On the first day of the new semester in front of the Seymour mansion, two four-wheeled carriages with the seal of the double-headed snake were waiting.
Enrique, was walking neatly towards one of the carriages, but when he saw me, he quickly ran towards me, his hair fluttering gently.
"Hi"
I greeted him casually.
"Good morning, Sister."
Enrique was still a little shy with me. But he did not act like he did before, like a scared cat. I could feel it from his more relaxed posture and expression.
"Enrique."
"Yes?"
"Come over in the afternoon to eat chocolate. I got it as a gift from the fifth Imperial Princess."
Enrique's cheeks turned red as he nodded his cute head.
After we each got in our design carriage, I gently waved my hand and Enrique, who had his face close to the window, waved me back.â½â â½â à¬â (â â Ëâ áµâ Ëâ â )â à¬â â¾â â¾
And the carriage set off towards the Academy.
The Seymour carriage crossed the private road, made especially for the high nobility, and stopped in front of the main building, and as I got off, I got to witness the miracle of the crowd splitting from in two, like the Red Sea, as I did before.
Just like the first time I arrived at the Academy, everyone quickly looked away when they met my eyes, but the moment I looked away I could feel their intense stare from behind.
'For some reason, they seem to be more interested in me than before. No! Rather than being more interested, it feels like they were avoiding me like I committed something terrible.'
And I soon found out why.
~Congratulations to Princess Deborah, the top student at the Academy. From the Epsilon members~
'That is the reason, it must be because of that banner and I think I know who did it.'
The fifth Princess excessive favoritism was quite burdensome, it made me feel nauseated sometimes, but Margaret let out a surprised scream
"It is exactly like my father said."
"... What did he say?"
"He said that your ladyship is a humble person that has not yet revealed your true abilities to everyone, and that you will soon bloom in the most splendid way in the social world."
'The aide has such a high opinion of me?
It is surprising, but it doesn't feel bad at all.'
"It is an honor to be able to serve such a magnificent person."
She bowed towards me with a moved expression.
'I need to think more positively. After all it is because of the fifth Princess favor, that I was able to look like a very competent person to my new maid.
And there is no reason to hide that I am the top student when it is something to brag about.'
The problem is that I don't like to receive attention, but in the end everything is alright, because this face doesn't show any sign of being nervous.
'It feels like I keep improving my self-justifications. Or is it just a feeling?'
I rubbed my eyes, feeling tired already and it was only the first day of the new semester.
...
After the start of the new semester a big tea party was held at the Omicron frat house. The tea party was hosted and held by Emmanuelle Serig, the second daughter of Duke Serig and the leader of the Omicron sorority.
Since it was a lavish tea party, the atmosphere was good and laughter was heard from the beginning, followed by admiration for the scent of the tea and compliments about Princess Emmanuelle's competence.
The Serig family was faimos for their wealth and power. They frequently produced empresses candidates and were also part of the Senate.
From teacups to small teaspoons, there was nothing that wasn't luxurious, because everything was prepared under the strict supervision of Princess Emmanuelle.
The young ladies were sitting at the long table and exchanged stories about their lives and recent trends, as the atmosphere improved, the topic of conversation was getting more and more bolder.
"Did you hear the news? Princess Deborah is the top student of the Academy."
Everyone present was unsatisfied about the news.
Emmanuelle Serig put her teacup down gently.
"The tea was brewed a little strong this time."
She said while frowning, a young lady quickly read the room and opened her mouth.
"The mages acknowledged that Princess Deborah is the top student of the magic department, but I can't understand why she is the top student of the Academy."
"Exactly! Her thesis can't be used in other fields, and she also hasn't engaged in any external activities like Lady Mia for example."
"Lady Mia. I heard the Bishop acknowledged your divine power?"
"I-It's nothing to brag about."
"I don't think excessive humility is good at times."
Emmanuelle said.
"You should also think about how the lady who praised you is feeling."
"Ah, yes you're right... I'm sorry."
Although Mia had an appearance that aroused a protective instinct from men, such a poor appearance was not very helpful in this place, ruled by women. Because no one was going to stand up for her.
They accepted her because she was the savior of the Montez family and because of the rumors that she was greatly valued by the temple. But the noble ladies thought that it was inappropriate for Mia Vinoche to be among the good families.
"Did the mages genuinely acknowledge Princess Deborah's work?"
Princess Emmanuelle, who was sipping her tea in an impeccable elegant manner, asked.
"... A mage that I know said that the formula isn't that great because it is only of use to battle wizards."
"Princess Deborah is of Seymour blood and the daughter of the Lord of the Wizard Association, so there is no doubt that the mages have elevated her capabilities."
"No wonder. She is, after all, the only daughter of the Lord of the Association. Do the mages under him have any other choice?"
Emmanuelle said.
The young ladies understood Emmanuelle's insinuation and quickly agreed with her.
"Hmm... So that is how it really is."
Emmanuelle, put a spoonful of sugar in the bitter tea and murmured something under her breath, and then opened her mouth again.
"The result is disappointing. It would be nice if we could set up a certain criteria for evaluation."
"It is indeed disappointing. Personality and sophistication should also be considered in the evaluation."
"Princess Deborah's personality is really... God."
In that moment, Mia's hand trembled a little spilling a bit of the hot tea.
Emmanuelle looked at her with a strange look in her eyes and then clicked her tongue.
"Ah...Lady Mia must feel uncomfortable because we keep talking about Princess Deborah."
Mia's shoulders slumped down weakly.
"Is it true that the Princess Deborah harassed you last semester Lady Mia? I heard that you even bled."
Mia didn't say anything and just looked down.
"Oh my!"
Emmanuelle picked up her teacup, while muttering in pity.
Everyone agreed in unison, and started to talk about how awfully Princess Deborah's personality was.
'This is so uncomfortable.'
Even though Emmanuelle managed to make the club members opinion about Princess Deborah even worse, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
Princess Deborah was not even considered a person needed to keep in check in the first place, it was very unpleasant that she had to resort to this.
'The Seymour's ruffian, full of vanity with no dignity at all.'
As the person who used to be looked down at and laughed at by everyone, became the topic of admiration and discussion, among the people, it began to sting and irritate her like a thorn.
'Things have been a little strange since the Flower Festival.'
At some point, rather than laughing at and ignoring Princess Deborah, the ladies began to be very jealous of her.
Emmanuelle once hinted that forcing a dress code on a partner was something unsophisticated, but no one listened to her.
Most of the ladies were firmly determined to match outfits with their partners, like Princess Deborah, at the next ball.
'I can't believe that such a frivolous look is considered fashionable.'
Emmanuelle frowned.
She wanted a strict noblewoman to come forward and criticize her and stop Princess Deborah's eccentricity, but most of them were just watching from the side, probably because they were reluctant to engage in a fight with a bad-tempered Princess.
After that Princess Deborah entered Epsilon with the support of the fifth Princess and even became the top of the Academy, climbing to a position that she couldn't ignore anymore.
Emmanuelle and Deborah were both Princesses from the most prestigious families in the Empire, and their status was similar.
They were even the same age and were about to make their debut at the same time, so Emmanuelle was even more irritated.
She bit the inside of her mouth tightly, in frustration, and then released it.
.......................