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The Frontier Academy was an educational institution that aims to study academics, develop diverse qualities, and produce outstanding human resources. However, only a small number of children of noble families entered the academy to study specialized knowledge and studies. The children of high-ranking aristocrats were more likely to be privately educated through tutors from an early age, and thus were less concerned about their education at the academy.

Nevertheless, there was one reason why the aristocratic children crossed the threshold of the academy.

Personal connections.

It was no exaggeration to say that the academy was the future, a compressed version of imperial society. Many of them would inherit their parents' titles and become the nobility that would run the empire. In other words, the academy was a place for socializing to build the solid human network necessary for each other. The value of the academy was impossible to measure, even if it was just to provide a space where the people who would run the empire in the future could gather and deepen their friendships.

Rumors circulated at such an academy that Princess Veronica returned to school after two years.

The rumor turned out to be true as testimonies continued that they saw a carriage bearing the seal of the Grand Duke.

The current students called themselves a blessed generation.

Crown Prince Sian to succeed the throne.

Princess Veronica, the only heir to the Grand Duke.

Avella, the eldest daughter of Duke Reinhardt.

Sir Ren of the Bastasche family of the new aristocracy.

Just being able to attend the academy at the same time as the future leaders of the empire opened up an opportunity to get closer to the center of power. If they could make friends with those four, their family's star would change. The current students from lesser families could not sit still.

"I love the taste of black tea."

"Why is it that Your Highness is so graceful with every hand gesture?"

"Is that all? She even offered us tea, which was very kind of her. May I say hello from time to time?"

Elena smiled and drank black tea without saying a word.

'I'm tired.'

Students have already visited for two days, except on the day she came to the dormitory. Even now, outside the dormitory was crowded with students who wanted to greet her only.

'But I have to put up with it now.'

The reason why she continued to have this nourishing tea time was because of Leabrick's request. Since all the factions of Princess Veronica in the social world have been broken down, she said that it was necessary to build friendships with the current students. Although annoying, Elena's actions were reported to Leabrick through Anne. It wasn't even a day since she came to the academy, so she didn't have to fly out of her eyes to violate Leabrick's request.

'To the extent that it doesn't look easy. Let's take it in moderation.'

Elena put the teacup down on the pedestal and said softly.

"Yes, let's have this kind of time often in the future."

"I'll get the blended black tea!"

The young girl's expression brightened with the hope of continuing her friendship with Elena.

"Yes, I'll take the time to invite you."

Elena never intended to face them again. In other words, the phrase meant, "Don't come to see me before I make an appointment." After that, she had tea time with guests who visited her several more times.

Elena pulled up her body and turned on her flag.

"That's enough for today. Send them all back. I drank too much black tea and I feel nauseous."

"Yes, miss."

May and Anne answered politely and arranged the teacups and plates. Elena, who was going up to the bedroom on the second floor, stopped on the stairs as if she had an idea.

"May has a separate errand to run, so come up for a moment."

Anne's expression became fierce when Elena pointed at May.

Anne blazed May violently. She didn't seem to like having May do something personal, not her.

"Anne, when you organize that, move the carpet around a bit. The cookie crumbs are a pain in the eye."

"A-alone?"

The carpet weighed a lot, so it was too much for a woman to shake it alone. Elena hardened her face and asked again.

"So what if you're alone? Are you asking me to help?"

"N-no. That's not what I meant. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, miss."

Anne bowed her head with a pale face to apologize. It was because she remembered that she almost got punished for my small slip of the tongue. Elena, who left Anne alone, came up to the bedroom with May. Then she pulled out an envelope from among the books she had put in the drawer.

"Send this letter to Emilio, the head of the Castol Corporation. For urgent use. Be sure to remember that he must not know that I have sent it."

May received the letter. Her gaze did not fall off the envelope. She seemed to be wondering why she told her not to let him know.

"Are you curious?"

"How can I."

"I don't mind you reading it. There's no reason to hide it. You're good enough if you get the message to the Castol Corporation."

"…!"

May's eyes shook violently at the words she threw. It was obvious that she was agitated without understanding Elena's intentions. Elena gave her a small parchment with a significant smile.

"Get me the things listed here. You can't leave anything out."

May's eyebrows wiggled as she skimmed through the list on the parchment. There were many unknown items such as a wig, glasses without lenses, and color cosmetics. Among them, the most suspicious was the name tag of the academy.

