Pride and Sanctimony

Chapter 40

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There were crowds gathering in the Iris Pavilion, the largest building at the Academy.

Today was the day when the results of the examinations would be announced. The Academy made a big deal of posting the top thirty students to rank highly.

Normally, this affair was rather boring. Not many would come since the same person every time would come out on top. Since the day she entered the Academy, not once did she ever miss that coveted first place spot.

—1. Syner

—2. Abyssid

—3. Altenor

But this time around, so many people were crowding around to see the scores. It was well known to them all that Valentia had a rather distracting semester this time around.

And considering that something very unpleasant happened to her during the outdoor circuit right before exams, everyone expected that her usual success on the bulletin board would’ve fallen flat.

But unfortunately for those who sought to see her fail, the name Syner was written right on the top row, same as it always was.

[Student] “She’s really the top student again? She’s really tough, I guess.”

[Student] “It’s actually kind of gross at this point.”

[Student] “Shh, she’s coming!”

Valentia also went to check the board, and after casting a casual glance at it, she ignored the stinging feeling of people’s gazes and turned around without showing much emotion.

Some people whispered that it was only natural, while some had eyes burning with fervent jealousy. Meanwhile there were others who just spoke sarcastically bitter words.

But it was true that she really struggled with the exams this time.

However, it wasn’t the tumultuous experience she had during the outdoor circuit that caused the problem as other people expected. The bigger issue was the presence of the man she had become very close to during this brief period of time.

Before she even realized what was happening, she felt strange not having him by her side, and her eyes started looking for him unconsciously when he wasn’t near. It was destroying her concentration.

She even thought it might’ve been better if she asked if they could study together.

So she clenched her teeth and studied even harder by herself. This was a relationship that could not be maintained anyway. It would not last forever. His status was far too high above hers, and she was a woman who did not suit someone like him.

This relationship only existed because he said it could. She had no idea when his interest in her would fade, so it was best if she got used to his absence now while there was still time.

She could not allow him to disturb the flow of her life anymore than this.

Valentia was stuck in her mind, trying to find a way to let go of love right after she learned about it, and so she was very preoccupied. So preoccupied that she could no longer hear the buzzing of the students around her.

Once the interest in Valentia went away, the attention of the students started to move onto something else—an unfamiliar name occupying the position of number two. It was a name they’d never seen within the top thirty students before.

What family was Abyssid?

They were all so confused that they entirely forgot that the name Abyssid was the name of the Imperial line.

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The atmosphere around the Academy was a little tense following the incident, but things seemed to have eased up a little after the results were released.

[Lily] “You did well again, Miss Aigis.”

And oftentimes, students would share their results with those they were close to.

Aigis felt her cheeks turn a touch red. This time, she did surprisingly well and was put upon the board of the top thirty students, so people were finding out her scores without her needing to tell them.

[Aigis] “It’s not much. I came in last on the board.”

[Lily] “But it’s still amazing.”

[Aigis] “I suppose. I never before dreamed of making it at all. Speaking of which, I heard the top student was again the Iron Maid, ah…….Miss Syner.”

Unconsciously, Aigis caught herself after saying the words ‘Iron Maiden’.

Now that she was thinking about things, the Academy’s hostility towards her seemed very strange. It was the kind of energy that the Academy had been fostering for a long time now.

And the oddest thing was that it was a shared energy between both noble and commoner students alike.

But the Valentia she spoke to in person seemed different from that. No, in fact, she was actually very polite. It was true that she gave off a somewhat unwelcoming atmosphere, but talking to her was surprisingly nice.

Lily nodded.

[Lily] “Yes. I’m sure many people thought her marks would surely fall this time.”

Nearly everyone would’ve been pulled around by such an ordeal, so no one could deny Valentia’s almost scarily impressive mental strength for keeping up with academics in spite of it.

Funnily enough, just as they were talking about her, they ran into Valentia passing by. Speak of the devil, but what should they say now? The three ladies quieted for a moment.

Having a similar thought, Valentia spoke first.

[Valentia] “It’s been a while. Miss Aigis. Miss Lily. Miss Red.”

[Aigis] “Hello, Miss Valentia……..Would you like to have a cup of tea with us?”

Normally, this was an invitation Valentia never would have received, just as she would normally never have responded to it either.

Wherever she went, it was clear people were snubbing her, and when they were confronted about it, they would just as quickly deny it and pretend they hadn’t been saying anything, so it didn’t really matter where she went. 

