The End of Peace

"Then, let us hear the details once more. Miss Stella, is that acceptable?"

This was a small room, furnished only with a table and chairs.

We were led into a chamber typically used for student consultations or minor administrative tasks. After a brief pause, we sat side by side, facing the opposite direction where Mistress Nephel sat.

The elder sister beside me began speaking, her gaze lowered.

"My brother gave me a bracelet. A golden chain with a violet gem. Today was my first day at school, so I brought it close to me as a protective charm, as my family had given it to me..."

Mistress Nephel sat with her hands folded, her chin resting upon them, listening attentively. She gave a slight nod and maintained eye contact, gently urging her to continue.

The bracelet was kept inside the bag. I put it away after taking it out once during the carriage ride—there’s no mistake about that. After we arrived, I left it in Spica’s care, so I entrusted it to her. The locker it was stored in was locked, and since it’s gone, even if Spica didn’t steal it, she must have lost it! That’s why I… I panicked…

Her eyes glistened again. It must have been something of great importance, but I find myself growing increasingly uneasy at being accused of something baseless.

“While I understand the circumstances, haven’t you considered other possibilities before suspecting Miss Spica? And before that, did you inform her that something valuable was inside?”

“No… I didn’t look, and I didn’t tell her… But if something precious is missing, wouldn’t you naturally question someone suspicious? Besides, Spica has stolen something important from me before…”

I cannot comprehend what is being said to me. I have never taken anything from my elder sister, nor have I ever stolen from her—such a thing is beyond my memory…

“Miss Stella, you claim Miss Spica has a prior record? Then why entrust her with a bag containing something precious? If she is known for such conduct, why place trust in her?”

“Such a thing! Teacher, I do not believe Spica stole from me! I entrusted it to her precisely because she is family. I never imagined something like this would happen… I cannot believe it…”

The teacher, having realized no further words could be drawn from the elder sister’s weeping, turned her gaze toward me.

“Miss Spica, I await your explanation.”

“Yes, Professor Nephel. The elder sister entrusted me with her bag upon alighting from the morning carriage. I escorted her to the Headmaster’s office, intending to return the bag to her there, but she requested that I hold it instead. Therefore, I registered it temporarily with the key reserved for her use and stored it in the locker. I did not drop it, nor did I open it. After leaving the Headmaster’s office, I went directly to the waiting room without detouring elsewhere. If it were lost, it must have been somewhere along that path.”

“Is that so… Miss Stella mentioned just now that you caused her harm. Do you have any recollection of such an incident?”

I clenched my hands tightly, forcing my voice not to tremble with emotion.

“I swear, I have no memory of it.”

After a moment of silent contemplation, the professor spoke.

“Since an item has indeed gone missing, we shall address the matter accordingly. We shall examine Miss Spica’s belongings once more.”

I felt the weight of being suspected of a crime I did not commit—this was a pain I knew too well, and I could not keep my voice from trembling.

“Miss Spica, there is no need to be so disheartened. This very examination may serve as proof of your innocence. If you are truly without fault, then composure will be expected of you henceforth.”

I answered with a quiet “Yes,” though I was not certain my voice had carried with conviction.

Afterward, my belongings were laid out, yet no bracelet was found—there was no chance it would be. My uniform pockets were checked as part of the body search, and again, nothing.

By then, my elder sister had changed her stance, suggesting, “It may not have been stolen—it could have been dropped.” Under the supervision of the teacher, we began retracing the path we had taken.

A suggestion was made to check whether the item had been turned in as lost property, and to contact the Magic Department to request a search, but Lady Spica declined, saying she would search for it herself first.

Shortly after leaving the headmaster’s office, near the junction of the courtyard and the corridor, Lady Spica’s bracelet was found.

“There it is! I’ve found it!”

The search had begun, and it was over almost immediately—so swiftly, it felt almost unremarkable, as if she had simply looked down and seen it.

Upon approaching, one saw that the bracelet rested in her hand: a slender gold chain adorned with a delicate purple stone.

“Indeed, it was not theft, but an accident… It is fortunate it was found before another student could have picked it up and caused complications.”

