idly staring on the embroidered cloth on the table. Reminded of her poor attempt of trying to be close with Josephine, but inside her heart she secretly was happy to prick the girl. She never realize 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."

Francheskas 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 awhile.

"Hmm... where to start? When you are angry, and determined, your eyes always stays 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 got startled from 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 of how lady Francheska glared at her. For a second she thought she's in the presence of the duchess. Which 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 hug her maid. Burying her head on her stomach, she whine like wounded puppy.

"Thank you for not telling mother and teacher... I really want to impress them, especially mother! I really 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 courage to take pride of who she is.

How admirable, she thought. If only her maid knows how of a coward she really is. Being scared to death, thats the only goal she ever wishes. Sometimes forgetting about herself and-- no that's not it! She have always think of herself, she just need the courage and confidence to face her reality. And what reality is that? The reality to face her new world ahead.

How does she walk that path?

Spending her time with the girls in 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'm envy of her... such a nice word 'love' to be the only thing she ever dream of. If she already knew what lies ahead of her, surely she will 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 really want her to reach her happy ending, but I will never accept this unjust fate of mine.

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 pass by the shelves of the library, it feels weird reading title about magic to the fact magic do exist here. I always see this kind of titles 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 character won't ever have one makes me sad.

Auuugghh I wanna know how it feels like to have power!!! Will it feel tingly on my arms when I use it? Would it gave 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 haven't touched the magic related books for she gave up on the thought of having one.

Ooh so there are different kinds of magicians are called... so in the previous centuries they use 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.

Haaah 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 flip for the cover and find the authors name. To another and another book she realizes something, that the Asopher family are close with the Galkien family for a 'very' long time.

Then these books on these shelves are the very first edition 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 have 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 fell from that height." Josephine fiddles her fingers as she try 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 to her direction. Josephine understood that Francheska is listening to her next words.

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

Yes. Yes I was bored and sick of tired 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 actually forgot how to behave like a kid that... "...I don't even know how to act my age."

In Francheska's peripheral view, she felt Josephines 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 infront of Francheska.

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

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

Finally bursting to crying, her voice echoed 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 to for a sole purpose to be at peace. And now this girl just ruined it!

Should I just slap her? I should just do it if she cant 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 me.

Turning around, our eyes met. Her fiery green eyed child stared daggers at me.

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