He’d just finished speaking when another voice came from behind. “I wouldn’t have expected anything less of you, Lady Yulnova. You’re always seeking novelty.”
It was a low, husky, feminine voice, more mature than that of most students. The first word that came to mind wasn’t all that common. It was sirenic—oozing with allure.
Who is she? I wondered, turning around. My eyes met those of a young woman who seemed to have come to submit a document, just like me.
Her black hair, tinged with blue, ran all the way down her back to her hips. Her sharp almond eyes were the same color as her hair, and her nose was straight and tall. As for her lips, they were painted a vivid crimson. She looked as beautiful and mature as her voice sounded.
She smiled at me, so I returned her smile.
I had the voluptuous body and striking face of a true villainess, but I felt like I was losing to her, somehow. Unlike me, she had a slender, almost androgynous frame. Despite that, she practically dripped seductive charm...
She was a second-year student, I realized, noting the badge on her uniform. That made her a little bit older than me, but I still had trouble believing someone could project such allure at sixteen or seventeen. I certainly didn’t.
I guess my personality not being the least bit sexy offsets my looks. I’m wasting my figure, aren’t I?
Unbeknownst to me, boys blushed every time I entered a room. Needless to say, I noticed none of that.
“I’ll be with you in a minute, Lady Magnas, if you could please wait,” Aristarkh said.
The beautiful woman laughed, glancing my way. “No need to rush. I’d much rather speak with the Lady Yulnova.” She turned to me. “If I may be so bold, allow me to introduce myself since I was lucky enough to run into you. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my lady. I’m Zamira Magnas.”
Her name gave me pause. I knew it. The Magnas were a branch family of House Yulmagna—their most devoted retainers. Alexei had instructed me to be wary around them.
“Understood. I’ll be with you in a moment, then,” Aristarkh said with a polite nod.
He looked at the secretary, and she also nodded, lowering the hand she’d lifted to accept Zamira’s papers. She quickly stood and said, “Please excuse me,” then left the room as if she had urgent business.
Now that everyone had gone out of their way to give us privacy, I had no choice but to talk to Zamira. Putting it that way was ridiculous, really—she was just a teenage girl—but she somehow created an oppressive atmosphere that made it feel like a challenge.
Flora, who’d been beside me this entire time, stepped closer. “Lady Ekaterina?”
“I’m sorry, Lady Flora, but could I leave the paperwork in your hands?”
“Of course,” Flora said, her gaze shifting curiously to Zamira. She seemed puzzled, as though peering into a mystery.
Zamira’s eyes, however, remained fixed on me, her smile unwavering. It was as though she didn’t even register Flora’s existence.
All right, I see what you’re doing. I already knew the Yulmagnas placed great importance on social standing, much like the Selesnoas, and I was now witnessing their ways in person.
“You said your name was Magnas, did you not? I have heard of your house. It’s a subordinate branch of House Yulmagna, yes?” I said with a magnanimous smile. I’d mastered the proper facial expression of a ducal lady over the summer.
“You are the most exalted lady in this academy, and the center of everyone’s attention,” Zamira said, her smile deepening. “I hear your class will perform a musical for the festival. I’m sure everyone is dying to see you onstage.”
“My... I’m afraid I will have to disappoint them, as I won’t be there at all. I’m merely in charge of some behind-the-scenes work,” I replied with feigned embarrassment.
Well, it wasn’t entirely feigned. I was from a ducal house, and I’d made a name for myself selling glass pens, but I’d done my utmost to avoid playing a role. I hadn’t gone through all that for her to bring it back to the table!
“Since you came here to submit changes, I’d hoped we’d get to see you stand on the stage after all. What a shame,” she said, her expression tinged with disappointment. “Well, I’ve heard you inherited your grandfather’s wit and genius, so I’m sure we can expect an innovative play. You’ll certainly be chosen as this year’s greatest contributor. It’s practically set in stone.” She paused meaningfully. “Which means you’ll be His Highness’s partner for the first dance at the ball.”
Stop it!
My expression hadn’t shifted, but deep down, I had turned into The Scream. Or maybe not, since I’d heard the figure was actually covering their ears to block out a scream rather than screaming themselves.
Regardless, why was the first dance I’d struggled to escape in the duchy coming back to haunt me?! Did it come with a tracking device?!
