The Alpha's Revenge

Chapter 26: The Result

It’s finally the end of the first round for the scholarly arts. The examiners were up on the stage, discussing the results, while below, the participants were also voicing their opinions about what happened.

Because Kira didn’t make a fool out of herself, a lot of people are now closely paying attention to her. It’s how humans usually are... If someone who is always at the bottom suddenly performs well, a lot of curious eyes are expected to be staring at her.

“Don’t you think it’s quite intense this time, Lady Kira?” Katelyn laughed, “Just look at those silly people, they can’t keep their thoughts to themselves.”

“Isn’t it quite the same every year? No matter what, it’s still the examination… It’s the venue where they can show off their ability to be noticed by the higher-ups”, Kira replied nonchalantly.

“Not in my case though… I don’t have a slight interest in joining that lousy government. It’s too wasteful for my talent.” Katelyn picked up the tea on the table for a sip before continuing, “Is Lady Kira planning to take part in politics?” It was just a curious and harmless question from her.

Although it sounded like instigating someone, Kira didn’t mind it because she knew that Katelyn had pure intentions.

“Let’s see what happens in the future...”

“However, if Lady Kira has a change of mind, I’m more than willing to change course as well. Wouldn’t it be nice to be friends with someone who was keen and smart?” Katelyn’s words had an additional meaning. Kira understood it very well.

Having the Medical Pavilion to be at her side is something very advantageous for her. They are the only power in the castle that can’t be controlled by the royal family. If one would say, the royal family is quite afraid of offending the people in the Medical Pavilion.

That’s why Katelyn had the guts to decline those positions offered to her and could say what was on her mind whenever and wherever she was. Even if she was talking to a member of the royal family, she can be impolite to them. So, Valerie couldn’t scold her earlier, even if she was constantly being provoked by Katelyn. Because Katelyn had the Medical pavilion on her back. She knew that very well in her heart.

However, she won’t want to ally with them. Knowing that there was a mysterious power behind the Medical pavilion, she couldn’t put her trust that easily. No matter how glorious and powerful they are, it’s no use to her if she can’t know their weakness yet.

For her, knowing the other person’s weakness is an added protection for herself. She can use that to threaten someone, especially an ally of hers, if they betray her. She won’t allow herself to be betrayed the second time around.

Until she had a clear understanding of the Medical Pavilion, that’s the time she would reconsider the offer.

Their conversation was put to a stop when the examiners announced the results. In the dance category, as everybody had expected, Katelyn was on the top. But as always, Katelyn didn’t show any excitement on her face. Not a hint of surprise was even there. It’s like she had been expecting it already.

In the music category, there’s no doubt that Valerie won the top spot. She gently stood up on the stage and she didn’t forget her humble smile. Sounds of applause were heard echoing throughout the whole venue. And also, their father, Alpha Javier, had this proud look on his face.

Nothing interesting about the result in the poem category as it had already been very clear which three earned the top spot. Those three young ladies were descendants of the family of scholars, so it’s no question how well-written their poems were.

And finally, it’s Kira’s group on painting. On the stage, the person in charge was having a troubled expression. Earlier, there had been disputes when it came to the result in the painting category.

The people were already starting to speculate whether it was Celina or Cinder who would have won the top spot in the painting category. It was not a secret to everyone how well talented those two were at painting. In their minds, the dispute was all about the two paintings of the two young ladies.

Cinder sat on her seat elegantly while waiting for the result to come out. Although there was a calmness and serenity on her face, it didn’t show any arrogance. Unlike Celina, who seemed too arrogant. She looked so conceited and there was a proud look on her face saying that she would win this group.

The person who was responsible for reading the result finally said in a loud voice, “For the painting category, the person who earned the first rank is— Lady Kira Xanthe Kholins!”

Kira?!… First rank?!… That’s impossible!

This created a ruckus among everyone present! Sounds of complaints and opinions erupted that the person on the stage had a hard time pacifying the loud crowd.

Celina’s smile stiffened on her face. She looked at Leslie, who had an indescribable look, and spoke with a trembling voice, “Leslie…. I heard it wrong, right?… Just now, who was it again that won?”

Valerie secretly pinched Celina’s arms. She was shocked and angry as well, because how come her sister won that painting category? There was a wave of bursting anger growing in her heart right now, but she knew better than anyone how to react.

If she showed a bit of reluctance in her expression, it might have a bad connotation to her reputation. As well as with Celina… Everyone would watch her reaction knowing that she was beaten by someone who was deemed to be useless.

Cinder also has a troubled expression on her face. Although she was quite happy that Celina didn’t win, she also couldn’t help but be shocked that Lady Kira won it. No one expected the result to be like that.

There was continuous discussion among the people and, naturally, it would also cause an uproar among the people on the platform.

“What’s going on?… Why didn't they call my daughter’s name? I heard it wrong, right?” It was Allen Roswell who spoke, “Someone must have tampered with the result!”

Clovis was watching this whole fiasco with delight. He is not stupid not to have the gist of what’s happening. Everyone loved the eldest princess while abhorring the youngest one. That’s not a rare case since it happens most of the time, especially in noble and royal families.

“Why?… I think the youngest princess had a talent for it. Don’t you agree, Alpha Javier?” he asked sarcastically the person sitting beside him. Earlier, when Valerie was announced as the winner in the music category, he had this proud smile. However, that changed when Kira was announced as the winner…

He can’t help but be amused. It was indeed the right decision for him to attend this examination. He was reluctant at first, but after seeing the show, his interest grew more. Especially to that woman in a red dress.

Alpha Javier faked a smile and said, “Of course, of course…. She’s my daughter after all.” But deep inside him, he felt extremely uncomfortable. As he looked at the young lady in red dress on one of the tables below, his frown deepened instantly.

She was extremely calm and there was indifference in her aura. There’s not an expression of surprise or excitement at all. It’s like she had long known that she would win this category!

Since it was hard to stop the chaos in the crowd, the people in charge decided to put the paintings on display for everyone to see. This will make their decision valid and that they were playing fair in deciding who the winner is.

As soon as the paintings were displayed on the stage, the crowd quietened down as they observed each painting. With the theme given to them, every participant had different interpretations of it. It was clearly displayed in their respective paintings.

Celina painted the figure of the Alpha of Rouguemont Castle, Alpha Javier. She painted it so well that one can easily say that it was Alpha Javier on the painting. However, no matter how it resembled the Alpha, it was too simple. On the other hand, Cinder’s painting was about the guards helping the common people in fighting for justice.

It is seen in the painting that there are people dressed in guard uniforms while some are dressed in commoners’ clothes. It was beautiful and lifelike. Each character in the painting was found to complement the other.

But the examination is not all about painting techniques, but the relatedness and intention of the painting. They were looking for a painting that could rouse someone’s emotion and Cinder’s painting didn’t have that ability…