Chapter 31
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 31
Chapter Title: The Villainess Lady and the Mage (3)
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No one could surpass Miriel Adrian when it came to winning over people's hearts.
Her first impression was utterly flawless.
Objectively speaking, a beautiful face.
The prestige of the Adrian Ducal House.
And her proven talent as the top student of the entire second-year class.
Dare I say, she possessed every quality that anyone would desire to get close to.
That alone gave her a huge leg up in social situations.
Even if the other person didn't warm up to her at first, it didn't matter.
Miriel understood better than anyone that relationships were fundamentally transactional.
By offering unprompted kindness, she planted a small debt in their heart, and they would inevitably react in some way.
Whether with gratitude, embarrassment, or even wariness.
Once the conversation started, the stage was hers.
Miriel's greatest weapon was her exceptional eloquence.
It would be a mistake to underestimate the survival skills of the overlooked second daughter, raised between the flawless eldest and the third who monopolized the family's love.
Especially since her family wasn't just any family—it was the Adrian Ducal House, one of the pillars of the Belhart Empire.
But.
Even Miriel herself hadn't managed to exchange a single proper word with Lunaris.
"This is perplexing..."
In the lounge of Linea Hall, where the red glow of the sunset filtered in.
Miriel murmured softly as she set down her teacup.
This was the first time she'd encountered someone who put up an iron wall like this.
She had no idea how to approach someone who gave her absolutely no opening.
And she couldn't just ignore Lunaris as if she didn't exist.
Miriel knew.
The Third Imperial Princess, Celestina, who was subtly clashing with her, had her eyes on Lunaris.
Even if it was just a remote possibility.
If Lunaris ended up under Princess Celestina, it would spell big trouble in many ways.
And Lunaris wasn't just any top freshman.
Rumors were already circulating in the Empire that she was a candidate for the youngest Archmage.
Moreover, less than a month after enrollment, she was recognized as one of Elterion Academy's strongest—not just among students, but including teaching assistants, instructors, and professors, she was among the top handful.
If it had been just rumors, she might have scoffed.
But having seen it with her own eyes.
A few days ago, during the magic exchange tournament, she'd confirmed it firsthand.
Lunaris was far beyond the realm of a mere student.
More than anything...
"...I want her."
Miriel muttered blankly.
A deflated sigh escaped her slackened lips.
She recalled the languid gaze Lunaris had directed at her.
Like a haughty cat that subtly pulled away whenever she reached out, as if it was too much trouble.
That picky, arrogant demeanor strangely gnawed at her.
It had thoroughly piqued Miriel's interest.
The harder something was to obtain, the more one craved it.
Yet to approach her, she had to do nothing? What nonsense was that?
Relationships were the product of constant investment and maintenance.
A relationship with no effort didn't exist in the first place.
It would just be neglect, not a relationship.
...What on earth was the Third Princess thinking?
Just then, a small commotion erupted at the entrance to Linea Hall.
The Third Princess had just returned to the dormitory, escorted by her knights.
For a moment, Princess Celestina's and Miriel's eyes met.
"..."
Miriel didn't miss the faint crease that formed on the princess's smooth forehead.
"Oh, Your Highness. What an honor to see you like this."
Miriel rose from her seat, smoothed her skirts, and bowed gracefully.
It was a perfect greeting—respectful without being overly subservient.
Princess Celestina averted her gaze for a brief moment before forcing the corners of her mouth up toward Miriel.
"Nice to see you, Senior Miriel."
Beneath the polite smile, her voice trembled ever so slightly.
A subtle discomfort emanated from her stiff jawline and hunched shoulders.
"I was just having a cup of tea alone. If it's alright with you, would you care to join me for a bit?"
Princess Celestina's eyes scanned the lounge briefly.
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded with a sigh.
"I have assignments, so I can't stay long... but a little while should be fine."
As if she'd been waiting, Miriel lightly beckoned to the head maid, Odette.
It was a natural, dignified display befitting the 'Lady of Elterion.'
Soon, a new teacup was silently placed on the table.
As the faint aroma spread, the two sipped their tea in silence.
After a brief silence, Miriel spoke first.
"How are your Magic Department classes lately, Your Highness?"
