Chapter 5-1:
Return
FINALLY, THE DAY ARRIVED WHEN I WOULD enter Rosewood Academy. Right until my entrance ceremony, I’d spent every second of my time defeating monsters. I was worried that the royal family would renege on their word, but my father acted as the mediator. Despite the king having me engage in numerous battles as the crown prince’s fiancée in the hope of bolstering their influence, I was still a member of the duke’s house. In a strange turn of events, appearance-wise, it was House Rosenberg that surged in power and authority.
My kind and always-smiling father wasn’t suited for power struggles, but as members of a duke’s house, we enjoyed great status and influence. Thanks to my feats of battle on top of that, everyone praised our household, and our reputation soared.
On the first day of school, I stepped into the academy with my squires in tow. I’d had them all study hard so that they could enter school with me, and thanks to their accomplishments and skills, they were all shoo-ins. Besides, it was quite normal for a noblewoman to have several squires around. Anyone who stated that six squires were too many—or that these orphans were unfitting for this institution—were silenced by the power of the duke or by my fists.
For sixteen years, I had waited for this moment. I wanted to swing the iron hammer of justice upon the friends and teachers who had abandoned me and left me for dead in my previous life.
All right, come one, come all, I thought. Flock to me like you did in my previous life. Come and try to become my superficial friend, all so that you can gain the duke’s favor. The moment you try to approach me, it’ll be all over for you! I’ll toy with you, then toss you aside like the trash you are!
Uh… Huh? Why isn’t anyone approaching me?
The teachers, and even the students, refused to go near me. In fact, when I tried to approach them, everyone trembled and fled like scared rabbits.
“I’d expect no less from you, Lady Serena,” Richard said, his tone filled with pride. “As a person, you’re in a whole other class of your own. Everyone in the academy is filled with awe. They’re hesitant to even approach you as you graciously make your presence known.”
Really? To me, it didn’t look like they were stunned because I was in a class of my own. They just seemed genuinely afraid of me. I was still unsure about the reactions I received from those in the academy when I spotted a student in front of me. She noticed my presence and hastily tried to flee, but she tripped over her feet and blocked the path instead.
“I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” she cried. She crawled on the ground with tears in her eyes as she spouted apologies. “Please forgive my insolence for blocking your way!”
Her friends jumped out from the crowd and apologized along with her.
“I’m terribly sorry!” one of her friends said. “She’s just a bit awkward and clumsy, but she didn’t intentionally mean to get in your way! Please, spare her life!”
What? I won’t kill someone just for blocking my way. I’m not that ruthless; do they mistake me for a demon or a devil or something?
“Oscar, lend her a hand,” I ordered.
She was in the way, so I had one of my squires take care of it. Oscar stepped forward and kindly offered his hand to the girl who had tripped.
“Are you hurt anywhere, my lady?” he asked. “If it doesn’t offend you, please take my hand.”
He flashed a fake smile. The girl blushed as she grabbed onto his hand. Oscar drew her waist close to him, going out of his way to share more bodily contact than necessary as he helped her to her feet. In one smooth movement, he guided her to the side of the corridor. The student’s teary gaze was glued to Oscar.
He’s a womanizer, all right. Oscar wasn’t handsome for nothing; he was already gathering the passionate gazes of the other female students. But I don’t care about that. The biggest issue for me was my reputation. What’s going on?
“Isabel,” I said.
“Yes?” Isabel replied.
“Gather information about my reputation within the academy. I shall accept negative or nasty rumors as well.”
“Your wish is my command.”
Isabel quietly stepped away from my side to hunt for information.