Orm Kornnaphat, a highly esteemed princess, has always excelled in her royal duties and academic pursuits. However, she soon finds herself grappling with certain subjects in the demanding Royal University of Economics. Concerned for her daughter's f...
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The day had finally arrived. After what felt like an eternity of cramming, studying, and endless sessions with Ling, I was about to receive my economics test results. My stomach churned as I stood outside the classroom, heart pounding in my chest as students trickled out, some with smiles plastered across their faces while others wore grim expressions of disappointment. I tried to read their faces, hoping to get a hint of what was waiting for me. Was the test as hard as I'd feared, or did I actually stand a chance?
I took a deep breath, reminding myself of everything I had worked for. I had studied harder than I ever had in my life. Ling had pushed me to my limits, not with the gentle encouragement I was used to from others, but with her stern, no-nonsense attitude. "You can do better," she'd said over and over. And as tough as her methods were, they had worked. I had learned more from her in these past few weeks than I ever thought possible.
So now, standing here, I wasn't just anxious about the test results for myself—I was anxious to prove to Ling that her tough love had paid off. That I had lived up to her expectations. There was a sense of cautious optimism bubbling within me, even if my heart raced at the thought of what the results might be.
As the last few students filed past me, their hushed conversations filled with either relief or frustration, I pushed the classroom door open and stepped inside. The familiar smell of chalk and paper hung in the air, and the sight of my teacher, calmly handing back tests at the front of the room, made my palms sweat.
I scanned the room for my paper, my nerves climbing higher with each passing second. When my eyes finally landed on it, lying face down on my desk, I felt a surge of adrenaline rush through me. I approached slowly, as if the result on that paper could somehow change depending on how quickly I picked it up. My heart thudded louder in my ears as I reached for the test and flipped it over.
A bright, bold B stared back at me.
I blinked, my emotions a swirling mixture of relief and disappointment. On the one hand, I had done better than I feared. A B was solid—it wasn't failing, it wasn't terrible. But it wasn't the A I had been hoping for. The A I knew Ling would expect. I could already hear her voice in my head, telling me that I needed to do better, to strive for more.
I shoved the paper into my bag, not wanting to dwell on it any longer, and left the classroom, my thoughts racing. I needed to share this news with Ling. But even though a B was better than I might have expected a month ago, I couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't good enough. She would say I could've gotten an A if I'd worked just a little harder.
My feet carried me to Ling's apartment almost automatically, my mind rehearsing how I'd tell her. Would she be disappointed? Proud? I couldn't predict her reaction, and that uncertainty gnawed at me as I knocked on her door.
After a moment, the door opened, and there stood Ling, looking as composed as ever. She always looked put-together, like nothing ever fazed her. Today, she wore a fitted black dress that hugged her figure in all the right ways, and her hair fell perfectly over her shoulders. Even in casual moments like this, she carried an air of confidence that made me feel simultaneously awed and intimidated.
"Hey, Orm. What's the matter? You look like you just saw a ghost," she said, her tone a mixture of curiosity and teasing, her eyes scanning my face for any sign of what had me so anxious.
I forced a small smile. "Um, I got my test back," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though the nerves bubbled up inside me again.
Ling crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe, her eyebrow arched in expectation. "Are you going to stand there all day, or are you going to tell me how you did?"
I swallowed hard and took a deep breath, gathering my courage. "I got a B."
Her expression didn't change immediately. She blinked once, her eyebrow lifting a bit higher as if processing what I'd said. "A B?" she repeated, a hint of surprise flickering across her face. "That's... an improvement. It's good, but it's not an A."
"I know," I said, my heart sinking a little despite the fact that she hadn't outright criticized me. "But I worked really hard for this. I thought I could at least get an A."
Ling let out a small sigh, pushing herself away from the doorframe and stepping closer to me. "You should always aim higher," she said, her voice firm but not unkind. "If you want to excel in economics, you need to push yourself more. A B is just a step in the right direction, but it's not enough."
Her words, while blunt, weren't entirely unexpected. But still, hearing them out loud made my chest tighten. I nodded, trying not to let the disappointment show on my face. "You're right," I murmured. "But..."
"But?" she prompted, her eyes narrowing slightly, curious.
"If I keep working hard, and I do get an A on the next test," I began slowly, the idea forming as I spoke, "can I get a wish?"
Ling's brow furrowed in confusion. "A wish? What kind of wish are we talking about?"
I shrugged, trying to play it off like it was no big deal, but the idea had already taken root in my mind. "Anything! Like a favor or something. I just think it would be cool to have a reward for all my hard work."
For the first time since I'd arrived, a small smile tugged at Ling's lips, and she let out a soft chuckle. "All right, Orm. If you get an A on the next test, I'll grant you one wish. But don't think you can slack off now. You'll have to earn it."
"Deal!" I said, my mood instantly lifting, a grin spreading across my face.
Ling's expression softened, and for the first time, I saw a glimmer of approval in her eyes. It was subtle, but it was there, and it made my heart flutter. "Good. I expect to see you at our next session with your study materials. No excuses."
"Of course! I'll be ready," I replied, feeling more determined than ever.
As I left Ling's apartment, my heart raced with excitement. I had a goal to strive for now—a tangible reward waiting for me at the finish line. It was more than just a grade; it was a chance to show Ling that I was capable of more than even she had expected. And the idea of having her grant me a wish made the challenge all the more enticing.
I walked back to my apartment, my mind racing with possibilities. What would I wish for if I got that A? It could be something simple, like a day off from studying, or something more extravagant. The thought sent a thrill through me.
But before I could entertain any more thoughts about my potential wish, I knew I needed to buckle down and focus. The next test would be my chance to prove myself—not just to Ling, but to myself.
With newfound determination, I plopped down at my desk and opened my textbooks, ready to conquer the material and earn that elusive A
