[Vanessa's POV]
Back to a few minutes ago.
There were several reasons Vanessa had chosen the Noble Etiquette elective — some were rational, and some perhaps bordering on obsession.
But mainly, it was personal.
Though the world had long stripped her of noble standing, noble blood still coursed through her veins.
She was still an Eldrienne.
That truth had not vanished simply because society decreed otherwise. And so, despite knowing how foolish it was — despite knowing this path could only invite ridicule and old wounds — some stubborn, prideful part of her refused to relinquish what she believed was still hers by birthright.
Then, secondly… there was Julian Rozenberg.
Ever since the joint training session between Class A and Class E, she had been unable to forget him. Their first encounter had awakened something deep within her sharpened senses.
