Valentine's expression grew more serious as she straightened up, fixing her gaze on Reese. "I never talked to you about my mom before. I guess it's finally time for me to tell you about my mom and her story."
The air seemed to thicken with tension, and Reese leaned forward slightly, sensing that Valentine was about to share something deeply personal.
Valentine began, "You know Aetherium prides itself on merit—admitting students based on their talent, not their status. It's official principle talks about providing similar learning opportunities to students comming from any background be it royalty, nobility or commoner. But…that's not the whole truth. In reality, the academy is far from perfect. There's still prejudice, especially among the aristocrats. They relish any opportunity they get to belittle and mistreat those of lower status. Many of them treat commoners as if they're less than human, as though status gives them the right to look down on others. It's a foul mindset, treating commoners as 'filthy beings', whereas these so-called 'graceful' aristocrats often carry far more filth in their attitudes. It's disgusting, really." She said with a somber expression.
Reese's brow furrowed in surprise. "But aren't you a noble yourself?"
Valentine smiled faintly, but there was no humor in it. "Yes, I am. I'm from the Rosedale Dukedom, the second most powerful family after the royal family. My father is the highest ranking noble. But my mother…she wasn't originally a noble-born. Isla, my mother, was a commoner—an orphan, in fact. She got into Aetherium purely through her own hard work and talent." Valentine paused for a short while to inhale a long breath. "However, Despite her brilliance, she faced endless bullying from some of the aristocrat students as well as subjected to discrimination even by some professors of noble status. The leader of her tormentors was Helen Vandermere, who's now the Grand Duchess Rosedale…my father's second wife." Valentine's voice hardened. "Helen couldn't stand that my mother was better than her. My mom was the valedictorian; Helen was only second best- the salutatorian, and this fact drove her mad. She did everything in her power to make my mother's life miserable."
Reese could sense the bitterness in Valentine's tone. She stayed silent, letting her friend pour out the words she had probably held back for years.
" Fortunately, My mom was saved by Uncle Vinter, the current Marquess Whitelock. He saw her talent and treated her like his own sister. The Whitelock family even adopted her, giving her an aristocratic title, which helped a little. But Helen never truly stopped harassing her."
Valentine's gaze softened as she spoke about her mother's resilience. "My mother went on to become a professor at Aetherium and married my father. She worked hard to protect students from discrimination, especially those from lower-status families. She tried to make Aetherium a better place…But she wasn't invincible."
"After her divorce with Duke Rosedale, my father, she along with me, just an infant at the time, returned to the Whitelock mansion. Uncle Vinter welcomed us with open arms. My father remarried swiftly. But I grew up surrounded by love, never feeling the absence of my father. I was content with living my life that way, until…"
Her next words, carried the weight of years of grief. "When I was nine, my mother was died." Valentine's voice trembled, her usually composed expression faltering. "She was killed, Reese."
A stunned silence fell between them. Reese, Reese, feeling a pang of sympathy, asked. "And? What happened to the person responsible? Were they caught?"
Valentine gave out a sad smile."They held a maid responsible for providing the poisoned tea to my mother and was later executed, but we all knew she was just a pawn. The true culprit…the mastermind…they were never caught," Valentine whispered, her voice heavy with anger and sorrow.
Reese bit her lips. Though she had lost her parents, she was nothing but an one year old baby at that time for her to even remember what her parents were like. She had been fortunate to have Natasha by her side as a mother figure. Thus she did not fully grasp the pain Valentine had endured. A person can not feel the loss of something that they never really had to begin with. But her heart too ached a little after hearing this story.
"Your mother...she must've been a really courageous person, standing strong up to all that. It's such a shame I never got to meet her…"
Valentine's eyes glistened. "Yes, She was. And she always told me that her work would shake up the academy, maybe even the entire kingdom, if she succeeded. Recently, I found her old diary. It's damaged— most of it unreadable and blurry. But what I succeeded in decoding some part of it…it's horrifying. For a long time, there's has been a secret society within the academy. A group of dark followers that follows the dark lord Zeran. They have been using forbidden black magic, performing illegal rituals under shadows of the academy. And Helen…she is one of them."
Reese was a bit taken aback hearing this.
"My mother discovered this secret. But she knew nobody would believe her if she try to expose them without bringing any solid proof," Valentine continued. "But before she could gather enough evidence, they must've found out…and they killed her to keep her quiet."
Valentine's fists clenched, her voice filled with raw emotion. "For so long, I've been trapped, forced to play the part of the perfect daughter to avoid Helen's wrath. I was a coward. I couldn't bring myself to stand against her, fearing what more might she take away from me. I let her control me, I danced like a wooden doll under her strings...But...I can't do that anymore. I won't. If I let this continue, my mother will never be able to rest in peace. I won't be able to forgive myself."
Tears streamed down Valentine's cheeks as her voice cracked, but the fire in her eyes remained.
Reese stood up, moving closer to her friend. She sat beside Valentine and gently took her hands. "You're not a coward, Val. You've been through so much. But the fire inside you hasn't died. It's just been waiting for the right moment to come out. And now, we'll fight together. Let's give our best shot."
Valentine wiped her tears and nodded. "Yes. We'll do this together."
Reese's face lit up with determination. "So, what's the plan? How are we going to move forward?"
