Chapter 2

Berta gently raised her eyes from the book to confirm the dazzling people surrounding her.

After class, in the classroom of Platlev Academy, she was reviewing today’s lessons—no, not revenge—when she was suddenly ambushed by a group of sparkling individuals. She was then taken to the school’s courtyard for a tea party.

The school, being one for the nobility, was vast, and the courtyard was intricately designed. Seasonal flowers bloomed in abundance, and benches and pavilions were scattered throughout for students to rest. Berta was sitting in a pavilion in a corner of the beautiful rose garden, surrounded by blooming flowers and radiant people, facing famous pastries, tea, and juices.

Spread out before her were pastries rich with fruits and nuts, a refreshing juice that seemed to clear the mind, and a comforting warm tea. These were prepared by a noble young lady who had somehow ended up by Berta’s side.

Suddenly appearing before Berta was Margareta Reedholm, the duke’s daughter, who looked good in a wine-red dress. Currently, she was in her school uniform of white and navy, but the wine-red ribbon in her silver hair accentuated her charm. She was smiling, watching the maids prepare the tea. Despite the fact that she should have been seated far away, she was sitting right next to Berta, leaving no space between them. It was strange.

She was a year older than Berta, sixteen, and had started interacting with Berta out of the blue after confirming that Berta was a scholarship student. Though Berta didn’t understand why, she was being treated with great attention. Berta initially thought she was trying to be mean, but after seeing Berta’s study methods—more like her living conditions—Margareta had become quiet and started ensuring that Berta took breaks, organizing tea parties to replenish her energy. Despite her high-handed and arrogant attitude, she doted on Berta, though she couldn’t be honest about it. Over time, she had become extremely sweet and caring towards Berta. Why?

Next to appear was the entourage of the second prince.

First was Benedict Yorm Granfeld, the second prince.

He was Margareta’s fiancé and had apparently become interested because she was recently paying a lot of attention to Berta. With a marshmallow-like smile, he casually sat between Berta and Margareta during the tea party. At that time, there was still some space between them. Margareta froze like a statue at the sudden appearance of the prince. Berta, in a rather disrespectful manner, lifted a chair and sat at a distance from him because he was too close and in the way.

Now, he was sitting opposite Berta and Margareta, smiling at the two of them who were sitting close together. Why?

Following the second prince was his bodyguard, Rennart Lassion.

He was technically a seventeen-year-old student but prioritized his bodyguard duties, carrying a sword with a blue sheath. Despite his quiet appearance, his voice was loud. During their first meeting, he loudly reprimanded Berta for being disrespectful when she moved away from the prince. It felt like his voice could shatter eardrums.

Because of his constant complaints about Berta’s disrespect, she introduced him to a similarly energetic young lady who could match his volume. She thought a more refined young lady would be overwhelmed by his energy. Initially, he turned red and scolded her, saying it was none of her business, but as they interacted more, he became quieter. Eventually, he stopped yelling, but instead, he started looking at Berta with a gaze that seemed to be admiring a pet. Why?

The one who calmed the angry knight with a wry smile was Matthias Rumbek, the second prince’s foster brother and the son of a baron.

With a gentle face and a somewhat weak demeanor, he was the son of the princes’ wet nurse, making him the second prince’s foster brother and eighteen years old, two years older than the second prince. Technically, he was the oldest among them.

A few years ago, a flood in his territory depleted his funds, and he is now a poor baron. The only thing that remained from his once wealthy status was a deep green pendant.

He was always observant of his surroundings but provided reliable advice, making it easy for Berta to converse with him. He also shielded Berta from Rennart’s pet-like gaze, making him very dependable—though he often patted her head as if she were a child, which she couldn’t understand. Why?

And the one who had been quietly observing all of them was Hannes Yefosh, the son of a marquis and rumored to be the next prime minister.

He was supposed to be a candidate for the first prince’s aide, but since the first prince was already an adult and had graduated, the seventeen-year-old Hannes was deepening his friendship with the second prince, who was of the same age and would support his older brother in the future. Berta found his brown, narrow eyes, which always seemed to be observing his surroundings, very suspicious.

Their first meeting was when he intruded on Margareta’s tea party with the second prince, but he stood a step back and only observed suspiciously... Now, he was sitting opposite Margareta, with Berta in between. The distance was too close, not what one would expect from a gentleman. Why?

Before she knew it, the second prince’s entourage had started paying attention to Berta. Why?

Confused by the current situation, Berta pursed her small lips, but Margareta immediately pushed a pastry into her hands. It was a muffin rich with dried fruits and nuts. The sweet aroma made her mouth water, and she couldn’t help but take a bite.

Indeed, the delicacies of the nobility were exceptional, something Berta could never afford. To have them pushed on her so casually was a sign of great kindness. Despite thinking she had no time for a tea party, she couldn’t stop her mouth from moving. She chewed and swallowed.

