That World of Otome Games is Tough for Us - Volume 1 - Chapter 6.2

Once Angelica and her followers were gone, Olivia hugged her library book to her chest and continued walking, her gaze pointed down the entire time. “Ain’t nothin’ I can do ’bout it,” she muttered under her breath, slipping into the drawl of her hometown. Flustered, she slapped a hand over her mouth.

Olivia had tried her best to mimic the standard dialect since coming to the academy, but she sometimes reverted to her roots when talking to herself. It embarrassed her, so she was always cautious to avoid it, but only a few people had talked to her recently, so there’d been less need to hide it.

Her gaze landed on a group of girls talking animatedly. I wish I had a good friend like that. Olivia didn’t regret coming to the academy, but it was uncomfortable being the only commoner in a school full of nobles. Olivia enjoyed learning new things, yes, but all these unspoken rules among the upper crust were something else. She knew about them, but there was little she could do to actually avoid violating them.

A few people will actually talk with me, but because our status is so different, I lose my nerve. The boys she’d met first after entering the academy were all heirs of high-ranking, respectable houses. Then there was Julius, who was the crown prince. Olivia understood she had no right to grow friendly with them, at least not ordinarily, but they had been the only people to casually interact with her.

I know she warned me not to get close to them, but that same difference in rank means I’m in no position to turn them away, Olivia thought. She couldn’t refuse any offers or requests they made of her, either.

As Olivia mulled over the situation, Julius suddenly appeared in front of her. He hurried over the moment he spotted Olivia.

“What a coincidence,” he said. “Are you headed back to your dorm room?” It was easy to guess, based on the direction she was headed.

Olivia did her best to smile. “Yes. I plan to return as quickly as possible so I can read this book I just borrowed.”

“You’re really dedicated to your studies.” Julius seemed to find this quality endearing.

While the two were chatting, a professor happened upon them—a tall, thin man with a monocle, dressed in a pristine suit and with hair slicked back. The school day had only just ended, but not a single strand was out of place. He was the etiquette professor for the boys, so he was probably more attentive to his appearance than most.

“Oh?” he said as he strolled toward them. “The two of you seem to be enjoying yourselves.”

“We appear to run into one another rather frequently, which has given us more opportunities to converse,” Julius explained. The prince spoke in a more polite, respectful tone with the professor because, so long as he was at the academy, he was only one of many students.

Olivia couldn’t disagree. She had no choice but to say, “Th-that’s right. He’s been teaching me a lot.” She flashed a weak smile.

I bet even the professors don’t think much of me getting close to Prince Julius. If possible, I would prefer to put some distance between us.

The professor smiled back. “Part of the academy’s agenda is to enable students to make new acquaintances. I hope you will treasure these opportunities, as well as the new people you meet.”

“Of course,” Julius said with a grin. “Meeting her has been a blessing. She’s nothing like any of the other women I know.” The way he phrased it hinted at a deep dissatisfaction with those women.

The professor studied the prince’s face. He opened his mouth to say something but seemed to think better of it. He turned to Olivia instead. “By the way, Miss Olivia.”

“Y-yes?” she stammered, having not expected to be addressed.

Still smiling, he said, “Being a scholarship student must come with its share of difficulties. If you find yourself with any concerns, please don’t hesitate to find me. I may not be able to resolve all of your issues, but I believe I can still offer a modicum of support.”

“Of course. If something should arise, I’ll be sure to come to you, Professor.”

I can’t possibly bring up anything in front of Prince Julius. I’ll have to save it for some other time, she thought.

With that, the professor left.

“I doubt he’ll be much help. What power does an etiquette professor have?” Julius asked playfully.

“Prince Julius, that’s uncalled for,” Olivia scolded him automatically before realizing what she was doing. “Oh! I-I mean, I just thought it was very polite, um…”

Far from being offended, Julius was amused. “I’m the one who gave you cause to rebuke me, and not for the first time, either.” He laughed.

“You’re poking fun at me, aren’t you?”

“I can’t help it. Your reactions are so entertaining. Come. I’ll walk you at least part of the way back to your dorm.”

Olivia hesitated before saying, “All right. Thank you.” 

After all, she couldn’t refuse him—not even if she wanted to.

***

Day soon turned to night.

Being an earl’s daughter, Stephanie’s dorm room was more spacious than that of lower-ranking ladies at the academy. Though the standard furnishings were top-of-the-line, they weren’t up to snuff in Stephanie’s eyes. Her tastes tended toward the garish and ostentatious. She had replaced the originals with furniture that better fit her aesthetic; now everything was adorned with gold or silver embellishments.

Stephanie sat in the center of her quarters, surrounded by her lackeys, the daughters of houses with strong ties to the Offreys. Vassal houses, they were called. These girls were the children of knighted men whose families the Offreys supported financially. None of the students following her had entered the group out of personal love or reverence for Stephanie. The nature of her circle spoke volumes as to her reputation among her peers.

“So how are things going with Marie?” Stephanie asked idly as she filed her nails.

Carla spoke on behalf of the others. “The three girls you sent are doing most of the bullying. B-but it seems our target is so shameless that it hasn’t had much of an effect.”

Stephanie frowned. “I suppose I should expect that from the kind of girl who brazenly flirts with boys who are already taken.”

One of her other followers chimed in, “My lady, while the matter of Marie is definitely concerning, what about the scholarship student? There are rumors that she’s grown close to Lord Brad.”

Stephanie clicked her tongue, dropping the nail file. “That girl has some nerve for a commoner. If we’re being honest, I’d like to dispose of her, too, but…” She scowled momentarily, until a devious grin stretched across her face. “Angelica already gave her a warning, right?” Word had spread among the girls that Angelica had put Olivia in her place. “That means Angelica will take care of her for us. I’m curious to see how she’ll go about it. That will be entertaining enough, so I needn’t involve myself.”

Having made her decision, Stephanie turned back to Carla. “Returning to Marie… Since she’s proven to be such a thorn in my side, I’ll have the air pirates finish her off.”

This casual proclamation left her followers stunned.

Carla swallowed hard. “You’re going to rely on the air pirates?” she asked nervously. “That’s too risky. If anyone were to find out—”

“Who would step in to help her? She’s alienated all the other students, and she’s helpless on her own. The girls we’ve already deployed will be the ones to take care of it anyway. They’ll be first on the chopping block in regards to suspects. No one will ever know it was me.”

Marie was the youngest daughter of her family, and based on Stephanie’s investigations, she wasn’t on good terms with any of them. Even if they threw a fit after she went missing, Stephanie could offer money to keep them quiet. And besides, her pawns would be the ones getting their hands dirty.

“But what if those girls betray you?” Carla protested.

“You make a good point.” Stephanie nodded, rethinking her plan. She clapped her hands together and grinned. Her eyes swept across the faces of the gathered. “In that case, once everything is settled, we will disappear those three as well. Provided none of you betray me, no one will be able to link it back to me, no? That should settle your fears.”

Basically, if word got out, Stephanie would instantly know that the culprit was someone close to her.

“We won’t have any traitors now, will we? And if we do, I’ll be holding every single one of you responsible. Surely you don’t mind that, right?”

Her followers paled and vigorously shook their heads.