“To find nothing at all….”

Sia hung her head in defeat.

After school, Sia, Wendy, and Luna had gone to the Chairman’s Office to search for any evidence.

They had scoured the office for days, but frustratingly, they found nothing.

“Well, it seems the Chairman has nothing to hide….”

Wendy, who had been nervously glancing around, spoke up.

For her, this was an extremely awkward situation.

Unintentionally, she had been dragged into investigating the misdeeds of her master, Tristan.

‘But the Count wouldn’t hide such things….’

She had thought that if they found anything, she would hide it first. Fortunately, nothing suspicious turned up in the office.

“Let’s just stop looking and….”

“No, we can’t do that. Tristan is a thorough man.”

Wendy’s words were cut off by Luna, the bespectacled girl.

“Why do you think so many nobles fear him? Even the once-prominent families of the Empire eventually fell to the Ruelberta Family. The history of this country speaks for itself. The Ruelberta Family has never abandoned their ambitions.”

Luna’s eyes were filled with fear and concern.

This was the perception many in the country had of the Ruelberta Family.

The power they wielded was too great for a mere Count’s family.

The forces that could check their power were dwindling.

The endless growth of the Ruelberta Family.

Could the end of their ambition be to swallow this country whole?

Was Tristan aiming for the throne of the Emperor?

Gulp….

At that thought, Wendy couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Treason was a grave crime.

Families that plotted treason were not only annihilated, but all those involved were beheaded.

Just imagining that situation made Wendy dizzy.

Of course, she didn’t think Tristan would commit treason.

“Moreover, among all the heads of the Ruelberta Family, Tristan is the most radical. Who would have imagined that Ruelberta would become one of the Seven Stars? We must keep watching him.”

“I agree with Miss Luna.”

“…….”

Even Wendy, a commoner, knew the fame of the Seven Stars.

Families that were indispensable in the history of this country.

The heads of the Seven Stars families could personally have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, showing how closely connected they were to the Imperial Family.

And hearing that her master had become a member of the Seven Stars, she couldn’t help but be shocked.

‘Thinking about it… the Count didn’t tell me anything….’

It seemed that many things had happened while Wendy was attending school and unable to serve him.

The only time she spent with the Count was during their morning jogs.

Even that had been interrupted recently due to Tristan’s busy schedule.

His personal care was now handled by Helga, who had been newly appointed as his bodyguard knight.

In such a situation, it would be a lie to say she didn’t feel left out.

‘I’m the Count’s exclusive maid….’

Wendy unconsciously hung her head in disappointment.

“Miss Wendy, don’t be too disappointed.”

“Huh?”

Lifting her head, Wendy met Sia’s eyes.

Sia gently placed her hand on Wendy’s shoulder and spoke.

“Miss Wendy, you did your best. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find anything… but it wasn’t a meaningless time.”

“Th-thank you….”

That wasn’t why she was disappointed, but…

Wendy was somewhat comforted by Sia’s kindness.

“Especially when cleaning, if Miss Wendy hadn’t taught us, Miss Luna and I would have been lost. It’s embarrassing, but I’ve only ever seen housework from afar, so I’m not good at it….”

Sia said with a bitter expression.

It wasn’t sarcasm about Wendy knowing how to do menial tasks like cleaning.

Anyone could see that.

Sia genuinely looked at Wendy with admiration.

When Wendy first met Sia, she had been scared of her.

After all, Sia had attacked her right from their first meeting.

But Wendy forgave her, knowing it was the result of accumulated misunderstandings.

And so, the two became friends.

Sia was not only elegant but also a humble noble.

To Wendy, a commoner, nobles were people far above her.

She had seen many nobles look down on commoners, believing themselves superior.

But not all nobles were like that.

Just like Bella, Wendy realized there were nobles like Sia who looked at her without prejudice.

“Miss Wendy, you’re so talented. I’m really curious, is there anything you can’t do? Hehe.”

“Th-there’s a lot I can’t do… *cough* *cough*…!”

Wendy covered her mouth and coughed.

“Are you okay? Maybe you’ve been overworking yourself with cleaning lately….”

“N-no! It’s just that the weather’s been getting colder lately….”

As she said this, Wendy draped a robe over her uniform.

It definitely felt like the weather had gotten colder.

Wendy wrapped her shivering body in the robe.

