It had been around three days since the news of the Patriarch supporting in enrolling at the Royal Academy and one week since I had arrived at the Lix Estate.
And let’s just say that it had made so very jealous individuals, more precisely, Alia’s siblings.
Oliver Lix was the one who was the most obvious about it, often mocking as I minded my business walking through the Estate. However, the eldest child was a little more discreet, often sending gazes of contempt, showing his hostility toward .
After all, they were probably wondering why a commoner had managed to convince their father to give his recomndation to the most prestigious academy in the world.
From the way they acted toward commoners, it was clear that their father thought the sa as them, which could only an that I was special enough for him to overlook this rule of his.
"I don’t know what you did to earn father’s favor, but don’t think it changes anything. I’m still superior to you," Oliver said with disdain as he then looked toward Alia. "You’re lucky to have him, useless bitch."
It was the first ti since I had arrived that Oliver had openly insulted Alia. The trauma he had instilled in her since she was only a kid clearly showed as she would always hide behind every ti we t with a mber of the family.
"Don’t talk to her like that."
I couldn’t let it continue. I needed to do sothing about it.
As soon as I spoke up, I felt a pull in my shirt, clearly indicating for to stay quiet.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Oliver said as he got right in my face.
I stayed quiet as he started grinning, feeling superior to . He must have thought I was too scared to speak.
"I really don’t know what father saw in you. You’re nothing but trash."
He spat in my face.
I knew he wanted to get a reaction out of , but I stayed composed until the very end.
"Spineless bastard."
Just as he was about to walk away, the eldest child walked in with a devious smile.
"Wait, brother. I just got an idea."
’Mhm, I see. He was probably the one who organized this whole scene. He probably wanted to react, so that he could get the guards involved again.’
Usually, Oliver would only say a few words before moving on. However, today he had truly tried his best to make angry. It was probably their plan so that I would lose their father’s favor.
"What is it, Ed?" Oliver answered with an already knowing smile.
"You want my sister to be respected around here, right?" Edward Lix asked as he began walking around .
Before I nodded, I felt another pull on the back of my shirt. Alia was clearly scared of what they were planning.
"Yes. But I don’t see how you two can make that happen."
Edward scoffed. "Don’t underestimate our influence around here. With only a word, we can make everyone within the estate respect her, but..."
"But you want sothing in exchange?" I replied, cutting him off.
"Haha. Yes, you’re not too slow after all. It’s nothing much. How about a duel between Oliver and you? If you win, we’ll tell everyone to back off when it cos to Alia. But if you lose, you’ll have to forget about enrolling in the Royal Academy."
I glanced toward Oliver. I knew I was much stronger than him; they probably also knew that, which ant they had sothing up their sleeves.
’Not that it matters.’
"Fine. Let’s have a duel."
This ti, instead of feeling only a slight pull, both of Alia’s hands clenched and pulled back toward her.
I felt her going on her tiptoes as she whispered in my ear, "Y-You don’t have to do this. You’re still injured... You don’t have to get hurt because of ."
"Oh, how cute! She’s worried about you!" Edward said before losing his smile. "I wonder what other students at the Royal Academy would think if they heard you were close with a commoner."
Alia hid behind and said with a tinge of anger, "Why would that matter?"
Edward only sighed as he tapped my chest. "Let’s have the duel tomorrow. It wouldn’t be fun if there weren’t a few people watching, now would it?"
’Public humiliation. I guess they thought this through to a certain degree. It’s a pity that their whole plan will backfire against them.’
***
"What were you thinking?!" Alia imdiately said as we entered her room. "I told you that it was fine! I don’t need your help with how I’m treated here!"
"I only wanted to pay you back for healing back then."
She rolled her eyes. "I already told you that I didn’t want that. You being here is good enough already!"
I smirked, seeing how she acted so casually in front of .
She was so different from how she was in front of the rest of her family.
With , she wasn’t scared to say what she truly thought. She wasn’t hiding behind anyone. I wonder if she would still be the sa if she had a glance at my status.
Would she be scared like everyone else? Or maybe she’d try to use ?
"Tsk. Look at you staying silent! Do you really think you can win against my brother? He may not look like it, but he’s pretty strong; he’s the seventh in his class at the Royal Academy, and he’s a second year too..."
"I can beat him."
Alia was surprised by how confident I was. However, she seed to trust sowhat.
"Fine. But you need to promise one thing! You won’t get hurt no matter what!"
It was the first ti anyone had ever said that to .
I instinctively chuckled.
’I guess this is what having soone care about you feels like.’
"I’ll try my best."
She pinched my waist and pouted. "Promise!"
I chuckled even louder. "Sure, I promise."
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