Establishing the Pecking Order
How annoying. Watching Aidrin gloat with such smug superiority, Adela felt an irritation she could barely suppress. And beyond that, she felt an even greater sense of bewilderment.
That day. The social gathering held at the Aspien estate. Adela had been utterly defeated by Aidrin in the friendly duel that served as the grand finale of the event. And to make matters worse, it had happened right in front of everyone.
For Adela, who was still young and had been raised like a precious princess, that defeat was a devastating shock. She believed Aidrin had intentionally humiliated and looked down on her.
And so, she had sworn an oath. Aidrin. I will absolutely return this humiliation to that girl. She would become someone so grand that Aidrin wouldn't dare even dream of standing on equal footing, and then she would look down on her in exactly the same way.
Time had passed, bringing them to the present, and Adela had achieved her immediate goal. Her swordsmanship achievements were clearly a step ahead of Aidrin's.
Her standing in high society? That wasn't just one step ahead; it was several. While the influence of the Aspien family and the Telrn family might be comparable, the personal influence Adela wielded compared to Aidrin's was night and day.
Aidrin was not the type to put effort into building noble connections, whereas Adela went out of her way to cultivate them, even if it meant pushing herself.
Superior as a warrior. Superior as a noble. Therefore, superior as a human being. Adela had no doubt that she was a far grander person than Aidrin.
Yet, why was this? Facing Aidrin now, she didn't feel even a shred of the superiority she supposedly held over her. Instead, she felt a strange, inexplicable sense of anxiety.
Why? Because Aidrin was closer to Sillon, that man, than she was?
How foolish. She admitted he had talent and a promising future. But as of right now, Sillon was merely a commoner who had done well on an entrance exam.
Adela was someone who possessed connections with upperclassmen and even instructors at the Academy. To someone like her, who held vast networks within high society, the value of a man like Sillon was by no means significant.
And yet, she was feeling anxious just because Aidrin was closer to him? Absurd.
However, she had to admit one thing. Watching Aidrin parade that man around and gloat was an absolute eyesore.
So... Adela thought. She didn't have much interest in the man himself, but if only to see the look of despair on Aidrin's face, she would steal him away.
Adela's original goal had shifted. It was no longer just about repairing her relationship with a highly talented commoner; it had become something far more.
Do I really have to go this far? Sillon had openly defended Aidrin, and she was using that to act smug. Seeing these nobodies band together to embarrass her made her want to just turn around and leave.
She wanted to mobilize every ounce of influence she possessed in high society and the Academy to return this humiliation to them tenfold.
"I'm sorry. Now that I think about it, I was far too hasty. I suppose I let my anxiety over my past mistake get the better of me."
But she endured. Revenge was a dish she could serve at any time.
"What just happened, and what occurred during the entrance exam... My mistake—no, my rudeness. I formally apologize to both of you here and now." Adela bowed her head with perfect, polite etiquette.
"..." Seeing this, Aidrin's heart softened again, her expression turning conflicted. She hadn't expected such a proper apology. For someone of Adela Aspien's stature to bow her head—not just to her, but to a commoner like Sillon—was shocking. As a noble of similar standing, Aidrin knew exactly how difficult that must have been.
"Lady Aidrin, what would you like to do?" Sillon asked.
"Huh? Me? What?"
"Will you accept Lady Adela's apology?"
"Wait, why are you asking me... What about you?"
"To be honest, I didn't take what happened during the exam to heart. I'm not quite sensitive enough to dwell on every little look or action from others." Sillon laughed sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Hahaha."
"Hmm. If nothing else, the fact that you aren't sensitive is beyond doubt." Seeing the atmosphere calm down, Miz chimed in subtly.
"Unbelievable." Aidrin let out a dry chuckle and shook her head.
"So, I am merely concerned about your feelings, Lady Aidrin. After all, that situation must have been far more awkward for you than it was for me."
"...W-what? You?"
"Yes?"
Flustered, Aidrin took a step back from Sillon. Why is he speaking so sweetly? His attitude was so endearing that she almost blurted out, "Do you like me?!" However, seeing Sillon's face, she realized he hadn't meant anything special by it. Feeling self-conscious, she cleared her throat and quickly changed the subject.
"N-nothing. Anyway, what about me? Well... fine. If you're fine with it, then I don't really care either."
"Wow~ You are so cool!"
"Cool?"
"Ah, it means easygoing? Bold? Awesome? Something along those lines. I thought it suited you perfectly right now, Lady Aidrin."
"Interesting. I've never heard that word before. Is it a dialect from your hometown? Or a different language?"
