For the next few days, Celitia had been recuperating in the royal palace.

During this time, the Herbert family hadn't been able to stir up any trouble.

Charles had tried to use indulgence certificates to directly absolve Olar of his crimes, and Aloque had mobilized every connection she could use.

Unfortunately, Marianne was determined to make the two serve jail time, so their efforts were all in vain.

Charles was exhausted both physically and mentally, hiding at home sulking, with no mind to care about matters concerning Celitia and the three maids.

"So you can be completely at ease."

Sophia chattered incessantly in Celitia's ear, "Luna, Rebecca, and Gidi will all stay in the royal palace together. No one can bully them."

"As for the competition and such, you shouldn't participate. When you want to see them, you can come back to the palace with me anytime."

Sophia's words were full of selfish motives.

Not only did she not want Celitia to participate in the competition, she also wanted her to come home with her during rest days.

Just thinking about Celitia coming home with her made Sophia feel some inexplicable excitement in her heart.

Celitia pretended not to hear.

Once she decided on something, even ten oxen couldn't pull her back.

Her motto was: I heard you, but I won't listen to advice.

"I should still be able to register today, right?" Celitia asked.

Celitia's return to school was already seven days later.

Actually, by the third day, her body had basically returned to normal.

But Sophia and Marianne were worried and insisted on keeping Celitia for a few more days for observation.

By the seventh day, Celitia absolutely couldn't sit still anymore.

She finally managed to persuade the two to agree to let her return to school.

"Today happens to be the last day." Sophia answered reluctantly. "You can still make it for registration."

Forcibly keeping Celitia for so long was also due to Sophia's selfish motives.

She had thought that during these few days, she could persuade Celitia to change her mind and not participate in the competition.

Actually, registration should have ended three days ago, but Sophia had requested that they extend it until today.

She didn't want Celitia to go, yet was afraid she would miss registration—quite contradictory indeed.

Celitia had no idea about Sophia's complex thoughts and followed the signs toward the registration point.

Entering the classroom, Celitia discovered that it was actually packed with people.

"So many people?" She couldn't help but mutter to herself in confusion.

It was already the last day—how could there still be so many people registering?

Were they all procrastinators?

Among the crowd, a pink-haired girl suddenly stood up, pushed through the people blocking her way, and rushed to Celitia in two or three steps.

"Lily!!" Shanie was extremely excited.

She spread her arms wide and hugged Celitia tightly with tremendous force, causing the girl to stagger back two steps.

"Her Highness said you were sick and took a whole week off! Goddess bless, you're alright now, aren't you?"

When Shanie got excited, her strength was even greater than Sophia's, squeezing Celitia until she could barely breathe.

"Let go quickly." Sophia glared at Shanie.

Although she knew Shanie was worried about Celitia, seeing her hugging Celitia so tightly inexplicably annoyed Sophia.

Hmph, mere pink-haired puppy!

Sophia grabbed Shanie's collar and pulled her off Celitia.

"Oh, right..."

Shanie also knew her strength was great and was afraid of hurting Celitia in her embrace, so she obediently loosened her grip.

Only then could Celitia catch her breath and answer: "I'm fine now."

"That's wonderful!"

Shanie's emotions came and went quickly. She asked happily:

"Lily, are you here to watch the excitement? The competition registration results are about to be announced, and everyone's waiting for the groupings!"

"I see."

Celitia nodded, thinking that registering before the groupings came out should still be in time.

Shanie followed behind Celitia, continuing to share the gossip she'd heard:

"Originally registration should have ended three days ago, but it was extended until today. Apparently they were waiting for someone? I wonder what kind of finale character it could be..."

Waiting for someone?

Could it be herself?

Celitia couldn't help but glance at Sophia beside her.

The blonde girl winked at her and showed a reassuring smile.

Alright, she owed Sophia another favor.

Celitia sighed inwardly and walked to the front desk, asking the staff member who was organizing materials:

"Excuse me, can I still register for the competition?"

What a coincidence—it was Mr. Andrew, who had handled her enrollment procedures.

"Ah, Celitia?"

Andrew looked up in astonishment, seeing clearly the girl everyone had waited three days for.

He wanted to say something but didn't dare, his expression becoming extremely strange for a moment.

The noisy classroom fell silent for an instant, with all eyes focusing on Celitia.

Immediately after, discussion erupted loudly:

"So the three-day delay was to wait for her?"

"Wait, isn't this the girl who doesn't even have adaptability?"

"Maybe there's some inside story. Her relationship with Princess Sophia is quite unusual..."

"I heard about it too. She took seven days off just a few days after school started, and it was Her Highness who helped her request it."

"I knew it. What fair competition—it's just a toy in the hands of nobles."

"Rather than working hard to become stronger, it's faster to climb into Her Highness's bed."

The students below were discussing all sorts of things. Celitia remained calm and pretended not to hear.

Sophia heard everything.

She really hadn't expected that just extending by three days would spark so many ridiculous speculations.

If she had known, she might as well have quietly helped Celitia register directly.

Her brow gradually furrowed as Sophia shouted at the students:

"Everyone be quiet! I've repeatedly ordered that unverified rumors are strictly forbidden from spreading!!"

As soon as Sophia spoke, the noisy classroom immediately fell silent.

Andrew coughed lightly, adjusted his glasses, and couldn't help feeling a bit smug.

Although he had caused trouble at the time, judging from the results, Princess Sophia and Celitia were getting along so well—it was clearly a good thing.

He should get some credit for it!

Andrew picked up paper and pen and handed them to Celitia:

"Please write down your name and your registration preference..."

The competition format had been fine-tuned before registration ended.

The grouping was still red and blue sides, but instead of random grouping, it became red team led by Margaret Brienne and blue team led by Sophia Clarence.

Registrants could choose their preferred group, and only if the numbers were too unbalanced would some people be randomly reassigned.

The struggle between Sophia and Margaret was almost brought out into the open.

Celitia took the registration form.

Before she could write her name, Margaret's voice suddenly rang out from outside:

"I was wondering why registration had to be extended by three days—turns out they were specially waiting for Princess Sophia's little lover."

Margaret entered with Charlotte, and people nearby stepped aside one after another, allowing her to walk up to Celitia and Sophia.

"Sophia, abusing privilege should have limits. Or do you think you're guaranteed to win this competition?"