Chapter 64
Chapter 64
Do you want to win in high society?—Be born into a higher status.
At Isolde Polchen’s cold words, Marie was startled and quickly regained her composure.
“Ah, Miss Isolde Polchen. Of course, you are also welcome. If you ever decide to come to the south and serve, at any time….”
There was no way she, who was completely infatuated with Rudolf, would leave his side and come to the south for appointment.
Even knowing that, or rather because he knew it, Lorenzo also tried to win over Isolde Polchen.
“Lord Lorenzo! Pardon my forwardness, but may I say a word?”
Fiona, the top student of the Fiona dormitory, stopped Lorenzo.
Given Lorenzo’s tendency to covet talent, half of it must have been sincere.
However, before that, the rudeness committed by Isolde Polchen needed to be addressed.
Fiona glared at Isolde Polchen and spoke.
“Isolde Polchen… how dare you interrupt while His Grace is speaking and commit such rudeness? I would have expected far stricter etiquette from you, being the daughter of Lady Polchen, even more so than others.”
Upon hearing Fiona’s words, Isolde Polchen naturally formed a smile.
‘Oh, this is it?’
The implication was clear: as the daughter of Lady Aura Polchen, who had served as etiquette instructor to the Crown Prince and later received imperial favor from the Emperor, wouldn’t Isolde Polchen have been especially well trained in etiquette?
By saying this, Fiona subtly mocked Isolde Polchen’s origins.
Provoked by a remark that targeted her status as the daughter of a royal consort, Isolde Polchen smiled and replied.
“Ah, I apologize. I merely spoke to Miss Marie out of delight at seeing her, and I never imagined she would be conversing with Sir Lorenzo.
Indeed, I have committed a grave impropriety by interrupting your conversation without permission.
I sincerely apologize for my rudeness.”
“Ah, of course. To ask for forgiveness over such a matter is rather embarrassing on my part.”
“Thank you again for your generosity.”
Isolde Polchen received forgiveness from Lorenzo and then cast a sidelong glance at Fiona.
“Even though the situation was hectic, to intrude upon the conversation of a noble person and commit such disgraceful behavior leaves me ashamed.
Even if His Grace is magnanimous enough to forgive, one who fails to apologize after committing such an act would be no better than a beast in human skin.
That being said, His Grace asked me earlier whether I would consider coming south to serve, did he not?”
‘That being said?’
Lorenzo sensed a sharp edge in Isolde Polchen’s words and gave an awkward smile.
It seemed Isolde Polchen was quite angered by Fiona’s provocation.
‘Well, hearing it myself, that was a bit much. Should I tell Fiona to apologize?’
While wrestling with that thought, Lorenzo responded to Isolde Polchen.
“Ah, yes, Miss Isolde Polchen.”
“I am grateful for your high regard. However, I have already pledged my abilities to someone else.
Though I appreciate your gracious offer to entrust a position of honor to a lowborn girl of modest talent, I humbly beg your forgiveness for not being able to respond to your intentions.
And once again, thank you for forgiving my interruption earlier.”
“Haha….”
Lorenzo broke into a cold sweat as he heard Isolde Polchen apologize to him while clearly directing her words for Fiona to hear.
Around them, other students began whispering.
“It’s true she interrupted while the duke’s heir was speaking with the saint candidate….”
“But Miss Isolde Polchen didn’t know His Grace was speaking and only approached Miss Marie, right?”
“Meanwhile, Miss Fiona interrupted while His Grace was speaking with Miss Isolde Polchen and said her piece.”
“And Miss Isolde Polchen is apologizing so sincerely… shouldn’t Miss Fiona apologize as well?”
In other words, Isolde Polchen was subtly calling out Fiona for interrupting a conversation with His Grace and not apologizing, implying she was no better than a beast in human skin.
From Fiona’s perspective, she had first apologized to Lorenzo and sought permission before starting, but Isolde Polchen ignored that and framed it as if she had failed to apologize.
If Fiona apologized again to avoid falling into that trap, she would be apologizing twice and thus be played by Isolde Polchen. If she stayed silent, she would appear foolish, unable to understand the veiled insult.
‘Good grief. The power struggles of high society ladies are terrifying. I’ve trained in imperial studies myself, but how can these girls fight so fiercely over something that isn’t even a political matter?
This feels harder than sparring with envoys from the Papal Court….’
To rescue Fiona, Lorenzo stepped in himself.
“So then. Why did you stop Miss Marie?”
“Because Miss Marie is a saint candidate. After training at Dunaise Academy and being judged whether she is truly a saint or not, she will receive appointment from His Holiness the Pope. For that reason, she should not be promised a worldly post beforehand.”
Isolde Polchen explained, in general terms, that Lorenzo’s approach had been improper.
‘It wasn’t about a worldly post….’
Lorenzo, who had merely intended to lightly charm a rural girl to sway her heart, admired how cleanly Isolde Polchen had dismantled his intent.
At this point, he could no longer claim it was something private.
‘As expected, the school is too cramped. Something like this should have been done in a secluded place where others rarely come. Interference comes too easily here.’
Feeling the limitations of the school space causing such trouble, Lorenzo withdrew.
“Of course, that was not my intention. I merely meant to convey how much expectation I have for Miss Marie, and I ended up making a mistake.
Thank you for pointing it out, Miss Isolde Polchen.”
“You are most welcome.”
Though Lorenzo and Isolde Polchen smiled as they conversed, what transpired between them was nothing less than a verbal duel.
‘Good. With this, I’ve at least prevented the worst-case scenario of Miss Marie being taken by Lord Lorenzo.’
Isolde Polchen felt satisfied with her own performance.
