The first class that Maerie attended was history.
History consisted of the founding of Atelia, the becoming of the Royals, and the current political events. Of course, there were other aspects, such as the transforming of societal standards and the country's economic situation. These topics weren't heavily focused on, but they existed.
Accompanied by Raijin, Maerie was able to remember where the class was located. The moment she stepped through the frame, the students inside lowered their voices. No one really knew what Maerie was like; thus, they treaded carefully and quietly around her, not daring to make a noise too loudly.
Maerie was used to this treatment, so she didn't address it and immediately took a seat at the first row. Raijin laid out the materials for the class neatly in front of her, stepping behind her once they were positioned to Maerie's liking. Maerie didn't pay attention; she didn't even touch the items in front of her. Her sharp eyes were carefully watching each student that came through, as if expectantly waiting for someone.
Soon came an excited clamor from the hall.
The Third Prince, followed by the rest of his groupies, entered the class. His silent and reserved temperament didn't faze the people around him. They all called out to him in a friendly manner, despite their body language showing that they were wary around him. Allen Carter was next to him, albeit slightly behind. His behavior was almost like the Third Prince, except he occasionally showed a distant smile.
The other three lackeys weren't anywhere in sight, which probably meant they held a different schedule. Maerie tried to remember which classes they appeared in, but any memory she had only swirled around the Third Prince. She almost reflexively grimaced, barely managing to keep it internal as she placed a sly grin on her face.
"Raijin," she said through her teeth, "if you ever mention what I'm about to do ever again, I'll personally see to it that you'll never get my soul."
An inkling of realization hit Raijin, but Maerie had already called out sweetly, "Noah."
The chatter in the room ceased immediately. Around her, Maerie could feel multiple gazes snap over to find out who called out to the Third Prince with no reservations.
Maerie kept the vixen-like expression on her face, maintaining it smoothly despite the piercing stares. Her eyes trained carefully on the Third Prince as he halted, his empty look filling with subtle disdain. Maerie's lips turned upwards at the corners, donning a flattering smile. She didn't miss Allen Carter's eyes narrowing slightly in mockery.
When the Third Prince made no other movements, Maerie placed her hand on the open seat next to her and patted it once.
"Noah, let's sit together, hm?" Her voice wasn't asking him; the assertive and domineering tone sounds like it demanded him.
The Third Prince finally looked over. His eyes lowered to the seat her hand touched, giving it a frosty stare as if imagining himself sitting there was revolting. He then walked in the direction of the seating, causing surprise to ripple throughout. However, contrary to everyone's expectations, he only paused in front of Maerie.
Up close, Maerie could see Noah's expression better then the others. His neat eyebrows were barely drawn together as he looked down upon her in a condescending manner. An expression of disgust lingered in his eyes as he spoke.
"Lady Doll, I don't think I'm familiar with you," he said in a low voice, "for you to call my name so casually."
His words gave a superficial feeling of respectful chiding, but the underlying tone was 'Don't say anything about our engagement.'
As if Maerie cared about what he wanted.
Despite her inner feelings, Maerie didn't react immediately, taking a moment to study his expression a bit. As he continued to stand in front of her, she flashed another smile.
"Hm... not familiar, is it?" repeated Maerie, tapping her chin with feigned thoughtfulness.
The Third Prince nodded, using his eyes to give her one last warning. When Maerie didn't respond further, he decided he had effectively shut her lips. Proceeding to ignore her, he made his way past the front row in order to make his way towards the back middle section.
"I don't understand why my soon-to-be fiancé is saying we're not familiar?"
Hearing those words behind him, the Third Prince stiffened. His fists clenched together, but relaxed in a flash. The action wasn't able to escape Maerie's gaze, as she had already turned to look at him.
'Ah, he's only sixteen, right? At this age, he isn't fully in control of his composure like he was as an adult,' thought Maerie, steadily continuing her onslaught.
She turned her gaze to Allen Carter, putting full force into her arrogant attitude. "Mister Carter, do you understand? I would assume so, since you're the closet one to my soon-to-be fiancé after all."
With Maerie's use of the word fiancé, combined with the direct question to Allen Carter, he was caught off guard. He looked between the Third Prince and Maerie for a few seconds.
"That is... Lady Doll, I—"
"Mister Carter, you can't be so partial to my dear soon-to-be fiancé. If you're constantly on my husband's side now, how will our future marriage be harmonious?" Maerie's voice took a coquettish turn, causing everyone to almost double over in shock.
This...? Isn't this a bit different from how the rumors portrayed her...?
Out of the corner of her eye, Maerie saw Raijin lightly trembling. She knew he was desperately trying to hold by his laughter, so she nonchalantly stepped on his foot under the desk. Raijin, who wasn't harmed by such a weak fifteen year old, only gave her a look of hidden amusement before regaining his respectful persona.
There was a moment of pause. No one in the room had digested what Maerie said. They shared confused and questioning glances between each other, their whispers polluting the silence.
Soon-to-be fiancé? Marriage? Between the rumored Duke's wretched daughter and the Third Prince of the Royals?
The weird atmosphere in the room turned into surprise when the Third Prince slammed his hand on the table. Everyone jumped; even Maerie gave a small jolt at the sudden action. Raijin, on the other hand, calmly shifted his position to the side where the Third Prince was, shielding his Lady. The Third Prince either didn't notice or didn't care, as his face displayed a look of barely contained fury.
Every time Maerie said fiancé, it was like a knife digging into the Third Prince. The constant reminder of the shameless engagement proposal he will be forced to receive was like a thorn in his side. Although being married to a Duke's daughter wasn't considered bad, in fact in most cases a Duke's daughter was an excellent candidate choice for Royals, Maerie was like a poisonous fungi. She thrived on petty drama and scheming; she was a nightmare of a bride to be engaged to.
The reason why he gave her a warning indirectly was to tell her that he didn't want to be tied to her. Even though he was here to receive education, he too was a noble child wanting to spread his roots throughout the noble families. He wanted to sink his teeth into the lambs running around the Academy, to tie them to his faction in order to build a solid backing as a contender for the throne. To do that, he didn't want to act familiar with this infectious disease of a Duke's daughter. It would cast doubt on him and his character.
She should have more or less guessed he didn't want the matter to be brought up. And yet...!
His pale blue eyes focused on her with frustration.
'Uh oh, he's so angry,' Maerie thought in an amused tone.
Just as Maerie wanted to provoke him further, the Third Prince relaxed his stance and put back his empty face. Without another word, he turned and went back to the middle back section.
"My fiancé abandoned me, how mean," Maerie huffed, tossing a glare at the Third Prince's back.
This time, he paid no attention to her. He simply sat down in a seat and waited for the class to start. When Maerie turned back to face the front, she met Allen Carter's gaze. Bewilderment and uncertainty was clear in his expression. Not bothering to deal with him anymore, she only gave him a grim smile before fiddling with her hair and staring at the door.
As if on cue, the teacher rushed in.
"Alright, I apologize for being late, there was a conference that was extended a bit," said the teacher breathlessly, "you all sit down. Those of you not in my class, you're officially late for your actual class! Head to the office to receive your late notes."
A murmur traveled through the students, each one commenting that the time slipped by unnoticed. Quietly listening to the mumblings, Maerie glanced at Raijin. He met her gaze with a small but knowing smile, which made Maerie further confirm her small theory forming in her mind.
It seems that her high-ranking Spirit has a few tricks up his sleeve.
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