The Scholar and The Crown

28

Maude

It's been two days since that night happened. As I predicted, the news got out of hand and now, everyone in the kingdom knows. The palace is receiving backlash from the public.

After putting on my shoes, I left my room. Even though classes were over and the Crown Princess selection was officially stopped yesterday, today was the final day we tutors would see the ladies.

"It ended too fast, huh?" Laura whispered when I arrived in the living room. She was sipping tea, waiting for the others.

"It feels like a dream," Maisei commented. She was still in shock, as were most of the others.

Even the noble ladies found it hard to believe at first. But their parents were the most shocked. Who wouldn't be? Especially when all the effort they put into positioning their daughters to become part of the royal family vanished because of a lie the palace hid from them.

They might still have a chance if they have a son. But I guess there will be no more selection for the royal heir's other half.

We waited in the living room for a few minutes until everyone was gathered. Once all of us were present, we headed to the teaching room to meet the ladies one last time and properly bid our goodbyes.

The atmosphere in the teaching room was bittersweet. The noble ladies, who had been our students, stood in small groups, talking quietly. Some were packing their belongings, while others seemed lost in thought.

Lady Sia approached me with a faint smile. "Thank you for everything, Maude. Despite everything that happened, I learned a lot from you."

I returned her smile. "It was my pleasure, Lady Sia. You're a quick learner and have a bright future ahead of you."

One by one, the other ladies came forward to express their gratitude. It was touching to see how much they had grown over the course of our time together, even though the selection had ended so abruptly.

After the final farewells, we gathered in the great hall for a closing ceremony. 

Once the ceremony concluded, we escorted the ladies to the palace gates, where their families were waiting to take them home. The scene was a mix of tearful goodbyes and hopeful smiles.

As the last of the ladies departed, I felt a sense of closure. Despite the turmoil and unexpected revelations, we had done our best to support and educate them.

Laura, Maisei, and I walked back to the faculty quarters together. "It's hard to believe it's over," Maisei said, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Yeah," Laura agreed. "But we did our part. Now it's up to them to use what they've learned."

I will not miss those noble brats for sure, haha.

After stowing away our belongings in the faculty luggage, we made our way back to Kaye Manor.

Sighing, I opened my cabinet, staring at my clothes. Packing had never been a task I enjoyed, haha.

I gave up packing my things for the meantime and closed the cabinet door, I opted instead to open the window, welcoming the brisk of an afternoon breeze that swept through the room.

It suddenly reminded me of something.

A memory nudged at the edges of my consciousness, urging me to revisit a place that had often been my refuge tucked away in the backmost part of the palace grounds.

I sighed as I left my room once again. The familiar scenery and the cool evening breeze greeted me as I made my way towards the garden. To my surprise, I spotted Sylas sitting on the grass, his expression unusually serene.

"Oh, you're here," I remarked, approaching him slowly.

He glanced up, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Maude," he greeted softly, his voice carrying a hint of relief.

I settled beside him, feeling the softness of the grass beneath me.

"You finally going home, earlier than you expected," he uttered. "I guess the Pumpkin Patch fairy is still on my side after all," I replied with a laugh.

"Any plans?" he asked suddenly. I looked at the scenery in front of us. "Father is sending me to school again alongside Mavien and Maeve. How about you?" I knew he was leaving the palace in a few days too.

"Maybe enjoy life as a normal person," he answered.

"You're not getting married?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

He laughed. "No, I'm not."

"I guess we'll have to come up with a more challenging bet next time," I chuckled. "I know you, Lady Laura, and Cedrick love your little games."

"Boredom leads us to that," I reasoned. "Sylas, you should visit our manor. There's someone I want you to meet," I invited him with a mischievous grin.

Maeve would kill me, I knew that, haha.

He smiled back. "Sure."

Another gust of wind swept through the grounds, rustling the leaves.

"Anyway, I hope you enjoy your new life. It's actually fun when you have less responsibilities," I said to him. "Good luck on your studies too," he said back.

"By the way..." he suddenly trailed off, his voice softer now. Then he handed me a green-colored dragonfly carved brooch.

I looked at the intricate details of the brooch, the green hues shimmering in the light. "Hmm?"

He averted his gaze away from me, a slight flush creeping onto his cheeks. "It's my thank you for saving me back then," he uttered, his tone earnest.

"Oh, thank you?" I replied, trying to hide my confusion. The gift was unexpected, and I couldn't quite read his intentions.

"I thought of giving you a pumpkin one, but I guess this suits you better too," he added, his voice more casual now, as if trying to lighten the mood.

"Plus, it has the same color as your eyes," he said softly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart skip a beat.

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