Chapter 39
‘It already annoyed her enough that Eila kept stealing Cadin’s attention while remaining at the academy.’
It seemed safer to keep Eila close and under control.
But if she wanted Eila expelled for academic failure, simply interfering with the practical exams wouldn’t suffice.
If Eila scored perfectly in written exams, she might barely scrape by and graduate.
‘In that case, preventing her from taking the exam entirely is the best solution.’
Rosia planned to have Eila locked away somewhere, unable to attend the exams at all.
Then she’d be expelled, and Rosia could take first place effortlessly.
But to execute this plan without drawing suspicion, she needed help from that person.
This wasn’t something she could pull off alone.
‘I’ll ask them to send someone capable. Once I explain, they’ll surely understand.’
Reviewing her plan carefully, Rosia smiled coolly.
‘Let’s see how long your little peace lasts, Eila.’
The semester exams were fast approaching.
Eila had started studying frequently with Peony in the library.
The more time Peony spent with her, the more she grew fond of Eila.
‘She’s not just smart—she works hard, too.’
Peony was proud of her first real friend.
But Rona, hearing rumors, was livid.
‘Your Highness, what are you thinking? How can someone as noble as you associate with a lowborn girl like that?’
‘Watch your mouth, Rona. That’s my friend you’re talking about.’
Whenever Peony spent time with Eila, Rona grew increasingly agitated, her discomfort apparent.
From this, Peony realized something important: her true “owner” wasn’t happy with her closeness to Eila.
Whenever Peony defended Eila, Rona became visibly upset.
“How could you do this to me, Your Highness? You know how devoted I am to you!”
It was ironic—that was the very thing Peony had once wanted to say to Rona for her betrayal.
But Peony said nothing. She simply ignored her.
Eila was beautiful, graceful, and carried herself so well that her status as a commoner felt meaningless.
‘She asks for so little, too.’
In exchange for regularly crafting the antidote that Peony needed, Eila had only ever requested a few herbs.
Compared to the rare ingredients used in the palace, it was a small price. Peony gladly supported her.
Of course, Peony didn’t believe this was sufficient repayment for someone who had saved her life.
As she watched Eila, she asked,
“You’re studying really hard.”
“Yeah. The semester exams are right around the corner.”
For Eila, the academy’s tests were a bit simplistic.
But she still worked hard—because she wanted to win, overwhelmingly.
‘Rosia will be aiming for first place, no doubt.’
This exam was Rosia’s chance to prove she was the true Blanche daughter.
With her talent, winning wouldn’t be hard.
But Eila had no intention of letting her.
‘To stand against Rosia’s magic, I need to sway the crowd early.’
She added quietly,
“I really want to do well on this one.”
Apparently, others had overheard. Nearby students scoffed audibly.
They were part of Freya’s group—the ones who had once subtly bullied Eila.
“Pfft, did you hear that? She’s probably going to flunk the practicals again.”
“Right? She always fails those. What’s the point of cramming?”
Peony moved to confront them, but Eila stopped her.
“It’s fine, Peony. Let them talk. They’ll be embarrassed once they see the results.”
“Still…”
Peony reluctantly sat back down.
If Eila did score high enough, all their snide comments would vanish.
‘She’s almost cured of her mana insensitivity.’
Still, it irked Peony that they couldn’t fire back.
Looking around, she noticed someone missing.
“By the way, where’s that guy who’s always following you?”
Eila replied softly,
“Felix has been busy lately. The Duke gave him some tough assignments, and he said he’d eat lunch separately today.”
Peony nodded. It made sense. Felix was training under none other than Duke Azenta.
Of course, he was busy.
Not to mention, with all the attention on him lately, it must’ve been hard to go anywhere without being recognized.
“True. And with exams coming up, he’s probably swamped.”
Just then, murmurs began spreading through the library.
Heavy footsteps echoed across the floor, and someone approached from behind.
Then an unexpected voice whispered near her ear.
“Eila.”
Peony turned slowly, her face hardening.
Black hair. Blood-red eyes.
Cadin Laith—Eila’s former fiancé.
The library fell into an uncomfortable silence.
“If you don’t mind… could we talk for a moment?”
Eila looked up at him, clearly uncomfortable.
‘Cadin?’
She couldn’t hide her surprise.
After losing to Felix in a duel, he’d disappeared. And now he showed up, just like that?
‘He’s been quiet for so long—what now?’
Cadin had always been proud to a fault.
Eila had assumed he’d finally given up on her.
“…What is it?”
Eila asked stiffly.
Technically, he was her senior, but she didn’t feel like being polite to an uninvited guest.
Cadin didn’t seem to mind.
“I came to give you something.”
Eila glanced around.
Every eye in the library was on them.
This wasn’t the place to make a scene.
“I’ll be back shortly,” she said to Peony.
“You don’t have to go if you don’t want to, Eila.”
Peony looked at her with concern.
“It’s fine. No good will come from causing a stir.”
Still frowning, Peony glared at Cadin.
She wanted to tell him to leave Eila alone—but barely held back.
Instead, she gave him a warning glare.
Cadin met her gaze without flinching, flashing a sly smile.
Peony scowled even deeper.
“Please wait here, Your Highness. I’ll return with Eila shortly, safe and sound.”
“Where are you taking her?”
“Someplace quiet for a private conversation. Nothing more.”
At that, Eila cut in firmly.
“I’ll only go as far as the garden behind the library.”
She made it clear she would not be alone with him.
Cadin looked mildly disappointed.
But seeing her unyielding stance, he shrugged casually.
“Fair enough. Shall we go, then?”
With that, he left with Eila.
Peony remained seated, glaring at their backs.
She respected Eila’s decision not to stop them—but she didn’t like this one bit.
