The Lestria Academy's uniform was a navy blue one-piece dress. Its tie was short and its color was a delicate shade of custard cream. The round embroidered collar was a little larger and as for the shoes, it’s short boots that appeared neat and adorable.
"It looks good on you, Miss Rose.”
“Is that right? I think these designs are quite unsuitable for me.”
Rozalia can be seen holding down her skirt in front of a large mirror, turning around.
Miria flatly denied it, “What are you talking about? Miss Rose looks elegant and so noble that exudes innocence. However, that's also why it’s quite dangerous to wear a dress that emphasizes your feminity….”
“I don’t quite understand, but how can you conclude that it doesn’t look good in the end?” she continued as she looked at Gredior at the corner of the room, who made no eye contact.
Gredior has dark hair, green golden eyes, and a handsome face, but no woman is able to make any advances on him. That’s because there’s no woman strong enough to withstand his silence.
Today is a commemoration day, it’s Rozalia’s first day to enter the Academy. Even though her grandfather was half-driven, his preparations were quick. Only after three days of completing her registration, she immediately was sent to the Academy. She arrives quite early as the campus was located within the capital. However, since there’s a dormitory system, she’ll only be able to exchange letters with Grandfather Rizik for a while.
The room in the dormitory granted to Rozalia was mainly used for royalty only. Originally, an aristocrat was designated to stay in a two-person room, however, due to certain circumstances, it was decided that she stays in a single room at the last minute.
The splendid decor inside the room made the atmosphere quite desolate. It’s almost like being at her home.
Rozalia, who hoped to be able to spend her days like a normal aristocrat would, was a little disappointed. Even in the Lestria Academy, where only noble children all gathered, the ‘Rose Princess’ seems to be undergo strict security equivalent to the status of the royal family.
“Anyhow, I’d like to see Sir Cade soon.”
“Since he’s the escort of His highness, the prince, it’d be quite difficult to casually meet each other.”
“Indeed. First, I need to establish a favorable relationship with His Highness.”
That's because his job requires him to always stick around the prince. Even after school or during meal breaks, he gets to change shifts with other knights. Even so, she might also be able to meet him after His Highness’s classes.
As a student, Rozalia will be able to get close to His Highness. If Cade's master remembers her, it’ll be easier.
“I’m glad that I’m in the same class as His Highness. I believe an opportunity will come around soon.”
“Not only His Highness, but you’re in the same class as your foster brother, Lord Alexis. Lord Folse is a year older, so you won’t have the chance to meet up, but the girl who’s under a scholarship must be in the same class with him.”
“It’s a very troubling place…”
Her relationship with Folse Meretzen, the duke’s third son as well as her fiancé, had gone cold for a long time. He was honest and sincere at first. He was always respectful of Rozalia and treated her as his fiancé. His previous visits to the Sertfell household were once frequent. It is from the time he started attending a school that he hardly even showed his face. No letters have exchanged since, and he became increasingly estranged.
She felt quite sad and lonely in those days. She wasn’t in love with him but it felt more like a familial bond. It’s the same with Alexis.
Since Rozalia’s the only one under the direct line of the family, her foster brother, at a young age, was taken from a close relative for him to become the head of the family. Due to his intelligence and greatness, he was separated from his parents. He oftentimes cried in the shadows when he was young. Little by little throughout the years, he became familiar with the Sertfell family.
In the past, he’d tell her stories about the outside world since his sister couldn't go out. They were like real siblings.
At the time when he first entered school, Alexis would return home every week on his day off. He’d say that it wouldn’t be a problem to see Rozalia and Rizik’s faces. But now, even on a long holiday or vacation, he wouldn’t even show his face and visit.
According to Miria’s investigation, the cause was the 'scholarship student'.
She grimaced,“…Is there really no grudge left on the scholarship girl?” she had that similar look on her face throughout her investigation.
Rozalia slightly smiles as she gave out a faint voice, “If so, he’s already repenting for it. Folse’s change of heart perhaps happened because I wasn't attractive enough. It’s wrong to blame her or anyone for that matter.”
“Miss Rose is too understanding!”
“Does it seem like that? I didn’t even try to stop it. I think I’m to blame.”
Rozalia’s surprised that the scholarship student is quite intrigued by other people who are supposedly considered to be the student council president’s successor.
One woman and three men. She's more concerned about whether their relationship was properly specified or not. She could only possess that kind of impression, therefore Rozalia had no fault in thinking that. Even in her mind, she can only devote herself to Cade.
She gazed outside the window at the school building shining by the morning sun. The exterior of the notable wall was made of red brick with hedela fully overgrown in most places.
