CHAPTER 64

Want to Win in High Society? – Then Be Born With High Status.

Marie was startled when Isolde spoke coldly.

“Oh, Miss Isolde Polchen. Of course, you’re welcome too. If you ever want to come work in the South, you’re always welcome…”

Marie was completely obsessed with Rudolf. There was no way she’d leave his side to work in the South.

Lorenzo knew that. Still, he tried to win Isolde over too—maybe because he knew she wouldn’t come.

“Prince Lorenzo! Excuse me, but may I speak?”

Fiona, a top student from the Notos dorm, stopped Lorenzo.

Lorenzo often tried to recruit talented people, so maybe he was half-serious. But before that, Fiona wanted to point out how rude Isolde had been.

She looked at Isolde and asked sharply:

“Isolde Polchen… I can’t believe you interrupted the prince while he was speaking. Especially since you’re the daughter of Lady Polchen, I expected you to know better about manners.”

Hearing that, Isolde smiled.

‘Really, now?’

Lady Aura Polchen, Isolde’s mother, had once taught etiquette to the Crown Prince and was favored by the Emperor. So Fiona was clearly mocking Isolde’s background while pretending to talk about manners.

Isolde replied with a smile:

“Oh, I’m very sorry. I was just so happy to see Miss Marie that I spoke without realizing she was talking to the prince. I was rude to interrupt. I apologize, Prince.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. You didn’t need to apologize so much. I’m embarrassed instead.”

“Thank you for your kindness.”

After getting forgiveness, Isolde gave Fiona a sharp look.

“Even though it’s been busy, it was still rude of me to interrupt such an important person. Even if I’m forgiven, if I hadn’t apologized, I’d be nothing more than a beast in human skin.

That being said, Prince, you asked if I’d be interested in working in the South?”

‘That being said…?’

Lorenzo realized Isolde’s words were sharp and full of hidden meaning. She must’ve been really angry at Fiona.

‘Yeah, Fiona was kind of harsh… Should I tell her to apologize?’

Still thinking about it, Lorenzo answered:

“Yes, Miss Isolde.”

“I thank you for thinking highly of me. But I’ve already promised to serve someone else. I’m just a low-born girl with little talent, so I can’t accept such an honorable offer. And again, I thank you for forgiving my rudeness.”

“Haha…”

Lorenzo felt awkward. Isolde was apologizing to him, but clearly speaking to Fiona—letting everyone know she wasn’t the only one who interrupted.

Other students began whispering:

“Sure, it was wrong for her to interrupt the prince talking to the saintess candidate…”

“But Isolde didn’t know. She was just talking to Marie.”

“Meanwhile, Fiona interrupted while Isolde was talking to the prince.”

“Isolde apologized so much. Shouldn’t Fiona say sorry too?”

Basically, Isolde was pointing out that Fiona also interrupted but didn’t apologize—so she’s the rude one.

Fiona had apologized to Lorenzo first and asked for permission before speaking. But Isolde ignored that and made it seem like Fiona hadn’t apologized at all. Now, if Fiona apologized again, she’d look like a fool.

‘Wow. These noble girls’ social fights are intense. I’ve studied politics, but they’re fighting harder than diplomats! Dealing with Vatican spies is easier than this…’

To help Fiona, Lorenzo spoke up:

“Anyway… why did you stop Miss Marie?”

“Because she’s a saintess candidate. She must finish her training and be officially appointed by the Pope before accepting any worldly position.”

Isolde used this rule to say Lorenzo shouldn’t have made such an offer in the first place.

‘It wasn’t really a formal offer…’

Lorenzo had just wanted to joke and charm Marie a little. But Isolde’s clear, proper answer left him speechless.

‘Ugh. This school is too small. I should’ve talked to her somewhere quiet. It’s too easy for people to interfere.’

Lorenzo gave up.

“Of course, that wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to say how much I believe in Marie. But thank you for pointing it out, Miss Isolde.”

“You’re welcome.”

They were smiling, but in truth, it was like a duel with words.

