HTNSA 98

Chapter 98

Eila frowned deeply, glaring at Rosia.

But Rosia simply crossed her arms and smiled smugly.

“So just live quietly like you’re already dead. Otherwise, it makes me want to pick a fight.”

Just then, Professor Arina, having noticed the commotion, approached them.

“Are you alright, Eila? What’s going on here?”

As the professor and the students turned their attention to them, Rosia’s expression instantly changed.

Tears welled up and rolled down her cheeks—she looked panicked, as if she didn’t know what to do.

Her body trembled slightly.

“I-I’m sorry, Eila. It really was an accident. Lately, I’ve been having trouble controlling my magic…”

“…”

“I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you…”

Sniff.

Rosia’s sorrowful sobs filled the classroom.

Professor Arina frowned as she examined Eila for any injuries.

Thankfully, aside from the hair that had been cut, there was no real harm done.

“Just to be sure, you should visit the infirmary. Peony, please assist Eila. The rest of you, continue the training.”

Peony, who had been observing from a distance, quickly came over to Eila.

She cast a displeased glance toward Rosia.

But Rosia bowed her head, her face hidden—though the corner of her lips curled up ever so slightly.

Peony looked at Eila’s carelessly sliced hair and scowled.

“Your pretty hair… What a waste.”

“It’s fine. I’m not hurt anywhere else.”

“Still, it makes me so mad. Rosia deserves the same treatment.”

They were walking to their next class after a brief examination at the infirmary.

Even though the healer confirmed there was nothing wrong, Peony couldn’t hide her frustration.

“What happened? Did Rosia pull something during the training?”

“It was a small accident. Maybe she lost control of her spell.”

Peony narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

“You don’t think she did it on purpose?”

“Peony.”

“She totally would. What’s she plotting anyway? These days she’s always with Freya, just the two of them. Definitely shady.”

“I’m fine. And even if they’re scheming something, I’m not about to go down without a fight.”

“True. You’re not the type to get bullied. But if she ever gives you trouble again, tell me. I’ll go put her in her place.”

Peony clenched her tiny fist.

“Thanks. You’re really reassuring.”

Eila smiled softly.

Just knowing someone genuinely cared about her made the irritation from earlier melt away.

But still… what is Rosia really planning?

Until now, Rosia had always tried hard to hide her true intentions from even Eila.

For her to suddenly show such open hostility…

It feels ominous. My mana insensitivity has fully healed, so I should be fine, but I can’t let my guard down.

It was then that they saw a crowd of girls gathered in the hallway on the way to their next class.

“Look! Olivia got her hands on Flor’s new moisturizing cream!”

“Really? Can I try some, Olivia?”

“Are you kidding? Flor products are so hard to get. No way she’ll let you.”

“I’m so jealous… I want to try it too.”

Listening to the chatter, Peony glanced at Eila.

“Oh right, Eila. Have you heard of those cosmetics? They’re really popular lately.”

She spoke carefully.

“I actually managed to get some and try it. It’s really nice. If you’re interested, I can share some with you.”

Cosmetics sold in the empire were considered luxury items, usually only affordable by nobles.

So Peony had deliberately secured an extra set just for Eila.

Mages often dry out from frequent magic use.

For reasons still unclear, the more mana a person used, the faster their body dehydrated. Mages regularly used moisturizing creams.

While Peony waited for an answer, Eila looked surprised.

“You already tried it? I heard it’s really hard to get.”

“Of course! If it’s trending in the capital, I have to try it. And honestly, I was getting uncomfortable using the old stuff.”

“Why?”

“Why do you think? Sharon Atelier is owned by the Arman family. I’ve been avoiding it lately. As soon as I heard about Flor, I switched right away.”

As Peony said, the Arman family had made a fortune through Sharon Atelier.

Freya’s rise as a powerful noble was thanks to that wealth.

But they overextended their business, so by now, they must be facing financial trouble.

At the perfect time, Flor’s cosmetics had entered the market.

As Sharon Atelier’s popularity waned and their newly launched stores lost profit, the Arman family suffered a major blow.

But that phase didn’t last long.

Soon after, the Count secretly poached Flor’s key cosmetic developer.

Using that person’s technology, the Arman family bounced back stronger than ever.

In the end, Freya became the Crown Princess candidate thanks to the overwhelming wealth that followed.

But that wealth was built on exploiting innocent people.

Freya still remained close with Rosia, whose reputation had plummeted.

In other words, attacking her could drag Rosia down too.

There’s one business I can use to counter Freya and grow my own strength at the same time.

Eila gave Peony a cheerful smile.

“Remember how I said I had something I needed to wrap up?”

“Of course. What is it?”

“It’s nothing big… I’m thinking of starting a business. Want to join me?”

“A business? What kind of business?”

As Peony blinked in confusion, Eila’s smile deepened.

“What else? A cosmetics business.”

Though the frigid season had fully passed, spring breezes now swept warmly across the academy grounds.

But Kadin’s heart remained cold.

Before, he would have spent his nights carousing in secret salons, chasing noblewomen and casual affairs.

Or wasting time gambling.

But now, none of it held any appeal.

One thought consumed his mind—the fiancée he’d foolishly let go.

Who would’ve thought Eila would become the lover of the Duke of Agenta’s heir?

Of course, she likely hadn’t known either that Felix—once insignificant—was hiding such a secret birthright.

Now that Felix had been revealed as the Duke’s son, Kadin understood why Eila would never look back at him.

Still, the lingering feelings in Kadin’s heart refused to fade.

That’s why he was now headed toward Freya’s greenhouse.

I can’t believe I left that handkerchief behind.

He’d recently attended a social gathering hosted by Freya and left behind something important.

A rare mistake.

The handkerchief had been a birthday gift from Eila—one she had embroidered herself.

Each stitch made by her hand…

He remembered what she had said that day as she handed it to him shyly.

“Happy birthday, Kadin. I embroidered this myself…”

“Such a useless thing.”

The pained look on her face as she flinched at his cold words resurfaced in his memory.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

Back then, she had smiled as if pretending it was fine, placed the gift down quietly, and disappeared.

He hadn’t even cared where she went.

But now… he thought he understood.

She had probably left to cry where no one could see her.