Villainess From the Stars

42. Confrontation

Lunchtime at the Academy was a thorough affair. The food provided was all grown on the property, cultivated by the Okren professors and their students. Vienna noticed that very few ate meat if meat was in their diet they had to bring it in from one of the merchants outside of the Academy.

Dinner was served in the hearth room, a big room with long tables near the kitchen creating a homey feeling for those who were housed at the Academy. Whereas lunch found many of the students in the numerous courtyards of the Academy after receiving their food in the hearth room.

This was where Vienna found herself after her first morning of classes. 

Zia was in all her classes in the morning, alongside the girls from the dorm and a few other ladies Vienna had recognized from the ball. Classes started a couple of hours after dawn. Light breakfast was served in the hearth room. Then Vienna and her roommates were off to lessons in history and policies.

"I never realized how much policies had to change after the war," Leora spoke as she trotted along her study articles in a satchel at her back.

"Of course, they would change," Rhosyn replied. "The policies during the Dark Ages only benefited the nobles."

Zia looked between the two her eyes wide, "I didn't realize how many new laws there had been to manage the number of artifacts in one region."

"The trade of Pōrteacaleum is strictly observed by the Corsidi counsel. We might have not completely sunk in the mud due to lack of technology after the war but we still are behind the Elem in their home." Rhosyn spoke, "I've heard such grand tales of their central city."

"I wouldn't know." Zia looked down her gaze sad.

"I thought all Elem with wings came straight from Corsidi," Leora spoke up, unknowingly causing Zia to sink further in sadness.

"Not all Elem make it home," Zia spoke just as Vienna spoke up.

"Not all Elem were born in Corsidi."

"Oh..." Leora paused before, "Wait but if that's true how do you get back? The portals are closed."

"It's not easy. They would have to take a Corsidi trading or emissary ship home."

Vienna looked at Zia's deflated appearance and decided to change the subject but before she could who should appear but Lady Adeena Nesrin.

"Oh, it is true what they say birds of a feather truly flock together." Adeena smiled sweetly but it was spoiled by the malicious delight in her eyes. "The forsaken heir of House Rhidian and the benign little knight. Truly Lady Thorne I don't know where you find such lost souls you truly have a talent."

A gaggle of ladies giggled behind Adeena.

"You will show Bhel...Lady Vienna respect." Zia stood up her light pink wings twinkled and shook behind her in barely restrained anger.

"Oh and what could you do to me, little Corsidi reject."

Zia's hands shook at her side balled into fists and Vienna lightly touched them.

Vienna came forward, "Your issue is with me, Lady Nesrin. Please do not attack my friends."

Adenna cast her eyes downward, her hand to her bosom. "Me, attack you. Why would I even bother?" Adeena stepped closer, "I just find it so disconcerting a noble who hasn't taken her place in society. I mean running away from your responsibilities how noble is that?"

"You are right, Lady Nesrin, it was wrong of me to run away." Vienna stepped closer, "Especially now that I realize what I feared was so very small in comparison."

A flicker of something went through Adeena's eyes before it vanished, "It is good you take responsibility for your actions." She gestured to her girls, "Well we must be going we must find a place to eat this delightful food." The way she said delightful was riff with derision.