Pride and Sanctimony

Chapter 2

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[Woman] “Why are you being like this?”

The woman’s voice was filled with sorrow. It was soaked with such desperate emotions that Valentia stopped in her tracks without realizing it.

[???] “Don’t be so pathetic.”

In contrast, the man’s voice was sweet. She wasn’t sure what he looked like, but his voice was handsome enough.

Valentia took another step.

[Woman] “Why do you want to break up? I don’t want to.”

[???] “We were supposed to play around, have some fun, and then part ways—nice and neat. What’s up with you all of the sudden?”

[Woman] “I’m in love with you. I mean it.”

[???] “Oh, is that why you told your friends we’re in love?”

[Woman] “That was my mistake.”

[???] “Then why did you forget that we were going to end this?”

[Woman] “I remember. But then I fell in love with you.”

The man gave a low sigh.

[???] “Really? So what is it about me that you love? My face? My status? Or maybe it’s everything below the belt you like?”

….Such uncouth words spoken in such a loud and proud voice. It was enough to make Valentia stop walking again. What kind of thing were they discussing in the middle of the courtyard? 

They must’ve known they’d be overheard by anyone who happened to be passing by, and yet they didn’t stop their conversation.

[Woman] “How could you say that!?”

The woman’s anger was justified. It was a terrible thing to say to a woman who just professed her love for you. It was so audacious that a part of Valentia wanted to slap the nerves of the one who said them.

[???] “What else do you know about me? Besides my face, status, and lower half, what else could possibly make you love me? Don’t say it’s my personality you like.”

Trust me, it can’t be that, the man muttered in a soft voice. It was only after overcoming the sweetness of his voice that Valentia was able to truly grasp how shocking his words were.

And honestly, she had no choice but to agree, nodding without even trying to. She didn’t know who this man was and had only heard a few words from him, but it was clear he had a really rotten personality.

But surprisingly, this man at least seemed to be aware of how dirty his character was.

Right now, Valentia was on her way to her first class of the day, using the shortcut she always used. However, this was her first time running into something like this. It made her curious about the kind of disaster that was unfolding.

However, despite her curiosity, Valentia took a step forward. She had no intention of eavesdropping on an intimate conversation between lovers. But then another comment made her pause in place.

[Woman] “I’m pregnant.”

[???] “Pregnant?”

[Woman] “Yes. Pregnant.”

Even Valentia, who was more often than not coldly indifferent to the problems of other people, had so many questions that were coming up right now because of this conversation. There were few humans who would be able to pull themselves away from such gossip, but even so—Valentia took another step.

But her steps were once again stopped.

[???] “Whose kid is it?”

The man’s voice was cold.

Usually, with this kind of atmosphere, if a woman you had been spending intimate time with claimed to be pregnant, you would think the child was your own. And yet, he asked whose it was.

…..This man must be very cold-hearted, indeed.

[Woman] “It’s yours, of course.”

[???] “No, it’s not. That’s not possible for me. Anyway, it would be better if you went and visited the actual father.”

[Woman] “Why are you so certain it’s not yours?”

[???] “Well, you would know best, wouldn’t you?”

How could he say such cruel things to a woman who was carrying his child? Suddenly Valentia was starting to feel very sorry for this girl.

[???] “Assuming you’re really pregnant, that is.”

Then a sudden realization hit her.

Come to think of it, it was entirely possible for this pregnancy claim to be a lie. A lie that resulted in the man being overly cold to the woman, but others might have had sincere compassion for her.

[???] “So which is it?”

This was the moment of truth. Either confess to meeting two men at once and be labeled as a dirty woman carrying the child of another man, or say it was all just a lie.

The woman said nothing for a moment.

Now Valentia knew she really needed to leave this place, but no matter how she tried, her feet wouldn’t move an inch.

[Woman] “You’re right. I was lying.”

[???] “Yeah. What we had was easy enough.”

[Woman] “I really didn’t meet any other guys.”

[???] “Really?”

[Woman] “I’m telling you. Trust me.”

[???] “Alright, I’ll trust you.”

[Woman] “Are you serious?”

The woman asked in a blissful voice.

But Valentia could tell by the tone of the man’s voice. He already had no interest in what kind of things she had to say.

[???] “There’s nothing I can’t believe, but truthfully, I’m not interested in that at all. You and I are already done so it doesn’t matter if you meet with other guys or not.”

[Woman] “What do you mean, done?”

[???] “You said you loved me, right?”

