Silent Witch-Chapter Volume 2 2: Tyrant Daughter Style: Arts of Negotiation
Serendia Academy, it was a school which enrolled by children of noble families, that's why either its building or its dormitory was looked so magnificent.
From the point of view of a commoner like Monica, who had enrolled at Minerva where the best institute for magicians, looking at its building had enough to make her feel it so grandiose, but now she looked at Serendia Academy, it was felt even more than that. It was even much more gorgeous and grandiose than the mansions of lower-class nobles.
For students who have donated more than a certain amount of money, have excellent grades, or have been active in some activities such as being a member of the student council will be assigned in a private room. As for the rest, they would basically be assigned to a room for two people with another person.
Of course, Monica will also receive this treatment, which was to share a room with another person, but after knowing this, Monica was, "That's impossible for me! I would die if you do that…" bawling nagged to Louis.
Considering her current mission, it would best if she was placed in the same room with her collaborator, Young Miss Isabelle. But, because Isabelle was a sixteen years old freshman, and Monica was a seventeen years old sophomore, they would be assigned to a different room for each of their respected grades.
The fact Isabelle was a freshman and Monica was a transfer student who had accompanied her has made it difficult for them to be assigned to the same room.
Therefore, Isabelle would make her move to greet the headmaster, that is.
Unlike the freshmen, a transfer student like Monica has to meet the headmaster before starting her class. So, to attend that meeting, she had forced her way in.
After sitting alone on the couch across from the headmaster, she smiled proudly, leaving Monica stood behind her.
"Ohohohoho! Headmaster, I don't have to mention my private room as a matter of course, don't I? I hope you wouldn't be so tactful for asking me to share a room with this woman."
When she said, "this woman," Isabelle indicated Monica with her chin, who was standing behind her.
In her hometown, Count Kerbeck Family can be considered as one of the five wealthiest among the local noble families. Naturally, they've donated a reasonable amount of money, so the headmaster was, "Naturally," while rubbing his hand while smiling fondly at her.
"We have prepared a room suitable for a daughter of Count Kerbeck like you."
"My, thank you for your consideration. But, I feel sorry for her roommate to share a room with this muddlehead! She truly is a disgrace to our Kerbeck Family!"
Isabelle turned her head and raised her tone in a slightly exaggerated manner, before glancing up at Monica, who was standing behind with her head down, then said this with a nasty smile.
"I think an attic would suit you perfectly… Don't you agree?"
Monica could only nod with trepidation, while Isabelle said, "even the person herself agreed with me," to press the matter to the headmaster.
Her tactfulness had led to Monica being assigned to a small attic room on the top floor of the dormitory above the storage room.
For ordinary well-bred young ladies, that treatment would make them break down in tears, but for Monica, nothing would be more gratifying than that.
As such, a small place with a dimly lit would make her feel at home, and since her room was located on a different floor from the other girls, she wouldn't have to bump into them in the hallway.
After leaving the headmaster's office, Isabelle's sharp eyes suddenly moistened.
Looking at Monica who was flustered, Isabelle took out a handkerchief and wiped her eyes.
"To tell you the truth, I wish I could be assigned to the same room as you, Big Sister Monica…But I do not want to interfere with your mission. And this is something I am well aware of!"
"Er… Um… Thank you… very much…"
When Monica thanked her in a choppy voice, Isabelle was clinging to Monica's neck.
"Oh, Big Sister Monica! Can I come to your room once in a while? Wait! Or rather, please come and visit me in my room! I'll do my best to show you my best hospitality!"
"O-Okay…"
Just then, she saw figures that looked like students in the corridor. She couldn't distinguish their face because of the distance, but she assumed it was probably male students.
With that though, Isabelle immediately straightened her posture, looked down at Monica as if she were looking at garbage, then spoke in a high tone.
"Hey, what are you waiting for?! Oh, goodness gracious! You're truly a disgrace to the Kerbeck family! Be careful on your words, never mention the name of Count Kerbeck in the school!"
