This is the only thing I can do. “I have no relationship with Prince Leonhardt, I don’t like him,” I announced and I clung to Lady Claudia’s arm as I leaned into her personal space. “The only person I want to get along with is this wonderful Lady Claudia right here!”

“Let me go!” she demanded. “You are embarrassing me!”

“Eh? Even though you clearly like it?” I can only help Alex by changing the topic. They’d probably criticize my behavior, but at least that’ll draw attention away from Alex for a while.

Lady Claudia snapped, “Like I would like you clinging to me!!”

“Then why are you blushing so hard?” I teasingly asked.

Lady Claudia’s face turned to a whole new shade of red. “It is not what you think! This is because I’m embarrassed!”

“I think you are quite cute when your face flushes like a rose.”

“Stop it with your sweet words! Do you want me to slap you!?” Lady Claudia threatened.

“If it brings you such joyous pleasure, please do,” I insisted.

“Nevermind.” Wow, she replied pretty quickly. She probably thinks I’m a masochist now.

“Hmm? Reiré,” Lady Charlotte called out. “Could it be that you’re one of those so-called masochists?”

“Eh?” I completely froze from Lady Charlotte's question. Did she read my mind?

“That would explain why you can handle Lady Claudia and the other nobles' abusive tactics against you,” she concluded.

“That would explain a lot about her strange behaviors. No commoners could act so composed when being bullied.” Even Lady Sophia!?

Lady Claudia began to move away from me with a frightened look on her face. “Is… Is that true, commoner?”

I feel a bit heartbroken that she would think of me as a pervert. “I have a name, Lady Claudia. And I am no masochist. My fondness for you is just because I like you. It’s not like I enjoy being bullied, right Alex?”

Alex nodded, “Reiré doesn’t like pain. I mean, she almost cried when she got slapped by this Laura girl.”

“Hey, I didn’t even shed a tear. Why are you making me sound like a weakling?”

Alex chuckled, “But you certainly felt that slap didn’t you?”

I groaned at the memory. “Yeah, that did hurt.”

“Oh?”

Both Alex and I winced as we felt a frightening presence behind us. Glancing at each other, we both broke out a cold sweat. That once kind mature voice that I always find comfort in was now laced with malice and vengeance.

“Did I hear that someone slapped my precious Reiré?”

“My, Lady Rium. You look quite scary at the moment,” Lady Sophia voiced.

I slowly turned around to see Lady Rium, whose eyebrows were furrowed in anger while she had a forced smile on her beautiful face, only that her beautiful face looked more like a devil at the moment. “L-Lady Rium, when did you get back?” I hesitantly asked.

“Just a moment ago,” she answered. “Now, what was this story that Alexandra said about you getting slapped? How come I wasn’t informed of this? Huh, Reiré?”

Lady Claudia laughed, “Looks like someone is in trouble.”

Lady Claudia was so right. Someone was in trouble and that someone was me. I’m so dead. I never told Lady Rium of that situation with Lady Laura since Prince Leonhardt handled it. I knew Lady Rium would be mad and try to get revenge for me, but I don’t want rumors about me using Lady Rium for those who bully me to go around. Besides, it’ll probably just attract more bullies.

Lady Rium might have noticed my frightened look because she softened her expression. The feeling of malice disappeared from Lady Rium the moment she released a breath. “Why won’t you tell me these things, Reiré? Why must I learn them through other people? Do you think I’m that unreliable even as a duke’s daughter?”

“It’s not that you’re unreliable, Lady Rium. In fact, I think you are the most reliable person I’ve ever met.” Past life included.

“Then why!? Why won’t you ask me for help!?” she demanded.

I gave her a soft smile. “Didn’t I promise you that I’d ask you for help when I feel like I need it. Besides, the situation was handled when Prince Leonhardt came by. I didn’t want to trouble you with problems that were already taken care of.”

Lady Rium pouted, “Even so, I’d still like you to tell me even if things calmed down.”

“But if I told you, wouldn't you threaten her entire family?”

“And what’s wrong with that?”

I felt like a ten kilo dumbbell fell on my head. “That is not good, Lady Rium! Threatening an Earl’s family just because of a mere commoner.”

“But the Norman family belongs to the Bazanine family! If someone damages our goods, then it’s right to ask for compensation,” she stated.

Huh? Excuse me? I just heard something strange there. “Am I only an object to you?”

“What? Of course not! Reiré is Reiré, you’re not an object, but the concept is the same. Insulting the Norman family is like insulting the Bazanine family. We take great care of our people. Even if you’re a commoner it is not a reason for someone to slap you!”

