Title: An Accurate Appraisal

Summary: In a school comprised of nobles, you'd think someone would have a discerning eye.

I bid my group farewell as they left the tea room to o head towards the Field's heir's tea party. Silly girls flocked towards the boy's to gape at one of the founding heirs. They no doubt held fanciful notions about being swept up in the Casanova's honeyed words.

"You're not going as well?"

Looking back at my host, I saw Sir Bartfort eyeing me warily.

"Careful, Sir Bartfort. Your manners are slipping," I chided.

"It wasn't a commentary against your character. I'm just curious since all of your friends and the rest of the girls our year seemed enamored with Brad and his friends."

My eye raised over the multiple faux pas in his statement. This was rather different. Was this how new bloods were generally? More direct?

Deciding not to alienate my host, I decided not to reel his behavior and chose to speak frankly.

"They are hardly my friends, Sir Bartfort. Those girls are merely the easiest (most simpleminded) girls to influence. While they may be content to ogle unattainable men and ignore the vicious, foaming bitch who owns him, I'm more concerned in securing my future."

"Oh, and you don't think rubbing elbows with one of the heirs of the founding families to be a viable method?"

I rolled my eyes. It was unprofessional and went against all of my etiquette lessons, but I felt such exaggerated exasperation would earn my favor.

"I'm not some bitch in heat fawning over any of the royal entourage."

Rather than savoring my words, he developed a look of disbelief. That was odd. I would have thought he would have looked upon my words of criticism with favor. Had I read him wrong?

"Is something the matter, Sir Bartfort?"

"Just wondering why you would attend my tea party if your goal is to secure your future," he responded as he fell into a contemplative mood.

It was a stark difference to the multiple personas he had worn up til now. It was also the one that seemed more capable compared to before. Perhaps it was the basis for what allowed him to find success as an adventurer prior to the Academy.

Probing for more information, I coyly asked, "And why would you not believe getting to know you would serve such a purpose?"

"I'm just a newly instated baron whose holdings are undeveloped and valued as only equivalent to a baronetcy."

He wasn't wrong. My research into him concluded much the same regarding his financial situation. Most nobles would even come to the same conclusion from such shallow observations.

It was not the complete picture however. Such assessments blatantly ignored the fact that he went from not having a Dia to his name to a wealth comparable to a baronetcy within the span of three months before coming here, where most nobles started to gain practical dungeon experience. Such innate skill guaranteed his assets to grow significantly in the future. His rank of baron was even indication that the royal family predicts such an outcome, and if rumors were to be believed, Sir Bartfort's line would ascend to a viscounty within his lifetime.

That was not even taking into consideration the potential growth should his lands be properly developed. While adventuring may not necessarily translate to land development and politicking, he was here to learn those skills now. Even if he showed zero skill in the matter (which I firmly disbelieved since much of his wealth went to absolving his family of debt and improving the infrastructure of his father's barony), such duties were commonly relegated to the wife. In the hands of someone with any modicum of skill, the wife would live quite well doing the bare minimum. In the hands of someone capable and willing to work for it, a county was within reach.

"Ms.?" Sir Bartfort queried as my thoughts had gone on too long.

He had a look of worry on his face. Perhaps he thought I was reconsidering my outlook on him. To be fair, it was a legitimate concern since he had just outlined how lackluster he was without highlighting any positives. In addition to the negatives he presented, it was a sign of... stupidity... or lack of self esteem. Which gave me an in. I was familiar with those with low views of themselves.

"Just pondering how someone so capable has so little confidence," I said in a tone just short of simpering.

"Eh?"

"Besides the Seberg heir, you are the only first year with any real achievement, and even then, your accomplishment far outstrips his. If anything, you far outshine the founding families' heirs."

"What's your game?" Sir Bartfort said with a look of suspicion.

... So he wasn't totally inept in politicking, or perhaps he had a good sense of when someone was trying to con him.

Continuing on with my praise, but with a more tempered delivery, I said, "There is no game. I merely speak the truth. While their bloodline is certainly impressive, their list of accomplishments, most of which were set up for them, is mundane when looked upon while considering our kingdom's ideals. You, on the other hand, earned your ascension with your own hands through adventuring like the founders of this kingdom."

"Now comparing me to the founders is too much praise," he said dismissively.

"It was not meant as praise, Sir Bartfort. It was a statement of fact. You embody the very spirit of what a noble of Holfort should be. It is your willingness to claw your way upward that is valuable."

"Wouldn't say my intentions were to claw upward," he grumbled.

"Then what were your intentions?"

"... Too payoff my matriarch so I wouldn't be married to some old crown and sent to die to Raschel for my pension," he scoffed. So he had run afoul with the Forest of Ladies. That was something to keep in mind and address later.

