Anything But Study - Chapter 45

Rosha had always felt sorry for Melia, her friend.

She was such a kind, good girl.

And she always looked like she was struggling.

So seeing her smiling like the main character like that made Rosha happy for no reason.

On the other hand, the young ladies who stood around Catherine as if shielding her exchanged glances among themselves.

Catherine was wearing a dress from Lette, but from the start, the comparison was unavoidable.

Because Melia’s adorned appearance was overwhelmingly beautiful. To the point where she carried an air of elegance despite not being a high noble.

And what about Catherine?

The excessive jewelry and the dress whose design had been arbitrarily altered to add lace decorations did nothing to bring out any refinement.

She looked completely different from someone else.

On top of that, Alfred was standing beside Melia.

What if Melia Anderson ended up becoming the Duchess of Alfred or something?

At that thought, a look of dismay spread across the other girls’ faces.

If we knew this would happen, we should have gotten closer to her earlier.

Because of someone like Catherine, we ended up keeping our distance too, and now look at this.

Those resentful gazes mixed together.

It was around the time the song came to an end.

Movements spread as people cautiously tried to approach Melia.

However.

Before the next song was prepared, as the hall grew briefly quiet, the doorman’s booming voice rang out.

“Lady Anastasia Ribelline, daughter of the Marquis, is entering!”

At the doorman’s announcement, the entire hall stirred.

“What? Who’s that?”

“Ribelline? No way.”

“What’s wrong. Do you know her?”

“The transfer student. The one who’s supposed to be coming to the empire this time.”

The murmuring grew louder at the sudden appearance of a new figure. People everywhere busied themselves speculating about her identity.

“But wait, didn’t he only announce one name just now?”

“That’s what I heard too. Then does that mean she doesn’t have a partner?”

“No way. How could that be possible? You must have misheard. It’s against the rules.”

As various predictions flew around, the doors slowly opened.

Beyond them stood a woman with vivid orange curls cascading down to her waist. She stepped into the banquet hall with relaxed strides.

The deep violet dress matched her flamboyant features unbelievably well.

Tap, tap.

Every step she took overflowed with confidence.

Standing at the entrance, Anastasia lifted a satisfied smile at the countless gazes focused on her and opened her lips.

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I’m Anastasia, and I’ll be transferring to Erpen starting next week.”

The crowd murmured.

In many ways, it was a bold move.

At parties in the Fernia Empire, one does not greet everyone like this.

To think she would apply the open customs of the Principality of Morain here.

After Anastasia’s entrance, the hall remained abuzz.

They clearly heard she would be coming to Erpen starting next week, so how was she able to attend the season party being held today?

And even without a partner.

It was an act that broke every rule.

If the transfer student did not carry the halo of the so-called House of Ribelline, could she have done something like this?

No, to begin with, the exception of a transfer student would never have existed.

Anastasia’s appearance right now was a clear example that everyone present could feel of just how much attention and favor the emperor bestowed upon Ribelline.

And Ribelline was a marquis family.

That meant she became the highest-ranking woman among the young ladies currently attending Erpen.

Tap, tap.

As if enjoying the concentrated attention, Anastasia slowly began walking toward the center of the hall.

“Excuse me, wait a second.”

“Anastasia?”

Those who quickly finished their calculations hurried over one after another to speak to Anastasia.

“I’m from the House of Count Bailey….”

“Our family runs a merchant guild in the empire, so perhaps in Ribelline….”

No one wanted to miss their chance, so everyone tried to tack on at least a word.

Meanwhile, Melia, who was watching the crowd gathered around her from a distance, let out a pure note of admiration toward the dazzling beauty.

‘So that’s her.’

Unlike Melia, she carried herself with confidence and boldness, and Melia found herself envying that attitude.

Moreover, thanks to Anastasia drawing everyone’s attention, no one approached Melia even though the song had ended.

Someone else might have felt disappointed at failing to draw attention, but for Melia, it was a relief.

Since she had entered with Hailon, if people rushed over asking what was going on, she had no idea how she would even respond.

With her mind eased, Melia turned her head toward Hailon standing beside her and asked, “Anastasia, huh. She’s pretty. Right?”

But then.

‘Huh?’

Melia flinched without realizing it. Hailon’s gaze was already directed at Anastasia.

Of course, given how much attention her entrance drew, that might have been natural.

After all, even Melia herself couldn’t take her eyes off Anastasia.

But still, why was it?

A vague sense of unease welled up inside Melia.

Something tightened around a corner of her heart.

It felt as if her body was issuing some kind of instinctive warning.

***

Anastasia Ribelline.

She smiled appropriately and exchanged a few words with those who had gathered around her.

But she had no intention of lingering like this.

She hadn’t come to this party just to make small talk with insignificant people.

‘Let’s see.’

For a while now, her gaze hadn’t been on the people talking to her but on someone she was searching for.

‘Ah, there he is.’

After spotting her target, Anastasia immediately spoke to those around her.

“Excuse me for a moment.”

It sounded like she was asking for understanding, but there was no room for refusal. It was practically a notice that she was ending things here.

Ignoring the regretful looks directed at her, Anastasia strode without hesitation toward her destination.

That destination was….

“Hailon. It’s been a while.”

Hailon Alfred, who was standing beside Melia.

Anastasia Ribelline and Hailon Alfred. And his partner, Melia Anderson.

It was a rare sight, gathering the most talked-about figures of the seasonal party in one place. Naturally, the banquet hall fell into silence.

Everyone wanted to catch every word of their conversation.

Wasn’t it only natural to be curious?

Why the transfer student Anastasia Ribelline seemed to be acquainted with Hailon Alfred?

It was an intriguing development.

In particular, all attention focused on how Hailon would react.

“…What is this?”

Hah. A deep sigh laced with irritation escaped Hailon’s lips.

But Anastasia was different. As if they had met just yesterday, she treated him familiarly with a relaxed smile.

“Why that expression. Isn’t that cold?”

Hailon was dumbfounded.

What on earth was going through her head for her to act like this?

It had been thirteen years without a word.

No, even back then, didn’t they barely interact at all?

Anastasia Ribelline. He had only heard the name. He couldn’t remember her face, or even the color of her hair.

Had they even spoken before?

And yet, her overly familiar attitude was unpleasant.

“Don’t we have a lot to talk about?”

Even that probing question rubbed him the wrong way.

There was no way they had anything to talk about.

Still.

“…Follow me.”

From the look of it, her intention to spout pointless nonsense here was obvious.

It did not take long for him to conclude that gaining some strange misunderstanding would do him no good.

So Hailon motioned to Anastasia with his eyes. To go somewhere without others around.

“Oh my, alone together?”

Even though she clearly understood his expression, her shameless response still irritated him, and a crease formed between his brows.

Hailon left a quiet word for Melia standing beside him.

“Melia. I’ll go talk for a moment.”

So wait, leaving that brief addendum behind, Hailon strode off.

Without waiting for Anastasia, Hailon walked far ahead.

Even knowing that, Anastasia deliberately spoke in a loud voice and followed after him with light, swaying steps.

“What is it, my heart’s fluttering.”

And Melia saw it. Anastasia looking straight at her as she spoke.

Those words were not directed at Hailon.

She didn’t know why, but they were clearly aimed at Melia.

Twinge.

A corner of her chest stung.

Why do I feel so uneasy?

What kind of relationship do those two have?

Confusion tangled in Melia’s eyes.

“Oh dear? Looks like you got used and thrown away too.”

Seizing the moment, Catherine approached Melia, who had been left alone, and sneered at her.