A sudden question struck like a surprise attack.
Who was he asking? Me? Or Cecilia?
Unable to answer, I just blinked. I couldn’t figure out his intention…!
“Of course! We’re always together. Right, Liana?”
Cecilia, who had been chatting with those who never strayed from Evan’s side, widened her eyes like a startled rabbit.
She immediately walked over to me, wearing a proud expression, and leaned her head on my shoulder.
Cecilia, I’m sitting and you’re standing, so isn’t it a bit awkward for you to lean on me like this…?
As usual, I patted Cecilia’s hair, which had fallen over my shoulder.
But isn’t the question a bit strange, no matter how I think about it?
What did he mean by that? I absentmindedly pondered as I untangled Cecilia’s messy hair, when Evan continued.
“Then take good care of your friend.”
“Huh?”
‘Huh?’
While still stroking Cecilia’s hair, I looked up at Evan.
Who was he talking to?
It would be odd if he was addressing Cecilia, and just as strange if he suddenly said that to me.
“She’s more fragile than she looks.”
Before we could say anything, Evan turned and left. Hawkins bowed his head to Cecilia and followed him out.
A few boys and girls trailed after Evan, and Cecilia and I looked at each other. Some left, giving us a nod as they departed. Ah, they must be the ones who crowded in from the neighboring classroom earlier.
‘What was that supposed to mean?’
Cecilia was probably thinking the same thing as me.
“Um…”
When the gathered students dispersed, it felt like I could finally breathe.
Daisy softly called Cecilia, but unfortunately, her voice was drowned out by Margareta’s sharp, ringing tone.
“Are you close with Lord Evan?”
Margareta, who had been quietly leaning against the classroom window with some other girls, straightened up.
“No.”
It’s probably because of what Evan said before he left, right? Of course, it must have bothered her.
This is something I can answer without hesitation! I want no part in needless misunderstandings.
To be honest, the girls standing behind Margareta, their eyes burning with intensity, were even scarier than she was. Their bullying was both more childish and more frightening than I imagined.
Now, I could probably handle it much better… but it’d be better if there was never such a thing in the first place!
As I shook my head repeatedly, Cecilia looked a bit flustered.
“Miss Margareta. Why are you asking something like that?”
Cecilia clasped her hands and stepped in front of me.
Though her voice was soft and fluttering, fear made it tremble.
Cecilia! Even if you don’t step forward, Margareta would have asked you too. If you come out so defensively, it’s like you’re picking a fight!
Sure enough, a crack appeared in Margareta’s expression. Abandoning her smile, her face grew cold.
‘She really has charisma! So befitting of the Lady of House Torrento!’
Wait, that’s not the point.
Ha, my mind is all tangled up, I just want to keep things simple, but every time these two meet, my head hurts.
I just want to live simply this time around. So could you two please not fight? Or at least, do it when I’m not around…
I tried to quietly grab Cecilia’s sleeve, but failed.
Because Cecilia took another step closer to Margareta.
“Cecilia Menthesen. What could a lowly House Menthesen possibly rely on… to dare stand up to me?”
Her golden eyes blazed with intimidation.
“Have you already forgotten the academy’s rule that family and status mean nothing within these walls? We’re all just students here. Speaking like that… is outright discrimination.”
“Menthesen. Didn’t I tell you? No one actually believes such things.”
Margareta’s beastlike golden eyes seemed to burn even hotter. She swept her gaze around the classroom, and everyone lowered their heads. Her presence was as imposing as a knight’s.
Margareta, looking satisfied, fiddled with her large amethyst earrings. The sound of the gems clinking together rang out.
Several nobles chimed in, “She’s right! That’s nothing but an empty rule,” laughing in agreement.
“You may not know, but our family has produced empresses for generations. Do you understand what that means?”
Margareta tilted her head, glaring at Cecilia and me.
Yes, I completely understand!
She’s telling us not to get close to Evan, to know our place and stop acting up as members of lesser houses, isn’t she?
But do I really have to hear this too? Isn’t that a bit rude, Lady Margareta? I hate getting involved in disputes, but now is not the time!
Before pointing out Margareta’s rudeness, I looked up at Cecilia. I was simply curious about her reaction. Even knowing Margareta’s fiery temper, Cecilia had argued with her in the square.
But surprisingly, Cecilia…
“Cecilia?”
“Oh my, why are you crying?”
“Lady Margareta…”
…was on the verge of tears.
No, she looked like she would burst out crying any moment. Startled, I sprang up and tried to comfort her.
“Cecilia?”
“What did I even say…!”
Margareta’s face flushed with shame and confusion.
Seeing Cecilia suddenly break down in tears, everyone looked flustered. The murmurs began to turn against Margareta, implying her words had been threatening.
