Royal Knights Academy Main Building - Class A

“Hey, hey… have you heard?”

Countless hushed voices cut through the low murmur of the classroom. It wasn’t unusual; Class A was always loud with gossip and gripes about lessons, but today, the air felt unusually tense, crowded by a hush of whispers echoing from every corner.

“Heard what?” another student asked, leaning back in his chair.

“You know… about Feyt. And that noble lady he’s always with, Carine?”

A few nearby heads turned at the name. A few scoffed away, some leaned in ever so slightly.

“Yeah…What about them?”

“They say she… blew up at him after they lost a duel together last week.”

“I heard it was brutal, too.”

“No way.” A girl interrupted, clicking her tongue. “That sounds made up. They always look so dreamy around each other to me.”

“Yeah, well, that’s what I heard too,” another voice chimed in. “But have you actually seen the way she looks at other students like us?”

A brief silence followed, with a few students exchanging glances.

“What, you mean the glares?”

“Exactly. Every time she passes by, it’s like she’s looking down on us.”

“Now that you mention it…”

“You’re saying she hates commoners?”

“I mean… it wouldn’t be surprising.”

A few heads nodded slightly; others remained silent. No voice objected to the comment.

Boots shuffled softly on the floor as more students leaned into the conversation.

“Still,” someone muttered, “rumors are just rumors. People make things up all the time. It’s not like there’s any real proof, right?”

“Exactly, I know talk’s good and all, but we really shouldn’t be saying anything without any—.”

The classroom door opened suddenly.

Though the sound was small, it was enough to cut the chatter into nothing.

Every voice died instantly as dozens of eyes turned to the classroom entrance.

A blonde-haired student entered, his face still, a bandage wrapped over his head.

—

What…

What in the world is going on here?

I stood in front of my stunned classmates. Though they were all silent, I could tell all of their attention was pulled towards me. And not just any part of me. Their eyes were all attached to my bandaged head.

Right before leaving the infirmary yesterday, the nurse insisted on bandaging it to help with recovery. I thought that would be better than having a visible bruise, but…

Now I didn’t know what to do.

Also… I heard them.

I heard their talk all the way from the halls. I instinctively lowered my pace so that I could hear more of them.

As more of their chatter reached me, I slowly lowered my head as well, hoping that the bandage wasn’t all that visible, which, obviously, wasn’t working.

And that was not to mention the countless whispers the students in the halls did as I passed them by.

“That bandage is totally from that, right?”

“No way, it’s actually true?”

“I actually saw Lady Carine leaving the infirmary yesterday, too. You think she…?”

Some of them hadn’t even bothered lowering their voices when I passed.

I thought today was just going to be another normal day in class. Maybe have a laugh with my classmate about being knocked out by a ball.

But seeing my stunned classmates like this, there was no way I could let them assume more than they already had.

So, I gathered a deep breath... and let out a huge laugh.

“Man, Ricent sure can hit a ball, huh?” The words came out louder than I intended.

I stepped forward, starting my cautious journey to my seat.

“Hey, how are you doin’? Good morning.” I nodded at a few familiar faces and offered a warm smile to each of them. “Nice day, isn’t it? Oh, nice hairdo!”

They responded in kind.

Well… sort of.

A couple of smiles. A few stiff nods. One guy raised his hand halfway before awkwardly transitioning into an awkward chuckle.

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The silent pity... 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

It was bad.

It was really bad.

And the worst part?

I could hear it.

“No way… there’s actual proof?”

“He’s forcing himself to class like that?”

I could only cringe inside.

Still, I kept walking anyway. I kept my pace slow and relaxed, like I didn’t have a care in the world. Meanwhile, I was panicking inside.

How in the world was I going to convince them that this bruise really was just from playing ball with Ricent?

By the time I reached my desk, Attila was already there.

She looked up at me, her usual bright smile… wasn’t quite there. Instead, she offered a warm, almost pitying smile.

“Hey, Feyt…” Her voice trailed off, like she didn’t know how to finish.

“Hey there!” I shot back immediately, maybe a bit too fast. I scratched lightly at the edge of my bandage and let out another laugh. “Did you know Ricent has some real Talent for ball games? I totally blacked out when he hit me with a ball, haha!”

It was the truth. But why did it sound like a lie?

“Wow…” Attila hesitated, her eyes flicking to the bandage, then back to me. “I guess he might be a prodigy in the making, huh?”

“Right?” I said, grinning.

She didn’t grin back, though.

Around us, whispers began again.

“He’s… lying, isn’t he?”

“Yeah, there’s no way. A ball can’t do that.”

“You think… he’s hiding it?”

“…Maybe he likes it.”

I am not a masochist!

—

Classes ended fast. Mostly because my mind was in a blur.

I kept pondering, what caused this rumor to spread?

Clearly, they were talking about that time I lost to Instructor Liz. But where did the part about me lashing out at me begin?

Pretty sure I just sat in silence after my duel, watching the others duel in earnest. Lionne paired up with a friend of hers from another class. Villius surprisingly got along with Lechter… in total silence. And instructor Liz didn’t challenge any other students after absolutely handing my ass to me.

It was a normal class, one I would call fun even. I was in no mood to lash out at all, let alone click my tongue.

Clearly, this wasn’t just some misunderstood scenes people saw me in. This was a totally fabricated story. But who spread it?

