I woke in an infirmary, the bed was surrounded by a curtain, a silhouette visible on the other side.
**Shlink**
Metal rings rattled synchronously as I parted the curtain to speak with the nurse.
"Ah- You. You're finally awake!" She said in an oddly familiar tone as she turned to me.
"Yes… Thank you for attending to me. May I ask how I got here?" I inquired after giving my thanks.
The last thing I remembered was attacking the third prince and crying until I passed out while…
**Plap**
I slapped my face as I remembered what happened.
"His highness brought you here. He said that you needed rest, and that he'd be back to talk to you." The nurse said, scribbling something down on her clipboard.
Hearing this, I immediately got up from the bed, attempting to leave.
"I know you two aren't on the greatest terms, but can you at least sign the release form before you leave without notice?" The nurse said in a tired tone.
I hesitated, but looking at her exhausted face, I complied. The form was a simple write here, sign that. And so, I was let go immediately after.
When I opened the door, I saw the third prince standing outside, tidying himself. I refused to acknowledge him, not looking him in the face. In his arms was a bouquet of flowers. I knew they were for me, but I can't bring myself to even look at him – let alone accept his apologies.
"Estelle, I-"
I stormed off, walking away quickly, not looking back. I went to the faculty to grab my stuff. Quickly excusing myself in, grabbing my belongings and promptly leaving.
A hand grabbed my arm, catching my attention. An aged man stopped me – the academy's headmaster.
"Lady Estelle, may I have a moment?"
"Lady"? I thought to myself, confused.
"Headmaster… Wh- why did you call me "Lady"? I'm not of noble descent."
"That is what I wish to speak to you about. Please, follow me."
It seems I've been led to so many places recently. I can't keep up anymore. Still, I followed him to his office.
…
"Please my lady, sit." He gestured towards a chair.
I took a seat, setting down my belongings next to me, making a mental reminder to not forget it again.
The headmaster took to his seat, facing towards me.
"To answer your question my lady, you are now a special student under protection by the empire and the church."
Was it because of the ritual I did earlier? The one that involved the cardinal, or was it because I was part of the ongoing investigation? Guesses ran through my head, but I let the headmaster continue before I made my own conclusion.
"As instructor Conroy previously told you, your Divinity is that of the highest purity. With that alone, the church sent out a notice to the academy board that you would be under their protection. Furthermore, the emperor also sent out a similar notice." He explained, answering the questions I had in my head.
"I… I see."
"They plan to nurture you into the kingdom's next Saintess. For now, the only ones privy to this information are the academy's staff, the church, and the emperor himself." He added.
I understand it now. I've suddenly become a valuable asset to the empire and the church. It was as if they'd already categorized me as a Saintess. What this entailed could both be beneficial and detrimental to my goals. On one hand, the privilege I'm about to be granted is something I could use to help me search for Ophelia – adversely, even if I wanted to leave now, I would not be allowed to do so. A boon and a curse.
"Are they not going to take me away?" I asked.
"As the headmaster of the academy, I've arranged for you to be able to continue your studies. I've notified relevant instructors that you would be taking their classes, but as a condition for allowing this, the church requested that you may need to undergo different activities during said classes. If you need anything, please don't be afraid to ask your instructors, or go directly to me." He answered.
"I see…"
The situation did not satisfy me, but I am relieved that this is all that came out of it. I can imagine that the only reason they agreed for me to continue my studies is to hide my status until I'm ready.
"Then if I may, headmaster-"
"One last thing, my lady. I've arranged for you different accommodations within the nobility women's dorm building. Do understand that this is for your safety, and our own compliance to the matter. Approach the receptionist at the front desk, I've already notified her of the move." He asserted with a stern look.
Knowing that this was arranged by a higher authority than the headmaster, I knew I could not persuade him otherwise.
"At least do me one favor, headmaster. Keep my previous room unoccupied and untouched. It is imperative that it stays as it is." I said with confidence.
"Done." He agreed immediately, coming to an understanding with each other.
With this, I bid him farewell and left his office, both satisfied with the deal, and aware of my newfound "privilege". With my bag in hand, I slowly walked through the campus grounds towards my new dorm. I passed by the garden where she disappeared, thinking back on how fast everything's been going since then. I only stayed for a moment, moving on immediately afterwards.