"Is that not still fighting your way to the top? A tyrannical identity decided to toss you to your death for a quick Dia, but then you decided to take action to improve your situation. You've only convinced me the true nobility of your spirit."

To this he blushed. He was unused to flattery. He would be easy to manipulate with a few honeyed words.

Looking out the window, I noticed how dark it was. I would need to leave so that he may cleanup and make it back to the dorms for curfew. There was no need to sour my introduction by getting him in trouble.

"It's been pleasant, Sir Bartfort, but I believe I must get going so you may clean up. I do hope you'll invite me again. I do apologize for the rudeness of the girls for inserting themselves earlier today," I said as I rose from my seat to curtsy.

"Ah... Of course," he said with an odd expression. He looked... not enamored but wanting more. Given his attitude, it would not take much effort in the future to bind him to me. The question was if I could find a better catch.

My mind instantly rejected courting another boy seriously. Ignoring my spiel of his positive points, no boy above viscount were available due to already being engaged. Those of baron and viscount rank, according to my friends, followed the trend of subservience. While subservient men were easier marks, they held no true prospects.

Sir Bartfort was the most valuable of the available when only looking at the most shallow details. When looking at his potential, he was a fine catch.

It also didn't hurt that he was above average in looks. He wasn't particularly handsome, but he was enough such that most wouldn't mind gazing at him should he cleanup.

With that in mind, I decided to push his interest further.

"If you don't mind, Sir Bartfort, would you call me Iris?"

"I still don't see why you are putting so much effort into the baron," Karen said snootily as I looked for Leon amongst the crowd in the banquet hall instead of futilely sniffing around 'better' catches.

Rather than explain myself again, I surreptitiously looked at Karen's elf servant. I discarded any thought of paying heed to her concerns. Karen's beliefs were founded without consideration beyond hedonism. It may be time to cut her off soon since her inability to think besides her decadence ensured she would become a liability.

Note to self, fill my social circle with capable people rather than how easily I could manipulate them. As it was, the two girls I had reached out to proved to have been a waste of time. They didn't even have fiancé's of value since their lack of elegance had warded off all potential boys with the exception of the pathetically desperate.

"Iris," a male voice sounded to my side.

Looking over, I saw Leon dressed up in a matching suit to my dress. He looked fine enough aside from his embarrassment. He must have felt overdressed. He technically was since men weren't expected to dress up, but it wasn't taboo to do so.

"Leon, I was wondering where my date was," I said with a coy smile as I looped my arm in his and slowly walked with him to a different part of the room.

"Putting on the suit took a bit longer than expected," he mumbled in embarrassment.

"Feeling overdressed," I said impishly as I knew the true reason for his embarrassment.

"Yeah. Daniel and Raymond certainly made remarks."

"And you would take the word of two boys who are currently prostrating themselves for even a glance?" I said while pointing to two boys prostrating before a group across the room.

"Well the five haven't dressed up either," he rebutted while gesturing his head in the direction of the heirs.

"And now you shine more than them," I said cheekily.

"Hey now."

"I jest... to a degree. You have to realize something, Leon. Your friends are fools for not taking the opportunity to present their best selves. They content themselves to following the mold, doing the bare minimum, and degrading themselves for scraps. Had they put in the effort to earn accolades, dress to impress, or not beg for just scraps, they would significantly improve their prospects."

"It's not so simple when women here only value your assets... you excluded of course."

"Leon, good women don't only look at financials. In fact, truly worthwhile women here don't bother unless debt is involved. Every boy here is an heir or a son entitled to a significant sum of money. Truly desirable women here appraise effort, something that is highlighted by how you present yourself. Look at your friends. How do they look like to you now?"

"... Desperate."

"Exactly. That sends a multitude of messages to the girls here. None of which are good."

"It still doesn't change the fact that the five are dressed normally. Dressing up makes me foolish since others may think I'm trying too hard."

I could see the thought process, but I disagreed with the notion. Dressing up to garner interest at an event designed for the boys to attract the girls could only be perceived badly if one wasn't doing it to present his best self or did not believe in the image he was trying to create, the second of which was currently the issue for Leon. He lacked confidence. He was trying to minimize his presence as much as possible. While I didn't want any other girl trying to poach him, I wanted him to standout in order to expand his, and consequently my, network.

At least I knew how to bring out his good side.

"And they are taken. They can be as slovenly as their fiancées allow them to be. I don't want my man to be looked down upon for such a trite thing."

"Your man?" he said cutely.

Feigning embarrassment, I paused for a moment and pretended as though I had said something a little too much than what I had intended.

"... Truthfully, I had another reason for having you dress up today."

"You did?"

"I wanted to stake my claim on you, and I thought having our outfits pair would be a clear enough sign."

"You want to marry me, Iris?"

"I had thought I had made my intentions obvious."

"... Are you sure?"