"How is it? Is it delicious?"

"Yes."

"Hehehehehe."

While chewing, Berta heard Margareta’s satisfied laughter and saw Benedict looking at her with a very affectionate expression. She couldn’t bear it and looked away, only to see Rennart staring at her with flushed cheeks. Feeling uneasy, she shifted her gaze further, seeing Matthias recoiling from Rennart. Despite their different statuses, she felt a sense of relief from Matthias, who seemed like a normal person and shared the commonality of being poor (though the gap was enormous).

Just as she felt relieved, a large hand stretched out from beside her, grabbed her chin, and turned her head.

"Your mouth must be dry. Have this juice."

"Ugh."

Hannes, with his suspicious smile, pushed a glass into Berta’s hands. This time, it was grape juice. She drank it carefully to avoid spilling. It was difficult to drink while her chin was held, and she glared at Hannes, who only smiled suspiciously. Margareta, seeing this, glared at Hannes with a puffed-up expression.

"Hannes, that’s not nice. You shouldn’t force her."

"Oh, I was just trying to be kind... but someone was pushing muffins to dry her mouth."

"Berta likes the pastries from this shop! I wasn’t forcing her! Besides, apples suit Berta better than grapes!"

"Berta likes grapes more. Right, Berta?"

"That’s not true! How could I be wrong about such a thing!"

"Berta likes the grapes I chose, right?"

"Which one do you like, Berta?"

"Both."

"I like Berta more!!"

"Margareta... we’re talking about fruits, right?"

Benedict laughed at their argument, wiping his mouth with a napkin offered by Matthias. Berta couldn’t understand why she was so well-liked. She could tell that Margareta liked her a lot, but why?

Hannes was completely incomprehensible. Everything about him was suspicious.

Berta had only been studying. Even when Margareta dragged her to tea parties, she didn’t let go of her book. When Benedict said something incomprehensible, she didn’t raise her eyes. When Rennart yelled at her for being disrespectful, she didn’t change her attitude. She only shared information about edible plants and herbs with Matthias, a fellow poor person, and tried to avoid getting close to the suspicious Hannes. She didn’t have enough time to deepen her relationships with them; she needed to study to catch up with the others and achieve her goal.

She came to this school to gain power, and she couldn’t be kicked out for not studying.

Even for a tea party with nobles, she couldn’t afford to cut into her study time.

Berta was very serious.

Too serious, to the point where her means and goals had diverged.

This place was where she should have focused on gaining power by flattering and ingratiating herself with the powerful, not just studying.

But Berta had become so focused on her studies that she had neglected everything else.

However, as the number of tea parties with these people reached double digits, Berta finally realized something.

Perhaps the power she sought was right in front of her—Benedict, Margareta, Rennart, and Hannes. They were all within reach.

Matthias, unfortunately, was excluded. He didn’t seem to have the time to help Berta with her revenge.

It took a while, but Berta finally realized that her goal might be more achievable than she thought.

"Berta, is something wrong?"

Benedict noticed that Berta had stopped chewing and called out to her.

The fluent banter between Margareta and Hannes had become part of the daily routine, and Matthias had given up on trying to calm them down. He elbowed Rennart, who was staring at Berta with flushed cheeks, but the elbow hit Rennart’s muscle instead.

Berta watched their interaction and thought.

In the past six months, these people who had been by her side for no apparent reason... perhaps they could help her achieve her goal. Since they seemed to like her, maybe she could ask for their help.

Such a sweet thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

No matter how sweet and kind they were, Berta didn’t understand why they liked her.

She didn’t know why they were so kind to her.

This meant she couldn’t maintain this relationship. It could end at any time.

So, it wasn’t the right time. She couldn’t ask for their help.

Because what Berta wanted was something very significant to them, even if it was normal for them.

The more she studied, the more she realized how many obstacles lay in her path to achieving her goal.

With this conclusion, Berta shook her head from side to side. Rennart, seeing this, clutched his chest and knelt down, but no one was worried.

"Nothing, Your Highness."

"Okay? If you’re fine, that’s good..."

The marshmallow-like second prince smiled and beckoned Berta to come closer. After a moment of hesitation, she stood up and slowly approached Benedict. Her cautious approach was like that of a wary kitten, and Rennart, who had been kneeling, finally collapsed. No one paid attention.

Benedict smiled at the approaching Berta and gently patted her head.

"If you have any problems, tell me right away."

"...Yes, Your Highness."

As Benedict repeatedly patted her head, Berta vaguely understood her position.

A pet.

Not just Rennart, but even Benedict thought of her as a pet. Probably.

If that was the case, maybe she could have done something. Maybe she should have spoken up. Now, she was regretting it.

She should have said something.

"Long time no see, Berta."

Before she was taken by this man, she should have said something.

Please lend me your power.

The sudden development...