The day is finally over.
I met up with my brother and the rest of the scholars outside with Kiera who took her own carriage while I ride on mine with my knights following with their horses.
It only took a couple minutes and we enter a long trail on the west side where the students residentials are.
There are a community filled with dormitory buildings and students entering where they're designated, some just walk their way since it's really not that far, while some, mostly foreign and nobles are taking their horses and carriages.
We went further and suddenly took a pathway of oak trees, there is a massive gate as we were let in by the guards.
It's the most guarded residence I've seen than the rest.
We reach the 3 storey, white and gold U shaped chateau mansion with black bricked roof, with servants waiting on the door way with their white and black uniforms.
The carriage stops as we headed out and I immediately noticed the knights lined up on the left are grand duchy's shadow knights, and the right are the imperial knights.
"It's an honor to welcome and finally serve your highness, our honorable Lady Althea, we congratulate you with passing and ranking as top with the Sectre!" the old man said courteously with his bright purple and yellow aura as I feel flustered but tried my best to conceal it.
He greeted Kiera too who sheepishly smiled and thank the old man too.
"This is Mister Thomas Galen, the land lord and butler of this dormitory." my brother introduced as I greet the old man courteously who seem flattered.
"Thank you for welcoming us warmly." I thanked as he oh and smile brightly.
"I'm sure the lady wants to rest now, her grace, the dowager grand duchess and Madam Farah are waiting at the gazebo for you." he spoke ushering us inside and I blink looking around as the maid and knights are dismissed and went back to their works.
There is a grand hall with platform and 2 curved winding staircases adorn with gold railings and the floor is carpeted with wine red carpet.
There's a gold and diamond chandelier in the middle of the high ceiling.
This place isn't as big as our castles, but it's more than half at most and bigger than the 4 dukes residences as far as I recall from what the newspaper described this dormitory.
We made it to the gazebo through the back door, where my nana and Madam Farah having their tea time with Wendy and Doris serving and freely conversing with them.
"Nana." I called approaching and I sit on the floor tiredly, hugging her waist as she stoke my head adoringly.
"My lady." Wendy mumbled in a hush with amused tone as I sighed tiredly and listen to the scholars greeting my grandmother courteously.
"The children must be tired from their classes, prepare a light snacks after they change in their comfortable clothing, have the dinner settled too, the grand duke is coming." my grandmother said to Sir Thomas who heed her command and appointed the maids to do so, while the scholars are dismissed and headed their way in the mansion, while brother stayed and greeted them, seating next to Madam Farah.
"Is the day that tiring for my Thea? You can quit anytime, keep that in mind." nana spoke as I chuckle and feel really sleepy with the cold breeze blowing.
"It more boring than tiring, nana, but I made friends today with the scholars, Kiera and I are in the same classes, she's really nice." I mumbled as she hummed stroking my cheeks.
"See, I told you, your grace, the lady will do alright." Madam Farah said chuckling as nana sighed.
"Go and change in comfortable clothing, your father will be here to check on you two." nana said as I hummed nodding and get up kissing her cheek.
"We'll be back." my brother said as we dismiss ourselves and leave the elder ladies, enjoying their teas as my brother and I headed back in the mansion with Wendy and Daisy following me and another maids took over their spots to serve and look after the elders.
"Wendy and Daisy already know the way to the west wing, I'll be there to pick you up and we can tour the dormitory, you can dress comfortably as you like in that part of the building, it's only you and Rafael's sister who are residing there anyways, but still be appropriate you'll never know whom you might run into." my brother said as I hummed and cling my arms around his torso as he patted my head.
"Why is there only one female scholar here with me?" I asked curiously as click his tongue.
"There used to be a couple good amount, but they already graduated long before and now working under the empire and grand duchy, as of now, Miss Kiera is the only one who passed the test and ranked 10th among the passers, the other prospective scholars that didn't made it to top 20 but passed still passed still manage to enter the academy but they have to reside on the local dormitory just like any other students, this dormitory is for the high graded scholars under the empire's watch." he explained as I hummed in understanding.
