A fun tea party, and …
“Oh, it’s been a long time.”
Mia looked up at the academy with a refreshing smile.
“I never thought that the day would come when I would be happy to be back at this school.”
Mia arrived at St. Noel Academy a week before the start of the new semester. To be honest, Mia didn’t really like school, but she left the empire early because of the feeling of liberation from the guillotine. She was humming happily entering the school gates.
“Oh, Mia-sama!”
“Chloe! Good morning”
Mia looks at her and gave her an exceptionally formal curtsy. Chloe hurriedly did the same… and then they looked at each other and laughed.
“It’s been a long time, Chloe. Were you well?”
“Yes I am. Thank you. Mia-sama looks fine too.”
“Is your father doing well?”
“Oh, yes. Thank you for that by the way. My dad was so delighted to have a very good business talk with you.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that”
“Well, I was very surprised. I mean… I knew it… but it really drove home for me how you truly are the Wisdom of the Empire.”
“My, my. I’m terribly flattered. But you’re giving me too much credit.”
Chloe surely did give her too much credit. It has been too long since Mia said something true about herself.
The two walked happily around the campus. When they were approaching the courtyard, a familiar person approached them.
“Oh, it’s been a long time, Princess Mia, good morning.”
“Rafina-sama… Good morning to you too. You’re as charming as always.”
The two exchange pleasantries as typical of nobles. Then Rafina looked at Chloe and smiled gently.
“Good morning to you as well, Chloe”
“Ah, eh, uh, yeah. Rafina-sama, good morning.”
Rafina looked at Mia after seeing Chloe getting nervous.
“I didn’t know you and Chloe were friends.”
“Yes, we are. In fact, we are best-friends.”
Chloe’s eyes went round upon hearing what Mia said.
“Oh. Be-be-best friend?”
“We often get together to discuss about the books we read.”
“Is that right? That sounds delightful.”
Rafina smiled happily,
“I was thinking of having a tea. Would you like to join me?”
“Oh, then I’m just going to head off…”
“Chloe, do you have anything to do?”
“No, but I don’t want to get in the way…”
“That’s not the case. I was thinking of having tea with the two of you.”
Rafina smiled again at Mia, who nodded a little.
“I would prefer if you joined us as well, Chloe. Rafina kindly invited us. So, let’s go together.”
Having said that, she took Chloe’s hand.
“Mia, I heard that you are trying to build a school.”
Rafina asked after they had made themselves comfortable in her room. Rafina gazed at Mia with her mouth on the cup of tea.
“I also heard that the door will be open to the common people. I must say that that is certainly a bold move.”
Chloe blinked in surprise upon hearing this.
“Mia-sama, did you try to do that? I had no idea.”
At the gaze of the two, Mia was a little nervous.
Uh… I wonder if she had caught on that I am letting in commoners because I don’t want to send Tiona’s brother to a school exclusive for nobles.
Eventhough, she had escaped the guillotine, Rafina’s stare doesn’t seem to bode well. Mia hurriedly thinks of an excuse.
“Well, it’s not really surprising. After all, talent is talent irrelevant of one’s social background.”
After all, Tiona’s younger brother is not from a prestigious bloodline. And yet, he was still able to come up with a new strain of wheat. Talent has nothing to do with bloodline. That should be it!
Fortunately, the quick excuse seems to satisfy Rafina… no, rather, it seems that she has taken it deeply.
“That’s right. As expected of my closest friend. I’m so glad that you’re my friend.”
Rafina took Mia’s hands full of admiration; her eyes moistening with emotions. Mia’s words hadn’t just satisfied her. It resonated with her on a very deep level. Which is a shame because Mia is oblivious of this fact.
All that Mia can notice is Rafina’s reaction that was bordering on being scary and creepy…
“Please, you’re exaggerating.”
Mia smiled back. She was on a roll, and she knew it. Fate was on her side. She can feel a big wave coming up and she’s going to ride it.
The waves of my luck are coming… I can feel it… it’s going strong!
Mia was going to ride this wave up higher and higher. But of course, a wave goes up and down. In fact, the bigger the wave, the greater the fall. Time will tell until when Mia can ride this wave up high.
“Your Highness, pardon my intrusion.”
Anne rushed in. Mia was surprised that she failed to notice Anne’s ashen face.
“What’s wrong?”
Looking at Mia’s face, Anne took a deep breath and then spoke slowly.
“A revolution has happened …”
“…………What?”
Thus, the fall from up the wave begins…
