The following day Carmella and I headed to the town and met our former head chef, Greg. We decided to have the meeting in our still closed store. It's a good thing, we are allowed to go out of the campus during weekends. Most students return to their homes but Audrey wasn't allowed by her father to come home. It seems like he wanted to pretend she doesn't exist.
"Good morning Lady Audrey. I am Greg and this is Meir, he's a patissier." He greeted us when we arrived.
"Good morning Greg, Meir. I'm glad you could meet up with me." I said.
We all sat down on the only available chair and table as the store is still not fully completed yet. Our agenda for today is food tasting. I have given them a few ingredients to play from and I'm hoping to see the results of their work. I gave them the recipe for creating fruit jam
It's been a few days since I became friends with Prince Xavier's group. I really enjoy spending time with them. It's just sad that Tille, Athelisa, and Wylymot were a year younger than I am. I wanted to have someone to talk to during class and I can't always be seen with Prince Xavier, Wishchard or Adekin since it will be bad for my reputation. I was on my way to the clinic together with Tille and Athelisa when we saw Lady Hannah and some other girls ganging up on someone. I was going to ignore them and pass by but I heard Lady Hannah ordering the girls she was with to strip the other person. I can't just leave the poor person alone now, could I? "Professors, they are right here! Please hurry!" I shouted as I grabbed the two and told them to make a heavy running sound.
The following day by the 5th hour everyone met at the herb garden and we proceeded to the carriage Adekin prepared. Soon we arrived at the bakery. Greg and Meir welcomed us and led us to a private room. It seems like they have created a few private rooms in case nobles also come and enjoy the food. As expected we were the first customers they had. I was very satisfied with the arrangement they made in the store. The storefront is covered with glass so the people passing by would see the bread being sold inside. Inside there are shelves that hold the different kinds of bread. Meir stayed with us and explained that to keep the bread from spoiling and to keep bacteria away. Each group of bread is inside a box like magic tool that keeps the right temperature for each bread and keeps it sealed. The magic tool looks like a transparent drawer.
After a while, someone knocked on the door and when it opened Meir came in with Healer Jan and Professor Xander. "You made it." I greeted them as they sat down and was served some refreshment. "Yes, good thing we came when we did too. Have you seen the line outside?" Healer Jan asked. I shook my head no and looked at Meir. "It seems like we became quite popular, my lady." He said and smiled. "Really? That's good for you." I told him and he excused himself. That's good for us. Money, money, money. "Have you been here for a while?" Healer Jan asked. "Yes, we arrived just when the shop
A week passed and now we are at the northern part of the country for the fall hunt. I just finished setting camp and headed to the healer's tent, Tille was already there when I arrived. Healer Jan has accepted her as his apprentice. "Good morning Healer Jan, Lady Tille." I greeted them when I arrived. "Good morning. Can you help Lady Susannah in arranging the herbs, she's in the other room. Bring that box also to her." Healer Jan ordered. Of course. This guy is the only person who has no qualms in ordering us around like were his maids. I carried the box he pointed to and brought it to Sussie. I saw her arranging the herbs on the table. I greeted her when I came in and helped in arranging. After we were done, I ask
The noise was getting louder and suddenly the healer tent opened and a number of bleeding students were sent in. "What happened?" Healer Jan asked as he started examining the injuries. Tille also stood up and helped him "There was a landslide in the northern mountain last night and it caused the monsters in the area to riot. They're running everywhere and still haven't calmed down yet." One of the students who were injured explained. "Then that means there would be a huge amount of patients coming in. Is there anything we can help with, Healer Jan?" I asked. Healer Jan gave the four us instructions on what we can do. Tille was given more complicated task as she has been training with him while we were given tasks like preparing bandages or preparing the herbs needed.
We entered the forest and walked in the direction of the northeast. I used my magic to create a 5m radius wind barrier to prevent the rain from wetting us and lit a fire in my palm to help us from having a better vision. I also used the heat from the fire to spread warm air in the barrier I created. I got really good at using magic after practicing it everyday. At first the three of them were shocked, especially Sussie since she's my classmate and knew I was really bad at using magic. I explained to them that I needed to hide this prowess for certain reasons. We walked as fast as we could but the sun was already rising and we still haven't gotten that far. I would soon deplete my magic so I told them we need to stop somewhere and rest for a while. The rain has not stopped but it wasn't as strong as it was before.
When the three guys woke up, we asked them if they saw Prince Xavier and the others. They did see them but that was on the first day while entering the forest. They told us where we can probably find them and offered to stay with us but we refused. It's better for them to go back since they are still very weak. We immediately left the place after that. They wanted us to wait till the sun rose but it has been 2 days since the guys are missing. Every second is important. We followed the path that they told us and by midnight we reached a river. They said that there is a high chance that they are here because there's an easy access to water source but it is also dangerous as it's close to the place that had a landslide. We looked around for any sign that the guys were there and saw some residue of a camp
Lis also went down to check if we can move the trunks while Sussie stayed with Professor Xander. "Audrey, Xavier is shaking." Lis said. I looked at Xavier and saw him shaking. I spread the warmth of the fire to a 10 meter radius and hoped I would last until Healer Jan arrived. I still haven't rested properly and the magic left in me is probably around a quarter of what I normally have. Tille is trying her best to heal what she can and to alleviate their pain but the three of them didn't regain their consciousness. "How are you holding up, Audrey?" Lis asked. "I'm fine. I can continue this magical consumption for 1 more day so let's hope Healer Jan reaches here beforehand." I said.
