chapter 22

The senior section separates classes into their respective years, but there is also a class containing students from various levels . This was the class Lilia is a part of, a class for upper nobles . The school equipment and furnishings were the same for even commoners, and it was only the class that is segregated from the rest . Since there would be no end to trouble if they were to be put with everyone else .

Entering the classroom, Lilia went straight to her seat . The seats were spaced in six columns and five rows . Lilia’s seat was front row . Probably because it was so early, there were only a few people . Unapproached by anyone, she managed to sit down at her desk .

—Lilia . You gonna be okay?

—What is it?

—Well… the seat beside you .

Having it pointed out by Sakura, Lilia remembered something she had forgotten about until now . Looking at the seat to her right . The Prince’s seat .

—Definitely not alright .

—Ain’t that the truth . What’re you gonna do?

—Yeah, let’s see…

There’s no helping that the Prince was in the same class . That was just how school was, so she could make do . But having an adjacent seat was a different story . Lilia shot up from her seat, and turned her gaze towards the window .

Three students were having a friendly chat . They were all people Lilia recognised, but the red haired character in the middle was especially familiar .

Krystel Agnis . The eldest daughter of the Marquis Agnis, she was referred to as Kris . It couldn’t be said that she particularly got along with Lilia . Rather, you could even say that they were enemies, but at the moment she was the lesser of two evils . Lilia quietly walked towards Kris .

“Oh?”

Kris soon noticed as well . Floating a mean-spirited smile, she gazed at Lilia . Lilia hated this smile .

“Morning, Kris . A bit of your time?”

“My my, good morning, Miss Lilianne . What may I help you with?”

Her speech was polite, but the ridicule hanging on to every word was thoroughly conveyed . Absolutely unpleasant .

“I’d just like to ask for a small favour . ”

“A favour is it? If it is something within my capabilities, by all means . In the Duke’s name, do bestow upon myself your commands . ”

It was a thoroughly irritating way of speaking . But if she rose up to her provocation, the conversation will never get anywhere . Lilia ignored all the goading and continued to speak .

“Our seats, would you be willing to switch with me?”

Kris’s eyes went wide with surprise . That was to be expected, as Lilia’s seat, the seat beside the prince, was something Lilia had half threatened her way into obtaining . Everyone, the prince included, knew about this .

“I had heard that something happened between you and His Highness but… Seriously?”

In her astonishment Kris’s speech returned to her normal tone . Lilia nodded .

“That’s right . If nothing else I definitely don’t want to have the adjacent seat . You had said that you’d wanted to be beside His Highness before so, it’s not a bad deal is it?”

“That, it is not but… What are you scheming?”

She glared at Lilia with open hostility . Lilia shrugged, signalling ‘nothing at all’, and responded .

“You see, I’m already through with His Highness . ”

“That so… Then even if you want switch back later, it ain’t happening alright?”

“I won’t . I will swear so on the Aldis name . ”

Even so, Kris looked at Lilia with suspicion, but quickly turned it into a broad smile . She quickly gathered the belongings on her desk . What’s more just for the occasion, albeit simple, she even gave it a quick cleaning .

“Well then, here you are Mistress Lilianne . From now on this seat is yours . ”

“Th-thanks… I didn’t think you’d go that far . I haven’t cleaned mine at all though…”

“I don’t mind . Well then I’ll be off . Ufufu…”

Leaving behind her followers, she headed towards the place that used to be Lilia’s seat . After that, the two followers hurriedly went after her . Somewhat understanding what Kris must be feeling, Lilia made a bitter smile, and sat down in the vacated seat .

—With this I can rest easy . Ahh, but if possible I’d like to be further back…

—Quite rare for the attention seeker Lilia huh .

—That was only because I wanted to attract the attention of his highness . Now though, I don’t really care anymore .

After a little while, the rest of the students had arrived . Negotiating with the student in the seat behind her, she exchanged seats with them . That was repeated three times, and Lilia finally acquired the window seat in the last row . If it’s here, she shouldn’t stand out .

—That was some good negotiating if I do say so myself .

—No, here’s the thing Lilia . That was because you were basically coercing them you know . Lilia’s requests, to most people, would be taken as an order . I’ll overlook it for today, but please try to restrain yourself in the future .

—I was just trying to normally ask for a favour though… I understand… .

She had really just been trying to ask for a normal favour, but it seems like the other parties felt like they were being commanded . It’s no wonder that all of them had fear in their eyes . It was the first time she ended up feeling that the Aldis name was a hinderance .

Sitting in her chair, as she took a breath,

“Miss Lilianne!”

A familiar voice reached her ears . Lilia’s expression stiffened slightly . Following the voice, three female students came into the classroom . They were walking straight towards Lilia .

“Miss Lilianne, so you had already arrived . We were very worried!”

One of the three said, and the other two nodded repeatedly .

“Sorry . I’m alright now . ”

“Ahh, that’s great! What a relief . By the way… Why might you be sitting in the corner of the class like this? Don’t tell me, Miss Krystel has…?”

The girls’ eyes narrowed . Seeing that, Lilia openly heaved a sigh . Lilia also understood the feelings of the girls very well, but the current her who wanted to stay out of anything troublesome felt a slight annoyance at this . The three who noticed Lilia’s sigh were visibly flustered .

“Uh, umm… Miss Lilianne…?”

“It’s nothing . It was I who desired this seat . You must have heard about the rumours between me and His Highness?”

“Well, yes… They seemed like baseless rumours so I hadn’t paid them any mind though . ”

“They’re the truth . From now on, I will do my utmost to avoid being involved with His Highness so please also act accordingly . ”

The three’s eyes widened in astonishment together . That was probably to be expected, though . The Lilia before she shut herself away would try to be by the prince as much as possible after all . It wouldn’t be strange if they said that they couldn’t believe it .

“Miss Lilianne!”

The girl who was speaking raised a loud voice . Lilia reflexively raised her guard at the suddenness of it .

“What?”

“Please don’t feel down! If it’s Miss Lilianne then you can definitely take back His Highness’s heart!”