repeatedly took deep breaths in an attempt to keep my composure, but I still couldn’t shake my gloominess.

“……Sigh.”

“My Lady, it is time to change.”

I jumped at the sudden voice from behind me and my shoulders jerked.

The maid, wearing an expressionless face like a noh mask, tilted her head slightly.

“I apologize for startling you. You did not notice even when I called out to you.”

“Oh, I see. I’m sorry.”

The maid, Ruti, remained expressionless as always and gave me a graceful bow.

I had my face washed, my hair tied up, and my clothes put on.

Of course, I was wearing the academy uniform.

“Sigh……”

“Is something the matter?”

Ruti picked up on my quiet sigh and spoke in a concerned tone.

“I feel so gloomy……”

“Are you not looking forward to academy life? It is true that Lady Bertia has not been able to attend many social events and therefore has few acquaintances, but……”

“First of all, why am I not even allowed to attend parties?”

“I believe it is because you are His Highness’s fiancée.”

“Even royal invitations aren’t extended to me unless Prince is there. Father, Mother, and Will get to go, though.”

I nearly complained that it was such a hassle, but I desperately held it back.

Even if it was Ruti, complaining to a maid was unacceptable for a proper lady, let alone for a noble.

“I do not know the details of what being the royal family’s fiancée entails either…… But I can understand the difficulties Lady Bertia has endured.”

Her words were stiff and formal, and she spoke as though we were strangers, but even those few words made my heart feel lighter.

That’s right.

It wasn’t as though I’d been playing around all this time.

Even though my mental age had stopped somewhere in my early twenties, I had certainly grown quite a bit through learning the manners expected of a lady and the rules of nobility.

Those five years had taught me once again that standing above others wasn’t easy.

“That’s right. I can’t afford to lose my nerve!”

I wouldn’t lose to the world—or the game.

I was simply going to do things my way.

Behave demurely, with grace and dignity.

To think those words would flash back to me at a moment like this.

I didn’t know whether that was fortunate or unfortunate.

Just by walking, I was subjected to all sorts of gazes.

Some people gave me curious glances, others looked at me as though trying to curry favor, while others openly glared at me with jealousy.

It felt strange to say this about myself, but I was aware that I was a person of considerable power and influence.

After all, I was a member of the royal family’s inner circle as its fiancée.

I was probably old enough to have that much self-awareness by now.

However, I hadn’t attended many parties, nor had I ever been escorted by a man other than Prince.

The only time I’d properly spoken with other nobles at a party had been at the first royal birthday celebration……

In short, what I was trying to say was this.

I wasn’t used to it.

I wasn’t used to being the center of attention.

I walked along as calmly as I could, but inside, a storm was constantly raging.

I wanted to scream, Don’t look at me!

“The Student Council President’s fiancée is such a child, with hardly any allure at all.”

My shoulder twitched at the insult someone muttered under their breath.

Fortunately, my movement was disguised by my walking, so they probably hadn’t noticed.

More importantly, Student Council President?

This was the first I’d heard that such a position even existed at this school.

And calling me a child was a bit much, considering we were probably only one or two years apart.

Though I couldn’t deny that I lacked allure.

“Exactly. I feel sorry for the Student Council President. ‘Beautiful Lady,’ my foot. It’s all lies.”

“Beautiful Lady.”

At those words, I froze completely.

Why did they have to bring up that horribly embarrassing nickname?!

It couldn’t be helped that I stopped near them.

I never imagined that rumor had reached somewhere this close to me.

It was terrifying.

If I simply walked away now, they’d get the wrong idea and become even more emboldened.

I couldn’t let that happen.

If I caused a scene like that in a hallway with this many people around, the other students might look down on me as well, and it could damage the reputation of House Tybus.

It could also cause trouble for Prince, who apparently served as Student Council President.

I hadn’t come to this academy just to become a burden to him.

“Good day.”

I steeled myself, spun around, and looked at the three young ladies who had been whispering together by the wall.

They clearly looked like strong-willed girls.

Though I suppose I wasn’t exactly in a position to say that, considering I had the face of a villainess myself.

The three young ladies clearly hadn’t expected me to speak to them, and their shoulders jerked in surprise.

“W-What do you want?”

“If someone greets you, is it not proper for a refined lady to return the greeting?”

I narrowed my eyes in what I hoped was a suitably intimidating manner.

The young lady seemed unable to argue back and merely lowered her head slightly.

“Good day.”

“You seemed to be talking about me just now. Did you need something?”

I smiled sweetly as I looked at the three of them.

The young ladies, who had initially looked surprised, glared sharply at me.

The most strong-willed one stepped forward.

“Once you enter this academy, one’s social status is irrelevant. You should show proper respect to your seniors.”

The young lady stuck her chin up and puffed out her chest.

She was completely picking a fight with me.

……Fine.

I was the type to accept a fight when one was picked with me.

You really didn’t want to make an enemy out of me!

“Oh, oh. My apologies.”

I let a shadow fall across my face and gave them the haughty smile Mother had taught me.

It was probably a perfect hundred out of a hundred for a villainess.

Even I was surprised by how perfectly this expression suited me.

“……However, the fact remains that I am the daughter of House Tybus, a noble and ancient house whose history is second only to that of the royal family.”

I added a sharp glare for good measure.

That’s right.

What mustn’t be forgotten was that I was a high-ranking noble lady and the royal family’s fiancée.

“I may have enrolled in this academy, but surely that has nothing to do with my parents—or your families, does it?”

The moment I said that, the young ladies seemed to finally understand, and their faces abruptly paled.

They should have just kept their mouths shut.

I wasn’t so heartless that I’d go out of my way to punish them, nor was I some spoiled young lady who abused her authority on a whim.

However, if they were going to show an attitude that insulted my family, then I would respond accordingly.

“You would be wise to be more careful with your words. …I look forward to getting along with you from now on.”

I held out my hand to shake theirs.

The young lady who had remained pale suddenly widened her eyes as though she’d just snapped back to reality.

Then her face turned red with anger, and she abruptly looked away.

The young lady who seemed to be their leader turned on her heel and walked away without even looking me in the face.

The two young ladies on either side of her hesitated awkwardly before following after her.

Considering they hadn’t even thrown a parting insult at me, I’d say it had gone quite well.

Without giving it another thought, I resumed walking down the hallway.

…I could feel people staring at me.

I glanced around, and the students walking through the hallway quickly turned their faces forward.

They weren’t gathering around me like spectators, but I could still occasionally feel their gazes.

Still, had ignoring those girls really been the right thing to do?

I questioned myself, then convinced myself that the way I’d handled it had been fine.

Needless to say, I was now even more anxious about my future life at the academy.