Last night, I dreamt of my past. Starting from the time when my damned biological father had come to take me from my life in the slums after my real mother died when I was just a mere child. And when I was eventually treated like shit by my father and stepbrother just a couple days after I came to live with them. But the scenes were later on replaced of the moments with my stepmother who had treated me so lovingly as if I were her real daughter—and that made me remember the reason why I held it all in despite how I suffered. My Ma's smile was enough for me to live that time. She was my ray of sunshine in a dark murky basement that smelled of rotten rodent carcasses.
"Young lady..."
Is my present life much easier than the first one? Does it even matter?
"Young lady..."
Wait, didn't someone ask me a question just now?
"Young lady Calla!"
I jumped due to the person who had just raised his voice. "A-ah... yes?" I blinked several times before pulling myself back from my sad reminscing.
Lord Frederick, my History and Politics tutor, sighed while adjusting his glasses.
"I asked you how Emperor Andor managed to convince the Iria Kingdom—now known as the Southwest, to become part of the empire after hundreds of years as an independent kingdom."
"Oh sorry, uh-" I didn't know why I raised my eyes to the ceiling. Maybe I had hoped to find the answer there. "By threatening a war?"
My tone came out rather doubtful.
"Wrong, he did it with negotiations—just as any wise ruler would do." The nobleman closed the book he was holding with a thud. "A war would be the last thing his highness would want to happen. He hates it just as much as you hate giving half-assed answers, young lady."
The words hit me like an arrow that I wasn't able to dodge in time. He continued to speak as he crossed his arms.
"You've been spacing out for days. Are you having those... ah, what do you call them?" He touched the little stubble on his chin as he leaned against the chair, causing his curly caramel hair to become lighter as it was hit by the sunlight that had escaped from the windowpanes beside us. "...oh, I got it—Teenage Love Problems!"
I nearly choked.
"What? No! Of course not." I replied, making the most grossed out expression I could make. "Never in a million years."
Now, that was an answer I was certainly sure of. 'It' had never even crossed my mind.
"Oh?" Lord Frederick raised his brows. "Then what do those flushed cheeks mean?"
"Stop it, you're just lying." I crossed my arms then smiled sheepishly. "Are you teasing me now to rub on my face that you're finally getting married?"
"W-well..." My tutor scratched his temple with a finger while grinning. "Maybe it is an indirect way to invite the young lady to attend my wedding? Perhaps?"
Now that is a blush right there.
"Sure, why not?" I titled my head slightly. "If you're fine with having a girl wrapped up in bandages as a guest."
"Appearances do not matter, young lady." He smiled in a comforting manner. "What's most important is your presence."
"Well, if you say so. It's in two months' time, right?"
Lord Frederick nodded. "I'll send an invitation to you and your father a week before the wedding." Then he tried to suppress a smile. "And maybe Young Master Seinfrede can escort you on that day."
"Oh come on. What does Sein have to do with this?"
"The both of you have been rather close lately. Has spring finally arrived for the young lady?"
Just because Sein has been checking up on me these past few days and helping me with my studies doesn't mean we're in love. The thought is ridiculous.
"We're just friends."
"Really? Then does a friend come to you every time your classes are over?" He turned to the door, as if expecting someone to open it. "Like right about..."
I followed his gaze and like the feeling was contagious, I also waited expectantly.
"Now."
The door opened and revealed...
"Lavi?" I stood up and went to him. Does he want something? I wonder.
"Oops, wrong person." I heard my tutor say along with the cluttering of books—arranged and put back in place.
"Oh? I thought you were done with your classes. I'll just come back later."
The young wizard leaned on the doorframe and it didn't look like he planned to "come back later".
"No, it's fine. We're done for the day, actually."
I looked back to the Marquis who was acting as my tutor.
"You're going to wait for Vivian, right?"
Lord Frederick only nodded and smiled as he opened another book—his pastime while waiting for the redhead maid who helps in dressing me up. Yes, she is a commoner. And apparently, social status doesn't matter when you're in love.
