Chapter 111: Infirmary Visit (II).
Analissa Blanchet was sleeping soundly as the crowd around her was talking about her... in front of her.
'I wasn't expecting this many visitors... I thought it was only going to be Lord Ein and Lady Evelyn at most. I don't have other friends inside the classroom so this makes it really hard to guess who's there when I have my eyes closed.' (Analissa) keeping her eyes shut, she silently prayed that the people gathered around her were at least familiar faces.
Lady Evelyn raised a hand, gesturing for everyone to come inside.
"Don't be shy. You may sit if you'd like, or stand by the wall. Just leave Miss Blanchet enough room to breathe."
Analissa recognized that calm, caring voice immediately.
'Lady Evelyn...' As expected, Lady Evelyn naturally took charge, giving quick orders before taking a seat beside her bed.
Lady Blaire walks over to her, staring at the sleeping blonde girl. "You truly care for Miss Blanchet Lady Evelyn... I always wondered what her life was as a commoner. I have always wondered what her common family is like... and how does she feel being chosen as the next saintess?"
Everyone stared at her innocent expression and question. Has this person never met a commoner before?
"Surely it must've been hard, I heard from my father that some commoners can't even afford to buy new clothes everyday... and they can't afford jewelry." She continued.
Analissa nearly raised her eyebrow hearing that statement, of course the normal household income would need to be budgeted from bills, meals and daily essentials!
They can't afford to buy new clothes everyday including jewelry!
That reminds her she needs to pay her dormitory rent this month. 'I haven't been at work lately but damn I need to bust tables to pay for my rent.'
"Now that you mention it I never see Miss Blanchet wear jewelry." (Lady Margaret) followed but with the thought of the heroine wearing beautiful jewelry would suit her honestly. "A lady must have at least five or six proper pieces of jewelry."
"T-The middle class can afford it. I know... for some commoners in my province, buying clothes and jewelry everyday is not their priority." (Lady Harriot) explains to the best she can without stuttering.
'Oh, that gjrl who just spoke has a really thick accent. I think I recognize her a little.' (Analissa) was really focusing on guessing who had the decency to even visit her in the clinic.
Lord Ein nodded agreeing with Lady Harriot, although soon Miss Analissa Blanchet will be able to buy any expensive jewelry and clothes that she could want with their recent adventure last week.
Those mana crystals were of the purest and highest concentration of mana the appraiser has ever seen.
They've hit the jackpot! But it's not like he can say that out loud.
"Lady Yates is right. You're over exaggerating things, commoners can buy clothes and jewelry. Not everyday of course but on a good day. They focus more on family, business and bills." (Lord Ein) has already known that some nobles were out of touch with the prospects of a commoner's life.
But goodness it seems that her family doesn't know how to properly budget.
Even his own mother did not buy that much expensive jewelry and clothes.
'Yeah tell that out of touch girl who's boss! I'm sorry, happy you're here Lord Ein- ah! I'm going to need my book and wand back once these people get out of the infirmary! Also who's Lady Yates again?' She was so happy for him to be alive and not being tortured by the crown prince right about now.
She blacked out before she could see the aftermath of the festival. All Analissa Blanchet could remember is giving the wand of light and book to Lord Ein.
"Hmm... Miss Blanchet is a scholarship student. I wonder if she can afford the dorms and such. Even the commoner dormitory can be quite pricey. Even if she's supposed to be the next saintess, I've heard that scholarship students can barely pay for their rent in their dorms."
"Right, she's on scholarship. What's the difference between them and class-1B again?"
Lady Evelyn explains, "Class 1-B is full of commoners, yes, but they're a mix of children of wealthy merchants and scholarship students who were known gifted children when it comes to magic personally handpicked by the headmaster of the royal academy."
"Its a good system honestly, but did you know the academy serves another purpose other than studying?" (Lord Ein) chuckles, knowing that years before most likely in their parent's time it was well known to be an academy of learning strictly for those who are born into nobility. "Isn't that right? Everyone knows it but we don't dare say."
