A month has passed and my brother Anastasius went to the academy. My tutor about etiquettes and lessons about the empire and families continued. I haven't seen Prince Theodosius for a month, I heard that he went to the magician's expedition.
"I want you to take care of your health, Sia and Siu." That's what he called us since we call brother Anastasius 'Nate'.
Well, since they're my brother now, I called them by their nicknames too.
Brother Nate hugged us together with our mother and father. On the outside, we look like a happy family. I'm amazed at my father, after living together with them, I can see that he's not greedy at power, especially that he's a prince since birth. But now, he's just a mere viscount and from a low society.
"See you in the next two years, Siu."
It hasn't been that long since my and brother Nate was together but after living with him through the month, I can say that he's an overprotective brother, along with Brother Siu.
He talked to mother and father and after that, he turned to me, with a smile.
"Sia, I promise to you, I will be a great magician and you will be proud of me as your brother." He proudly said.
"Yes. I wish you the best, brother."
My brother wants to work as a magician on the magic tower. But the magic tower is only found in the empire, our kingdom is a small country. Unlike the empire, which owns half of the whole continent.
We bid farewell and the carriage that Brother Nate was on, moved.
"Father, Marquess Rolfe requested an audience with you. He told me that he has a business with you."
"Oh, right. Dan is coming with him, he's about the same age as you, you should come with me."
I smiled when I heard that there is someone I can play with, I'm tired of studying. Even though they consider me someone as a genius, I also have my limits!
"Mother, I envy my brothers. Why are they the only one who interacts with another noble child? what about me?"
Mother chuckled, "Don't worry, Sia. The countess is my close friend, I will be visiting her soon. Her eldest daughter likes you."
My eyes widened in disbelief, "She knows me?"
"Yes, everyone considers you a genius, Sia. Countess Enia told me that her daughter wants to meet you soon."
*********
Seraphim was sitting down with a white notebook on a white desk. The feather pen in her hand was also white, and as she dipped her head in concentration, her hair of pure silver flowed to the side. Her dress was white as well, making her look the perfect image of an angel.
However, her tutor, Baroness Aldreda's expression was far from admiring as she looked down at the angel Seraphim. She looked dissatisfied as she studied her notebook. Seraphim twisted her hands and gave her tutor a nervous glance.
When their eyes met, she gave her saddest, most doe-like expression.
"Keep writing."
Tears started to form in Seraphim's eyes. She is only a year older than Anastasia and her family always compares her to her.
"Baroness.."
Her tutor frowned at her, "Lady Seraphim, you can't even properly do basic etiquettes, and yet, you haven't even filled a third of this paper. Keep going."
Seraphim finally put down her pen and looked at her with a sniffle.
"I don't know. I haven't memorized it all yet, Baroness. It's too much for a kid like me." She wants to go on, she feels humiliated whenever they mention Anastasia's name.
Even her crush, Prince Theodosius, has grown quite close and engaged with Anastasia. The prince was known to have no interest in women.
"These are simply the basics, Lady Seraphim. You must memorize the names of officials in the country, their head of the family, their relatives, their characteristics, the number of people in that department and tasks that belong to that state."
The book was as thick as half the span of a hand, and she had been given it from her tutor and ordered to memorize it. She could read and write to some extent, but she was not yet proficient, and yet was still expected to memorize a whole book of completely dull information. Her tutor didn't even give her enough time to work on it—the deadline was a mere week.
Seraphim felt like she was reaching her breaking point. Her father, the Count had come to check up on her, himself expecting that she had memorized the whole book by the fourth day. Wouldn't it be better if he asked her some questions and she gave him answers? She is the eldest daughter, also the heir since her younger sibling is a girl.
"It has already been four days, hasn't it?"
What was even crazier were her family's expectations. She felt pressured.
"Four days, hasn't it?"
"…"
"Lady Seraphim, this takes maybe one, two days to memorize."
"Is that possible?"
"The youngest daughter of the Viscount memorized all of the books in a day."
Seraphim bit her lip. Baroness Aldreda wasn't trying to mock her, but she was even more embarrassed and ashamed by the implications of her inferiority.
"Even now I'm learning fast, Baroness."
"Lady Seraphim. That may be fine under normal circumstances, but not now. Do you understand?"
"I understand…"
"You don't have to do the advanced curriculum. Just the basics."
She wanted to cry, the tears that she hid for too long wants to burst out. But she can't, she's the heir and she needs to be useful.
"Memorize one book each day."
"One book a day?"
"It's possible if you study all day."
Seraphim's eyes welled up in frustration, and she finally burst into tears. Baroness Aldreda looked taken aback. After all, Anastasia is her most favorite that she taught.
Baroness Aldreda is widely known as one of the greatest alchemists in the era. Seraphim wants to be an alchemist like her, but it seems like it's not possible.
"I only just learned how to write, Baroness! I'm different from that woman, she's been studying since she was a child! She's also a royal, she even has the power of the kingdom!" Seraphim yelled.
Anastasia got everything she wanted. If only she could be her.
Aldreda let out a weary sigh. She will be soon attending the academy and will be studying alchemy. She didn't expect her to do well, but she had to do the basics at a minimum.
"I'll check up again tomorrow, so don't cry."
Seraphim's sobs grew louder at the mention of tomorrow, and the servant girl Joan quickly extended her handkerchief.
"Please don't cry, young miss."
Seraphim gave a soft hiccup as she looked towards Joan. The maid flushed and she shook her head. When Seraphim saw it, her sobbing quickly dissolved and she grew concerned.
'The young lady is such a pain the ass. All of the young ladies that I've taught were all like this. I guess Lady Anastasia is special.'
Aldreda bowed to the young lady and went her way out of the manor. She has to go to the academy since they will be welcoming the newcomers.
"Lady Seraphim, your mother asked me to dress you up. Viscountess Mielle and Young miss Anastasia will be visiting later."
her brow narrowed, 'this is my chance to meet her! I want to ruin her but maybe now is not the time. For sure, she has cards hiding between her back.'
"Alright."