The senior section separates classes into their respective years, but there is also a class containing students from various levels . This was the class Lilia is a part of, a class for upper nobles . The school equipment and furnishings were the same for even commoners, and it was only the class that is segregated from the rest . Since there would be no end to trouble if they were to be put with everyone else .
Entering the classroom, Lilia went straight to her seat . The seats were spaced in six columns and five rows . Lilia’s seat was front row . Probably because it was so early, there were only a few people . Unapproached by anyone, she managed to sit down at her desk .
—Lilia . You gonna be okay?
—What is it?
—Well… the seat beside you .
Having it pointed out by Sakura, Lilia remembered something she had forgotten about until now . Looking at the seat to her right . The Prince’s seat .
—Definitely not alright .
—Ain’t that the truth . What’re you gonna do?
—Yeah, let’s see…
There’s no helping that the Prince was in the same class . That was just how school was, so she could make do . But having an adjacent seat was a different story . Lilia shot up from her seat, and turned her gaze towards the window .
Three students were having a friendly chat . They were all people Lilia recognised, but the red haired character in the middle was especially familiar .
Krystel Agnis . The eldest daughter of the Marquis Agnis, she was referred to as Kris . It couldn’t be said that she particularly got along with Lilia . Rather, you could even say that they were enemies, but at the moment she was the lesser of two evils . Lilia quietly walked towards Kris .
“Oh?”
Kris soon noticed as well . Floating a mean-spirited smile, she gazed at Lilia . Lilia hated this smile .
“Morning, Kris . A bit of your time?”
“My my, good morning, Miss Lilianne . What may I help you with?”
Her speech was polite, but the ridicule hanging on to every word was thoroughly conveyed . Absolutely unpleasant .
“I’d just like to ask for a small favour . ”
“A favour is it? If it is something within my capabilities, by all means . In the Duke’s name, do bestow upon myself your commands . ”
It was a thoroughly irritating way of speaking . But if she rose up to her provocation, the conversation will never get anywhere . Lilia ignored all the goading and continued to speak .
“Our seats, would you be willing to switch with me?”
Kris’s eyes went wide with surprise . That was to be expected, as Lilia’s seat, the seat beside the prince, was something Lilia had half threatened her way into obtaining . Everyone, the prince included, knew about this .
“I had heard that something happened between you and His Highness but… Seriously?”
In her astonishment Kris’s speech returned to her normal tone . Lilia nodded .
“That’s right . If nothing else I definitely don’t want to have the adjacent seat . You had said that you’d wanted to be beside His Highness before so, it’s not a bad deal is it?”
“That, it is not but… What are you scheming?”
She glared at Lilia with open hostility . Lilia shrugged, signalling ‘nothing at all’, and responded .
“You see, I’m already through with His Highness . ”
“That so… Then even if you want switch back later, it ain’t happening alright?”
“I won’t . I will swear so on the Aldis name . ”
Even so, Kris looked at Lilia with suspicion, but quickly turned it into a broad smile . She quickly gathered the belongings on her desk . What’s more just for the occasion, albeit simple, she even gave it a quick cleaning .
“Well then, here you are Mistress Lilianne . From now on this seat is yours . ”
“Th-thanks… I didn’t think you’d go that far . I haven’t cleaned mine at all though…”
“I don’t mind . Well then I’ll be off . Ufufu…”
Leaving behind her followers, she headed towards the place that used to be Lilia’s seat . After that, the two followers hurriedly went after her . Somewhat understanding what Kris must be feeling, Lilia made a bitter smile, and sat down in the vacated seat .
—With this I can rest easy . Ahh, but if possible I’d like to be further back…
—Quite rare for the attention seeker Lilia huh .
—That was only because I wanted to attract the attention of his highness . Now though, I don’t really care anymore .
After a little while, the rest of the students had arrived . Negotiating with the student in the seat behind her, she exchanged seats with them . That was repeated three times, and Lilia finally acquired the window seat in the last row . If it’s here, she shouldn’t stand out .
—That was some good negotiating if I do say so myself .
—No, here’s the thing Lilia . That was because you were basically coercing them you know . Lilia’s requests, to most people, would be taken as an order . I’ll overlook it for today, but please try to restrain yourself in the future .
—I was just trying to normally ask for a favour though… I understand… .
She had really just been trying to ask for a normal favour, but it seems like the other parties felt like they were being commanded . It’s no wonder that all of them had fear in their eyes . It was the first time she ended up feeling that the Aldis name was a hinderance .
Sitting in her chair, as she took a breath,
“Miss Lilianne!”
A familiar voice reached her ears . Lilia’s expression stiffened slightly . Following the voice, three female students came into the classroom . They were walking straight towards Lilia .
“Miss Lilianne, so you had already arrived . We were very worried!”
One of the three said, and the other two nodded repeatedly .
“Sorry . I’m alright now . ”
“Ahh, that’s great! What a relief . By the way… Why might you be sitting in the corner of the class like this? Don’t tell me, Miss Krystel has…?”
The girls’ eyes narrowed . Seeing that, Lilia openly heaved a sigh . Lilia also understood the feelings of the girls very well, but the current her who wanted to stay out of anything troublesome felt a slight annoyance at this . The three who noticed Lilia’s sigh were visibly flustered .
“Uh, umm… Miss Lilianne…?”
“It’s nothing . It was I who desired this seat . You must have heard about the rumours between me and His Highness?”
“Well, yes… They seemed like baseless rumours so I hadn’t paid them any mind though . ”
“They’re the truth . From now on, I will do my utmost to avoid being involved with His Highness so please also act accordingly . ”
The three’s eyes widened in astonishment together . That was probably to be expected, though . The Lilia before she shut herself away would try to be by the prince as much as possible after all . It wouldn’t be strange if they said that they couldn’t believe it .
“Miss Lilianne!”
The girl who was speaking raised a loud voice . Lilia reflexively raised her guard at the suddenness of it .
“What?”
“Please don’t feel down! If it’s Miss Lilianne then you can definitely take back His Highness’s heart!”