Still recovering from the traumatic restroom ordeal, Lilia was silently nibbling her croissant like a war survivor processing life in slow motion.
Mari chatted about something—probably shoes or gossip—but Lilia barely heard her. She stared ahead, eyes glazed.
"I can literally feel the rumors breeding in the air," she muttered.
Mari raised a brow. "About you and Prince Shiny?"
"Please stop calling him that."
"I won't."
Just as Lilia was about to comment on her growing stress rash, a soft ping echoed in her mind, and a translucent screen appeared.
=======================
[System Notification: New Event Triggered!]
[Minor Antagonist Encounter: Jealous Noble Girl.]
[Objective: Survive the encounter without losing reputation.]
[Tip: Keep your cool. Don't fall for obvious bait].
[Reward: +1 Charm, +1 Wit (If completed gracefully)]
=======================
Lilia narrowed her eyes. Here we go again.
As if on cue, a voice dripped with honey and venom sliced through the air like a perfumed dagger.
"Oh myyy~ Is this seat taken?"
Lilia looked up.
There stood a tall, overly radiant girl with perfectly styled curls, a haughty aura, and a smile that said I'm here to destroy your life with passive aggression.
She didn't wait for an answer. She just sat.
Mari blinked. "Uh, actually—"
"I'm Clarisse von Eldenmere," the girl announced. "Daughter of the Earl of Sunveil. I thought I'd come personally say hello to our newest... star attraction."
Lilia resisted the urge to sigh.
Great. The Earl's daughter. And let me guess—she's in the same class as the prince. Probably knows his blood type, favorite tea, and how many eyelashes he has.
"Hi," Lilia said flatly.
Clarisse tilted her head with practiced grace. "You know, I heard you had a very dramatic first day. Falling right in front of His Highness? How... creative."
Mari frowned. "She didn't fall on purpose."
"It's okay," Lilia said smoothly. "Apparently, my ankles are very passionate about royalty."
Mari choked on her drink.
Clarisse blinked.
"Well," she continued sweetly, "I suppose clumsiness has its... charm. The nobles here are quite different, though. It must be so overwhelming to keep up."
Bait detected. Lilia smiled politely. "Absolutely. I've already tripped, spilled soup, and nearly had a meltdown over the bathroom. At this point, I think I'm setting trends."
Clarisse's smile twitched, just slightly.
She leaned closer, voice dropping. "Of course, I'd be careful. Some girls might get the wrong idea. About you. And the prince."
"Oh?" Lilia tilted her head back. "What kind of idea?"
"You know..." Clarisse fluttered her lashes. "Thinking you're... special."
Lady, I woke up as a woman three days ago and just survived a public toilet. I promise you I have no plans on collecting a harem of noble boys.
"I mean," Lilia said casually, "If tripping once makes me special, I'd be empress by now."
Clarisse's face twitched. "Well. I suppose we'll see how long you last."
She stood, smoothing her skirt like she'd just won something.
"Let's do our best, Miss Lilia."
"Oh, I always do."
Clarisse walked off with her chin high and heels sharper than her wit.
Mari leaned over, eyes wide. "What was that?"
Lilia sighed. "That, my dear Mari, was a woman who just tried to socially uppercut me with lace gloves."
"And you dodged it with sass."
"It's my only superpower."
=======================
[System Notification: You've completed "Minor Antagonist Encounter"]
[Rewards granted. Charm +1 Wit +1]
[New Trait: Composure Under Pressure]
=======================
Lilia muttered under her breath. "Great. Now give me one called 'I Just Want A Nap.'"
Mari grinned. "I don't know what's going on with you, but you're kind of awesome."
Lilia glanced at her croissant.
"At this point, I'll take my victories in carbs."
[Clarisse's POV]
Clarisse von Eldenmere walked out of the cafeteria with her head held high and her smile as polished as her boots. But the moment she turned the corner—out of view of the crowd—her expression dropped like a silk curtain after a performance.
She scowled.
"That little commoner has more bite than I expected," she muttered, crossing her arms.
She hadn't expected much—maybe a flustered peasant fumbling with her words, easy to manipulate, someone she could embarrass in front of a crowd.
Instead, she got sarcasm. Confidence. Wit.
It was... annoying.
Clarisse walked through the quiet garden path until she reached the back of the academy, where only nobles dared to stroll. There, under a flowering archway, stood a girl in dark crimson and black—perfect posture, golden eyes narrowed in a bored, regal expression.
Lady Evelyne Astrielle.
The real power behind today's performance.
Clarisse bowed slightly. "My lady."
Evelyne didn't look up from the small book she was reading.
"Well?" she asked lazily.
"She's clever," Clarisse said. "Didn't lose her cool once. Turned every jab into a joke. The girls around her like her already, even that commoner with the messy braids."
Evelyne snapped her book closed and finally met Clarisse's gaze.
"I see."
"She's not just some background nobody. She's... weird. Too composed for someone in her position."
Evelyne tapped her chin thoughtfully. "That's disappointing. I was hoping a little pressure would be enough."
"Are you sure she's not just lucky?" Clarisse asked. "One noble trip and suddenly everyone stares at her like she's the main character of a romance play."
A small smirk tugged at Evelyne's lips.
"She is lucky. Or rather... she has the prince's attention. That's enough to make anyone dangerous."
Clarisse hesitated, then asked, "Why are you so focused on her? She's no one important."
Evelyne turned away, her gaze fixed on the rose bushes beyond the academy walls.
"Because," she said softly, "there's something about her I don't like. Something... out of place."
She flicked her eyes back to Clarisse. "And people like that? They ruin stories."
Clarisse shivered at the chill in her voice. She'd always known Evelyne was cold, but this was different. Focused. Calculated.
A beat passed before Evelyne continued.
"Don't do anything obvious yet. Just watch her. Stir the pot when needed. Make her feel small. Annoyed. Unwelcome. Let her trip on her own pride."
Clarisse nodded slowly. "Understood."
Evelyne smiled, a picture of noble perfection.
"She wants to play heroine? Then we'll make sure she plays by our rules."
[Back to Lilia's POV — later that day]
Somewhere in the world, I feel like someone just cursed me with a smile.
Lilia sneezed for no reason while doing her homework and squinted suspiciously at the wall.