Walking out of the doctor's office, I sighed.

"I won't let you forget anything, Claud. I'll write down everything we do! I'll get more diaries for us. You should write in one too!"

I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing day off... Because of this stupid situation, I have to keep a journal? She's staring at me too much. Is she using her skill to find abnormalities?

"Claud, let's take it easy on the training from now on. We can stay in the library today."

I'm not a dying child. You don't need to talk as if you'd grant me anything I wish for.

The only thing I can hear are our footsteps. It's hard to strike up a conversation with an atmosphere like this.

Maybe I should have lied about my birthdate when she first asked. I could have found out my actual birthday from the butler, then I'd play it off later by saying I was pranking her.

'Butler, inform Sophie to get me a present for my birthday'. An arrogant command like that could have prompted him to mention the date naturally in conversation.

Maybe even now I can fool her. Quickly find the butler. Find the correct date. Then tell her I was just kidding this whole time.

Or not. That would be quite forced. Sophie's not that naive to believe everything I say. In fact, she's been doubting me recently, hasn't she? She even pinched me to see if I felt anything. I have a feeling, she learned that from me.

I really messed up this time.

"Claud, we passed the library..."

I was too distracted. Shit.

"Are you really feeling alright? Do you remember where you are?"

Wipe those forming tears, I was just wandering absent mindedly. Touching a person's head won't magically bring their memories back.

Distract her with a bigger topic. She might believe it if I say I'm thinking about something important.

-Willpower: 7/24-

"I was thinking about our entry to the academy. Your mother didn't give you permission to attend-"

Her eyes widened upon hearing that.

"-but after we get married, that no longer matters. Both of us are going to the academy, I promise."

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Good save, me. Her trembling arms stopped.

"Wouldn't we be disobeying mother? What if-"

-Willpower: 6/24-

"Once you marry into another person's family, your parents no longer hold any authority over you. You'll belong to the Branford family, so you don't have to listen to your mother anymore. You can be free, Sophie."

That good news ought to brighten up her mood.

Oof! She crashed into me for a hug.

-Willpower: 5/24-

"Your bear hug's crushing me, Sophie..."

"Sorry... Can I really go with you? I don't have to listen to mother?"

I nod. With her smile reaching her ears, she gripped onto me again.

Urgh. Why are you squeezing me harder! Sophie, you're stronger than you realize. Ease up on the strength, my ribs are being grinded into dust.

----------------------------------------

After spending the rest of the day reading, we went to bathe before sleeping.

But after getting out of the bath, the sight that greeted me was... unexpected.

Why does she look so triumphant? She's smirking, hands on her hips, looking very proud of her handiwork. And why are the maids here too?

-Willpower: 4/24-

"Umm, Sophie. Why does my side of the bed have so many pillows?"

Don't say it's to protect my head.

"To protect your head, of course. I asked the maids to help out."

-Willpower: 3/24-

"There are even blankets and pillows on the floor... This is overkill."

"Good night, Lady Sophie. Sir Branford."

Why are the maids grinning to themselves?

"Come on, Claud. I'll hug you so you don't roll around in your sleep."

-Willpower: 2/24-

"I'm the one that's supposed to hold you in place. If you did it, both of us would be thrown overboard."

"We'll hold each other! That way, you'll be doubly safe!"

-Willpower: 1/24-

"No."

"Yes."

-Willpower: 0/24-

"Absolutely not."

"You ran out of Willpower. Hehehe. I'm not using Ally Empower, go to sleep, sleepyhead."

That's cheating...

"Don't worry, Claud. I'll make sure I don't move in my sleep this time."

I'm going to wake up with a bump on my head.

The last time someone hugged me to sleep like this was when Keith was still...

----------------------------------------

'Keep reading, keep learning. Knowledge is power. You can escape from this life. You're a smart kid, I'm sure you know what I'm saying."

That nice man at the orphanage.

His words probably meant that, if I was smart enough, I would've been able to be accepted into a school. Study hard, graduate, get a job. Become a proper working adult.

But the me back then could not grasp what he truly meant. I took it extremely literally.

I could protect myself if I had knowledge. But how was I supposed to do that?

I read everything I could to understand more.

The Bible, the fairytale books, newspapers in the office. The newspapers. Knowledge on social events, the outside world, new inventions, the financial situation of the city. What was socially acceptable and wasn't.

Our pastor fell on the wrong side of that.

Society looks down on this abuse of authority and trust. I could exploit this. If everything goes right, me and Keith will find a new home.

Everyone at the orphanage got toys for their birthday that year. But I asked for a book on law.

After that I succeeded. It just wasn't the best possible outcome. Because I lacked understanding. On how society treats those with status.

I was separated from Keith and rehomed.

I could only come to the conclusion that; the laws aren't in place to protect the weak.

The laws that are in place dictate what people are allowed to do. But a high enough status supersedes the rules. They're there to be used as a weapon. A weapon truly meant for humans alone, by using their words. The smarter you were, the better you could fight.

And now, I'm far smarter than I was before. I can do it.

I promise I'll protect both of us this time. Better than I did before.