“Not at all,” I insisted. “As I just mentioned, I have a minor job behind the scenes. I’m hardly contributing anything at all. I’m sure my seniors will come up with far more interesting projects. Speaking of which, what is your class doing, Lady Magnas?”
In times of doubt, redirect.
Zamira laughed. “Oh, Lady Yulnova. The daughter of a ducal house will certainly attract far more attention than the measly daughter of a viscount such as myself.”
She tossed the hot potato right back at me.
“I’m not sure I understand,” I said, tilting my head to the side in practiced confusion. “Status has no bearing here in the academy. We’re all students, so only our achievements should be assessed.”
I actually meant that. In the game, Flora had been chosen for her initiative. This world didn’t seem to be an exact copy of the game, but the students who’d been voted MVP in the past weren’t necessarily the highest-ranking ones.
I pressed further. “I believe House Yulmagna also has a young lady. Lady Elizaveta, isn’t it? I’m sure she’s a wonderful girl. I’d certainly like to meet her.”
The corners of Zamira’s lips lifted. My words had sounded more like a declaration of war than I’d intended, I realized.
Just then, the door of the student council’s room opened.
“Ekaterina.”
“Brother!”
I was an Alexei fangirl first and foremost, so no matter the circumstances, I squealed happily whenever I saw him. He’d walked into the room with a stern expression, but his neon-blue eyes softened as soon as they found my face, just like they always did.
“My Ekaterina.”
Alexei extended his hand to me, so I let out a quick “Do excuse me” to Zamira and hurried over to him. “What brings you here, brother?”
“I heard you were here, so I came by,” Alexei said, taking my hands in his.
I belatedly noticed the secretary behind him, smiling at me. “I ran into him, so I let him know you were here in passing.”
I had a feeling this wasn’t the full story. In fact, I suspected she’d stepped out specifically to fetch Alexei. At this time, he should have been in his office working, not wandering the halls. It was pretty far from here too, so he must have rushed over deliberately.
But why?
I could feel Zamira’s sharp gaze digging into my back. Alexei wrapped an arm around my shoulders and murmured to me, “The quality of the Magnas attendants has certainly dropped. To think one would dare disrespect the lady of the House of Yulnova.”
This was a common way for nobles to rebuke those unworthy of direct address. At his words, the air tensed. No member of the council was foolish enough to disregard the wrath of the duke of Yulnova.
Zamira, however, murmured a response without directly addressing Alexei. “My, the young lord of Yulnova is as overprotective as always.”
Calling a duke a “young lord” was offensive enough, but the remark itself was a clear provocation. The members of the student council paled. Zamira took notice of that.
“How embarrassing,” she said. “I let myself get swept up by our old familiarity. The duke used to be very close to my master, so I often saw him. I couldn’t help but remember the way he used to lead Lord Vladimir by the hand around the Yulnovas’ rose garden so he wouldn’t get lost. A heartwarming story, don’t you think?”
I pictured the scene and almost nodded enthusiastically. Little Alexei had been such a cute boy, and I had no doubt Vladimir had been just as handsome as a child. The two of them holding hands in the rose garden made an adorable picture!
“A shame their friendship was so fleeting,” Zamira said with a sigh. “Two equally great houses, quarreling... Ah, what a shame, indeed. My master does not speak of this, but I’m sure chagrin eats away at him. It is sad that his former friend doesn’t seem to notice.”
Alexei’s eyes blazed as he glared at Zamira. She didn’t seem the slightest bit intimidated, her eyes gleaming with their own dark light.
“If you have any words for my master, it’d be my pleasure to pass them on to him, Your Grace.”
The temperature of the room dropped.
“Brother,” I said, trailing my hand down Alexei’s arm before taking his hand in mine. “I know you, so I know that person must have gotten the wrong idea. You’re a faithful friend, and you never abandon those to whom you’ve opened your heart. Still, you are the duke of Yulnova—the heart of Yulnova itself. You can’t prioritize your feelings over the future of our house. Your precious friend surely understands that, and I would expect any attendant to have some sense too. Alas, I’ve yet to hear anything sensible.”
Alexei didn’t really share these things with me, but considering Zamira’s public provocation, it sounded like the feud between House Yulmagna and House Yulnova had intensified.