I got down from the carriage and looked around at the buildings. It was better than I had imagined. I was awed by the buildings in front of me, but that only added to my nervousness.
"Good luck," I heard someone say, and I turned. There were parents there to see their children off, and some to yell at them to pass. Some people looked confident, others looked like they weren't interested, and some were as nervous as I was. I saw someone throw up into the fountain.
"My lady," a guard walked up to me.
"Yes?" I replied.
"This is for you," he said, giving me a letter.
"Thank you," I said, collecting the letter. I opened it and scanned through it. It read:
'This is my second clue for you, Livi. I didn't want to have this conversation face to face, so I wrote it down.
I appointed a few people from vassal families to take care of you while I'm away. They'll approach you on their own, but be careful of those I did not appoint, especially the Rosen family. Just remember that the Alden family is a respected family. Keep yourself with grace and remain unapproachable if possible.
Good luck with your exams, and don't be pressured.'
Rosen family. They are not her distant relatives. I never wanted to mention or see that family again. Who is still in the academy? The eldest graduated last year, that leaves... the youngest brother. He would graduate three years from now. I just need to avoid him, and I'll be okay.
I dropped the letter in my bag and went in search of the administrative office. It was easy because it was right in front of me. I got a number and an exam hall with a map to find it.
It took a while, but I eventually found my hall and walked in. I looked inside, and there were a few people there already. The security led me to a locker to drop my bag and a place to get writing materials. I didn't need Blair's after all.
The hall was filled with people within ten minutes. Everyone registered for the exam with different courses in mind, but they mixed everyone up to avoid malpractice.
"Good day, prospective students of Galliel Academy," someone said, standing on the podium. "This exam is the first of three. The first two are written, and the last is an interview. If you ever feel like you can't continue, our door is always open," he said, and there were murmurs.
"I'd like to inform you that we are grading your behavior as well," he said, and the room fell silent. "The first paper takes two hours, and the second one hour. The interview takes five minutes," he said. Why would an interview be timed? "For those of you with recommendations, please step out once I call your names." I will have to go out in front of everyone.
"Kevin Lineal," he called, and a boy stood up proudly and walked to the front. "Fred Fredwick," he called, and another boy stood up and walked to the front. "And the last person," he said and paused. What? "With two recommendations, Faina Alden," he said, and everyone gasped. Did they gasp at the name or the number of recommendations?
I stood up, remembering my mother's words, 'be unapproachable.' I took slow steps to the front, putting Elise's lessons to use. I faced the crowd, and my determination crumbled. They were all staring at me. I wanted to look away.
"You three have the choice to skip this exam and wait for the next," he said. "And as for you, Miss Alden, you can skip the two exams and take a small test before the interview," he said. Just like that? I've been nervous for so long, and now it was all for nothing?
"I won't be taking the test," the first boy said.
"Me too," the second said.
"Miss Alden?"
"I…" Should I take the test? Should I fail purposely? "I'll take the test," I said, and the two boys glared at me. What did I do?
"Okay, you two can go out and wait. In the meantime, you can have a tour of the school," the man said. "Miss Alden, please take your seat," he said, and I nodded.
I sat down, trying hard to ignore the stares. Some papers appeared in front of everybody, calling their attention.
"Your time starts now," he said just as the big hourglass turned.
I took a deep breath and opened the papers. I scanned through them, and just as my mother said, I knew it. It was the same as the things Elise was teaching me. I knew that the exams wouldn't be hard for me, but I had doubts—not in my knowledge. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go to the academy anymore. I felt like failing myself.
I sighed and started writing, making a decision I hoped I wouldn't regret later.
"Okay, that's enough, pens up," the examiner said, and everyone started grumbling. I raised my hand, and the papers disappeared. "Please exit the hall and wait for the next exam, which will be held in thirty minutes," he said, and we all shuffled out.
I walked out quietly and sat in the lobby as I watched the other candidates chat with each other.
"Hi," I heard, and I looked up. "I'm Bella Fitz," the girl in front of me said. "It's nice to meet you, my lady," she said, and it clicked.
"Oh, you were sent by my mother," I said, and she nodded. "It's nice to meet you," I said.
"You are amazing. I can't believe you agreed to take the test," she said, sitting beside me.
"I didn't want a free pass. I studied really hard for this exam, so it felt right to work hard for my spot," I replied genuinely.
"People might mistake it as pride, especially because you are an Alden," she said, and I gave her a questioning look. "Ah, you weren't told anything. That makes sense," she sighed.
"Please tell me about the Alden family, even if it's just a bit," I said, and she nodded.
"The Alden family is an old family that was formed from one of the empire's three pillars: Tyrile, Rosen, and Vernin.
People aren't really fond of the Aldens because they grew their power so much to the point of overshadowing all three pillars. Among commoners, they are saints, but to the nobles, they are devils. This is because the Aldens always focused on helping the commoners rather than gaining support from nobles.
Some families swore allegiance out of respect for their cause—my family included—some were defeated and forced, like the Tyrile, which was the original family of the Aldens," she paused and looked around like she was looking for someone.
"Your mother is the current head of the Aldens and is having some troubles because of the power struggles in the royal family," she continued, and I nodded.
"I see," I said.
"I can't tell you any more than this, but I hope I was of help," she said.
"Yes, you were. Thank you," I said, looking down. I am glad I made the right choice. If I didn't, I would have caused trouble for my mother, and she'd have gotten angry.
The Alden family is a lot more than I imagined. That only added to the pressure.
"Bella," someone called, and we both turned.
"Oh, it's my sister," she said, looking at a girl that looked just like her but in trousers and with shorter hair.
"Oh my, you were amazing," she said, sitting beside me. I am sitting with two of the same person. I haven't seen twins before, and it is fascinating.
"Thank you," I said, avoiding her gaze.
"I'm Ariel Fitz. You must know who we are," she said, and I nodded. "Are you hungry? There's a canteen," she said.
"I'm too nervous to eat anything," Bella said.
"Me too," I concurred.
"Your loss," Ariel said, walking away.
"Let's follow her before she gets in a fight," Bella said, and I nodded.
"Okay," I replied. How often does she get in fights?
We walked to the canteen and sat with Ariel as she stuffed her stomach. How is she able to do that? I am so nervous my stomach hurts, but she's just eating without a care. Is she that confident?
"Everyone report to the main hall," a voice said, but no one could identify where it was coming from. "All candidates report to the main hall," the voice repeated, and we all stood up and started making our way out. I looked at the map to identify where the main hall was, and thankfully it was close.
"It's time for the next exam already?" Ariel complained.
"Good luck," I said to her, and she nodded.
"I need that. If I'm being honest, I'm not that confident," she said. So how aren't you nervous?
"My sister just doesn't let things get to her," Bella said.
"I really admire you, Ariel," I said.
"That's just how it is," she said proudly. I wish I didn't let things get to me. Then I could endure a lot more.