Trapped

"What's the matter, Lady Clementine?" Lawrence asked in concern when she hadn't responded to his question.

Clementine's deep sapphire eyes, normally radiant with confidence, were now clouded with uncertainty. 

She hesitated, her fingers delicately tapping the armrest of her seat. Her auburn hair, cascading like a waterfall, framed her face with a regal elegance. A faint scent of roses wafted from her, adding to her air of nobility.

"It couldn't be that you are unwilling to help those tragic people simply because they are commoners, right?" Lawrence's voice, usually laced with mischief, took on a tone of calculated curiosity. 

He leaned slightly forward, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that felt almost predatory. His hair framed his sharp features, giving him an air of both danger and intrigue.

Lawrence then rubbed his chin, his expression showing a series of doubt and confusion. His fingers moved with a slow, contemplative grace, betraying the mind at work behind the mischievous facade.

"It can't be that the previous statement was all an act, right? No, Hamilton was of royalty and would never renege on their words." He muttered softly, pacing back and forth. His movements were graceful, almost as if he were dancing on the edge of a hidden agenda.

'This bastard…' Clementine cursed silently. It was only now that she realized she had been played all along in his fingers.

From the very beginning, Lawrence had set a trap and waited for her to step into it.

Just how calculative and farsighted must he be to recognize all of this?

Completely backed into a corner, Clementine knew if she was to refuse to donate to the commoners, it would not only damage Hamilton's reputation but also raise the question that they were dissatisfied with the Queen.

Why does it raise the question?

The answer was clear, the Queen's Neutrality law was to place equality for all.

In addition to Lawrence's earlier accusation, everyone would start to believe their Hamilton household despised the commoners.

At that time, it wouldn't be long before their household might crumble due to rumors alone that they didn't regard commoners as part of their kingdom, essentially going against the Queen.

'What a venomous viper you are… Lawrence.' Clementine made a wry smile toward Lawrence.

"Of course, our Hamilton household would donate to the Clarkston City. Their tragedy breaks our hearts too, so we naturally will donate to assist them." Clementine said, agreeing to the donation.

Lawrence quickly clapped his hands in response and praised wholeheartedly. 

"As expected of Lady Clementine from the Hamilton Household. So dignified and graceful. Her generosity needs to be praised and admired by all." He made sure his tone was loud enough for everyone to hear the promise that Clementine had made.

That way, if the Hamilton household dared to donate very little, then their reputation would be damaged deeply.

After the announcement, everyone started clapping their hands regardless of their social identity, praising Clementine's honorable deeds.

At the same time, Principal Osborn was looking at Lawrence in a new sight. It was as if the rumors that he had heard about him were all wrong.

'This youth is quite interesting.' Osborn thought to himself, unable to fathom the conduct of Lawrence that had such intricate webs connected all for this result.

It was a deliberate yet very meticulous trap at the same time that Lawrence had created.

Seraphine herself was equally dumbfounded by the true intention of Lawrence's outburst. She initially thought Lawrence's outburst at the beginning was to disrespect her and the beliefs of Tatum Academy.

Who would have thought the ending of such a farce to be so beneficial to the tragedies that occurred in Clarkston City?

Faking a cough and enhancing her tone with mana, Seraphine soon garnered attention back to the center platform.

"Alright, the academy and I are grateful that Lady Clementine of the Hamilton household is willing to donate to the tragedy that occurred in Clarkston City, but this is still a ceremony. There's still more to do after this ceremony, so please remain seated and quiet down." Seraphine warned, her eyes especially glaring at Lawrence.

It was clear that she wasn't going to scold him for the interruption, but she was also warning him to not pull such a stunt again.

Lawrence merely shrugged his shoulders in response, an indirect action of him saying that he wouldn't do it again.

With the commotion gradually coming to a close, Seraphine continued her speech, informing the students of the test.

"Just like Principal Osborn had said, there'll be an affinity element test for everyone so that we know your assigned elemental magic. At the same time, there's another test regarding your physical strength. So even those who don't have a mana core yet, please don't be disheartened. The physical strength tests your potential to become a knight." Seraphine explained.

Not everyone in this world is blessed enough to have a mana core. Some could try their entire life, without a chance of ever being able to control mana.

Although potions could be used to assist them, such potions are usually very expensive and there is still a possibility that the potions won't assist you.

Despite that, it doesn't mean people who can't control mana are useless.

Because there are knights in this world. With just their physical strength alone, even knights could compete against people who could use mana.

"Ahh, what a boring speech." Lawrence yawned and stretched his arms, completely bored by the event.

His goal for coming here had been achieved, and it was to trap Clementine into donating to the commoners. Now that it was done, he no longer held any interest in the ceremony and the test.

Just like Seraphine had announced earlier, he came in through the backdoor, so why should he follow everyone's route to test their affinity whatsoever?

Standing up, Lawrence was about to leave until his action caught the attention of his maid, Tristina.

"Young Master?" Tristina raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"We're not allowed to leave, Young Master. The testing that's coming up is important, and it's also the data they will use to divide the classes." She informed, seemingly hoping that he would stop his rash action.

There were only so many things she could handle until her brain would go insane from Lawrence's constant unpredictable actions so far.

"Tristina, who are you to me?" Lawrence asked calmly.

"I'm your maid, Young Master," Tristina responded swiftly.

Lawrence nodded his head and smiled brightly. "Since you know that, then you might as well do the test on my behalf."