The Crown Prince's summons order was quickly delivered throughout the Empire.
Originally, the Imperial Family's declaration of war against Maindelant to the Academy's graduating class this year was half a funny story. Since almost no one had pure goodwill for Neris, who had done the best among their classmates. War? Well… it was unfortunate, but the Imperial Family and the Grand Duchy were no match for each other anyway.
Except for unavoidable circumstances, everyone gathered in the Imperial City. And except for a few, they enlisted nominally without knowing anything.
The reason for the "nominal" enlistment was because no one was actually deployed to the front lines right away.
The Ministry of Military Affairs, which had to suddenly dispatch reinforcements to the Tipian Marquisate, was overwhelmed with work beyond its capacity, as the declaration of war was made in the blink of an eye, followed by the enlisting of noble children. So, in reality, these precious new soldiers were left to play in the Imperial City without any schedule or restrictions.
As a result, the Imperial City's social scene was overflowing with young people like never before.
Their parents were worried sick, but the young people themselves soon saw this unique situation as a new kind of opportunity. Of course, there was no lack of anxiety and fear, but the new life in a group not so different from their school days diluted some of the fear of war.
Besides, many of them were already preparing for their debut in the Imperial City, so they soon began their passionate social life.
"Mom! Where are my new gloves? The white ones!"
"Father, please give me some money for the carriage repair. I broke it yesterday while driving around for fun."
Seeing their children, who were no different from when they were students, making idle chatter, their parents were half lamenting and half relieved. Yes, after all, they were at a good age. If the war ended quickly and the children didn't have to go to the battlefield, wouldn't this be a good opportunity to make their debut in the spotlight?
This year's graduating class had their actual debut at the graduation ball, but it was just a school event for them. To become a member of a group recognized by the Imperial City's social circles, they needed an impressive initiation.
As if the dark clouds of war were a lie, the social scene soon blossomed with the vibrant gatherings of young people.
****
Against the backdrop of a garden where summer roses bloomed in full glory, the recitation of Una Bertold, who had graduated from the Academy this year, ended.
Applause, which could be considered lukewarm, erupted. Una's face flushed with embarrassment and joy. Her gaze fixed on one of the people in the salon who had just enjoyed her recitation.
His, Una's classmate from the Academy, was staring out the window with vacant eyes. Una, who had just gained confidence after successfully dieting upon graduating from the Academy, was heartbroken by the indifferent look of the young man she had had a crush on for her entire life.
Una gave up her seat for the next reciter. But even as she sat next to her friends, she couldn't stop glancing at His. She knew when His's originally bright and straightforward personality had changed.
When Idalia Kendall, whom His had had a crush on for his entire life, died.
The classmates hadn't liked Idalia. Had it been in their second year? Idalia had stolen the exam paper and tried to pin the blame on Neris, but ended up blaming it on Megara. The students had no stories to share with a thief, and eventually, Idalia transferred to the Theology Department, as if running away.
Or so it was known.
'I don't know. Who lied.'
It had recently been revealed that Megara Rikeandros, who had reigned like a queen among her classmates, was actually of a status that didn't deserve that title. Idalia, who hadn't received much attention even in death, began to receive sympathy when Megara's truth was revealed.
After all, how could anyone guarantee that a child whose very birth was a lie wouldn't lie elsewhere? Especially since she had the audacity to be the Crown Prince's mistress and act superior even in front of real nobles.
His had liked Idalia since he was young, but he hid that fact from the other students because Megara disliked it when they talked to each other. But Una, who had known His for a long time, knew. She knew that His was secretly keeping his eyes on Idalia.
'He can't forget her… '
Una, sitting on the carved sofa, lowered her head dejectedly.
After several rounds of poetry recitations, the participants of the day began to form groups and engage in more intimate conversations. And while they were in the midst of a discussion about the classical poetry school, the door to the reception room suddenly opened.
"I'm so sorry for being late. His Highness wouldn't let me leave."
Megara entered, speaking in a voice as soft as the spring breeze. All eyes in the room instantly turned to her. Una was slightly shocked.
It had been half a year since Una had last seen Megara. Megara had taken a temporary leave of absence after the winter break to prepare for her engagement to Colin, and she hadn't returned since.
Appearance-wise, she wasn't much different from before. Her perfectly beautiful features remained the same, and her attire was as luxurious as ever. But something had changed, something that couldn't be pinpointed.
Something that made you fundamentally question why you had so naively believed her words before.
This salon was filled with Una and His's classmates from the Academy. And they had all tried to have a word with Megara before. But, to varying degrees, they all felt the same kind of shock as Una.
Megara's smile, which had once been described as angelic, was directed at her classmates. The salon host, with an ambiguous expression, said to Megara, "Don't worry about being late, Lady Megara. Please take a seat."
It was obvious to everyone that the host didn't like Megara's lateness, but he didn't want to openly argue with her, so he wanted to let it slide. A secret that no one had revealed before, when Megara was the most well-regarded young lady in the social circles.
But Megara laughed arrogantly, as if she were used to it. Una was shocked once again by her disrespectful attitude, which undoubtedly stemmed from her belief in the Crown Prince's favor and authority.
'She seems less refined than before.'
