Another Chance To Bloom

Chapter 24

The wind blew across my face as I sat in the carriage on my way back home.

My maids looked at me worriedly. I don't blame them. I look and feel very tired. Mentally and physically. I rubbed the glossy black ring encased in the palm of my hand. It was like I could feel the heat of it's owner. The ring looked insignificant but my intuition told me that it's value might be too much for me to bear. I didn't know why that person would entrust me with such a thing all for a flower that only bloomed once and had no known use. Well, thinking about it now, I'm pretty sure it does have some use considering the fact that he was willing to go to such lengths to obtain it. I wondered why but I didn't want to spend too much energy pondering that question.

I reached what has become my home in this world. It had started pouring by the time I reached home. The sky had shown no signs of it previously. Much like my emotions it had gone through a whiplash.

Oswald and Odelia had been concerned about my well being but they refrained from asking too much. I just told them that those people had wanted the yueliang and it had nothing to do with me. They comforted me the best they could and it made me feel a little warmth.

When I walked in, I saw my mother reading on the couch. Feeling slightly aggrieved I went lay on her lap. She seemed surprised at my sudden gesture of affection.

She stroked my head gently, "What's wrong Ciel? I thought you went to see the flower show with your friends?"

I did not miss the joy in her tone at the mention of friends. It must have made her happy to know that I had people who cared for me outside of my family.

Recently I had been feeling like my previous life had been a mere dream. It feels so surreal that I had been transported to this other world. Ciel's memories churned with my own and sometimes I couldn't distinguish whether some memories were my own or Ciel's. Or if there was no other person named Ciel and all of this was a figment of my imagination. I had hit my head after all.

With all these questions brought to the forefront of my mind from a trip to the flower show and meeting a certain annoying bastard, I buried my face in her lap as if to hide myself from my mind.

"Hmm, I did..."

"Then...?"

"Then nothing. I'm just tired from walking around the flower show, mother"

My mom seemed to be going over my answer.

"Really? Did you, by any chance, meet anyone unpleasant?"

I raised my head.

"How did you know?"

Her chuckle rang in my ears.

"A mother's intuition. So who did you meet? Do you want to speak to your father about it? Is it your cousins or uncles?"

"No no. It wasn't anyone from the extended family. It was just an annoying person, mom." At my mother's questioning gaze, "Really. It wasn't anyone important. There's no need to tell dad and let him worry." I quickly added.

I really just wanted to rest and forget about it... and hopefully never meet that person again.

******

On Sunday I went back to the Academy, while unpacking I saw the ring again. I swiftly found a box and kept it inside, and buried the box deep inside my cupboard. Never to see the light of day again.

On Monday, we had an assembly. After the programs were over, I was waiting for the signal for everyone to go back to their classes. But a teacher heading the assembly signed for someone to come to the stage.

I wondered who was coming up and then I saw a familiar head of black and ruby eyes. Odelia climbed up the stairs to the stage. Her stance and posture already starting to a regal bearing. Of all the times I had interacted with her it was at this moment that I realized her position in the world I was in. Till now I had seen her as a child, my student, one that needed guidance and would make questionable decisions from time to time.

But the young lady in front of me was a true nobility. She was raised to help her fathers and brothers and perhaps her future in managing and ruling their fief. Her every movement and action bore the elegance engrave in her bones from the moment she was born.

Of course between all of that was an immaturity true to her age but you could see the future lady she would become.

She stood tall and proud in the center of the stage. I couldn't help but feel a little proud. She was my student after all, albeit only of two week. Perhaps this is what teachers feel upon witnessing the rise of a prodigal student.

"Ehem, good morning to all present here. Today I stand before you not as a noble. Not as the daughter of the Prime minister, as you may know me. But as a fellow student. A fellow student who has committed a wrong doing against one of my peers. I have no excuse for my behavior. However, the me of today is different from the me of that day, in that I have understood what I had done was not right in the slightest. Here in this academy, we all stand on common ground and we are all pursuing our dreams as proud citizens of the Kingdom of Helios. As such we are all equal and I hold no right to refer to any of us with anything other than respect. And so, I apologize to everyone present here. I understand that forgiving does not mean forgetting, and I don't expect that from any of you but I hope that you all will witness my actions in the future and understand that I have truly repented. I would also like to emphasize that my actions are accountable me alone. I pledge that such an incident will never happen again. That is all. Thank you for your time."

After that she bowed towards the audience and left the stage. There was pin drop silence in the hall. This was the first time that a person of noble birth has apologized to the common people. I was sure this was going to cause a small sensation in those of the higher ranks, but considering that she had already taken advice from Julian, I assumed that the Prime Minister was aware and had approved of her intentions.

Well that was well and good.

As the teacher gave the signal to disperse, it was as if a massive silencing spell had been broken as hushed murmurs spread through the hall. I turned and looked for the prominent ginger among the masses and saw Alastair with a contemplative expression. A small smile graced his face as he looked towards where Odelia had disappeared after her speech. Perhaps feeling my gaze he turned towards me. He didn't seem surprised to see me and nodded. I gave a slight nod in response and then headed towards my own batch of rowdy students while they made their way to the classrooms.

The murmurs were not dying down and were in fact showing tendencies of increasing in volume. I deduced that the chatter was not going to die down by itself any time soon. And I would expect nothing less for how shocking today's assembly had been. But rules are rules and these students were not allowed to make ruckus during and right after the assembly.

"Alright everyone, shut your gobblers now, unless any of you wants an impromptu quiz on the precautions to take before a spell and the consequences of not doing them."

"Aw come on Mr Heroux! That's not fair!"

"Everything is fair in love and war. And studying is war. If you don't agree then we might as well just have the test anyway. Prof Green won't mind I'm sure."

******

A/N: 23/06/23, Fri

Hello everyone!

I know it's been a long time.

I dare not make any promises this time. I'll try my best to complete the story. My life itself is in a very unpredictable and hectic period right now so my story updates are unfortunately going to be as such. 

When I started the story I never expected so many people to read it. I sincerely thank all of you who have given this story a chance. 

Thank you =￣ω￣=

******