Charisma 100: My Academy Life As A Heartbreaking Commoner-Chapter 183: Making Waves

An invitation arrived by courier the next morning, sealed with House Roseheart’s crimson wax crest.

Aegis broke it open over breakfast, eyes quickly scanning the elegant script.

Lady Starcaller,

You are cordially invited to an intimate gathering at Roseheart Manor this evening. A small salon of like-minded individuals eager to get to know one another and discuss matters of mutual interest.

Your presence would be most welcome.

Warmly, Lady Roseheart

[Ah, a networking event. Perfect.]

She’d saved Lady Roseheart from assassination back during her first week at the academy. The woman had been grateful ever since, sponsoring Aegis for the Autumn Gala, providing clothing, arranging transportation. But, clearly, Roseheart understood that gratitude only went so far in noble politics. This invitation was something else. An opportunity for Aegis to make moves of her own.

Aegis set down the letter and smiled.

[Time to go make some friends, eh?]

---

Far from the smellier parts of Rosevale, and just a short carriage ride from Aegis’s own estate, Roseheart Manor sat in the Noble Quarter’s eastern edge. It was smaller than the great house estates but, to the Rosehearts’ credit, immaculately maintained. Ivy crawled up stone walls. Lanterns lined the garden path. Two footmen flanked the entrance, bowing as Aegis approached.

[Ah! I’m so excited~]

She’d chosen her dress carefully. Deep blue silk that showed off her curves without being too scandalous, accented with silver embroidery along the bodice. These were, after all, Lady Roseheart’s friends, so as much as Aegis would have enjoyed turning the place inside out, tonight she wanted to be elegant. Approachable. So, she wore the kind of outfit that said "I belong here" instead of the usual "so, who wants to suck and fuck till the sun comes up?"

The salon was already occupied when she entered.

A dozen nobles milled around a tastefully decorated sitting room, wine glasses in hand, having mundane conversations.

Lady Roseheart spotted her immediately and glided over.

"Lady Starcaller! I’m so pleased you could join us."

"I wouldn’t miss it." Aegis accepted the offered wine glass. "Thank you for the invitation."

"Nonsense. After everything you’ve done, the least I can offer is introductions." Lady Roseheart’s eyes sparkled. "Come. There are people you should meet."

Immediately, the social maneuvering began.

Lady Roseheart introduced her to a parade of minor nobles. The kind who held modest estates, ran regional businesses, and desperately wanted connections to rising stars. Her first real opportunity came with Lady Harrin, a stout woman in her fifties with iron-gray hair and a perpetually worried expression. She managed an estate near the Western Forests, and the conversation had drifted to local troubles.

"—simply dreadful," Lady Harrin was saying, clutching her wine glass. "The Spineboars have been breeding out of control this season. We’ve lost three farmhands already, and the local hunters refuse to take contracts anymore. Too dangerous, they say."

"Spineboars?" Aegis tilted her head. "Those are the ones with the venomous tusks, aren’t they? Nasty creatures, but predictable. They nest near running water and only hunt at dawn and dusk."

Lady Harrin blinked.

"I... yes, actually. How did you know that?"

[Because I spent forty hours grinding them for crafting materials in the mid-game.]

"I’ve done some reading." Aegis sipped her wine. "If you’re struggling with incursions, House Starcaller has exceptional combat retainers available for contract work. Experienced monster hunters. They cleared a Cinderwolf pack just last week."

"Really?" Lady Harrin’s worried expression shifted to cautious hope. "What would something like that cost?"

Aegis named a figure. Reasonable, but not cheap. Lady Harrin’s eyes widened.

"That’s... actually quite fair."

Aegis smiled.

"Shall I have my steward send over the contract details?"

"Yes. Yes, please do."

[Nice!]

Lord Pimble ended up being her next target. A ruddy-faced man in his sixties who’d clearly started drinking before the salon began. He swayed slightly as he complained to a cluster of uncomfortable nobles about his wife’s spending habits.

"—bought ANOTHER set of curtains! Curtains! As if the last twelve weren’t enough! Woman’s going to bankrupt us with her damned decorating—"

The other nobles were edging away. Aegis stepped in.

"Lord Pimble." She touched his arm lightly. "I couldn’t help but overhear. Managing household expenses is such a challenge these days, isn’t it?"

He turned to her, bleary-eyed but grateful for someone who’d actually engage.

"You understand! Finally, someone with sense!"

"I do." Aegis guided him toward a quieter corner. "In fact, my house has recently acquired an exceptional alchemist. We’re producing high-quality restoration draughts at a fraction of the guild prices." She let that sink in. "If you could introduce me to some of your merchant contacts, I’d be happy to offer House Pimble a significant discount on future orders."

Lord Pimble’s drunken haze cleared slightly.

"You’d do that?"

"If I can help you save up on potions, Lord Pimble, why not? It’s what good neighbors do."

By the time she extracted herself, she had three names and a promise of introductions by week’s end.

She was already satisfied with how much progress she’d made in expanding her new noble house’s influence. But, just as she was starting to feel like today was a particularly good day, some sour talk drifted to her ears.

A cluster of nobles had gathered near the fireplace, voices low and gossipy. One man said:

"—heard the ceremony venue’s already been booked. The Grand Cathedral, no less."