…
After walking awhile, I arrived at a large building, the size of a small castle. The stairs to the entrance alone were grand, split in the middle by a fountain and a small patch of greenery, the stairway itself wrapping around on both sides.
As I entered, I saw some noble ladies, followed by their servants entering as well. They were well dressed, and well-kempt appearances – unlike my disheveled self. It felt like I did not belong here at all, the glaring of theirs made that apparent. It's as if they looked at me with disgust, while whispering to one another. I approached a refined wooden desk with a receptionist who was arranging a stack of papers.
"Uhm… Excuse me…"
She turned to look towards me, jolting up for a moment.
"Ah! It's very nice to meet you…" She picked up a clipboard and started reading.
"Miss... Estelle Lauren?"
"Yes. The headmaster said he had informed you of my move?"
"Absolutely, miss. Please give me one moment." She requested, ringing a bell to her side, then proceeded to write on the clipboard.
After a few moments passed, a petite girl ran over. Her features were semi-human. She had feline ears and a tail. She had vibrant orange hair, with an inner layer of white. Irregular black and brown striped patterns ran all across her feline features. She had her hair tied into a ponytail and wore a maid's outfit. She stood ready, tidying herself in front of me, then curtsying.
"Miss Lauren, this will be your new assistant. She will see you to your room. Should you require anything, please call her to your side. Tiggy, introduce yourself." The receptionist explained, as she turned to the maid.
"My lady, my name is Tiggy. I will be with you from now on, please treat me well!" She said enthusiastically, bowing.
I turned towards the receptionist.
"I- I don't need an assistant…" I objected.
"Miss, all members of nobility who dorm here in the academy have their own personal butler or maid." She argued.
"But- I'm not a noble… I'm not meant to be here in the first place!" I protested.
"Miss, it says here that you're a "special student". You are meant to be here. Any and all persons who are housed in our facilities here are entitled to their own assigned servant. If you'd like, I can arrange for a different maid." She explained to me, pointing towards her clipboard, then gestured towards the maid.
The maid – Tiggy seemed to become sad, tilting her head down. I looked towards her, feeling bad. I took a deep breath, then exhaled.
"Fine… I understand. Tiggy, if you would." I eventually conceded, seeing how sad she was.
"Yes, ma'am!" She stiffed up into a salute, her face now resolute.
She started walking in a weird, stiff manner, I followed her closely behind.
"Please enjoy your stay." The receptionist bowed as we left.
I can't seem to catch a break recently. Moving all over the place got me tired. Tiggy glanced back at me who was lazily walking, swaying back and forth.
"My lady, please allow me to carry your belongings!" She requested with great energy.
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine Tiggy." I dismissed her request despite feeling lightheaded.
"My lady, I insist." She grabbed my bag, gently taking it off my hands and continuing forth.
She means well, but I can do things by myself. Is what I thought, but with her insistence, I just handed the bag to her. Even with the weight of my belongings off my person, I still felt the weight of a different kind.
Tiggy brought me up the stairs to a semi-transparent, blurred glass tube, its glass doors parted open, revealing a floating platform. We stepped onto it and Tiggy pressed a button made from a purple gem. Suddenly – the platform we were on began to float higher. It was the first time I ever saw such a thing. The platform beneath my feet was carved in runes that gleamed brightly in a light blue hue, a low hum began as it continued to accelerate. After a while, it slowed, then stopped on a floor with a single corridor. It only had a few doors on each side, and a single door at the end. She led me to a door to the left, "Room 301" it read. She took out a gold colored key, twisting the knob open.
We entered into a luxurious suite multiple sizes larger than my previous one, even having its own second floor. It was decorated grandiosely, each piece of furniture was that of high quality, more than what I've ever seen. The marbled floor was sparkling clean, everything looking well maintained. Every single one of these details mattered not to me. My sights were locked onto the large bed in the middle of the room. I leapt into it, planting my face into the soft cushions, falling asleep in exhaustion, thinking to myself.
"This may be my new accommodation – but it will never be my new "Home".