Arias eyes grew round. Mielles mind had become impatient, and thats when Aria hesitated to answer, asking herself if she was about to advise Mielle of her rude behavior.

I cant because it would be rude to Oscar. Besides, I have to go out. Can I open the box? Aria, who checked the time, asked impatiently, and the messenger nodded.

She had been late for her last meeting to make a show of her simple dress, but she no longer intended to be late.

Aria called out several maids and ordered them to open her box.

Among them, was a maid who always stood next to Mielle and maintained a bad expression when looking at Aria. Her pale complexion and slow hands seemed to worry about her master.

What a beautiful thing it is!

Inside the box, were a dress, shoes and hair ornaments.

The countess was impressed by the light pink dress. Although it seems modest, it was of the highest-quality material, and a small star-like diamond was embedded along the neckline. The rose-shaped waist decoration brightened the slightly dull-looking design.

It has been a while since youve gone now, so wouldnt it be better to change?

Even dainty pink shoes and hair ornaments Those would make her stand out in that days meeting.

But Aria shook her head, checking the time. She had not yet planned to go to a meeting decorated to the fullest.

Im going to have to wear just a hair decoration. I think Ill be late for the meeting if I dont leave quickly. Im going now, Mom and Mielle.

Aria, who took the golden rose pin, ordered all the gifts to be brought to her room and left the mansion.

When she gave one last glance sideways at Mielle, she saw the girl was nearly leaning on her maid after having lost all her liveliness. The look of the maid looking down at her was not very different.

On the wagon, Aria confirmed Oscars letter.

There wasnt much to it. He had been very grateful for the loan of her handkerchief in the garden, and he sincerely hoped she would accept it back.

It was a good thing that I didnt read it.

If she had read it, it would not have created any unnecessary misunderstandings.

It would have made her efforts futile. Of course, there had been an accident in the garden, but he had given her an excessive gift for the handkerchief.

Is it because it was a handkerchief he took?

She had heard that there were many men who would send clothes and accessories because they wanted the girls to wear them in their next meeting. Of course, Aria had received plenty of gifts in the past without having to give anything first.

But it was too much to expect the same from Oscar.

My clothes must have looked shabby and pitiful, as expected.

Otherwise, he wouldnt have sent a dress. She hadnt meant to go that far, but his reaction had been grand, so she was very thankful for that.

What shall I do in return?

He would not want something in return, but she had to send something to continue the relationship. He should feel burdened by it and contact her again. It should be something very expensive and precious, for example. It would be very burdensome if a young lady who dressed in simple clothes sent a luxurious gift.

A ring or a necklace? Either wouldnt work What about a brooch? What do you think?

When Aria asked them all of a sudden, the two knights escorting her looked puzzled.

She didnt ask for an answer. Rings were interchangeable between lovers, so that was impossible, and so were the necklaces. Brooches were the best fit for a student, so the answer was already decided.

Aria, recalling that the color of the academys uniform was black, smiled a furtive smile.

Any colorful brooch would suit him well. It would be perfect if he could wear the brooch that he would receive as a present. Even if he were to give it back, saying, I feel burdened by it, she would have an excuse to meet him.

Lets give him a brooch as expensive, colorful and luxurious as possible.

Jessie, how much money do you have in hand? I think Ill have to buy something a little more expensive.

I didnt bring much today, but youll be fine because you have an ID.

That meant that she could put it under the name of the Roscent family. That was because Count Roscents business was so big that his family was given great credit since they could afford everything but the Imperial Palace.

Tell the wagon driver to stop by the jewelry shop when we come back. I want to visit the largest and most expensive jewelry shop in the capital.

Yes, miss.

Silence sank in the carriage. It was not just quiet. They felt like she had finally shown her true colors.

That was what Aria felt since she had been seeing those people for quite a long time and was able to grasp their feelings with her very being. Besides, she hadnt shaken her image as a bad girl yet.

He sent me such a pretty present. I have to pay Oscar back somehow.

Ah Yes, miss. Ill tell the driver to go to the best place in the capital.

That was why Aria added that excuse. When she did, the atmosphere that had become heavy, eased a little. All of them had confirmed in the foyer that Aria had received a great gift.

Suddenly, Aria sympathized with Mielle. Mielle must have tried hard to hide the rottenness in her heart and the smell of gutter burning within her. Aria couldnt know, but she was sure that Mielle had continued to make all sorts of useless excuses like she had done now, to avoid having her inner feelings caught.

Poor life.

So dont you think I should end it? What would you do if you lived a more miserable life? If your head was chopped off and rolled across the ground, you would no longer have to make unnecessary excuses by hiding your true self. I think Im a savior of your life, which is filled with only lies.

Aria looked out of the window and smiled slightly.

5. Revenge

The main topic at the meeting was Arias new hair ornament. The hairpin Oscar had presented her was luxurious and beautiful enough to be talked about.

There were some who questioned the fact that the ornament was of a golden rose, but they did not bother to point it out. This was because the seal of a great family was often used for various decorations. The rose of the family of the Duke of Frederik, in particular, was very widely and commonly used.

Aria blushed shyly at their praises and presented each one with a handkerchief she had prepared. Unlike the last ones, those handkerchiefs embroidered with the seals of the families of each of the young ladies was enough to raise her stature.

A young lady who had shown great interest in Aria at the last meeting had told her family about that meeting and Aria, and very surprised, they desired to invite Aria to their mansion at once.

What did she say?

Seeing that the young lady had spoken so excitedly about her, it seemed to be a good sign. Thankfully, one by one, they were swayed by the show that Aria was putting, and she could see that they thought of her differently now.

Aria smiled brightly and thought, Theres nothing to be gained from this meeting.

There was no big impact because this was a gathering of ordinary people, all except for Sarah. It was a gathering of nobles who had had no power in the past, had no power in the present, and would have no power in the future. It was a waste of time that would gain her nothing.

If she distanced herself, her thoughts would become anxious because of Sarah, but she was finding it annoying to keep coming to these gatherings. Thinking back to Mielles relationships, there seemed to be no such useless connections. She had always dealt with men of power.

What shall I do? I can meet Sarah in class, so shall I just skip this next meeting?

However, because she was already somewhat part of the group, it would be strange for her to quit the gatherings suddenly. If she did, she was sure to put Sarah in an uncomfortable situation as well. So, Aria tried to swallow her irritation. She couldnt show a frown.