Children who had seen social gatherings held at their own homes merely grinned, but those who lived relatively in the countryside, having never even heard a poem recitation before, looked distressed.

Though it seemed like equal education as long as tuition was paid, during the academy lessons, there were far too many aspects in which having prior knowledge associated with one’s home environment was undoubtedly advantageous.

“Of course, I will recite first, so you watch carefully focusing on the proper posture when reciting. Understand?”

“Yes,” the children answered like angels.

Duke Sheridan recited the poem in an upright posture.

The short pauses between the lines were regular, and the expression that emphasized the important words was excellent.

Children who had seen professional poets at recitation events or were invited to gatherings with troubadours guessed that he said, “Let’s leave the interpretation of the words to the literature teacher,” but actually, he was also outstanding in literary sensibility.

After finishing the recitation of a poem that praised the scenery of autumn waters, Duke Sheridan distributed papers with the poem written on them to the children. There were worn traces here and there since it was an item used every year in this class, but the paper itself was excellent.

“You know the running poem, don’t you? I’m envious of those who are good at this kind of thing because I don’t have artistic talent.”

At Megara’s gently encouraging words, Idalia shyly averted her eyes. She muttered a small thank you.

“How can you read such a long thing without twisting your tongue?”

Nicholas quickly lost interest in the paper and began to play with a boy at the same table. Duke Sheridan gave the children time to savor the poem and then asked,

“Is there anyone who can recite the poem by heart?”

Of course, the classical poets did not write their poems on paper to read; the literature of their active period was passed from mouth to mouth by troubadours. Therefore, memorization was basic for students taking the academy’s literature curriculum.

The students fell silent. They couldn’t possibly memorize a fourteenline poem that quickly. Megara was relaxed because she knew that what Duke Sheridan wanted was not ‘perfect memorization,’ but most of the children were busy rolling their eyes in confusion.

Then someone spoke with a strained voice.

“Neris, can’t you do it? You weren’t looking at the paper.”

Half of the class’s eyes were focused on Neris’s table.

As the semester had begun, enough time had passed to determine who sat with whom and where in almost all classes, so the children knew both Neris’s table and who sat with her.

Making someone do something they didn’t want to do and publicly hurting their pride to trap them was, of course, against etiquette. Duke Sheridan slightly furrowed his brows but asked Neris softly,

“Neris, will you try?”

Dianne glared at Lianon, who had just spoken. Lianon, who would have been flustered by such a look in normal times, stared coldly at Neris.

To the children’s eyes, Lianon was bullying Neris. Nicholas muttered in a voice low enough not to attract Duke Sheridan’s attention but loud enough for everyone at the same table to hear,

“She lost her mind.”

Megara smiled at his words. However, Idalia, who saw that smile, suddenly thought that Megara’s purple eyes were filled with an icy mockery and was taken aback.

With all the class’s eyes on her, Neris lowered her eyes with an expression that did not reveal what she was thinking.

The children thought she was in a difficult position. Naturally. Who could memorize a fourteenline poem they had just seen for the first time?

Moreover, she wasn’t even from a family that would likely have attended many poetry recitations.

Duke Sheridan spoke in an even softer voice when Neris continued to remain silent,

“Neris, you don’t have to if you don’t want to. But having the courage is a good thing.”

As Neris continued to be quiet, the atmosphere among the children slowly turned hostile towards her, that is, they began to think her silence was arrogant.
The positive curiosity of the beginning of the semester was now almost gone and hard to see. No wonder, as that beautiful and noble Megara was ‘uncomfortable’ with Neris.

Good heavens, how insolent to enter the advanced class being the daughter of a lowranking knight, and publicly humiliate Megara. If Megara hadn’t been kind, many children would have already held Neris accountable.

Angarad Nine muttered darkly with shadowed eyes.

“If you can’t do it, don’t act high and mighty.”

Lianon laughed loudly in agreement with this statement, though she usually ignored Angarad as if he didn’t exist. Diane’s cheeks flushed with anger.

‘High and mighty?’

In Diane’s eyes, Neris had never acted high and mighty. What was high and mighty? Being genuinely smart? Reading lots of books? Quietly reading and putting down today’s lesson in poetry? Being called high and mighty just because she wasn’t as foolish as the others?