It wasn't even that fun anymore at this point, it's been a few days and I notice how people treated me, especially the professors, who constantly throws questions like a quiz of their very first introduction and it always ends up directed to me, as if trying to see for themselves.
They're asking the hardest questions that can only be answered by advance course enrolled students they said, and they're so surprise every time I answer correctly.
I think I've finished every single books in Wisteria, that I know too much, maybe I should have stayed lowkey, this is getting annoying, not that they're mean to me, professors are quizzing me every chance they get as if they all planned on it, and for their own amusement, I can tell.
It's the 4th day of the week, means it's focused on arts and music today.
I could breathe in relief, it's like a day off today, day of doing things that I love doing.
The uniform for today is still the same, except for the coat, it's super cold and students have an option to wear a thick cloak and scarf provided by the academy, I'm gonna go for the cloak and scarf today.
I'm up early, and I finish my breakfast already, I have 2 hours before the academy starts and it's only 6 in the morning.
Daisy tied my hair on a simple low bun while Wendy is collecting my finish plate from eating breakfast.
"I was thinking, maybe I could just transfer to advance course, so I can only stay here for 2 years." I said as Wendy hum and frown with amuse expression.
"Didn't the lady begged for his grace to let you attend the academy? What made the lady change her mind?" Wendy asked while Daisy stare at me curiously too.
"It's not fun, I enjoy business more with nana now that I realize." I said while Daisy giggled same as Wendy.
I sound like a literal child right now but I don't care.
"Well, maybe finish the first semester first, if you still find it not enjoyable, then we can speak to the grand duke and compromise." Wendy said as I groan and rub my forehead, stressed.
"I just sit there and listen, I've already heard all of if from Wendy and Professor Louisa's lessons before, the academy is a fraud." I muttered which made Wendy stifle a laugh while Daisy tried her best not to.
"My lady, the academy is not a fraud, you're just way too advance than the other students, that's why it's not as enjoyable, especially if the things they're teaching right now, are the lessons you've already finished and learned back in Wisteria, it's only natural for you since the lady is Ilia's imperial princess and direct descendant, and the lady of Wisteria's grand duchy." Wendy said trying to explain the best way she could.
"It's barely a week, give it a few more months and you'll see." Wendy added as she stroke my cheek and smile brightly as I groan and nod.
"My lady, the carriage is ready." Sir Ulysses called as he knock, Wendy and Daisy lead me out with Sir Ulysses who grown accustom to wearing a casual clothing and a jet black cloak than his military uniform, but still has his sword on his left side and his military insignia.
It's to make him less intimidating and move around comfortably, he's only doing what the imperial guards of the prince are doing.
We headed out of the building, Sir Orion following us in his casual attire that looks almost identical to Sir Ulysses, except the cloak.
I greeted him good morning as he looks like he's about to sleep since he's the one who guarded my door last night without a rest, it's good thing there's Sir Ulysses to took over the day of looking after me in the academy.
They see me on my way out with Sir Ulysses who took his own horse after he made use I'm situated in the carriage.
The coachman send my way off and headed to the academy as we pass the gate and the street of the students dormitory buildings.
Not long we reach my destination and Sir Ulysses open the carriage door and help me out of the ride.
"I'll be stationing with the imperial guards, Lady Althea." he said as I nodded and was quickly approach by two imperial guards.
"Greetings, your highness." they greeted brightly as I smile seeing such a bright purple pink auras early in the morning.
"Good morning, I'm going in now." I said patting Sir Ulysses' arm and let go of him as he bow while I wave at him casually and left.
I headed my way inside the academy, not surprise when some professors greeted me on the way and I could only greet back here and there.
It's a bit early and most I see are academy staffs and professors, I'm 2 hours early anyways, I want to choose a seat first again.
I headed upstairs and search for the art room, not too long when I found it on the eastern side of the building, I entered in and was greeted with prepared tables and chairs with easels, paint brushes, blank canvas, large sketch book, pencils, jar of water, mixing pallet and 5 large tube of paints composed basic of white, dark brown, red, yellow and blue colors.
I take a seat on the corner next to the window again, pressing my right palm on the table as my name automatically appeared on the table and materials on it's own with the use of mana.
I spotted Sir Ulysses by the window, laying down the bench under the tree while conversing with the imperial knights casually.
I just cross my arms as I lean against my table, just as a figure entered the room and I turn to see it's Sir Max, whom I've never seen in the dormitory the whole time I was there.
"You're too early, Lady Althea."
"What are you doing here?" I ask bluntly as he cross his arms and sit on the chair next to me and he sighed deeply.
"You see, art and music classes are combined with students of all levels, since basics of those are already thought at home, so bear with my presence, I prefer sitting at the back too." he spoke with a shrug while I pull my hood off my head and hummed.
"I've been staying at the dormitory for the past few days, you said you're residing there too, but I've never once saw you in there." I said with a wondering tone as he chuckle and shook his head in amusement.
"What do you mean, I'm always in the dormitory."
"You always have that cloak covering your face as if you're running a cult or something." I pointed out as he burst out laughing with his golden aura showing.
"Cult? My lady, what in the world- do I really?" he asked in pure amusement as I nod leaning my left arm on the table and rest my jaw on my fist.
"I don't even know how you can see with those hood covering half of your face, I don't even know what you actually look like, you know, that's dangerous on my part." I said bluntly, shrugging as he cleared his throat and grab my hood all of a sudden which startle me a bit.
He tug it over my face as I blink and realize I can see the surroundings even with the hood covering my eyes.
"Oh."
"You need not to worry about your safety with me, and I can see through it, there's a magic casted on the academy's cloaks, especially with outdoor activities while winter, so it doesn't hinder the sight." he said as I hummed and nod.
"I can't keep my hood on like this, it will only scare the students even more." I said making him chuckle while I take my hood off.
"You didn't went with your brother?" he asked as I shook my head no.
"He went out first with his imperial highness, the crown prince and the other student council for an early meeting or something." I mumbled as he hummed nodding.
"Or maybe it's just an excuse." I added cheekily, and a smile tug up my lips.
"An excuse?" he asked as I nod humming.
"I read newspapers all the time back in Wisteria, there are interesting rumors circling around about the crown prince and my brother, they're often seen together inside and outside my shops." I said with amuse tone as his jaw tighten in tense all of a sudden and his aura switch to intense yellow and pink.
He's anxious?
"What are you anxious about? Do you know something?" I asked curiously as he sighed deeply.
"I can't believe it reached your ears-"
"So it's true?!" I asked sitting up with eyes wide which startled him and I immediately noticed him got flustered.
"No! God, Lady Althea, first the cult, now rumors about sodomy?! I can't believe the fake rumors get this out of the hand that it reach you and misunderstood." he exclaimed gripping the side of the table in frustration and a small light blaring on the top left of his table, and an engrave of his name appeared.
Calix Maximmilian Agustus
He seem startled too when the lights emitted on his materials one by one, his full name appearing.
He groan and I froze on my spot when he pull his hood off and a pair of deep ruby red eyes met mine.
The crown prince.