Chapter 15

***

When I finished listening to the Academy’s school rules, I was in front of the class.

“Come on, this is class. Go on in.”

When I opened the cream door with molded decorations, several girls my age were staring at me.

The number of students in the class is about twenty. Filia studied in the same class as me.

Everyone is wearing the same uniform. The group of girls stood out for their hair accessories, cuffs and earrings. At first glance, they appeared to be noblewomen, while the simply dressed young girls sitting on the other side looked like commoners. Some even gave the impression of being shy.

“This is the new student, Kayla Vesta. Please welcome her. I look forward to the courtesy of our ladies.”

The greeting was confusing, but I put one of my legs back slightly.

“I’m Kayla from the Vesta family. I’m looking forward to your kind cooperation.”

This is the perfect posture. The sound of clapping hands was very subtle. This is because there were so many women. The half-asleep atmosphere seemed to be completely different.

“Take the empty space at the back of the class.”

I sat down at my desk, as instructed by the teacher. At first I felt the eyes of the girls on me, and then I heard muttering.

Filia sat diagonally from me and smiled at me, so I greeted her by waving my fingers.

Then Filia turned her head with a serious face.

‘Huh? What’s with her?’

The reason will be known only after the first lesson.

“Miss Kayla Vesta, nice to see you.”

When I first entered the classroom, a standout group approached me. They were four girls with elegant hair ornaments and earrings, and even their hair and nails were shiny.

Perfect aristocrats, bright eyes, almost transparent white porcelain skin as if they had never been exposed to sunlight.

If you touch the porcelain from the neck to the wrists, it might break. So pure and innocent.

“I am Leodora Schreman, glad to meet you.”

Leodora held out her right hand to me. In contrast to the male handshake, the ring and little fingers were slightly bent. Leodora wanted me to take them.

“It is a great honor for me to meet you, Grand Princess.”

I used a greeting that I learned from my etiquette teacher.

Although the Schreman family was one of the Imperial families emanating from the Emperor, Grand Duke Schreman, Leodora’s father, was a minor figure in the original storyline.

‘Sucks.’

Since Leodora belonged to the imperial family, it was only natural that I should be polite first.

‘But can I say that at the Kratie Academy? Just in case, I looked around.’

As expected, the eyes of the commoners turned to me. They took up little space, so I might have noticed some unpleasant looks.

It so happened that Filia looked at me with the same face. Then, when I made eye contact with her, she turned away again.

‘There is something suspicious about this reaction.’

At that moment, a girl with glasses and braided hair, passing by us, lost her step and hit Leodora.

“Oh! Sorry, Lady Leodora!”

The punch to the shoulder didn’t seem like a big deal, but the student looked very frightened.

“What carelessness.”

“Forgive me, I’m very sorry.”

The girl with the glasses clasped her hands and begged Leodora.

“Can’t you see that I’m busy right now? I’ll talk to you later.”

The bespectacled student quickly returned to her seat with great enthusiasm.

But Leodora shook her shoulder and didn’t even look at the girl.

‘It annoys me that I’m witnessing such dirty actions. They are classmates, but she seems to treat them like the maids of her own mansion. Regardless of whether you are a relative of the imperial family, here in Kratie, equality should be shown.’

When I looked around the classroom, some of the commoners who met my eyes were avoiding them, like Filia, who was sitting there at the end of the diagonal line.

“Are you interested in the living room, Miss Kayla?”

Leodora’s graceful smile further intensified the quiet discontent in the class.

“Living room?”

At my question, Leodora turned her head.

“Here, at the Kratie Academy, there is a hall where only aristocrats can go. Both the female and male bedrooms have a living room.”

“Living room … should I register?”

“You need a rigorous assessment to join our club. First of all, you must be a nobleman, have good grades, and your father must hold a key position in the imperial family.”

“It’s very demanding.”

‘I think it’s like a church where members of the Imperial family gather. It would be tempting to hear if I was thinking about entering a secular society.’

“But the Vesta family is special. We will give Miss the opportunity to get a special membership.”

“If they appreciate me, will they immediately let me register?”

“No, it will be decided after an in-depth discussion between the members whether the Miss has the right to join.”

‘It was weird to hear her say that, as if she was giving me a big chance. I have to ask for an audition, I can’t believe it. All I care about is my life and the safety of my family. Last night I was wondering if I could hide Franz.’ 

“But I am a representative of our hall. I can recommend Miss Kayla directly.”

‘Unlike the proud Leodora, I was not very interested in this. But if I refuse immediately, I will be treated like a target. Such people should be treated with flattery and conviction.’

“I’ll think about it, Princess.”

“There is nothing to think about. You should know that it is a great honor for you to be invited to our hall.”

‘Mmh, no … I’m not very interested. But I must not reveal my true face.’

“I am so busy with family problems these days that I will answer when I have time.”

“Well, family problems. Is that Franz?”

I didn’t answer, but nodded out of courtesy. She only smiled.

“If it’s for family matters. Then I’ll wait, Miss Kayla.”

With a smile that seemed to melt away, Leodora left the classroom with her friends.

As Leodora’s group left, a whisper was finally heard from the quiet classroom. As if they were holding their breath.

“I realized that I do not like the humanities. I want to cancel them.”

“Did you not like today’s breakfast in the dining room?”

“The bread had a crust.”

“I think I gained weight during the holidays. My uniform is tight.”

They had a very casual conversation.

‘Did everyone hold back because they wanted to hear my chatter? This did not mean that they did not speak to Leodora. Did Leodora notice? She was so calm even during the break. I felt like I saw the classy hierarchy of my school days. Wherever you went, group life was the same. Irritating, uncomfortable. How can I live quietly and peacefully?’

After all classes were over, and it was very far to get to the hostel, I changed and waited for Filia.

Over time, the door swung open and Filia cautiously entered the room.

Filia looked at me closely and tried to get a change of clothes out of the closet. I went up to Filia and prevented her from opening the cabinet door.

“Why did you pretend you don’t know me today?”

Filia simply tilted her head to my question. There was silence in the room. I didn’t say anything until Filia answered. After a long silence, Filia gave up and opened her mouth.

“Okay, it’s for Kayla.”

Filia couldn’t look me in the eye while talking.

“I only had one friend in my class, Filia. But I found myself alone, I was surprised that even Filia left me.”

When I deliberately exaggerated, Filia looked up in surprise.

“Seriously? This is true? I’m sorry. I couldn’t talk to you.”

‘No wonder the atmosphere was weird.’

“Why can’t you communicate with me? I do not understand.”

‘I had a rough idea of ​​what was going on, but I still wanted to hear it from Filia.’

“Miss Leodora is interested in you. What could I have done? And you better go into the hall.”

“What will happen to me if I’m next to you?”

“The chasm is too great. Aristocrats may think that something is wrong with you.”

“Why won’t they like it just because I’m next to you?”

Filia retreated, cringing.

‘She looks embarrassed and annoyed.’

“Miss Leodora hated sharing the dining room and bathroom with us. Especially the bathroom. Commoners promised to use it only in the morning. I can’t use it after dinner.”

That’s why I spoke to her just yesterday and she didn’t go swimming. In case another noble arrives.

“Do you accept these meaningless promises in the bedroom?”