They already received the Duke's blessing that's why a wedding as early as in two months had already been set out. It seems like Vivian won't be able to glam me up during her marriage ceremony—but I'm happy for her.
"So, do you have something to tell me?" I asked the wizard as I closed the door of one of the mansion's countless study rooms. "Or did you just come to check up on me?"
Lavi averted his gaze, looking embarrassed. Really? Now's the time for you to get all shy?
"Of course not, I don't have that much time on my hands." He placed his hands at the back of his head as we walked along the hall. "I'm a busy person, just so you know."
To that, I rolled my eyes.
"Hey, I saw that."
"What, you got eyes at the sides of your head now?"
"A witch's actions are predictable."
"Well this witch wants to know what you're so busy about."
Then he stopped on his tracks. When I turned to him he had a shocked look on his face—his jaw was slightly dropped as well.
"What?"
Then he looked sideways, bit his lip and tucked the dark blue strand of hair that covered his face. Is he supposed to look innocent?
"Don't get me wrong, witch. I only did those things out of kindness- ow!"
He wasn't able to finish his sentence since I pinched his arm.
"Don't be so full on yourself, you brat." I said and finally let go.
"Goddess help, I thought you'd rip out my flesh!" He said as he held the sleeves of his long robe—the part where I had pinched him. Serves him right. "If I'm a brat then what does that make you?"
"A witch who curses delusional brats." I replied then continued to walk.
Lavi caught up beside me and proceeded to his bickering.
"I'm not a brat, I'm already fourteen."
"I thought you were thirteen?"
"I had my birthday three days ago." I could feel a smug smile creeping up on his face. "When's yours?"
"I don't know, I forgot." I answered casually.
I just realized that I had never bothered asking for a birth date.
Lavi turned to me without stopping. We had just passed the room for receiving guests. Which reminds me, where the hell are we going?
"What, why are you just looking at me?" I asked. "Do you feel bad? Well don't, it's not that it matters anyway. I'll ask Anette later."
"Next month."
His reply was almost like a murmur.
"Huh? I didn't hear what you said."
"Next month." He stopped and I did the same. His hazel eyes were fixated on mine. "Your birthday is next month—on the 16th."
"Oh so you know, then why did you bother asking-... wait... h-how did you know?" I stuttered, well shit.
"I thought we'd compare birthdays and see which of us was older—but that's not the point, okay?" He was getting fidgety. "I... just know."
He's lying. I inched closer to him. I'm just asking a simple question, is there any need to lie?
Then he sighed as he dropped his hand. "Of course I'd know, I-"
"Every ducal family knows about their own birth dates."
That voice. We both turned to the person who had just talked.
Sein came out from a room. Then he closes the door before approaching us. Wait, isn't that the Duke's office?
"Calla Rosa, October 16th and Laviathan Achillea, September 21st." He says when he finally arrives beside me.
I heard the wizard click his tongue as he averts his gaze once more.
"Wait, then that means...?"
"Oh sorry, didn't he tell you?" Sein stroked his chin as the other hand went to his hip. "He's the third son of the Northwest."
"So what? Why would you care if I didn't tell her? It doesn't matter where I came from!" The wizard snapped back.
I shook my head disapprovingly. "But it does." I turned away from them and started for the stairs.
So much for friendship. Although, were we even friends in the first place?
I heard footsteps following me and only looked back when I was a few inches from my room.
"You don't have to follow me. It's not your fault."
Sein only smiled as he stopped just a few inches from me. This level of closeness didn't faze me anymore.
"Still, I want to say sorry since I ruined the atmosphere."
"There was never an atmosphere to begin with." I pressed my lips before continuing. "You can go back now. You were just leaving, right?"
"To meet you, yes." He raised his hand to my face and gently swept a loose strand. My heart leapt. "But it seems like you want to be alone, so I'll go for now."
I didn't—I wasn't able to reply. I just felt the coldness of his fingers as it brushed my face gently.
Then his lips formed his usual light smile before patting my head softly. "Bye." Even his eyes smiled as he waved his hand and finally turned back.
"Bye." I replied, not sure if my voice was heard.
I turned to my door with a less heavy heart.