Aldenine Academy

It's not a dungeon but a pink, girly room. The book was lying to them.

"Come inside, come inside."

She motioned for them to enter but Liam and Leon felt like their shoes were stuck. They had never seen such a luxurious room. The room felt almost sacred that their unholy presence might taint it if they enter.

Hestia wondered why the two didn't follow her and turned to them. They were standing on the threshold, their postures were somewhat between wanting to get inside and should not get inside.

With a light smile, she took their hands again and led them inside.

"This is my room. If you need something, want someone to talk to or just hang out, just enter that secret door, okay?" She explained.

Liam and Leon looked at each other. Can they really do that? Enter a girl's room through a secret door? Even if they are brothers and sisters now they aren't blood-related and it's highly inappropriate for them to enter and exit a girl's room.

The two didn't voice out their concerns but nod their heads in accord.

Hestia smiled serenely. It's good to have such obedient and lovable brothers. The past her was blind for not seeing how nice it is to have brothers by her side.

A knock sounded from outside.

"Come in."

Lisnia entered and was astonished when she saw the two boys in Hestia's room.

She tried hiding the deep frown on her face but the three could still detect it. Hestia was indifferent while the two boys felt uncomfortable. They had an idea of what was running on the governess mind right now. Inappropriate.

"Your morning classes are about to start, My lady," Lisnia informed.

"Morning classes?" Hestia was puzzled. Why did she still have morning classes?

Oh, right. She sighed in dismay, her body is still that of a fifteen-year-old girl. Of course, she had classes.

Boring classes.

Aldenine Academy. School of the elites, the privileged, the cream of the crop. All noble daughters and sons of the peerage are sent there to learn and socialize with other nobles.

She's currently a freshman there and classes had started six months ago.

She sighed. She really didn't want to return to that place. That academy is where she had sharpened her claws in her past life. She bullied quite a number of school peers in there. Though at this stage her targets at school could only be counted in one hand. But still, that is one hand too many.

Hestia turned to her brothers, "I have to go to school now. If you need something, tell the servants."

Liam nodded, "Yes, -um, lady Hestia."

Hestia frowned. "Big brother can't call me that. I am your sister, you should call me little sister or Hestia."

Liam rubbed the back of his neck, still not quite used to having a little sister like Hestia.

"…Little sister." Liam croaked, his eyes darting everywhere but never to her. His cheeks coloring a bit.

Hestia's earlier gloomy mood vanished when she heard that. "Yes, big brother?"

"Big sister!" Leon chimed in, he didn't want to be left out on it. It must have taken a lot of his courage because his ears were as red as the blooming flowers at the back garden.

Hestia chuckled at Leon's lovableness, "Yes, little brother?"

The shy Leon hid behind his brother, he muttered something that Hestia didn't fully understand though she was sure it was addressed to her so she closes the distance and peeks at the shy-looking Leon. "Pardon?"

Leon looked like a cute little turtle, he extended his neck to look at her but was startled by her closeness. He retracted his neck in his shell. Hestia had to endure the urge to pinch his rosy cheeks.

"Take care," Leon whispered and stretched his hand to her. Something was dropped on her palm. It's a piece of mint candy. She looked at Liam in question.

"Leon thought you'll feel queasy during your journey to school. It's the candy he eats when we traveled here, that candy tide over his motion sickness a bit." Liam explained.

If it isn't the cutest gesture then what is? Hestia patted Leon's head even though what she really wanted was to hug the cutest little boy ever, "Thank you, I'll eat it on my way there."

The two were ushered out by a servant to return to their rooms and Hestia prepared to go to school.

Soon enough, Hestia was on her way to school. With the passing scenery, Hestia tried to recall those people who she had offended. She could only bump her head on the side of the moving carriage when a familiar name came on top.

Elspeth Casigleri.

Maybe she should just drop out of school. If not, she could ask her father to transfer her to another school.

Right, she could do that. She should truly avoid the people she offended in her past life.

The carriage bearing the Bellmore crest stopped in front of the school gates. Carriages of the nobles are not permitted to enter the school premises. Only the vehicles of the Royal family are given the privilege.

Hestia thank the driver who was shocked by her gesture. She entered the gates and as she walked steadily on the school ground, all eyes were on her. Not so low whispers were exchanged by the onlookers.

"That's the famous freshman."

"Famous for what?"

"Famous for daring to bully the Crown Prince's girl."

"Isn't she Duke Bellmore's daughter?"

"No wonder she dared. That family's prestige comes only second to the Royal family's. They said the duke had strong ties with the Emperor."

"Hah! That's because they have the resources. It was rumored that the Bellmore's run half the country with its vast wealth."

"Hmp! No matter how wealthy a person is if the heart is rotten then forget having another person's affection."

"What? You mean she likes the Crown Prince so she bullies that Casigleri girl?"

"Why else would she bother with a lowly baron's daughter if not for that?"

"I heard she caused so much trouble last month. The other girl was about to be expelled because of what she did. If not for the Crown Prince intervening, that devious girl might have done something more to Elspeth. In the end, she was the one who was suspended for a month."

"Yes. If not for her father's reputation, she might have been expelled. The Crown Prince wanted her out of his sight."

Hearing their whispers, Hestia could only barrel through the crowd and get on her first class.

The same thing happened inside her class. Everyone looked at her with leery eyes. She ignored them and sat at her designated seat, her cohorts who's always been by her side are all gone.

"Hestia! Thank god you're back."

Except for one.

Valeria Sandfroy.