“Really? It seems fine indoors….”

“Here you are. Sia.”

“Huh?”

A student had appeared before them without them noticing.

And she was someone Sia knew well.

“Who is it? Oh, it’s Miss Rachel. What brings you here?”

“What brings me here? You know the exams are coming up, right?”

“Ah….”

Busy with other things, Wendy had forgotten, but the exams were approaching.

Worry crept in as Wendy hadn’t been able to study properly due to dozing off in class recently.

On the other hand, Sia, who had also dozed off, seemed relaxed.

“Of course I know. But…?”

“But?? Don’t you remember? If I get first place in the exam, you have to grant me a wish.”

“Huh… Did we really make such a childish promise?”

“What? Ch-childish?! Hey! You were the one who suggested it first!”

“Did I?”

“Yes! Ever since middle school! To me!”

The girl named Rachel puffed up her cheeks.

“I always won, so I didn’t even know if the bet was valid. Anyway, what are you trying to say now? Surely you’re not suggesting we continue this bet in university?”

“Of course we should. We need to see who’s the best in our class.”

The freshmen at Meikhael University took the same classes for the first year.

The first-years lived in an atmosphere akin to a single class, but that only fueled their competitive spirit.

Sia sighed softly as she looked at Rachel, who wanted to continue their bet from middle school.

“Sorry, but perennial second-place Miss Rachel won’t be able to take first place.”

“Ha! This time will be different! I’ll definitely knock you off the top spot!”

“If that’s the case, you’ve already succeeded. I’ve given up on first place.”

“…What?”

Rachel frowned, not understanding what Sia was saying.

Sia pointed to the girl beside her with a triumphant expression.

“From now on, she’ll be taking first place in our class.”

“Huh?!”

Wendy was startled and waved her hands in denial.

“N-no! That’s not it!”

“This is Miss Wendy, who passed the entrance exam with the highest score.”

“This kid? She beat you for the top spot?”

Sia nodded.

“Yes. With Miss Wendy’s abilities, the outcome of this exam is obvious.”

“No! It’s not obvious! It won’t be obvious!”

“This is ridiculous… Sia, are you seriously telling me you lost the top spot to this kid?”

Rachel looked at Wendy in disbelief.

As she stared at the pale-faced girl, Rachel finally remembered the rumor.

“Ah, could it be… Is she the freshman representative? The youngest to enroll?”

“That’s right.”

“I missed the entrance ceremony, so I didn’t recognize her. I didn’t think she’d be this young.”

“Don’t judge by appearances. Miss Wendy is a genius.”

“N-no! I’m not a genius!”

“Genius, my foot. Even so, she’s no match for me. Do you know how hard I’ve been studying while you two were dozing off in class?”

Rachel’s eyes gleamed with determination.

Sia nodded, acknowledging her long-time rival.

“I know. Miss Rachel isn’t one to boast without reason.”

“Hmph. Are you admitting it?”

“Of course. So Miss Rachel can aim for third place in this exam.”

“What? Why third place!?”

“Why? Because second place is mine, of course.”

“Look at you….”

“Ah, wait a minute.”

Luna, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

Adjusting her glasses, she said.

“If this exam is based on the entrance exam rankings, then I’m third. Ah, of course, that’s only among the special admissions….”

“…Birds of a feather flock together, huh?”

Rachel’s expression twisted as she felt ignored.

“Fine. Then let’s do this. Whoever gets first place in the upcoming exam can order the rest of the top four to do anything.”

“Oh my… Are you rushing things? Fourth place.”

“Shut up. Are you in or not? Just say it. If you’re scared, just die.”

“L-let’s not do that and just….”

“Still haven’t fixed that vulgar way of speaking, huh? I don’t mind. I’m not confident about first place, but I’m curious what Miss Wendy would make me do.”

“I don’t mind either. With Miss Wendy, it’s no burden.”

Ding-dong-.

The moment Luna agreed, the class bell rang.

Rachel returned to her seat, warning the three.

“Then it’s settled! If I get first place, I’ll make you do something really embarrassing! Don’t even think about backing out! Just you wait.”

“Got it. Fourth place.”

“Grr! Sia, just you wait!”

“Why, why won’t you listen to me… everyone….”

Wendy’s plea fell on deaf ears as class began once again.