The Price is Everything of Yours (76 Chapters Left to Complete) - Chapter 15
Angharad was truly furious at the time, but as she went through school life, she gradually came to understand. She had to endure it, even if she disliked it. Making enemies was something only fools did.
She needed to befriend the popular kids, the intelligent kids, the wealthy kids. Because once she gained influence, everyone would gladly give her a concession.
They would come groveling, desperate to receive an invitation from Angharad Nain.
Yet who could have foreseen it would come to this?
“But… but that’s something Rianon treasures! She always wears it—how can I possibly…?”
“She takes it off during magic class, doesn’t she?”
Megara explained calmly and smoothly, as if everything had already been arranged.
Seated on a chair carved from juniper wood and painted red, she looked slightly awkward due to the chair’s large size, yet undeniably charming. Megara felt Angharad staring at her blankly and puffed her chest out a bit more.
But soon after, seeing the hesitant expression that naturally appeared on this timid classmate’s face, she couldn’t help but grow irritated.
Trude would’ve looked at her with that same expression if she’d sat in this chair.
The thought kept creeping in. Neris Trude never looked even slightly out of place using adults’ belongings—even despite her short stature. Perhaps it was because she always knew precisely how to carry herself with grace from every angle.
It was absurd. The Rikeandros Marquisate was a grand noble house, superior even among other marquis families. Megara had been raised since childhood as the perfect lady, with the most expensive tutors constantly at her side.
Having grown up with every gesture meticulously refined, Megara knew well: no refinement was ever acquired naturally. Every social norm was the product of endless history and consensus within high society.
Yet this girl dared—
To walk around with such a calm face, as if all that glory meant absolutely nothing to her.
And considering the humiliation Neris had inflicted on her during the Berlen language lesson, Megara felt like killing her right then and there would hardly be enough.
But Neris had already drawn attention, so even Megara couldn’t act recklessly. Any rash move caught inside the school would only bring further shame. Reputation, once lost, could never be restored.
Besides, death was far too easy.
“In the classes we share with Neris, the only time we take our eyes off our bags is during magic class. The next magic class happens to be a practical session, so the classroom will be empty. Take Rini’s bracelet and put it into Neris’s bag. You know better than anyone what happens to thieves.”
Angharad’s eyes darkened. Her expression, once innocent and clear—making people naturally fond of her—had been steadily changing these days.
Megara read hesitation in Angharad’s gaze and smiled gently.
“It’ll be good for you too, Nain. When Rini says her bracelet is missing, the children will suspect you first.”
It was true. Angharad’s face turned pale. She hated the children’s stares—more and more each day. Those cruel looks filled with contempt and loathing.
How could they? Without even seeing anything themselves, how could they so viciously accuse someone of theft and hurl such cruel insults?
Megara smiled knowingly, as if reading Angharad’s thoughts.
“But once it’s proven you didn’t do it? I’ll say a few kind words on your behalf. Maybe something like: ‘It was probably just a mistake with the ribbon. It’s unfair to keep suspecting someone of deliberately stealing.’ If you get that in return, can you do it?”
“Really?”
Megara’s words were treated like law by most of the children. Knowing this well, Angharad’s face brightened after a moment. Megara gave a flower-like, beautiful smile.
“Then.”
If she could finally make Neris Trude bow low enough to suit her birth, that small price was worth it.
[This is the timeline separator]“If you ever desperately need something, come find me. I’ll treat you according to your worth.”
Cledwin had left quickly that day, but for several days afterward, Neris kept replaying his words in her mind as vividly as if they were spoken right into her ear.
It was clear Cledwin Maindlant held power. Even amidst the factional struggles among the prince-electors after Elantria became an independent kingdom, Maindlant alone remained prosperous and strong. Joining his faction might offer her a life free from House Elantria or the imperial court.
But Cledwin still didn’t know about Neris’s eyes.
Once she turned eighteen and the Jewel of House Elantria finally appeared before the world, her value would skyrocket beyond what it was now. And when that time came, what guarantee was there that Cledwin wouldn’t betray her?
No—someone as coldly rational as him might even sell her off outright. After all, wasn’t he the very person who had killed his own retainers, people he’d known since childhood?
She had to think carefully. She needed to weigh every option meticulously. This wasn’t a choice to be made on impulse alone. Neris rested her chin in her hand, eyes cast down in distress.
The way her naturally curved fingertips touched her flawless cheek was both endearing and dignified. Several lower-noble girls gazed at Neris with admiring eyes.
Even on days like today, when she wore plain practice robes, she stood out—just as Sir Sheridan had once praised during etiquette lessons, saying every one of her movements carried elegant grace.
Today, Neris had attended basic magic class with the other new students.
Traditionally, nobles regarded magic as essential refinement. Though it had once been as natural as air during the Age of the Three Heroes, in this era it had nearly vanished, becoming an exceedingly rare and costly skill—making it all the more coveted.
In high society, merely using a few terms from basic magical theory was enough to be recognized as a dignified noble, though occasionally a talented individual would even claim distant descent from the Three Heroes.
In other words, personal magical aptitude—though seemingly an objective measure—could easily be leveraged for political purposes.
Thus, the school never allowed young students to skip ahead in basic magic. Only after three careful years of talent assessment would they permit further study.
After all, even lower-grade magic lessons were simple—merely teaching children to channel their innate mana into pre-existing magical tools—but even that basic instruction proved too much for many.
Neris possessed above-average mana reserves and exceptional aptitude. It was likely related to Zaan, though she couldn’t be sure.
Still, having to sit through the same dreadfully easy lessons for another three years alongside those who disliked them was utterly tiresome.
