Yearning For Familial Love

Chapter Six: Pursuit Of Knowledge

[Cleo]

Chapter Six:
Pursuit Of Knowledge

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I've become extremely interested in magic, not to mention medicinal herbs. Not only that, but all the creatures and the uses for their remains. But none of those seem to be on the education plan just yet. Also, I've been told I'm not allowed to learn magic until my 5th birthday.

So naturally, I'd begun seeking out the books myself. Sitting in a hidden spot on the top of a bookcase in the palace library. I would lay out and read for most of the day. It was fine for a time... I'd never guess bookcases would be so easy to knock over. The more I think about it, the more certain I become. I was framed... Framed, I tell you, but nobody believes me. It seems as though everyone is in on it together. As if retaliating against my forbidden research into magic...

However, I have no proof, and I'm not entirely sure who all was involved. but...

Mister Goodwin banished me from the library the very same day. So I'm sure he is at least a co conspirator. Following my fourth birthday, he'd started taking issue with me more and more. Looking back, I guess I did leave most of the books stacked in the back corner. Only for them to mysteriously be put away upon returning. Perhaps he got irritated by the notion of having to do his job on a regular basis. Regardless, as a long standing and loyal servant of the royal family, no one questioned his authority to ban me.

At first, I thought for sure it would be a temporary thing. As, I've become quite the bookworm in the past year and a half. The idea of not being allowed into the library. Well, its a bit like access to WiFi in my past life. Oh, that's right, I'm officially four. The majority of my tutors have taught me. What they were sent to teach me. And left well that is besides master Ben, who is charged with teaching mana control...

No, it's apparently not technically magicc. It's a form of meditation that can heal small injuries and resolve muscle fatigue, while absorbing the mana around you. It's a poor description, but the essence of it is like holding your breath with your lungs full. Until it hurts, then breathe out and in as slowly as possible. In short, I'm not very good at this.

For once, we've found something Sissy is notably better at than me. Ben regularly makes comments about how we both fall short compared to when he was teaching our parents. Adding to that, our capacity and efficiency in fluxing mana are at best a tenth of what theirs were.

As it turns out, magic is much harder than I'd thought. In my first attempt, I found myself in an unknown part of the palace. The darkness seemed to lessen, but all the same, it hid much of the features of the room. At first, I was certain it was a storage room. Given the boxes of junk and how it all seemed to be in total disarray,.

I crawled between things for the longest time. Looking for a way out... It would seem this place doesn't have mana regularly available. Like sucking on a collapsed straw, it's pointless. The burst I accidentally gave when I cast the teleport spell. It seems to have broken the seal on the dungeons or something of that nature. Now don't blame me. This is Mister Goodwin's fault if he hadn't banned me. I wouldn't have been playing with the magic seals to begin with.

The dungeons are the only place in the lily palace. I can think of, that is cut off from the naturally abundant supply of mana. While also being sealed in a manner that would've allowed me to target it. As I continued my search for an exit, I found a small lamp. The tiny bit of mana I retained after my mishap with the spell was sufficient to make it glow.

As the new found light filled the space, I realized this room was much too large to be a part of the castle. Well, unless there's a massive banquet hall being used as a storage space. From chairs to statues to weird looking weapons and vials of potions,. All jumbled into probably the most expensive pile of unsorted goods in the world.

In the mix were books and scrolls. along with a journal from a man who was narcissistic enough to use just the word hero as his name. At first, it seemed like a story. It wasn't until the part about the wyvern that I'd realized he'd been the first hero of this world.

But in my joy of finding this reading material, I'd completely forgotten I was lost... I learned much about forgotten or banned magic. I also learned where I am. This is basically like a personal storage space. This seems to be Hero's own personal vault. Luckily, there are plenty of items in this space that can give me the boost I need to escape.

As I returned, I found my room and most of the palace furniture ripped apart. With servants and guards everywhere. "I found her," one of the servants, whom I had yet to meet, said before grabbing my arm firmly. She lifted me, while I was dangling by my arm. My confusion grew. That is, until I saw Lizzy at that point. I realized I was in serious trouble... again.

Lizzy has become the backbone of my support system. And she's also the one who is entrusted with disciplining me. As the daughter of a viscount, she corrects me when I break etiquette. Well, mostly at mealtime and on play dates with Sissy. Today my little behind learned what the end of a paddle felt like. I learned I'd been missing for the better part of 2 days.

In response, every servant in service to the throne had spent the last 2 days looking for me. The captain of the royal guard, our uncle, visited us. It feels so humiliating to do the greetings for total strangers. It wasn't exactly a good first impression. Not only was it because I'd caused trouble,. But I slipped while doing my little curtsy. That I had worked on for the better part of 2 years.

On the plus side, I'd granted myself a fast pass out of the greeting. Which is probably for the best. Lizzy makes her tea far too sweet for my liking. That is one of the many reasons I despise tea parties. Per etiquette, you must drink the tea...

Honestly, I think Lizzy lied about that part in the hopes. I would began to enjoy drinking tea. But after many, many tea times with Sissy,. We both still dislike her tea. It tastes horrible, like sugar water.

Our uncle, who's really, more accurately, our 8th cousin, gave us both a gift before leaving. It didn't exactly seem important. But it appears I was mistaken, as apparently these gifts from his sons were his reason for coming to begin with.

It's just a small book, much like a Bible, but it is less of a testament to past events. And more like a law book with morals to live by... For once, I've found a book I don't desire to read. A discount genie such as Yuri couldn't be capable of good morals.

This gift also signifies hope and joy. It's traditional to give a copy to the fiancée prior to the engagement ceremony. Nolan himself signed the cover. Following his name was a note that read, "May we both find peace." I'm honestly not sure if that's a threat or a polite wish. These five words left me confused, but I think I've already decided we're definitely not going to be friends.

I hope you enjoyed!

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[End of Chapter]