Meanwhile…

‘Alright. I stopped the worst from happening—Marie being taken by Lorenzo.’

Isolde felt proud of herself.

‘I’m doing all this for my brother. I even faced Lorenzo! Haa… My brother really needs to see this. How can I let him know… Where is he anyway?’

Then she called out to Marie.

“Marie. The Crown Prince and I both have high hopes for you.

And you already have 3 academy merit points, don’t you?”

“But I didn’t really earn those myself…”

“At this school, merit points reflect both luck and skill. Having 3 is no easy thing.

Your holy magic is a sign you’re fit to be a saintess.”

“But… it doesn’t feel like it’s truly mine. It feels like I was given this power by someone else.”

Marie didn’t feel confident in her holy powers. Maybe because she felt they weren’t truly hers.

“In that case, how about learning magical theory with me? I can help you.”

“Huh?”

“We’re planning a study group in the Zephyros dorm. We meet after dinner. If you come, even the Crown Prince would be happy.”

Isolde was trying to pull Marie toward the Zephyros dorm—really, toward the Crown Prince’s side.

Fiona saw that and clenched her fist.

‘Unbelievable. She’s trying to recruit the saintess candidate right in front of us?!’

Fiona was furious.

“Um…”

Suddenly, Idnia interrupted.

“Excuse me, everyone. I need to speak with my roommate, Marie. Is that okay?”

“Ah?!”

Isolde was shocked to see Idnia.

‘Ugh. Everything was going well… but now she shows up. Idnia!’

Isolde was wary of Idnia.

‘No woman has ever shaken my brother like she did. She’s dangerous.’

Isolde instinctively felt that Idnia was the only girl Rudolf truly cared about—and didn’t want to lose to her.

And Idnia was a duke’s daughter—equal in status to Lorenzo. Her interruption, even if rude for others, was seen as kind and considerate from someone of her level.

“Oh, Lady Idnia. Miss Isolde just made me a kind offer…”

Marie, who trusted Idnia, explained.

“A study group? Sounds interesting. But I haven’t heard of one being held. Where is it?”

“Well… we were planning to use the dining hall…”

Isolde answered honestly. The study group wasn’t running yet.

Rudolf had wanted to do it even outside, but other students had stopped him.

‘Didn’t they find a dead wolf near the dorm recently?’

‘It’s dangerous to meet somewhere unsafe at night!’

So they hadn’t started the group yet.

“Oh? So you’re inviting Marie to a group that hasn’t even started?

What if she got excited and ended up waiting forever?”

Fiona mocked her.

‘Ugh. Annoying girl.’

Isolde was fuming at Fiona.

‘I’ll remember this, Fiona.’

Trying to recover, Isolde said:

“Before starting the study group, we’re selecting assistants—people with strong magic who can help other students later.”

“I see. So the Zephyros dorm is trying to support talented students beyond its own members. Very generous of the Crown Prince.

But that can only happen after unlocking the school’s shared facilities. For now, can I speak with Marie?”

“…Yes.”

Isolde had no choice but to let Idnia take Marie away.

“Prince Lorenzo, may I take Marie now? Do you need anything else?”

“No, nothing.”

“Then we’ll be going.”

Idnia greeted Lorenzo and led Marie to the Eurus dorm students’ table.

‘Hmm. In the end, it was Lady Idnia who took Marie. I think I just made more enemies today… But it’s hard to call her an enemy.’

Even Fiona knew Idnia’s status was too high. She was bold with others—even Isolde, the Emperor’s rumored illegitimate daughter—but not with Idnia.

Isolde also felt bitter.

‘Ugh. I ended up revealing our study group plans for nothing… But talking to a duke’s daughter is so stressful. Grr…’

Though the Duchy of Betelgeuse had declined, only fools underestimated Idnia.

‘She’s high-ranking, smart, and even turned down my brother’s proposal. Ugh. She’s too perfect.

But she must have some kind of weakness.’

Isolde could only watch in frustration as Idnia walked away with Marie.