Chapter 7

After that, the class started, so Cecilia focused on the lesson. Much of the content was similar to what she had learned in her previous life, and Adele’s memories were helpful. The class proceeded smoothly, and even during the break, self-proclaimed friends Cynthia and Isabella did not approach her. While it was fine that they didn’t, the other classmates only observed Cecilia from a distance. Cecilia secretly sighed, wondering if she had made a mistake by confronting the two self-proclaimed friends directly. She had wanted to hear the rest of the classmates' conversation about Adele, but now it was difficult to approach them. However, she would be seeing her classmates regularly, so she told herself it would be better to gradually become friends with them. It was better to take her time rather than rush and risk being shunned. By tomorrow, today’s impression would likely fade a bit.

When all the classes ended, Cecilia left the school without lingering. It was disappointing that the classmates' conversation had been cut off, but there had been the significant event of meeting her step-brother Elvis from her previous life. She wanted to write down her impressions while they were still fresh.

"Cecilia-sama! Please help! Helena-sama...!"

However, just as she was about to return to her room, she was grabbed by a maid who had run up to her. Her face involuntarily tensed at the mention of Helena’s name, but Cecilia stopped. Cecilia lived in a small mansion within the Prince’s palace. Although she rarely saw Helena, she was occasionally summoned like this. It didn’t seem that Helena had called her directly today, but Cecilia was led to her by the maid.

"…What happened?"

"Well… a new maid displeased Helena-sama…."

As if to confirm the maid’s words, as they approached the room where Helena was, they could hear shouting.

"Can’t you tell the difference between a commoner and a noble!? Am I, the Crown Princess, the same as a lowly commoner? A useless head like yours isn’t needed! Cut off this person’s head and be done with it!"

Helena’s enraged cries echoed. Cecilia stopped and looked at the maid who had led her there. The maid looked at Cecilia curiously.

"A… Are you not going into the room? If you don’t hurry, that girl will…."

"What did the new maid say?"

"E… Erm… Helena-sama is from a baron’s family… and the new maid is from a viscount’s family…."

"Did she say that a baron’s family is as lowly as a commoner?"

When Cecilia asked clearly, the maid gasped. It seemed she had hit the nail on the head.

"B… But, of course, she didn’t say it directly. She tried to say it quietly so that no one would hear…."

"So, she was whispering behind Helena-sama’s back, thinking no one would hear, but she was actually heard, right?"

"That… That’s…."

Cecilia sighed as she looked at the maid who was now looking down. The maid was clearly not well-mannered. It was unacceptable to speak ill of one’s master, and even if she thought no one would hear, she had been heard. Her carelessness suggested that she underestimated the situation, thinking it wouldn’t matter if she was heard. It seemed that Helena did not command the respect of her maids.

"Ridiculous… I’m going back. I have things to do."

In any case, it was none of Cecilia’s business. She turned to leave.

"W… Wait! If Cecilia-sama enters the room, Helena-sama’s attention will be on you! Just that much will do!"

"…So, you want me to take the abuse in her place? Why should I?"

The maid stood there, stunned, as if she hadn’t expected Cecilia to refuse. She seemed surprised that Cecilia, who had always complied in similar situations, was now resisting. If she entered the room, she would be thoroughly scolded by Helena. That was out of the question.

"Speaking ill of someone behind their back is the maid’s own fault. Moreover, she doesn’t seem to have proper knowledge. She’s not fit to be a maid."

Cecilia dismissed the maid coldly, who looked shocked. In Cecilia’s opinion, Helena’s anger was not unfounded. Even if a baron’s family was low in the noble hierarchy, it was still a noble family with a proper title, different from commoners. Especially the Ruarl baron’s family, where Helena came from, had a long and distinguished history, existing since the founding of the country, despite its low rank. If Helena’s background was deemed unsuitable for a Crown Princess, that might be true, but saying she was the same as a commoner was clearly wrong.

"…Tell her that you believe the merciful Crown Princess will give even a thoughtless person a chance to reform. If you’re lucky, you might only get a whipping or exile."

Leaving this advice, Cecilia turned and left the scene.

"I am the Crown Princess! I am the second-highest ranked woman in this country! You and I are different! Show some respect!"

Helena’s shouts could still be heard from the room behind her. As Cecilia quickened her pace to get away, a complex mix of contempt and pity welled up inside her. Helena, who used to talk about equality and the shallowness of flaunting one’s status, had clearly changed her stance. But perhaps, without an heir and with her true love broken, Helena had nothing left to cling to but her status.

Cecilia had no intention of sympathizing with Helena, but she felt a stirring in her heart. Biting her lip, she hurried to a place where she could no longer hear Helena’s voice.