## Chapter 100 – The Life of an Influencer
“H-Hello…”
“Tsk…”
“Ah… haha… H-Hello…?”
The heart of the social hall, resplendent and bustling, filled with joyous laughter and beautiful music.
A place where female students, normally bound by school rules, could flaunt their beauty like flowers in full bloom, and male students, in their prime, swarmed like bees drawn to the scent of those flowers. A place that was always vibrant and lively.
Even in this place, where countless flowers were vying for attention, luring the bees, there were a few SSS+ grade, fully enhanced blossoms that stood out.
“That’s right, isn’t it so much better when we’re friendly like this?
Raise the corners of your mouth a little more, okay?
A smile is a lady’s grace, you know?”
“L-Like… this…?
But… S-Senior…”
“Shhh…!!”
As if about to kiss her, she gently cupped the cheeks of the violet-haired girl opposite her, using her thumbs to lift the corners of her mouth into a pleasant smile. Her own lime-green hair fluttered as if delighted.
“Very good. Truly wonderful.
That’s how you become a girl who’s loved…”
“Ahaha… ha…”
In contrast, the violet-haired girl could only manage awkward, irregular bursts of laughter in the face of the undeniably uncomfortable situation.
“Busy fulfilling your own desires, I see.”
“Oh my, desires?
How could I ever?
I like men, you know.”
“Try fixing that smirk before you say that.”
And right next to them, a girl with orange hair, habitually twirling a strand with her finger, watched the scene with a slightly disgruntled expression, her usual blank face tinged with something akin to annoyance.
It was as if she was displeased at having her spot taken, but it would be a lie to say she wasn’t somewhat intrigued.
“Ohoho!! Relationships are something both parties need to work on, you know?
There’s a saying that you can’t stab a smiling face, right?
So, for the sake of smooth friendships, Anne, smile?”
“S-Smile… Haa…”
Anne forced an awkward smile in response to Charlotte’s prompting, then let out a small sigh.
It was the kind of overbearing coaching that only served to make her feel more uncomfortable.
But whether she knew it or not, the atmosphere surrounding her was slowly changing.
“Charlotte Unni!! You look beautiful today too!!”
“I don’t think I’ve seen you with this person before? Is she a friend?”
“I’m not usually like this, but would you mind if I asked your name, miss?”
Before Anne could even process what was happening, students, both male and female, had surrounded them, vying for attention and showering them with compliments.
As if she had anticipated this, Charlotte gave a subtle smile and took Anne’s hand, holding it affectionately.
“Oho…”
“Ooooo…”
As she smiled gently and glanced at Anne with a wink, the people around them stared as if mesmerized.
Two flowers smiling and looking at each other so affectionately.
It was a scene worthy of a work of art.
Of course, one of the flowers looked a little awkward, but with Lucia’s help, Anne’s beauty was shining brightly enough.
Charlotte gazed at her for a moment, then closed her eyes with a smile, whispering softly to Anne in a slightly nasal voice.
“Now, are you going to follow my lead from now on?”
“Huh…? What… what do you mean…?”
“Say, ‘The weather’s nice today,’ with energy, okay?”
“Why would I…”
“Just do it. You should listen to me, okay?
Good things might happen if you do?”
Charlotte opened her eyes again, her expression full of barely concealed mischief as she urged Anne on.
Anne, unsure of what to do, hesitated for a moment, then seemed to resign herself and began to repeat what Charlotte had said.
“Ugh… T-The weather’s nice today…?”
“The reason the weather is so bright today is surely because the gods want to illuminate your beauty…!!
In that sense, if it’s not too forward, may I ask your name…!!”
As if out of nowhere, a man’s voice cut in, drawing the attention of everyone around them.
Anne, taken aback by the sudden mental assault and the man’s cheesy, butter-smooth words, hesitated, but she couldn’t help but notice Charlotte, who was watching her with a wink, and struggled to maintain her composure.
“E-Eh…? M-Me…? U-Um…!!”
“I apologize if I was too forward, Lady.”
“A-Anne… Anne de Monehen… is my name…”
But despite being a little flustered, Anne followed Charlotte’s inexplicable lead and went along with what was happening.
After all, the man in front of her was quite handsome and well-groomed.
Seeing the man’s dejected expression as he turned to leave, Anne, without any real aversion, told him her name.
“Anne!! A beautiful name, Miss Monehen!!
I am Campbell, the eldest son of the Radben family.
May I have this dance?”
“D-Dance…? I’m not very good at that…!!”
“I’ll lead, so just follow along slowly!!
Ah, the music is starting. Come, this way!!”
Campbell took Anne’s hand gently and led her away, offering a warm smile and acting like a perfect gentleman.
But Anne, who had never imagined dancing, looked around with bewildered eyes, seeking help from the other girls, but to no avail.
Charlotte, the very cause of all this, was simply smiling and watching with amusement.
Lucia, with an expression that was somewhere between a smile and a sigh, didn’t seem inclined to help either.
Only Charlotte’s voice, full of good cheer, echoed through the ballroom as she rose from her seat, hurried over to Anne, gently smoothed her dress, and pushed her forward.
“Have a good time~ I hope you enjoy yourself~”
As Anne was dragged away, stammering and bewildered, Charlotte and Lucia, who had returned to their seats, were enveloped in a quiet silence.
