The Aconitum Flower

30

ALORA EMBRY

It was again raining snow outside so I can't go to the training ground, this year was so cold than last year. We spent our Christmas and new year without our parents and my brothers. They sent a letter greeting us that was the last letter they send until I get back to the university.

I also just receive one letter from Damien asking me how I am. I'm a bit disappointed about it and just send a short reply. The class also started so I focus on that first, and everything is surprisingly quiet.

"I greet Lady Alora, how are you, My Lady?" I stared at Leticia and nodded.

"I'm good, I see that you're doing well here."

"Thank you, My Lady. And I would like to ask you to join me to drink some tea if you are free."

"Sure."

"Thank you." She followed me and she was walking behind me. When we ordered tea and sweets and after that, I look at her.

"What is it, you won't ask for a tea if you don't have anything to say to me?"

"Ah, yes."

"I was wondering If the lady is willing to help the church. The task that was given to me is to recruit some students."

"I don't see anything bad about that, so I'm in."

"Then I will see you in the church in a week." I nod and they serve the tea, I was staring at the palace as I drink my tea.

"What do you think of the Crown Prince?" she asked out of the blue, did they fight?

"What's with the Crown Prince?" she slightly laughs and shakes her head.

"Is there a chance for you to love him?" why is she asking me such questions like this?

"Why are you asking me that? Just to remind you I am bound to marry someone and I do admit that I loved him. So, no."

"Haa." She put down her teacup and smiled at me. But why it didn't reach her eyes? "I wish, I were you." She laughed and sighed.

"Did you and the Crown Prince fight?" she shook her head.

"It's just everything was on you; I can't believe I was saying this. Forgive me, I would be glad if you could forget such silly things that I said. Then I will go now, thank you for your time, My Lady."

"Yeah." I watch her back and sighed when she's finally gone. I stayed there until dinner and the next morning I watch how the academy panicked. It was said that the students from Wren Academy will visit, it was an all-boys academy for they are looking down on ladies.

In the Wren Kingdom where women have no right to learn in the academy, beautiful ladies were sent-- no sold off to marry someone, and if she were not useful anymore they can just throw them away, they must serve men, and they have no voice. And if you were unlucky, you can say that you didn't pass their standards, they will serve their family for the rest of their life. It was such an unfortunate thing.

So, it was surprising that they will visit here. I can now predict that they will look down on us.

"Good Morning, My Lady."

"I greet Sir Frederick." Then I look at his clothes, he was wearing their training uniform. "I see, so you're going to the training grounds?"

"Yes, it's been a while since I train. I'm scared that I have already forgotten everything."

"Would you like to have some sparring?" he looked at me with a shocked face and he immediately shook his head.

"No! I mean I'm scared that I will hurt you." I laugh and pulled his clothes.