"Are you rejecting me," I said with a hurt expression.

"It's not that, but I know I'm not the type of man you are interested in. Our conversations are enough to clue me in to the fact that you have a specific type... which I'm not."

"But you are my type. You just don't know it yet. I'm sure you'll grow into the man you are destined to be."

"... I..."

His acceptance of my marriage proposal was interrupted by the Redgrave girl's confrontation with her fiancé.

"Are you interested in, Ms. Redgrave?"

"What? No."

"I see... so can I hear your answer from earlier then?"

"You are still willing to marry me despite me throwing my future away?"

"Throwing your future away? Yes, I suppose that is a potential and likely outcome."

"Then why?"

I resisted the urge to say he already forced my hand since we went to the banquet in matching formal wear.

"Because I won't let you ruin your future. It's my duty to ensure that doesn't happen."

"Too late now. I doubt my future is secure now that I've made myself the enemy of the five heirs."

"And as I said before, it's my job as your wife to make sure you come out smelling like irises."

"... It's roses... more importantly you are assuming I'll marry you?"

"I know what I said, and it's no assumption. We will be married."

"... Why? Why are you so insistent on me?" he asked almost weakly. It was desperately hopeful. What had his family done to him for him to be unable to comprehend the idea that he could be wanted? It made seducing him easy, but I definitely wanted to make sure not to fall in the same pitfalls as his family had.

"Iris?"

Rather than respond, I decided to silence his resistance by aggressively kissing him. Let him convince himself rather than blather on about how I shouldn't tie myself to him.

Sitting by Ms. Redgrave, I watched with bated breath as Leon carefully modulated his lecture against his defeated opponent. He highlighted every negative point Brad had, noted how unacceptable and thoughtless his actions were, and stated how the issue could have been addressed appropriately. There were minimal insults, and Leon talked in a tone that conveyed his information as statements.

The comments were undeniable statements of facts. No sense of superiority or derision. Just blind deliverance of truth.

Listening in on the surrounding conversation, I noticed the blind hatred for Leon lessened as the unflattering facts about Brad were aired out professionally. There were even mutterings about Leon being a chivalrous knight every now and then.

It was a start. Fortunately, he had four more heirs to defeat and verbally shutdown. As long as he followed my advice, he come out with an even better reputation than what he had before accepting the duel.

AN:

1) Based on a premise where one of the mob girls was actually raised to play politics. It's weird how shortsighted everyone is to the point that the story goes.

2) Chapter was inspired with discussion from reviews with LuxEterna1. While not necessarily formulated on all the details we discussed, a few points were brought up and recontextualized to fit the behavior of the side characters.

3) I focused a lot on the idea that a lot of the unattractiveness associated with the lower nobles is partly a result of how they present themselves. Sure the girls at the school are generally foul natured, but the boys being spineless worms or doing the bare minimum probably just confirms the girl's thinking that the boys aren't worthy. Sure sympathy for the boys, but they made their beds by choosing to prove the girls right by groveling instead of bettering themselves.

4) Iris is not currently in love with Leon but could develop real feelings later on when Leon becomes her ideal man.

5) Olivia's role is not mentioned since that's not the focus of the story. If this gets another chapter, it will likely address her fate

6) Angelica will likely develop a one-sided attraction for Leon, which Iris will use as emotional manipulation to gain some influence on the ducal family.

7) Iris is not intended to be a good person or a villain. She simply a noblewoman who knows how to achieve her goals.

Review Response

lupus23: Adoption is not an eligible way to get around the marrying noblewoman clause for the majority of people. It comes with a lot of caveats that probably make it undesirable. It puts the groom in a position of debt to the other family. It is an inherent risk to have commoner as a representative of the adoptive family. The kingdom viciously tries to stamp out perceived so why would they allow such a subversion of the rules to exist among those displeased with the crown. It likely limits political power since many families would look down on people who do such a thing unless it was endorsed by someone as high up as Redgrave. There are likely many more reasons why such an agreement would be unfeasible.

jameskizer11: So my Predicted Havoc chapter seems to fall in line with what you were saying as long as you tweak the nightmare bits as Leon experiencing the new simulated ending depending on on how events unfold. If you are talking legitimate simulation, there are bits of that in other fics but more as a story element to train pilots. I don't remember which fic specifically, but it's in one of the ones with a high favorite/follow.

cj442: For Was My Fiancée Always This Cute, the plot twist was basically supposed to have reborn Angelica thinking Leon was her husband from her previous timeline due to Leon finding success as an adventurer. She already disliked her husband since he represents the outcome of her suffering, and her distaste for him further grows when she sees he was capable of success. Leon is not her previous husband and is absolutely terrified of Angelica's hatred for him, which convinces Angelica or her misconceptions.

Question: I'm not making more chapters for Infinite Stratos as I stated in the updated summary.