She really was going to Lestria Academy, the thought on which she had given up for a long time. All of this was thanks to a certain someone who inadvertently pushed her to walk her own life without having to endure.
“Miria, I was the one who was wasting my life away until yesterday. I have no intention of giving up this love.” Rozalia’s silver-blonde hair shone under the sunlight from the east window. Her icy blue eyes were full of confidence as it shimmered and gave off a fresh unprecedented vitality.
Miria looked at her with warmth in her eyes, but when she processed the meaning behind her words, she held herself back again.
Rozalia continued, “…If I could, I wanted to show my resolve by doing something different.”
It was unusual for Gredior to speak in between their conversation, but he had to interrupt, “Miss Rozalia, if you don’t go to the Academy soon, you’ll be late for class.”
“Oh, it’s time already. I’ll have less time to talk to Sir Cade now if I delay more.”
Gredior stood by the door and handed her her school bag.
“Well, I’ll be off.”
“Take care.”
Rozalia went out as she walked with refinement. At the end of the cobblestone path were well-maintained flowers. They were in full bloom, giving delight to the eyes of the passers-by.
This mellow season was filled with vibrant colors and the refreshing scent of amaryllis, lavender, and white and purple delphinium. The tiny dianthus flowers were adorned at the base of a beautiful magnolia tree with buds as lovely as snow. Rozalia’s attention was more focused on it than the blooming flowers.
It is not irrational for people’s attention to be focused on transfer students who came halfway through mid-April. Though, perhaps it's because of the rumors that it’s the “Rose Princess” whom they haven’t seen before nor close enough to be in their line of sight. As she proceeded to walk, she noticed the person in front of her.
“Good morning, Your Royal Highness.” she bowed as she greeted him.
The young man, a little taller than Rozalia, turned around to look at her. Beautiful blonde hair like the sun and green eyes unique only to the royal family. Although lacking in masculinity, his mild beauty calms the hearts and minds of the viewer. This person is Renwild Vahlherm Lestria, a prince. And of course, the person behind him is Cade.
Renwild recognized Rosalia and immediately smiled at her, “Good morning. You’re the granddaughter of Marquess Sertfell, Rozalia Sertfell, who just enrolled here today. I heard about you from my brother.”
The King must have heard that Rizik was forced to carry out the transfer. Rozalia bowed down even lower, “I was prepared to live my life quietly as the ‘Rose Princess’, but this time I chose to leave that path. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused.”
In the long history of Lestria, it is an undeniable fact that the activities of the ‘Rose Princess’ have been restricted by the royal family itself. It was also due to the support and backing of the royal family that she got engaged to the third son of a Duke’s family, who’s she's close in age.
Rozalia was careful not to offend them, but Renwild shook his head with a smile, “For whatever reason, I believe that the so-called solution to place all the burden only on one person is wrong. I respect you for your brave decision.”
Despite knowing that Rozalia is the ‘Rose Princess’, the prince treated her rather fairly. On the contrary, it seems that he doesn’t think much nor appreciate the old customs. He has a more open mindset.
“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
“We will be classmates from today onwards. Please, feel free to call me Renwild.”
“Then, I am Rozalia.” she smiled then glanced at Cade, who was standing behind him. It seemed that he remembered her since he kept staring at her.
“Do you remember me, Sir Cade?”
“Ah, yes. Thank you very much for your help at that time.”
Renwild blinked at the friendly conversation between the two. Cade explained their encounter in detail. Listening to his story, Rozalia found out that he was running away from Renwild that day. She wondered why he was running away from the master he’s serving. She speculated that he probably had a difficult situation at that time since there were rumors that he had lost his memories.
Feeling quite apologetic, Cade scratched his head as he looked at Renwild, who was only smiling at his escort’s behavior. Seeing the trust between the two, the rumor about his memory loss seems to be a complete ruse.
Cade turned to Rozalia with a shy smile, “I’m glad. The fact that you’ve enrolled here means that I’m able to meet you at any time from now on. I’ll be able to somehow give you my thanks.”
“Well, it’s enough to appreciate your kind gesture. I believe Sir Cade is quite a serious person.”
“No, that’s not the case. Well, if you don’t mind, would you like to go out shopping with me next time? If there’s anything you’d like, I’m willing to give it to you.”
Rozalia was surprised at his unexpected offer like it's some sort of a honey trap. She was blinded at the feeling of his full attention on her, forgetting that Renwild was there. She immediately nodded as to not miss this great opportunity.
Suddenly, a friendly voice, which ruined the happy moment, interrupted their conversation, “Renwild-sama! Cade-san!”
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