Bab 45: [Chapter 45] You're so cowardly
"Hey, Neris! Neris Truede!"
Abelsu stopped in his tracks, his feet moving involuntarily. The voice was shrill and ear-piercing. A small girl with a bright golden hair appeared between the ornate columns, her hair shining like winter sunlight.
She wore a luxurious red velvet coat and black, sleek shoes. The coat's hood was down, revealing her bright hair.
Although her outfit was extravagant, it was nothing special by the prince's standards. However, at least it gave off a different atmosphere than her usual 'shabby' clothes.
The way she stopped and turned around to face him was strangely elegant.
Abelsu didn't realize it, but her refined and effortless movement was something that could be taught by a royal etiquette teacher. The people he had been around since childhood walked, stood, and turned in the same way, making it pleasant to watch.
"Which family's child is she?"
As the prince, Abelsu had clearly surveyed the important people in each grade, but he was a busy person and had half forgotten about the 1st grade, which didn't include any high-ranking nobles.
Soon, a girl with red hair approached the golden-haired girl, scowling. The red-haired girl was someone Abelsu knew. He didn't remember her name, but she was definitely the daughter of Count Islani.
He had also heard that the new Count Berta was pressuring Count Islani over the issue of their children's conflict. Count Berta was said to be very fond of his daughter.
Count Islani probably had something to say, but since Count Berta was wealthier and more powerful, he was at a disadvantage.
"What do you want?"
Neris Truede responded without showing any signs of intimidation, even in front of the taller girl. As Abelsu listened to her voice, he remembered who she was.
A relative of the Elantria family. The girl who was taking upperclassman courses at an unprecedented age and was of interest to Nellusion.
Now that he remembered, it was interesting. He recalled that Nellusion and Neris had been together in the student council room before.
Abelsu began to consider the possibility that the conflict between the Elantria family and the Islani family could be triggered by the petty squabble between the two 1st-grade girls.
Count Islani was cold towards his children compared to Count Berta, and if something happened, Nellusion would likely intervene first. Therefore, the possibility of a major issue arising was low.
"Don't you know? Why were you just standing there? Is it better to do it alone than with me? You don't have any friends except for Diane!"
"Are you talking about the dance class earlier?"
"That's right! You pretended to hurt your ankle and now you're walking just fine! How embarrassing was it for me in front of everyone?"
Ah, I see what's going on. Abelsu had already lost interest in the conversation.
It seemed that no one wanted to be paired with the Islani girl during dance class, and even Neris, the last resort, had made an excuse to refuse.
This year's 1st graders were really noisy, and already, several students had complained to the teacher about being "bullied".
It was natural for there to be students who were left out in any grade, and Abelsu wasn't interested in such problems. He just hoped that they would resolve their issues among themselves without involving the student council.
Neris slightly raised her hood to meet the eyes of the taller girl, revealing her delicate features, which were like fine porcelain.
Her cold and firm expression also seemed strangely comfortable to Abelsu. It was familiar, and he remembered where he had seen it before...
"Ah, it's Camille."
It was a strange coincidence. Camille Visto, the eldest daughter of the royal family, had received the best education and considered everyone except the direct imperial family as mere tools. What could be the common ground between the proud princess and the daughter of a knight?
Abelsu must have been mistaken. He didn't think much of it and passed by the scene. Neris's calm voice faded into the distance behind him.
"At that time, my ankle seemed to hurt, but by the end of the class, it didn't seem to hurt anymore. Is that the problem? You're not saying anything about the other kids in the class not wanting to dance with you, but you're coming after me and saying this. Is it because I'm the easiest target? Maybe the reason the kids don't like you is because you're so cowardly, Alecto. Think about it yourself..."
***
As the mid-term exams approached, the students' topic of conversation naturally shifted to their grades.
Some students had already achieved a certain level of academic achievement before entering the academy, while others had not. The former were dissatisfied with their grades at the academy, while the latter were also dissatisfied with their own grades.
Of course, there were a few students who were not dissatisfied with their grades. Students from families that valued their reputation, regardless of their ranking, didn't think much about their grades.
And the student who ranked 1st didn't think much about their grades either.
"Dali, your name is on the list. I was worried, but your grades are good."
"You're embarrassing me, Megi. You're the one who's always 1st."
Idalia responded humbly to Megara's teasing. Although the results were only for a small quiz, her grades were not bad.
"I just got lucky this time."
Megara also responded calmly. Idalia was impressed by her soft and refined answer. How could she maintain such a peaceful face? After all, everyone knew who the overall 1st place student was.
The academy encouraged competition among students. According to the rules, all teachers always made the students' grades and rankings public.
And in the previous semester, the person who had taken 1st place in the overall average of all 1st graders, including the grades of the required subjects, was Neris Truede.
