"𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝔂𝓸𝓾"

Chapter 4

It has been half a year since you became a student here at Luna Nova. And quite a bit has happened. Your magic and your knowledge as a witch have improved greatly. So much so that you are ranked #2 in your year, right after Diana Cavendish herself.

But the whole thing is kind of tiring. Anything you or Diana do, no matter how small and meaningless it may be, none of the staff fail to say "I've expected nothing less from the descendants of the great Nines." or "As expected from the future heads of such esteemed households."

No wonder Diana was so quick to befriend you. You actually treated her like a person and talked to her like one. And you didn't try to smother her with compliments and other random expectations.

You let out a sigh as you look up at the night's sky.

All things considered, you did manage to get some genuinely good friends.

There's Amanda O'Neill, the self-proclaimed American bad girl of the school. She was the flirtatious type that short circuits when someone does it back to her. You figured this out when she was trying to ask you out on a date that involves the two of you sneaking out past curfew. That day you just smiled at her before asking what you'll be having for breakfast the next morning. She furiously blushed before stuttering out a "never mind."

Then there's Lotte Yansson. A passionate Finnish sweetheart that has a strong love for books, to the series called "Night Fall" to be exact. She would gush none stop on the plot and theories to you whenever you accidentally say the triggered word —which was "Night Fall" or the names of any character in the book— or anything that reminded her of the series.

You were seated on the edge of the New Moon tower. Lost in thought while stargazing. For the past few months, you never had the opportunity or chance to just sit down alone and think. There was always something going on, there was always a distraction.

As you sit there and think, you ask yourself. Are you happy? Can you go on like this?

Those questions plagued your mind the entire day. All because at the end of 1st period, Mrs. Finnelan asked you guys the question of what you wanted to do with your life in the future. And your mind has been in and out all day today, not fully there and not fully out.

Letting out yet another sigh, you let your legs dangle over the edge and flop down on your back on the stone floor. Shutting your eyes, you enjoyed the breeze.

"The moon looks beautiful tonight, isn't it?"

"Yeah." You open your eyes and look at Diana.

She was floating before you on her broom. The moon's gentle glow highlighted her hair and face. Her eyes seems to shine as she looked at you.

"Would you like to join?" You smile and patted the space next to you. Waiting for her to take a seat.

The two of you enjoyed each other's company in silence.

"You were acting rather off today after first." Diana held your hand, "Are you alright?"

"... I don't know." You squeeze her hand a bit, "Just... from the moment I was born, my life was already planned. There were things I could do and the things I needed to do. And my family, my grandparents, reminded me every time they could. Because I was the first child, there was so much expected of me... so much pressure." you look down, "I grew up following their orders, their words but now that they're gone. I don't know what to do. I'm not sad or mad for what they did to me or for the fact that they died. I just don't know what to do with myself."

"Well, maybe try living your life." She gave you a smile, "You're already doing such a good job at it. You followed your childhood dreams and came here to study and become a witch. You wanted to restore your family name and honor."

You chuckle, "No, I'm not. I'm here because I have nothing else to do. The letter my mother left me before she died begged me to come here and do the things she wanted to do. I'm honoring my mother's last pitiful wish."

"Apologies but she sounds pretty selfish to me." She frowned.

"What?"

"She's selfish." She sternly held your gaze, "Not only did she follow after a man and left her family, but she also wants you to fulfill her wishes despite doing nothing for you. She left you behind for her parents to raise yet still has the audacity to ask you to do her bidding, and actually expects it to be done."

"Careful, that's my mother you're talking about." You gave her a warning.

"If she wanted to be treated like a mother then she should have acted like one." Her gaze softened a bit before she held onto your arms, "Y/n, you were just a child. And a child needs love and care from their parents, yet she chose to chase after a vacant man. Please see that you have been used and you still are, even if it's from the grave. Please open your eyes!"

You pulled your arm out of her grasp, "You don't know what you're talking about! You have no right to talk about my mother like that!" She tried to reach for you once more but you stepped away from her, "No! I know I was used, I know I was mistreated by them. But the truth is, I don't care. I don't care if she loved me. I don't care if she even tolerated me. My life is dedicated to her and the family. She may not have loved me but I did. This is what I wanted. I wanted to fulfill her dreams and bring her family name back to light! But now that she isn't here..."

"I could roll over and die now for all I care. But she deserved recognition! But now that she's gone... I have no more reason to go on."