There are several tea rooms provided in the Serendia Academy. Among them, there's a private tea room that only a few special students can use, which was now used as a location for today's tea party.

The event was hosted by Bridget Graham, the daughter of Marquis Sheilbury, the secretary of the student council.

And there was only one guest who was invited. He was the student council president and also the second prince of the Kingdom of Ridill, Felix Ark Ridill.

"I heard Miss Monica Norton has passed her ballroom dance re-examination."

After announcing that in a casual tone, Felix took a sip of the tea that had been prepared.

Bridget, who was also elegantly sipping her tea, took the cup off her mouth before putting it back on the saucer.

"That's good to hear."

"I thought you wanted Miss Norton to be failed. So I had assumed that you would be happy to denounce her if she was failed."

"Why would I be happy if there's a failed member in our student council?"

A truly exemplary answer.

Bridget, one of the three most beautiful girls in the school, looked at Felix inquiringly, wearing a thin smile on her beautiful face.

"Speaking of ballroom dancing… it brings back memories. Do you still remember practicing ballroom dancing with me when we were a child?"

"And you've been an outstanding person since that time."

"I remember that Your Highness was not very good at practicing dancing… and kept apologizing for stepping on my feet."

Bridget covered her mouth with her fan, peering her eyes at Felix… It was as if she was trying to ascertain his reaction.

Felix gave her an embarrassed look as if he was ashamed of his poor performance in the past.

"Suddenly you're talking about the past. What's the matter? It's rare for you to bring up this topic."

"There are times when I reminisce of the good old memories."

However, while the two seemed to be enjoying their conversation, a silent battle was taking place under the surface.

Bridget Graham was a brilliant girl. She's never dazzled by Felix's good looks and status, a woman who could not be swayed easily… ever since long ago.

"I knew you were always a clever girl."

"My father's not too happy about it. He said women are better when they're a little dumb and lovable… do you think so, Your Highness?"

"I do prefer clever women."

"My, I am flattered."

Ho-ho-ho, Brigitte laughed with a beautiful smile that everyone could admire, but her golden eyes remained cold.

The insincere compliments of Felix would never reach the heart of that clever girl.

"By the way, does Miss Monica Norton fall into the category of a ‘smart woman' for you, Your Highness?"

"What do you think?"

Bridget attacked and Felix dodged her with a smile.

When Felix smiled at her, as if to say, "I'd love to hear your clever thoughts," Bridget lowered her long eyelashes and chose her words.

"As far as I'm concerned, she's a scholar at heart. If she is given the proper equipment, she would have produced outstanding results, but negotiating in public could be her weak point. If Your Highness wanted to evaluate her, there were other ways to do it without making her an officer of the student council, weren't there?"

Indeed, the girl in from of him was a clever woman.

In these situations, Bridget was able to see things logically rather than emotionally, objectively rather than subjectively.

On top of that, Bridget was implying that Monica Norton was unfit to be a student council member.

Her point was valid. Monica Norton would be an inadequate person to represent the students. Aside from her paperwork skills, her conduct was too disappointing.

Felix lifted the edge of his mouth slightly, narrowing his blue eyes slowly.

"When you look at her, do you ever think like… ‘Why am I unable to do that?'"

Brigitte neither agreed nor denied but simply watched in silence, trying to figure out Felix's true intentions.

And Felix gave her a friendly smile.

"You must have thought it was as if you were looking at the old me, Bridget."

Even after her name was called in a friendly manner, Bridget did not lose her fixed smile.

Felix then put the cup back in the saucer and stood up.

It was still early, but spending his time with her this much should be enough.

"Thank you for the tea. I enjoyed our time together, Miss Graham."

"Yes, it's my pleasure… I really have to thank you for sparing your valuable time with me, Your Highness."

Bridget, who always smiling thoroughly, was an example of perfect young lady who was faultless in every way.

＊ ＊ ＊

After leaving the tea room, Felix walked away, sighing.

…She's still a stubborn young lady as always. 

He might have spoken a little too much.

Reflecting, Felix casually glanced out the window before widening his eyes.

What is that…

He's looking at Glenn who was working on something behind the school building. There's also Monica, Neil, and Lana who seemed to be helping Glenn.

As he wondered what they were doing, Glenn set up a stone and placed an iron net on top of it. He lit a fire under the net and began to lay down the meat on the net.

Wah…

Felix who had intended to return to the dormitory halted and headed quickly for the backyard.