Bab 5: First exam results
Madeline confidently made her way through the halls to the posted results of the first Exam. After failing to reach the top spot on the entrance exam, she had put much more effort into learning the class materials, even cutting back on her physical fitness training. Madeline felt as though she knew every answer on the exam. A group of students surrounded the board trying to find their name and score. As they noticed Madeline approach, they noticed the pin on her lapel and made way for her to approach. Madeline looked at the rankings in shock, instead of the top spot her name was listed third. First was Guy de Montfort, the second was Alicia de Foix and third Madeline Celeste d'Aumont.
Madeline was so stunned she felt she couldn't breathe. It was then that her eyes focused on something. That girl Alicia, her last name was Foix. She was from House Foix, the same as Lady Julianne de Foix, the girl that the second prince had chosen. Madeline's hands unconsciously balled into fists. Madeline's eyes turned red, she instantly turned on her heels and started to hurry away only to run directly into someone's chest. Madeline fell backward and assumed she would find herself in an embarrassing situation only to have her fall stopped immediately by a pair of strong arms that gently raised her back up into a standing position, "Are you alright m'lady? I apologize for startling you, I was just looking at the exam results." The steady voice of Guy de Montfort apologized.
Madeline blinked her red eyes trying to fight back the tears. With an unsure voice she said, "Congratulations Lord Molester, you were the top student."
"It's Montfort, and thank you," replied Guy in a warm tone. He looked at her and then asked, "Are you alright m'lady? You seem troubled by the results, you were in the top three, surely that is something to be proud of isn't it?"
Madeline found it even more difficult to hold back her tears so she just quietly said, "If you'll excuse me, Lord Molester, I am just not feeling well today."
Guy gave her a gentlemanly bow and then smiled at her and said, "Would you like me to walk you back to your room, m'lady?"
"I'll be fine, but thank you." Madeline walked away in a hurry not looking back.
Guy frowned slightly as he watched her walk off in a hurry. In an otome game, something like the love rival scoring higher on an exam would lead to a confrontation between the villain and the protagonist. Guy shook his head and dismissed the idea since that girl seemed to have no personal relationships with any of the students, let alone any of the male students. As he was lost in his thoughts he missed the approach of Alicia de Foix who was smiling in front of him. She giggled and said, "Congratulations Lord Montfort, you are the top student. Did you notice, our names are side by side?"
He smiled at her and replied, "Of course, Lady Foix, it seems you are gifted in brains as well as beauty. I wouldn't have guessed based on our previous conversations."
She giggled back at him not realizing the cleverly disguised put down, "Oh, thank you, Lord Montfort." She blushed and batted her eyelashes at him, she gently touched his arm and asked, "I was wondering if you would like to share a meal with me to celebrate our good results?"
Guy thought for a moment and then replied, "I'm sorry Lady Foix, I have already made plans with another student."
Alicia's right eye twitched and then she quietly spoke, "I don't know if you knew this already or not, but that girl, Madeline d'Aumont, was engaged to the second prince, he decided that a girl like her wasn't worthy to be married to a prince so he canceled her engagement. Also, since the prince later chose my sister, we have learned that Duke Aumont has fallen out of favor with his Majesty. It won't be long before that house is no longer one of the great houses."
Guy raised an eyebrow and the frowned, "Lady Foix, such talk is unbecoming of a noble lady. Those who spread rumor are worse than those commit crimes because when one commits a crime they at least have shown the courage to accept the responsibility for that crime." He gave a quick bow and finished, "If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere else to be." He walked away without looking back.
As Guy walked away his thoughts began to churn. Alicia had chosen him as her capture target and identified Madeline as the love rival due to a careless excuse to avoid her lunch date. If this was the game, Alicia would find men interested in her to intercept and harass Madeline so that she wouldn't get in the way of the capture events. More insidiously, she might spread rumors and cause Madeline to actually retaliate against her proving her villainous ways. Another thing that bothered him was that in the game certain capture routes had extremely bad endings for the villain. He remembered his sister talking about how one capture target led to Duke Aumont's entire family being killed.
One of Guy's friends came up behind him and slapped him on the back, "Lord Montfort, you sure do have good luck with women. The two school beauties both talk to you. Even the ice queen who talks to almost no one and never even acknowledges male students is friendly with you." He grinned.
"Lord Girard, let me ask you, what do you think of House Foix?" Guy looked at his friend with a serious expression.
Olivier de Girard was a handsome man who looked much like the royal family, he was tall and thin with a gentle smile that seemed to be permanently attached to his face. He shrugged and replied, "Aside from his two beautiful daughters, Count Foix is mostly just a figurehead for his territory. He's certainly not Duke material. His son is also here at the Academy, he scored at the bottom of the exam rankings, which means the heir to the territory won't make anything of himself either. Honestly, I find it odd that the two beautiful daughters both scored high on their exams here. The older sister went through the Academy two years ago and nearly won the King's medal."