"I need to investigate more, but people watch my every move. Being in the spotlight as the Duke's daughter and the student council president makes it hard to act freely," Valentine explained.
Reese thought for a moment, then smirked. "What if I take the spotlight off you? I can be the distraction."
Valentine blinked, "How?"
"Leave that to me," Reese grinned, confidence radiating from her. "I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."
Valentine's eyes narrowed playfully. "You've already got a plan, don't you?"
"You know me well." Reese winked.
Valentine smiled warmly but her voice softened. "Just be careful. I don't want you getting hurt because of me."
"Don't worry, Val. I'm doing this because I want to. I mean, What's life without a little adventure, right?" Reese said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Alright, if you say so." Valentine sighed but couldn't suppress her smile. "I've booked you a room at a hotel in the capital. Stay there for a few days until the academy reopens. Here's the address." Valentine took out a piece of paper from her purse and handed it to Reese.
Reese took the piece of paper and pocketed it. "Got it."
"And remember," Valentine added, "You'll need to take the admission exam to get into Aetherium, but as Dame Natasha's apprentice, I doubt it'll be much of a challenge for you."
Reese stood up, grinning. "Piece of cake."
.
.
.
Reese watched as Valentine boarded the ornate carriage, the wheels softly crunching over the gravel road. Valentine leaned out of the window, giving her one last smile and a wave. Reese waved back with a smile. She had grown so fond of Valentine over the years, and now they were embarking on a dangerous mission together. As the carriage pulled away, dust rising in its wake, Reese whispered to herself, "Be safe, Val."
She stood there for a moment longer, watching the carriage grow smaller in the distance until it disappeared around a bend in the road. Taking a deep breath, Reese adjusted her cloak and made her way to the train station.
The magic-powered train shimmered with a faint glow, a marvel of modern technology. It would take her to the capital in just a few hours—faster than any carriage could ever manage. As she stepped inside, she found her seat by the window and settled in, her bag resting at her feet.
The train whistled, and with a smooth lurch, it began its journey. Reese gazed out of the window, her eyes tracing the familiar trees and fields of Cedarville. She had lived her whole life in the quiet town of Cedarville, where everyone knew each other and the days passed in a serene rhythm. Now, as the train sped along, the scenery began to change.
For the first time in her life, Reese set her feet outside her hometown. This realization brought a strange mixture of excitement and nervousness in her. She pressed her hand to the cool glass, watching the world blur by in vibrant hues of green and blue. Every now and then, the train would pass through small villages or stations.
Her mind raced with thoughts about the future— the mysteries that lay ahead, and what Aetherium Academy would be like. But gradually, the rhythmic hum of the train and the peaceful scenery lulled her into a quiet, restful state. Her eyelids grew heavy, and before long, Reese drifted off to sleep.
...
When she awoke, the train was slowing down, the soft glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the window. She blinked and sat up, rubbing her eyes. The sight before her was mesmerizing. The capital city stretched out in all directions, vast and sprawling, a sea of stone buildings and bustling streets. She had never seen anything so large and full of life. The train pulled into the large station of the Capital 'Eryndor' with a gentle hiss. Reese quickly gathered her belongings.
As she stepped off the train, she was immediately overwhelmed by the size of the station. It was immense, filled with people rushing to and fro, vendors calling out, and carriages waiting to whisk travelers away. The clamor of voices, the rumble of carts, and the sharp whistle of another departing train filled the air. Reese stood there with wide eyes, taking it all in. Back in Cedarville, the station was a simple building with a single platform. But here? It was as if she had stepped into an entirely different world.
Eventually, she made her way to the carriage stand and approached a coachman. "Excuse me," she said, holding out the address Valentine had given her. "Can you take me to this hotel?"
The coachman, an older man with a kind face, nodded and helped her into the carriage. "Right away, miss. It's a fine place you're headed to," he said with a smile.
As they traveled through the cobblestone streets of the capital, Reese couldn't help but peer out of the window. The buildings were tall and grand, with intricate carvings and glowing lanterns hanging from iron posts. People of all sorts walked the streets—nobles in fine clothes, merchants calling out their wares, children playing.
When the carriage finally stopped in front of the hotel, Reese thanked the coachman and stepped out. Her stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten since morning. Spotting a cozy restaurant nearby, she decided to stop in for a meal before heading up to her room.
The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat welcomed her as she entered the restaurant. The warmth of the place was comforting, with wooden tables, a crackling hearth, and soft chatter filling the air. She ordered a plate of roasted chicken, seasoned vegetables, and a hearty slice of bread.
When the food arrived, Reese's mouth watered at the sight of it. She has always been a foodie. The chicken was perfectly roasted, its skin crispy and golden, the meat tender and flavorful. The vegetables were cooked to perfection, seasoned with herbs she could not name but savored with every bite. She took her time, enjoying the meal.
After paying for her meal, Reese decided to explore the nearby market. The streets were lined with stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade trinkets. She wandered through, buying a few necessary items—new quills, parchment, and a small vial of ink for her studies. She took in all the sights, marveling at the vibrant colors of the fabrics, the scent of spices in the air, and the cheerful voices of the vendors.
The sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the city. The capital was overwhelming, but it was also thrilling, full of endless possibilities. Reese felt a surge of determination. This was just the beginning of her journey, and despite the dangers ahead, she knew she was ready.
___