Resistance to the Crown

Ch. 4 - Because...

CHAPTER 4
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Because...

   I was zoning out in my chair, my head resting on my hand as I glanced out the window. Honestly... It irritates me. I wanted to ask my maid about the girl, but I was afraid it would be too abrupt. It's been a week already. I also saw the maid several times.

Evelin called out my name, jolting me back to reality. Maybe I can thank that maid another day.

"Goodbye, my lady," Evelin says to me as I board the carriage.

We're only a few minutes into the trip and we're still not talking.

"My lady, would you like to read this book? It is quite popular even though it was just released last month."

"Alright then." I hope it's a romance story.

I couldn't focus on the story at all, should I start a conversation?

"My lady, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"I have noticed you have been uncomfortable with everyone, even to your mother. You always seem to be in a bad mood whenever you meet or talk to her."

"..."

"I'm sorry if this offends you but..."

"Do not worry, I am just... I don't know how to explain it so can you pretend I was born like this?" I said with a smile.

After a few hours and having arrived at our destination, not a single conversation took place.

I thought the Royal Academy was meant to be an equally engaging environment... Why are the women wearing those uncomfortable gowns in the scorching sun, but the man in the training area is just wandering around shirtless?

"My lady, we should go," Thekla said softly.

"Ah... Yes..." I handed Thekla the book I was holding.

I felt everyone's attention on me as I walked down the hall to the school officer's office.

We came to a halt in front of the school officer's quarters. The Crown Prince, who I assume is also the president, blazed down at me... His icy gaze made me tremble.

My older sister, Aphrodite, is three years older than me and the crown prince, so our father had already planned for her to marry someone else. In comparison to Nella, I'm a better candidate for crown princess.

How did I manage to speak to him so calmly on the first day we met? His stare... He is certainly looking down on me.

Because... When I'm talking about something I love or someone thinks lowly of my intelligence, I want to prove them wrong. I shouldn't have done that either way.

I greet his crown prince, bowing down. "I greet his highness, the crown prince."

His majesty runs his hand through his hair, "No need to call me by my status, this place isn't about status."

 Please allow me to rephrase that for you, Your Highness. This place isn't about social standing as long as you're a noble of some kind, as they have the ability to grow greater than commoners.

While I was thinking, His Highness continued, "I'm the one in charge of showing you around the school." He smiled at me.

I agreed by nodding.

I took a look at Thekla, who has always been calm and obedient in front of others.

His Highness bids me farewell after taking me around the academy. "Till' we see again, my lady."

"Wait!" I cried, thankful that we were alone in the corridor. I moved closer to His Majesty. His body was turned away from me, but his head turned to stare at me.

"Hmm?"

"Where does my maid stay? I have heard of other nobles having allowed to bring only one maid."

"Ah... That. They stay in a hotel next to the academy." He eventually turns, looming over me.

"Why are they so far away?"

"Maids are only permitted to serve you 7 am to 9pm."

"That's not why I asked."

"Then what are you trying to say?" he responds, and I knew he knew what I meant. A maid enrolled in a noble's academy? Those simple maids may steal whatever they can get their hands on, but not all maids are like that; I know I don't show it, but I trust Thekla.

"I... Never mind." But I don't have the courage to state what I really think. I was embarrassed by myself.

"No need to respond. The answer is obvious, no? A mere commoner like you would defend a mere maid like her."

I clutched my chiton, trying not to yell at him as Thekla appears unconcerned.

His highness noticed but didn't say anything and simply went. Bastard.

"Aren't you mad?" I muttered out, still clutching my dress.

"The real question is why are you mad?"

"What...?" Her query caused me to drop my chiton and caught me off guard.

"I know you got used to the insults behind your back and infront of your face. Isn't that why you kept quiet whenever you hear one? Because you got used to it?"

No, I've never gotten used to the insults. I've never been angry before. Never in my life have I...

"I haven't."

"Then why are do you stay quiet?"

"Because..." But why? Is it linked to...

I wanted to say, "Of my past."

"I'm kidding, you're right. I kept quiet because I got used to it."

"This is the first time you told me you were joking."

"It is?"

"Yes, so I can't tell whether what you said was a lie or not"

Thekla... Was always the type to watch people's reactions. She could easily detect if I was lying if I made a joke earlier.

I smile, my mouth full of deceptions.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Every Saturday GMT+8 , I'll begin publishing each chapter.