Artemis could still remember that specific day. During her first semester when the weather was particularly sunny and the heat had caused her to sweat profusely, it was an unforgettable moment of nervousness. The heart-clenching feeling of stepping for the first time into campus grounds was like a call of reality. When suddenly, a crushing grip held her under position and she furrowed her eyebrows in pain. She followed the veined hands which where gripping her and came face to face with another student. He had crisp brown hair and hazel eyes that were currently staring at her as if he had seen a ghost.
"You…" He breathed out in unbelieving shock as his eyes wavered between unfounded hatred and confusion.
"What?" Artemis asked in annoyance. The pain on her shoulder was so much to bear and slapped his hands away.
As if waking up, the man got rid of his grip and continued to stare at her, "…what's your name?"
Artemis was not willing to answer such a sudden question and raised her eyebrows, "Do I know you?"
Suddenly, he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath as if trying to calm himself down, "My name is Will Fandeur. I apologize for my unscrupulous behavior. It's just… You look so alike to a person I know that I had mistaken you for her."
"Is that so? Well, clearly, I'm not. If you would, I'd like to leave now. I still have a lot of things to do," She pursed her lips and turned away. She was not interested in pointless talk now that she still needed to organize her stuff. Will suddenly panicked when he saw Artemis turn away and hurriedly grabbed her arm.
"Let me come with you! I'm a sophomore here and I can guide you around. Let's be friends, what's your name?"
Artemis was dumbfounded by his unrelenting behavior and took a deep breath to try and calm down. She turned to look at his hands on her arm and sighed, "…why do you even waste time like this?"
"Ah?" Will asked before he shyly scratched his nose.
"I just find you extremely familiar with and it would not hurt to hang out with me, right?"
She turned to stare at him for a while before averting her gaze. With a sigh, she fixed the bag on her shoulders and shook her head, "I guess it wouldn't hurt. You can come along, then."
Like a dog that had gotten what it wanted, Will's eyes brightened and his mouth turned to a smile that blinded her. She could even imagine a wagging tail behind him.
"Cool! Now that we're friends, what's your name?"
"I don't think it works like that… But, my name's Artemis Francia. You can call me Art for short."
As they walked the pavement, Artemis could sense him stop in his tracks and she turned to look at him with a questioning gaze. Will noticed her gaze and snapped out of whatever he was thinking and foolishly smiled, "It's nothing."
"Okay…" She narrowed her eyes before turning around. They spent all afternoon walking around the campus and talking about pointless subjects before she even realized the sun had already set. It was a brief moment, but Artemis for once, felt as if she really felt alive. It was not a bad feeling at all. Perhaps… she wanted more.
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Ian sharply turned to a corner of the hallway with his heart heavily thumping and fists clenching. The wind rushing against his pale face felt vexing, as if slowly pressuring him and choking him to death. His chest felt tight at the thought of his secret being known. He had searched his memories countless of times, but there were no signs of Artemis possibly having the chance to know. Was it possible she really was just innocently asking? But she was not that sort of person to purely ask a blessing for a mere handkerchief. Was there more to this or was he simply overthinking? He was certain there was no chance of her knowing, but what was this feeling of unknown agitation? As if there was something important he had forgotten.
He pressed his lips into a tight line as a headache appeared. Just when he was about to open the door to his room, a voice called out to him.
"Your Highness, I successfully delivered your notes to Lady Francia and she would like to thank you for your kindness. Is there any more you'd like to do?"
Ian turned to look at Gan and felt as if something was wrong with him. He averted his gaze and a sudden thought appeared in his mind. The hand which was holding the doorknob stopped and as if thinking for a while, he stared at the door in a daze.
"Your Highness?"
"It's nothing. You know the new transferee, Lady Celethene Elar La Isidien? Have someone investigate her birth origins and recent activities."
Gan who was listening to him was suddenly surprised by the sudden mention of someone. He raised his head and turned to look at Ian with an astonished gaze before hurriedly lowering his head seemingly in thought.
"Got it… Anymore?"
Ian shook his head before furrowing his eyebrows. With an inexplicable gaze, asked Gan a question that made him double-over in shock.
"…what do you think of Lady Isidien's eyes?"
"L-Lady Isidien's eyes…?"
'For him to ask such question… Don't tell me…'
"Hm," Ian nodded his head and added, "I find her golden eyes really unusual and unique. What do you think?"
Gan secretly shook his head in denial. It was too soon. He observed Ian's expression but could not get anything. He threw the topic off the back of his head and answered, "From observing Lady Isidien from afar, I can tell that her eyes are truly charming and unique. Is there any reason as to why you're asking this?"
As if caught by his question, Ian suddenly stopped and turned his gaze away, "No… It's nothing…"
Gan stared at him before sighing, "I see. I'll be leaving then. Have a good night, Your Highness."
"Gan," Ian called out.
"Yes?"
"Please appoint a schedule with the Saint for me."
"…?"
He almost asked just what reason for before finally pressing his lips into a tight line. It was a good thing that he stopped himself in time. Cogs turned inside his head as he thought of several things before giving a late reply to Ian. They parted ways and along the way, Gan can't help but feel as if everything was slowly changing. It was a change that he did not like. Somewhat.
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Tomorrow, Artemis would finally be able to officially join classes in the academy. She had made sure to maximize each remaining day to the best of her ability by training her magic and swordsmanship until she fainted. She was under a lot of pressure as the daughter of Duke Francia and she can't fail to show any weaknesses. All days spent on the manor; she had thought that nobles lived a very peaceful life. But it all shattered the moment she was hit by reality when she realized just how lacking she was compared to the previous Artemis.
The known Artemis of the country was a person of undying fierceness and boldness. Unlike the other noble ladies who only knew how to pamper themselves like a living doll, Artemis constantly trained with the knights of her house and practiced magical arts all day and night. She was known for her bold personality that would speak her thoughts without any reserves. Every word she says was like a slice of harsh truth that made people either like or hate her without in between. Even so, it was nothing in her eyes. If enemies wanted to go up against her, she had the skills to fight back. If she wanted friends, there would be hundreds of nobles trying to butter her up. Life was already a predicted success for her the moment she was born.
They were the complete opposite of each other but Artemis simply took it as a challenge in order to live a smoothly-sailing life. She was not afraid of challenges and gladly accepted it. At most, she only had to hone herself to become the perfect Artemis that others wanted and what she wanted.