For some reason Lady Rium looked like an angel in my eyes. Honestly!? Who are your parents!? Give them a gold metal because they did a fine job in raising their child! Kudos to them! “Thank you, Lady Rium. Your worries and words alone make me happy.”

“So please tell me if someone is giving you a hard time. My title may not be as powerful as Royalty, but I am your friend. I won’t intervene if you really don’t want me to, but I would still like to be informed.”

“Lady Rium…” Goodness, if I was reincarnated as a guy, I’d totally go Lady Gaga for Lady Rium. Well, I am bisexual, so I guess it doesn’t matter if I reincarnated as a guy or a girl.

“When did this game become a yuri?” Alex monotonically asked.

“Now, I see where Reiré’s sweet talking came from,” Lady Claudia voiced.

“Eh? Could it be that Lady Claudia is jelly?” I squealed, “Is Lady Claudia jelly that I get along with Lady Rium? Don’t worry, Lady Claudia, you have nothing to worry about. You still are my best girl!”

“I am not jelly!” Lady Claudia denied. “Actually, I don’t even know what that means!”

“Lady Claudia and Reiré sure get along, don’t they?” Lady Rium asked Alex.

Alex nodded, “Yes.”

“I feel like a bit too much,” Lady Sophia voiced.

“Reiré doesn’t seem like a bad person,” said Lady Charlotte. “Lady Rium trusts her, so I will as well.”

Lady Sophia sighed, “Even if she looks like a cursed child, I can’t deny that she’s quite smart. Throughout this conversion, that girl has been keeping her guard up against me.”

“That’s because Lady Sophia is scary,” I stated. With Lady Rium here, I ain’t afraid to voice my thoughts on Lady Sophia now. “After all, you have been digging information on all the students in the academy have you not?”

Lady Sophia flinched as the color slightly drained from her face. Seeing the tiny panic in her stormy grey eyes, I couldn’t help but grin.

“Digging information? On all the students? What is she talking about, Lady Sophia?” Lady Charlotte asked.

Lady Sophia gave a hesitant chuckled, “You say some strange words, Reiré. What might you be talking about?”

“I’m also curious as to what you’re saying,” said Alex.

“I’m sure Lady Sophia clearly understands what I mean. After all, she knows a lot about us. She even knows the entire family background of you, Alex.”

“Me?”

“Yep. She already knows about how you're able to attend this academy.”

Alex became shocked, “Eh! She does!?”

“I always wondered how Alexandra was able to attend,” said Lady Rium. “Unlike, Reiré, I don’t think she’s in a relationship with any nobles.”

“I’m also quite curious,” voiced Lady Claudia. “Reiré is an exception because of you, Lady Rium, but Alexandra is…”

Lady Charlotte nodded, “She has no noble friends whatsoever. And her family doesn't even make that much money.”

“Um… Reiré, should I even explain? Isn’t it too early?” Alex asked.

I only shook my head. “No need. I just want Lady Sophia to understand that, whatever you plan to use in the future, Alex already knows of her position. She knows of her birthright, so please pull back your dogs.”

Lady Sophia chuckled, “I see… fufufu. You’re a lot sharper than I anticipated.”

“What is going on? I don’t understand,” said Lady Claudia.

Lady Sophia frowned as she dropped her act. “How much do you know?”

“Eh, how much?” I pretend to think about it. “How about… everything.”

Lady Sophia seemed to be calculating something in her head. I can’t really read her mind and I can’t use the novel to help me since this event never happened before. I just hope this doesn’t make me enemies with Lady Sophia.

“So what? Are you blackmailing me?”

“Nope. I just wish we could be good friends. Don’t you agree, Lady Sophia?”

She stared at me for quite some time before smirking. “Alright, you win. You are quite scary as well, Reiré.”

“Am I really?”

“Lady Rium, please be careful with what you teach. That commoner is actually a lot more dangerous than you think,” she warned.

“I don’t exactly know what happened, but Reiré is someone I trust wholeheartedly with my life if it comes down to it. She isn’t a threat,” Lady Rium stated.

“Lady Rium…” I didn’t think Lady Rium would say that. To be honest, I thought Lady Rium would betray me someday in the future, so for her to trust me with her life is very frightening.

Lady Sophia sighed, “I see. I think I had enough sitting. I should walk around to cool my head. Thank you for inviting me to this tea party. I met some interesting people.” She gave me one last glance before leaving.

I wonder if I changed the future somehow? Now that she knows that Alex and I know about the Straut family situation would she still use that against Alex in the future? Only time will tell I guess. For now, it seems that Lady Sophia won't be getting in our way. I’m not really sure if she will stop her investigators but it’s better this way. If I can use Lady Sophia, it’ll be a lot easier progressing the story to the way I want… Hopefully.