CHAPTER 3

CHIN UP

When I came back home, I got scolded...

Well, it's to be expected considering I was gone for seven sun-cycles in the mortal realm...! It only felt like a few minutes there though...

...What if mommy didn't find me as quickly as she did?

I shudder at the thought.

My daddy's face also has the same lines of worry and weariness as mommy, "Listen up, little blossom. Fairfolk can't lie, however they also don't have to tell the whole truth. Sweet words can be used to lure unassuming Humans like yourself." Daddy pokes my head lightly, but firmly.

"While the Fairfolk often see Children of Sunira fondly, this doesn’t mean they will always help you out either. I should commission an iron accessory for you… But this might have the opposite effect and it might earn their ire instead…" Daddy gives out a long sigh.

"Oh dear," Mommy chuckles, "You'll get forehead wrinkles if you keep scrunching your eyebrows together like that." She says this in a sing-song manner and pokes his forehead teasingly.

"Well, at the very least you need to learn about the Fairfolk and which ones can harm you. Information is key, understand my foolish little blossom?" He pokes my forehead sternly.

Why does my family like poking foreheads so much? I wonder in frustration.

Thus, after this incident, it seems my tutoring is increasing by tenfold. But as I still feel immense guilt, I'll make sure to study hard.

*

"How many times must I remind you of the angle of your back young lady! Are you a Human or a piece of seaweed!?" My tutor, Aristole takes a ruler, flattens my back against it, and pushes my spine at a 45° angle, before nodding.

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"Now repeat this position correctly fifty times! If you're even half a degree off, you'll start from the beginning!"

"You're too strict Aristole... This is impossible!"

"There is no other way than to drill it into your body through sheer practice!"

"Uuuuu..."

"The Spring and Summer Court are part of the Seelie, while the Winter and Autumn Court are part of the Unseelie. They partake in a delicate balance of control over the seasons in the mortal realm through their power and influence." I recite with ease.

After my encounter with Queen Titania, it was fairly interesting to read about and memorize facts about the Fairfolk.

Aristole stays silent, so I take it to be my cue to continue onto the summary of my next reading.

"The border between Harthrow  and Stagwood  is the land my family oversees. While the two provinces have a harmonious trade relation, oftentimes there will be discord among the nobles about taxes and such. My family, the Newlyns, will step in and try to resolve this in a peaceful manner if possible."

Mm, I don't find politics interesting at all. I know I'm missing a bunch of stuff, but... I'm probably not wrong.

"Wrong!" He shouts.

"Wha-! Are you a mind reader!?" I shout back.

"Raising your voice is a sign of poor etiquette!"

"Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!"

"Anyways!" He continues.

He totally just ignored me!

"The depth of your knowledge is too shallow. Stepping in for economic discord among fellow nobles is only one of the many jobs your family overlooks."

"They are also responsible for the safety and protection of the citizens traveling to and fro each province. The upkeep of buildings and roads as well as your manor's structural integrity."

"On top of your father's duties as caretaker of the land between these two provinces, he also possesses duties  as Minister of Interspecies Relations in which he consults the royal family on matters pertaining to Humans, Fairfolk, Kindred, and all the other countless beings that dwell within the borders of this kingdom."

"Sir and Lady Newlyn must also perform the duties of a noble. They keep up to date on political matters where they have influence and the right to vote, to keep in mind what the people need and to balance this with the various high courts. Not to mention fund-raise and host events in order to to maintain your family's social standing."

My head begins to swim. How am I supposed to remember all this? Daddy and Mommy work too much!

"Even if your studies are ahead of others your age, it is no excuse to be sloppy in the material you're learning! Reread 'The Study of Trade Relations Between Interspecies' by tomorrow. Three times. You are dismissed."

"Aristole! You bully!" I cry out while madly dashing out of the room.

I'm just excited to have a break. I-It's not because I'm scared of him, I swear!