"That's not true at all!"

Shanie suddenly exploded, her usually cheerful and even somewhat carefree face showing a rare expression of extreme seriousness.

"Lily had urgent business, that's why she went to see Queen Marianne! Far from being angry, Her Majesty even praised her! The same goes for the Dean. He admires Lily very much. Last time, he and Master Meilan were competing to take Lily as their student!"

Shanie's voice was so loud that it immediately drew everyone's attention. The previously noisy classroom instantly fell silent.

Celitia sighed helplessly: "Shanie, please don't be so loud."

"You shut up!"

Shanie, in her agitated state, even yelled at Celitia. "You asked me to help clear up rumors, but what are you doing? When people misunderstand you, why don't you speak up for yourself?!"

This fully demonstrated that even the pink-haired puppy could bite when agitated.

Celitia was rendered speechless by Shanie's outburst, caught between laughter and tears, not knowing what to say.

"I'm not leaving either," Benita chimed in weakly. "I don't really have anywhere else to go anyway."

"You two..." Celitia was even more helpless.

In the past, she had expended tremendous effort to gather people's hearts, working hard with uncertain rewards. Now, when she just wanted to be alone, she couldn't drive them away no matter what.

Celitia couldn't help but reflect on what exactly had gone wrong.

Rebecca and Linda exchanged glances again.

Rebecca gathered her courage and said: "That's exactly what makes it more frightening, isn't it?"

Linda nodded, adding: "Yes, doing things that should seriously offend people, yet Celitia can achieve this result. Doesn't that prove she's actually extremely calculating?"

Hearing this, Shanie understood that Rebecca and Linda had already formed prejudices. No matter how she explained, they wouldn't believe her.

"I won't go with you... please leave."

Shanie pulled her hand away from Rebecca's grasp. "Also, please stop spreading unverified rumors. It affects Celitia's reputation."

Disappointment flickered in Rebecca's eyes. She shook her head, then turned away with Linda to sit in another corner of the classroom.

Watching their departing figures, Celitia let out a long sigh.

"Shanie, are you going to give up your friends? I don't think they're bad people."

Some people just follow the crowd. Not associating with those who stand out might be considered a method to avoid risk.

Celitia didn't think there was anything wrong with Rebecca and Linda's behavior.

Joining them, then being isolated by everyone together... that would be too painful for girls who dreamed of the future.

"No, I'm not giving up on anyone."

Shanie replied, her voice especially firm and strong. "I'm just choosing the path I believe is right."

Celitia couldn't help feeling a bit dazed.

The right path.

But what exactly was the right path?

For people, isn't making choices based on benefits and results the most correct approach?

Aligning everything with results had been Celitia's principle.

But now, hearing Shanie's words, Celitia actually felt a moment of wavering.

"What's going on here?"

The classroom door opened again from outside. Sophia walked in, sensing the strange atmosphere inside, and couldn't help asking.

With Sophia's interruption, people's attention, which had been focused on Shanie and Celitia, immediately shifted to Sophia.

They quickly forgot about the previous incident, staring at Sophia and discussing enthusiastically:

"Wow, Princess Sophia is really attending classes?"

"Yeah, I thought she was just putting on a show."

"We actually get to be classmates with the Princess!"

"This is a great opportunity..."

Whether nobles or commoners, everyone's eyes brightened as they looked at Sophia.

"Your Highness!"

"Princess Sophia!"

A crowd surged toward Sophia, incredibly enthusiastic, firmly surrounding her in a circle.

"I saved a seat for you! Come sit in the first row!!"

"What do you know? The first row is too close. The second row is the best position!"

Sophia had intended to walk toward the back rows, but the students rushed up, blocking all paths, making it impossible for her to move.

"Lily!"

From a distance, Sophia called out to Celitia, apparently hoping she would come help rescue her from the encirclement.

But Celitia couldn't help smiling, mouthing to Sophia: "This is also a required course."

Celitia could guess that Sophia, having established this academy in her name, certainly planned to use it as an opportunity to bestow favors and develop her own influence.

Now with so many people surrounding her, it was the perfect chance for Sophia to win people's hearts.

"As expected of Princess Sophia, immediately restoring the classroom atmosphere."

Shanie sat down, unable to help but sigh with admiration.

Having shouted in her moment of impulse, though not regretful, she was quite concerned that Celitia might feel embarrassed.

"What if we ask Princess Sophia to help clear your name?" Shanie considered seriously. "My words might not have much persuasive power, but if it's Princess Sophia..."

"It's alright, Shanie."

Regarding the previous incident, Celitia hadn't taken it to heart at all.

"I asked you to help clear up the rumors between Sophia and me because they would affect her reputation. As for the parts about me, it doesn't matter at all. People who want to understand me will naturally understand. Those who slander me can't hurt me. What image others have of me isn't important... I don't need anyone's approval."

Celitia spoke slowly, her voice though mild, was filled with resolute strength.

Shanie and Benita stared blankly at Celitia, suddenly feeling a surge of admiration from the depths of their hearts.

She was like a flower blooming in ice and snow. Her branches appeared delicate and fragile, but no matter what storms raged, her backbone remained resilient and unyielding.

"Let's not talk about this anymore," Celitia didn't want to continue the topic. "Class should be starting soon. Let's look at the handouts first."

She casually picked up the handout on the table and opened to the first page.

During this time, Sophia, firmly surrounded at the front rows, finally managed to somewhat appease the enthusiastic students.

Using favors to win people's hearts was something Sophia wasn't very skilled at, but she had to force herself to do it.

Fortunately, her efforts seemed to have had some effect. The students' gazes toward Sophia were even more fervent than before.

I really want to slip to the back and find some peace with Celitia and the others...

Sophia cast a plaintive glance toward the back rows, seeing the three seriously reading and preparing for class, which made her feel even more dejected.

Just then, someone entered with a full display of grandeur, swaggering in from outside.

"How lively."

Margaret held her head high, her eyes sweeping arrogantly around before finally landing on Sophia.

"As expected of the Princess. As soon as you enter the classroom, you attract everyone's attention."