Omni POV
A few days later, Angelica summoned Olivia to her quarters.
Angelica sipped her tea gracefully as she eyed the nervous commoner in front of her. The tea leaves were naturally of the highest quality, better than what most of the tea parties had probably served, even when their hosts had been trying to impress. Such was the norm for her.
"I have no idea who tipped you off, but I must compliment you for coming to pay your respects…eventually." Angelica returned her cup to its saucer and narrowed her eyes at Olivia.
"You should spend your time here in a way appropriate to your station. Commoners like you don't belong at this academy.
But as long as you understand that and quietly keep to yourself, I don't mind your attendance."
The academy insisted it was unique, cut off from the etiquette of the outside world in an effort to treat all students equally, but it had its own rules.
Paying respects to Angelica was one of them. The academy didn't recognize the visit as compulsory, yet it was functionally so for those who wished to pass their school days in peace.
Olivia, with no power of her own and no one to support her, was obliged to follow every such rule. Inside the academy, she was beneath absolutely everyone.
"Uh, um, so you'll let me stay then?" Olivia asked with a note of concern.
What a question.
Angelica shooed her few followers out of the room, then addressed Olivia with a considerably softer tone. "You're supposed to just drink your tea, nod, and go home. This would already be over if you'd just play your part. You're making this complicated by asking questions."
"Sorry…?"
Angelica sighed, exhaustion creeping over her. "It has nothing to do with me allowing you to be here. Do you really think I was the one trying to chase you out to begin with? I have no interest in the scholarship nonsense. To be honest, I have better things to do than bother with you."
Olivia's brows furrowed.
"You're at least better than that woman who keeps trying to cuddle up to the prince," Angelica muttered.
"Did you say something…?" Olivia asked.
"It's nothing." Angelica smiled faintly.
She could be intense and had given in to her share of rage-fueled outbursts, but for now, she was simply curious about the girl in front of her. "Tell me, scholarship student, who was it who told you to come greet me? Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not asking because I begrudge them for it. It's just that everyone seems to be keeping their distance from you."
All of the boys were too busy hunting down marriage partners to bother with someone as pointless as Olivia, and all of the girls loathed her very presence.
Angelica couldn't help but wonder who, among all of them, would bother reaching out to help.
Olivia hesitated for a moment before finally admitting, "Leon. He introduced me to his older sister, who told me a few things."
"The Bartfort family's third son?" Angelica hummed thoughtfully. "He is an eccentric one."
"You know him?"
"You don't? He's famous, you know. Along with his brother and their two friends
The most promising of our generation, sure to be a knight, " Angelica smiled slightly.
"In fact, I was shocked when I heard they'd managed to earn the rank of baron all on their own. As an adventurers, they accomplished what most only ever dream of. Truly impressive.
They're temperaments don't seem bad, either. Perhaps I should find an opportunity to speak with the prince about him."
Olivia just stared at her, clearly mystified.