The Price Is Your Everything

Kind, fair, and beautiful Nellucian. Currently, there was already a woman of suitable age and status for Nellucian in the high noble families.

Natasha, the beautiful daughter of the Gruenhals Duke family, who was like a rose.

Fortunately, Natasha was dating Crown Prince Abellus. However, it was unclear whether the two would get married. The Elantria Duke family was one of the top three duke families, and they might try to make Valentine Elantria the crown princess.

If the crown prince were to get engaged to Valentine, the Elantria family might engage their son to Natasha, who was of similar age and status. Iadalia found this possibility already too terrifying.

But even if Nellucian didn't get engaged to Natasha, would people just leave him alone?

Maybe the next in line would be Megara?

Iadalia was lost in anxious thoughts when Sheridan's voice woke her up. He pointed to the pavilion by the lake.

"According to what we learned last time, you'll form groups of four and take turns hosting guests. If you're not sure what to do, call me."

Iadalia naturally joined Megara's group, and two quick-witted boys rushed to fill the remaining spots. Lianon, who was a bit late, looked disappointed.

"What about me?"

"Sorry, Lini."

"Look, Angrad Nain is alone over there. Why don't you join her group?"

Iadalia and one of the boys said in turn. Lianon looked horrified when Angrad's name was mentioned.

"No way!"

Iadalia looked uncomfortable. In her opinion, the way the children treated Angrad was too extreme.

Of course, who would want to be friends with someone who kept stealing? But there was no need to say "no" so loudly.

Lianon was the granddaughter of a count, but since her father was the second son, it was hard to say that she was of high status herself.

Iadalia thought that it would be good if Lianon learned to be more careful with her words.

Iadalia felt sorry for Angrad, who looked down, but it would be strange for her to intervene, so she didn't say anything.

"Lianon, haven't you formed a group yet?"

Sheridan approached the students, noticing the commotion, and asked. Lianon replied, looking embarrassed at drawing attention to herself.

"It's okay. Alekto... Ah, Alekto has already formed a group..."

"Sorry."

Alekto, who was sitting nearby and was relatively close to Lianon, apologized, looking surprised. Sheridan looked around the students and pointed to a group that was a bit far away.

"Neris, Diane, is your group full?"

Neris and the children who had tried to befriend her had already formed their own groups, so Neris and Diane were mostly left alone, without any interference, in their school life.

Neris and Diane are already a group of two.

So, if Lianon joins them, their group will be full. Is there anyone else who hasn't formed a group yet?

Angrad raised her hand quietly. It was well known that Angrad had poor interpersonal skills, and even the teachers were aware of this fact. However, since she was a resilient person in social circles, Sheridan smiled brightly and said, "Alright, if you four form a group, that should work. Is there anyone else who hasn't formed a group yet?"

There wasn't. The students happily gathered in their respective groups and looked towards the pavilion.

The white pavilion, designed for observing the lake, had elegant pillars supporting a circular roof. The white fence surrounding it was adorned with a nettle pattern, and roses bloomed beautifully around its body.

Inside the pavilion, round tables with white linen tablecloths were set up, reminiscent of a duchess's tea party. High-quality silverware and exquisite teaware decorated the tables, giving the pavilion an elegant atmosphere.

Megara's group quickly escorted Megara to the table with the best view of the lake.

"Which table do you prefer?"

"That one looks nice."

When Megara pointed to the table with the best view of the lake, no one moved. Iadalia admired Megara for her elegance and was grateful to be seated at a good table with her.

On the other hand, Lianon was annoyed because she ended up with a less desirable spot since Dianne took too long to climb up to the pavilion.

Lianon disliked both Dianne and Neris, but her biggest problem was Angrad Nain. Lianon had a reason to dislike Angrad even before the bracelet incident. Angrad, who was only the daughter of a small and short-lived count, tried to befriend the other students, including Lianon, which annoyed Lianon.

Lianon thought it was ridiculous for a minor noble like Angrad to form a group with the other students and even tried to include Lianon, which Lianon found laughable.

Lianon believed that she, as the granddaughter of a prestigious marquis, was different from Angrad, who was just the daughter of a small country lord, even if her father was the second son.

According to the law, the title would pass to the eldest son, so Lianon's father could never become a marquis. However, was being a member of a prestigious and ancient family not enough? Could a small country lord like Naing dare to raise his voice in front of the second son of the Vertha Marquis? No, that was not possible.

Lianon couldn't remember how many times she had silently laughed at Angrad's antics, thinking, "I can't believe she did that."

"I just want this to end quickly."

Even the other three members of Angrad's group, including Lianon, looked at Angrad with disdain. Angrad lowered her head and remained silent, while Dianne paid no attention to Lianon's attitude and focused on the task at hand.

"Who wants to go first?"

"Why don't Neris go first?"

Lianon said coldly.

"Neris always gets praised by Sheridan. I don't know, so show me an example."

Incidentally, one of the reasons Lianon disliked Neris was also related to her background.

