Chapter 1.13 — Before the Calm, the Storm Knocked Down My Door!

  Tess found me in the hallway as she, with a savage look on her face, pinned me against the wall. A vein was pulsing on her forehead as she gave me a sharp look—not even blinking.

  That can't be good for her eyes. They'll definitely dry out…

  “Ahem! Please refrain from attacking the young man… Miss Dorfmund!” The maid snapped as she crossed her arms.

  “Ohh don't mind me… we’re good, right Honeypoo?” Tess briefly glanced at the maid, flashing a smirk.

  Tess and the maid’s eyes met as they glared each other down…

  “Ahh, it’s ok… my master is just joking.” I mustered an awkward grin as I tried to reassure the maid.

  The maid gave me a sharp look, she nodded as she seemed to have calmed down.

  “Very well… the lord is waiting in the study, please follow me.”

  As the maid was about to guide us, Tess leaned in closer to her and gently grabbed her by the arms.

  “Can we please have a moment? I really need to speak with my apprentice about important matters, before we can meet with the Marquess.” Tess' voice softened.

  The maid with a stern look on her face, reluctantly agreed and gave us some space.

  As I outwardly tried to look calm, on the inside I was fuming!

  What's this old lady thinking? She could have just asked from the beginning…

  Tess leaned in very close until her face was only a hair’s breadth away. She then reached and pulled out all the accessories hanging around my neck, as she elegantly held my name-tag between her fingers.

  I caught a whiff of her perfume as she seemed to admire the name-tag. My heart was still pounding from her sudden outburst, but now… well—let’s just say my heart pounded for a different reason…

  Ahh, betrayed by my own heart—it should be illegal to be this gorgeous.

  As Tess shifted her gaze to me a warm smile formed on her lips.

  “You know… I'm gonna miss this name-tag… I really wish we could keep your cute nickname on it.” A hint of sadness echoed in her voice.

  I began to feel quite annoyed since I really dislike that nickname… I composed myself trying to smile…

  “Well, it can't be helped since it's supposed to contain relevant information and not childish nicknames.” I explained, gritting my teeth in the process.

  Tess' eyes widened as she with a big smile, tilted her head and placed her hand on top of my head… running her fingers through my hair as she ruffled it.

  “Awww… look at you trying to not hurt your Master's feelings.” Tess’s tone turned very sweet.

  My face turned beet red as I could only stand and stare at her… embarrassed.

  “Anyway… master, why did you suddenly scare me like that?” I looked at her confused.

  As she continued ruffling my hair, “Because you did something I asked you not to!”

  I tilted my head. “What do you—”

  Tess immediately stopped and grabbed the top of my head, tightly.

  "Don't play dumb… I know you've been borrowing books from the Marquess!

  Did you really think I wouldn't notice?”

  “That’s your own fault. How am I supposed to learn anything about this country—if you won't teach me?” I snapped, folding my arms.

  Tess took a deep breath as she leaned back folding her arms.

  “I see… I knew you were a little displeased… but not this much!”

  “Please forgive your master…I should have known better.” Tess's voice softened.

  “But, I was actually going to teach you soon… I just needed you to focus, so you're prepared.” Tess explained in a sincere voice.

  I raised a brow as my gaze met hers. “Prepared… for what?”

  “You have a rare talent… truly rare!” She said proudly as her smile grew.

  I looked at her, my expression turned into more confusion as I furrowed my brows even more.

  Tess leaned in closer as she let out a giggle. “The way you think, study, teach, how fast you learn, and even sometimes the way you act—It’s as if we’re not from the same world!”

  My eyes widened as a cold sweat ran down my spine.

  Ohh crap, has she figured out I'm not originally from here?

  Tess pressed her index finger into my chest. "That's why I was only giving you specific assignments—to speed up your progress and not stifle it.”

  I furrowed my brows as she stood up and folded her arms.

  “Since you’ve ruined my plan, did you actually find your answer in those books?”

  “Only some… I'm still looking.” I looked away as my face turned slightly red, embarrassed by my slow progress.

  At least now I know I'm 23 years earlier before the hero party departs on their quest.

  “I see, if you’d just waited a bit longer? I would've made sure you could have gained access to; The Feuerhartz Prima Library—but you just couldn't wait now, could you?”

  “You’re kidding—only nobles are allowed there!” I shouted in disbelief.

  Tess smirked as she leaned in closer as she once again grabbed my name-tag.

  “No, since I'll make sure you’ll become a Royal Scholar… Can you guess what your specialty is?”

  The realization hit me and I understood why she's been so harsh, in what I study.