"You could say that, I suppose. At any rate, Lady Adela? How fortunate for you that Lady Aidrin is so generous. Since she has forgiven you, I shall bestow my forgiveness upon you as well!"
"S-Sillon...!"
"H-hey—" Aidrin called out to Sillon in a panic. Even Miz, who had been quietly watching from the side, looked visibly taken aback. No matter how humbly Adela had apologized, for Sillon, a commoner, to tell a high noble like Adela, "I shall bestow my forgiveness upon you," was a massive blunder. While Aidrin and Miz, who were relatively close to him, could brush it off as him being an idiot, it was an undeniable breach of etiquette.
"..." Sure enough, a vein throbbed near the jaw and temple of the elegantly smiling Adela.
"Ah...! Did I make a mistake...?"
"I-it's fine," Adela replied, gritting her teeth with effort.
"Sillon is a fellow Academy cadet, after all. There is no need to stand on ceremony. Besides, Sillon must be unfamiliar with this kind of 'etiquette.' Since I know you didn't mean any harm, I don't mind at all."
Literally, Adela truly believed Sillon had made a mistake because he was ignorant of high society's manners. Yet, why was it that Sillon's squinty eyes, which looked so apologetic on the surface, seemed to be laughing at her with pure amusement?
It's just... my imagination, right? Adela barely managed to calm herself down, regaining her signature elegant and dignified composure before speaking.
"So, Sillon?"
"Yes?"
It was time to get to the point. "To return to our previous topic, would you happen to have some free time right now?"
"What is this? Sillon accepted your apology, so shouldn't your business here be finished?" Sillon was the one asked, but the answer came from Aidrin. Naturally, just because Aidrin had accepted Adela's apology didn't mean their relationship had suddenly become amicable. It had merely shifted from open hostility to a subtle, simmering tension. Aidrin stepped in front of Sillon as if shielding him, answering on his behalf.
"...It's nothing major. I simply wished to invite Sillon to the Aspien mansion nearby."
Aidrin's jaw dropped as she stared at Sillon. What did I tell you? She's a loose girl, isn't she? Sillon could almost hear her inner voice screaming.
"I don't know what you're imagining, but please stop making a fuss. I am merely inviting him to a modest banquet we are hosting this evening."
"A banquet?" Sillon, who had been worrying about how to handle his food, clothing, and shelter until the dorms opened, instantly reacted to the word 'banquet.' Three questions flashed through his mind: Clothing—can I wash? Food—will they feed me? Shelter—will they let me sleep over? Sensing his interest, Adela quickly followed up.
"It's a gathering to celebrate the successful completion of the entrance exam, and I believe it is a place perfectly suited for Sillon. After all, you were the true protagonist of today's exam."
"Haha~ I wouldn't go so far as to call myself the protagonist~"
"I wish to use this opportunity to express my apologies once more and offer my congratulations. So... will you grace us with your presence?"
"Wait!" Seeing Sillon's positive reaction, Aidrin hurriedly intervened. "Sillon, now that I think about it... where and how are you planning to stay until the entrance ceremony?"
"Haha, I was actually just thinking about that. I came to Arien on a whim, with the sole mindset of passing the entrance exam first."
"In that case! Would you like to stay at our Telrn estate nearby until the ceremony?"
"Excuse me, Aidrin?" Adela called out, her voice tightening. "I am currently making an offer to Sillon. Interrupting like this is highly improper, isn't it?"
"If we're talking about propriety, you're the one being improper, Adela."
"Hmm, and how is that?"
"I was the one who went through thick and thin with Sillon during the third exam today. If anyone has the right to celebrate with him first, shouldn't it be me?"
"And me. Sillon's master, Miz Bowler." Miz chimed in, pointing a thumb at herself. Aidrin smiled warmly at her.
"Ah, of course, Miz too. So, Sillon, what do you think? We are also planning to host a small banquet at our estate. Would you like to come? And once it's over, you can just stay at our place until the ceremony. Don't feel pressured. We have plenty of empty rooms."
"We have plenty of empty rooms at our estate as well, you know? Proper guest suites, in fact. Sillon, if you come to our mansion, we will treat you with the utmost hospitality as our guest."
"Sillon, our estate's chef is one of the best in Arien, so you can look forward to the food."
"Sillon? Our chef is universally acknowledged as the absolute best in Arien. You know Redimo, the five-star restaurant nearby? Where do you think the name Redimo came from?"
"Sillon." "Sillon?" And so, the battle of bragging about their respective estates began.
"Most of all, Sillon, if you attend our banquet, I will introduce you to other nobles." Adela pulled out her trump card.
