The glittering chandelier illuminated the spacious hall of the academy. Elegant music flowed, to which the girls in colorful dresses danced while being held by the boys.

“Phew…”

Watching the glorious spectacle, Lithia—bracing herself against a pillar—sighed.

How long do I have to stay here? Has it been long enough to be considered as having attended the dance party?

From the perspective of a bystander, it felt like eternity, but for those who came with their partners, it was just the beginning, having danced only a few songs.

At the entrance, she wrote her name on the attendance list. However, if she left too early, it wouldn’t be valid. At the magic academy Lithia attended—Forrent Academy—dance was a compulsory activity.

“Excuse me, beautiful lady. Might I ask your hand for a dance—uwaah!”

While Lithia had her gaze cast downward, a male student approached. He was probably a senior. However, the moment she lifted her head, the boy staggered back in surprise.

After he fled, several of his friends could be seen consoling him, clasping their hands on his shoulders. So far, he wasn’t the only one who had asked her for a dance.

“Hmph, yet another youngling has fled from the millennium-aged witch, it seems.”

At that moment, from the opposite direction the senior had escaped, another male student emerged. A pair of beautiful ladies could be seen adorning his sides.

“What a pity! She came down to the human village all dressed up in vain!”

“…”

Despite her words, the lady’s blue eyes were ice-cold, making her genuine lack of sympathy towards Lithia apparent.

“Don’t mind her. It’s her just deserts. On top of forgetting her own position, this ugly scheming witch dares try and deceive humans.”

“Right, right!?”

Lithia’s cramped expression only served to broaden the grins of the women who swooned at the man.

Regardless, Lithia couldn’t utter a single complaint.

After all, they were more than just upperclassmen to her.

“…Good day to you, Your Highness, First Prince Lafizard. Also, Lady Drese and Lady Hitchcock.”

Andrew Lafizard.

The crown prince of the Kingdom of Lafizard.

As for the two ladies beside him, they were Adora—the second daughter of the Duke of Drese; and Orienne—the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Hitchcock. The two were well known for being the crown prince’s most eligible fiancée candidates.

From the standpoint of Lithia—a daughter of a nouveau riche viscount whose ancestor had bought his peerage with money two generations ago—the three were above the clouds.

“Hmph, what was he even saying? You? Beautiful? You’re so repulsive, I’m nauseated by the mere sight of you. Spare me.”

“…Forgive me.”

For such people, Lithia was akin to an insect. A girl with an upstart family and an appearance so sickening she scare away everyone on their first meeting. She had to be an unwelcome sight for the crown prince and the others—and she was fully aware of that.

…But still, is there a need to point it out?

Lithia clutched the hem of her dress firmly.

“…Well, it’s also my duty as a prince to look after the lower class. Leaving you be petrified at such a glamorous dance party, you’d only dampen the mood. Despite my abject refusal, I shall be your dance partner.”

“What, Your Highness!? There’s no need for you to go to such lengths! If anything, why don’t we just drive her out? She has no reason to be here!”

“Hey, be ashamed of yourself. How dare you take advantage of His Highness’ kindness!”

…Like I said—

—She just wanted to go home.

“…Thank you for your concern. Of course, I’m fully aware that I can’t bother His Highness. Therefore, to not cause further disturbance for everyone, I shall take my cue and leave.”

She didn’t even want to attend the party. It was mandatory—part of the classes! She had to attend—albeit unwillingly—for the sake of her credit!

But as always, she had no one to escort her. In the venue, no one invited her. In the end, Prince Andrew and the others even told her to leave in such a roundabout way!

“I’ll excuse myself.”

“—Wha! I, I see… Well, I’m glad to hear you’re self-aware. Witch, your somber hair and eyes are bothering everyone.”

“I understand. Thank you very much for your advice.”

The crown prince himself dismissed her. With that, the teachers wouldn’t be able to complain.

Lithia bowed deeply to the prince and exited the venue.

◆◆◆

“…”

On the way home from academy to the dormitory…

She yanked the ribbon that adorned her updo. The pain must’ve stung her eyes. She wasn’t crying. She had long come to terms with her own unsightliness.

