PERSONAL

Chapter 3: Clarice Arc Part 1 of 3

Angelica's POV

After a few more weeks of scouring the first years for potential people to meet up with, I had given up on them. Leon had been accommodating and tried to introduce me to a few people, but they too were lacking despite being his friends. I told them that I couldn't foresee us frequently meeting in the foreseeable future because I felt they didn't have aspirations beyond finding a good wife. For some odd reason, they took my disinterest rather well. They mentioned that I was kind when I declined their friendship and that they would endeavor to find themselves.

I felt pity for them if they thought my telling them that I wasn't inclined to meet up more often was a kind gesture. Leon noted that I was the kindest woman they had met at school. He thanked me for not only meeting them but also giving them hope with my manageable advice for improvement. He understood what they were going through. It seemed as though Leon suffered the same treatment as the other boys despite being recognized by the Kingdom.

Society was not fair to these rural barons. Deciding that these boys could use some help, I gave them some names of girls that would give them the time of day since I had already scoped out most of the first-year girls. I listed the girls that had either shy or quiet personalities. I cautioned them that the girls I suggested were reclusive and more interested in their hobbies than romance. Leon's friends didn't seem to care that the girls would likely dismiss them and praised me as the Saintess for granting them this boon.

I was patently unamused (especially when their friends joined in praising me after acquiring a copy of the list).

Leon chuckled as he had found the whole situation funny for some odd reason instead of joining his friends in showing his appreciation. I only forgave him for his teasing after he had brewed me a successful cup of my favorite tea, only for him to immediately join in praising me as the Saintess for giving him the leaves to brew. I found his jestful praises amusingly exasperating.

In any case, Leon's friends were no good if they swayed so easily.

Having given up on the first-year students, I began to assess the second-year students. I felt that only the engaged students were better, and even then, they still seemed to place too much emphasis on status. Many only knew how to network. The concept of friendship was nonexistent to most.

There were those engaged that seemed friendly. I wanted to talk, but I held back. I had the feeling my actions would be unwelcome. The boys would be frightened of my presence. The girls would see me as a threat in either love or status.

Those that had not found partners exhibited exaggerated behaviors that I found distasteful in the first years. Jenna, Leon's sister, was at the forefront of my mind. She had a personal slave that she flaunted, relied on Leon's money to support her lavish lifestyle, demanded nobles of higher standing to demean themselves for her hand, and offered nothing. Unfortunately, she was considered the norm.

When I asked Leon why all the girls seemed so awful, he looked at me quizzically and stated that this was the norm for all his life. He said that I was the exception to the rule. He muttered about the unfairness of it all.

The third-year students followed this trend. The notable exceptions included Clarice Fia Atlee, Stephanie Fou Offrey, Greg's fiancee, Chris's fiancee, and Deirdre Fou Roseblade. Of these girls, I was only interested in talking to Clarice and Deirdre. I was already planning on meeting with Clarice because of our shared history. I planned on meeting and possibly befriending Deirdre because she planned to be an adventurer like her ancestors.

The other three lay on the other end of my spectrum of interest. Stephanie was terrible to the point that I approved Brad's decision to break off his engagement and chase after the scholarship student. I may be particularly biased against Stephanie. Her family was part of a rival faction, hired sky pirates, and utilized unscrupulous business tactics. That's not even taking into consideration the fact that they were traitors. They caused my father and brother's deaths by aiding the Fanoss Principality's invasion of the Kingdom. After listing it out, I should find a way to eliminate the family.

A task for another day.

For now, I should get in touch with Clarice. It would be nice to reconnect with an old friend.

....

It was not nice that I had to comfort her.

"I don't understand what I did wrong, Angie. He spends all his time with that girl, and he won't meet me. Why won't he talk with me anymore? What did I do?" Clarice sobbed uncontrollably. Her followers were standing in the background with frustrated expressions. Their sense of helplessness was obvious. It seems that this had been going on for quite some time.

Looking at her, I saw myself. It was easy to speak when I had firsthand experience.

"You have done nothing wrong, Clarice. You are a beautiful woman who has only ever looked after your fiance. You just had the misfortune of being paired with someone who doesn't have the heart to care."

"He must have a heart since he's been throwing himself all over that girl," she snapped back.

"Then he is a fool who is incapable of appreciating true love. You loved him, supported his hobbies, and tended to him. You offered everything, and he still rejected you. He doesn't even have the decency to talk to you. You aren't the one at fault. Jilk is not worthy of you," I passionately said as I thought about His Highness.

"But I love him still," she sobbed.

She was still intent on having Jilk. I knew there was nothing I could say that would heal her wound. She wasn't ready, and I feared she would never be. She needed to hear it from Jilk directly.