Idalia had received a considerable education from a private tutor before entering the academy. And while attending school, she had also gained confidence in her own refined culture.
However, the evaluation test at the beginning of the semester was one thing, but even after that, there were always students who had better grades than her, which made her feel a bit discouraged.
Although she couldn't admit it to herself, she couldn't help but think that there must be a difference between herself, who had been educated by a private tutor, and the children who had played in the fields until the day before the entrance exam.
Megara was exceptionally talented, so it didn't matter that her grades were better. But what about Neris?
If Megara didn't say anything, it was probably because she was thinking the same thing.
As Idalia thought about it more, she realized that something was unfair. Neris had said that she didn't have a private tutor when she first entered the academy. So, wasn't it strange?
If she had only learned from a small village's priest, there must be limitations, but what if she had actually learned from someone else?
If that was the case, it wasn't right. All students paid the same tuition and attended school.
The etiquette teacher, Seriden, openly favored Neris, and according to Megara, the famous diplomat-turned-teacher, Voltaire, was also the same.
It was as if... Idalia didn't think deeply about what that meant.
What bothered Idalia the most was the relationship between Neris and Nellusion.
She also knew that the two were relatives. However, being distant cousins to the point of having different surnames was almost like being unrelated in the noble society. After all, most people were related if they went far enough back in their family trees.
Despite this, Idalia had often caught glimpses of Nellusion approaching and talking to Neris.
To be honest, Neris wasn't unattractive. Idalia knew that some kids thought she was quite pretty.
Her eyes and platinum blonde hair would be helpful when entering the upper-class social circle despite her poor background, and her clothes were simple but clean. Although her personality was prickly, some boys thought it was refreshing and would often talk about Neris.
Nellusion, as the only heir of the duke's family, would naturally marry someone with certain conditions.
Idalia knew this well. A few top-ranking ladies had already considered and rejected marriage proposals with the Elantria family, and it would be her turn after them. However, she believed that there were things she could do to improve her chances.
Beauty, refinement, and the ability to manage the large duchy as its mistress. What husband wouldn't want those qualities in his fiancée?
Although she was too embarrassed to tell anyone, Idalia would sometimes daydream.
Mainly, she imagined herself growing up a few years and becoming as stunning as Natasha Grune, and Nellusion noticing her. Honestly, there was no reason why that couldn't happen.
"At least I can do better than Neris."
No matter how smart she was, being a mistress of a large territory required real experience. Idalia had experience watching her parents manage their lands and people from a young age.
Idalia didn't dislike Neris. She just thought it was unfair if Neris got something that was rightfully hers by luck.
Megara smiled at Idalia, who was lost in thought. Her cute smile was so lovely that it could be captured in a painting. Idalia smiled back at Megara, who had kindly hinted that she didn't need to compete with anyone.
Who cares about being 1st? A kind person doesn't care about rankings.
***
It was the time of spring, when the winter's chill had faded and flowers were blooming.
Sheriden decorated the etiquette classroom with spring flowers. Delicate flowers like violets, silver bells, and forest windflowers were arranged in a beautiful bouquet, releasing a sweet fragrance.
"You don't need to have big, carefully grown flowers to be a centerpiece."
Sheriden said proudly. The 1st graders looked at the flowers in wonder, which were arranged in a beautiful shape.
"In the winter, we only see a few types of flowers grown in the greenhouse, so it's nice to add some uniqueness to our tables with wildflowers during this season."
Neris, who was listening to Sheriden, realized something without even looking at the malicious expression of the student sitting at the same table. The piercing gaze and sharp whispers were as familiar to her as the air she breathed.
At another table, Rianon, who was not welcomed by others and knew it, made a snide comment.
"Did you pick those?"
Despite being an official system set up by the academy, noble students looked down on the work-study program, which allowed students to help teachers and receive a small amount of money.
If they were going to earn money through physical labor, what was the difference between them and commoners? Nobles were supposed to live off their land and taxes.
And there was no 1st grader who didn't know that Neris Truede was taking upperclassman courses while also working as a work-study student.
The insult, which implied that the flowers were definitely picked by Neris and that she was no different from a common laborer working in an orchard, was not refined. Neris didn't even acknowledge it, and Rianon became angry.
"You're really funny, ignoring people's words. Are you embarrassed?"
"What you see is what you get."
Diane said cynically.
Diane knew that Neris had refused her offer to provide living expenses and pocket money until graduation, despite her family's wealth. Neris had even refused the offer to send a maid to help her.
Although Diane was a bit resentful about that, she was also a bit proud of Neris's noble character, which didn't brag about her own accomplishments.
But what was the point of talking nonsense about something she didn't even know?
Diane's attitude seemed condescending to Rianon. A girl from a lowly family! Rianon's eyes flared up, and Alecto said coldly.
"Shut up, Rianon. You're the one who's being ignored by Neris Truede because of your attitude."
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