“Truly fortunate… That it was found here, fallen at my feet, means it was my carelessness… Forgive me, Lady Spica.”

If I lower my head, my elder sister will say, "It’s all right since it was found," and raise my head.

After clearing his throat, following Professor Nephel’s instruction, I return to the previous room—now, the lecture time shall begin.

"First, Miss Stella, though your first day of school brought misfortune, I have four points to address.

One: as I mentioned earlier, you broke the school rules by bringing in expensive personal items without permission. Such actions may lead to serious incidents, financial losses, or tensions among noble families. In future, you must apply in advance before bringing anything in."

"Yes, I will be careful."

"Two: suspecting others without verification reflects poorly on one’s character. Especially since you are raised under scrutiny, your actions draw attention. Causing a commotion only harms yourself. Should any trouble arise next time, consult a teacher."

"Yes… I will do so."

“One thing remains—Spica has not yet offered her apology. You acted hastily, but surely you understand it was not intentional? The lost item has been recovered unharmed. Apologize properly.”

“But couldn’t it have been placed there on purpose?”

My elder sister refuses to apologize, pressing the point.

“Spica has sworn before the Emperor and the Guardians. That is the highest oath a noble of this land may take. To speak further would be no different than an insult to honor.

And besides, it is time you learned the proper speech of nobility. Your manner of speaking is utterly unacceptable for an imperial noblewoman.”

Reluctantly, my elder sister said, “Spica, I’m sorry. I was wrong too.”

It was a most unsatisfactory apology, but she had at least made the gesture. I accepted it—though, to be honest, I am the one who most likely dropped it, so acceptance is all I can offer.

The instructor, having made the gesture, prompted an end to the gathering. As I was leaving, I alone was called back and received only a single warning: "Be careful."

Afterward, I proceeded with the scheduled tour of the campus, guiding visitors through the grounds and offering a full introduction, with lunch taken in between.

Several students asked what had occurred along the way, but

"Only a minor misunderstanding! Nothing serious at all," came my elder sister’s voice, and most of them withdrew without further inquiry.

I anticipated that those who had approached me would be seeking an excuse to speak with my elder sister, and so I prepared myself for an increase in such inquiries from tomorrow onward.

Thus, the schedule following the incident concluded without further incident. Once I saw my elder sister’s carriage depart and was alone, I quietly wiped away a tear. A lady’s tears are not meant to be shown freely to others; I had held them back until I was certain of privacy.

Upon returning to the dormitory, I was immediately seized by Shasha.

"Pearl! You look dreadful… I know something happened, so tell me the details, please."

I was half-dragged to her room.

After sipping the tea she offered, I recounted the events of the day.

“It feels… odd, somehow. As if someone were deliberately acting to diminish Pearl…”

“Do you feel that too, Shasha? I’ve had the same sense…”

“At the very least, what happened in the classroom was not something that brought peace of mind.”

I found comfort in knowing at least my close friends thought the same.

After a while, I felt strengthened and left her room.

“From tomorrow on, I must be even more vigilant…”

“Yes. But I believe the foundation you’ve built won’t crumble so easily.”

She remained kind to me until the very end, offering encouragement with quiet care.

Yet things seldom go smoothly. From that day forward, subtle changes began to unfold around me.

Specifically, a conflict had begun between those who revered my elder sister and those who placed their trust in me.

Those who trusted me were mostly longtime friends and upper nobility, who stood against my sister’s acquaintances whenever they sought to accuse me unjustly.

In contrast, my sister’s friends were predominantly lower nobility, younger students, and merchants who had risen in status through business—individuals deeply sympathetic to my sister’s tragic past, driven by a strong sense of justice.

I had not wished to oppose my elder sister, yet somehow a rift had formed within the academy, pitting us against one another.

Apparently, from their perspective, I was merely a foundling who had returned as a true daughter, and thus a wicked woman who scorned the innocent girl raised among commoners—despite my every word, they would not listen.

Each day passed in quiet confusion.

The peaceful life of the academy had come to an end.