Chapter 8
“What is this?”
Elizia stepped closer to the flower vase. No matter how she looked at it, her name was clearly engraved on it.
‘I never signed up for anything like this.’
Startled, she tightened her grip on the flower stem in her hand. The slender lily stalk snapped with a soft crack.
Sophie, holding a bouquet to her chest, approached slowly. She too looked puzzled.
“Elizia, did you happen to sign up for this?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Then this is…?”
“I have no idea what’s going on either. Besides, I don’t have enough acquaintances or connections to receive flowers like this.”
Elizia shook her head, clearly confused.
Because the neutral nation of Swena was geographically close to the Empire, most students at the royal academy were from the Empire or its allied nations rather than from the Kingdom of Ortigia.
Sophie and Rakan were both from the Empire, and Beth was even a princess from one of its allied nations.
In such a situation, there was no way a princess from Ortigia—an enemy of the Empire—would receive many roses.
Knowing that, Elizia wasn’t foolish enough to sign up to become a “rose” candidate.
Besides, she didn’t like attracting attention like this.
Next to her large vase stood another one of equal size.
[Elizabeth Marché]
It belonged to Beth.
After staring at the two vases for a moment, Elizia turned away without hesitation.
She didn’t know the reason behind it, but what was done was done. Standing there flustered wouldn’t change anything. It was time to cast aside her confusion and regain her composure.
Elizia took Sophie’s hand and led her further inside.
As she walked, the eyes of countless students followed her.
Male students gazed at her back with admiration, while female students examined the material and design of her dress.
“Elizia, you look beautiful today.”
A compliment reached her ears. Elizia winked playfully at the girl who said it.
The girl laughed cheerfully.
Elizia and Sophie took seats at a table beside a lion statue.
Elizia picked up a drink. Across from them, she spotted Beth’s group.
Beth was looking toward Elizia, whispering something with a sneering smile on her lips.
‘I can pretty much guess what’s going on.’
Elizia smiled faintly. The shape of this awkward situation was beginning to reveal itself.
Beth, almost certainly chosen as a “rose.” And beside her vase, Elizia’s—likely to remain empty.
It was obvious Beth had arranged this to embarrass her.
And she was the one being subjected to this petty scheme.
Honestly, not receiving roses or not being chosen didn’t bother her or embarrass her.
Other people’s opinions were just that—other people’s.
What annoyed her was the fact that Beth had gotten the better of her again.
Such childish malice. She couldn’t decide how long she should tolerate Beth’s behavior.
If Beth were a man, she would have already thrown down a white glove and challenged her to a duel.
But unfortunately, Elizia was someone who could defeat male students with a sword, while Beth was a delicate woman who had never even held one.
The once gentle music grew lively.
Outside, the sunset had faded into darkness, and the hall sparkled under chandelier lights.
Guests, along with students, began to fill the space—the party had truly begun.
Elizia chatted and laughed with Sophie and her friends as if she had already erased the earlier incident from her mind.
She was the type who didn’t waste emotions on problems she couldn’t solve.
“So, Elizia,” Leira began, “the professor asked, ‘In the late Planet Dynasty of the Holy Ancient Empire, the streets were filled with fake priests and wandering pilgrims. What was the symbolic phrase popular during that dark age, Rakan?’”
“And?” Elizia prompted.
“And Rakan replied, ‘Obviously, it was: may all those trashy royals and nobles just die.’ The professor was completely taken aback.”
Elizia burst into laughter. It was such a typical answer from him.
He himself was a noble, yet he said such things so casually.
Rakan was a man who felt oddly out of place.
As they enjoyed finger foods and drinks, a group of girls in glamorous dresses approached.
“Hello, Elizia.”
It was Beth and her entourage. The greeting sounded friendly, but their eyes were full of hostility.
Elizia suppressed a sigh. Elizabeth Marché—someone she was already too tired to deal with.
As always, Beth looked flawless.
Unlike Elizia, who kept her nails short due to swordsmanship, Beth had long, elegant nails, a finely embroidered dress, and lustrous hair.
She was undeniably beautiful.
But Elizia knew better than anyone that her beauty wasn’t all there was to her.
Four girls stood behind Beth like attendants.
Elizia put on a practiced smile.
“Hello, seniors.”
“Rakan isn’t with you today? You’re always glued to him.”
“We’ll be together soon.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. Even without a promise, if she greeted him, they’d end up together anyway.
At her words, spoken as if meant to be heard, Beth’s eyebrow twitched.
“Strange how nothing has progressed between you two.”
“Does it have to?”
“Well… either you lack charm, or he’s not interested. Or both.”
Elizia simply smiled, as if the remark wasn’t worth responding to.
“Have you ever considered the opposite? That I’m not interested in him?”
“…”
“I’m a royal successor of Ortigia. And I’m beautiful. Why would I wait to be chosen?”
Beth was taken aback.
“Have you always lived a life where you wait to be chosen by men?”
“You—!”
Beth’s face flushed red with anger.
Elizia dropped her fake smile and stared at her coldly.
She had reached her limit.
A small commotion began drawing attention.
Beth stepped forward aggressively, but before anything could happen, Sophie stepped in between them.
“That’s enough. Go back, Beth!”
Her usually gentle voice was firm.
Beth sneered.
“How fitting. You can tell someone’s level by the company they keep. Sophie… in the past, you wouldn’t even dare meet my eyes.”
Her gaze was full of contempt.
“And yet, here you are at the same academy. Neutral nations are nice, but letting in people of such low status is their flaw.”
“….”
Sophie lowered her head silently.
Beth smirked.
“So what are you here to sell, Sophie? Pottery? Dresses? Or your body?”
Laughter erupted around them.
Sophie remained silent, as if she was used to it.
But Elizia’s face burned with anger.
“Beth!”
She stepped forward, but a man grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
Without hesitation, Elizia grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back, and forced him down.
“Ahh!”
He cried out in pain.
She pressed harder.
She could easily subdue someone like him.
Finally, she shoved him away, sending him sprawling.
Then she looked straight at Beth.
“This was your doing, wasn’t it? Engraving my name on the vase.”
Beth said nothing, but her reaction was enough.
“If you do something like this again—or insult Sophie one more time—I won’t stay silent.”
Beth clenched her fan, unable to respond.
Then—
“Elizia.”
A low voice cut through the tension.
Rakan.
She turned toward him.
And what he would say next…