"You said the Count is not Duke material, is there a rumor he'll be promoted?" Guy asked with a curious tone.
Olivier nodded, "Mhm, his Majesty won't marry a prince to a Count's daughter, as long as the second prince chooses Lady Foix, he'll be forced to act. Count Foix will be made a Duke. Since there won't be a territory available to grant to a Duke, it's most likely they will find an excuse to eliminate a House and move the Count's family into that position. A true shame."
Guy frowned and then asked, "Lord Girard if you had to guess, which Dukes would be the most likely targets?"
Olivier's permanent smile disappeared and he asked, "Are you sure you want to hear it?"
"So it's my House as one... Who are the others?" Guy frowned.
Olivier moved in close and whispered, "House Aumont."
Guy felt as if a lightning bolt had passed down his spine. He looked into his friend's eyes and said, "Thank you, my friend." He put a hand on Olivier's shoulder, "I appreciate hearing the truth. If I don't improve my image it'll be my house. If it's not my house it'll be hers is what you are telling me."
Olivier nodded and then his smile returned, "I honestly don't feel like you need to worry, House Aumont may very well bury themselves long before you screw up again." He gave his friend another slap on the back, "If you want the ice queen, I suggest you marry her before too long." He came close and whispered again, "Rumor has it, Duke Aumont has been expanding his army in secret as if expecting some trouble from the capital."
*****
Madeline wandered aimlessly around the campus before she finally ended up at the training ground. She took a heavy wooden sword and began to run through her practice routine letting herself forget her troubles. After an hour she felt much better.
As Madeline took a break she heard clapping. A handsome man was standing next to the rack of wooden swords. He was slightly taller than Guy de Montfort with dark hair and sword like brows. His face was filled with quiet confidence. He took a wooden sword from the rack and said, "M'lady is quite skilled with the sword. It looks as though you studied under a knight from the Order of Thorns, am I right?"
Madeline nodded and then answered stoically, "Indeed, my teacher was Sir Clem Vergy."
He smiled and asked, "If m'lady isn't too exhausted, would you care for a spar?"
Madeline nodded and then introduced herself, "Madeline Celeste d'Aumont." She raised the wooden sword in salute.
The handsome man gave her a genuine smile, "Claude de Rouvroy."
Madeline and Claude circled each other and made several feints before the two heavy wooden swords began to click and clack against each other as each attack launched was intercepted by a defending sword. After a while, it was clear that Madeline was on the defensive more often than on the attack. Madeline tried to use a trick she learned from her training at the Academy and next thing she knew her wooden sword was spinning away and Claude's wooden sword was gently touching the bottom of her chin, "I am afraid it is my win, m'lady."
As Madeline stood still where she had just lost, Claude walked over and picked up her wooden sword and returned both swords to the sword rack on the side of the training ground. "M'lady, it was a pleasure to spar with you. Perhaps we can have another match sometime when you haven't exhausted yourself beforehand." He gave her a gentlemanly bow that for some reason reminded her of Guy de Montfort.
"I would like that," Madeline said to his departing figure. His right hand came up at her words and gave a wave of acknowledgment.
Bab 6: A new member for the Order
Madeline always liked to come to the Order of the Rose dining room early so that she could eat quickly and still have plenty of time in the library before her afternoon classes. The first few weeks were wonderful as no one else bothered her and she could quickly escape before the rush of upperclassmen arrived and filled the dining room. A short time after the first exam results were posted, Guy de Montfort, Claude de Rouvroy and Olivier de Girard started to join her at her table every day. Soon, several young ladies also invited themselves to the table. Lady Leon, Lady Baux and finally the newest member of the Order of the Rose.
The table was loud and noisy, Madeline was trying to eat quickly and still maintain proper etiquette, poise, and grace when she nearly choked on her food. One of the upperclassmen on the Order of the Rose council brought Alicia de Foix over to the table, "Good afternoon, I'd like to introduce our newest member, Lady Alicia de Foix. I'm sure the others need no introduction, Lady Foix."
Alicia did a graceful curtsy and smiled, "Lord Montfort, Lady d'Aumont, Lord Girard, and... I don't believe we have been introduced, m'lord?"
Claude stood up and did a gentlemanly bow, "Claude de Rouvroy."
Alicia then greeted the other ladies before seating herself at the table next to Guy. She turned to Madeline and smiled, "Lady Aumont, it seems we now equal."
Madeline raised her cold eyes and looked at Alicia. She tilted her head and asked, "Then your father has been made a Duke?"
The others at the table looked at the pair with jaws dropped. Alicia smiled smugly and accepted a glass of water from a servant who busily added a place setting for her at the table, "Oh, I'm sure it will only be a matter of time once my dear sister has her wedding." Alicia then turned to Guy and smiled, "Lord Montfort, I hear that you placed first in the swordsmanship class." Alicia lightly placed her hand on Guy's arm.
