Chapter 2

I will be attending Saint Marcus Academy from today.

An open academy with the motto "Commoners and nobles learn together and soar together."

The founder, Lord Marcus, was a meritocrat who believed, "The future of the country should be built on ability, not status," a truly wonderful philosophy.

Well, after getting off the carriage at the carriage stop in front of the grand entrance gate where "Learn together, soar together" is inscribed, my older sister said, "Well, I'll be off," and left.

Eh?

Since it's my first time here, I don't know where anything is.

But, well, there's nothing I can do about it.

I looked for the reception desk, gave my name, and received the documents and textbooks. Many people had their attendants receive them, but I can do it on my own, so it's fine!

The students entering the gate one after another are all wearing the same uniform. But even I, who am a bit scatterbrained, can somehow tell if they are nobles or commoners.

Scatterbrained is a catchphrase of my mother's, and she often says, "Marianne's scatterbrainedness is a trait she inherited from me."

Eh? The difference between nobles and commoners?

Is it their posture? Their aura?

Hmm. I can't explain it well, but a scatterbrain like me can tell.

While flipping through the papers I received at the reception, wondering where my classroom is,

"Can't find your classroom? You must be a new student, right?"

A man called out to me.

His black hair was short except for his bangs, which were a bit longer and fell over his forehead.

His equally black, intelligent eyes were sharp and cool.

(Wow. So beautiful!)

I was so captivated that I gaped, and the man who called out to me smiled and asked, "Are you in the general course?"

"No, unfortunately, I'm in the academic course!"

When I replied, the handsome man looked a bit surprised.

A boy with light brown hair standing next to the black-haired man smiled and spoke to him.

"Haha, you made a mistake. Sorry, cute lady, may I ask your name? I'm Daryl. This guy who got your course wrong is Alex."

"I'm Marianne. Marianne de Landfuria. Nice to meet you."

I did a small curtsy, holding the hem of my skirt and stepping back with my left foot. It wobbled a bit, but I think it was passable.

"Landfuria... as in Catarina's... Sorry. I'm Alexandre de Romagne. I look forward to working with you."

Romagne...

As in the Romagne Kingdom? The royal family? Oh no.

Alexandre, as in the second prince?

Wow, I've never seen a real prince before!

Wow, he's so shiny!

"Hehe. Your thoughts are all leaking out."

The brown-haired guy (I forgot his name) laughed heartily.

"Miss Marianne, the first-year academic course is to the right at the end of the main hall. Be careful not to be late."

Prompted by Prince Alexandre, I bowed deeply and hurried away.

I can somehow tell if someone is a noble or a commoner, but apparently, I looked like a commoner.

Well, can't be helped.

I take after my mother, who is a poor baroness, more than my father, who is a viscount.

When I glanced back, the two of them were still in the same spot, and when our eyes met, they both smiled and waved at me.

I waved back, but wait, could this be disrespectful to the royal family?

Well, I won't be killed, right?

While thinking this and looking ahead, I saw my older sister looking down from the second-floor corridor.

(Sister~) I waved, but she turned her gaze away.

She's still the same, my sister.

Just as Misha said, she's the Ice Princess.