<h4>Ch. 122 Good Viiness Instincts (1)</h4>


    The corner of the thick book dropped on Ste’s hand. She looked up at the girl with a frown. The girl made an apologetic expression, but the insincerity of it was not lost to Louise. The original story passed through her mind.


    Oh, I’m sorry, Ste. The book was so heavy that I missed. Ah, your skin is torn! Let’s hurry up to the infirmary. I’ll take you there!


    The original Louise had fussed over the Ste in the novel, and this scene didn’t y out any differently. The girl who repeated Louise’s cruel words and behavior began to fuss over Ste as well.


    “Are you okay? Ah, your skin is torn! Let’s hurry up to the infirmary. I’ll take you there!”


    It was as if the two were taken captive by the original story.


    Louise took an involuntary step backwards in rm. She was terrified, as if the whirlwind would snatch her. Another step back. She did not want to bully Ste, and there was no reason for her to do so.


    Louise fled out of the library steps, her heart pounding.


    *


    *


    *


    “Please prove yourself this semester, Ste Lapis. “


    Ste nodded.


    “Yes, Professor.”


    The professor used the word “prove.” Ste used to like that word, as it meant that the professor had great expectations for her.


    “What happened to your hand?”


    Ste quickly hid her hand behind her back.


    “I-it was an ident...”


    Jjeut.


    Ste’s shoulders flinched at Professor Lassen’s disapproving tut.


    “I’m sorry.”


    She automatically apologized, despite the fact that she did nothing wrong.


    The rest of the Lapis family was now under investigation for massive fraud. Many other families involved had been exposed as coteral damage, and some of the other students’ parents now found themselves under pressure as well.


    Ste was not to me, but no one else thought that.


    “Get your act together.”


    The professor raised Ste’s chin and fixed her with a cold gaze.


    “What did you say to me a while ago?”


    Ste froze solid. She could see her face reflected in the professor’s thick sses. When did she start to look so meek?


    “Answer me!”


    It wasn’t until the professor barked at her did Ste open her lips to speak.


    “Help...the Lapis family.”


    Her plea was mixed with desperation, as her family situation was worse than ever. It took power to reim the name taken away by the Imperial Family. The nobles turned against them, and the only person Ste had left was Professor Lassen.


    “I have always given you the way. It was very simple. Yet you didn’t make it.”


    A schrship from the Lassen family was said to be an easy ride. Except for Ste.


    Not only that, but Profession Lassen also expected her to leave a good impression on the royal family.


    “I don’t like stupid people.”


    Ste murmured another apology.


    “But I believe in your ability.”


    “Thank you.”


    “So Ste Lapis, I will always tell you this.”


    Prove yourself.


    Ste nodded, understanding the professor’s unspoken words. But in her mind, the word “prove” crushed down on her like a tower. It was strange. It was only a word, vibrations made by the respiratory and speech organs. There is no weight or physical impact. Yet from time to time, Ste found herself submitting control of her body to that word. No, not only her body, but her thoughts as well. And yet, she had never been able to prove herself, as if her efforts were nonexistent.


    Ste left the lecture room, and leaned against the nearest wall. A thin sigh leaked out of her mouth, and the tower trembled. What if it copsed? The thought gripped her for a moment, but finally she shook her head. She didn’t want to dwell on it.


    ‘Why did this happen?’


    Her life was perfect before she came to the Academy. Everyone liked her, and she aplished anything she set her mind to. People around her said it was Ste’s natural luck and charm.


    She looked up and saw the noisy group of the student council members in the distance. They were the most influential group in the Academy, and countless students admired them.


    Louise Sweeney always stood out in that group. Everyone knew that she was a special friend not only the Crown Prince, but the king’s nephew Simon Hird as well. She didn’t have the proper status, but no one dared to ignore or bully her. She had excellent grades and secured her ce with her golden connections, the two things that Professor Lassen asked Ste to do. Perhaps if it were the old Ste, then those two things would have been hers.


    Ste adjusted her notebook. She moved along and brushed against a group of students.


    Tuk.


    A boy bumped into her, hard, and Ste fell to the floor. The boy had bent his shoulder to do it. She was hurt, but what was worse was the eyes of the students boring into her...


    “Oh, sorry. I didn’t know you were there, Lapis.”


    The male student spoke in a casual tone. Ste tried to remember what family he came from, but could not recall. However, the investigation must have cost his family money. The hostility in his eyes was clear.


    “...”


    Ste stood up without saying a word. As she turned to the window, her eyes spotted Louise Sweeney staring at her with a surprised look on her face.


    ‘ ...She saw it.’


    Louise probably thought she deserved it. She should, as Ste was awful to her, and although Ste was under pressure by the professor, her conscience hadn’tpletely disappeared. Still, no matter how cruel Ste was, Louise Sweeney would sit high in the air and never suffer, untouched. The realization made Ste hate Louise again. It was inevitable.


    Their eyes continued to lock onto to each other. Just as Ste noticed Ian reaching out to Louise from behind, Ste scrambled up and quickly hid herself behind a pir. After counting the seconds in her mind, she nced back at them.


    Ian must have made fun of Louise, and she was now punching his arm with her fist. Their lips were curved in a pleasant shaped as they exchanged yful words.


    In the distance, Ste heard the sound of the caretaker calling to the student council. Perhaps she had to ask them something. The group moved on to the same area, and soon Ian’s arms naturally wrapped around Louise’s shoulders to guide her away. They smiled at each other face-to-face. At first nce, they looked like a couple, but when Ste looked around, no one else seemed to think so.


    Louise turned her head around again to look at where Ste had been standing, aplicated expression on her face.