Chapter 51: Love at First Sight.
*Lia’s POV*
I was born and raised with everyone around me telling me that I was a chosen child. Anyone would become corrupt if they were raised like that. Luckily, I was very young when I realized that this was a lie.
My family, at least in the main branch, has ten children in my generation. I was raised thinking and being told that I was an only child. This was a lie. But it was a lie that my other siblings only found out when they turned 18 years of age.
All of us were born within the same year. Which is weird for a family that prides itself on purity. But it was my father who got multiple women pregnant. This wasn’t because he cheated, it was what my mother planned.
All of us, regardless of our birth mother’s, were treated, and told that we were legitimate children of the Hertria family. Once again, that was a lie. Though, one of the lies that I don’t think that my siblings even knew of.
Granted, they could easily figure it out. Since it wasn’t possible, even with magic, for a woman to give birth to that many children in such a short period of time.
Even before we set off to attend the academy, the succession game started. Luckily, I had no connections with my own siblings, so hearing that one or more of them ended up dying, didn’t phase me all that much.
Despite my mother being a lesbian, which is something only my father and I know, the head of the family must have a spouse of the opposite sex, to maintain a pure bloodline. My mother went against this rule, and my father is only a figurehead.
Though, unlike my father, I actually know my mom’s wife. And unlike my other siblings, I have a very good relationship with both of them. My other siblings try to remain in good spirits with our father, but completely ignore our mother.
Even though he doesn’t actually have any power at all, my mother does. Which was something that I found to be funny. Despite my good relations with my mother, and her wife, I wasn’t going to be the new head of the family. As I did not wish for it.
My mother said that she would protect me from my siblings, but only if I remain at home. I really wanted to attend the academy, and as I have no backing at all, I figured that most of my siblings wouldn’t bother with me at all. Though, this was proven false quickly…
On the day of the opening ceremony for the academy, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful woman. I quickly realized that I had fallen for her then and there. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?…
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
I wanted to talk to her, and I thought that I had the perfect chance to do so, since a fellow student decided to harass her. Unfortunately for me, the girl was able to quickly end the entire situation, with her winning it. I fell for her even more at that point…
As I accidentally eavesdropped on the argument, I heard her name. My mother already warned me about Amelie’s student, and how I shouldn't upset her at all. Even still, I couldn’t get the courage to speak to her…
The next day, at registration, I saw her once again. As I was behind her in line, I peeped at the classes that she registered for. Like a child, I just filled in the same classes, completely forgetting why I even came to this academy in the first place.
To be fair, most of her classes were the same ones that I was going to choose. Only, she just didn’t choose all of them. I didn’t add any extra either, so that I wouldn’t have piles of school work to do, that would interrupt my time with her. Yes, I was already thinking this far ahead…
After she finished, I quickly jotted my classes down, and silently followed after her. Her maid, which I later learned was named Ria, had clearly noticed me, but didn’t alert Celia of my presence. I had no idea why she didn’t, but I still followed Celia.
Celia… she spent the entire day at the library. Ria noticed me watching her, but Celia didn’t at all. When I realized that she was almost done with her last book, I left the library. After walking for a bit, I came across masked men…
Clearly, their intent was to kill me, so I just tried to kill them without holding anything back at all. I did succeed in killing them, but I was greatly injured. Another masked person showed up, but only took the dead bodies of their comrades, before leaving without even making a sound.
This was bad… These weren’t the kind of wounds that you could just shrug off. At that time, all I thought about was how right my mother was… Slipping into unconsciousness, I felt like this was my end. Ah, I couldn’t even tell the girl I like that I love her…
Well, I thought that I died, but I woke up in a nice bed. Getting up from it, I opened the curtains, which revealed that it was early morning. My wounds were gone, not even leaving a single scar. Potions couldn’t do this, only healing magic…
Healing magic is rare. Not because it is hard to learn, but because anyone who can actually use it, is highly sought after. Thus leading to their deaths or imprisonment. As such, not many even attempt to learn healing magic. As it basically paints a target on your back.
Whoever picked me up, was clearly very powerful. My mother only had one healer on her payroll. So whoever it is, they might be on the same level as her. As I was thinking this, a maid came into the room. I was a little shocked, but this maid was clearly Ria.
Ria: “Ah, miss? You seem to be in good health now.” She said with a warm tone.
I don’t know why, but I feel like this girl is dangerous… But, she is just a maid, so, it must just be me being on edge from almost dying.
Lia: “Yes, who do I have to thank for saving me?” I ask with a curious tone.
Ria: “My Lady, Celia, was the one who found you almost dead. She rushed you back to our residence, in a princess carry, so that our healers could save you.” She explained.
She held me in a princess carry!? And I wasn’t even awake for it!? Curse my siblings! I swear to every God and Goddess around, I will kill them all just for this! Besides, I am sure that it was one of them that made an attempt on my life.
After that, I had breakfast with Celia. Oddly, it was the only time when I truly felt like I was at home. The only other place like that was my mother’s chamber, where she and her wife spent most of their time together. Before leaving, probably due to my mind still being muddled, I ended up confessing to Celia…