"House Stone doesn’t do anything small," a woman replied. "Though I wonder if the princess is pleased with the match."

"Does it matter? Duchess Evangeline’s made her decision. The Goldspire boy is a good choice. Wealthy, connected, and unlikely to cause scandals."

"Unlike some."

Polite laughter.

"Still, it’s only a matter of time now. A month, perhaps? House Stone’s been sending out preliminary guest lists already."

One of them noticed Aegis nearby.

"Lady Starcaller! Forgive us, we didn’t see you there." The speaker, a thin man with a pointed beard, smiled without warmth. "You’re acquainted with Princess Talia, aren’t you? What’s your perspective on the upcoming betrothal?"

Every eye turned to her.

Aegis shrugged and let her expression settle into something unreadable.

"My perspective?" She swirled her wine. "I think people may be surprised in time."

"Surprised? How so?"

"The future has a way of defying expectations." She smiled, deliberately mysterious. "But I’m sure House Stone knows what it’s doing."

She excused herself before they could press further.

By evening’s end, Aegis had secured two contracts, three introductions, and planted enough intrigue to keep the gossip mills spinning for days.

Lady Roseheart caught her near the entrance as guests began filtering out.

"A moment, dear?"

They stepped onto a quiet balcony overlooking the gardens. The night air was cool, carrying the scent of roses and distant rain.

"You’ve been busy tonight," Lady Roseheart said. "Lady Harrin was practically glowing when she left. And Lord Pimble actually seemed sober by the end."

"I aim to please."

"You aim to succeed." Lady Roseheart’s tone shifted, warmer but cautious. "You’re making waves, dear. Some find it refreshing. Others... less so. Duke Cindergrave hasn’t forgotten his humiliation at the Summer Auction. And there are those who see a commoner-born noble rising too quickly as a threat to the natural order."

Aegis’s eyes narrowed at nothing in particular.

"Either the natural order will adapt or it’d best get out of my way."

Lady Roseheart studied her for a long moment. Then, Lady Roseheart laughed, loud and genuine.

"I suppose it might." She squeezed Aegis’s hand. "Just... be careful. Politics in Valdria can turn deadly when pushed too far."

"I’m well aware," Aegis squeezed back. "But I didn’t come here to blend in."

---

{Sophie}

Sophie was bored.

Sprawled across one of the manor’s sitting room couches, legs dangling over the armrest, she’d been staring at the ceiling for an eternity. Or about ten minutes. For her, it may as well have been an eternity. Aegis had been gone for hours, off doing whatever networking event fell on her lap today.

Politics. Boring.

Sophie had entertained herself for a while. She’d explored the manor, raided the kitchen, flirted with one of the maids until the poor girl turned bright red and fled. But the evening had dragged on, and now she was stuck here with nothing to do.

Evelyn walked past the doorway, a stack of papers in her arms.

"You’re still here?"

"Where else would I be?" Sophie rolled onto her stomach, pouting. "Aegis took all the fun with her."

"Lady Aegis is conducting important business."

"Boooring."

Evelyn’s eye twitched. Sophie grinned.

It was fun, getting under the steward’s skin. The woman was so composed, so professional. Made her reactions all the more satisfying.

"Don’t you have... hobbies?" Evelyn asked. "Studies? Friends your own age?"

"Vera’s busy. Lune’s painting. And my only hobby is my sister."

"That’s... concerning."

"Is it?" Sophie stretched, arching her back in a way that made her chest press against her blouse. "I think it’s sweet."

Evelyn looked away.

[Too easy.]

Then, suddenly, the front door opened.

Sophie perked up, expecting Aegis. But the footsteps were wrong... lighter, more deliberate. And when the figure appeared in the doorway, it definitely wasn’t her sister.

Pink hair. Blue eyes. The kind of body that had started wars in ages past.

Serilla Frost.

"Well." Serilla scanned the room, and Sophie watched disappointment flicker across her face. "I was hoping to find Aegis."

"She’s out," Evelyn said. "A salon at House Roseheart. They should be finishing up by now. She should return within the hour."

"I see."

Serilla’s shoulders dropped slightly. She looked around the room again, clearly weighing whether to wait or leave.

Sophie sat up.

[Serilla Frost. Aegis’s rival-turned-lover. Big dick energy, literally. And clearly obsessed with my sister even though she pretends not to be.]

This could be interesting.

"You could wait," Sophie offered, patting the couch beside her. "I don’t bite."

Serilla’s eyes found hers.

"You’re Sophie... The sister."

"Guilty."

"Aegis mentioned you."

"All good things, I hope."

Serilla’s smirk returned.

"She said you were... enthusiastic."

"About some things, yeah."

She watched Serilla weigh her options.

Sure, Sophie wasn’t as amazing and... well-endowed as her sibling. But, what she lacked in boob size, she thought she more than made up for in energy.

"Come on." She patted the couch again. "Sit. Tell me about yourself. I want to know everything about the girl who finally made my sister work for it."

Serilla pulled back, head tilted.

[Oh, she liked that.]

Then, slowly, she walked over and sat down.

[Yeah... This’ll do. This will do just fine.]