[Woman] “I do.”

[???] “Then let’s end it like we were supposed to.”

[Woman] “But my feelings are serious.”

[???] “Do you really think you’re the only person out there who loves me?”

She knew this man must play around with women, but still, it seemed too cruel to say that to a woman who loved him.

[Woman] “You’re so mean. You don’t even know what love is.”

[???] “No way. I know about love, and I know that it’s not with you.”

[Woman] “I hope you suffer.”

[???] “Uh-huh.”

Valentia was a complete stranger to this interaction, but his response stunned even her into silence. It was clear just from that alone that he was not interested in what the person in front of him was saying.

[Woman] “I hope you get abandoned by someone you love.”

[???] “Is that so?”

[Woman] “I hope you get toyed with by them—played by them. And when it’s all done, I hope they reject you and turn you away.”

[???] “Yeah. I wish that would happen, too.”

Following that exchange was the sound of defeated footsteps, and Valentia could tell it was the sound of the woman leaving her place. After that were more footsteps, heavier than the ones before, and it was clear the man had also left.

But as he left, a handkerchief fell to the floor.

And unintentionally, she became aware of who the star of this conversation was. Or rather, she had no choice but to become aware. As a citizen of the Empire, it would be impossible for this to escape her notice.

This handkerchief was engraved with the crest of the Imperial family—a symbol of the direct Imperial lineage. And since there were no women of the Imperial family who were attending the Academy, this handkerchief could only belong to that man.

There were two immediate heirs to the Imperial family. One was the second sun of the Empire, the Crown Prince, and he did not attend the Academy. So that left only one person.

He was the most handsome, most foul-tempered man within the Imperial family, most often seen in courts where only beautiful women gathered—the Imperial Prince, Lexus.

Valentia thought for a moment, then went to pick up the handkerchief. She didn’t know him very well, but manners dictated that she should probably return this to him. It wasn’t appropriate to leave precious items containing the Imperial crest on them sitting about.

When one attends the Academy, one was expected to use the Academy regulated items or their own personal effects, so what was he doing, dropping this so carelessly?

How annoying.

It was well known that his relationship history with women was messy at best, but apparently it was worse than she would have expected. Valentia stuffed the handkerchief in her pocket, running quickly as she left.

The conversation was so interesting that time ended up flowing like a fleeting moment. Even so, more time passed than she thought and so she was left to rush off to the building where her next lecture was being held.

Then there was the sound of the second bell.

There were ten minutes left until classes commenced, and Valentia turned and hurried her steps.

She moved quickly, nearly running, but thanks to that, she wasn’t late—though it was a close one. Valentia was normally five minutes early for every lecture, her textbook prepared and her notes opened. However, today, she would be lucky if she were not later than the professor.

Once she arrived, there were no people occupying the front row, closest to the middle. Though the lecture would begin soon, that place was completely empty—the place where she normally sat.

[Valentia] “Hah.”

Valentia sighed in relief knowing she had arrived in time. As soon as she came in and sat down, the professor strode into the classroom.

[Professor] “Running a bit late, Miss Valentia?”

The middle-aged professor spoke to Valentia with a smile in his voice.

[Valentia] “Ah, my apologies.”

[Professor] “No, it’s alright. You still arrived a little earlier than the appointed lecture time, Miss Valentia. It’s just that you normally arrive early in a calm fashion, so I was surprised to see you in a hurry. Did you oversleep?”

[Valentia] “Oh, yes. I was up until late last night finishing up my assignments…..”

Actually it was because something terribly interesting happened on her way to the classroom, but Valentia was not foolish enough to repeat that story as an excuse for her tardiness.

[Professor] “Don’t overdo it, alright? I’ll call attendance now.”

The professors really loved Valentia. Unlike the other students, she took her studies very seriously and managed to achieve first place marks every time, so it was difficult for the professors not to love such a diligent student.

As the professor started roll call, Valentia took out her textbook and opened it up to the correct page. Normally she would have prepared and read the section to be taught in advance, but there was no time. She took out her pencil case, setting it on top of her book.

After running so hard, she was terribly thirsty, but it couldn’t be helped. The lecture had already started, and now there were beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Valentia carefully reached into the front pocket of her bag, grabbing her handkerchief as quietly as possible to avoid disturbing the professor.

Then, she lightly dabbed her forehead with it.

She was so busy trying to prepare for the lecture that she didn’t realize it.

The handkerchief she had wiped her forehead with was not hers.

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