‘To work this hard for my brother. Even opposing Lord Lorenzo… ahh, I really wish my brother could see me like this. Is there some subtle way to let him know? Where is he at a time like this?’
With those thoughts, Isolde Polchen called out to Marie.
“Miss Marie. Both I and His Highness the Crown Prince have high expectations for you.
Above all, you already have three commendation points, do you not?”
“But those weren’t earned purely by my ability….”
“The Academy’s commendations evaluate both luck and skill, Miss Marie. Three points are not something obtained so easily.
Your divine magic—without a doubt, it is the mark of a saint.”
“But… it feels somewhat like something I was given. It’s as if I’m wearing clothes that don’t fit.”
Marie felt awkward about the saintly power bestowed upon her, the power of divine magic.
Since it was not her innate ability but something granted by someone else, she could not feel confident in it. That seemed to be what she meant.
“In that case, how about studying magical theory together? Conveniently, that is something I can assist with.”
“Pardon?”
“I am running a study group in the Zephyrus dormitory. Would you care to join?
We hold it during the evening maintenance time after dinner. If you come, even His Highness the Crown Prince will welcome you.”
As Isolde Polchen attempted to draw Marie toward the Zephyrus faction, more precisely toward the Crown Prince’s side, Fiona clenched her fist in irritation.
‘Unbelievable. After interfering with our plans, now she’s openly trying to recruit the saint candidate right in front of us?’
Fiona burned with anger at Isolde Polchen’s shameless attempt to win over Marie before their very eyes.
“Um….”
At that moment, Idnia stepped in between them.
“Excuse me, everyone. I have some business with my roommate, Miss Marie. Would that be alright?”
“Ah?!”
Isolde Polchen was startled by the sudden appearance of Idnia.
‘Damn it. I thought things were going well… and now this woman appears. Idnia!’
Isolde Polchen became wary of Idnia.
‘Until now, no other woman has been able to disturb my brother’s pure heart. But this woman is different. I have never seen my brother so shaken… she’s the most dangerous one.’
Adoring Rudolf, Isolde Polchen instinctively understood that Idnia held the most special significance to him as a woman.
Thus, she had not wanted to be outdone by her… yet Idnia intervened using her position as a roommate.
Moreover, as the duchess daughter of a princely electoral house, her status was equal to that of Lorenzo.
While interrupting a conversation and asking for consent might be seen as rude for someone like Isolde Polchen or Fiona, for someone like Idnia, it was instead a courteous act toward those of lower status.
“Ah. Lady Idnia. Miss Isolde Polchen has kindly made me an offer.”
Marie, who felt at ease in the presence of Idnia, spoke up.
“A study group, is it. That’s a good idea. However, it doesn’t seem to have started yet? A study group of the Zephyrus dormitory? Where are you holding it?”
“Well… we were thinking of renting the dining hall.”
Isolde Polchen answered honestly.
Since the school’s shared facilities had not yet been unlocked, they had only planned it in their minds but had not been able to begin.
The enthusiastic Crown Prince Rudolf had even intended to proceed in the plaza or on the street if necessary, but other students had objected.
‘Didn’t a large wolf get found dead near the dorms at night?’
‘Isn’t it dangerous to wander around unsafe places?’
With such reasonable objections raised, they were unable to operate the study group.
“Ah, you invited others without even opening it yet?
If Miss Marie had accepted enthusiastically, this could have turned into quite a problem. Waiting idly for a study group whose opening date is unknown would be troublesome.”
Fiona scoffed.
‘Tch, how irritating.’
Isolde Polchen was angered by Fiona, who picked fights at every turn.
‘I’ll remember this, Fiona.’
Holding onto that grudge, Isolde Polchen said to Idnia and Marie.
“Before fully operating the study group, we were planning to select assistants among ourselves.
Among those with exceptional magical talent, we intended to form a small group first, who would later assist other students when the full study group begins.”
“I understand. So the Zephyrus dormitory aims to go beyond its own limits and accept other students to improve their abilities. Indeed, one cannot help but be impressed by His Highness the Crown Prince’s magnanimity.
However, that will be after gathering commendation points and unlocking the school facilities. My matter is before that, so may I speak with Miss Marie?”
“…Yes.”
Reluctantly, Isolde Polchen had to step aside and hand Marie over to Idnia.
“Then, Lord Lorenzo, may I take Miss Marie with me? Do you have any remaining business?”
“No, none.”
“Then I will take her.”
Idnia exchanged greetings with Lorenzo as well and led Marie toward the dining table where the Eurus students were seated.
‘Hmm. After all that clash with Isolde Polchen, the one who ultimately took the saint candidate was Lady Idnia.
It feels like I’ve only made more enemies… but Lady Idnia is not someone I’d want as an enemy….’
Fiona was well aware of Idnia’s noble status.
While she freely mocked and provoked others, even someone like Isolde Polchen—the daughter of the Emperor’s consort and possibly his illegitimate child—she could not easily confront Idnia.
Isolde Polchen was similarly frustrated by Idnia.
‘We’ve unnecessarily exposed our study group schedule. But speaking to a duchess is no easy matter… ugh….’
Although the Duchy of Betelgeuse had already declined, that did not mean one could look down on Idnia.
Only fools like Sendia Aspinal were reckless enough to ignore the weight of a duchess, whereas students like Fiona and Isolde Polchen, who were sharp-minded, could not casually challenge Idnia.
‘High status, excellent personal ability, and yet she even turned down an engagement with my brother. Hmph. Truly impressive!
But there must be some weakness somewhere.’
Having lost Marie to Idnia, Isolde Polchen could only stomp her feet inwardly in frustration.