Two
1043 Words
I was quietly arranging my things, and my roommate was just staring at me. This was uncomfortable.
"You are so pretty, Sera," she said suddenly.
What should I say to that?
"Ah-h, thanks," I managed.
"Are you a Duke's daughter?" she asked.
I shook my head in response.
"Baron? Viscount?" she pressed.
I shook my head again.
"I'm a Count's daughter," I finally said.
"Really? That's nice," she replied.
"How about you?"
"I'm a Duke's daughter," she said simply.
W-what? A Duke's daughter? Did I really hear that right?I looked at her, and she nodded at me as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.
"B-but why are you here?" I asked, confused.
"I don't want special treatment," she explained.
"Did His Majesty call you out to come here?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied.
"I don't know what his plan is, but my parents approved it."
"Of course. It's His Majesty; with or without approval, you have to comply," she stated.
"Yeah," I agreed weakly.
"I think you're part of a selection," she suddenly said.
I was stunned by what she said. A selection? What was that?
"Huh?" I asked, thoroughly confused.
"You don't know about that?"
"It wasn't discussed in the letter," I said.
"Did you receive a red envelope?"
"Yes, along with the letter," I confirmed.
"Did you read it?" she pressed.
"No, I completely forgot about it after reading the letter."
"My gosh, Sera. I didn't receive the envelope, but I know what's in there," she whispered.
So that's why my parents were acting so emotional.
I felt utterly deceived.
"Can you explain more about the selection?" I asked.
"Sure. As far as I know, His Majesty gave twenty red envelopes to the nobles he wanted to be part of the selection," she explained.
"And?" I pressed.
"And you're part of it! Just take it easy," she said, as if the news were simple.
"How can I possibly take that easy?"
"You're just part of it—you don't know if you'll actually be chosen. Just go with the flow, I think?"
Silence fell, and I didn't know how to react to that news. I never knew I was here for a selection; I only knew His Majesty wanted me to attend.
Morning came, and we woke up because of the headmistress's voice over the speaker.
"It's too early," Lady Casidy complained.
"~ Attention nobles, please proceed to the auditorium ~"
I got myself ready. Just then, someone knocked at our door, so I went to open it and saw Layla and the other maids.
"Good morning, Lady Sera and Lady Casidy," they greeted us.
I simply nodded to them.
"Good morning, too," Casidy said in a lazy tone.
"Lady Sera, I will help you choose your dress," Layla offered.
"Yes, please," I replied.
We will just wear a casual dress since it's not convenient to wear a gown to class.
I nervously entered the auditorium, even though I was with Lady Casidy.
Knowing that one of the other nobles here was also part of a selection didn't help.
I'm only a Count's daughter; I don't deserve to be in the selection.
That selection is for choosing a Crown Princess!
"Good day, everyone! I'm the headmistress. This is the beginning of the semester here at the Royal Academy. Let's welcome our freshmen!" the headmistress announced.
Some of the nobles clapped their hands, and some did not.
"Also, did you know that some of you are His Majesty's chosen for a selection?" the headmistress happily announced
The auditorium immediately grew loud with noise.
"Gosh, you are so lucky!" someone near us exclaimed.
She was talking to the girl in front of her."I know!" the other girl proudly said.
"That's Lady Reila of Frinton. She's the niece of Duchess Aria of Frinton," Lady Casidy said.
"So she doesn't have a rank, but she has connections," I observed.
"Yeah, I think the Duke just asked His Majesty to choose her, same as with Lady Amanda," she replied.
I wasn't shocked that she knew about Lady Amanda—who wouldn't know?
"The names I will be mentioning, please go to the A1 seating area," the headmistress instructed.
I was just waiting for my name to be called when suddenly, Lady Amanda and some of her entourage came right toward us.
"How much did your father spend so you could be here?" she said, clearly mocking me.
I knew she was talking to me. I saw Lady Casidy want to speak, but I could tell she wanted me to handle it first.
"Are you talking to me, Lady Amanda?" I asked, and from the look on her face, she clearly didn't expect me to respond.
"Or are you talking to yourself?" I added, leaning into the challenge.
"What are you talking about, Lady Sera?" she replied, feigning complete ignorance.
I released a short, fake laugh."Really? You don't know?"
"I know exactly what the Count did, Lady Amanda," I said, giving her a slow smirk.
"Do I need to remind you?" I added.
"You are so arrogant, Lady Sera! No wonder no one wants you," she spat.
"It's perfectly fine with me if they don't want me. But what about you, Lady Amanda? Do they truly want you, or are you just threatening them?" I asked playfully.
I heard Lady Casidy burst out laughing at my remark.
"How dare you!" Amanda hissed.
Just then, I heard the headmistress: "Lady Sera Amila Garett, A1. One of the chosen."
I raised a mocking eyebrow at Lady Amanda. I saw the pure shock wash over her face.
"Shocked? I'm one of the chosen, but you? You're just someone forcing yourself to be included," I said, letting the words sink in.
"Bye! Or rather, don't see you, Lady Amanda," I added.
I said my quick goodbye to Lady Casidy before proceeding to the A1 seating area.
I proceeded to the A1 seating area.
Their faces were all familiar, but I just couldn't remember their names.In our area were a Princess, a Prince, Ladies, Lords, a Baron, and even a Knight.
"Lady Casidy Zoel Cavendish, A1," the headmistress announced.
I was happy to hear Lady Casidy's name! Finally, someone I had talked to was in the same area as me.
- Writer
