I open my eyes. It is now Monday. It was a horrible Sunday. My injury kept acting up and so I was in pain for the whole day. My weirdly normal Sunday lethargy helped a lot in ignoring the discomfort. Weirdly enough, I do not feel any pain anymore. I stood up from the bed and made my way to the dining area. I finished my meal and am now lounging in our lobby. It was still too early. Exam days in this school start ter than the usual time for css. It also ends a bit earlier giving those students who wish to cram more time to do so.

  “Morning!”

  Menie arrived as I was sitting. She sat down and rexed a bit.

  “I wanted to sleep more but I got used to waking up early so here I am!”

  For someone who is shy, she has a lot of energy when around people she is close to. It was very cute in a way.

  “Good morning, everyone.”

  Bnche was the st to arrive.

  “Is everyone ready for the exams?”

  “Hmph, I have no need to take the exams.”

  Bnche looks confused.

  “My grades would be determined by my maid. Sylvia, I expect perfect marks to all exams across the board.”

  “Y-yes, mistress!”

  I did not need to look at her to know how nervous she is. No matter, her punishment would depend on my mood after all. Whether she has a perfect score or not does not matter.

  “I do not understand.”

  “I have already ordered the principal to do as such. It is beneath me to take an exam.”

  “But the prince is doing so.”

  “And that is his choice. I, for one am not one to do such an inane task.”

  “Psst, Bnche. It fits her to do something like that, right?”

  After hearing Menie’s words, Bnche stopped to think. After a few moments, she replied.

  “Ah. I understand what you mean. Doing the opposite would be out of character. Logically, it all makes sense.”

  Bnche nods.

  “However, what I find confusing is the fact that the principal has agreed to such a thing.”

  “She has no choice.”

  “Is it because your family owns the school?”

  “Of course. What else could it be?”

  “I understand. However, why make your maid take the exam?”

  “Because I want to. Now, I should remind you that all of you are representing me. So, I expect for all of you to not fail your exam. Do you understand?”

  “Understood, mistress.”

  “Naturally, I have never failed an exam.”

  “Wait, what!? I thought I could take it easy! Crap, I need to study!”

  Menie ran back to her room. She is acting as if she is in any danger of failing. I do believe that she will be fine in the exams. Sylvia should do well as well. Head maid made sure to teach her knowledge after all. After a little bit of time, Menie returns to the lobby.

  “Back so soon?”

  “I remembered that I already studied yesterday and that I should take a break until the exam. Sorry!”

  She put out her tongue as she said that. How cute.

  “Now, as we have some time. I do have something to discuss.”

  All their faces turned serious.

  “Menie, what have you heard?”

  “Oh, uh, it seems that the commoner is being bullied again.”

  There it is.

  “I see.”

  “It’s been going around everyday now. There is someone spreading a rumor that the commoner is being harassed every day.”

  “Is it those five again? I wondered if it had stopped but I did not think they would return to such activities.”

  Menie looked confused to Bnche’s statement.

  “Huh? Did you not hear of the rumors, Bnche?”

  “I do not listen to such things. I do not eavesdrop unless necessary. The only reason I was involved before is that the prince specifically inquired of the situation to me. Otherwise, I would have ignored it.”

  I see. Bnche is someone who does not listen to rumors. However, she takes it seriously when someone expressly involves her in it.

  “Oh. I always see some of our cssmates talk to you so I thought you would be in the know.”

  “Ah. I understand. At one point, someone wanted to do as such but I expressly requested to not be informed of such rumors. So, those girls who talk to me always tell things about themselves, their experiences or about each other. If I desired to hear of an unverified story, I would read a book.”

  Menie looked shocked to her response.

  “I see. However, Bnche you do understand that you will be hearing a lot of these rumors in my company from now on.”

  “Do not worry. I have decided to be yours. As such, I shall accept everything about you. Your positives as well as your negatives.”

  Menie looked even more shocked from her words. Adding the fact that her face has not changed.

  “Did I do well? I learned from various media that accepting a partner’s faults is a romantic gesture.”

  That would depend on the partner. Some would call that a toxic retionship.

  “It is a good line. I must inform you that I can perfectly control my facial expressions. So, please refer to them if you wish to know the effect of your words.”

  “I understand. Then, please forgive me if I do not react appropriately in the future. My family has no control over our facial expressions. Unless it is of an extreme emotion, there will be no change.”

  “Do not worry. I have already seen it happen. You look utterly beautiful when you smile.”

  There is a twitch on her lips as her face has a shade of pink on it.

  “It seems that my emotions are easily affected by your words, Miss Athena.”

  “Yes, my words do have such an affect.”

  Bnche recovered a few seconds ter returning to the usual cold expression.

  “Forgive me for derailing our topic. Do we have any idea on who is the one harassing the prince’s friend?”

  “Ah, that would be me.”