"Good morning, both of you!"
"Good morning, Lady Lutier"
"Good morning. You look energetic today as well, Lady Lutier."
"Yes! Being energetic is the best after all!"
Rozalia watched the peaceful morning greetings exchanged between the three of them while feeling a little out of place.
―Lutier... It was a very familiar name.
―Ah... She is that "scholarship student" who Miria talked to me about since this morning. I already thought so even without hearing her name.
It's impossible to see her as a noble lady with that behavior that had an overly familiar sense of distance. However, her innocence does not make them uncomfortable for some reason. All the noble sons who have only met demure women must have been swayed by her cheerful demeanor.
From a woman's perspective, Rozalia was uncomfortable with the familiar behavior, and she also felt uncomfortable if she called Cade without honorifics.
Unless you have a close relationship with a man, if you don't treat him with a proper sense of distance, it will only lead to a misunderstanding that you two are intimate. That's what a noble lady is usually like.
That is why Lutier is the subject of criticism among the noble ladies who gather at the school. In fact, even now, a lot of piercing gazes were thrown at her.
―Is she not aware of the level of attacks she's receiving? Or she's aware of this and yet, still acting like that? If that's the case, I'm afraid I might be in for a real threat.
Also, if ever Lutier makes an excuse for being helpless because she's just a commoner who hadn't had the opportunity to learn the etiquette of the nobles, the soft-hearted Cade would be swayed.
―This is a serious matter.
It was at this moment that Rozalia recognized Lutier, who never passed her mind until now, as her rival.
Considering Cade's glamorous affair with women, Rozalia already thought she would have a lot of rivals, but she also thought it reasonable if they're from a high peerage.
However, if the other party is a commoner, it does not make much sense if a high-ranking noble would be attracted to one.
In particular, if all Lutier's innocence is an act, one mere slip and it will be used against her.
"Sir Cade, who is she?" While thinking that she had found a tough rival, Rozalia interrupted the conversation with a smile.
"Ah. Her name is Lutier, and she's the only scholarship student at this academy. She grew up in a castle town that didn't have a good academic environment. It seems she had struggled a lot."
Cade kept a gentle smile on his face while looking at the girl during his explanation. Thinking that Lutier's influence had already dug deep into Cade, Rozalia nodded without giving away any emotions.
"Is that so? Lady Lutier, my name is Rozalia Sertfell. I hope we could get along as friends."
Finally, Rozalia had the opportunity to confront Lutier head-on.
Lutier was a girl with strawberry blonde hair with a hint of red strands and big eyes that were bright as jade.
She had a pretty face, and at first impression, she looks like a girl who was raised in a good house by an overprotective family. But once she starts opening her mouth, the difference between her and a well-educated lady was evident. There was a lack of consideration in her every action.
However, she was a very charming girl where anyone couldn't help but get drawn by her lively expressions and gestures. Compared to the ladies who are eager to pursue beauty, she had quite a natural beauty.
On the other hand, Lutier was staring at Rozalia with a slightly stiff expression.
"W-Why is the reclusive "Rose Princess" here at the academy..."
Rozalia somewhat heard her but she supposed her muttering had not reached the ears of Cade and Renwild since they had no reaction.
After a brief moment, Lutier came to her senses and quickly fixed her rigid expression by raising her lips and putting her hands together in front of her chest.
"I'm sorry, I was captivated by your beauty for a moment! It's my first time seeing such a beautiful person! Did you just enter today?"
"Yes. I might trouble you with things I don't know."
"Me too! I'm a commoner, so I might make you uncomfortable."
With only this short conversation, Rozalia already concluded that Lutier is a woman who can't let her guard down.
Lutier's remarks after seeing her for the first time were terribly insensitive, and she was keen on finding out why Rozalia was here. A slow-witted person may not notice it, but Rozalia easily noticed that Lutier was cleverly trying to avoid her offer to be friends.
