Book 5: Chapter 8: The High-pitched Laughter of a True Villain (1/2)
Caroline Simons, the daughter of Count Norn, was sitting in a chair in the salon, irritably playing with the tassel on her fan.
The two friends sitting next to her were looking at her resentfully, which was also annoying.
Weren't you all totally into it?!
She was just reminding Monica Norton, who had been carried away lately, of her place in the academy.
Her appearance was too shabby and her behavior was so unbecoming to be considered a girl. For some reason, the girl who was not worthy of this academy was elected to the student council.
To top it all off, she was taught how to dance by Felix and Cyril.
Those two were the stars of the academy. When she saw them at a party early this summer, Caroline attempted to get close to them somehow, but her attempt was a failure.
As people always gathered around Felix and Cyril, Caroline could only watch from afar, unable to talk to them, let alone ask them to dance.
And yet… how could that girl dance with them!?
The fan in her grip creaked and squeaked.
Everything was Monica Norton's fault. All she did was serve a slightly bitter tea.
And yet, she made such a big deal out of it and brought shame to Caroline. What a hateful girl!
Everything was her fault! Everything!
A small crack appears on her fan. It was her favorite fan, but now it's broken. She has to beg her father for a new one.
It will be fine. She believed that her father will help her. He doted on Caroline and donated a lot of money to the school. There was no way she would be expelled.
”Please excuse us.”
There was a knock at the door and two students entered the room.
A softly swaying honey blonde with mysterious blue eyes tinted with green color, the always calm atmosphere of the second prince, Felix Ark Ridill.
And platinum blond hair mixed with a little honey and dark blue eyes resemble winter snow, the renowned ice prince, and also the eldest son of Marquis Highon, Cyril Ashley
They were the student council president and vice-president of this academy, representing the pinnacle among the students.
Felix took a seat across from Caroline and crossed his legs. Cyril stood behind him, glaring at Caroline and the others with cold eyes.
Cyril wore a rigid face, but Felix was smiling as softly as ever.
I knew it! His Highness would understand my action! I'm not at fault!
As Caroline patted her chest in relief, Felix spoke up in a gentle voice.
”Caroline Simons, the daughter, of Count Norn. Shall we hear your side of the story in the attempt of poisoning Miss Monica Norton?”
Poisoning. At that word, Caroline and her friends' faces quickly changed.
Even if you were a noble, murder is a serious crime. Even if it's merely an attempt, you will be punished with that equivalent crime.
”It was a misunderstanding, Your Highness! It was just a prank! And yet, Monica Norton has taken it upon herself to make a big deal out of it. That girl… must have been trying to embarrass me!”
”By a prank, you mean putting poison into your classmate's cup?”
Felix's calm voice remained unchanged.
And yet, the words that thrust to her were utterly cold and merciless.
Caroline pleaded with teary eyes.
”That thing's not poisonous! It's just an eye drop! I've heard that it's very bitter and can be used as medicine to calm down… That's why I thought it would be good to bring her frightful manner to her senses…”
The latter part was just random nonsense.
The eyedrops bought from the merchant were said to be very bitter and should not be consumed. At the time, she just laughed at the idea of consuming eye drops. But now, she will bring any excuse as long as she could get away with it.
As she was rattling off her excuses, Cyril pulled a small bottle wrapped in a handkerchief out of his pocket.
It was Caroline's eye drop that was confiscated when she was taken into this salon.
”My younger sister, Claudia, told me that the eye drop you were carrying were regulated by law. You need to be a doctor or a certified pharmacist to be eligible to possess this item.”
Cyril's dark blue pupils glinted as he glared coldly at Caroline.
”Possessing such a dangerous drug illegally and then giving it to someone else… is if not attempted murder, then what?”
Cyril's younger sister, Claudia Ashley, was a true descendant of the ”Intelligent Family.”
Also known as a ”walking library,” she has a vast amount of knowledge that surpasses that of adults. If she declares so, then her words must be true.
Caroline grew pale, but still desperately tried to find a way out.
”I didn't know that this eye drop was such a dreadful thing. I was told that it was just an eye drop… Oh, Your Highness, please believe me!”
As she pleaded with tears streaming down her face, Felix smiled softly.
”Right, without prior knowledge, you dripped that eye drop into Miss Monica Norton's cup, out of mischief.”
”T-That's right.”
”And you did that to humiliate Miss Norton.”
In response to the words dropped calmly, Caroline bit her lip tightly and fell silent.
Felix put his hand over his mouth and chuckled.
”I guess we can add libel to the list.”
”!!!”
She was sure her excuses were pretty good. But why has Felix not said anything to help Caroline? Why won't Felix defend her?
At this moment, Caroline still really thought that she could get away with it if she passed it off as ignorance.
Then, a knock came on the door. After Felix gave permission, a female student stepped into the salon and bowed gracefully.
It was an orange-haired freshman styled into ringlets. She's a beautiful girl with a slightly stern face and a dignified air about her.
”My name is Isabelle Norton, the daughter of Count Kerbeck. I am very grateful to you for allowing me to be present here.”
Monica Norton was said to be under the care of Count Kerbeck's household. Then it would be natural for Isabelle, the daughter of Count Kerbeck, to be present here to hear the situation.
It will be fine… the daughter of Count Kerbeck loathes and harasses Monica Norton. If something happened to Monica Norton, the disgrace of Count Kerbeck's household, she probably wouldn't condemn me strongly.
As Isabelle sat down in the chair that Cyril had suggested, she cast her eyes down with a very apologetic look on her face.
”I have heard that our troublesome family member has caused trouble for you. Please accept my deepest apology on behalf of Count Kerbeck's household.”