I already knew Kiera is a bright child, no surprise that she ranked up on the sectre.
"If you didn't passed the test, Miss Kiera could have ended residing at the local dormitory even if she ranked as 10th, the grand duchy only made a great exemption for her since you passed and topped the Sectre, it's better for you to reside here where the security is heightened, and since Miss Kiera ranked higher than 20th, it's only reasonable to let her in as an excellent scholar and accompany you, it's only a plus that you get along well immediately." my brother explained as I nodded and we made it upstairs on the west side of the chateau.
"Get use to your room, father renovated it so fast it's a no joke, he even made a connected room for your experiments, and a secret staircase that connects your room to the library at the attic, he even redid the garden facing your room." my brother said in amusement, as we reach the very end black and gold double door that Daisy and Wendy opened.
It's a cream and gold motif room, there's a king size bed and bunch of pillows, receiving area with couch and tea table, a grand piano with other string instruments on display at the side and ready to use, big bookcase and next to it there's a study table and office chair by the glass door, which leads to the balcony with pots of flowering plants, and even one of the red camellias that I replanted and multiplied over the time.
There are 3 connected doors for my work room where I could experiment, walk in closet and the bathroom.
It's almost as big as my rooms back in our castles, but considering this is a dormitory, I think my father just over exceeded himself when it comes to spoiling me, it even broke the norm of how fathers usually treats their daughters, now they're treated as equally precious as the sons, even more so.
If someone made this public it will become another competition of who's daughter have the best of what not, it's a bit ridiculous.
But who am I to complain? My father is just enabling my antics of doing things I enjoy and to keep me occupied.
"The Forema sent a couple new clothes earlier my lady." Daisy said with sparkling eyes and golden powdery pink aura.
Her love for dressing me up lately and doing great at it is beyond words.
"Let me take a bath first to wake me up a little." I mumbled a bit tired as my brother pat my back and I let go of him.
"If you push that third book on the upper left, the stare case will be there, it leads straight to the library." my brother said, pointing at the bookshelf which turned out to be a secret passage, it made me hum satisfied and he wave his hand dismissively and left shutting the door.
I was assisted to the bathroom with the water already filling the tub with the mixture of castile soap with essential oils of grapefruit blossom, magnolia and light musk, the scent fields the room faintly.
I bathed and changed in a fresh undergarments and ivory white wide shoulder, almost off shoulder chiffon floor length dress with lantern long sleeves, it has a thick high waist pale blue silk belt and walking skirt style with layers of ruffles at the ends, it's very comfortable but decent enough.
I refuse to wear big jewelries this time and only agreed for my hair to be dried on it's natural wavy state.
Daisy who's always prepared, took out a comb, silver hair pins and clips with small pieces of diamonds in shape of roses on it.
Daisy styled my hair in a twisted fishtail braids and decorated it with pins and clips she have, while Wendy powdered my face lightly
I notice how the weather feels significantly different than when I'm outside, of course they'll have heat generating mana stone in this place too.
"At least an earrings, my lady." Daisy pleaded as I sided nodding and couldn't win against her when her aura brightens and she put on a pair of simple silver moonstone drop earrings on my ears.
I go and climb up the bed, laying down on my stomach for a bit with a deep sigh as Wendy and Daisy do their own thing arranging my stuffs.
"I heard the crown prince resides on east wing where the young lord and other male scholars resides." Daisy gossiped, and that's one thing that Daisy can do best that Wendy could never as I observed, Daisy is a very resourceful at best, she's a great ears and eyes to have with how sharp she is and great on adapting quickly, she can be suspicious if it wasn't for my aura ability and see her pure intention, she's just helping me be aware more of my surroundings.
"Wouldn't it be a good thing while it's early, to get to know the potential partner of our lady." Daisy said in a hush while Wendy frown as I chuckle in amusement at how she seem like in a dreamy state.
