Chapter 12
“Rather than that, Prince Mazdari, aren’t you tempted by the Saintess candidate?
I mean, it’s divine magic strong enough to defeat a crystal golem.”
“That’s quite an odd thing to say. Saying that makes it sound like I value women for their talents over their beauty and charm…”
Prince Lorenzo Mazdari began to grow wary.
He was someone who purposely acted like a frivolous playboy to make others drop their guard. And yet, here she was, directly asking if he preferred talent over beauty.
‘You’re basically saying you know I’m just pretending to be a playboy.’
Wasn’t that the implication?
‘I made a mistake. Because of my foreknowledge, I ended up revealing something I shouldn’t know yet…’
Realizing her slip, Idnia decided to flip the script and show her hand instead.
“I am tempted.
The Duchy of Betelgeuse is still in chaos from the aftermath of the Demon King’s descent.
At a time like this, a capable talent like a Saintess is very desirable.
Not just the Saintess — any outstanding talent.”
“Ah, I see.”
Prince Lorenzo looked relieved at Idnia’s words.
He believed she was simply expressing her own perspective rather than having seen through his act.
“You must be interested in talent as well, right, Prince Mazdari?
Your duchy is focused on commerce, so you’d need just as many capable people.
Perfect then.
Shall we eat something light and go around introducing ourselves?”
Grabbing some scones and downing her tea, Idnia got ready to move.
She was clearly suggesting they go around recruiting talents — her energy took Prince Lorenzo by surprise.
‘So that’s why she broke off her engagement to the Crown Prince… She’s no ordinary girl.
Idnia Kache Betelgeuse — quite the formidable woman.’
The ambitious prince, who hid his claws behind a mask of frivolity and was even prepared to oppose the Empire if needed, found himself admiring Idnia’s business-like approach.
‘The problem is…
The Duchy of Betelgeuse is in such dire straits that it can’t be revived by one person’s effort.
Once the Duke passes away, she’ll have to lead alone.
Marrying the Crown Prince and being absorbed into the Caliestra family might have been better.
Having half-baked talent in a hopeless situation can sometimes be more of a curse.
When a dream can’t be realized, maybe it’s better to give it up.’
“Prince Mazdari?”
“…Ah. My apologies.”
Lorenzo realized he had been staring blankly at Idnia.
Just then, someone else approached them.
It was Crown Prince Rudolf — accompanied by a black-haired young man.
“So, this is the woman who dumped you, Rudolf?”
“Karl. She is the Duke of Betelgeuse’s daughter. Mind your manners.”
“Ugh, manners. I’m sick of that nonsense.
How long do we have to live in this dorm?
Anyway — I’m Karl Gustav Oxvard, the head of Boreas Dormitory.”
Karl Gustav Oxvard was also from an electoral family, known for leading the Northern War Division — a pure military house.
Among game players, his nickname was “The Northern Archduke.”
He disliked formalities and rituals and preferred to act on raw instinct like a beast.
Perhaps that’s why — he extended his hand for a handshake, the warrior’s greeting.
“That’s rude. When greeting a lady, it should be done like this…”
Prince Lorenzo elegantly held out his hand to Idnia, demonstrating proper social etiquette.
Idnia suddenly felt overwhelmed by the attention.
‘Originally, all this attention should’ve gone to the female protagonist, Maria of Astraea…’
In the original game, it was Maria of Astraea who caught the attention of every prince.
She had enrolled as the top student and displayed powerful divine magic on the first day.
But now, things were different.
Idnia was no longer engaged to the Crown Prince, leaving her socially free.
Maria had made an impression with her divine magic, but Idnia had ranked second in the shop rankings and showed great leadership, earning admiration.
On top of that — wasn’t Idnia also a Saintess candidate?
As nobles, it was only natural for them to calculate.
And when doing the math, Idnia turned out to be the most valuable woman at the academy.
‘I’ve accidentally stolen all the attention that was supposed to go to the main heroine!
What a terrible mistake…
How will I ever apologize for this?!’
As she realized this unintended spotlight, Idnia began to reassess the noble boys around her.
‘In the game, I just thought of them as various types of pretty boys — fun, charming.
But these guys… they all have their own agendas.
I guess that’s how it is with noble sons.’
They seemed carefree and flirty in the game, but in reality, they were calculating every move, thinking of their families and futures.
Idnia was impressed — but also worried.
‘All the most popular characters in Season 1 are now gathering around me.
That can’t look good to others…’
The most entertaining part of high society was gossiping.
And there’s no juicier target than a famous but powerless duke’s daughter.
Meanwhile…
No one was approaching Maria of Astraea.
Though she had shown strong divine magic, people viewed her as a liar who challenged a professor’s authority.
Everyone avoided her as if lightning might strike where she stood.
No one wanted to get hit by association.
So most people just grouped with familiar faces, chatting and eating like at a social party.
Maria, who had never experienced such events before, was left eating alone, feeling miserable.
“Sniff… It wasn’t a lie…”
Maria had possessed strong divine magic since childhood for some reason.
With the protection of Bishop Astraea, she received a prophecy and entered Dunais Academy.
She had trained at the monastery, but while she was there, her family had died from yellow fever.
She once resented the Church and even ran away, opposing her designation as Saintess.
But the passionate guidance of the clergy brought her back.
And now… that faith was starting to crumble.
Then — a girl appeared before her.
Beautiful like a doll but with burning intensity in her eyes — Isolde Polchen.
“Nice to meet you. You’re the Saintess candidate, Miss Maria, right?”
“Huh?”
“I’m Isolde Polchen. A pleasure. I believe you’re not lying.”
“Y-you really believe me?”
“Of course. With divine magic that strong, there’s no way you’d have entered the academy in last place.
It must be a miracle. In that case, you’re the real Saintess.”
She was saying she believed Maria didn’t cheat — just didn’t do any prior studying.
Maria felt grateful for her words.
“Th-thank you…”
“No need to thank me. We all live under the grace of the Holy Eldar Empire.
It’s only right to respect a Saintess who defends us from monsters.
I happen to be personally close with the Crown Prince — would you like me to introduce you?”
“W-what?!”
Maria was shocked.
But Isolde shook her head.
“Oh, I mentioned it, but now isn’t the right time.
After all, Lady Idnia Kache Betelgeuse — who broke off her engagement to my brother — is monopolizing the attention of all the princes!”
Isolde raised a finger and pointed.
There was Idnia, surrounded by the most noble, rich, and handsome men of the Empire.
Just then…
A few male students appeared.
Two boys from Zephyros dorm, grumbling with displeased expressions.
“Ha. Figures. Birds of a feather and all that.”
“She was such a beauty, I wondered who she was.
Didn’t think it’d be the Duke of Betelgeuse’s daughter.”
“You like that type, right?
Tall, blonde, and slim?
I don’t like women taller than me.”
“It’s not that you dislike them.
They just don’t look at you.
Come on, even the Crown Prince and the noble heirs are all over her.”
“Then why did she even break off the engagement?”
“Well, the Caliestra family basically pressured her with a threat — give up her vote as Elector, and we’ll marry you into the royal family.
But the Duke of Betelgeuse is sick, right?
If she marries, the family will be absorbed. That’s why she cut ties.”
“To raise the stakes?
Whoa. She thought of that at ten years old?”
“Why else would all those princes flock to her?
She’s a walking electoral vote.”
“Phew. She’s way out of our league, huh?
Ah man…”