In Lianon's opinion, the most important virtue in the social circle was "naturalness."

Natural dignity born from one's background, and natural reputation derived from that dignity.

If one's background was humble, they should only aim for a reputation that matched it, but Neris Truede was too arrogant. What was the point of speaking multiple languages fluently when she was poor and couldn't even marry into a good family?

She should just go to the theology department.

Neris smiled despite Lianon's sharp tone. Lianon's anger grew, but she couldn't find an excuse to pick a fight, so she just glared at Neris's movements with a scowl.

"Then I'll start. Since you asked me to show you an example, I'll treat you as my first guest. Lianon, thank you for coming to my party. I hope you have a great time. That's your seat, please sit down."

Neris's kind voice and elegant hand movements were flawless.

Lianon's mood worsened. Since there was something else she could criticize, she spoke up this time.

"You're always getting praised, but you're not that great. You don't even know where the seat of honor is. The first guest you serve should sit in the seat of honor."

The chair Neris pointed to was near the entrance of the pavilion. The seat of honor was, of course, the farthest from the entrance. Even Lianon, who wasn't well-versed in etiquette, knew that.

"That's the seat of honor."

Neris said calmly, despite being criticized. Lianon snorted.

"It's close to the door."

"In an enclosed indoor space, the seat of honor is the farthest from the door. That's right. But in a place with a view, the seat of honor is where you can see the view best. At a lakeside tea party, the best seat is the one with the best view of the lake."

Indeed, the seat Neris pointed to was the one with the best view of the lake. Dianne nodded in agreement.

"Neris is right. When we have a party in our garden, we seat the most honored guest where they can see the flowers best."

"That's because your family..."

"Do you want to ask the teacher?"

The MacKinnon family was better than the Nain family, but not a prestigious one. Lianon had heard adults mock the MacKinnons as "new rich," and she tried to sneer, but Neris's last words made her pause.

Neris didn't wait for Lianon's response and raised her hand.

"Sheridan, may I have a moment?"

"Neris, my little lady, what's wrong? Do you need my help?"

Sheridan approached the table where Neris's group was sitting, smiling brightly. Lianon quickly shook her head.

"It's nothing, teacher. We were just joking."

"Really?"

Sheridan looked at Neris for confirmation, and when Neris just smiled quietly, he soon left.

"You're funny. You're telling the teacher about that?"

Public humiliation was what Lianon feared the most. It was "unnatural." Lianon gritted her teeth, and Dianne snorted.

Dianne was familiar with contempt, just like people who approached her for her money. Some people looked down on the MacKinnon family and Dianne for trivial reasons and tried to belittle them.

Although Lianon was known for having good relationships with others, Dianne thought that the children who got along with Lianon were obvious. So, Dianne retorted sharply.

"You're the funny one. Why can't you admit when you're wrong and ask the teacher if you're not sure?"

Lianon disliked Dianne and Neris even more now.

Dianne was originally a girl who only cared about money and had no manners, and Neris seemed to be well-mannered and quiet on the surface, but her personality was definitely bad.

It was no wonder that Megara, who was very popular, disliked Neris from the beginning.

Neris offered Dianne a seat without saying anything else.

"Dianne, thank you for coming to my party. Your brooch is as red and beautiful as the rose over there."

"Thank you, Neris. Thanks for offering me such a great seat."

Dianne sat down in the seat Neris offered, responding kindly. Lianon raised an eyebrow, seeing how well they got along. Neris finally offered Angrad a seat.

"Angrad, I see you're here. Dianne and Lianon are already here. I'm so grateful that you're joining us."

Angrad looked up at Neris, her eyes trembling slightly. But Neris didn't flinch.

Angrad sat down in the seat Neris offered, and when Neris was about to sit down in the last remaining seat, Angrad asked in a small voice.

"...You?"

"What?"

Neris sat down with a beautiful posture, asking nonchalantly. Angrad's eyes flashed with anger.

"You're the one who put the bracelet in my bag."

"What?"

Neris's response was calm, but Lianon thought Angrad's words were complete nonsense.

Lianon snorted. The emerald bracelet was still dangling from her wrist.

"That's ridiculous. Why would you steal my bracelet and put it in your bag?"

"Right."

"I... I have my father buy me clothes and school supplies. But Neris is poor, right? She always wears the same clothes and doesn't have any servants. If someone stole something, it would obviously be Neris, wouldn't it?"

Dianne glanced at Neris, who was still smiling calmly.

Lianon retorted, her anger rising. Perhaps due to the humiliation she suffered earlier, her words flowed smoothly.

"But the bracelet was found in your bag, you idiot. You should have said that before you got caught. What can you do now that there's evidence? You're really ridiculous. If you don't want to be humiliated here, shut up."

Lianon wasn't usually good with words, but her deep, dark eyes would often intimidate those who opposed her. Neris smiled inwardly, seeing Angrad flinch and close her mouth.

Lianon was indeed just like she was when she was younger, a fact that Neris remembered vividly.