"Dad!" I yelp jokingly which made Daisy jump from her spot making Wendy and I burst into fits of laughter knowing how much father hates the emperor from pairing his son to me, it's even forbidden to talk about that matter at home.
"My lady!" Daisy whined clutching her chest dramatically which made me laugh even more at her flustered and mortified state.
"The crown prince who's rumored to be dating my brother? I saw it on the newspaper, they were seen meeting outside of one of my dessert shops numerous times?" I said jokingly and the door busted open which made us shut up and I sit up immediately, my brother who looks flustered and staring at me in disbelief, now in his casual white lantern sleeve shirt and black trousers and boots.
"What in the world- is gossiping part of what you learned while your brother is away?" he said charging in which cause me to let out a shriek and jump out of the bed, I run and duck under his arms that where blocking the way.
"This brat!" my brother exclaimed which made me laugh knowing he's pissed and amuse as he chase after.
"No! I'm just kidding! Ah!" I shriek climbing away when my brother pick me up, upside down which made me scream laughing, grasping on my neckline and skirt as he put me back down the floor while laughing with Wendy and Daisy watching us in amusement, not even trying to stop my brother.
"Come on, father is already near the gate with the emperor and epress dowager." My brother said which serve as if a bucket of cold water splash on Wendy and Daisy.
"Right now? Here?" I asked again as he nod and help me up.
"Put a shoes on, my lady." Wendy rushed to pick a white silk shoes as I put it on with their help while my brother waited, sitting on the side of my bed and observing the room.
"Let's go." my brother get up as he escorted me with Wendy and Daisy following behind and fixing themselves on a rush.
"Miss Kiera." I called in hush when I found her coming out of her room on a rush with one navy green haired maid with her, they both seem startled to find me and my brother.
I motion for them to come with us and they followed without a miss with Wendy even helping Kiera fix her dress belt while we rush on the way.
"It's an honor to meet your highness, Lord and Lady, I'm Miss Kiera's maid, Midas." the maid introduces herself from the back next to Daisy as I look over and smile with a nod.
"I hope you find your stay here comfortable." I said as she seem flustered and nod brightly with her purple and yellow aura.
"Lord Dritan." Sir Colin, my brother's knight called in a rush and we quicken our pace.
We made it downstairs and my brother let me line up with Kiera and 3 other new male scholars who greeted us quickly and I did back, as Kiera and I stand next to each other while brother stand next to Sir Paul and the others across us, while knights and servants lined up outside as my grandmother, Madam Farah and the head butler Sir Thomas can be seen outside by the opened door too.
The tension in the room is unbearable.
The horse that my father is riding arrived followed by Sir Rupert, Viscount Terezia, and 4 other Wisteria's knights with a grand imperial carriage and couple imperial knights surrounding it.
I can only watch by afar for now and observe the servants and knights greet them as father get down his horse long his men, and the imperial carriage open, the emperor step out with a casual white and gold long sleeves, and lack trousers with his red and gold cape, with his crown on his head, as he assisted the empress dowager in her blood red walking dress that has gold embellishments on it.
I eyed my brother and suddenly look to the scholars standing with him.
Now that I realize, I'm not sure what Sir Max looks like without the hood of his cloak off since I only see his lips as he speak to me, but I'm certain that he's not here given that the scholars with my brother right now are acquainted to me.
A footsteps interrupted me as we all courteously bowed in sync and greet my the grand duke, the dowager grand duchess, the emperor and empress dowager.
"Where's the crown prince?" the first thing that the empress dowager notice as I blink and only notice it too.
Maybe he doesn't want to bother welcoming the new comers, I mean, I hate greeting people too and if it's up to me, I'd rather do something else or play pretend that I'm sleeping.
Or maybe he haven't arrived yet.
"Marcus, bring the crown prince in the dining hall." The emperor said with a calm but cold demeanor, I notice the intense gray aura coming from him, he's mad, truly mad.
"I heed your command, your imperial majesty." the imperial knight spoke and go as he was dismiss, as the emperor smile brightly again despite his contradicting mood.