Several students exchanged knowing glances.
Years ago, the Royal Academy had been an institution reserved almost exclusively for the nobility.
That had slowly changed.
Now, talented commoners, wealthy merchant families, and gifted scholars were welcomed alongside noble heirs.
Not merely for education.
"...the academy is a matchmaking ground for future prospects of marriage."
Lady Margaret nodded, eyeing the young lord carefully before smiling politely. "Correct, some noble families who are near ruin often find women from the daughters of merchants rather than other nobility. I am surprised... Lord Loucrat is bold for even opening such a topic."
'I can't see the academy the same after this talk.' (Analissa) was listening in on their conversation and was amazed on how the history of class 1-A and 1-B will forever be. 'It's a stinky system but it made sense. Some nobles have titles but no money, some commoners have a lot of money but no titles to their name.'
No wonder the story was put in her 1-A despite only it being a class for students with noble titles.
It's because being in 1-A makes her a better target to be considered for marriage for any interested suitors.
"We are all adults now, we know our duty. It is our right to call it out. It's a horrible system but it's just the way it is in this kingdom." (Lord Ein) laughs, offering a fun fact about himself. "How about we get to know each other more? I know only one person like I- are promised to another."
The former Masochist turns to the villainess who groans a little being reminded that she is still engaged.
"How about the three of you ladies, any marriage interest? If it's alright to pry."
Lady Harriot, Margaret and Blaire all looked at each other and shook their heads.
"I'm not ready for that kind of commitment," (Lady Margaret) admitted with a small shake of her head. "Thankfully, I have an older brother. But sooner or later... it'll be my turn to be engaged to a man I've never even met."
Privately, however, Lady Margaret was far more interested in exploring the unfamiliar feelings that had recently begun to bloom within her- particularly those involving women who wore trousers.
Lady Blaire let out a wistful sigh before turning toward Lord Ein with sparkling eyes, every bit the lovestruck maiden. "Ah... I feel the same. Though I certainly wouldn't mind if I were engaged to Lord Ein instead."
"Calm yourself, Lady Charming," (Lady Evelyn) said with an amused smile. "He's already engaged- to my childhood friend nonetheless."
Lady Blaire gasped dramatically.
"Oops! My apologies. I have the memory of a goldfish! I have forgotten that you two are engaged." She quickly turned to another classmate. "How about you then, Lady Yates?"
Lady Harriot fidgeted with the cuffs of her sleeves.
"M-My mum and dad always told me... to marry for love." She smiled bashfully. "I'm... still looking, but no luck so far."
Hidden beneath her blanket, Analissa was thoroughly enjoying what had essentially become a romance podcast. 'As expected of Lord Ein... Somehow he turned an infirmary visit into a discussion about love. Thanks for making this place less boring.'
Lord Ein chuckled softly, wishing for the same thing. "Well, Lady Yates, love isn't something you need to rush. Sometimes it finds you when you least expect it."
"Indeed!" (Lady Blaire) nodded enthusiastically. "You simply need to imagine the kind of man you're hoping to meet, Lady Yates!"
"Pfft... I never thought I would hear you give romance advice Blaire." (Lady Margaret) covered her mouth as she laughed.
"What? I can be quite wise when I want to be." (Lady Blaire) puffed out her cheeks.
Lady Margaret chuckled before her smile softened. "Though, if Lady Mary Brightmoor were here today, she'd probably say she prefers the scholarly type. That's certainly what her family hopes for, anyway."
She let out a small sigh.
"It's a shame she couldn't visit today."
Analissa's eyes nearly flew open.
'Mary Brightmoor... She's supposed to be the one who fights in the magic duel instead of Lady Evelyn... One of the allies you can recruit in the game!'She had been so focused on keeping the villainess alive that she'd nearly forgotten about one of the story's most important side characters.
"I've met her mother before," (Lady Evelyn) cut in, remembering that she had met Lady Mary's mother once at a party with other northern guests. "She's a wonderfully kind woman, even if Lord Brightmoor is rather strict."
