The news of Lady Mayline being sold off is now old news as another daughter of a wealthy baron has been thrown out of the family. Of course, Uriel realized she was probably the voice that stood out yesterday in the cafeteria. It's not like there's anything she can do about it, it was that lady's words anyway, she couldn't have stopped her from saying that, not with that thing that's making other people do things against their own will. Enough about that, a professor walked into the room and gave them an activity where they'll write down their aspirations after studying in the academy as well as their niches. With the subtle harassment going on, the loops and leaps, as well as the three men, she hadn't had the time to think about her original dream; to be a professor. She wants to get all the knowledge she can get and receive a validation medal to be able to formally teach children who can't attend the academy and hopefully, build a school for them without charging them anything. She wishes to make a name for herself so that the children she'll teach will be proud to have her as their teacher.
As she was writing hers, everyone was discussing about what they are writing. Some were set to be the heirs of their families, some were set to inherit a land to govern over and laid out plans to develop those lands. Some were set to marry their fiancées and fiancé to unite their families. Uriel found it amazing how her classmates have their paths set for them, of course, everyone has their own hardships but at least they are already expecting those aspirations, they just need to improve their skills and wait for when those things would be given to them.
' How nice would it be to only wait and have time as your only obstacle ' Uriel thought
' But oh well, it's not like hard-work never paid off ... I'll just have to work extra harder ' she added, thinking to herself.
She submitted her form fast as her dream was clear from the very beginning. as she was about to return, the professor called her back.
" Miss Belanche, about what you wrote, I might be able to help you know what you'll have to face to become one " the teacher said smiling gently
" I'd be more than happy to hear it professor " Uriel replied
" Well first, of course, you'll have to do good at school, but that won't be it. Books aren't enough, you'll have to learn how to form connections because you'll need it. For one, after graduating, you'll need to provide three recommendation letter from three different noble houses not including barony. Another option is having even just one recommendation from a house not lower than a marquis ... " she said
' Welp, scratch those options then ' Uriel thought
" Lastly, you can strive to be the top student of the school for three consecutive years, you are currently in your first, we have four years here so you still have a chance. With you being a scholarship student, it must mean that you are an intelligent child, I believe you can do it " the professor then added
" Really? Thank you for believing professor, I'll do my best, truly, thank you " Uriel then excused herself excited to take a certain path towards her dream.
With the goal to always be at the top in mind, she headed for the library after class to do an advanced study. She works on studying etiquette and the kingdom's histroy as unlike the noble children whose etiquette is as easy as breathing, she was raised in the countryside and was a commoner on top of that. She discovered that she's also weak in philosophy but she realised that she has a greay aptitude for learning new and different languages, mathematics, herbology, science and she also found herself to be highly invested in soul abilities and any magic related stuff, so much socthat she started seeing holes in the theories made. Uriel was so immersed in everything that she barely realised that the sun is starting to set and the loop has not happened throughout the day. Her focus was broken when someone opened the door. Cautiously, she observed and listened to the approaching footsteps followed by silence. It was then when Simeon peeked above the towering books laughing at her surprised face.
A realization hit Uriel; that the library is where Simeon often meets her; where an event between her and him happen. Leo's was inside the classroom or anywhere in the vicinity in the building and Terrence's would be anywhere outside the building or the school leaving the cafeteria which would be for all of them to meet.
Simeon then continues talking to Uriel as she writes the title of the books she borrowed so she can read them again tomorrow. She has to go home before the sun completely sets since it would be dangerous at night, hence, she's now preparing to go home. As she was writing and Simeon talking, Uriel's stomach grumbled.
" You know what, I think your little friend over there is telling you to drop something for it to digest don't you think so my lady? How about a dinner with this young man? " Simeon offered Uriel.
He noticed that she's about to refuse, he told her that refusal would not be accepted, hence, Uriel hesitantly accepted.
At a fancy restaurant, Simeon called for a waiter to their table and paid a total amount of 10 gold coins for a single serving of food.
' Oh wow, that much would've been enough for my family to live for two months and here is this person paying 20 gold coins for two servings of food, someday, I'll be able to spend that much for my family ' Uriel though.
As they were eating, Simeon spoke.
