Chapter: 161
“Sorry about that, Lady Allen.”
Phoebe looked utterly distraught, as if she would give her own neck if she could. She seemed very remorseful for burdening me, the one who comforted her.
“I tried to explain as best as I could to the girl I ran into on the way back, but I guess my eloquence was lacking.”
So the story behind this rumor goes like this.
Phoebe, with her face a mess from crying in my room, met a girl she’s friendly with on her way back.
That girl saw Phoebe’s face and figured something must have happened, spreading the word to her acquaintances.
Since the central figures of this rumor are me and Phoebe, who are both quite famous in this academy in one way or another, it quickly spread, and now it’s escalated to a point where one or two people can’t fix it.
I feel incredibly wronged as the person involved, but looking at it from the other side, it’s quite an amusing rumor.
A capable but nasty, filthy girl bullied and made cry the kindest and noblest person in the academy?
And it happened in a closed room where no one could see?
That itself is already excellent material.
The content is provocative, and the clear separation of good and evil opens up immense possibilities for variation.
If I heard a rumor like that with no association to it, I would have thought, “Wow, that’s a juicy story.” I felt that way when I read all sorts of gossip in the past.
But the person involved in that rumor is me.
Hah.
“So that’s why I’ve come to handle this.”
Ultimately, the foundation of the rumors circulating among the people is that I bullied Phoebe.
So Phoebe’s story was that if we show ourselves getting along, wouldn’t it break that foundation?
In my opinion, it doesn’t feel like a rumor that has spread this far will settle down just like that.
But seeing Phoebe genuinely apologizing and trying to resolve my dilemma, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything negative.
“It’s okay, Phoebe. I’m not worried.”
“Puhaha. Sloppy Saintess. Who are you worried about? You think I’m going to bother about those shoddy losers over there barking?”
“Then I’m relieved, but still…”
“Sit down. Let’s eat together.”
“Sit down. I’ll treat the shoddy crybaby you today.”
“Ah. Yes! Thank you.”
Hmm. Since it’s come to this, maybe I should order another dish to share with Phoebe.
I’d been feeling like one steak wasn’t enough, so it worked out nicely.
Weirdly, these days, no matter how much I eat, I’m never full. Ever since I started training with Grandpa in practice mode, it’s been like this.
Thinking of how I usually move, I shouldn’t be gaining weight like this.
Could it be a sign that I’m growing taller?!
They say your appetite spikes during a growth spurt!
Yeah. It must be something like that.
It better be!
If my guess is right, I should eat well while I can.
That way, I can grow even more actively.
I can’t live forever as this little shrimp!
I want to look down at others instead of looking up, like Phoebe or Joy!
“Over there.”
While I was flipping through the menu and getting all emotional, I heard another familiar voice.
Before I could even lift my head, I already knew who it was.
“Joy?”
“What’s up, Foolish Young Lady?”
There was Joy, hiding her slightly flushed face behind a fan.
*
This morning, Joy had heard rumors about Phoebe and Lucy from another young lady, leaving her dumbfounded and unsure of how to respond.
Lucy could never bully Phoebe!
She cherished Phoebe so much that she even dressed in a bunny girl outfit to save her!
Why would someone like that make Phoebe cry?!
Could it even be that Phoebe would shed tears over being slightly bullied?
She’s someone who didn’t shed a single tear even after navigating through all kinds of rough places as a Saintess!
It’s much more plausible that Phoebe was moved to tears after meeting Lucy.
Looking at it all, Joy was certain it was nothing but nonsense, so she firmly told the young ladies around her not to discuss such rumors.
However, the rumors about Lucy and Phoebe quickly spread throughout the academy.
The story was provocative, and the characters involved were famous, so there was no stopping it.
Having frequently encountered such situations in the social circle, Joy couldn’t help but sigh countless times at the people spouting nonsense.
How should this be resolved?
Considering Lady Allen’s personality, she probably wouldn’t care one bit, but Phoebe would.
She would definitely feel terrible for causing trouble to someone who helped her.
So for Phoebe’s sake, this rumor needs to be cleared up. Is there no good way to do this?
Entering the dining hall with other young ladies, Joy was pondering this when she froze at the sight of Phoebe, sitting together with Lucy at a table.
Why are those two together?
Seeing Phoebe’s face, unmistakably showing her apology, and Lucy looking at her as if she were ridiculous, Joy quickly understood the situation.
Ah. They must be trying to show that they’re on good terms like this.
Sure, that could help prevent the rumors from worsening even a little.
People who want to gossip might still say bad things about Lady Allen, but someone would say, “Aren’t those two getting along well?”
Good judgment.
Joy rationally assessed the situation, but her feelings told a different story.
But it’s a bit strange to be having a meal with Lady Allen for the first time, right?
