Apparently, The Father is an important noble. And by extension, Juni... I mean, I am too.

Which unfortunately means I can't hide forever. The Father said he can make excuses for a while, but that won't last long. At most, I have until I'm 14 (again) before I MUST rejoin society. Something about an academy? And about a coming of age ball in my honor....He also said not to get my hopes up, and that I most likely only got a year.

Which is why I'm stuck listening to a VERY boring lecture on a VERY useless subject (etiquette) In all the books I've read in my past life, I always thought the characters were exaggerating how AWFUL the subject was.

Nope. they were clearly just being nice. this subject is Horrible. For example, once we finish this lesson on pouring tea, we're going to learn about the PROPER way to walk.

"Good heavans!," My teacher said. "I've never seen such a hopless case in my life! its JUST tea. it can't be that hard."

"Oh my. Am I supposed to do it like this, then?

"Heavans no! You do that and you'll be the laughing stock of the century!"

The only fun I can get from these lessons is teasing this poor woman. Who was in such a panic over my horrible tea poring skills that it was hard to keep a straight face.

Unfortunately, if I did it wrong again, she was going to go get The Father. and i really didn't want to bother him so...

"YES! Thats how you do it! I KNEW all hope wasn't lost!"

Looks like I'm going to be stuck walking for the next hour...

. . .

"And thats when Mlyra was able to invade the old kingdom of Hyso. See this line here? Thats the edge of Mlyran Territory,"

"...Father?"

"Yes?"

"Aren't you a little to busy to be teaching me this personally?"

We both looked over to his desk, Which was covered in papers. It did seem like a there wa a lot of work left for him to do. Not that my attempts to remind him were of pure intent.

In response, the Father shook the book he was holding, and once again pointed at the map.

I sighed at my failed attemp to get out of this boring history/Geography lesson, but after I was (finally) able to name all the kingdoms and territories, The Father answered my question.

"Of course im busy," He said " thats why my sister teaches you Ettiqute and Poise, But I think I have enough time to do this much."

I glanced at the large stack of paperwork waiting for him. This man was lying. And what would he have done if I hadn't already proven efficient at Reading, Math and Science, which he had also been planning on helping me with?

The familar swirl of feelings came through me whenever I noticed things like this. Gratitude, for the love and kindness he showed me. Shame, for accepting this kindness, and guilt, for not being able to reciprocate it.

"Faaaather," I eventually said. I hated how unnatural it sounded. And from the slightly hurt expression that passed through his face, I wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Yes Juniper?"

"I can...Help with your work after we finish this," It was the least I could do, after all.

Predictably, he argued with me.

I pulled the pitiful daughter card saying how nervous and reluctant I was to rejoin society,and maybe just maybe i could learn somthing through fathers job. It was a pretty convincing performance.

Especially since it was true.

That was how, after all my classes finaly ended for the day, I was stuck reading such. small. text. in the candlelight. signing papers the way my father taught me.

I mean THE Father. He was not MY dad. That position was already filled. Thinking of my old dad wasn't making the reading any easier. so I wiped those thoughts away along with my tears and continued reading.

As tedious as this job was. it was sorta fascinating to read. It was amazing and scary to see the power our...this family has over the kingdom.

When i finished signing away the fate of some farmland, I put the paper on a pile for The Father to review.

I reached over to grab another paper. only to find none left

"Looks like we finished."

The Father looked up from what he was reading in surprise. when he found that he was holding the last document, he grinned.

"I should've let you help me earlier. Go to sleep. I can do the rest myself,"

I nodded before the idea hit me. "If I'm so helpful HERE than maybe i dont need to reoin soicity"

He shook his head in exasperation "You're not going to stay indoors for the rest of your life." he stopped for a moment. tilting his head and smiling softly at my antics. his voice was kind when he added."Go to sleep Juniper,"

I laughed. At least I tried. I ran out of the room, as fascinating as the reading was. it felt good to be free

It wasn't long until I got lost. This mansion was HUGE.

I should've asked for directions instead of running around aimlessly. Too late now...

Slowing down, I realised how tired I felt. How late at night was it? I couldn't find a single servant, despite walking around for a while. it was possible they were all asleep but...

I stopped completly. a chill crawling down my spine

"is it supposed to be ths empty?"

my whispered words bounced through the halls. doing nothing for my growing anxiety.

I should have asked father the way, why did i think i could get anywhere myself...?

The sound of crying made me jump. Was I hallucinating? I fought the urge to bolt towards the opposite direction, intead deciding to stand and listen for a while. The sound indicating that i wasnt alone here.

Slowly, I followed the sound. not running into any servants on the way there. Odd... especially since i wasn't being stealthy.

I made it to a small room (by this house's standards anyway) By this time, the crying had turned to sniffling.

i felt bad as i knocked on the door. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want anyone to see me if I had been crying... but i needed directions.

A weak, raspy voice replied

"Come in,"

I slowly opened the door. A small kid with messy strawberry blond hair sat on the floor, his face was buried in a pillow.

Slowly, he raised his head to reveal Turquoise eyes. Puffy and red from crying.

It took me a while to realize the familiarity want just from Juniper.

"You...Your name is Colton, isnt it?"