Chapter 3

Yesterday was the best day ever.

I protected Isabel, my beloved, from the villainous noble girl who only had her status to boast about, with the help of His Highness and Professor Alternar!

"Thank you so much. Now I can attend the academy with peace of mind."

Isabel looked at me with teary eyes... Ah, I was so happy.

The academy I attend is an elite school for the children of nobles, a place where a commoner like me shouldn't be.

But my father founded the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce and pushed it to the top of the kingdom in just a few years. Now, he has more power than a mediocre baron. That's why my brother and I were allowed to enroll in the academy.

However, it was difficult for me, a commoner, to fit in among all the nobles.

Only Isabel always smiled and talked to me, and it made me so happy.

Actually, I found out that Isabel, the daughter of Baron Mariana's mistress, had lived a poor life with her mother as a commoner until a few years ago when the baron, who couldn't have children with his wife, took her in. When I imagined the thoughts hidden behind her smile, I wanted to embrace her.

Isabel is also trying her best, and thinking that gave me the strength to do the same.

By distributing samples from the chamber of commerce to my classmates, I made friends and also promoted the business.

Being able to navigate so well among the nobles as a commoner, it's all thanks to Isabel.

The day after the dance party, which became a special day for me and Isabel, when I went to the academy, something was different.

"Good morning."

No one responded when I greeted them.

"I brought some Rainbow Chamber of Commerce chocolate today."

Usually, my classmates would gather around me for the samples, but today no one came near.

Why? They all saw my brave actions yesterday.

"Hey, don't you like chocolate?"

I went directly to the girl who always came first for the sweets.

"... I've always admired Alice-sama.

I was so sad and angry to see her being unjustly accused yesterday. I can't forgive myself for not being able to do anything.

But, putting up a barrier to keep the teacher out was too cowardly!"

She lashed out at me with incredible force and glared at me, and I was shocked.

Admire Alice? Why? Barrier? What's she talking about? Cowardly? Isabel praised me!

Looking around, I saw that all my classmates were glaring at me, and I was so scared that I ran home.

"Dane, I disown you."

When I got home, my father was waiting for me.

"Father? What's going on?"

My brother, who was clearly angry, answered my puzzled look.

"We heard about what you did yesterday from the guests who came today!

What have you done?!"

"What did I do? I just did what was right! The prince said the same thing."

"Alice-sama would never bully anyone! Everyone except you knows that!

You've made enemies of all the nobles who admire Alice-sama and the Surface family, our biggest client!

Because of you, the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce is in danger of going bankrupt!

There's no choice but to disown you!"

"But I have noble friends too! They'll help me!"

"Friends? You were just giving away Rainbow Chamber of Commerce products for free. That's not friendship."

"But, but, you also gave things away when you were at the academy!"

"I never gave anything away for free. That would only lower the value of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce. I introduced our products to everyone, and they bought what they liked at the regular price."

"But, but, the prince! That's right! The prince will help me!

We toasted together yesterday! A commoner like me, with the prince, Professor Alternar, and the son of Earl Kyle! Isn't that amazing?"

"Dane."

My father, who had been silent until then, called me quietly.

I had a really bad feeling.

"I always thought of you as my dear son. I even tolerated you taking our products without permission and giving them away.

As the second son, I thought you could grow a little at a time by helping your brother and take your time finding a job that suits you better."

Father, why are you using the past tense?

"But yesterday, you called Alice-sama's sense of style terrible, didn't you?"

"U-um, yes."

"The item Alice-sama was wearing was a Rainbow Chamber of Commerce product."

"Huh?"

"Alice-sama has always cherished our products. She's different from the nobles who wear tasteless jewels just because they have money."

Thunderstruck.

I felt like my world went white.

Why didn't you tell me this earlier? If you had, I would have...

"You not only failed to recognize a Rainbow Chamber of Commerce product but also openly criticized it in public. I can't protect you anymore."

My father, who was always kind to me.

For the first time, hearing the deep disappointment in his voice, I trembled at the enormity of what I had done.

Ah, Isabel, the image of Alice you described and the one I'm being confronted with today are completely different.

I could only think about the magnitude of what I had lost. Because I hadn't gained anything at all.