  This stupid old, beautiful hag—So this was her plan all along!!

  Normally it’s impossible for a commoner to enter either the Prima Library or Royal Academy. But by making me a special student with language research as my specialty, I can basically gain access to everything I ever wanted.

  I looked up at her, “Why are you going this far Tess, it's a lot of work for someone like me?”

  Tess gave a warm smile, “Well, let's just say I got my reasons—I’m not doing it for free you know?”

  A cold sweat ran down my spine, she might be smiling but I know what she's hiding behind it.

  “Can I see it?” Tess asked, her voice still sweet.

  “Huh?” I tilted my head.

  Tess furrowed her brows, “That pendant or yours?” She said pouting.

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  I gave her a confused look. “Ohh, but it's here, hanging beside my name-tag.” I said while grabbing the pendant showing it to her.

  Tess's pupils shrank as her eyes locked onto the object.

  “Ahh, indeed it is.” She said while examining it.

  “So the others couldn't help you figuring out its origin, huh?”

  I sighed deeply. “No, they had no idea… I hoped someone might have recognized the carvings on it, but no… Jen, Simon or Grey have never seen it before.”

  Tess raised a brow as she looked at me with a somewhat displeased expression.

  “Ahh of course, I meant you too… I had especially hoped that you've had at least some idea about it… dear, Tess..” I quickly reassured her, as I nervously rubbed my hands.

  “Hmm, I see… Well then you’ll be quite busy for a while then—becoming a Royal Scholar is not easy. ”Tess said in a teasing voice as she pulled out a stack of papers.

  “I want you to study this… see what you make of it?” Her expression hardened as she handed me the papers.

  “What’s this?” I furrowed my brows.

  “The next ten years of your life if everything goes well…” She let out a chuckle as she hid her smile behind her hand.

  My face instantly became blank as I stared at her—my face flat as a pancake…

  I took a glance at the papers… as my eyes drifted I suddenly realized the implication.

  Don’t tell me? This is… No way—So this is what she’s up to!

  “Kind of rude to keep me waiting?” A familiar voice echoed through the mansion as I turned towards the voice… Ann’s father stood tall as he folded his arms.

  I froze as cold sweat ran down my spine—I immediately forced my body to bow as I opened my mouth to apologize.

  “Please forgive—”

  “Forgive me my lord… but I had to speak with Mr Nachman, before meeting you.” Tess bowed slightly as she explained in a soft voice—interrupting me.

  “I see… well, does this mean you finally told him” A grin formed on the Marquess face.

  “Yes he knows.” Tess replied, her voice humble as she raised her head.

  The Marquess placed his hand on my shoulder. “Good, I'm expecting great things from you… Mr Royal Scholar!”

  “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” I bowed deeply as I expressed my gratitude as sincerely as I possibly could… As I bowed my head towards the ground I fumed at the thought that Tess orchestrated all this.

  I snuck a glance at her. She’s up to something!

  The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, as a servant ran over and whispered something in the maid’s ear.

  “My lord, your other guests have arrived.

  Shall I escort them to the study?” The maid bowed as she awaited her instructions.

  “Ohh, they're here early, eager to begin. I see..” The Marquess grinned as he stroked his chin.

  “Yes, please escort them to the study and tell the Mistress I'll take care of it.”

  The Marquess ordered in a firm voice.

  The maid and servant bowed deeply as they followed their master's instructions, and moved with haste.

  “I’m terribly sorry but I'll have to leave you two for the time being.” The Marquess smiled as he turned and walked away.

  “Ohh before I forget, Anja is training with her Mother in hosting a tea party—you are welcome to join them, I'm pretty sure Anja will be happy to see you.” He said with a sly grin as he stroked his chin.

  ***

  Shortly after we arrived at the garden, Anja and her Mother were going over the formalities and the unspoken rules of a tea party… Ann did not seem very pleased.

  “No dear, sit straight… and, this is how you do that… chin up, Anja!—”

  “Ahh! Mother! Slow down, please… It's too many things!” Ann shot up from her seat in frustration.

  At that moment Ann’s dress caught the teacup, sending liquid splashing onto her dress.

  “Anja, calm down.” Martha stood up as she tried to calm Ann down.

  The maids ran over to help with the dress, but Martha was already cleaning it with her own handkerchief.

  I tilted my head in surprise. “Ohh, her mother works fast, huh!”

  Tess let out a chuckle as she quickly tried to hide it behind her hand.

  “I feel bad for Anja's Mother, but that girl is a lot of work.”

  “Are you speaking from experience Tess?” I said in a teasing voice.