" Why were you surrounded by that much books? You haven't even eaten "
" Well, to be honest, I want to be a professor so that I could teach children and since the only option for me is to be at the top for three consecutive years to be one, I want to do my best. "she answered.
" That might be hard though .." He said. He noticed how she went silent then looked at her and continued
" I mean you are undoubtedly a smart person to be receive a scholarship but the royalty have always been the firsts. Speaking as a noble, it is to secure the power to the throne. "
" Are you specifically talking about the second Prince? " She asked.
" Well yes, he is the heir as the first Prince, now the king, declared he would renounce his title after the second Prince is at the age of 20. " Simeon answered.
" If he's already the heir, then why does he still need to be the top? doesn't he already have the qualifications if the king has appointed him to be his heir? " Uriel followed
" You see, the king might not be planning to have a child during his reign but there are still three more princes, and there are factions which means that there might be supporters for the other three princes so a little tip in the capability of the current heir, someone could plot behind his back which can endanger his life " He replied.
' I never knew such things could happen ... was that necessary? can't he just at least be second? it's not like he's any less capable if I were to try reaching for my dream by surpassing him even just a little ' she thought to herself after falling silent upon Simeon's words.
" Welp, there's no harm in trying... whatever will be, will be " she finally said.
After a while, Uriel then bids him farewell.
" I would love it if you'd allow me to walk you home " Simeon said
" Ah, I'd be fine going home alone as I do enjoy walking on my own from time to time, besides, I wouldn't really want to trouble you " she said
" Why don't you just board at school? you'd have more time to study and your parents wouldn't have to worry about you coming home on your own " replied Simeon
" You do know I can't afford that, it's too expensive " Uriel said while smiling
" Well, I can pay for you " Simeon said
His remark halted Uriel from walking. A piece of Uriel's inside somehow cracked. She's poor but she's not a beggar nor is she other people's responsibility. She's poor but she doesn't want pity. She knows she's not turning away from help, she's turning away from being indebted to this person.
" In exchange for dinner of course " Simeone then added not noticing how Uriel stopped from walking.
When he finally noticed, he turned to see Uriel basked in the setting sun with pink, orange and purple clouds enveloping the surroundings and wind gently blowing Uriel's deep brown waist long hair with her looking at the fountain in the middle of the streets, her face turned away from him, her hair flowing away from her face as she opened her mouth still turned away from him as his eyes were fixated from her face to her neck to her collar bone
" I understand your concern but I wouldn't want to use friends or other people for my own convenience, you're a friend so just support me in some other way " she said then turned to him seeming to have regained her composure
" It's getting late .. I'll be going now, hope you have a safe trip back " she said with a smile as she turned her back.
Simeon couldn't remove the image of Uriel in his head as he also turned his back with heat on his face to his ear, to his neck. Whether this is from the embarrassment or something more, he didn't know, what he knows is that this is because of Uriel.
******
Uriel finally reaches home seeing her siblings outside their house waiting for her and her parents who are still working for the Lord who owns the house they're living in. They greeted her with a warm hug then they went inside to clean the house. She then caught her brother trying to read a book she brought from school she sat and taught him some words and surprisingly, he picked it up in under 10 minutes, she was really happy as she thought to herself that if her brother were to receive education, he would flourish. After a while, their parents came home with left overs and Uriel was asked to serve it. She realized that the food isn't enough for them so she told them she's already eaten and that she's very sleepy so she excused herself to bed.
Truthfully, she wasn't able to eat properly with Simeon, and in fact, she couldn't sleep a wink that night, she kept thinking about how her parents might've realized that she didn't eat cuz there wouldn't have been enough for all of them, and that she knows her parents haven't eaten yet. After waiting for a while, she headed to the kit hen to drink water to ease up her hung and she noticed that on the table, there's a carefully covered leftover soup her mother had put aside for her to eat
'Why didn't she just eat this? She would've been a lot more tired than I am' Uriel thought as she tried to stop tears from falling, ashamed of making her parents feel bad because she refused to eat. She understood that a parent hurt more when they can't give the needs of their child, hence, she couldn't help but feel sorry for making them feel as though she didn't appreciate their action, and for making them feel as though they failed in providing their child's basic necessity.
It was a very long night. It is one moment where she wished a leap would just happen so that the night would just pass along with her hunger.