I can't believe this day is finally happening. The sky is blue and the birds are chirping happily. Everyone is anticipating this day. I'm so nervous right now, I'm scared to make a mistake. What if I trip and fall face first? That would be really embarrassing. "Saintess, it's your turn." One of the attendants told me and I shakily walked to the center aisle. Don't trip. Don't trip. Smile. This is a happy day. I've safely arrived at the stage and smiled at Xavier. He looked as nervous as I was. The commentator said something that I can barely hear due to my nervousness. I just need to wait for the signal and do my part. It didn't take long before the commentator gave me the signal. One of the attendants came forward with the crown. Don't drop the crown. Don't dr
"Who is getting married to whom?" I asked, shocked. "You to me." He stated. "Xander, you don't need to do this for me but thank you." I replied and entered the mansion. I appreciate Xander's kindness but I think Lady Julia needs him more than me. He doesn't need to sacrifice his love for her just to save me from my predicament. I have 5 years, I'm sure I'll find someone. Another week of adjusting from the aftermath of the dragon case and I'm already bored. Yes, that's right. Bored. I have achieved all my previous goals the past year and now, I suddenly lost my purpose so I'm here in my mansion sipping my tea. I've just finished breakfast and now, I'm wondering what to do next. Should I go back to the duchy? There must be something to do in the duchy. Should I?
A week has passed since the verdict was announced to the public. Count Blyth was executed 3 days later, Stefan and the former queen were sent to the borders, and my father, Lady Madelyn and Emily were sent to prison. They still tried to appeal to me for help but since I'm not crazy, I ignored all their appeals. They are already lucky I'm not suing them for their attempted murder on me. I also met the former queen in the prison before they left for the border. I've asked her what I had been very curious about for a long time now. Why did she put a seal on me?"I didn't put a seal on you." She replied when I asked her. "Really?" I replied sarcastically. "You are not Audrey." She said and I was shocked.
The next day, Carmella woke me up early and helped me get dressed. After we went to see Lady Julia yesterday, I was out of it. I couldn't believe what was happening. I felt betrayed but I also felt so sorry for her. I mean I should have known, right? I was being self centered and only saw my problems. I didn't even realize she was suffering, no, I ignored it. I was too preoccupied with my jealousy that I didn't see the signs. "My lady, you are ready." Carmella said when she saw me just standing there. I looked at the reflection once more before going out. Xander was waiting for me outside. I couldn't look at Xander after we left the Tower of Magi yesterday. I don't know how to face him. I don't know or want to know if he knew why Lady Julia acted the way she did. "Are you ready?" Xander asked when he saw me
"I know the person?" I asked, shocked. Xander nodded gravely. "It's Julia." He said and I looked at him shocked. I couldn't speak for a few moments and tried to understand what he was trying to tell me but I just couldn't comprehend it. "No. There must be a mistake. I mean why would she poison me? There's nothing she can gain in doing that. She must have been framed. There's no way." I told him and denied their accusations to Lady Julia vehemently but he just sighed sadly. "The poison was found on her body." Xander explained. "Someone could have put it on her." I reasoned but Xander shook his head. "She admitted to poisoning you
Healer Jan let me rest inside my tent while Xander guarded me. I fell asleep quite fast as I was very tired from the battle. My muscles are aching. I wanted to rest but I couldn't sleep deeply. I am having a very light sleep. I can hear the rustling of people walking around my tent. "Thank you for coming back, Audrey." I heard Xander say as he stroked my hair. He kept on murmuring things but I couldn't really understand them in my half awake state. I'm going in and out of consciousness which is very irritating when you just want to sleep. I guess my mind was still hyperactive due to the battle. I tried to relax my brain but it really wasn't working. I heard someone enter the tent. "Hey Xander. How is Audrey?" I heard Lad
"Audrey!" I heard someone call my name. I opened my eyes and saw that everything was white and in front of me and I saw my reflection. Is this the other side? Is it over? "Audrey?" My reflection called, which shocked me, after all, reflections don't talk. "Audrey?" She called once again. I looked at my hands and noticed that it's not the hands of Lady Audrey but my hands, the programmer Audrey. "Am I hallucinating?" I asked. "No. This is the place where our soul stays in our body." Audrey or Lady Audrey explained. "In our body? You are still in this body? Did I possess your body?" I asked, shocked.
Everything happened fast, after he breathed fire on Xander and the others. He charged towards the knights and the weapons, and destroyed it. Afterwards it set its eyes on me and charged towards me. I evaded the attack and used the earth magic to throw rocks at the dragon and pulled it down towards the ground before I looked around and saw the damage. Time suddenly felt very slow, I saw bodies on the ground. I saw the healers running and trying to save those that they could. I kept on looking where Xander was but I couldn't see them. I saw Lis shouting at me. "Audrey! Audrey! Snap out of it and move!" I finally heard what she was shouting about. "Xander…" I called out but I didn't hear any reply. The dragon tried to
"Are you alright?" Adekin asked. "I'm alive." I replied. It feels like we've been fighting the dragon for a week now but honestly I'm not even sure if an hour has passed or not already. I'm physically tired. I should have also trained my body. I almost got trampled by the dragon if Adekin didn't save me. "You need to be more careful." Adekin chided. "I know but my stamina is bad." I replied as I tried to catch my breath. "Tell Xavier to start firing the new cannons to the dragon. The mages are running out of mana. Tell him to keep it busy while the mages regain their mana." I told him and assessed the situation with the dragon. Sussie and Xander are currently fighting