The Price Is Your Everything - Chapter 6: A Remarkably Skilled and Beautiful Man

It was an absurd speculation.

Nerys had always performed well academically, even when she was a “real” first-year student. Since she loved books from a young age, she could recite various verses from sacred texts in both the divine language and the common tongue. Her knowledge was extensive.

Although she hadn’t secured first place back then due to her unfamiliarity with the aristocratic education system, she still ranked much higher than Rhiannon.

Nerys folded her arms leisurely.

Her ice-clear eyes captivated some of the onlookers. Even those who weren’t as drawn to her appearance admired her composure. Despite coming from an unremarkable family, her demeanor exuded an air of refinement—so much so that she could have been mistaken for someone of noble, perhaps even royal, blood.

“We’re not wealthy enough to hire a tutor. My father passed away when I was very young, and even my school tuition is something I had to ask a relative for help with. I’m not like you, the granddaughter of an earl,” she replied.

Rhiannon, irked by Nerys’ calm attitude despite knowing her own “superior” status, shot back with a disdainful look.

“Then how did you do so well on the exams? It couldn’t have been on your own ability, could it? By your own admission, you didn’t receive a proper education, right?”

“The priest in my village owned many books and taught me the basics of the divine language.”

Since the Bistor Empire and most other countries on the continent used languages derived from the divine language, knowing it made learning other languages significantly easier. Those aware of this fact seemed to understand her explanation.

Rhiannon, though poor in academics, had a knack for reading the room. When she fell silent and retreated, Megara’s eyes narrowed.

This time, Megara gave a curt evaluation.

“Just from that? Then you’re even more impressive.”

Though she spoke those words, her lovely face turned icy, a shift not unnoticed by those present.

Everyone knew that Megara Lykeandros hadn’t liked Nerys Truydd from the moment of the entrance ceremony. Those children who flocked to curry favor with the famed noblewoman were keenly aware of this.

“All right, everyone, return to your seats,” came the voice of Sir Sheridan, the etiquette instructor, as he entered the auditorium. The students scattered obediently, grouping together with their respective cliques.

Even so, many eyes remained fixed on Nerys. Most of them were friendly, though a few were filled with disdain.

Sir Sheridan carried the schedule in his hands. He began calling out names in alphabetical order, and as each student was called, they stepped forward to receive their timetable.

With his vibrant and approachable demeanor, he made a point to engage each student with cheerful remarks.

“Rhiannon Berta, you’ve got a sharp wit. How is your grandfather doing? Remember, no one knows everything, so don’t feel discouraged. I once had a student who scored the lowest in the evaluation exam but graduated with honors. Keep at it!”

“Alecto Israni, you’re a talented writer. I really enjoyed reading your work. Your spelling is excellent. With a bit more study, you might be taking classes with older students next year. Aim for that!”

“Idalia Kendall, overall, you’re outstanding. I received the letter of recommendation your father sent from Sir Cloder. Rylen from the music department mentioned wanting to have a conversation with you. Give it your best!”

“Megara Lykeandros! That party your family hosted last social season was unforgettable. I have no doubt you’ll excel in my class as well. You performed exceptionally on the exams. Some of your classes are advanced placement, so be sure to check your schedule carefully.”

The children who had already begun idolizing Megara erupted into applause. Megara accepted her timetable with a composed smile before returning to her seat.

Nerys found it pathetic how many people joined in the clapping. Then again, whether it was pathetic or not didn’t matter. After all, there wasn’t a single untainted soul among them.

Or was there one?

Diane was next to receive her schedule after Megara. She approached Nerys with a disheartened expression.

“I wish we had more classes together, but I don’t think we will. I didn’t test into any advanced placements.”

“We’ll definitely have etiquette, dance, and basic magic together. Those three subjects don’t have advanced placement,” Nerys reassured her.

“Really?” Diane’s face brightened slightly. Nerys added nonchalantly,

“And whether I’m in advanced placement or not, we’ll see once I get my schedule.”

As it turned out, aside from the three subjects she’d mentioned, Nerys was advanced-placed in all her classes.

Sir Sheridan went on at length about how perfect Nerys’ answers were and how much he expected from her in the future. Nerys could feel the resentment in the eyes of Megara and Rhiannon growing deeper.

‘So that’s why they’re upset with me,’ Nerys thought.

Being praised for something so insignificant—receiving accolades only fueled their insecurities. Back when she was ostracized, Nerys had often been accused of showing off. She now understood that their words stemmed from their own feelings of inferiority.

People’s hostility didn’t target those they believed naturally superior. It was reserved for those they deemed inferior yet somehow weren’t. And once born, that hostility never disappeared.

—

After the etiquette class, the freshmen moved on to their other first-year courses.

Nerys, however, didn’t have any classes left for the day. She had advanced placement in all of them, and the higher-level courses were scheduled at entirely different times, leaving her with a free period.

Her next lecture was set to take place in the middle of the Kartak Institute. Calculating her available time and route, she decided she could make a quick trip to the library.

That’s exactly what she did.

The academy boasted several historic libraries, and the Zachariah Library was among the oldest.

The saint Zachariah, who had once worked miracles and saved countless lives, had greatly influenced the empire’s medical field. Numerous cities and buildings bore her name in her honor.

