It was a beginning of a new day. As she's greeted by the same plate of breakfast her mother so dearly prepared, she scanned their humble home. From the furnitures that her father repaired in order to be usable, to the cleaned surface where the sun reflected its beautiful rays, her mother humming while pouring the warm tea from the kettle, the house is warm and cozy, much more, no, a thousand times more comfortable than the lavish rooms in her school. Uriel thought what could she ask for when she's already been given more than what she wanted. The events of yesterday popped up in her mind. Never will she let anyone, not even if her voice is taken, insult her family, she vowed to herself.
She took a sip of her tea and waited for the moment the skip would happen and after some waiting, she found herself sitting on her seat in the classroom.
"I think I'm finally getting the hang of this" , Uriel mumbled to herself.
She realised that it looks like there's nothing she can do about her already strange situation, and she has other things to focus on like studying hard to make a name for herself and hopefully her family, so rather than wallowing on something she can do nothing about, she might as well just adapt to it.
As she stopped thinking to herself, she noticed that the atmosphere in the room felt like there's a funeral with people buzzing around, trying to keep their voices down.
"Have you heard? Lady Mayline is dropping out.", one of the female voices said.
"I mean, who wouldn't? Being reprimanded by the prince himself is like receiving death in the social world" a second voice replied.
"It would've been a different situation if it was the 5th prince", the previous one said.
"But of course how can someone like him compare to the beloved second Prince? the only thing going on with him is his looks" a third voice added
'Was it necessary to involve an uninvolved person?' Uriel thought
"But hey, did you hear that the reason Lady Mayline dropped out was because she was made to be an old nouveau riche's mistress?" a new voice suddenly said.
"Really? that prideful county family?" the first voice said
"Well, according the my maid, a friend of hers who works in the Mayline estate said that there was a huge commotion, apparently, she was supposed to be married to a baron who had just been knighted, bit other than a low background, the barony is also impoverished but then one day an old nouveau rich man met with the count and lady Mayline was seen walking out the room looking humiliated and desperate." the former responded.
Without realising it, Uriel looked at the ladies behind her. They were equally startled that she suddenly did so.
"Oh my, look at this, if it isn't the reason our dear friend got sold to some old man?" It was the voice of the first person who spoke as she fliiped her waist long grass green hair.
"You should refrain from that, you never know the prince might hear you" a petite lady said, grasping the arm of the previous lady.
Uriel couldn't say anything, after all, they are right, now, that lady is facing something against her will and that's because of the actions her "saviour", who out of goodness, returned to Lady Mayline, the consequences of her actions. Guilt and shame from receiving what she deemed as an undeserved and unneeded help swarmed Uriel's mind which was then interrupted by the sound of the door banging loudly as the professor enters the room.
*****
The last class had just ended, the thing that bombarded Uriel was overshadowed by her interest in the subjects. Although the murmurs of those behind her were like flies buzzing around her ear, the sleazy looking professor taught the class with utmost enthusiasm that it seemed like the small confrontation between her and Lady Mayline's colleagues didn't happen at all. Time runs fast whenever people are having fun, naturally, it was the same for Uriel and just outside the classroom, there awaits Leo anticipating that Uriel would join him. Albeit a prince, she noticed that he doesn't seem like he had had any idle talk with any of their other classmates.
' Yes, he would speak to them in a polite manner, yet after some time, anyone would notice how he always had to go home alone, eat only with me and the other two young masters who are always sticking around me. ' Uriel thought.
Ignorant to the life of those who are nobles, she continued speculating about how sad it must be to be calculating at all times, did they always have to try reaching for expectations of others for the sake of their honor just like how Lady Mayline's family made her marry an old man because he's rich and would save more pride than an impoverished baron? What's so wrong with being poor? As long as you have what you need, what more could someone ask?
Her thoughts were once again cut short and her eyes lit up when she saw Lady Charlotte walking out with her friend.
' Yesterday, when it seemed like everyone was being controlled and their eyes were dim, she was able to wake up, she might remember something or anything about me! ' she thought.
Filled with hope and joy, Uriel run towards the young lady who greeted her with a surprised look. The lady then proceeded with greeting her in a friendly manner, much to Uriel's joy.
" Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you but somehow, it always seemed like you would suddenly be somewhere else, I thought you were avoiding me " Lady Charlotte told her jokingly.
Feeling how her throat is heating up barely holding up what felt like thorns, Uriel's legs gave up and her knees folded into a crouch. The very first friend she made whom she thought was actually hostile to her, it turns out she actually wasn't. With the breath of relief, she forgot the people around her until a girl from their class asked out of concern as to why Uriel was sitting the way she is. Much to her surprise, she saw that the girl was one of Lady Mayline's friend, rather than looking cold and enraged at her, she was strangely gentle and modest. Of course, it didn't make sense and Uriel became wary of this sudden change. Just as she was about to connect the dead-looking eyes, the loops, leaps, and strange changes in behaviour, she felt a cold shiver on the back of her neck and when she turned her head, she locked eyes with a strangely stunned Leo.