Chapter 205

Can I Make 100 Friends?
When I asked their names, both of the sidekicks were visibly startled.

“You know, if you want to know our names, the proper thing to do is introduce yourself first,” the right-hand sidekick said in a gentle, refined tone.

Ahh, that only applies if I’m ranked below you two.

These two clearly didn’t listen to my entrance speech.
Or… maybe they think I’m a commoner?
I glanced over at Bell and Zack, and both of them nodded silently.

“Is that so? Well then, allow me to introduce myself.

I’m Joan Lampail, eldest daughter of the Count of the Frontier, the Lampail family. I may be a country bumpkin who’s never even attended a tea party, but I look forward to getting along.”

I performed a flawless curtsy and introduced myself.

When I raised my head, Young lady Catherine and her two sidekicks were frozen in place, eyes wide in shock.

“I also happened to give the entrance speech as the student representative, by the way.”

“M-my apologies… There was… um, trouble with our carriage, so we arrived late… I-I am Samantha Nash, second daughter of Viscount Nash.”

The right-hand sidekick bowed deeply as she introduced herself.

“Pardon me. I am Rebecca Sanok, eldest daughter of Count Sanok,” the left-hand sidekick followed with a bow.

“And now, my turn. I am Catherine Cutter, eldest daughter of the Duke Cutter family.”

“Young lady Catherine, I must apologize for my lack of knowledge earlier and for behaving rudely.”

“I forgive you. But… you know, you shouldn’t bow your head so easily to just anyone.”

“Huh?”

“Earlier, you bowed your head to those girls over there when thanking them, didn’t you?”

“Ah, yes. But bowing your head is a way to express respect, gratitude, or an apology to the other person, isn’t it? Besides, at the Royal Academy, everyone is equal regardless of status, right? That’s why I bowed. Was there something wrong with that?”

It wasn’t just Catherine and her sidekicks; the other students watching from a distance were also left speechless by my words.

Then, clapping echoed through the classroom as Prince Albert walked in. The boys offered polite nods, and the girls curtsied.

“Ah, sorry to barge in so suddenly. Everyone, you can raise your heads… Young lady Joan, you understand what Young lady Catherine was trying to say, correct?”

“Yes. That nobles shouldn’t bow their heads so easily to commoners—I understand that.”

“I see… And Young lady Catherine? Do you understand what Young lady Joan meant?”

“Yes, I do understand, but…”

“Young lady Joan, do you act the same way outside the academy? For example, toward your territory's people?”

“Yes. Our family’s livelihood depends entirely on the hard work of our people every day.”

“Indeed. I don’t think that mindset is wrong. Young lady Catherine, you have plenty of time from today until graduation. Here, everyone is equal regardless of status. I hope you’ll find your own answer to that. Well then, I won’t disturb you further.”

With that, His Highness left the classroom with impressive composure.

… What did he even come here for?

As the students remained frozen in place from the prince’s visit, I spoke up.

“Umm, sorry… I didn’t mean for my actions to cause such a big fuss.”

I bowed my head once again.

This time, I turned to Young lady Catherine.

“Young lady Catherine, I apologize for turning your valuable advice into such a public scene. But thank you for pointing it out. Young lady Samantha, Young lady Rebecca, thank you as well. I’ve never been to a tea party, so I’m sure I’ll have a lot to learn. May I ask for your guidance again in the future?”

“Eh… y-yes, if you’d like, I’d be happy to teach you.”

“M-me too.”

“Same here~”

“Then… that makes us friends, right?”

“““Huh?”””

“Joan, isn’t that a little forceful?” Bell chimed in.

“Huh? Is it? But we introduced ourselves… Eh? We can’t? My goal is to make 100 friends at the academy!”

I turned to look at Catherine and the others. The three of them were standing there dumbfounded.

“Y-you’re… quite the odd one. Normally, you wouldn’t want to be friends with someone who just criticized you, would you?”

As Catherine said that, the two sidekicks nodded vigorously.

“And… what is this ‘100 friends’ thing supposed to be?”

“It’s my goal!”

I declared boldly, clenching my fist.

Doesn’t everyone say, “When you become a first-year, can you make 100 friends?”
… Ah, I guess they don’t say that in this other world.

“Umm… Young lady Bell Barst, correct? Is Young lady Joan always like this?”

“Eh? Ah… well… y-yes… pretty much…”

“Huh? Young lady Catherine, do you know Bell?”

“Yes, well, I’ve… seen her occasionally at tea parties… B-but I never had the chance to… s-speak with her directly…”

“I see. Well then, not just me, but please be friends with Bell too!”

“Ehh, w-wait, Joan!”

Once again, the three of them stood frozen.

“I only have Bell as my noble friend right now. So please! Please!”

As I closed the distance between us, the three of them instinctively stepped back. I closed the gap again, and they retreated. I advanced, they retreated. It became kind of fun, so I giggled and kept approaching.

“F-fine! We’ll be friends! Just stop laughing and creeping closer! It’s scary!”

“Yaaay! I just made three friends at once! … Ouch.”

“Joan, don’t get carried away.”

Zack chopped me on the head.

“Oh? And you are?”

“My apologies. I serve the Lampail family—my name is Zack. I apologize for my Young lady’s behavior.”

Zack placed a hand over his chest and bowed elegantly to Young lady Catherine. As expected of someone rigorously trained by Gray and the others—his manners were flawless.

“Hey, Zack. If you’re going to call me ‘my Young lady,’ isn’t it weird to be chopping me on the head?”

“I have permission from Madam.”

“Permission for what?”

“To stop you if you go out of control.”

“Ugh…”

Mother… that’s so cruel…

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