With that, Isabelle brushed back her orange ringlets and tucked her chin.
To perfect this pose alone, she had practiced this many times in front of the mirror. The key point was the angle at which she lifted her chin.
"I will be attending the entrance ceremony. You are a transfer student, so you should be going to your class, I presume? And make sure to never mention the name of the Count of Kerbeck! After all, I have never acknowledged you as a member of Count Kerbeck's family!"
Despite telling her not to mention the name of Count Kerbeck, she repeatedly called out that name in a loud enough volume for everyone around her to hear, to give the impression that Monica was a person of low status in the Kerbeck family.
Anyone who saw such a scene where Young Miss Isabelle glared and said "Where's your greeting?" at Monica who's nodding her head with trepidation would understand the meaning of their relationship.
A girl named Monica has complicated circumstances in the Count's family, and Isabelle, the daughter of the Count, disliked her very much.
* * *
"Did you see that, Your Highness?"
At some distance away, two people were watching the exchange between Young Miss Isabelle and Monica.
One of them was a young man with loosely wavy brown hair. Student Council Secretary, Elliot Howard.
And the other one was a young man with honey blond hair and blue eyes. Student Council President, Felix Ark Ridill.
From what Elliot told him, the girl with orange ringlets who were making a ruckus in the hallway was a freshman.
"So she was a freshman. And the girl beside her… has a different grade, I wonder."
The girls' uniforms consist of a neat one-piece dress that covers the wrists and ankles, but the color of the sleeve ornaments differs depending on the grade. So even from some distance away, one can tell what grade they are in by looking at the color on their sleeves.
Eliot looked as if he remembered something and clapped his hands.
"Ah, could it be she was that transfer student? I think she was the other student that transferred at the same time as the disciple of Louis Miller. Um, I think her name is…"
"Monica Norton."
Felix who had answered immediately receive admiration from Elliot who widened his droopy eyes.
"You've good memory as always, Your Highness."
"I've seen the orange-haired lady a few times at parties in the capital, she should be Young Miss Isabelle Norton from Count Kerbeck's family."
Isabelle Norton and Monica Norton. In normal circumstances, they would be considered sisters, but their appearances were too different.
Elliot snorted, "Hmm," and put a finger to his chin.
"I suspect the new student was also a member of the Count's family. But from the way she treated her, she might be a daughter born from his mistress."
"Things like this bound to happen In our society."
"I guess you're right. Though, it's not very pleasant to look at."
Elliot frowned uncomfortably as he said this.
Felix's gentle smile remained intact, but he looked at Elliot with somewhat cold eyes.
"It's not very pleasant? Are you referring to Young Miss Isabelle, who treating harshly to Young Miss Monica?"
"No. I felt very unpleasant at the fact that a person who is not even considered as a noble family is enrolled in this Serendia Academy."
As the legitimate son of a count, Elliot Howard seemed to be a cheerful and magnanimous young man. But no matter how tolerant and good-natured he may seem, he was still a proud aristocrat.
Elliot's eyes were very cold as he looked at the back of Monica's figure walking timidly behind Isabelle.
"Don't you think so too, Your Highness?"
"I wonder."
Felix was looking at the back of Monica's figure, looking a little thoughtful about something.
The only thing he could tell from this distance was, she's a small girl with light brown hair. Of course, he couldn't see her face.
However, something was strangely stuck in his mind.
"I have confidence in remembering people I've greeted once, but why couldn't I remember her?"
"How could such a person have ever met you, Your Highness. I mean, she's just a girl from the countryside."
Elliot denied it outright, but Felix silently stared at the back of Monica's figure.
He's staring at how she curled up her back as she walking timidly.
……
….
..
But, he did not realize such a back belonged to the Silent Witch, who wore the robes of the Seven Sages at the ceremony with her hood pulled down tightly to cover her face.