All I could do was hold her as she cried.

"I know, Clarice," I softly said as I patted her back.

"If only that hussy would disappear."

"I'm sorry, but Jilk would still have chosen someone else."

"Am I that detestable?"

"No, anyone else would consider themselves the luckiest man in the world had they had you as their wife."

Clarice just sobbed until she fell asleep. Her followers apologized on her behalf as they made to take her back to her room. I wished I could have done more for her, but I was at a loss over what I could do to resolve the situation.

.....

After my visit with Clarice, I walked to Leon's tea room. I didn't even know if he would be available since he knew that I wasn't visiting, but I had nowhere else to go due to my pickiness in accepting friends. Leon was the only person I could talk to about what I had experienced. It wasn't even though I thought he could solve the issue. I just needed to vent and be told anything to relieve the sorrow I felt for Clarice.

I shook the negative thoughts from my mind. I couldn't bother Leon with this. As much as I wanted to have someone to talk to, it wasn't right to lay it on him.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard the door open. Through it, I saw the scholarship student walking out. Why was she, and more importantly, how dare she intrude here?

The next thing I knew, I was marching through that door.

....

Leon's POV

I looked up from my tea set that I was putting away after I heard Olivia yelp at the doorway. Olivia had been shoved aside roughly, and Angie looked flustered as she stormed into the room.

"Angie? What's wrong? Did things go badly with your friend?" I asked as I began to pull out her tea leaves. I had wanted to check on Olivia, but Angie's attitude was too abnormal.

"... I..." Angie said hesitantly before slumping into a seat. She had a complicated expression on her face as though she realized that she didn't even know what to say.

Looking up, I saw Olivia standing nervously by the door. She was unsure what to say, but I could tell she thought that she was at fault based on the guilty look on her face. I shook my head at her and showed her a smile before mouthing later. Seeing my gestures, Olivia nodded and quietly closed the door on her way out.

"How about we have some snacks as you collect your thoughts? I'd offer some tea, but that will take some time," I said gently.

She nodded and began to eat the remaining snacks I had. As she chewed slowly, I busied myself preparing the tea. I didn't want to push her. She would talk when she was ready.

It was only after I had poured her a cup did she speak.

"I'm sorry I made things awkward. I didn't think you would be entertaining today," she mumbled.

"I hadn't planned on it."

"I see. What did you two end up talking about?"

I think I saw what was going on. Angie must have thought that Olivia was treading on her territory. It was odd though. As far as I was aware, Angie shouldn't have an issue with Olivia since the prince was focused on the Lafan girl (something Olivia had mentioned over tea). Even if Olivia was seeing the prince, I didn't think this Angie would have minded given how lowly she seemed to think of the prince. Was Angie hardcoded to hate the protagonist? That was some scary relationship. I think it was wise of me not to hand Olivia my mandatory tea party invitation.

"Olivia? It's funny actually. She was here for you."

"For me?"

"It was really sweet. She wanted to thank you for resolving her bullying issues but didn't know how to. When she heard that I regularly met you, she wanted to talk to me about what you liked. She was hoping to get you something to show how much she appreciated what you had done."

"I see..." Angie stuttered as she grew embarrassed. Her social faux pas was getting to her.

Seeing Angie so unbalanced was rare I couldn't help but tease her.

"Could it be that Angie thought she would lose little old me?"

It was only after I said that did I realize I said something insensitive. Or was it only insensitive if I had told it to the game version of Angie? In either case, seeing Olivia had triggered Angie. Joking about Olivia taking something from her when I knew what that result in just left a sour taste in my mouth now. I made to apologize but was too slow.

"... Yes," Angie said with a tearful glare.

"Eh?"

"I didn't want to lose you to her!"

I felt my body go completely red after I processed what she said. Did she just? No. She meant as friends, right? She had to. I was just a mob character. As my brain malfunctioned, I could only let out a cacophony of sounds as my mouth desperately tried to form words.

Angie looked at my befuddlement with a challenging look though she was still blushing heavily.

"Does my Leon have something to say?"

"... Would you like a refill?" I said to divert the conversation.

"Doesn't feel good to be on the receiving end?" Angie huffed.

"At least you're feeling better?"

Her pout told me I was in for an earful. At least she didn't seem despondent anymore.

AN:

1) Hopefully I can stop having Angie rag on the students since I finally covered all three years. It gets old fast.

2) I intentionally didn't say why Angelica didn't want to meet with Chris and Greg's fiancees. They are supposed to be forgettable, and she forgot to consider why she doesn't want to meet them. Convenient since they don't show up canonically.

3) Angie still thinks Olivia is the one the five are interested in. Given how little she wants to interact with them, she wouldn't pay any real attention to them especially if she thinks she already has all the facts.