Chapter 11

Through the Grapevine

Ah, this is so depressing. The lack of presence of father can be felt throughout the estate. He’s obviously avoiding me, huh? Sighing loudly, the desk is met with a loud crack  of Aristole’s ruler.

“You’ve already fallen behind four moon-cycle’s worth of study. Do you wish to waste even more time by not paying attention?”

U-Urk, his words stings. “S-Sorry Aristole.”

His eyebrows scrunch up before placing a hand on my head.

Er… Is he petting my head? Is he consoling me? What’s going on? In the whole nine and a half years of my life, I don’t think Aristole has ever done something so out of character. I freeze up. This is actually a lot more scary than his regular punishment to be honest. Why’s he petting so hard…? This little girl will go bald at this rate.

“Stop with that face.” He immediately removes his hand and coughs in embarrassment. “Really… As a noble, your emotions are much too evident...”

“Actually, Aristole… Would it be possible to make my lessons even harder?”

He looks a bit shocked, but then a grin peeks through. “So, you’ve finally awakened to the true pleasures of gaining knowledge! I have waited so long to be able to push someone of your caliber to their full potential!”

Smiling with conviction, there’s a subconscious feeling that I may regret this. Just as quickly, I bury these troubling thoughts.

“Thank you, Aristole.”

Finishing up classes, I feel a bit light-headed while walking down the hallway.

Aristole really had no mercy… W-Will I really be okay? No no no, I already told myself I’ll work as hard as possible…! I shake my head furiously.

Standing outside a room for a few seconds, I breath in to muster up my courage. As the double doors swing open, the movement causes dust to fly up. It interweaves with the light filtering through the wide-pane windows.

Books and files stack up in disarray all over. Floor, desk, window sill - Anywhere originally with space is occupied with all manners of items.

There’s an unstoked hearth to the left, above it hangs a large portrait with father, mother, and I laughing happily. My heart scrunches up painfully, but I step forward. Maneuvering through the clutter, I unlatch the window. New air is breathed into the room.

Now then. I begin pumping myself up. Hehe, let’s begin my new occupation, I am now detective Aeriea Newlyn!

*

Wow, this is insane. Well, I already knew this would be the case when I saw the sheer amount of paperwork and books in mother’s office, but… I didn’t expect everything to be so…

I could feel my eye twitching.

Why are all the information reports not ordered properly!?

Why is it that every time I go through a different stack, there’s always files not pertaining to the same stack’s files!?

Why are there so many outdated things in here too!? You should throw away trash properly!

Why are all the novels’ subjects completely unrelated to one another!? Glancing to the nearest book pile, there’s a journal on medicinal herbs, one on Fairytales, and another on ciphers…

Falling to my knees, I feel the motivation drain out of me. Mother… I can’t believe how messy you were…

There’s truly no rhyme or reason, it’s just plain chaos. Even though I’ve been organizing as I go, trying to piece together which files go to which cases… The number of piles just keep growing.

The worst part is I have to constantly re-read everything in a pile if I suspect something is relevant to one another.

Sigh, reaching for a another stack, I grab a file. Note its dates, people of relevance, and any other seemingly important information. By the end of this, I’ll become a master of summarizing.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Squinting, I try to make out the words and realize it’s dark.

Oh. It’s already nightfall.

Huh? Did I eat dinner?

Breaking into a cold sweat, sound finally enters my ears - Worry and irritation lace the calls of my name ringing through the estate.

Meekly, I peek behind the door.

“I’ve found the young miss!” The petite frame uncharacteristically booms out. “Are you okay!? We couldn’t find you the entire day after lessons!”

It’s Constantine. One of the maids who found me in the bathtub that day. To be more specific, she was the one who forcefully had the chef remake dinner.

“Ah… Yes, I’m sorry to have worried you Constantine. I lost track of my time due to the intensity of my focus.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine! Come now, I’ll reheat one of your favorite dishes for you - Sparrow and figs!”

Uuu~! My eyes light up and sparkle.

Before a firm grip catches my shoulder.

Ah…

“I’m s-sorry to have worried you Ms. Anne.”

She’s smiling but her eyes are stone. “It is no problem, Lady Aeriea. As long as it does not happen again.”

“Yes ma’am-”

“To be so focused to even forget eating or telling anyone of your whereabouts in this large estate… I’ve been going easy on your etiquette and dance lessons as of late, perhaps this was unnecessary considering your energy.”

“Uuhh, n-no...”

“I hope you have the same determination for tomorrow’s lessons as you did tonight.” Primly, she walks away as Constantine gently pats me on the back in consolation.

I just wanted to work hard on my studies. B-But, maybe this is for the best.

Yes, that’s right...! I’ll work hard in all areas in life! Somehow, I manage to convince myself of this.