The Price Is Your Everything - Chapter 15: Bring Out Your Belongings

Angharad had been furious back then, but over time, as she adjusted to school life, she realized one thing: even if you despised it, you had to endure. Making enemies was an act of a fool.

You had to befriend popular kids, smart kids, and wealthy kids. Once you gained influence, others would bow down to you without question.

They would even fawn over you, desperate for an invitation from Angharad Nine.

But who could have imagined she would end up in such a situation now?

—

“Th-that’s something Rhiannon cherishes. She’s always wearing it; how could I—”

“She takes it off during magic classes.”

Megara explained softly and calmly, as if everything had already been perfectly arranged.

Sitting on a chair carved from fragrant wood and painted red, Megara looked adorable despite the chair being a bit oversized for her. She noticed Angharad staring blankly at her and straightened her back a little more.

However, her annoyance spiked as she saw the expression that naturally appeared on her timid classmate’s face moments later.

Riz would have looked at her the same way while sitting in this chair.

That thought kept intruding. Nerys Truydd never looked out of place using an adult’s belongings. Despite her short stature, she always managed to appear dignified from every angle.

It was absurd. The Lykeandros Marquisate was an eminent noble family, superior even among other marquis households. Megara had been raised as a perfect lady since childhood, with an endless array of expensive tutors ensuring her refinement.

Megara knew better than anyone else that grace wasn’t innate—it had to be learned. Every social rule was the result of centuries of history and consensus in the aristocracy.

And yet, how dare she.

To carry herself with such indifference, as if all that glory meant nothing.

Even more infuriating was the embarrassment Megara had suffered during the Verlaine Language lesson. She could have killed Nerys on the spot and still not felt satisfied.

But Nerys had already garnered attention, so Megara couldn’t act rashly. Being caught causing trouble at school would only lead to humiliation. Once lost, reputation was nearly impossible to regain.

And killing her would be too easy.

“The only class we share with Nerys where she leaves her bag unattended is magic class. The next session is practical. The classroom will be empty, so take Lini’s bracelet and put it in Nerys’ bag. You know better than anyone what happens to thieves, don’t you?”

Angharad’s eyes darkened. Once innocent and bright, her expression, which had once attracted people’s favor, was gradually changing.

Megara saw hesitation in Angharad’s eyes and smiled sweetly.

“This benefits you too, Nine. If Lini claims her bracelet is missing, the others will initially suspect you.”

It was true. Angharad’s face turned pale. She hated the gaze of the others. It grew more unbearable every day—those cruel stares filled with contempt and hatred.

How could they? They hadn’t seen anything themselves, so how could they brand someone a thief so ruthlessly and hurl such vicious insults?

Megara smiled faintly, as if reading Angharad’s mind.

“But what if it turns out you didn’t do it? I’ll say a few kind words for you. That the ribbon incident was likely a mistake, and it’s unfair for people to keep suspecting you of stealing intentionally. Wouldn’t that be worth it?”

“Really?”

Megara’s words were regarded as law by most of the students. Knowing this, Angharad’s face brightened. Megara smiled a lovely, flower-like smile.

“Of course.”

If it meant Nerys Truydd would finally be put in her place, it was a small price to pay.

—

“If you ever have something you desperately want, come find me. I’ll give you what you’re worth.”

That day, Cledwyn had left shortly after, but Nerys replayed his words vividly in her mind for days, as if he were whispering them directly into her ear.

It was clear that Cledwyn Maindulante wielded power. Despite the independence of the Elandria Kingdom and the factional disputes among various electors, the Maindulante territory thrived alone in prosperity. Aligning with him might offer Nerys a life free from the constraints of the Elandria family or the imperial court.

But Cledwyn didn’t yet know about Nerys’ eyes.

Once she turned eighteen, the gemstone eyes of the Elandria family would reveal their full potential. At that point, her value would surpass anything imaginable. What guarantee was there that Cledwyn wouldn’t betray her then?

No, someone as calculating as him might even sell her off outright. After all, hadn’t he killed even his loyal retainers whom he had known since childhood?

Nerys had to think carefully. She had to weigh her options meticulously. Decisions couldn’t be made based on emotions alone. Propping her chin on her hand, she gazed downward in frustration.

Her naturally curved fingers rested lightly on her flawless cheek, a pose both elegant and endearing. A few lower-ranking noble girls watched Nerys with admiration.

In etiquette lessons, Sir Sheridan had once praised the elegance exuded by Nerys’ every gesture. Even today, wearing a rough practical uniform, she stood out.

The class Nerys attended with the other freshmen today was Basic Magic.

Traditionally, nobles regarded magic as a crucial refinement. While it had been as natural as breathing during the Age of the Three Heroes, it had now nearly vanished, becoming an exceedingly expensive skill. The rarity of magic only added to its allure.

For recognition as a noble in the social world, it sufficed to casually use a few terms from basic magic theory. Occasionally, those with talent claimed to be distant descendants of the Three Heroes.

In other words, magic aptitude, seemingly objective, could easily be exploited for political purposes.

This was why the school didn’t offer opportunities for students to advance beyond basic magic until after three years of careful talent assessment. Only then were students permitted further study.

Even though lower-year magic classes were simple, teaching students to infuse their innate mana into existing magical tools, many struggled to keep up. Nerys, however, had a higher-than-average mana capacity and remarkable adaptability. It might have been linked to Ja’an, though no one could say for sure.