Lady Margaret Howard glanced toward the sleeping Saintess, curiosity filled her mind. "What about Miss Blanchet? What sort of man do you think she'd fall for?"
Analissa Blanchet grits her teeth hearing her name being involved in the romance podcast, 'Eh? I'm lying here pretending to be unconscious, and somehow I've become today's discussion topic? Besides... I'm not even interested in any of them romantically!'
Lady Evelyn remained silent.
Truthfully, she had no idea what kind of person she herself would fall in love with, much less what Analissa's type might be.
The only one willing to answer purely for amusement was Lord Ein.
"Oh, that's easy." He folded his arms with a thoughtful hum.
"Surely it's-! A KIND man, a CLUMSY CUTE man and lastly-!" He grinned, continuing on with the type of list describing only the awkward sides of the villainess. "...a man who OVERTHINKS absolutely everything."
"Urk..." A strange sound escaped Lady Evelyn before she quickly covered it with a cough. Somehow she knows... This boy was talking about her in code.
Meanwhile...
Analissa has a big question mark on her forehead because Lord Ein only got two right.
"My, really?" (Lady Blaire) blinked, not believing that a woman like Analissa Blanchet would be into such qualities. "Personally, I don't think I could handle someone like that."
The villainess' heart just took a hit on that comment.
"Omph...!"
Lady Evelyn didn't know that her qualities were such a drag-! And... unattractive for other women. Was she that clingy?
"Likewise," (Lady Margaret) agreed with a laugh. "People like that tend to become rather clingy. It's rather hard to think of Miss Blanchet being with someone like that. He may be kind but clumsy and cute-? That simply won't be enough."
"Cough-!"
The villainess couldn't help coughing in pain. She wasn't cute-!
"...!"
Every pair of eyes turned toward Evelyn.
"Are you alright, Lady Alarie?"
She immediately straightened her posture.
"R-Right as rain."
No one seemed entirely convinced.
Lady Blaire looked back at Lord Ein, smiling and clearly her gaze was absolutely infatuated with him. "You certainly know Miss Blanchet well. C-Could it be that you're her type?!"
Lord Ein merely smiled and shaked his head without hesitation.
"We're close friends. I've come to respect Analissa Blanchet a great deal. She's almost like a younger sister to me. Every time I stay by her side, I end up learning something new..." He laughed quietly. "...or getting dragged into another unexpected adventure. She's truly a great friend to have but nothing more than that."
"If Lord Ein says so," (Lady Margaret) said with a nod, "then it must be true."
"Miss Blanchet has always struck me as hardworking," (Lady Blaire) remarked. "Still... even with a scholarship, I hear it's difficult to make ends meet."
"The academy provides an allowance, but I've heard it barely covers the essentials. Wasn't she from a village somewhere near your family's territory, Lady Alarie?" She continued, frowning thoughtfully, trying to remember.
Analissa, who was also still listening, almost jumped out of her bed.
'Is she going to be saying my address?!'
"I believe it was..."
Lady Evelyn blinked waiting for her answer.
"Actually," (Lady Blaire) interrupted, as though something had suddenly come to mind, "there was quite a bit of gossip surrounding Miss Blanchet when she first enrolled."
She let out an embarrassed laugh.
"I'll admit... I believed some of it."
Lady Margaret sighed. "Almost none of those rumors turned out to be true. I remember hearing people call her a seductress."
She shook her head. "And yet the only gentleman I've ever seen her spending time with is Lord Loucrat."
Lord Ein simply smiled.
"My friend is careful about who she lets into her life." A brief silence settled over the infirmary before Lady Blaire spoke again. "It's a shame Lady Serene couldn't come with us."
She tilted her head.
"She still doesn't seem to like Miss Blanchet. I wonder why."
Lady Evelyn lowered her gaze.
"...It's not really my place to explain." Her voice remained gentle. "Lady Serene has her own reasons. They stem from something that happened in her past."
