Marie continued to shake her head in an absolute refusal.

“I can’t wear dresses like this.”

I didn’t want to argue, so I replied carelessly.

“It’s not for your sake, but for mine.”

“Yes?”

“I truly hate it when my subordinates are scorned by others, especially those of little to no importance. Also, aren’t you the person who is closest to me? You should wear clothes of at least this quality. Alright?”

In truth, I wasn’t actually embarrassed by what Marie wore on a regular basis.

I just wished to reward those who served me.

It was the stubbornness that had developed over a thousand years.

There wasn’t a special reason for my actions. It was just my desire, a personal selfishness.

In the end, wealth was something that disappeared after death, even if one piled it up like a mountain. After repeating this several times, I felt piling up money was futile.

Even then, to use it on oneself it felt like the wealth and honor would all go in vain. I was satisfied with just being able to eat what I wanted, sleep comfortably, and live a moderate life.

If I had the wealth, then I felt it was best used on those around me.

Perhaps she understood my thoughts from my words, but Marie grew quiet.

“Still….”

“It’s alright. If you’re sorry, you just have to work harder.”

Marie firmly nodded her head.

“Yes. I’ll serve you well. Thank you, milady.”

Afterwards, we wandered the streets buying this and that.

In reality, it was unknown how long I would remain at the Academy, but since it appeared we’d stay for at least an year, there were quite a few items we required for our survival.

And we couldn’t forget the expensive and delicious wine for good luck.

After shopping for a long time, we returned to the dorms late evening.

“Ahhh, how nice.”

Marie said in a happy voice as she looked at the items we had bought. It seemed that she was more happy about the fact that we could shop around without having to worry about money.

On the other hand, I was rather tired. From gambling to shopping, I had used up an excessive amount of energy. It seemed I would have to remain in bed for the next 72 hours.

It was the moment I was considering crawling back to my bed.

Knock knock. With the knocking, a low voice resounded on the outside of the dormitory door.

“Is anyone there?”

There wasn’t anyone we’d been expecting to visit, so Marie and I looked at each other in confusion.

“Who is it?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Go open the door.”

Marie, whose face was still filled with expression, opened the door and started to gape in surprise.

Her expression as she turned back towards me was filled with far too much surprise, so I headed to the door. When I saw the visitor, my head tilted to the side.

‘Who is it? He’s rather handsome.’

It was a man with dark hair and gold, but it was an appearance as beautiful as jewels.

The only shortcoming was that the look in his eyes was incredibly chilly, but even that seemed to be charming due to his rather handsome features.

But why was Marie so surprised? I was still dubious, but the man opened his mouth.

“Are you the freshman, Rubia?”

“Yes, that’s correct. Who are you?”

“I am called Aurelian Lon Haustia.”

For a moment, I was unable to process the significance of the name ‘Haustia’, but when I did, I was appalled.

‘Who did he just say he was?’

Aurelian Lon Haustia.

The 4th prince of the West Empire, Haustia, and the name of this body’s fiancee.

‘Why so suddenly?’

I wasn’t a person who was easily surprised, but this time I couldn’t help but be flustered.

It was because his visit had been unexpected.

“I greet the Empire’s noble prince. I am Rubia of the Roxanne Grand Duchy.”

First, I expressed my polite welcome and continued to consider what to do.

‘Why had he come? To see his fiancee?’

I was faced with a difficult situation.

I had absolutely no plans of marrying him. Instead, I had been planning on avoiding that at all costs, but what should I do if he came to me with his own feet?