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"Well, it's obvious. I'm sure she ran away."
Peony, who had been quietly listening to them, was seething inside.
Having been close to Ayla, she knew that what they were saying wasn't true.
But if you didn't know the circumstances, it was something you could easily suspect.
Then, Peony's eyes caught sight of someone smiling brightly next to Freya.
'Come to think of it, Rosia doesn't seem as kind as I heard.'
According to Lona, Rosia Blanche was kind and gentle, even showing kindness to Ayla, who had stolen her life.
But Peony didn't see it that way at all.
'If she really cared about Ayla, shouldn't she be worried first when she hears that she's gone?'
Peony gritted her teeth and spoke to the students who were talking about Ayla.
"It doesn't look good to be talking about things that aren't even confirmed yet."
It was a huge act of courage for her, who was usually timid.
Fortunately, the students flinched and shut their mouths at the Princess Consort's words.
Professor Jacy spoke to the students to calm the situation.
"In this class, we will be making Healing Ointment. I'll be back in a moment, so please start the experiment."
Professor Jacy said that and left the classroom.
She probably intended to meet with the Head of the Dormitory to check on Ayla's whereabouts.
It was only because Professor Jacy was friendly to Ayla that she was taking care of her to this extent.
Peony knew that none of the other professors would even wonder about Ayla's whereabouts.
"Peony, can I sit here for a moment?"
Peony looked up at the girl who spoke to her.
'Rosia Blanche.'
She was smiling shyly at Peony.
"Are you perhaps in need of a partner to make the Magical potion with?"
Peony looked around.
Everyone seemed to be paired up, and the only seat left was next to Peony.
"I don't think I have a choice."
Rosia's smiling lips tightened at those words. But it was only for a moment.
Soon, Rosia composed herself and nodded.
"I understand that you're disappointed that you can't be with Ayla. But I'm not that bad either."
Freya, who suddenly appeared, chimed in on Rosia's words.
"That's right, Peony. Rosia is going to be the top student in this exam."
Rosia smiled shyly at her words. Peony felt a slight sense of discomfort at the sight.
'She doesn't even say anything modest.'
Rosia was really sure that she would be the top student.
But Peony knew that Ayla was a better Mage than her.
'There's a reason why I like Ayla.'
There was a reason why the symbol of the Imperial Family was the Black Dragon. They had inherited the blood of the Black Dragon in the distant past.
And Black Dragons were known to be naturally sensitive to Mana.
Was that why?
The Imperial Family had a knack for recognizing outstanding Mages for generations.
Ayla had healed her illness and they had become close, but when Peony thought about it, she had felt a great liking for her from the first moment she saw her.
That's why Peony was sure that if Ayla could overcome her illness, she would become an outstanding Mage.
'But it's strange, I don't like Rosia.'
Peony narrowed her eyes.
Judging by the energy she felt, Rosia's magical talent was definitely outstanding.
But strangely, every time she saw Rosia, she felt unpleasant.
'It feels strangely dirty and damp.'
It was as if she could smell a stench from Rosia.
"Let's make the Magical potion together today. You won't be disappointed in my skills."
Rosia smiled, her eyes curving.
But the emotions hidden within were wriggling with a completely different meaning.
'I don't know why you're friends with Ayla, but you won't be able to hang out anymore.'
She didn't like that she had been friends with Ayla, but a Princess Consort was a status that suited her.
If she could bring Peony into her group, the other students would be impressed with her skills.
To do that, she had to make the Princess Consort show her favor through this class.
Rosia said to Peony.
"Let's get along. We'll be seeing each other often even after graduation."
Peony didn't answer Rosia's words.
Rosia's eyes trembled slightly. It was because there was a clear sense of wariness on Peony's face.
'She smiled so brightly in front of Ayla...'
Looking at her, Irene suddenly came to mind.
She looked just like her, showing excessive trust in Ayla and protecting her without any doubt.
It was as if she had a reason to be hostile to her.
'What can she do now anyway? She doesn't have any other friends without Ayla.'
Before coming here, Rosia had told Freya that she wanted to be friends with Peony.
Thanks to that, the students except for Rosia and Peony had already paired up in advance.
Unless she had a partner, Peony would have no choice but to make the Magical potion with Rosia.
Soon, the experiment began.
Rosia skillfully began to make the Magical potion in front of Peony, as if to show off.
It was an amazing skill to others.
But Peony, who was watching her skills, silently pouted her lips.
'Her skills are not as good as Ayla's.'
Peony knew that she was acting childish.
Nevertheless, she didn't want to cater to Rosia, who was subtly putting down her friend with her words.
After a while, Professor Jacy, who had returned to class, didn't look good.
Peony was worried when she saw that.
She guessed that Professor Jacy cared about Ayla, so she must have heard some bad news.
"Everyone has completed the Healing Ointment wonderfully. I hope you all do well on the exam tomorrow as you have prepared."
At that time, a student raised their hand.
"Professor, can you tell us where Ayla has gone?"
Professor Jacy's face twisted subtly.
"Student Ayla is away on personal business."
"Then she's not taking the exam?"
"I'm not sure. I don't think I can talk about the student's personal circumstances."
Her ambiguous answer caused a stir among the students.
"Personal business?"
"Why would she be away right before the exam?"
"Maybe she ran away because she was stressed about the exam?"
As the students' murmuring conversations reached her ears, Peony shook her head in frustration.
There was no way Ayla had run away because she was afraid of the exam.
She had been preparing for this exam more thoroughly than anyone else.
'But suddenly she has personal business...'
Not getting a clear answer, Peony headed straight to Ayla's dormitory as soon as the Magical potion class was over.
But all that greeted her was a tightly closed door.
Without hesitation, Peony went to the Head of the Dormitory and asked directly.
"Where did Ayla go?"
The Head of the Dormitory scratched his cheek with a troubled expression.
That was because Professor Jacy had come and made a fuss a little while ago.
He couldn't understand why the professor and even the Princess Consort were making such a fuss about the disappearance of Ayla, a commoner.
"Yesterday evening, a man claiming to be Student Ayla's father came."
"Father?"
"He was a commoner dressed in shabby clothes."
The Head of the Dormitory snorted as if he had seen something funny.
The commoner who claimed to be Ayla's parent looked quite poor and stupid.
He couldn't believe that Ayla, who had once been revered as the Blanche Duchess, had such parents.
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