Chapter 4

Red, blue, and green—ribbons of various colors lined up.

Since the only accessory allowed in the school was a hair ornament, choosing a ribbon every morning was an important ritual.

Comparing it with her neatly rolled pigtails, Sandra picked up a navy blue ribbon with gold embroidery.

"Oh, Miss Sandra, what a beautiful ribbon!"

Pointed out by a perceptive classmate, Sandra proudly stroked her golden hair adorned with the ribbon. Today, Sandra had a braid on top and a three-strand braid tied with the ribbon at the back.

"Yes, isn't it beautiful? It's made from fabric woven in Talityni. The luster is amazing, and the embroidery thread really stands out."

"Talityni fabric! I've heard it's of very high quality. It's hard to get these days, isn't it?"

Asked by another classmate, Sandra's smile deepened.

"Yes, my father's trading company has started handling it. We're setting up the distribution channels, so I think everyone will be able to get it soon."

"Oh, I'm looking forward to it."

"I'm also having a dress made. I'm rushing to finish it in time for the next Countess Tylger's garden party."

"You've been invited to Countess Tylger's garden party!"

"How envious."

The Tylger family, like Sandra's own family, the Viscount Aldini, was a noble family that had succeeded in business. The countess was actively involved in women's businesses, and the accessories she produced were the envy of the young ladies.

As they chatted excitedly, one of the young ladies raised her hand to ask Sandra a question when a light sound was heard.

Looking in the direction of the sound, a fluffy pink-blonde head was visible.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Ouch..."

The hand raised by the young lady had apparently hit the hand of Aini, the novice saint, who was coming from behind.

Holding her hand and looking down, Aini was approached by a familiar red-haired young man.

"Are you okay, Aini!?"

It was none other than Orva Makelainen, Sandra's fiancé.

"Did you get hurt? Does it hurt?"

"Lord Orva... I'm fine."

She repeated.

Holding the novice saint's shoulder and looking at her with concern, the man was Sandra's fiancé, Orva Makelainen.

"Hmm... Exaggerated. If you're fine, stop looking down and leave already."

Waving her hand in annoyance, Sandra's gaze met Orva's. However, the emotion in his eyes was far from that of a fiancé.

"How can you say that when you've hurt Aini!"

"It's an exaggeration... It just turned a little red, that's all."

In fact, the young lady had only raised her hand lightly, and it had hit the back of Aini's hand, so there was no way it could have caused any real injury. Sandra would not have said anything about an injury.

"Is that what the perpetrator says! Not even an apology, is it intentional!?"

"Shouting in the hallway. I did apologize. Right?"

Actually, the one who should be called the perpetrator was not Sandra but another young lady, yet Orva angrily accused Sandra. Ignoring this, Sandra turned to the young lady who had raised her hand for confirmation.

"Yes... I did apologize."

"Hmph, you're probably in cahoots. Talking about accessories in the hallway, what are you even here for? Come on, Aini. We should go to the infirmary."

At Orva's harsh words, Sandra's lips twitched.

She had no intention of letting him get away with it.

If she was wronged, she would return the favor with interest. That was Sandra's policy.

"By the way, I heard the servants of the Makelainen family complain that you spend all day from morning till night practicing with swords? They say that with your graduation this year, you won't be able to manage the estate."

"Wha...!"

Orva's family, the Viscount Makelainen, had a long history, and generations of them had been knights. However, as landowners, Orva, as the eldest son, would eventually inherit the estate.

Orva had been focused on swordsmanship since he was young and showed no interest in anything else.

That's why the socially adept and shrewd Sandra became his fiancée.

"Moreover, it's improper to embrace another woman in public, let alone in front of your fiancée... The Viscountess Makelainen would be greatly surprised if she knew. She doesn't tolerate unfaithful men."

When the Viscountess Makelainen, Orva's mother, found out that her husband had a mistress, she had been furious. Implied by this, Orva's face turned red and then pale.

Unable to retort, Orva was left speechless, and Sandra turned her attention to Aini.

"How many times do I have to tell you? A young lady with a fiancé should not touch or be touched by men, it's improper."

"But... Lord Orva was just worried about me, and you call that improper..."

With tears in her large hazel eyes, Aini tried to defend herself, but Sandra looked down at her coldly and emotionlessly.

Sandra hated this novice saint.

She knew that a saint was a high-ranking figure in the church, equivalent to a high noble.

It wasn't because of her background or upbringing.

It was because this woman was always 'rude,' 'poor,' and 'unimproved.'

Aini had transferred to the royal academy six months ago.

Despite having received education from the Marquis Mericant's family for the previous six months, she turned out to be a rude and unrefined child.

Thinking her education was incomplete, Sandra had tried to correct her obvious misbehavior, but there was no improvement.

Worse, she clung to the sons of high nobles, especially those with fiancées, and acted as if she were the center of the school.

This was unacceptable.

The queen of this school was only Princess Serafina, the fiancée of the crown prince.

Yet, this rude girl had even approached the crown prince in a familiar manner.

Unthinkable. A disgrace. Unclean.

"That's right! We did nothing wrong! That's why I hate the noble society. They always look at things in a twisted way. In contrast, Aini is pure and refreshing."

And this was the attitude of her own fiancé.

It was impossible for Sandra not to be frustrated.

"Hmph. Do as you please. But fulfill your duties as a fiancé. Remember the Countess Tylger's garden party this weekend?"

It was recommended to attend with a fiancé, and Orva was graduating this year. It would be good to make a good impression.

Frowning at Sandra's sneer, Orva said, "I understand," and really took Aini to the infirmary. What would the infirmary doctor do with that hand?

"I'm sorry, it's all because I raised my hand..."

Watching Orva and Aini leave, the young lady who had bumped into Aini apologized.

"Don't worry about it. It's strange to make a big fuss over such a minor bump."

Sandra's words were echoed by the other young ladies.

"Really, there's no injury, yet he made such a fuss."

"Besides... It's hard to say in front of Miss Sandra, but Lord Orva's behavior is inappropriate."

"Well... Saints are rare. He's a man of chivalry, so he's probably carried away. He'll calm down before graduation."

Even from the outside, it was clear that Orva's behavior was strange, but that was the trouble with being a fiancé.

"Miss Sandra is so generous."

If push came to shove, Sandra could easily talk down someone like Orva, and the Viscount Makelainen family was already under her control.

Sandra had something more pressing on her mind.

"More importantly, it's about Princess Serafina. I can't believe she's allowing that girl to get close to Prince Eirik!"

Unlike Orva, who was close to graduation, both Serafina and Eirik were second-year students. They would be in the same school as that novice saint for over a year more. Was she not planning to change the current situation?

The church and the royal family were not in direct conflict, but the church existed as a separate organization from the nobles who followed the royal family.

Some pro-church nobles were even suggesting that this was an opportunity for the royal family and the church to become closer, completely carried away by the appearance of a new saint after a long time.

However, it seemed that this might actually happen.

"Isn't that a bit disrespectful, Miss Sandra..."

The other young ladies, uncomfortable with Sandra's criticism of Serafina, tried to reprimand her, but Sandra wouldn't stop.

"No. Princess Serafina should assert her presence more as the future queen! She bears the name of a prestigious marquis family, so it's her duty."

There could be no one else but Serafina as the future queen.

That rude girl should be reprimanded by Serafina herself.

It was her mission.

Sandra, a fighting ethnic group with a 360-degree combat style, is still ready to fight!

And thank you for reaching 1000 bookmarks!! ( ;∀;)

I was worried if it would be accepted because the romance is light, but I'm glad it was!