CICN 19

Chapter 18

As the students from the Gifted Academy entered the main palace, they were greeted by a group of ministers and officials who appeared to have been waiting for them.

“Hello! I didn’t expect to see you here.”

But of course they had.

The schedule to visit the main palace had been shared several days ago.

Still, the students smiled as if it were a coincidence and greeted the ministers politely.

“Look, that’s Count Heres, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

“And over there… it’s Sir Taran of the Imperial Knights!”

As the students named the figures before them, others gasped in awe upon hearing those names.

They were all high-ranking nobles anyone would recognize by name.

Naturally, the students who had connections with these nobles greeted them confidently and struck up conversations.

The commoner students, on the other hand, couldn’t help but feel small and hesitant in comparison.

“So, how’s life at the Gifted Academy? Are you getting along all right? Nothing uncomfortable, I hope?”

It was only their second day there, yet the patrons acted as though the children had been away from home for months, looking at them with concern.

“We’re doing well. Thank you for your concern.”

In truth, there were plenty of complaints to be made, but none of them could voice such things in front of so many people.

And it wasn’t just their own patrons they were speaking to.

The students deliberately greeted every noble they recognized.

It was a way of flaunting the powerful households they came from.

Watching them, Limora bit her lip.

The academy staff had treated them more fairly than she had expected.

She had thought that if she just did well, things would go smoothly.

But seeing this now, it felt like she had been at a disadvantage from the very beginning.

And yet, all she could do was feel bitter—she had nothing to show off in front of these people.

Still, watching the nobles laugh and chat amongst themselves twisted something inside her.

‘If only I had connections too…’

How amazing would it be to know someone like the Minister of State, one of the Emperor’s closest aides?

Then she could boast about her network in front of everyone just like the other noble students did.

While Limora’s thoughts raced, her eyes landed on Ivy, standing alone.

Immediately, her gaze sharpened.

She had been thinking about this the entire way to the palace.

‘I need to figure out whether that girl really has no connections, or if she’s just pretending not to, because she doesn’t want to introduce me to her people.’

When Limora had tried to strike up a friendly conversation, she had expected Ivy to boast about her relationship with the Emperor.

But when she did speak to her, Ivy hadn’t even seemed to know she’d been selected thanks to the Emperor.

Even now, opinions were divided among the students.

Some believed Ivy truly had no ties to the Emperor, while others insisted she was being cunning—pretending to know nothing just to distance herself.

One thing was certain: if things continued like this, no one would know the truth.

‘That little brat refuses to open her mouth.’

But there was a way. If she forced her, Ivy would have no choice but to tell the truth.

Limora walked straight toward Ivy.

Grabbing her wrist, she raised her voice just enough to be heard by those around them.

“If His Majesty the Emperor were here, I’m sure Ivy would have greeted him. Such a shame, isn’t it?”

As soon as the word Emperor was mentioned, everyone’s attention snapped toward them.

Even those deep in friendly conversation fell silent and looked at Ivy and Limora.

“Huh?”

Ivy stared at Limora, utterly confused.

Even when they first met, Limora had asked her strange questions. And now, why was she suddenly bringing up the Emperor?

“Why are you pretending to be modest? Everyone knows His Majesty personally selected you.”

Ignoring Ivy’s stunned expression, Limora continued speaking.

And Ivy truly was stunned.

“W-What? Me?”

It was the first she’d ever heard of such a thing. Why would the Emperor choose her?

Elam City was a rural town far from the capital, and the local lord had no ties to the central government.

When she had first been admitted into the Gifted Academy, even the lord had seemed completely shocked.

So how could it be the Emperor who chose her? That kind of thing only happened to children of noble families…

While Ivy stood frozen in confusion, Limora smiled and added clearly, “You even boasted about meeting His Majesty. I was so jealous when I heard it.”

It was a complete lie.

‘But so what?’

Even if Ivy claimed she’d never said such a thing, everyone would just assume she was lying.

They all already believed she was selected by the Emperor. It would only seem natural that she’d brag about it.

If Ivy didn’t want to be labeled a liar, she’d have to talk about meeting the Emperor.

‘If I say so myself, this is quite clever.’

Limora chuckled internally as she watched Ivy.

Ivy, still in shock, glanced around at the growing crowd.

She looked like she was searching for someone—only strengthening the credibility of Limora’s story.

Even the other commoner students watched with curious faces.

Everyone was clearly wondering how this would unfold, and their expressions gave Limora more confidence as she opened her mouth again.

“And I’m sure His Majesty will continue to take good care of y—”

“I’ve been watching, but seriously—how far are you planning to take this lie?!”

Just then, another girl raised her voice and interrupted Limora’s speech.

“I kept my mouth shut because I felt sorry for you, but this is going too far. That girl wasn’t selected because she had any connection to His Majesty. It was out of pity! Her file was in a discarded pile, and His Majesty pulled her out because he felt sorry for her! So why are you pretending like she actually met him?”

Silence fell over the crowd.

The students held their breath as they listened—this was exactly the story they had all been curious about.

“Seriously… know your place. A lot happened that day, and His Majesty probably wanted to lighten the mood. She just got lucky, that’s all!”

The girl, realizing she had made eye contact with her patron—who looked horrified—quickly fell silent.

Matters discussed in the imperial audience chamber were strictly confidential.

And yet, she had just blurted it out. If someone asked how she knew, she’d have no excuse.

Realizing her mistake, the girl quickly turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

Now only Limora and Ivy remained.

“What’s going on over there?”

An official, who had stepped away momentarily, came over at the sound of the raised voices.

Apparently, he had missed the entire exchange.

Limora quickly let go of Ivy’s hand and slipped back to her group of close friends, acting as if she didn’t know her.

As she returned, her friends whispered to her.

“See? I told you something was off.”

“So she has no ties to His Majesty after all. Just a lucky girl.”

“If she had any noble connections, she would’ve named them—but she stood there completely mute. She’s got nothing.”

Then, they turned to Limora and said:

“Good thing we found out before getting too close. You’re amazing, Limora. Figured it all out in one go.”

“Right? We’re lucky we didn’t get more involved. Did you see the nobles’ faces? They looked so annoyed.”

“Of course they were! Who would like a liar who says she met the Emperor?”

Limora didn’t respond.

Of course, Ivy had never said any of those things. She had made it all up.

But she didn’t feel any need to correct them.

No one was going to listen to that little brat now anyway.

At that moment, a student standing beside her whispered with a smirk.

“Then… there’s no need to befriend her, or look out for her, is there?”

“…?”

Limora looked at her questioningly, and the friend glared toward Ivy and said:

“A girl who starts off lying like that—should she really stay at the Academy? We might end up getting side-eyed too, just for being commoners like her.”

Limora thought for a moment, then responded in a quiet voice.

“…I have a good idea.”

✦ ✦ ✦

And meanwhile, standing alone under everyone’s cold stares, Ivy clenched her fists.

She wasn’t angry or sad.

It was what Limora and that noble girl had said that echoed in her ears.

“His Majesty personally chose you.”

Whether it was out of pity or mere chance, that was undeniably true.

No matter what anyone whispered, a smile formed on Ivy’s face.

She had been feeling uneasy even after her admission—seeing all the incredible students around her had made her wonder if she didn’t belong.

She had feared they might send her back to the orphanage at any moment.

But after what just happened, she was certain.

Whatever the reason, she had been chosen after His Majesty personally reviewed her file.

The fear she had been holding onto disappeared.

It didn’t matter what others said.

“I belong here.”