Pride and Sanctimony

Chapter 29

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During the outdoor circuit, family carriages were not permitted. Instead, everyone needed to use rental carriages to make moving as a group more efficient. Outdoor event or not, it was still Academy funded, so no carriages representing status of class could be allowed in order to preserve the sanctity of ‘equality’.

Which essentially meant that the noble folk were forced to bear the inconvenience of traveling to the Academy in a personal carriage and then heading back out in a common carriage upon their arrival. Many argued that it was pointless and a waste of time, but there was no getting around it. They were traveling with commoners now.

This year’s outdoor circuit was taking place in a forest alongside one of the capital’s borders.

They were given a simple itinerary, slating the time they would be spending accomplishing simple tasks—such as setting up tents, lighting fires, and preparing their meals.

The weather was nice, at least. The breeze was cool and the sunlight felt warm. It was fine weather for the outdoor circuit.

It was strange, though. The crowd was full of so many different people, and yet that man still managed to stand out. He was very tall with brilliant blond hair, making him the most eye-catching man in the crowd, even from where she was standing.

In all these years, it was amazing that she never once acknowledged his existence until now. But now that his presence was undeniable, his image was so easily burned into her vision.

Suddenly, he turned his head in her direction and made eye contact with her.

[Lexus] —’Hey.’

Moving just his lips, he mouthed a word in her direction.

Looking at him, Valentia nodded in return, and Lexus gave a gentle smile. With his eyes angled in an arc as he smiled, he looked so endearing to her. It was nice to be able to see him like this—nice enough to make a smile naturally tug at the corners of her lips, like she couldn’t even feel the searing pain in her back.

[Lexus] —’I’ll see you later.’

After she nodded for a second time, Lexus sent her a slight wave of his hand, then turned to speak to a friend that looked to be calling out to him. Was his friend’s name Tex, again?

[Professor] “Isn’t it a nice time for the outdoor circuit?”

One of the professors gave a rousing cry, but he got nothing but the various booing of several students, each of them adding in their own flavor of complaint. Some said they’d rather be in a lecture than here, while others groaned that they wanted to go home. Meanwhile, someone in the crowd just shouted ‘no’ very loudly.

[Professor] “Which of you said you’d rather been in a lecture?”

The professor called them out, and silence swept across those very students.

[Professor] “Look, I don’t like being here either, but it can’t be helped—it’s tradition. Let’s just get through this without any kind of incident, alright? Everyone, board your designated carriage with your group members.”

After that, everyone started clamoring towards their carriages, assigned by group. Valentia quietly went along, eventually being the first to board the carriage assigned to her. Not long after that, a few more students filtered in.

[Valentia] “Hello.”

Valentia said hello first.

They all entered with widened eyes, like they were surprised to see her there, but then they sat without saying anything back, instead just chatting amongst themselves. Leaning back in her seat, Valentia leaned her head against the window.

And then the carriage jolted to a start.

[Lady] “These carriages are so uncomfortable.”

[Lady] “I know. My back’s going to hurt once we arrive.”

After letting out a quiet and rather tame complaint, they continued on with their pleasant chatting.

[Lady] “By the way, your outfit is so pretty today, Miss Aigis.”

[Lady] “Isn’t it? I bought a new one just for today. You look lovely as well, Miss Lily.”

[Lady] “You both look very beautiful.”

[Lady] “As do you, Miss Red.”

Their words alone made clear their ranks as nobility. Looking out the window, Valentia closed her eyes, and as she felt the ebb of the carriage beneath her, her consciousness slipped away, and their voices faded to nothing.

Yesterday marked the start of the Baroness’ thinly veiled abuse, labeled as her version of ‘education’. The pain was so bad, she couldn’t even sleep. Although her eyes were only closed for a moment, she fell asleep for the entire ride.

When she finally came to, the carriage was deathly silent and empty, as if they’d arrived at their destination a long time ago. The other ladies left without bothering to wake her up.

Some things never change.

Valentia rolled out her stiff neck, frowning at the sharp pain that shot out from her back. Getting out of the carriage, the area around was completely empty like everyone had already departed. But at least it was the same location as the previous year, so it wasn’t hard to find her way.

With a leisurely gait, she walked alone.

After all this time, she was used to other people’s harsh contempt and hateful words towards her, but that did make feel any nicer. And so, it was actually more comfortable with no people around. 

Standing in a wide field, a gust of wind blew through, running past the blades of grass like a wave as they shook under the might of the air. In the distant blue sky, large clouds were gathering on the horizon. 

It was a quiet and peaceful sight. Just her, the sound of the wind, and her footsteps.

She liked that time, but it never lasted long. Eventually, the party of Academy students entered her view, setting up their tents.

Each tent had a number assigned to it to match the group, so it wasn’t hard for her to locate her teammates. By the time she arrived, the tent was nearly complete, quickly being built by the servants they had brought along.

[Valentia] “My apologies for being late.”

[Lady] “I’m jealous. You’re arriving right when all the work is done.”

So they said, even though she knew their servants likely did the bulk of the work. Actually, servants were usually considered the hands and feet of the nobles they served, so it wasn’t an inaccurate thing to say or assume.

[Valentia] “I’m sorry. I fell asleep in the carriage. I must’ve been more tired than I thought.”

[Lady] “Are you blaming us for not waking you up? That’s your responsibility.”

[Valentia] “That’s not what I was trying to say. Let me handle whatever work is left.”