She paused before adding quietly, "I wouldn't say she hates Analissa. If anything..."
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "...she's become much gentler toward her."
Several pairs of eyes widened.
"She has?"
Lady Evelyn nodded.
"You were all there during the Foundation Festival. I heard when Miss Blanchet volunteered to take over the role of the Crown Prince... Lady Serene was the first to support her." A warm memory crossed Lady Evelyn's face. "And afterward... she even complimented Analissa on all her hard work."
Lady Blaire hearing the villainess complimenting Analissa wanted to confess something as well. "I was part of the special effects team, Miss Blanchet actually wanted to help us."
She smiled bitterly feeling guilty that she couldn't have done a better job at convincing her other classmates for Lady Analissa Blanchet to help at that time. "But... some of the others didn't approve- I... told them that her light magic might be helpful but... I was afraid that they would exclude me from the other activities."
"How ridiculous," (Lady Margaret) muttered despite being a well known hypocrite. "Who were they?"
Lady Blaire shook her head.
"It doesn't matter anymore." She looked toward the sleeping blonde. "She would've fit right in with us but I suppose... there's still a wall between her and the rest of the class."
"I wish there wasn't," (Lady Blaire) murmured. "It's strange. The moment a noble and a commoner are seen talking together, everyone starts paying attention." She glanced toward Lady Evelyn. "But you don't seem to mind at all."
Lady Evelyn answered without a moment's hesitation. "That's because Analissa Blanchet is someone worth knowing."
A gentle smile brightened her expression.
"She's kind, dependable and she's genuinely fun to be around." Her eyes drifted toward the peacefully sleeping girl. "If all of you gave her a chance... I'm certain our days at the academy would become far more enjoyable."
"Fun..." (Lady Margaret) quietly repeated the word, the idea of fun was something foreign to a noblelady like her. "I never really considered having fun at the academy. My father sent me here to find a suitable marriage partner. Everything has always been about politics."
"The same goes for me," (Lady Blaire) admitted with a sheepish smile. "It's difficult to think about enjoying yourself when you're constantly reminded of your family's expectations."
Lady Blaire nodded in agreement.
"But ever since the Foundation Festival... and the play... I've actually started looking forward to coming to class."
She laughed softly.
"The rehearsals were exhausting. But they were fun. I'm very thankful that Miss Blanchet saved the entire performance. I wish we could be friends too."
Lady Evelyn looked around the room, there was indeed a gap in the class that needed fixing. The only friends that Analissa Blanchet had were her and Lord Ein Loucrat... for some people that might be enough but-
She instinctively recalled that her wish was to get along with everyone in class.
'If it will make her happy then- I should try for her sake.' (Lady Evelyn) has decided that she will help her crush make new friends and live the rest of her academy life in happiness.
The villainess can casually invite someone to a party formally- she was a great prodigy and genius! Heiress to one of the most powerful families in the western kingdom!
"Then..." (Lady Evelyn) began softly. She took a small breath to steady herself. "Why don't you spend more time together?"
The room fell silent.
Every pair of eyes turned toward the villainess.
Only Lord Ein noticed the slight tremble in the hands she had quietly clasped together on her lap. Though her face remained composed, she was clearly nervous.
"If you're all free this weekend..." she continued, her voice growing a little steadier, "...how about we hold a study session?"
Her purple eyes drifted toward the sleeping blonde girl.
"And once Miss Blanchet has recovered... we'll invite her too."
For a brief moment, no one answered. The students exchanged uncertain glances, some fidgeting awkwardly as if unsure whether to speak first.
"W-Well..." (Lady Harriot) was the first to break the silence, raising her hand. "I-I don't mind. T-The exams are coming soon so... it might be a good idea to study in advance."
"I don't mind as well," (Lady Margaret) replied with a small smile. "It sounds rather pleasant studying with all of you. It might even be a chance to get to know all of you together."
Lady Blaire nodded enthusiastically. "I'd love to come as well!"