"Other nobles? Do you mean those lackeys—sorry, friends—who mocked Sillon with you earlier today?" Aidrin countered, but Adela remained perfectly composed.
"Do you really think those are the only nobles I can introduce to Sillon? As you well know, Aidrin, I have quite a broad network here in Arien."
"..." On the other hand, Aidrin, whose network in Arien was rather limited, shut her mouth tight.
"Most of them are individuals who wield significant influence in this city. Some are even affiliated with the Academy. If I ask, they would gladly attend the banquet tonight or tomorrow. So, Sillon? If you come to our estate, I will introduce you to all of them. I guarantee it will be of great help during your Academy life."
"Oh... impressive. If Sillon isn't going, I want to go instead." At Miz's murmur, Adela reacted instantly.
"Lady Miz Bowler, if you are willing, would you also grace us with your presence?"
"Oh, what a windfall."
"Miz?!" Aidrin glared at her, eyes wide.
"Ahem, joke. Obviously a joke. What a harsh reaction. But Aidrin, just out of curiosity... what would you do if I actually went there?"
"Ugh! I don't need you, so just go!"
"Hmm. So she says. Sillon, shall we go?"
"Leave Sillon out of this, you Bowler!"
"Using 'Bowler' as an insult...!" Miz made a rumble sound with her mouth and collapsed onto the floor.
Adela wore a victorious smile as she asked Sillon, "Well, Sillon. What will you do?"
"Sillon...?" Aidrin asked, her confidence wavering.
Sillon looked back and forth between the two before speaking cautiously. "Now, now, everyone. Calm down. It seems Lady Miz has just suggested a perfect compromise."
"Huh? Me?"
"How about this? Lady Miz, Lady Aidrin, and I all attend Lady Adela's banquet together. Being introduced to those nobles would be a wonderful opportunity not just for me, but for the two of you as well."
"That is a wonderful idea!" Unlike Adela, Aidrin's reaction was freezing cold. Even Miz, as if her previous words had indeed been a joke, looked utterly unimpressed.
"Hey, hey. You idiot. Are you serious?"
"Sillon, are you serious...?"
"Ah, t-then how about this...! First, Lady Adela joins us at Lady Aidrin's estate for their banquet, and then we all go to Lady Adela's estate for hers."
"...Are you serious?" Now, even Adela looked at him with a cold stare.
"What is this childish mindset where you think combining everything makes it better? Are you one of those people who stirs up beautifully plated food with a spoon because 'it all mixes in the stomach anyway'?" Miz tried to break the tension with a dry joke, but the atmosphere only grew colder.
What a mess... At this point, Sillon had already decided that rather than making an enemy of Adela, maintaining a moderate distance and coexisting would benefit both him and Aidrin. That was why he was hesitating between Aidrin and Adela.
He figured that if the nobles attending Adela's banquet were introduced to Aidrin and Miz as well, it would be of immense help to their Academy lives. However, the two of them were adamantly opposed to attending Adela's banquet.
I have no choice. There was only one option left. Just as Sillon was about to apologize to Adela and state his decision—
"Sillon." A calm, yet incredibly clear voice rang out.
Golden hair and blue eyes, richer in color than raw gold and sapphires, combined with her cold expression to evoke the image of a single, exquisitely crafted jewel. Her very presence commanded a sense of awe.
"Oh? Lady Drin!?" Standing perfectly still amidst the bustling crowd, she exuded a presence far more powerful than anyone else around. It was Drin, the daughter of the Libringer family, one of the Eight Great Families.
Spotting Sillon, she let out a deep sigh. "I have been looking everywhere for you."
"Pardon? For me?"
"I remembered what you said."
"What I said?"
"When we first met, you mentioned it. That you had come to Arien on a whim, with no plans whatsoever, just to take the entrance exam."
"That... is true."
"I am asking just in case, but have you secured lodging for tonight?"
"Uh... no?"
"I figured as much. No doubt you were about to frantically search for a place to stay."
"That... is also true."
"Finding an empty room at this time of year is utterly impossible. Let us go."
"Pardon?"
"Our Libringer estate is nearby. Or perhaps I should call it an annex. At any rate, you shall stay there until you are assigned a dormitory."
"..."
A sudden, completely unexpected line-cutter. Aidrin and Adela glared at the rude interloper.
"Hmm?" However, the moment Drin Libringer finally noticed them and turned her gaze—
"L-Lady Drin...! I am of the Aspien family—"
"Lady Drin, do you remember me? During the second exam, I—"
As if they had never been glaring, they bowed with servile smiles. And just like that, Sillon's lodging until the entrance ceremony was decided.