It had been around three days since the news of the Patriarch supporting me in enrolling at the Royal Academy and one week since I had arrived at the Lix Estate.
And let's just say that it had made some very jealous individuals, more precisely, Amelia's siblings.
Oliver Lix was the one who was the most obvious about it, often mocking me as I minded my business walking through the Estate. However, the eldest child was a little more discreet, often sending me gazes of contempt, showing his hostility toward me.
After all, they were probably wondering why a commoner had managed to convince their father to give his recommendation to the most prestigious academy in the world.
From the way they acted toward commoners, it was clear that their father thought the same as them, which could only mean that I was special enough for him to overlook this rule of his.
"I don't know what you did to earn father's favor, but don't think it changes anything. I'm still superior to you," Oliver said with disdain as he then looked toward Amelia. "You're lucky to have him, useless bitch."
It was the first time since I had arrived that Oliver had openly insulted Amelia. The trauma he had instilled in her since she was only a kid clearly showed as she would always hide behind me every time we met with a member of the family.
"Don't talk to her like that."
I couldn't let it continue. I needed to do something about it.
As soon as I spoke up, I felt a pull in my shirt, clearly indicating for me to stay quiet.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Oliver said as he got right in my face.
I stayed quiet as he started grinning, feeling superior to me. He must have thought I was too scared to speak.
"I really don't know what father saw in you. You're nothing but trash."
He spat in my face.
I knew he wanted to get a reaction out of me, but I stayed composed until the very end.
"Spineless bastard."
Just as he was about to walk away, the eldest child walked in with a devious smile.
"Wait, brother. I just got an idea."
'Mhm, I see. He was probably the one who organized this whole scene. He probably wanted me to react, so that he could get the guards involved again.'
Usually, Oliver would only say a few words before moving on. However, today he had truly tried his best to make me angry. It was probably their plan so that I would lose their father's favor.
"What is it, Ed?" Oliver answered with an already knowing smile.
"You want my sister to be respected around here, right?" Edward Lix asked as he began walking around me.
Before I nodded, I felt another pull on the back of my shirt. Amelia was clearly scared of what they were planning.
"Yes. But I don't see how you two can make that happen."
Edward scoffed. "Don't underestimate our influence around here. With only a word, we can make everyone within the estate respect her, but..."
"But you want something in exchange?" I replied, cutting him off.
"Haha. Yes, you're not too slow after all. It's nothing much. How about a duel between Oliver and you? If you win, we'll tell everyone to back off when it comes to Amelia. But if you lose, you'll have to forget about enrolling in the Royal Academy."
I glanced toward Oliver. I knew I was much stronger than him; they probably also knew that, which meant they had something up their sleeves.
'Not that it matters.'
"Fine. Let's have a duel."
This time, instead of feeling only a slight pull, both of Amelia's hands clenched and pulled me back toward her.
I felt her going on her tiptoes as she whispered in my ear, "Y-You don't have to do this. You're still injured... You don't have to get hurt because of me."
"Oh, how cute! She's worried about you!" Edward said before losing his smile. "I wonder what other students at the Royal Academy would think if they heard you were close with a commoner."
Amelia hid behind me and said with a tinge of anger, "Why would that matter?"
Edward only sighed as he tapped my chest. "Let's have the duel tomorrow. It wouldn't be fun if there weren't a few people watching, now would it?"
'Public humiliation. I guess they thought this through to a certain degree. It's a pity that their whole plan will backfire against them.'
***
"What were you thinking?!" Amelia immediately said as we entered her room. "I told you that it was fine! I don't need your help with how I'm treated here!"
"I only wanted to pay you back for healing me back then."
She rolled her eyes. "I already told you that I didn't want that. You being here is good enough already!"
I smirked, seeing how she acted so casually in front of me.
She was so different from how she was in front of the rest of her family.
With me, she wasn't scared to say what she truly thought. She wasn't hiding behind anyone. I wonder if she would still be the same if she had a glance at my status.
Would she be scared like everyone else? Or maybe she'd try to use me?
"Tsk. Look at you staying silent! Do you really think you can win against my brother? He may not look like it, but he's pretty strong; he's the seventh in his class at the Royal Academy, and he's a second year too..."
"I can beat him."
Amelia was surprised by how confident I was. However, she seemed to trust me somewhat.
"Fine. But you need to promise me one thing! You won't get hurt no matter what!"
It was the first time anyone had ever said that to me.
I instinctively chuckled.
'I guess this is what having someone care about you feels like.'
"I'll try my best."
She pinched my waist and pouted. "Promise!"
I chuckled even louder. "Sure, I promise."