But the most alarming thing is the name Lutier muttered while glaring at her.
It's unusual for a commoner to quickly attribute Rozalia's name to "Rose Princess" just by hearing it.
―No. Rather than hearing my name, it seems that she quickly recognized that I'm the "Rose Princess" just by looking at my face...
However, unlike Cade, a nobleman, it seems certain that Lutier, a commoner, is familiar with information between aristocrats.
―I wonder what this discomfort I felt.
Even though he is from a baron family, he has little knowledge about nobility.
And then there's Lutier, who is supposed to be a commoner but is well-versed in the rumors of the nobilities. Not only that but she has enough academic ability to enter as a scholarship student.
Most importantly, their impressions should be the exact opposite, but why did she feel they have the same atmosphere? This sense of discomfort is only getting deeper.
"―Well then. Class is starting so we should go soon. This is a rare chance so I'll guide you towards your classroom."
After Renwild suddenly broke the tense atmosphere brewing in the air, Rozalia and the others started walking towards their classroom. She thanked him immediately to improve his impression of her.
"Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness, Prince Renwild."
"Please drop the "Your Highness", Lady Rozalia. But I was a little surprised that you are the sister of Alexis. Your demeanor didn't resemble each other at all."
With a hopeless sigh, Rozalia could only imagine her adopted brother's misdemeanors when she's not around.
"I hope he hasn't caused you trouble, Prince Renwild? He's getting rougher over the years."
Renwild made a carefree laugh as he shook his head loosely. His bearing that was full of regal dignity immediately changes to that of a young man suitable for his age.
"Excuse me for my sudden outburst. Lady Rozalia is really a proper sister. You were exactly like my brother just now."
Rozalia laughed because the phrase "proper sister" made her smile. Apart from being a royal family, he must have had a good relationship with his brother.
"Prince Renwild is also a good younger brother. I want that kid to learn from you."
Although he doesn't seem to have neglected his studies in order to succeed in the title of Marquess, Miria says that he seems to have appeared downtown recently. She hope he doesn't get influenced too much hanging out with a wrong crowd.
She's not saying it to restrict his freedom, but she just wants him to be careful about rumors.
"Alexis is probably okay. He seems to be a little narrower now, but he understands his duties well."
Renwild's gaze turned at the back while saying that. Behind them, there is a figure of Cade and Lutier merrily chatting by themselves.
Rozalia was surprised. She thought every man was captivated by Lutier, but it seems that this person is seeing her with composure.
"He has a sister that worries about him sincerely, hasn't he?"
Renwild adds mischievously, perhaps with the intention of comforting her. Has he known that she's estranged from her brother recently?
Somehow, Rozalia feels warm. After knowing his gentle temperament and kind nature, she wanted to get close to him in a different sense than she had towards Cade.
"... I think the bond between me and Alexis is no different from that of ordinary siblings."
"Yes, I think so too."
In response to Renwild's smile, Rozalia returned a modest smile.
Through the open window of the walnut corridor, the wind with the scent of flowers suddenly blew in at which her silvery blonde, that is as smooth as silk, flutters softly and shone with brilliance.
The blue sky and the greeneries should be the same as when she was in the garden, but everything looks different.
―I'm glad I mustered up my courage and went here.
Looking at the scenery beyond the window, she was deeply moved.
The outside world is so dazzling and vivid. It was a light feeling as if a refreshing breeze was caressing her chest.
Renwild stared at Rozalia, who had stopped from his tracks unknowingly. After she looked outside the window with a smile, she started walking again.
After a while, they finally reached the classroom. Since there are only two classes per grade, there wouldn't be any room to make a mistake.
The classroom has little decoration with three rows of long desks, and each row has a step. It has a structure that would make lessons easy to understand even sitting far at the back. It seems you could also choose your seat freely.
"―Sister."
Coming up from the back of the classroom with a mysterious look on his face was her adopted brother, Alexis Sertfell.
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