But this invitation didn’t feel like that.

Valentia nodded, hiding her obvious nervousness.

[Valentia] “Thank you for inviting me.”

There were only three seats, so they asked one of the service staff to bring them another. After ordering more tea and a few different snacks, an awkward air flowed across the group.

[Valentia] “You did well on your examinations, Miss Aigis.”

[Aigis] “It’s a little embarrassing hearing that from the top student. But I’m glad to see you are doing alright. After you left, we received a message from Lord Lexus, and that’s when we realized something was wrong.”

[Valentia] “Ah, the three of you helped.”

[Aigis] “What do you mean by that? We didn’t do anything special. All we did was notice something was amiss and let someone know.”

They were words spoken out of humility, but after what Valentia said next, the three of them were stunned into silence.

[Valentia] “But thanks to you, I was able to be safe.”

Valentia didn’t say anything beyond that, but they all quickly understood what she meant by that.

If the three of them hadn’t felt a little bit soothed after their conversation with Valentia in the tent before she disappeared, they could have easily lied and said that she just stepped out for a moment. 

Out of jealousy for the woman who was spending time with the most popular, no, the most desired man in the Empire, they could have lied just to cause trouble for her.

And if they had, Valentia might not be alive, sitting right in front of them at this moment. The thought was enough to send chills down their spine.

They were very fortunate that a moment’s jealousy and envy did not result in someone losing their life.

[Valentia] “As a token of my gratitude, I will treat you all to this tea.”

And Valentia knew that if she had not been speaking with these three ladies, no one would ever have known that she’d followed a stranger. And no one would know that she’d been torn to bits by a wild dog.

If they had ignored her existence like everyone else did, then they never would have told anyone that she’s been spirited away by a suspicious person, and then things could have been very dangerous for her.

[Aigis] “I was the one who invited you, Miss Valentia, and it would be inappropriate to ask that of a guest. For us, it is enough to know you are safe.”

[Valentia] “……..Then I will receive your favor with grace.”

Valentia stepped back. She felt like trying to insist any more would only be perceived as a slight against their sincerity.

[Valentia] “But I think it would be nice if I could have the opportunity to pay for you next time. If you do not dislike the idea, that is.”

[Aigis] “Oh, of course. I would never dislike it. Perhaps I’ll take the chance to learn all your studying secrets, as well.”

Her words were so playful and friendly that Valentia widened her eyes. That little reaction held so many different feelings inside of it.

Truthfully, Valentia had no idea how she should act right now. This was the first time someone had ever referred to her in such a friendly manner. At that dawning realization, Valentia hesitated for a moment.

[Valentia] “Actually, I feel a bit strange since no one has ever asked me about that before. Of course, I don’t mean that to say it’s bad or anything. I’m just a little amazed.”

With her eyes geared towards the ground and an embarrassed look upon her face, the three ladies felt a mixture of many feelings, but the biggest ones were both sympathy and pity. 

The gap between the rumors of the cold and steely Iron Maiden and how she truly acted was simply too great.

They said she was an arrogant and cold woman of low status that looked down on others, not even bothering to interact with anyone because they were inferior to her. But those images started to flake away until they disappeared entirely—leaving behind only the figure of an innocent and shy woman.

[Aigis] “Then I’m glad.”

[Valentia] “Yes?”

[Aigis] “Please tell us how you study so well.”

[Valentia] “Well, I just work hard.”

Are you trying to insinuate that other people don’t work hard? With what Valentia said, it was entirely too easy to misinterpret her meaning and hear something rather rude and cold. But Aigis could tell that she wasn’t doing it on purpose.

She was just a little awkward when it came to speaking since she didn’t have much experience conversing with others.

[Aigis] “You don’t meet up with Lord Lexus much these days. Did something happen?”

[Valentia] “Nothing in particular.”

[Aigis] “Is that so?”

[Valentia] “I wanted to focus on exams.”

[Aigis] “I see. So that’s how it is.”

Valentia had asked him to keep his distance so she could study properly, and after all this, it turned out to be the right choice.

Because they were avoiding each other so cleanly, no one believed that sly story that was added onto the article, leaving behind only the heroic tale of the Prince who saved a fellow student.

Although something did happen, she would never tell a single soul. For her, it was a night she would take with her for the rest of her life, but for him, no doubt it meant absolutely nothing. 

And that was fine, for Valentia held no expectations in her heart for this foolish love.

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