She took a big bite of the cinnamon roll. Cinnamon and raisins created a sweet but slightly sour taste, which she loved. She took sips of her tea in between while Hael glanced at her as he had breakfast.
"Ho ho, your partner has an excellent appetite, young man," the older woman patted him on the shoulders. "You are fortunate."
"We aren't partners, Lady," he defended while Luiza tried to act oblivious to their talks.
"Oho! Is that so? Now, that is unfortunate. Youngsters these days." With a sigh, the woman left the table, and they ate in silence. The crackling firewood continued to burn, and the delicious aroma of freshly made cream donuts and walnut bread engulfed the air.
Once they finished their pallets, Hael placed his plates aside, crossed his arms, and brought up, "Lady Luiza, why are you not questioning the strange situation you are in? Pardon my frankness, but any sane woman would have asked at least a few hundred questions," he implied.
She gazed directly into his eyes, her spine straight, and in a dignified, poised manner, she replied, "Simply because I have nothing to fret about. I believe that as things go on, everything will unravel itself," which was a big white lie.
To say she had nothing to worry about would be an understatement. Even at that moment, her mind ceased to form sentences, and she was anxious.
Every step, every situation, and hundreds of scenarios revolved in her mind, and she felt powerless, but she had lived in a world where her eyes and ears were seized and she was to live in a stupor.
"If you say so, lady," he said, unfazed by her response.
"I think we should go now," she said, and Hael stood from his chair. Luiza followed behind. The counter was filled with delicious baked goods. The good food tempted her gluttonous mind.
"Should we bring some back home?" His eyes fell on her eyes; were her eyes brown? Wasn't it green earlier? Suddenly, it turned brown.
"Um?" Luiza slightly tilted her head, catching his gaze.
He swiftly turned and nodded as the older woman told him their total. He took a few coins from his pocket and handed them over while requesting to pack some walnut bread.
"Here is your change." She handed over a few copper coins. "Also, are you new here? I would have noticed if such good-looking people lived in our town." She glanced at the pair curiously.
"Indeed, we are. We are here to attend the academy, actually," Luiza revealed.
"Oh? My daughter studies there too! We insisted she leave the academy and help with the business. While at it, she also finds a good husband and gets settled; after all, she is at a ripe age to get married, but," the woman sighed, "her stubbornness knows no limits, and her father too does not say anything!"
"Well, she implored to attend the upcoming test, so we are allowing her, but if she fails, she promised to find a good husband." The woman had her face on her palm, her wrist supporting the face.
Luiza's lips gaped slightly. She was sure that the woman's daughter was a courageous young woman who had resisted the ways of society in an attempt to fulfill her dreams.
"Oh, I must be boring you two youngsters heading the rant of this old woman. Also, where are you heading now?"
"To the academy," he stated, and they walked to the door.
"Have a great day!" the woman waved, and Luiza waved back.
In the society they lived in, getting married at an early age meant the woman was exceptionally beautiful, and by age twenty, a woman would be labeled as a hag. Unfit to be married off.
Out of all the misfortunes she had to endure, though, she was glad that asking to get married was not one of them; after all, she was the hidden daughter of the Duke.
The delicate flakes of snow started to fall. "Um?" She brought her palms forward, and a frail little flake sat on them. Delighted, she had forgotten about her cold shoulders.
"It's beautiful," she smiled, and they continued to walk. A few miles away stood a big, castle-like figure. Its roofs were covered in snow, but the tall and large structure stood out. As they continued to walk uphill, the environment became bone-chilling.
Hael candidly took off his coat and placed it on Luiza's shoulders. As she slightly gazed upwards, "You should wear it, Lady. And next time, dress more warmly," he advised.
Her lips were pursed and curved to a side, perhaps a type of pout, but she wore the coat anyway. It felt warmer, and she was enveloped in the sweet scent.
Ultimately, they arrived at the academy. The gigantic gate guarded the academy, and the gatekeeper asked for the pass to enter. Hael showed his card, and they entered inside. The academy was almost as large as the Von Stein mansion, while the structure reminded her of a forgotten castle.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked. Busting her fantasy world.
"Uh, to the library?"
"I shall leave you to the library then. Wait there until I come back and we can head together."
"You have some pressing matters, milord?" She asked, and he nodded.
The gatekeeper suggested following the cobblestones, which would lead to the library. They followed the guiding path. On the way, there were a few greenhouses, a lot of grass, and a close view of the classes.
She was a tall, grim gray building. Its exterior was covered in mosses, and it seemed older than the academy's building. They entered inside, where the librarian was not present. The walls were covered in book racks.
The floors were wooden, and a rug was laid in the middle of the open space. A few chairs were present, and a large spiral staircase led to the upper story, where even more books were present. Two big stained-glass windows stood still with the art of Goddess Diana in them.
Her eyes glistened in delight. She could now explore freely!
"I shall leave now." Hael was notified and left.
She nodded and instantly strode towards the stairs and went upstairs. She started searching for the book regarding the Ancient Language of Magic.