I could kind of understand Margareta’s confusion. It didn’t seem like she’d said anything worth crying over… Did recalling what happened in the square frighten Cecilia? Did it feel like intimidation?
Well, since Cecilia comes from a baron’s family, maybe the words of Lady Torrento really did seem scary to her.
“Let’s stop this.”
“What…?”
Margareta repeated, incredulous, as a voice spoke up from somewhere.
“It’s nothing to be proud of to discriminate. Talking about noble houses is shameful.”
“……”
Perhaps not expecting to be challenged, Margareta was left speechless. The girls behind her looked ready to intervene, but Margareta shook her head.
“Hahahahahaha!”
Suddenly, Margareta burst into loud laughter.
The boy who had spoken up grew increasingly pale at her laughter.
Margareta’s laugh, which seemed to ring through the classroom, abruptly stopped. She fixed Cecilia and me with a cold, dignified glare, devoid of even the faintest trace of amusement.
Ah, why are you glaring at me…!
With a dramatic flutter of her cape, Margareta left, her followers calling her name as they hurried after her.
I didn’t hold any grudge against her. After all, the troublemakers were always the nobodies desperate to win her favor, not Margareta herself.
From what I remember, Margareta rarely showed her emotions. Maybe I’ve grown more mature, having come back several years. Or perhaps Margareta herself is more awkward than before.
‘After all, we’re both just first-years.’
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Thank you, Liana.”
Cecilia smiled as she wiped away her tears with a handkerchief.
Her pitiful expression, the smile she gave me. Anyone who saw her face would want to help her.
But something felt a little off.
Is it because I survived death? Her tearful face… I’m getting a bit tired of it.
I mean, this situation, really.
Though it was fun to watch from the dorm room and intervene, after all… I really do need to keep my distance from Cecilia.
“Liana, what are you thinking about…?”
“Huh? Nothing much.”
“…I feel like I’m growing distant from you.”
I should say no, but the words wouldn’t come.
But Cecilia… after the first semester at the Academy ended and summer break began, when you started hanging out with Evan, Hawkins, and Benjamin, that’s when I really felt the distance.
But I could never say it out loud. You were always so kind to me, so I thought you’d hate to hear I was disappointed.
It’s a bit enviable, how easily you ask what’s on my mind like this.
But I dislike it too.
If you can so keenly sense the distance in my heart… couldn’t you have sensed how sad I was back then?
“Quiet, quiet, quieeet!”
At some point, the professor entered and quieted the chaos. At the sharp, yet light voice, I bowed and moved to sit by Daisy.
Because I’d seated Cecilia at my desk to comfort her, the only open seat left was where Cecilia usually sat. As I pulled out the chair and sat, I could feel the professor’s disapproving gaze and Daisy’s sidelong glance.
“…We met earlier, right? I’m Liana.”
“Yes.”
Was it just my imagination, or did Daisy’s reply feel chilly?
For some reason, I felt cautious around Daisy.
It’s not because she’s a commoner… but maybe it is a bit awkward because she is. I heard from Cecilia that, before my regression, Hawkins would often confide in her about being treated differently for being a commoner. Hearing that made me feel embarrassed, too.
It’s not like I ever went out of my way to emphasize my noble status, but Hawkins once misunderstood and felt indignant about it…
If only he’d told me directly. With just secondhand stories, I never really knew which of my actions were the problem. That meant I couldn’t even fix it.
It’s all in the past now, but still, I feel the difference in status is a little hard to bridge. I want to think nothing of it, but what if my smallest actions come off as discrimination? That thought worries me.
Evan, you should have just greeted us quietly and left! Then I wouldn’t have had to change seats at all.
Daisy just stared intently at the professor up front. The gentle smile she’d shown beside Cecilia was gone.
No, actually, this is a good thing. I did want to become friends with her! Even if Daisy’s face is as cold as ice right now.
“Oh my, look at her clothes. Heehee.”
“Did she pick up some beggar’s rags to make that?”
“Exactly. Poor Lady Credere~ Why did she have to sit next to that girl? Should we call her over later?”
“Hm, who knows. Maybe she’s planning to make her a personal maid?”
“Well, that could be, or else there’s no reason to sit next to her…”
“Quiet, quieeet! Who’s talking, who? This is a sacred Academy classroom, I’ll have you know.”
The whispering voices subsided.
Where did those refined girls go, the ones who greeted me so politely earlier!
It’s easy for you all to gossip, but for Daisy and me, it’s incredibly uncomfortable…
Of course, she must have heard it, right? She must have…
I feel… strangely sorry. But would she be angry if I said sorry?
Looking at Daisy, stubbornly facing forward, it was hard to start a conversation.