That's why she seemed different, a vague realization dawned on the perceptive children. It wasn't just because they knew her true status. It was because Megara was giving them a sense of aversion, unlike before.
The real problem was her smile, which seemed to be exaggerating her confidence, and her dark gaze, which seemed to be warning her surroundings, as if she could tell the Crown Prince at any moment.
If Megara and they had been strangers, they could have pretended not to notice such a sense of incongruity. Or, at least, it would have been better if Megara and they had been distant acquaintances before.
But the classmates had a shameful past of wanting to win Megara's favor. A past where they had followed her every word for a long time.
Now, that past was bringing anger along with a desire to hide their embarrassment. Una thought she had been deceived. By that lowly girl, in a very calculated and thorough way.
Since the table where His was sitting had fewer people than the other tables, Megara was guided there. As she sat down, she greeted them warmly.
"Hello, everyone. Long time no see. How have you been?"
The table was made up entirely of Megara's classmates from the Academy, but no one answered. The children looked at Megara strangely for a moment.
In social circles, the person of higher status speaks first. But how dare a mistress open her mouth? And in such a familiar tone.
Megara quickly realized the children's subtle hints. Her face turned pale with humiliation.
Megara still received at least outwardly polite treatment in social circles. Her father was still a grand noble, and she was openly favored by Abelus. Even nobles of much higher status than the classmates present didn't publicly humiliate Megara. Besides, hadn't they all clung to her during their school days, trying to get her attention?
The atmosphere became very strange as everyone at the table remained silent. The children simultaneously turned their gaze away from Megara, treating her as if she didn't exist.
After a while, His spoke with a dark expression.
"Have you visited the Marquis of Kendall?"
His's eyes weren't on Megara, but everyone knew she was the one being addressed. Megara replied with a twisted smile.
"No, I haven't seen him in a while. I have no reason or excuse to visit him, do I? Why are you asking?"
"Shouldn't you apologize to him?"
"For what?"
"For falsely accusing his daughter and tormenting her."
"I don't know what you're talking about, His. Are you saying I should apologize for you guys disliking Dali?"
Some who didn't know the situation tilted their heads, while the classmates who knew the situation widened their eyes. His's face contorted in anger.
"…You're still lying… "
"You're talking nonsense. Lying? You all know what Dali did. Oh, come to think of it, you liked Dali, His. But you didn't stand up for her even though she was struggling so much that she transferred to the Theology Department. Oh, are you going to apologize to the Marquis of Kendall because of that? Do you want me to go with you?"
His was so angry he didn't know what to say next. Megara smiled kindly, but her eyes were as cold as ice.
"Oh dear, I don't know if the Marquis will receive visitors. If you want, I'll tell His Highness and see if I can arrange a meeting. You never know, you might be sent to the battlefield soon. You should do everything you want to do before that."
It was a threat to behave more politely if he didn't want to go to the battlefield. The atmosphere grew colder and colder.
Then it happened.
"You're just pretending, aren't you? You've always been like that."
Alekto said sharply, her voice laced with sarcasm.
All eyes in the reception room turned to Alekto this time. The salon host felt depressed, wondering if he had chosen the wrong day. The atmosphere was a mess…
Megara smiled menacingly at Alekto, who was at the next table, and asked kindly, "Pretending? What do you mean, Alekto?"
"You've always been like that since we were in school. If it looks like you're going to be in trouble, you pretend someone else did it, you pretend you're too kind to help others."
This was the first time in Megara's life that she had been subjected to such blunt criticism. Even the criticism Natasha had thrown at her at the last party hadn't stung her heart as much as this. At least then, it wasn't a situation where a girl who had always flattered Megara had turned against her.
Megara desperately tried to hide her suddenly trembling hands. Alekto smiled mockingly. It was a natural smile, as if she had always wanted to do this.
"But there's definitely one thing that's different from before. You're not good at pretending to be kind anymore. Did you pick up that smell from living with the commoners?"
It was a vulgar remark, but someone reacted. A low chuckle echoed through the icy air. Megara gasped for breath.
Why can't you answer? You're smart, aren't you? Are you thinking about how to play the victim in front of the Crown Prince?"
Another chuckle. The salon host began to doubt his luck. Would the Crown Prince perhaps unleash a tirade later this evening? Asking what he had done while his beloved mistress was publicly humiliated…
Alekto stood up, swaggering. As she walked out of the reception room, she said, "Oh, I can't stand the smell. Right, go tell His Highness. Maybe our family can provide some more soldiers. It's true that our family doesn't have much to spare, but if you ask, I can't really refuse, especially since it's you."
Until now, those who had been suppressing their laughter finally understood what Alekto was relying on to speak so rudely to someone the Crown Prince currently trusted the most.
Yes, wasn't the Crown Prince currently desperate for troops? If Megara wanted to continue to be favored, she wouldn't let the Crown Prince clash with other nobles "at this time" over a mere ego battle with someone her age.
If that was the case, there was nothing to hold back. Children from families that still had resources or were related to the military followed Alekto. Especially those who weren't "unaware" of their summons, those who knew that the Crown Prince was desperately short of troops, were fearless.
The salon host thought it would be best not to call Megara for a while.