That seat was supposed to be mine! I had my eyes on it from long ago!
Phoebe! No matter how much you’re my friend, isn’t it too much to snatch this away?!
Joy’s relationships were mostly wide yet shallow.
As a young lady of the Partlan Ducal family, countless people were vying for the seat next to her, but very few actually cared about the name “Joy.”
Most young ladies were after Lady Partlan’s friends, not Joy’s friends.
Joy wasn’t ignorant of this fact. She wasn’t foolish enough to fall for the sweet whispers around her.
That’s why Joy didn’t consider them true friends.
The moment the name Lady Partlan disappeared, those people would scatter like withered petals, leaving her all alone. How could she call such people her friends?
For her, the only people she could truly call friends were the few who didn’t care about her status, like Arthur or Phoebe.
And recently, there was one more person she wanted to add to that list.
Lucy Allen.
The person who had saved her life twice.
The one who extended a hand to her, trapped in trauma, unable to move forward.
Someone who, despite her status as a Ducal young lady, wouldn’t hesitate to speak her mind, often deemed rude and sulky.
But beneath that was someone more thoughtful and noble than anyone else.
Joy wanted to call someone like Lucy her friend. She wanted to see her laughing and playing together.
She even cooked up plans with her older brother for Lucy.
First, she would ask Lucy, who always ate alone, if she wanted to join her for a meal.
For sure, Lucy would grumble with something like, “Can’t you even eat alone?” or “Typical Foolish Young Lady,” but she wouldn’t chase Joy away.
If that’s the case, then it’s the perfect start.
Then, naturally, they’d become meal buddies.
They’d talk and make plans to go out together.
They’d go out to eat tasty food together.
And when the upcoming vacation arrives, she would invite her to come play in her territory and have a sleepover!
Unlike Arthur, who couldn’t act like a friend due to gender differences and political issues, or Phoebe, whose schedule was too packed to hang out, Lucy had no obligations.
Until she entered the academy, she was known as the epitome of a troublemaker. If she wanted to, she could be just as carefree.
Put simply, if Joy could be friends with Lucy, she could fill the illusion of friendship she had been dreaming about while reading so many books.
That’s why Joy had been looking for opportunities to bring up having a meal together whenever she was with Lucy, waiting for the right moment to begin her plan.
However, until now, she had only been waiting.
Her older brother, who had consulted her on this topic, looked at her with frustration every time she mentioned it, but there was nothing to be done.
What if she got rejected!
If she heard something like, “Why should I eat with you? You’ll ruin my appetite!” she would feel like her heart was shattering into pieces!
Despite her appearance and behavior, Joy was timid at heart, so she couldn’t bring herself to be the first to speak and instead waited for Lucy to propose they eat together.
Naturally, until now, that had never happened, so Joy’s first step of her plan remained unfulfilled.
Yet at this moment, Phoebe was trying to steal the accomplishment of being the first person to eat with Lucy away from Joy.
Joy knew Phoebe had no such intent! She knew that in her heart, only good intentions resided.
But from Joy’s perspective, being envious was simply unavoidable.
Phoebe was trying to accomplish what Joy had only imagined!
What to do?!
At this rate, Phoebe would steal Lady Allen from me!
Eating together, going out, getting close, and by the second semester of the first year, calling each other by name…
No, no!
I knew Lady Allen first!
I got close to her first!
I’m the one who was waiting for the chance to become friends!
Even if it’s Phoebe, I can’t let her snatch that away!
Harboring the worst of imaginations, Joy pulled out her fan and sought permission from the surrounding young ladies.
Saying she would go talk to Phoebe.
No one could stop Joy, who, despite all that was swirling inside, still looked every bit the Ducal young lady.
With the approval of the other young ladies, Joy moved her feet.
Impulsively stepping forward, her mind, however, was in chaos.
First, she had to go there, but what should she say when she gets there?!
Did you hear about the story?
No! Bringing that up would make the atmosphere awkward!
You’ve been through a lot?
This was the same!
She had to act oblivious! Joy, you dummy!
So, what’s the best thing to say?!…
While pondering, Joy found herself at Phoebe’s side.
“Um.”
“Joy?”
“What’s up, Foolish Young Lady?”
Now that she had broken the ice, she had to say something, anything.
She needed to say something.
So, that is…
“Is it okay if I join you two for a meal?”
The words that sprang from Joy’s mouth were the phrase she had always held in her heart.
“Of course, Joy.”
“What’s up, Foolish Young Lady? Can’t even eat properly now? Seriously. What are you doing? Sit down and stop standing there like a fool.”
Both of them, as if it was natural, allowed Joy to take a seat next to them.
I did it!
I finally did it!
Joy silently cheered as she sat down casually next to them.
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