Fortunately, today offered some entertainment.
“My bracelet is gone.”
It happened just as everyone finished their basic magic practical and were putting back on the jewelry they’d removed before class. Rianon spoke with a pale face. Megara frowned.
“The bracelet?”
“My emerald bracelet!”
Rianon’s emerald bracelet was made with a top-grade emerald that seemed to flicker with inner flames—a piece far too expensive for a child to wear.
She cherished it dearly, a dowry gift her wealthy aunt had brought when marrying into the family, and not a single classmate had failed to envy it at least once.
At Rianon’s cry, the entire class turned to look. Diane, who had been taking off her practice robes with Neris’s help, narrowed her eyes sharply.
“The bracelet is missing?”
“Search carefully.”
Megara gave advice with a look of startled concern. Rianon, now ashen, meticulously checked nearby desks and even the inner seams of her removed practice robes. Alecto approached to help search the area.
“It’s not here!”
Finally accepting the situation, Rianon covered her mouth with both hands. Alecto glared fiercely around the room.
Her gaze landed on Angharad. Angharad turned as pale as Rianon, then flushed deeply red.
“What’s going on?”
Mrs. Graham, the basic magic instructor, had returned slightly later than the students after tidying the practice hall. Sensing the odd tension, she asked carefully.
Rianon was already on the verge of tears.
“Teacher… I can’t find my bracelet anywhere…”
Mrs. Graham was less a brilliant mage and more a shrewd teacher—caring for young children was less about scholarly instruction and more about supervision. She asked cautiously.
“What did it look like?”
“It was a gold bracelet… with one oval emerald about this big… and three small… small diamonds set on each side…”
The size Rianon indicated with her fingers was clearly no ordinary child’s trinket.
Mrs. Graham’s expression hardened. Her voice grew gentler than before.
“You’re absolutely sure you wore it today, dear? Could it be that you simply didn’t bring it and now can’t find it?”
“I saw Rini take off her bracelet just before class started. I think she put it in her desk drawer.”
Megara spoke with a sorrowful expression. Suddenly, the classroom fell into an oppressive silence.
“Let’s search for it first. Children, look around—maybe it fell on the floor.”
The students silently scanned their surroundings. Rianon’s face was streaked with tears.
Megara and Alecto comforted Rianon while rechecking every corner of her desk, clothes, body, and bag. When the bracelet still didn’t appear, the children sank into a cold silence.
“Teacher.”
Alecto spoke quietly.
“It seems someone took it.”
No one could say who first turned their eyes back to Angharad. Under the class’s sharp stares, Angharad slumped onto her desk.
“Why are you lying down?”
Alecto demanded sharply. Angharad didn’t rise. Her back trembled slightly—perhaps she was crying, hidden from the others. Alecto strode forward like a fierce animal and repeated her question.
“Why are you lying down, huh?”
“Alecto Islani!”
Mrs. Graham quickly intervened. Alecto lifted her chin defiantly.
“What did I say, Teacher? I only asked. Angharad suddenly threw herself down all by herself.”
“Speaking like that to a friend would scare anyone. Go back to your seat now.”
Ever since the ribbon incident, Alecto had looked at Angharad as if ready to devour her. Diane glanced oddly at Angharad’s trembling back, then whispered to Neris.
“What on earth is going on?”
“Beats me.”
Neris answered brightly. At that indifferent tone, Diane raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Aren’t you curious what happened?”
“I am. It’s a precious item, after all. An emerald that size—finding a similar one would be nearly impossible.”
Neris’s voice at the last sentence was just loud enough for the whole class to hear. Angharad’s back jerked visibly.
“Teacher.”
Rianon spoke softly.
“When jewels or gold coins go missing at my grandfather’s house, they check the pockets of anyone who might be the culprit.”
It was clear Rianon was furious and anxious over losing her bracelet. Mrs. Graham sighed, her expression troubled.
“A dignified person never hastily suspects others, Rianon. But yes—it’s possible someone accidentally took your bracelet. When many people gather, truly unbelievable mistakes can happen. If anyone realizes they made such a mistake, let’s each take a moment to check ourselves. Anyone with anything to say should come tell me.”
It was nonsense—no one could accidentally take something locked away in a drawer.
No child laughed, and Mrs. Graham immediately realized her words had fallen flat. Megara raised her hand.
“Teacher, we probably don’t need to check everyone. We all moved together going into and returning from the practical session. The culprit must be someone who left their seat during class.”
“Then it’s obvious who it is! Angharad Nain went out earlier!”
Someone shouted with a cynical tone.
Neris gave a bitter smile. Indeed, that was true. Lately, as more classmates refused to pair with her, Angharad often left class under the flimsy excuse of a headache. Though it was an obvious lie, no one called her out or showed concern, so she’d done it more and more frequently.
“Not necessarily.”
Megara spoke calmly.
“Neris also left her seat. Isn’t that right, Neris? I know it feels strange for me to point this out in this situation, but since it’s absolutely unacceptable for an innocent person to suffer, I had to say it. Please don’t misunderstand me.”
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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The male lead being so proud of his wife is honestly adorable, even when he gets jealous.
And the female lead is so elegant and beautiful—I can’t wait to see this scene illustrated
Haha, did the ML really just say that to the FL? He’s so cute when he gets a little jealous.
Can’t wait for next chapter
The ML is so considerate of his wife. He treats her with so much care and gentleness, even when she doesn’t say a word—he just understands her. He’s honestly so perfect, I can’t 😭
I really hope the FL can overcome these painful feelings soon. I can’t bear to watch her suffer this much. 💔