Twisted [Lady Lesso x OC] {S L O W B U R N}

Chapter 14

A few weeks passed, the leaves changed colors and then eventually all fell to the ground leaving the branches bare. There was frost on the ground every morning but at least the castle apparently had some sort of heating system. So nice of them to prevent their students from freezing to death.

The entire forest next to the school grounds was no longer as welcoming as it used to be during the early autumn days. I found a way to sneak out of the castle and wandered through the lands around it freely whenever I had a chance to do so. I drew a map on a piece of paper and always carried it in my pocket until I memorized every path and every creek. The forest never failed to amaze me and I had a few hiding spots where I could sit in silence and admire nature. I was shocked to realize it felt a lot safer than back in Gavaldon - probably because I've mastered the art of sneaking in and out completely unnoticed. Well, at least almost unnoticed. Both Renn and Celia asked me why I kept disappearing every once in a while and when I finally revealed my little secret, they offered to join me in case something dangerous was to happen but I politely refused and explained that I sometimes needed to be alone and that Fenrir was with me at all times. He wouldn't let me get hurt.

The schedule changed a bit as well but at some point, it all settled down and I never complained. I still had plenty of time for myself and I managed to catch up on all the material and have already passed most of my History of Fairytales tests. I excelled in Animal Communication as well, though I didn't even have to try that much.

I signed up for a bunch of extra classes. It was hard to pick just a few and I struggled for at least three weeks to pick those that would be most useful in the future. Once the decision has been made, I'd be stuck in them for an entire year because you couldn't switch classes once you signed up. I ended up choosing swordsmanship and horse riding. Needless to say, I was the only girl in both of them but I think I handled it pretty well - at least for a girl. Running around with a sword did make me gain more cuts and bruises but it also tremendously improved my strength. Suddenly, I didn't mind going up the stairs or jogging through the school grounds to get from one school to the other without being late. As for horse riding, I used to ride a lot as a kid and it turned out it's pretty much just like riding a bike. After a week or so I had no trouble keeping my balance.

As for my ribs - an injury caused by my father back in Gavaldon - I taught myself to be careful. The pain wouldn't go away, no matter what potions I drank, so I spent a few weeks trying to figure out what exactly was triggering it. I'd be fine and then the pain would appear out of the blue and almost knock me to the ground.
On the other hand, all damage caused by Sasha healed well and quite quickly.

The nurse, who I've grown to like very much, often suggested informing the Dean about my condition but I always refused. It wouldn't change anything and even if it did, it would only be for worse. It would prove how weak I was. Lady Lesso has certainly never been fond of me and I must admit, the feeling became mutual even though she wasn't exactly humiliating me. Still, her remarks about my lack of knowledge did the trick, and Curses and Death Traps had become that one class I dreaded the most and I often considered skipping it but never could bring myself to do it in fear of being sent to the doom room as a form of punishment. At least one person per day ended up in there and when they finally made it back to the dorm, you could clearly tell they weren't the same. Almost as if something had died inside them. I had no doubt I'd be able to handle being hurt physically but apparently, this year it wasn't about physical damage. More like torturing one's mind which I could never survive.

I wasn't sure what it was but at first, I had a strange urge to prove myself to the redheaded woman. She viewed me only as a stupid Reader and no matter how hard I tried, I never really lived up to her expectations. I wanted - no, I needed - I needed her to understand I was so much more than just that.