There was still a lot of time before the ball came, so I thought I would have a lot of free time.
The end of the year was nearing, so, obviously the assignments and homework we had would decrease.
But I had underestimated the teachers; instead, they made us students handle the cleaning up and reorganization of the building.
Due to my high status, I lazily and shamelessly thought to myself that I wouldn't get too much work.
But I was no villainess like the original one, tyrannical and overbearing.
She also enjoyed throwing her status and wealth around to get what she wanted and to avoid the things she disliked.
However, I was different that her, and a role model student within the school.
So, in contrast to my naive thoughts, I had the most work pushed onto me compared to the other students.
I grumbled and got off my chair and slowly started to look over the classroom.
I was to clean up and arrange this place for one of the last times before the ball came, because then everybody would be busy preparing for the ball.
The other students participated in cleaning up their own desk, throwing out things that they might have forgotten about from the beginning of the year, but every man for themselves.
The only except was me, so I threw some of my early year notes in the trash and looked around.
Actually, why don't I use this situation to my advantage as an opportunity?
It's not good to let your suspicions manifester for too long, it's either right or wrong, or in between.
I wasn't a very patient person, so the want to know the truth was scratching me from within.
I set my eyes on the blue-haired figure, and slowly walked up to her.
Adriana was a very polite girl, the very definition of a noble girl.
Normally, she would stick to Ivy's side as Adriana was known the closest friend to our 'heroine'.
But what if Adriana was actually getting closer to her for more shady purposes?
If Adriana was really the true Ivy, and interfered with the plotline, then wouldn't that mean she also has her past memories?
Maybe her soul was bumped out of her body when the new world was created and into a random character that never even appeared?
But Elijah did put a lot of effort into replicating everything from that world, so Adriana actually existed in the otome game world, just never mentioned.
I doubt he had any intentions of interfering with the plot by adding another person, because he wouldn't change things even if everything went exactly the same as the past world which Onii-sama lived through.
Onii-sama only wished to start things over, not anything more or less.
Adriana lifted her head and noticed me, looking at me with a rather unsure expression.
It was common knowledge that me and Ivy were at odds, and also common knowledge that Adriana was Ivy's best friends.
Would anybody expect her to smile genuinely at me and treat me normally after knowing this?
"Lady Adriana, would you help me with cleaning up the classroom afterwards? It would be nice to have some help."
She looked at me awkwardly, and knew that it wouldn't be polite to decline a small request like this, despite our colliding social positions.
"Alright, I'll assist you once everybody leaves and I finish up cleaning my desk too."
I nodded and smiled as a thanks, and then patiently waited for the others to finish up.
***
"I think the best way to clean up the shelf is to bring them all on the floor and slowly organise our way up."
I pointed to the bookshelf that resided in the corner of the classroom, where all the textbooks were.
By this point in the late year, the memory of a organised shelf at the beginning of the year had already disappeared into muddled mixes of books.
Adriana nodded silently and slowly started bringing the books down on the empty floor, which indicated that she was only here to help and not to chat too much.
But if things kept going on like this, then my original objective would not be accomplished.
The question was: Was Adriana the original Ivy?
It's impossible that she appeared out of nowhere as a normal character and immediately became friends with the baron's daughter.
It was really hard to believe that this was all a coincidence, nothing else.
Adriana's hands worked through the books quickly, and soon we had the books arranged in piles where they belonged.
I was too focused on assorting the books and so did not get the chance to talk to her, so I used the opportunity while we propped the piles upright on the shelves.
"How did your school year go?"
Such a basic yet delving question, but should let me get a hang on her way of speech.
Adriana didn't find anything suspicious about this question, and proceeded to answer honestly.
"It went fine. Although there were definitely ups and downs, I don't regret anything."
I took note of how simple her answer was, and compared them with the original heroine's speeches.
They definitely had the similar honesty trait, but the true Ivy would be more smiling and have a glint of nostalgia in her eyes while saying this.
Furthermore, I think she would include a bit more detail and not just tell the overall experience.
It was very attractive, the heroine's blunt honesty and trust (even to strangers), and lured in many people's attention.
At least, that's what the otome game would portrait it and how I would imagine it.
I bit my lip, deciding whether she was Ivy or not, and thinking about whether this small change might be due to memories of the past timeline.
Adriana pushed a pile of books onto the shelf upright and said,"Since I've told my opinion, why don't you tell me yours too?"
Her face was full of curiosity and I saw no ill-intent in her words, so I saw no reason to not.
"My year was pretty good as well. I've certainly learned quite a lot of new things, met new people, and done new things. Even if there were incredibly bad situations, I don't regret them at all and treat them like new experiences and lessons."
This part was definitely true, and when it came to 'bad situations', I could tell she was already silently listing down a few things that might have caused this word.
The poisoning was no secret, after all.
"Ivy....she may seem a bit arrogant on the surface, but truly, she's a good person underneath."
I almost chocked on my own saliva as I heard that, the original villainess, a good person???
But when I noticed Adriana's genuine smiling expression, I swallowed back those thoughts.
Adriana's words for Ivy did not seem fake at all, and she looked as if she truly cherished their relationship.
"So if you can, please overlook her mistakes."
I nodded quietly and we both went back to work.
Adriana did not seem like a fake friend who was sticking to Ivy for her status, and even defended her a bit.
After finishing up with the books, I took on the windows and Adriana tidied the floor with a broom.
When we finally concluded cleaning and organising, the sun was already beginning to set.
We gave our goodbyes and parted ways, and I decided to head back to my dorm.
Adriana gave the air of a extremely well-taught lady, and even her movements were very graceful.
The original Ivy was known to be more free-spirited as she grew up in the countryside despite being a noble.
Perhaps, did she finally learn some etiquette and elegance when she became Queen?
No, I was already on the idea that Adriana was the real Ivy.
To suspect and then reach your own conclusions wasn't good at all.
I raised my eyebrows at a small detail I had never bothered to think more about, which was her last name.
Adriana Galyean Royal.
'Royal' was an obvious last name reserved for the royal bloodline of this country.
But the Royal Family did not have a daughter, nor a nephew at all.
If there truly was a princess or relative to the Royal Family, I would know.
But my mind flashed back to the time I had noticed Adriana talking to Albert in the library, and they seemed quite familiar.
I narrowed my eyes at the memory of that time, because I was truly childish and felt a bit unhappy at that sight.
I'll have to ask Albert sometime, maybe later at the ball.
And speaking of the ball, didn't I have to start preparing for it?