The Scholar and The Crown

5

Maude

"Damn those spoiled noble brats!" I kicked a small stone in front of me, sending it skittering across the palace grounds.

After what had just happened earlier, I needed to get some air to calm down before heading back to the faculty room. How could they say that? They desperately needed a manners tutor! And to think one of those brats might become the kingdom's queen someday? The palace must be nuts if that happens.

I guessed the palace favored those who would contribute significantly to their overall strength, regardless of their character. Damn them if that's the case.

And Father, why are you working for these kinds of people? Have you gone nuts too?!

What if I hadn't calmed myself earlier? I might be in court right now, facing beheading for throwing my book at a noble lady for such ridiculous reasons.

But I couldn't help but smile at the memory of Lady Eulalia's annoyed expression when I lowkey talked back to her. That look was priceless.

I snickered while wandering alone around the palace grounds. I would love to tease that brat more, but I wanted to go home in one piece.

These noble ladies were the reason I hated the capital. I despised how they belittle others, acted arrogantly, and were selfish. I supposed that's what came from being exposed to such a toxic and competitive environment. But they were still crap.

The phrase about my family being cheap played on a loop in my head. Yes, my family only had a count title and a little land in the countryside, but at least we weren't as terrible as they were.

I would rather teach countryside brats than these ones—they were more annoying than those back home.

Insulting my family wasn't fair. They acted like they knew everything about us, but they didn't.

A cold gust of wind snapped me back to my senses. I realized I had wandered to the backmost part of the palace.

Ah, I had wandered for too long, but the scenery was beautiful. The hill was covered with green grass that danced with the wind. It felt like home.

The air here was refreshing, unlike the suffocating atmosphere of the classroom earlier.

An idea came to my mind. I looked around to see if anyone was nearby, but to my luck, I was far from the buildings and alone.

I took a deep breath.

"ARGH!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

I needed this release, or I might explode and be unable to calm myself in the next few days.

"YOU FREAKING NOBLES! I HOPE YOU GET THE KARMA YOU DESERVE!" I was catching my breath after that.

"YOU DON'T EVEN DESERVE TO BE TAUGHT! YOU DAMN OVERPRIVILEGED LADIES!"

"I HATE YOU ALL, DAMN SPOILED NOBLE BRATS!" I shouted, spreading my arms wide and letting go of the book I was holding.

Damn, this felt good.

"Aw!" I felt like my soul left my body when I heard someone grunt, and my book hit something.

M-maybe I'm just hallucinating? Maude, it looks like those brats have damaged your mind.

"What the hell was that?!" A deep voice rose from the grass.

Frick!

Tell me it's just a ghost.

I opened my eyes to see a guy sitting in the grass in front of me.

I'm done.

"A book?" I heard him say as he picked up my book. Damn.

But it seemed he hadn't noticed me yet.

I-I should leave.

I slowly and carefully began to turn away when the guy suddenly turned his head toward me.

I felt all the blood and sanity drain from my body when my eyes met his amber-colored ones. But wat catches my attention is the mole near his left eye.

Shoot.

Casket, not carriage, is it?

"Did you just hit me with a book?" he asked seriously. I was really done for.

But I gathered my courage to answer him, even though I was dying inside from nerves. "I didn't mean to hit you," I tried to sound as casual as possible.

Let's pretend I didn't know him.

He stood up and started walking in my direction.

I gulped.

"Didn't mean to, huh? How come? In a large area like this, what's the probability you'd hit me?" Damn, Maude!

"I'm sorr—"

"Looks like you don't know me," he cut me off.

I know you, obviously.

"I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to hit you. Also, although the area is big, there's still a small percentage that my book would unintentionally hit you, Your Majesty, Prince Sylas." I bit my tongue after that.

I just talked back to the Prince. Yup, I'm doomed.

He was shocked when I called him by name but quickly recovered, now looking annoyed.

"I'll take my leave, Your Majesty. I'm really sorry," I said, sliding off to the side, bowing, and turning my back to him.

"Ha! Talked back to a Prince, huh? You have some guts," he said, making me stop in my tracks.

I shut my eyes tightly.

"Since you seem to know me and show some respect, I'll let you go," he said, making me feel at ease.

"Thank yo—AW!" I was shocked when he threw my book at me, hitting my forehead hard.

What the?!

"Now, we're fair," he said, smirking at me.

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