Madeline's eyes were locked on to Guy's arm for some reason as he replied jovially, "Indeed Lady Foix, although Lord Rouvroy and Lady d'Aumont were also ranked highly, I feel that over the coming years, the three of us will all challenge for the top spot."
Madeline's eyes moved up to see Guy looking directly at her, for some reason, this caused her some discomfort so she quickly looked away. When she did, she noticed that Claude was glaring at Guy. Madeline assumed he must be angry over not getting the top spot in swordsmanship. Madeline decided to resume her attack on her lunch in order to escape to the library when Olivier de Girard smiled and said, "I had heard that the women of House Foix were as gentle as a flower and as bright as the sun, it seems the rumor has had it backward."
"What is Lord Girard's meaning?" Alicia smiled and asked in a pleasant tone.
Olivier who was sitting between Lady Leon and Lady Baux put his arms around each of the ladies who then leaned into him, "What I mean is, you are clearly not invited to this table, unwanted company for those at this table, and yet you seated yourself as if you were inviting us to join you." He smiled as he leaned back with the two ladies under his arms, "Of course, it really isn't so unusual for the women of House Foix to steal a seat which doesn't belong to them, is it?" He smiled and then looked at Guy giving him a wink.
Madeline suddenly stood and looked at Guy, "Lord Molester, everyone, if you'll excuse me, I would like to read before my afternoon classes begin, I'll be taking my leave." She gave them a graceful curtsy and withdrew through the library entrance in the Order's dining room.
Guy said simply, "It's Montfort."
Once she was gone, everyone turned almost as one and stared at Alicia.
Claude was the first to stand, "Everyone, if you'll excuse me, I have swordsmanship practice, so until next time." He gave a half bow and walked off.
Olivier then looked at each of the ladies he was still holding on to and asked, "Ladies, shall we go for a nice walk and enjoy the flowers?" He stood up with the two women in tow, and gave a bow to Guy and said, "Lord Molester, I wish you luck getting through to the flower." He grinned.
Guy smirked at him and said, "Not you too, damn it. You'll be trading blows with me during sword drills this afternoon, so you should be respectful." He sighed and then said, "Thank you, I appreciate what you are trying to do."
Olivier gave him a wave and then left with the two women by his sides.
Once the table was cleared, Alicia and Guy were left sitting next to each other. Alicia blurted out, "That Madeline d'Aumont is out to get me. Did you see how rude her friends were to me?"
Guy rubbed his brow and then asked, "Lady Foix, I wonder if you have ever considered what it might be like for her?" He took a breath and then looked into Alicia's blue eyes and continued, "First, your sister stole her engagement. For a noble lady from a great house, it was the equivalent of sentencing her to exile from high society. Next, you accused her of harassing you and incited people to attack her in the hallways, which wasn't true. After that, you had a group of young men confront her in the hallway when she was just trying to apologize to you and end the conflict. Now, you interrupt our daily lunch uninvited and try to provoke and insult her? I mean, are you even aware of what would need to happen for your father to become a Duke?"
Alicia smiled and then touched her cheek cutely, "His Majesty will simply appoint him as a Duke, obviously."
Guy shook his head and then said, "For a count to be raised up to a Duke, it means one of the existing houses will be removed. Let me tell you which two houses would be in danger, my House Montfort, and Madeline's House Aumont. Noble houses aren't simply demoted. That would make them a risk for rebellion. When a noble house is removed, the members, servants, and retainers of that family are killed."
Alicia looked at Guy in shock, "I didn't know that.."
Guy stood up while looking down on Alicia and then gave a half bow, "M'lady should consider her audience the next time she decides to impress her fellow nobles."
*****
Madeline found a book on the history of Pays Des Abrutis she hadn't read and curled up by one of the large windows in the library. For some reason, she thought about Alicia putting her hand on Guy's arm and it bothered her enough that she couldn't concentrate on the book. Madeline frowned and then put the book back on the shelf. Instead, she walked back over to the window and looked outside. She saw Alicia walk out of the Order's dining room in a hurry looking frustrated. A short time later, she saw Guy walk out and look over at the library. He stared at the library windows for a few moments before turning and walking toward the training grounds.
Madeline couldn't stop watching him as he walked away. Something about the way he moved completely captured her attention. She stared at the spot he had occupied for some time before she heard the bell sound for the top of the hour. In a panic she rushed out of the library and headed toward the class she was already late in attending. Madeline felt like her whole world was falling apart as her chest hurt and her heart raced. She got about halfway to her class and then she started to cry uncontrollably. She crouched down behind the bushes and cried until tears wouldn't come out anymore.
Madeline staggered to her feet and then tried to calm herself, she smoothed out her uniform and then walked calmly toward her dorm room. As she was walking back one of the girls from her dorm saw her with tears running down her face and red eyes.
The next day the rumor that the ice queen had finally melted down spread all over the campus. The upperclassmen from the Order of the Rose approached Madeline and asked her to return her pin. They explained that members of the Order of the Rose needed to compose themselves and act like nobility, not make a scene and skip their classes.
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