The students in the class? The students who heard about the duel? Maybe even someone outside of that? The scope was too big.

Also, why would they spread it? Jealousy? Anger? Personal grudge? Who knows.

But knowing who’s and why’s wouldn’t help me at all, at least for now. What I needed to do was to get rid of this rumor fast.

I wouldn’t want to be seen as my own domestic abuser… Even though there was nothing domestic about this at all.

Since I technically work for myself… is this workplace abuse then?

I shook my head. This was not the time for jokes.

“Lady Carine? Are you alright?” Eve asked, pausing mid-motion as she packed her things.

It took me a moment to process her question. I blinked, realizing I had been staring at nothing for far too long. I slowly straightened myself and started packing up my things as well.

“I am fine,” I replied, keeping my face as calm as possible, which was thankfully easy to do with this face.

Eve didn’t respond right away. Instead, her eyes shifted subtly to left and right, like she was checking who might be listening.

“Lady Carine… is this about the rumor?”

I flinched, very subtly. Subtle enough, anyone less observant would’ve missed it. Sadly, Eve was not less observant.

I exhaled quietly.

The rumor had spread even to this side of the academy, too. Ever since I made my way out of my dorm and into the classroom, people stared at me for longer than usual, whispering behind my back.

It was the same feeling of unease and tension I felt back when Lionne, Eve, and I went on a jog that day, which probably meant the rumor was already circulating all the way back then.

Speaking of Lionne. I turned to my right-hand side, expecting to find Lionne smiling and sharing what she knew of the rumor. But, just like me moments ago, she was sitting still, facing her desk, staring into nothing.

The way she was hesitating to face me ever since I greeted her this morning, and how she looked conflicted now… it was clear she absolutely believed the rumor.

Clearly, I needed to clarify this sooner rather than later.

As I opened my mouth to explain…

“Ohoho… how refreshing this is.”

The voice drifted in before the sentence could finish.

That’s a familiar way of laughing…

But the tone’s not familiar.

The one standing beside our desk wasn’t Mirabelle, but a classmate of ours. Her platinum-blonde hair was styled into intricate braids with soft curls at the ends. Her uniform was as immaculate as the rest of us, but a tailored outer layer draped over her shoulders, lined with pale fur at the collar and cuffs.

Let’s just say, she easily stood out.

“Lady Ravilenna,” I acknowledged her. “What brings you here?”

“I simply wish to talk to you, Lady Carine,” she continued, stepping just slightly closer, “it is reassuring. One does hear the most curious things, and it would be unfortunate if they were taken at face value.”

Her tone was light. Amused, even.

Is she talking about the rumor?

“I must say,” Ravilenna continued, her smile soft, “it is reassuring to know that even you are capable of establishing standards and limits among your associates.”

I paused mid-motion, fingers resting against the clasp of my bag.

Is she insulting my friends?

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, my tone lowering. I began finishing my packing without looking at her.

There was a brief shift in the air.

Ravilenna’s smile remained strong, though something in it tightened a little.

“Ah—no, p-please, do not misunderstand,” she said quickly. “I meant no disrespect.”

Of course, you didn’t.

“What I meant was,” she continued, smoothing the sleeve of her fur-lined coat as if to recompose herself, “you have always struck me as… rather unconcerned with such matters, especially regarding those you allow near you.”

I could sense Eve’s stare sharpening beside me. But, Ravilenna was seemingly ignorant of it.

“Your associations, in particular, have often suggested a certain leniency. So, when I heard that you have taken a firmer stance on where you stand, I am relieved to find myself corrected.” She placed her gloved hand on her chest, as if elegantly relieved.

“After all, as a future Duchess, it is only right that you know how to teach people their place. It is a trait many of us truly admire.”

Okay… I’m starting to see where she’s going with this.

Then, she reached that same hand in an open gesture towards me.

“That is why I would like to extend an invitation. There will be a small tea gathering this afternoon after all our classes.” She smiled proudly. “Nothing overly formal, of course. It is merely a space where one might enjoy more agreeable company.”

If I were to translate that…

Basically, she believed the rumors, abuse, and all…

And amidst all that sound, she found it to be admirable instead.

I see… She’s one of them.

“We would be delighted to have your presence grace us,” she continued, her hand extending ever so slightly. "Perhaps we could even share stories over cake. Would you join us, Lady Carine?"

I let out a silent sigh.

I closed my bag.

Straightened.

Then rose to my feet.

“I shall decline,” I said straight.

“Wonderful! I shall have one of my serva—Wait…” Ravilenna froze. Her hand remained suspended midair, her expression catching up a fraction too late.

“I have other arrangements for today,” I continued smoothly. “Please invite me some other time.”

I turned away from her and faced my friends. “Shall we head to the cafeteria?” I asked.

Eve took a moment before rising from her desk as well. “Of course, Lady Carine.”

Lionne jolted slightly, finally breaking from her earlier stillness. “O-Oh, right, yes, of course!” she said quickly. “I already reserved a seat, as always.”

“Excellent.” I turned to Ravilenna once more, her hand still hanging forward. “Excuse us,” I said, offering a slight, practiced curtsy.

Then, we left the class.

As the three of us started our silent journey to the cafeteria, I began to wonder.

To catch the attention of someone like Ravilenna…

This rumor… might be more troublesome than the others.