Free Web NovelChapter 25: Dream
"Madam, choose whatever you want; we have many paths here," said the male vendor with a smile on his face.
’For the first time, my sister gave me her consent to choose the things I need at the bazaar. So I must choose wisely.’
’It’s good that no one here knows who I really am, otherwise it would be difficult and, to some extent, let’s say, shameful to choose what I want.’
’I’ve bought the basic necessities, and now what I really want are paths.’
This city’s underground market was strikingly different from the sterile imperial shops of her homeland. It smelled of burnt incense, dampness, and old copper. Wares were piled together: from rare spell scrolls to forbidden artifacts. Celestia pulled the hood of her simple cloak deeper, glad that in this motley, noisy crowd of merchants and mercenaries, no one paid any attention to a lone girl.
’I was depressed for almost a day after my sister burned my books. Like she said, I need to focus only on self-development while destroying all unnecessary hobbies and so on within myself.’
’I don’t know if it’s because I’ve acted so cold before everyone for so long, but now it’s a bit difficult for me to adopt a different image.’
"Excuse me, but... well... do you have paths for relationships or, like, for friendship?" said Celestia, blushing slightly, looking like a tomato that wasn’t quite ripe yet.
"Ah, well, I consider that natural for teenagers. As for your question—absolutely yes, we have good paths for relationships and for friendship."
The vendor took out several stones and then, through a magic orb, reflected their names and properties:
Path: Friendship
Properties: Helps to establish relationships and become friends. Makes you more friendly in your surroundings. Quality depends on mastery.
Path: Confidence
Properties: Helps to be confident both one-on-one and in a crowd. Suppresses fear and gives confidence. Quality depends on mastery.
Path: Romantic
Properties: Helps to be attractive not only in terms of friendship but also in terms of romance, and helps to progress friendship to a romantic line. Quality depends on mastery.
Princess Celestia read these three stones very carefully, and before choosing, she decided to think about which path of these three was the best.
’At first I thought about buying all three, but in that case, I wouldn’t have time left to develop other paths that are important for my development and so that my sister wouldn’t notice that I’m doing all this. Moreover, I myself am interested in martial arts, including swordsmanship.’
’Confidence can be ruled out immediately. I have very good confidence. I’m always cold even if there’s a crowd of a thousand people nearby.’
’I like Romantic very much, especially its property that it doesn’t stop at friendship. Maybe I’ll meet a handsome gentleman from the novels... that would be wonderful!’
"Mhm, I choose the Path of the Romantic," she said with a serious face, as if she wanted to hide the joy inside her.
"Ho-ho, Madam, you have a sharp eye; alright, thank you for the purchase and of course good luck to you in your future relationships," the vendor said, laughing.
’Oh, how embarrassing, but at least now I have a normal path that will help me,’ she thought, handing over the money.
’Alright, now I need to head to the palace; it’s almost time to go.’
"This year I am especially glad, because special guests have come to study with us, and I am sure that there will be many talented students this year," — her voice rang out with an echo, amplified by sound magic or hidden crystals under the roof of the stage.
’And how much longer do I have to stand here? I understand that I was asked to sit in an elite spot, but still.’
"And one of our most important guests is the younger brother of our Queen, Lucian Valmont!"
’Is he also the brother of the Queen of this kingdom? Maybe I can become friends with him; maybe he’ll understand me?’ she thought and began to assess Lucian’s appearance.
"I am exceptionally happy to be studying alongside you all, and I sincerely hope to forge productive relations with everyone," Lucian spoke, his voice smooth. "As our director noted, this institution houses highly intelligent and talented students. Allow me to personally introduce one of them: the younger sister of the Queen of the Gorman continent—Celestia Fontaine."
Lucian raised his hand, pivoting his gesture toward the side of the stage.
’What?! Why did he say me? Wasn’t it enough to talk about the crowd?’
’The main thing is to maintain coldness!’ — thinking this, she stepped onto the stage with a very cold face, as if she weren’t in this place at all.
’Well, damn it, and what should I say? So many people are looking at me...’
REMEMBERING
’At first I thought about buying all three, but in that case, I wouldn’t have any time left to develop other paths that are important for my development and so that my sister wouldn’t notice that I’m doing all this. Moreover, I myself am interested in martial arts, including swordsmanship.’
’Confidence can be ruled out immediately. I have very good confidence. I’m always cold even if there’s a crowd of a thousand people nearby.’
’Well, now I regret a bit that I didn’t choose it; phew, it doesn’t matter, I’ll just say what I think and that’s it.’
"Hello everyone. I hope that this year, as Lucian said, there are talented children who could give me some competition," — she said, sounding a bit rude, of course. Her sharp, clear voice rang out over the hushed square, making many female freshmen exchange displeased looks.
’Oh, Lucian is there, and who is that next to him?’ — she began to take a good look at these two guys.
’Why are that guy’s eyes so creepy and very black... Although judging people by appearance isn’t great.’
’I wonder what they are talking about....’
’Oh, that creepy guy looked at me...’ — saying these words, she immediately looked the other way, that is, toward the window.
5 minutes later
’I’m already too lazy to sit here; I’d better go to the cafeteria....’
’But how do I get past? Two guys are standing there, and moreover, Lucian is there...’
’Maybe just walk past all cold? Maybe they’ll like it?’
She stood up from her seat and headed step by step toward the door, and after she left the classroom, she immediately headed to the cafeteria and didn’t even cast a glance at the guys.
’Yes... keep it up...’
After the break, she returned to her desk and the next lesson began, so she opened her bag and started looking for the necessary textbooks.
But she found some kind of letter:
’What, a letter? Did I have one like this in a beautiful envelope?’
’Wait, could this be that love confession, just like in romantic novels?!’
Celestia immediately opened the envelope and began to read what was written there:
"And your poem was very beautiful..." she said and began to read the verse from the letter that Ruthless had left:
The sky is dark, the cold winds blow, But in my heart, a secret glow. I watched your steps, I saw your grace, A silent ghost in this bleak place.
Your steel is sharp, your eyes are bright, You are the dawn within my night. I am a shadow, weak and small, Yet for your smile, I’d risk it all.
Meet me where rain and thunder rise, Beneath the grey and heavy skies. For one short glance, for one brief word, To heal the pain that went unheard
’Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Wait, wait, wait, is this real?’
’Someone made a love confession to me; I don’t know who he is, but I don’t care.... He wants a relationship with me.’
’Moreover, what a beautiful poem, you can really feel that it was written from the heart...’ saying these words, she began to clutch the envelope to her chest, and there was a happy smile on her face.
’Wait, stop, why am I so happy? It’s just a confession, why am I making such a fuss?’
’Because, damn it, this is the first time in my entire life; only a day has passed and I’ve already received a confession...’
’Yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes-yes.... wait, I need to be cold like my sister said, so no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no. I’ll just find out who he is.’