Princess Celestina toyed with her teacup, choosing her words carefully and slowly.
"It's a bit challenging to keep up, but I'm enjoying them quite a lot."
"If you'd come to the Political Department, it would have been much easier. You could've easily taken the top spot too."
"The academy is a place of learning, after all. I just chose the department where I could learn even a little more."
Princess Celestina smiled warmly at Miriel.
Her voice was calm, but a subtle wariness flickered in her eyes.
"Well said, Your Highness."
Miriel chimed in softly.
Then, as if it had just occurred to her, she added naturally.
"Perhaps the freshman top student, Miss Lunaris, was also inspired by Your Highness's deep intentions and chose the Ma Engineering Department over Magic."
Lunaris.
The moment the name left her lips, the princess's hand trembled as she lifted her teacup.
"...Why bring up Miss Lunaris all of a sudden?"
"No particular reason."
Miriel shrugged nonchalantly, as if she'd been waiting for this.
"I just met with Miss Lunaris alone today, and it came to mind."
A flash of bewilderment crossed Princess Celestina's violet eyes.
Miriel didn't miss that fleeting moment.
As expected.
The princess hadn't fully won Lunaris's heart yet either.
Looking back, on the day of the magic exchange tournament, the princess's gaze toward Lunaris had held a distant longing.
That look was a yearning for something out of reach.
Even now, she was feigning composure.
But deep down, her heart must be burning.
"So... what did you meet Miss Lunaris about?"
"Nothing much."
The question felt like cautious probing.
Miriel smiled as if unperturbed and spun a plausible lie.
"She seemed quite bothered by the academy's various administrative procedures and unavoidable social gatherings."
"..."
"As a senior, I offered to help her out so she wouldn't be held back by such trivialities."
A talented junior shouldn't be tripped up by petty matters, right?
There was a subtle force behind her kind tone.
"I plan to meet her periodically from now on and guide her on various things."
Princess Celestina, who had been listening silently, blinked blankly before suddenly letting out a chuckle.
"Senior, you don't know Miss Lunaris very well."
As Miriel tilted her head in puzzlement, the princess continued with a hint of amusement.
"There's no way she'd welcome meeting someone regularly, given her personality."
It hit right on the mark.
But Miriel didn't flinch, calmly lifting her teacup with a composed expression.
"You do have a point, Your Highness."
But—
She exhaled languidly, like a sigh, and continued.
"When the time comes that she needs help, won't Miss Lunaris think of me first?"
Princess Celestina's and Miriel's eyes locked squarely.
An invisible spark crackled between them.
"Everyone, you're dismissed. I want to be alone, so don't let anyone in."
Upon returning to her room, Princess Celestina addressed her escorts in a voice that strained for nonchalance.
The moment the door closed, the smiling mask on her face shattered.
In its place remained only an anxious, fidgety expression.
"I never imagined Senior Miriel had met Miss Lunaris alone..."
In the empty room, the princess's voice trembled faintly.
The silver lining—if there was one—was that Lunaris hadn't fully fallen for that woman yet.
But she couldn't afford to relax.
This wasn't good news for Princess Celestina herself either.
If even Miriel, called the 'Lady of Elterion,' had failed to win Lunaris's favor.
Then she, who had nothing to offer but her imperial title, wouldn't fare much better.
Lunaris Evermoon was the type who didn't care who the other person was.
If she didn't feel like it, she'd skip even major events without hesitation.
Such a person wouldn't be swayed by imperial status.
"Haaa..."
Princess Celestina cradled her head and let out a small sigh.
She never thought making a talented friend would be this difficult.
No matter how she thought about it, Lunaris was dangerous.
She was not just a candidate for the youngest Archmage but a likely contender for the greatest mage in imperial history.
If her brothers or other siblings got their hands on that talent first...
Suddenly, a horrific future flashed before Princess Celestina's eyes.
Imagining all those stars from the magic exchange tournament raining down on her sent an involuntary shiver.
"This can't go on."
Making Lunaris her own person.
At least earning her goodwill.
This was no longer some childish game of making friends.
It was already a matter of 'survival.'
"But... what should I do...?"
No answers came no matter how hard she racked her brain, so Princess Celestina buried her face in her pillow and let out a groan.