What she did know was that having to retake these overly simplistic classes for three years alongside those who despised their easiness was tiresome. Fortunately, today had some entertainment.

“My bracelet is missing.”

It happened as the Basic Magic practical session ended, and everyone was taking off their practice uniforms and reattaching the jewelry they’d removed earlier. Rhiannon, her face pale, spoke in a trembling voice. Megara frowned.

“Bracelet?”

“My emerald bracelet!”

Rhiannon’s emerald bracelet, made from a top-grade gem that shimmered as if flames danced within, was an extravagant accessory for a child. She cherished the bracelet, which had been part of her wealthy aunt’s dowry, and there wasn’t a single classmate who hadn’t envied it at least once.

At Rhiannon’s near-screaming declaration, the entire class turned their gaze to her. Diane, who had been helping Nerys remove her uniform, lit up with alarm.

“Your bracelet is gone?”

“Search thoroughly.”

Megara, her face seemingly shocked, offered advice. Pale and trembling, Rhiannon meticulously searched her desk and the inside seams of her practice uniform. Alecto stepped forward and began helping to search the surrounding area.

“It’s gone!”

Finally accepting the situation, Rhiannon covered her mouth with both hands. Alecto looked around fiercely.

At the end of her searching gaze stood Angharad, whose face turned as pale as Rhiannon’s before flushing red.

“What’s going on here?”

The Basic Magic instructor, Mrs. Graham, returned to the classroom slightly later than the students after tidying up the practice area. She immediately sensed the tension in the air and asked.

Rhiannon, now tearful, spoke up.

“Ma’am, I can’t find my bracelet…”

Mrs. Graham wasn’t known for being a remarkable mage but was considered a competent teacher, particularly suited for managing younger students. After all, teaching them was more akin to childcare than academic instruction. She asked carefully.

“What does it look like?”

“A gold bracelet with an oval emerald this big… and, sniff, three small diamonds on each side…”

The emerald Rhiannon described, as she demonstrated its size with her fingers, was far too valuable to dismiss as a mere child’s trinket.

Mrs. Graham’s face hardened. Her voice became gentler.

“You’re certain you wore the bracelet today? Sweetheart, is it possible you didn’t bring it with you?”

“I saw Lini take it off before class started. She put it in the drawer,” Megara said with an expression of pity.

Suddenly, the classroom fell eerily silent.

“Let’s look for it, everyone. Check around your seats in case it fell on the floor.”

The students quietly searched their surroundings, and Rhiannon’s face was soon streaked with tears.

Megara and Alecto comforted her while carefully inspecting Rhiannon’s desk, clothes, body, and bag once again. When the bracelet didn’t turn up anywhere, the students sank into a cold silence.

“Ma’am,” Alecto finally spoke softly.

“It seems like someone took it.”

It was unclear who first turned their gaze toward Angharad. Suddenly, all eyes in the class bore into her as she slumped over her desk.

“Why are you hiding your face?”

Alecto’s voice was sharp. Angharad didn’t lift her head. Her back trembled visibly, and it became apparent she was crying. Alecto strode forward with the confidence of a predator and demanded again.

“Why are you hiding, Nine?”

“Alecto Isalani!”

Mrs. Graham quickly intervened. Alecto snapped her head around.

“What did I do, ma’am? I was just asking a question. Angharad slumped over by herself.”

“It’s frightening for a friend to speak that way. Go back to your seat.”

Since the ribbon incident, Alecto had seemed ready to pounce on Angharad at any opportunity. Diane stared at Angharad’s shaking back with a puzzled expression and whispered to Nerys.

“What’s all this about?”

“Who knows,” Nerys replied breezily.

Her detached tone made Diane raise an eyebrow.

“Aren’t you curious what happened?”

“I am. It’s a valuable piece of jewelry. An emerald of that size would be hard to replace.”

Nerys’ voice rose slightly with her final sentence, loud enough for the whole class to hear. Angharad flinched visibly.

“Ma’am,” Rhiannon spoke softly.

“At my grandfather’s house, when gems or coins go missing, they check the pockets of whoever looks guilty.”

It was clear that Rhiannon, now deeply upset and angry, was struggling to contain her emotions. Mrs. Graham sighed, looking troubled.

“A person of grace doesn’t make baseless accusations, Rhiannon. Still, it’s possible someone accidentally took the bracelet. Sometimes people make careless mistakes in a group setting. If that’s the case, let’s each check our belongings and come forward if there’s anything suspicious.”

It was nonsense. No one could accidentally take something from a drawer.

The students didn’t laugh, and Mrs. Graham quickly realized the futility of her suggestion. Megara raised her hand.

“Ma’am, I don’t think we need to check everyone. We all moved as a group during the practical session and returned together, didn’t we? The culprit is probably someone who left the room during class.”

“That makes it obvious! Angharad Nine left earlier!” someone shouted cynically.

Nerys smirked bitterly. It was true.

Recently, Angharad had begun skipping parts of class more frequently, using headaches as an excuse when classmates refused to partner with her. Though her lies were obvious, no one bothered to call her out or show concern, and her absences had increased.

“That’s not necessarily true,” Megara said calmly.

“Nerys also left the room. Right, Nerys? I feel awkward bringing this up, but in situations like these, it’s important to ensure no one is unfairly blamed. Please don’t misunderstand me.”