[Lady] “I think staying put would help us better.”

[Valentia] “Very well.”

And so Valentia returned to her seat, their eyes following her until she was completely gone.

[Lady] “I don’t know why they force us to do this every year.”

Then they went back to their conversation, talking about why the outdoor circuit was an ever constant part of the curriculum.

And to be honest, Valentia didn’t understand it either. It was considered even more of a pain when they were being forced to participate.

The original purpose of the circuit was to have the students take care of everything. But the nobles made enough of a fuss that even that purpose became defunct since they could just bring their servants to do all the hard work for them.

The servants cleared the field, unpacked the supplies, took out the cooking ingredients supplied by the Academy, and prepared the meals as well. Meanwhile, the students were sitting in chairs, casually drinking tea, and chatting with one another.

Valentia sat a ways away from the crowd, staring up at the sky.

[Lexus] “Hey.”

Hearing the sudden voice approaching them, Valentia’s team members shouted out, clearly more shouting in delight than surprise.

[Lady] “Lord Lexus!”

[Lady] “Ah, what brings you here?”

[Lexus] “I had something I needed to do. I know you’re all busy preparing for your meals, but is it alright if I borrow someone for a moment?”

The eyes of her teammates turned until they reached Valentia. After all the hustle and bustle of the Academy, there wasn’t a soul who wouldn’t know who he was referring to.

[Lady] “It can’t be helped if there’s something you need to do.”

[Lady] “Go ahead, Miss Valentia.”

She didn’t think he would come out to her like this. If anything, she was certain he’d send someone to get her at most, so she was a little flustered right now.

[Lexus] “Thank you for your understanding. I’ll bring her back soon.”

Valentia bowed to her group mates and followed after Lexus.

Passing through the field, she could feel the eyes of those preparing their tents and supplies being drawn to her. They barely managed to find a place where there were no people—within that vast field was a tree with arching green leaves that swayed in the breeze.

[Lexus] “Good thing the weather is so nice.”

[Valentia] “Yes. I had a nice walk coming here since it was so quiet and peaceful.”

[Lexus] “Quiet? But when we walked here, everyone couldn’t have been more loud.”

[Valentia] “Ah….”

Obviously, with so many students walking in tandem to the designated field, the crowd would naturally be loud with all their footsteps and clamoring voices. Realizing her slip of the tongue, Valentia awkwardly bit her lip.

[Lexus] “What happened?”

When he asked that question like that, it actually sounded like was worried, but that was clearly a mistake on her part.

[Valentia] “Nothing happened.”

[Lexus] “Tell me what happened.”

[Valentia] “It’s nothing. I just fell asleep in the carriage and ended up coming in late.”

Lexus frowned, slight wrinkles forming between his brows. Even if she wasn’t speaking in detail, he must’ve noticed that her teammates got up and left her without waking her first.

Valentia had endured a lot up until this point. Whether it was being rejected by her peers at the Academy or her abuse at home, not once did she ever feel ashamed of herself. She was able to hold onto those small pieces of dignity because she was confident that she did nothing wrong.

But for some reason, she felt ashamed having him know this.

[Lexus] “No wonder I didn’t see you.”

[Valentia] “I didn’t mind. I liked that I was able to be alone in silence for a long time. In any case, you look more handsome than usual today.”

Valentia quickly praised his clothing to change the subject, but it wasn’t as though she was lying. 

Lexus wasn’t wearing his typical sharp-looking suit that he normally wore. Instead, what he had on was a light shirt with a sweater woven with fur to keep warm. Somehow, it made him look livelier than usual. 

To top it all off was a pair of tight fit pants meant for activity, sensible boots, and a coat that made it all look like a military uniform.

[Lexus] “You mean that?”

[Valentia] “Yes, I do.”

[Lexus] “This is the first time you’ve ever complimented my appearance.”

Suddenly, Lexus’ face brightened up.

A handsome man dressed comfortably with such peaceful scenery behind him—it was all very picturesque. The swaying grass, the simple but lovely fall flowers, and the light being cast through the shade of the tree branches above them—scattering the sun like fractals.

Everything was truly lovely.

She complimented him just to avoid the awkward atmosphere from before, but it was all so lovely, she thought she would be able to remember this forever.

[Valentia] “……I didn’t mean your appearance. I was complimenting your clothing.”

[Lexus] “I thought you said I was handsome.”

[Valentia] “Of course, you are handsome as well.”

No ordinary person could deny that. One would have to be blind to even begin to deny such an outstanding appearance.

And though she didn’t know much about clothing, even she knew that this style and cut of jacket wouldn’t accommodate just anyone. It required one to have broad shoulders and a tall height. He was a man whose figure was good along with his appearance.

[Lexus] “What about the clothes you wore before, Valentia?”

She knew what clothes he was talking about, but they were no longer in a state that made them a fitting wear.

[Valentia] “Those…..A maid made a mistake while she was washing them, so unfortunately, they ended up getting ruined. I’m very sorry.”

[Lexus] “I see. They looked very good on you, but I suppose it can’t be helped if it was an accident. Ah, it’s already time to go. We should head back now. But let’s hang out again later. I’ll send someone your way.”

Like many others, Lexus brought an attendant along with him, so he meant that to say she could be expecting that same person to come and retrieve her later.

[Valentia] “I would like that.”

As the two of them finished their walkabout, they started closing in on the field where the campsites were held. Just before entering,  they said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

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