Beautiful and lively music filled the air, but there was an inexplicable chill in the air between the two women.
Lucia was the first to break the silence.
“What are you thinking?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m asking about your intentions.”
“It’s my duty to ensure that students have an enjoyable school life, isn’t it?”
“That’s not what I’m asking.
I’m talking about what you just slipped into Anne’s pocket.”
“Oh my… you saw that?”
Charlotte smiled at Lucia’s blunt words, then slowly closed her eyes and stretched.
Then, straightening up, she leaned forward, her face etched with her signature mischievous expression.
“Ohoho~ I just wanted to add a little spice, you know?
To the Borgia’s table, that is.
She’s a student that Lucia is interested in…
And even a suspect at the center of the incidents at the academy!
So, I think I’m allowed to be a little curious, don’t you think?”
“The latter is none of my concern.
But a baronet family trying to get a seat at the Duke’s table…
If you think the academy will shield you like a Polignac, you’re mistaken.”
“Oh my! Me? How could I ever~
If you don’t like it, should I resign from my position as assistant?
Of course, I’m sure Miss Borgia wouldn’t want that.
Well then, I have some overdue work to attend to?”
“Why tell me that?”
“It means I might come again. Ohoho!!
Then, I hope you have a pleasant social gathering?
Ahaha! Hahaha!!”
Charlotte left the social hall, her clear laughter ringing out as if she couldn’t contain her joy.
Lucia watched her go, a hint of annoyance in her eyes.
“I really don’t like that woman.”
.
.
.
.
.
.
‘So light……’
It felt as if she was floating, a sensation that enveloped her body.
Had she ever experienced something like this before?
She had always focused on honing her swordsmanship, leading a school life far removed from enjoyment.
Especially at the academy, which she had been eagerly anticipating since reading her sister’s letters, from the moment she was targeted by Grenot’s eldest daughter on her very first day, something like this had been unthinkable.
“Left. Right.
That’s right. You have a knack for it.
Now again, one~ two~ three~ four~
Very good~”
As a swordsman who was naturally attuned to using her body, she quickly picked up the rhythm and movements of the dance.
But the feeling of the man in front of her praising her, and the girls around her scanning her body and face with envious eyes, gave her a strange sense of fulfillment.
The dress that Lucia had prepared was not only extravagant, but it also accentuated her figure, drawing the attention of many, though Anne herself was unaware of it.
When she first wore it, she wondered if it was too daring, but now, feeling the firm touch of a strong arm gently encircling her waist, she felt so good that she could barely speak.
“You’re a very quick learner.
It’s been a pleasure, Miss Monehen.”
“I… I’m… thank you for teaching me… to dance…”
“The honor was all mine.
Thank you for your time.
I hope you continue to have a pleasant evening…”
Then, following the unspoken rules of social gatherings, which dictated that one shouldn’t monopolize a partner for too long so that they could mingle with others, the man expressed his enjoyment and bid her farewell for the time being.
As he left, Anne felt a slight emptiness creeping in, following the excitement she had felt.
But it was okay, perhaps.
Even though her first partner, with whom she had shared a brief connection, had left, many other men were already reaching out to her, offering their hands.
She danced one song, and then another.
As she surrendered herself to the beautiful and intricate rhythms, her movements becoming increasingly graceful, she felt a sense of satisfaction that she had never experienced before.
“Ah ha…!!”
“You’re really good at this? Is this really your first time?”
“Everyone’s been so kind and helpful… thanks to them…!! Kyaa!!”
“Then I’ll teach you some advanced moves!!
I’ve learned a lot of things!!”
The boy wrapped his arm around Anne’s back and leaned her back almost horizontally, then spun her around in the air like a top, quickly catching her hand as she lost her balance and using the momentum to gently pull her back up.
Experiencing this, Anne felt a mixture of surprise and excitement, and her face was filled with a look of joy and anticipation that had been rare until now.
“Ahahaha! You surprised me!!”
“But it was fun, right?”
“Yeah…!!”
“Anne Monehen, was it? I’ll remember that.
Well, I’ve had some fun, so I think I’ll leave you here for a while?”
And perhaps such dazzling pleasure and heart-fluttering excitement were the bait that lured a girl into the most dangerous situation of her life.
After dancing with the boy, the time for farewell finally arrived.
“Ah……”
Unable to suppress the bitterness and regret that came with the moment of parting, Anne let out a small sigh, her voice filled with emotion.
She was still too naive, hidden away in her thick shell, to understand that fleeting pleasure was only enjoyable because it was fleeting.
And as if sensing her feelings, the boy, after a moment of confusion, offered an awkward smile and said,
“If you don’t mind… my table is over there…
My friends are all gathered there.
If you have time later, would you like to hang out with us…?”
Scratching the back of his white hair with an awkward expression, he offered a friendly invitation. Anne smiled brightly and nodded, clutching her pounding heart.
“Yes!!”
“Great.
Do what you need to do and come over later.
Oh, right. And…”
Anne, who had been about to turn away with a happy heart, turned back when she heard him add something. A bright smile was shining at her.
“I’m just saying this in case, but since I’m the host anyway,
If you can’t find me later, call a servant.
Tell them you’re looking for Lucas, and they’ll let me know. See you later!!”