'Lucia?'

Wasn't it the name of the girl Elena asked to bring her brooch to yesterday? Why did she need a name tag with the name of someone other than Elena's? It was all beyond her imagination.

"What's all this? Why does she want me to buy this? That's the kind of questions you have."

"…"

"I want you to take your time to figure it out. If you buy them, pack them well and leave them with Sir Hurelbard. But you should never tell Anne what you bought. Don't let yourself get caught, okay?"

"Yes, Your Highness the Princess."

She said she knew it, but why did she tell her not to get caught by Anne? She was a maid. Questions increased but the answer was hardly found. From the beginning until now, May had no idea what the princess was thinking.

"You're a bright kid, so I don't have to say it twice. Go ahead. Oh, don't forget to get Anne some cookies, because you'll need an excuse."

"Okay."

"Tell Anne to come up for a moment on the way."

May bowed down and hurried out of the bedroom. When she stood by the window, she saw May leaving the dormitory in a hurry.

"Now shall we give the donkey a carrot?"

When Elena's talk to herself was over, a terrifying knock was heard. It was Anne.

"… You asked for me."

"Come here."

Looking at Anne, who was intimidated, Elena spoke kindly. Anne came close, perplexed by Elena's softened tone. Elena rolled over Anne's hair, which had been scattered while moving the carpet.

"Anne, do you know? How much I trust and depend on you."

"M-me?"

"Of course. Who's here but you?"

Anne was embarrassed by Elena's affectionate touch and tone, but she was a little relieved that her owner gave her this warmth.

"I really didn't know. I thought Her Highness the Princess hated me…."

"Me, hate you? How is that possible? May may be good at work, but she isn't very emotional. So you're the one I always take with me. And I just sent May on an errand didn't I?"

Anne's freckled cheekbones rose and a smile spread. Contrary to Anne's expectations, she was fooled by the idea of keeping her by her side because she trusted and relied on her.

When the atmosphere was ripe, Elena quietly got up from the sofa and took out the jewelry box from the drawer. Among them, she picked up a ruby ring, what's more, although gorgeous, it was hard to get the price it deserved because of its rough workmanship.

"Give me your hand."

"M-miss?"

"Come on."

Anne reached out her hand with a puzzled expression. Elena put the ring on Anne's finger which had become bumpy while doing chores.

"It suits you well as if it was yours. Take it, it's yours."

"What? How can I do this…"

Anne's greedy eyes did not fall off the ruby ring, though she refused it. Elena gave an angelic smile.

"You deserve it. Breaking your body every day, don't you think?"

"Thank you. Thank you."

Anne was moved to tears and bowed her head to express her thanks. How could she not be thrilled to receive an expensive ring that she would never wear with a maid's salary.

"Don't forget to keep it a secret from May."

"Of course! I'll keep this forever. Every time I sleep, I'll thank my princess a hundred times, no, a thousand times and sleep."

Elena sent out Anne, who was intoxicated with ecstasy. Anne was dazed that she might be dreaming until the moment she left. She told Anne to keep it a secret, but it was obvious that the promise wouldn't last even a few days. Anne had a proud personality and would try to show off how much she was appreciated.

Elena was not interested in it either way. May wouldn't react to Anne's bragging.

"Liv, you said it, didn't you? The more blind a human being is, the easier it is to deal with them."

Greed blinded people. For a while, even if she had May run a personal errand, Anne would not pay much attention to that in the illusion that Elena trusted and relied on her.

Making Anne think that Elena trusted her. That meant the ruby ring was worth it.

***

The eve. It was a festival organized by the Academy on the eve of the opening of the semester. The purpose of the event was to turn around the morale of freshmen and students who have to concentrate on their studies throughout the year. On this day, there were many things to see and enjoy as outside stalls came in and performances were held inside the academy.

Students from the aristocracy criticized the eve as a dirty event. However, there were many students from aristocratic backgrounds who went along with the festival because it was an opportunity to indirectly experience the life of ordinary people without worrying about appearances or authority.

On the contrary, students from commoner backgrounds who received sponsorship or were admitted with donations greatly enjoyed the festival of the eve. The three major festivals of the academy are the Art Festival, the Sword Fighting Festival, and the Academic Festival. However, for the commoner students who suffered from the pressure of achievement during their studies, the three major festivals were like exams that they had to pass. So, for the commoner students, the only real festival was the eve.