Idly staring at the embroidered cloth on the table. Reminded of her poor attempt of trying to be close to Josephine, inside her heart, she secretly was happy to prick the girl. She never realized how a failed plan could spark enormous ideas for her.

"...and you're smiling widely now, my lady..."

"I- I'm just thinking of what great things should we do since today's our last. I wanna know what would be the memorable things."

"I already know you, my lady. I know you too well that you hate that commoner girl."

Francheska's head shot up.

"Is that so... could you perhaps tell me why with that thought?"

Looking outside the bright outdoors, the maid went quiet for a while.

"Hmm... where to start? When you are angry, and determined, your eyes always stay on that particular 'thing'-- I'm so used to your actions that whenever I'm in a distance, I can already tell what you are thinking."

Aughh... not you too! Is it because of the influence of the duchess and the etiquette teacher?

"...and were you reporting my behaviors now and then to 'them'?"

The maid was startled by the sudden question from her lady.

"Of course not my lady! I- I mean I still do report your day to them, but your personality is different than etiquette so I never told them any of that!"

The maid got flustered by how Lady Francheska glared at her. For a second she thought she was in the presence of the duchess. She realized how Lady Francheska resembled the duchess more, rather than the duke. Maybe, as she stays by her lady's side she could solve that question herself.

Francheska got up from her seat as she suddenly hugged her maid. Burying her head on her stomach, she whine like a wounded puppy.

"Thank you for not telling mother and teacher... I want to impress them, especially Mother! I want Mother to coddle, and notice me for the great things I have done. I wouldn't be able to visit the Galkien house if it weren't for you Shelly!"

Crouching down

"Oh sweet child, it wasn't because of me. All of this... you did it by yourself, and you should be happy for how great you are. That you are not just a Hartpinjer, that you are Francheska Del Von Hartpinjer."

Speaking her name with diction. As if giving her the courage to take pride in who she is.

How admirable, she thought. If only her maid knew how of a coward she is. Being scared to death is the only goal she ever wishes for. Sometimes she forgets about herself and--

no that's not it!

She has always thought of herself, she just needs the courage and confidence to face her reality. And what reality is that? The reality of facing her new world ahead.

How does she walk that path?

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

Spending her time with the girls on the balcony, she couldn't bear the heat as the pretty dress wasn't helping but suffocating.

Standing up from from her seat, the two lass didn't question her actions-- didn't seem to notice for their absorbed discussion of the female lead's topic of love.

The maids that were guarding the door just showed their curtsey.

I envy her... such a nice word 'love' to be the only thing she ever dreamed and set her mind to. If she already knew what lay ahead of her, surely she would jump for joy-- probably kiss the dirty ground and offer her riches to the gods that destined her life. I mean... I would do the same if I'm favored so much by this world's gods. I want her to reach her happy ending, but I will never accept this unjust fate of mine.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Walking the hallway, Francheska noticed a room. Its door being left wide open, she observed the interior from a distance... A library!

Finally! I can take a mental break from that atmosphere... staying longer with 'them' makes me feel this is a fever dream. So this is their library... not bad. I always love spending time in libraries, they always give silence a whole new meaning.

Walking past the shelves of the library, it feels weird reading the title about magic to the fact magic does exist here. I always see this kind of title in fiction or nonfiction in libraries...

'To Master Your Inner Power', 'Awakening of Magic', 'Magician's Judgement', this makes me wish to have magic and learn these... but knowing from my 'friend' that this-- my character won't ever have one makes me sad. Augh I wanna know how it feels like to have power!!! Will it feel tingly on my arms when I use it? Would it give me a strange headache or stomachache? Aahhh the wonders! Maybe I should read some while I'm at it...

Grabbing the books off the shelf, she snickered at her behavior for being dumb at the thought of magic. She hasn't touched the magic-related books for she gave up on the thought of having one.

Ooh, so there are different kinds of magicians called... so in the previous centuries they used magic purely through lineage. When a certain disaster occurred in the battle of surges, ever since then... magicians used staff as their medium to summon their power. Ever since the prophecy came true, magicians are now for entertainment and whoever declares that they are are now made for a fool.

Haha no wonder these books are very dusted... I think I'm done reading these books. I gotta return these to their shelves.

Walking back to the shelves, she climbed up a ladder.

But I give it to them for preserving these books. I mean these books are history itself, I wonder who wrote these books...

Flipping the book close, Francheska scanned the cover to find the author's name.

'Lindell the 4th Asopher...' Of course, the Emperor's lineage would be part of this book. 'And Ayden Galkien...' What... did I read that just right? A Galkien along with an Asopher name? That couldn't be...

Grabbing the other books in hand, she flips for the cover and finds the author's name. In another and another book, she realizes something, that the Asopher family has been close with the Tolkien family for a 'very' long time.

Then these books on these shelves are the very first editions that started and helped the magicians in every generation to master their power.

"L-lady Francheska?! Why are you there?!"

A voice down below was heard.

Looking down from the ladder she saw the female lead, Josephine. She didn't realize she had been standing there with a hand below her chin lost in thought.

"Ah! Pardon me, I was just looking for... interesting books..." Francheska said as she climbed down.

"That's dangerous, be more careful lady Francheska. You might fall from that height." Josephine fiddles her fingers as she tries to be careful of her behavior around me.

Yeah... I forgot how skin contact is prohibited and even taught to this society. Now I kinda miss how carefree my world was.

"Umm... lady Francheska..."

Looking in her direction. Josephine understood that Francheska was listening to her next words.

"I-- were you bored with our conversation on the balcony?"

Yes. Yes, I was bored and sick of seeing you happy knowing I'll be dead after you have your happy ending. I wanted to say that to her face, but knowing that surely she will take it to heart... I just have to act it out.

"I-- no, it was my fault for not joining the conversation it's just that... I-its just--"

Damn, I forgot how to behave like a kid that...

"...I don't even know how to act my age." Francheska mindlessly spoke her words aloud.

In Francheska's peripheral view, she felt Josephine's body startled.

Ah! Shit...

"Ah no! You- you misunderstood me, my lady! I was just talking about... about-- about my life! Ahahahah!"

Augh... why did it sound so sad and pathetic...? And I was called the best actress in my roles.

A sniffling voice was heard in front of Francheska.

"Lady Josephine? Are you okay? Why are you crying?"

"It's just that... I know the feeling! I know how bad and lonely it is. E- even when you are surrounded by people... they still won't understand the feeling!"

How could she know what I would be feeling right now? She knows NOTHING ABOUT ME.

Finally bursting into crying, her voice echoed throughout the whole room.

"Well, we are different! This is just me being sad-- I just sour the mood! So... please stop crying..." Francheska shush Josephine's voice down. Although there are no people around, her cries disturb the holy silence the library offers.

Francheska was there for the sole purpose of being at peace. And now this girl just ruined it!

Should I just slap her? I should just do it if she can't hear me. It's the best communication there is! Communicating through body language.

And then a loud hitting sound was heard. The crying was gone.

It was then Josephine understood.

"I'm sorry for being loud, but you don't have to pretend anymore... lady Francheska."

"What's the meaning of this?!"

A stern young voice came from behind Francheska.

Turning around, their eyes met. Her fiery brown-eyed child stared daggers at Francheska.

Uh oh, fuck my life... this is going to be the stereotypical 'the-villainess-misunderstood-plot' scene.