One by one, the rest of the group voiced their agreement until the hesitation that had filled the room melted away into quiet excitement.
Relief washed over Lady Evelyn's face.
She clasped her hands together with a gentle smile. "Then it's settled. I know the perfect place. It's quiet, cozy... and it's where Miss Blanchet works."
Lady Blaire blinked, some other commoner students took part-time just to survive so Analissa Blanchet was also like that. "She has a job? How admirable. How does she manage to balance work and her studies?"
Lord Ein chuckled, remembering the first time he visited the place. "Through sheer determination and discipline. I've been there several times. The food is excellent. I can personally vouch for it."
"If Lord Ein recommends it..." (Lady Blaire) smiled. "...I'd love to visit."
"Let's invite Lady Mary as well. She's been hanging around Lady Julienne Allis a lot. I know we've rarely been seeing her after school these days but I hope she'll accept our invitation." (Lady Margaret) suggested.
Lady Harriot suddenly looked thoughtful knowing something that no one else does, being a loner and a fan of novels- reading was her hobby and she accidentally saw the two girls reading a diary of some sort together.
It was a well known fact that their families hate each other.
The memory was foggy but... they've been reading something that interests them both so Lady Harriot Yates couldn't help but ship the two together whenever they were at the library.
Lady Blaire sighs, "Is Lady Mary... close to Lady Julienne? I've seen them together a few times. Usually around the library. I thought they were not to be seen together considering how Lady Allis' family treats the Brightmoor family."
"I've noticed that too, they seem like good friends instead of enemies." (Lady Margaret) agreed.
"Lord Ein-" (Lady Harriot) smiled mischievously before gently nudging Lord Ein with her elbow. "I've seen the way Lady Mary looks at Lady Julienne..."
Lord Ein raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Lady Harriot leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
"It's the same look."
Understanding immediately dawned on him.
"Well..." A grin slowly spread across his face. "That's a rather useful piece of information."
Lady Blaire blinked, curious on how the two could be so close.
Feeling a little jealous she wanted to join in the conversation, "Hey! What are you two talking about?
Lord Ein chuckled, keeping proper distance from Lady Harriot after being caught... who seems to be a lot more than meets the eye and for some reason. "It's nothing."
'Huh... Isn't she being a little too clingy?' (Lord Ein) sensed something off with Lady Blaire Charming's unusually sweet personality.
Lady Harriot chuckles nervously but ends up saving their hides, "W-We were talking about what could be a good study material for the group study. It's my first time attending one as I usually study alone. I'm um... not very good at studying."
It was an obvious lie, Lady Harriot was in the very top ten in the first year's academic result years on their entrance exams.
Lord Ein smirks wanting to offer his help and even thought of having a few study sessions with just the two of them together- maybe it would be a nice time. He really wasn't expecting for someone like Harriot Yates to be quite an unexpectedly relaxing company to be with, "Don't worry so much, Lady Harriot. If you have any problems or come across a problem you can't solve, you can come to me."
Lady Harriot blinks, not expecting that from Lord Ein but she manages to politely smile through it. T-Thank you, Lord Ein."
Lady Blaire pouts, feeling a little jealous on how different Lord Ein treats the other girl for some reason. "Can I also ask you when I'm having problems with math and a few other subjects, Lord Ein? I'm also very bad at studying."
The young knight forces a smile. He wants to dismiss the other girl but as a gentleman he should lay the message down politely as possible.
Lady Blaire Charming's family could still prove useful in the future.
The Charming family has a lot of influence in both the north and the southern kingdom.
If he wants to help the future queen grow into a powerful woman that could make changes for the future- Evelyn Alarie will need all the help that she can get and he's willing to be the one controlling the board.
"If we have time, then I see no problem." He's going to be putting all the needed pieces on the board and making sure he's going to get the enemy king by the end.
He'll make sure Evelyn Alarie will stand on her own without a king.
'Another queen by her side suits her better.' His eyes gleamed of mischief and trickery.
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