Chapter 21

As she thought more and more about it, and the more the fear in the eyes directed at her intensified, the frustration in Mary's chest grew, as she tried not to let it show.

Indeed, she was an odd one, and her unusual behavior might have been unbecoming of a noble. However, she never wielded her power recklessly like other students, nor did she ever cause any trouble for the school.

She never thought of firing employees over trivial matters like bumping shoulders or crossing in front without a greeting.

If she was being capricious, it was only in adding a donburi dish to the cafeteria menu. Of course, even that was done with the approval of her father, who was planning to expand the business, and the headmaster, the cafeteria manager, and all the staff.

As a result, she enjoyed a fulfilling cafeteria life, but it took a lot of effort to get everyone on board. ...Well, she did try to add croquettes to the menu at the same time, but she was better than the students who brought in their own chefs without permission and took over the kitchen.

Another notable oddity was her cycling to school. She was careful to ride safely and courteously, so she wasn't causing any trouble to anyone.

"I haven't done anything praiseworthy, but I haven't done anything blameworthy either."

This was Mary's current self-assessment.

Of course, she had no reason to be condemned, and she had never taken a stance that would make her feared. Besides, it was all a false accusation.

...Ah, what a hassle. Should I just crush them for real?

She could act as the "villainous lady Mary" they were condemning, use her parents' power to bully and harass, and then kick them down.

—If the goal was to fall, she would have to lose as a result of being condemned, but Mary Albert's pride wouldn't allow her to lose in this situation—

That's why a simmering anger, almost like hostility, was rising in her heart.

Their families were indeed prestigious, but not as large as the Alberts or the Dice family. If Mary told her family about this, the Alberts would see it as an insult to their daughter and move to crush their family.

What would happen then is obvious.

After all, they would have offended the Albert family, and most would cut ties with their son to protect their clan and honor. Don't call it cruel, but sometimes nobles must choose their position over their feelings.

Conversely, because she understood this, she could crush them.

Even if there were parents willing to share the blame with their son, she would let them fall together. While she wouldn't say the son's sin is the parent's sin, if they wanted to fall together, their will should be respected.

As for the employees of that family, she could provide them with new opportunities. No, she could use the same opportunities she had prepared for the Albert family's downfall.

"Actually, it's quite a simple matter," Mary said with a small laugh.

Naturally, everyone shuddered at her smile and waited for her next words with a prayerful look.

But Mary had no intention of responding to those gazes, nor of retracting her earlier death sentence.

Instead, she sighed as if she couldn't be bothered with the farce and bowed politely, ready to leave.

"I believe our conversation is over. I'll take my leave now."

"Wait... We are..."

"Oh, is there something else you want to say?"

As Mary started to walk away, the student council members called out to her.

There was no trace of the charisma and authority they had just a few minutes ago. Their voices trembled, and they fell silent when Mary stopped and looked at them.

Faced with the wrath of the Albert family, the student council members of Carelia Academy were reduced to mere students. Given the overwhelming power difference and the fact that Mary was innocent, it was almost commendable that they could stand there, pale as they were.

Seeing this, Mary sighed, feeling no sympathy or desire to help them. Her sigh, filled with disgust, was neither ladylike nor odd.

"I've had a very enjoyable conversation and I'm quite satisfied. What else do you have to say?"

They accused her of being ill and plotting behind the scenes.

They claimed that Adi, who brought flowers and tea every day after school, was the real culprit. Their shallow reasoning made her want to laugh.

Moreover, they said that the one they bullied was Alicia, whom Adi brought flowers and tea to every day.

How shallow, how off the mark.

How could this not be humiliating?

Mary stated this matter-of-factly and bowed again, saying, "I'll take my leave now."

It was a clear warning not to stop her again. The student council members, recognizing that there was no room for pleading, paled even more.

This was a death sentence for them. At the very least, the "Carelia Academy Student Council" would end today.

Moreover, as they watched Mary's dignified demeanor, the word "false accusation" began to float in their minds. No, it was now almost a certainty.

That's why they couldn't say anything.

The onlookers were the same, their faces pale, and some even turned away as if to pretend they weren't there.

The air was deathly silent, and a chill different from the temperature enveloped the surroundings.

Mary laughed as if to say she couldn't stand the heavy atmosphere and started to walk away...

*Clap!*

Adi clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Bravo, Miss Mary Albert! Excellent!"

Mary stopped, her eyes wide.

...

...The cold atmosphere turned into something indescribable.

"Adi, you've just ruined the cold atmosphere. What are you going to do? Everyone is frozen in place."

"Miss, you're still recovering. You shouldn't be exposed to the cold air; it might bring back your fever."

"...Yes, you're right. I feel quite cold."

"Let's go to the cafeteria and have something warm. The cafeteria lady was worried about 'the donburi girl' and will be happy to see you."

"Wait, what did you just say?!"

The cold atmosphere was gone.

In an instant, Mary was back to her usual odd self. Everyone watched the exchange, feeling overwhelmed.

...And then, Patrick, who had always been calm and never showed his emotions, laughed as if he couldn't stand it anymore. His youthful laughter, combined with his usual cold, beautiful demeanor, shocked everyone even more.

"Mary, you really are something."

"What are you laughing about? Dragging a recovering woman into this farce is incredibly rude."

"That's right, Lord Patrick is terrible! Making Miss Mary do this!"

"Alicia, it's nice of you to stick up for me, but showing such a puffed-up face just makes you look more provincial."

"But, Miss Mary is suffering from 'Chinets' and has only just returned to school, and yet she's being treated like this!"

"Adi, you've been spreading this around the school, haven't you? You should be the one punished the most!"

"Come on, Miss, let's go to the cafeteria! We'll be late for homeroom!"

"How can we have homeroom in this situation?!"

Adi walked away quickly, and Mary followed, grumbling.

But when she caught up, she just glared at him, saying, "This way, I can't even rest properly." Her lack of any intention to punish him was typical of the usual Mary, but it lacked the dignity of the Albert lady.

Everyone was stunned by her sudden change, and Patrick, who knew the situation, chuckled and called out to her.

"Mary, I'm sorry. I had to prove something."

"Prove? What can you prove with such a farce? It's obvious."

"I'm glad you said that. There are so many people who misunderstand you, and some even say I've given up on you and broken our engagement. I had to prove it."

Glancing at the still-stiff student council members, Patrick approached Mary.

He stood in front of her and gently stroked her silver hair with his slender, beautiful hand.

Mary thought his hand was beautiful. It was slender and supple, both masculine and elegant. She had lost count of how many times she had taken his hand and returned the gesture.

His hand gently stroked her hair, but her heart rate remained steady. She didn't feel any excitement or joy from the touch.

—If anything, she was worried her hairstyle might be messed up, but she immediately dismissed the thought, knowing her super-alloy drill wouldn't be ruined by something so trivial—

As she looked back at him, Patrick's deep eyes narrowed gently, and he slowly opened his mouth, as if savoring the moment.

"If you hadn't met Alicia, you would have been the perfect wife for me."

"Thank you for the highest compliment. It's nice to know you have enough sense to realize the size of the fish you've lost."

Mary laughed happily in response to Patrick's words, which didn't sound like a compliment at all.

Of course, the onlookers were stunned and couldn't follow the exchange, but Alicia and Adi, who knew the relationship between them, exchanged a wry smile.

Mary started to walk away again.

Her parting words, "Let's meet during lunch," were, of course, a demand for an apology.

"Come apologize during lunch, and I'll forgive you."

This twisted generosity was hard to understand, and Adi and Alicia exchanged a shrug, while Patrick nodded with a wry smile.