The Zachariah Library at the academy, befitting its name, was a medical library.

However, not many people used the Zachariah Library. Research in fields like medicine—practical “skills”—didn’t appeal much to the nobility.

At best, its visitors consisted of upperclassmen from the theology department or teachers deeply committed to service. The highest floor, in particular, was so rarely visited that the only regular occupant was the librarian.

Nerys ascended to the top floor of the building. The empty reading room was filled with the quiet presence of old books and scrolls, cloaked in layers of time.

She counted the mahogany bookshelves of the reading room from the entrance. One, two, three, four.

Then, stepping behind the column beside the fourth bookshelf, she thought to herself:

‘Here it is.’

A small smile formed on her lips.

Behind the column and wall was a space just large enough to accommodate two people sitting side by side. No other column in the room had such a structure—just this one.

The space was invisible unless one knew where to look deliberately. It contained no furnishings except a single, oddly antique chair that didn’t quite match the reading room’s decor and a small, square skylight.

The skylight was exactly as she remembered it, though the chair looked slightly cleaner. She guessed this was because she had found the spot earlier in this life compared to her previous one.

Nerys leaned back comfortably in the chair, her gaze resting on the clear blue sky above. The view was just as it had been long ago.

Until her graduation, this small, book-scented hideaway had been a sanctuary for Nerys Truydd, who had endured much isolation. And likely, it had been her sanctuary alone.

The space was secluded enough to go unnoticed unless sought out deliberately, and even upperclassmen rarely ventured to the uppermost floor of the medical library, much less explored it thoroughly.

With the exception of Nerys in her past life, who had sought out the most isolated places to avoid others.

Back then, when the other students chased her, throwing stones or hitting her for amusement, she had often fled to secret hiding spots to wait them out. When her sanctuary was eventually discovered, she would search tirelessly for another within the school.

This space was one she had stumbled upon years from now, using it until her graduation.

“It existed even back then,” she murmured.

She had never encountered anyone else using the spot. But someone must have found it before her.

The placement of the chair—just shaded enough to avoid the sun’s glare while allowing a view of the sky—was evidence of that.

Had a librarian brought it here at some point? Or perhaps a student buried in books on the top floor had arranged it as a secret resting place.

Nerys looked up at the sky before closing her eyes slowly.

The serene feeling of being completely cut off from the world yet unbothered by anyone’s hostility gently rippled through her chest. It was peaceful.

She thought she could stay here forever, with time frozen, as if nothing had ever happened.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke the silence. Someone had entered the reading room.

Nerys felt her tranquility interrupted, leaving her annoyed. Why now, of all times, when no one ever came here?

She considered leaving but decided against it. The intruder would likely just search for their book and leave.

However, the footsteps grew clearer and quicker, heading directly toward her. She opened one eye, glaring at the intruder as the sound stopped right in front of her.

The first thing that caught her eye was a chest positioned higher than she had expected. As her gaze slid upward, she saw a strikingly handsome face.

Bright silver-gray eyes, almost luminous, gleamed beneath jet-black hair as dark as the night sky.

A flawless face, slender limbs, and perfectly sculpted lips—his beauty was enough to inspire awe in any portrait artist.

He looked like a fairy out of legend.

The boy, dressed lightly and carrying a sword at his waist, stood against the backdrop of the skylight, looking down at her. Recognizing him, Nerys finally opened both eyes fully.

From his lips came a frosty question.

“Who are you?”

“Who are ‘you’, senior?”

Nerys knew who he was, but she answered curtly, feigning ignorance.

Cledwyn Maindulante.

The sole member of the empire’s only ducal house, he would one day rule the northern territories upon graduating from the academy.

She had heard of the bloody event that followed his succession. When the previous duke passed, shortly after Cledwyn’s enrollment, he had ascended to the position immediately. However, those elders who opposed his right to succession were ruthlessly slaughtered.

The Maindulante duchy encompassed vast, diverse lands, from barren tundras to coastal hot springs. Its history was as ancient as it was unique, and its people were famously proud.

Even during her time as the crown princess, Nerys had had little interaction with Cledwyn. He rarely left his territory.

Yet, the impression he left on her was of a highly competent and strikingly beautiful man.

“You first,” Cledwyn said, his lips curving ever so slightly.

Nerys replied calmly, “I’m a freshman. I was resting here, and you interrupted me.”

Abelus detested Cledwyn, calling him a cruel monster who showed no regard for those beneath him. He criticized his appearance as too delicate and claimed his lack of sociability stemmed from stupidity.

Yet Nerys thought Cledwyn was a hundred times more talented than Abelus.

Since his rise to power, no one dared encroach upon the Maindulante duchy. Abelus had mocked this, saying it was because no one wanted to deal with a frozen wasteland ruled by a monster.

“This isn’t a place a freshman should know about,” Cledwyn said.

This was the second time she’d heard such a remark. Nerys looked up at him, feeling a peculiar sensation.

To tell the truth, she had attended the academy longer than Cledwyn.

Though he had quickly advanced and graduated before reaching the standard age, she had spent a regular term here.

When she didn’t respond, his gaze grew sharper.

“Speak.”

Before she knew it, a sharp blade was pointed at her face. The speed of his draw had been imperceptible.