  “Honeypoo.” Ann shouted as she noticed us.

  Ann lifted her dress as she turned towards us, her Mother raised both her hands to stop her. “Ahh… Anja, don’t move yet!”

  But it was too late as Ann had already closed the distance between us. My gaze caught her Mother as she was taking a deep breath in defeat.

  “Honeypoo!” Ann shouted as she was in the air with both arms wide open.

  It was like watching something from a movie. It looked like Ann was falling towards me in slow motion… my expression slowly morphed from curiosity to terrified…

  I instinctively took a step back—a thud sound echoed through the garden.

  Ann planted her face down into the ground.

  “Hey… why did ya move!” Her face beet red as she jumped up.

  I leaned in closer as my lips curled into a sly grin.

  “Well of course I moved, what kind of swordsman would get hit by that obvious move.”

  Tess let out a big laugh. “Pff… haha, he's got a point there!”

  “Aww, master not you too!” A flood of tears streamed down Ann’s face.

  “Anja! Are you alright?” Martha’s voice concerned as she quickly ran over to Ann.

  Martha immediately began to dust off Ann. “Mother… I’m fine… you don’t need to do that—please just stop!” Ann said in a harsh tone.

  Tess waved her index finger. “Don’t be too harsh, you're almost a lady now.”

  “Yeah Ann… this is important training too so you should listen to your mother.” I mirrored Tess' movement with a hint of sarcasm in my voice.

  Ann’s mother paused as her gaze turned cold, as if she was staring me down with daggers.

  I immediately let out an awkward grin.

  “Ahh, I meant not to disrespect the mistress, I'm just supporting my master…”

  “I see… well, I guess you're not completely incompetent.” Martha raised a brow as her voice softened with a hint of embarrassment.

  “Anja, let’s get you into a new dress and continue the tea party.” Martha sighed as she seemed to realize the dress was ruined.

  “Do I have to?” Ann’s eyes shimmered as she hoped to escape her predicament.

  “Yes, you’ll soon be ten years old and therefore it's expected that you can at least host a tea party successfully.”

  Well, she got that right even though I find it stupid, but apparently tea parties are important political weapons for nobles… since, you know… they can plan stuff and backstab each—I mean… have peaceful negotiations.

  As I was lost in my thoughts, Ann sighed as she looked like she was struggling.

  “Mother… I don't think I can do this… it's just too much!”

  “Of course you can, we just need to keep trying a bit longer.” Martha explained calmly.

  As Ann looked at her mother in disbelief, Tess interjected.

  “Don’t worry, your father sent us here to help.

  So you can spill as much tea on Honeypoo as you need to.”

  Shocked, I turned my head towards Tess as I lifted my hand up in protest.

  But out of the corner of my eye I saw Ann's face beginning to brighten up. So of course I ended up nodding in agreement.

  Despite Martha being a little reluctant she agreed to let me join and before I knew it I ended up learning a lot about tea—and other stuff I wish I could forget…

  I have to admit that days like these were not entirely bad.

  One might say I was enjoying myself rather well.

  As the events slowly blurred together and not long after I stood with everyone in front of the Temple Gates… It was finally my turn for the appraisal ceremony.

  “You ready?” Jen looked at me in anticipation.

  Grey with a smile, slapped me on my back. “Of course he’s ready, just look at him… standing tall!”

  “Ohh It would be so good if he also got Primux—water, just like me!” Ann jumped up and down, as she couldn't contain her excitement.

  “Ohh, that would be quite an interesting development!" Tess smirked as she turned, her gaze met mine.

  For some reason I became embarrassed and turned my head away. “By the way, is Simon also coming?”

  Jen closed her eyes briefly and let out a sigh. “No not this time, he's apparently busy with work.”

  I smirked. “Ohh I see… well it makes sense since he's very important to the village.”

  In that moment a voice echoed through the square as a man in a cerulean robe, trimmed with gold thread and arcane symbols raised his hand in greeting.

  The Conductor had now officially initiated the ceremony, and just like last time we were called one by one to the stage to receive our appraisal results… Then at the very end of the day I finally stood face to face with the Orb, as I in anticipation placed my hand upon it…

  The Orb came to life as symbols began to partially appear and disappear.

  Then it began to flicker…

  “It's probably just loading,” I said to myself, “just like games do sometimes, no biggie”

  The Orb buzzed violently.

  Then… nothing.

  Not even a flicker.

  The Conductor gaped and his eyes widened…

  My eyes were glued to the Orb as my expression became more confused.

  “Why… did it go dark?”