“Why, even I…!”

Her untied, pure white, hair cascaded down her shoulders, flowing down her back.

Yes, it was white.

Despite only turning 16, Lithia’s hair was as white as an old woman’s.

“—Even I know I’m hidious, I’m all dressed up for nothing!”

Thankfully, there were no reflective surfaces nearby. Otherwise, she’d have to see her vulgar golden eyes, too.

“There’s no way that’s true.”

“Huh?”

“Lying isn’t good. Ugly is the opposite word to describe you. Although, I do agree that your dressing up is useless. As in, you can’t possibly be more beautiful than you already are.”

With a rustle, a man emerged from the shadows. His black hair was slightly long while his eyes were of the same color. Even though Lithia was wearing heels, he was still somehow taller than her. Moreover, he looked to be around the same age as her…

—Regardless, he was still a total stranger.

“Eh, uhm, who… are you?”

“I’m Geo Wales. Just the other day, I transferred to the fourth grade of this academy. What about you? Are you the Moon Fairy, perhaps?”

“Eh, eeeeeeeeh—!?”

The fourth grade. He was basically in the same grade as Lithia. Yet as a transfer student, it was no wonder she didn’t recognize him.

“…W-wait, could it be!? You’re the scholarship student with the rare light attribute!? The one that got admitted as a special case…!?”

“That’s correct. Unfortunately, as a commoner, I still haven’t fully grasped the basic etiquette of this place. If I say something rude, I apologize.”

The magical Forrent Academy was mostly attended by the children of royalty and nobility. While commoners could enroll, the requirement for admission was that they had to be able to use magic above a certain threshold.

However, just recently, in a shop at the castle town, an orphan was discovered to possess light-attribute magic, something very useful for the kingdom.

Apparently, he was transferred to that academy with his identity being confidential and his tuition fee exempted.

Apparently, said chosen light-attribute user was also the man in front of her.

“Well, I’ve introduced myself. What about your name? Or, is there a rule that forbids fairies from revealing their true names to humans? Then, I won’t push you, I’ll just call you the Moon Fairy.”

“W-wait! I’m not a fairy, I’m Lithia Album! I’m the eldest daughter of Viscount Album! We’re in the same grade!”

A man had called her the “Moon Fairy” to her face. Was it some sort of cruel joke? She was used to being called a hag or a witch, but this…?

“If it’s a joke, it’s in bad taste, and if it’s sarcasm, it’s terrible, so stop. I know best that I’m ugly.”

“A joke? Sarcasm? I don’t understand. Don’t you have a mirror in your room? There’s a pond in the courtyard over there—let’s go! You should see your own reflection, it’s really beautiful.”

“Huh? Hey! Wait a minute—”

The boy named Geo suddenly took Lithia’s hand. As it was, he steadily advanced towards the courtyard.

“I-I mean! My hair is ashen, just like an old woman’s!”

“Actually, it’s pure white and beautiful, just like snow.”

“My eyes, my eyes are of the same color as money, they’re crude!”

“I’m sorry, it’s dark, so I can’t tell the color of your eyes. But they are round and pretty. Or rather, is there an elegant or crude eye color?”

She truly didn’t understand—

—it was as if he truly thought that she was beautiful!

…Also, he was correct in assuming that there wasn’t a single mirror in Lithia’s room.

“I, I’ve checked the mirrors many times!”

“Hm?”

Geo suddenly came to an abrupt halt and incredulously stared at her.

…Why is he surprised at the mere notion of me having seen a mirror?

“No way…”

As if he suddenly realized something, Geo covered his own mouth with the hand that wasn’t occupied with Lithia’s.

“…I see, because you’re a fairy, you can’t see your own reflection?”

“Wait, I already told you that wasn’t the case!”

Lithia’s suspicions had completely left her. Her current expression utterly child-like; full of innocence and awe.

---

***T/N: Lafizard? I only read bastard!

As for those who’re worried that bastard might be the ML, this is the same story from THAT author, you guys, THAT author:

THAT!!!!!!

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