"My, my, look who we have here." I calm myself down and courteously bowed to the emperor who hummed pleased as I notice his aura gradually brighten to powdery pink and purple.
"It's a great honor to meet your imperial majesty again." I spoke as he hummed and held my right hand which startle me a bit as he lift it a bit motioning for me to stand straight, my father look at the emperor coldly behind, same as my brother who both look tensed.
"Look at you, the last time I visited the grand duchy was 2 years ago if I remember correctly, I've been too busy lately and wasn't able to pay a visit, this old man was delighted to hear my goddaughter rank 1st on Sectre, the future of the empire is really bright." he said smiling brightly as I put on a smile.
Here he goes again, sometimes I think the emperor is just messing with my father and knows how to piss him off deliberately.
"You flatter me too much your majesty." I said hesitantly not knowing what to say as the empress dowager greeted me with a gentle smile.
"Congratulations for passing the Sectre, Lady Althea." she said genuinely as I thank the older lady with a bright smile as the emperor carefully let go of my hand and congratulated the new scholars next to me.
Once they walk pass us and lead the way to the dining room, my smile drop as I look down the floor.
The crown prince, is he trying to avoid this awkward situation that's why he's not around right now?
I remember he's 3 years older than me, and the last time as so him was way back the last imperial trade, it's been 7 years already, he does visit the grand duchy but we never greet each other since he's often accompanied by the scholars and my brother every time, or I'm not around and joining business trips outside of the Wisteria with my grandmother.
He's not that same child anymore, he's probably as grown looking as my brother since the crown prince is only 2 years younger than my brother.
In my past life, the two of them were forced out of the academy early for a subjugation, my brother was 18 at that time while the crown prince was only 16.
It will happen next year.
There will be monsters infiltrating due to the harsh winter that will come that year at the west coast, it was a huge deal with the sea frozen and dead, it's a sudden situation that never happened for how many decades.
I have no idea what's going on as of now, but my father become more busy and often visits the imperial palace as of late.
I'm sure it was not caused by natural calamity, since Hestia is a country that normally has 4 seasons but winter was never as harsh as Ilia's cold weather up the north.
I wasn't really aware what's behind that situation, but the newspaper only reveal their victory, the subjugation will took about a year, but after that, a war will broke out between Hestia and the country Pelias, a neighboring country down the south west.
It will took 3 years for them to finish the war, it requires both my father and my brother's presence along the crown prince, the 4 dukes and good amount of knights, that's the fastest they could finish the war since the enemy was unexpectedly prepared and all.
The king of that country happens to be the brother of the disgusting king who ruined my mother's empire out of pettiness, not accepting a refusal from my mother.
The mage who was assigned to be healers, one of them was Malina since she's a wielder of water that heals.
I'm awakened right now and have much more mana, I can heal too, not only with water affinity but with light, I can greatly help.
But it might interrupt my studies if they suddenly called for healers, I still haven't decided what course to get, but since I already studied at home which is equal to 6 years of extensive courses, it wouldn't be that much of a problem.
I'm already a genius anyway, as Professor Louisa declared, I already took academy's exam at home as part on my studies and as a monthly challenge, it wouldn't be a struggle to take exams to skip levels, I just have to prove myself more for the first semester, if the scholars could do it, so could I.
Remembering Sir Colin who came home with bandage wrap around his head when he lost his sight after taking a hit to protect my brother, and many other knights and innocent people wounded and died miserably in my past life, send chills down my spine.
"Lady Althea." I flinch looking at Kiera who look genuinely worried.
"Y-You don't look too well-" she panicked, my right arm was suddenly pulled as I look at my brother who has a deep frown.
"Thea." my brother mumbled as I blink looking away and trying to compose myself.
"I'm alright, I just lack a bit of sleep." I muttered as Kiera sighed in relief while brother hummed and escorted me while Kiera was met with her brother who escorted her and the rest of the scholars followed as we all headed to the dining hall.
Now I have to worry about that too.