"The letter is valid. Lady Rose is a new student in our class."
Our professor handed the letter back to Anna and, with a satisfied smile, returned to the seat beside me.
The class didn’t even get the chance to start gossiping again before Lycan began the lesson.
"Now then. Today’s topic: the Treaty of the Five Kingdoms and its implications for modern magical warfare doctrine. Open your textbooks to page three hundred twelve."
I opened my textbook as the professor’s lecture droned on, the kind of voice that could put even insomniacs to sleep.
Good thing I’d already had my fair share of instructors like him. That was nothing. My real problem, however, was Anna.
She had moved even closer to me when she returned from handing over the letter, leaving barely any space between us as she took notes, glancing at me from time to time.
Although...
Despite her being a distraction, this was definitely far better than just studying alone and silently listening to class.
This was my dream, after all. I wasn’t about to chicken out just because she was interrupting my studies.
✧ ✦ ✧
"Everyone is dismissed. Don’t forget to head to the amphitheatre for the magical assessment. Anyone absent will be placed at the very bottom of this month’s rankings."
The professor spoke flatly, neither sharpening nor softening his tone.
He didn’t need to. Everyone in the academy except the first years knew exactly what it meant to miss the magical assessment.
In an academy filled with aristocrats and the kingdom’s most promising talents, being ranked last was as good as a death sentence.
A place Reyn Brimstone was all too familiar with, barely surviving complete social ruin only because he bore the Brimstone name.
And now, all of that was about to change.
"I can’t wait to see how you perform later. All your hard work is finally going to pay off!"
Anna said, already dragging me toward the cafeteria, drawing even more murmurs now that she was far more openly affectionate than she had ever been before.
On the way, we spotted Lucius walking with Celeste, the two of them laughing and smiling together.
And... as expected.
Lucius glanced our way, giving her a small wave in greeting. She didn’t even notice him, too focused on talking to me.
I didn’t need to look back to know he’d stopped in his tracks, staring after us while Celeste frowned, confused as to why he’d suddenly halted.
I don’t even feel bad for him.
You reap what you sow.
✧ ✦ ✧
"Lord Reyn!"
Trish suddenly appeared at our table just as Anna and I were eating. Compared to the day before, she practically looked like she was glowing.
"What’s got you in such a good mood, Lady Trish?"
"Good mood!? That doesn’t even begin to cover it, Lord Reyn!"
She replied, pulling a box of homemade chocolates from her handbag and setting it carefully on the table.
"I know it’s not much, but... truly, thank you. I still can’t believe your father replied so quickly."
Wait... Father actually replied to their letter?
"He replied...?"
"Yes, and all he asked was for House Fillaunete to come under the Brimstones. It’s like killing two birds with one stone! Not only is my house saved, but we’re also now protected under a ducal house!"
Anna joined in once she finished eating, folding her arms with a proud, smug look on her face.
"Reyn’s great, isn’t he?"
"I couldn’t agree more, Lady Annabele. At first, I was hesitant because of the rumors about him, but I never imagined they were that exaggerated."
The two of them kept talking, Trish soon sliding into the seat beside Anna as they chatted animatedly about everything that had happened.
In truth, it was mostly Trish excitedly recounting how her house had been saved, while Anna insisted over and over that it was all thanks to my own efforts.
She was doing my job for me.
And that made the future look a lot more interesting.
I had never even considered that the villainesses I bonded with could be the ones spreading my reputation.
"Please, I’m not that amazing. All I did was—"
I started to say, but Trish immediately cut me off, forming an X with her hands and shaking her head.
"No! Please don’t downplay yourself like that, Lord Reyn. Your father already explained everything in his letter..."
What?
"Can you elaborate?"
"Well..."
Trish let out a shy laugh, scratching the back of her neck as if unsure where to begin.
"To keep it short... Lord Cain said his help was given because of your recommendation."
Trish’s words hung in the air for a moment, and I had to stop myself from letting my jaw drop.
Had Father actually credited me?
I’d expected him to review the letter, maybe offer some minimal assistance if Trish’s family proved useful enough.
But outright saving House Fillaunete from collapse and publicly attributing it to my recommendation?
That was political capital. The kind you didn’t spend on a disgraced son you were still side-eyeing across the dinner table.
Either Father had finally started believing in my "redemption," or he’d seen an opportunity to fold a vulnerable house under Brimstone protection and used my involvement as convenient justification.
Probably both, knowing him.
"He said that?"
"Yes! His letter was very formal, but... I could tell he meant it."
Trish’s violet eyes were practically sparkling. The desperation I’d seen in them twice before had been replaced by something brighter.
And something that looked dangerously close to admiration...
"You’ve saved my family, Lord Reyn. Twice now, if we count the first letter you delivered. I don’t know how I can ever repay this debt."
"You don’t owe me anything, Lady Trish. I only did what anyone with basic decency would have done."
Anna shot me a look, then turned back to Trish with that same proud smile.
"See? This is what I’ve been trying to tell everyone. Reyn’s changed. He’s been working harder than anyone I know, and now he’s using his family’s influence to help people. If that’s not worthy of respect, I don’t know what is."
Trish nodded vigorously.
"I couldn’t agree more! In fact, I’ve already told several of my classmates about what Lord Reyn did. Some of them didn’t believe me at first, but once word spreads about House Fillaunete’s new status as a Brimstone vassal... well, they’ll have no choice but to accept it."
I nearly choked on my food.
"You’ve been telling people?"
"Of course! Good deeds should be recognized. I won’t let anyone continue slandering the man who saved my family."
Anna and Trish exchanged a look, the kind of silent communication that happens when two people realize they share the same goal.
"And I’ve been doing the same."
Anna added.
"Though most students still seem too afraid of the old rumors to listen. That public defense during class should help."
"Lady Annabele, if you don’t mind, perhaps we could coordinate our efforts? I have old connections, and you have influence among most of the students..."
"That’s a wonderful idea!"
The two of them dove into planning mode, discussing which social circles to target first and how to counter specific rumors. I sat there, forgotten for the moment, watching my first two villainesses strategize about how to rehabilitate my reputation.
This was not something I had anticipated.
In the original novel, the villainesses had been isolated. Annabele had no allies when she snapped. Trish had burned every bridge in her quest for revenge.
They’d each faced the world alone, which was exactly why they’d lost.
But now? They were bonding.
Over me of all people...
And honestly? It was kind of heartwarming. In a deeply self-serving way.
But I wonder, how was I supposed to make Trish snap when the downfall of her house was no longer even an option?
’Well... at least her chocolates taste good.’