Elena had spent the night in her mother’s room for the first time in a long while. She knew it had taken a lot for her mother to speak about what she had gone through, and staying with her was the only way Elena could offer some type of comfort. 

Leaving for her second day at Ashwood Academy felt starkly different from the first. While Catherine no longer bore the weight of her childhood trauma alone, and Elena now had a greater understanding of why her mother wanted her to stay away from the Duke’s family, Elena still felt uneasy. 

However, she was concerned. She still had to attend Ashwood Academy, where she would inevitably see Sebastian, or perhaps encounter him at the bookstore. Fortunately, Professor Frowde had allowed her the week to get acquainted with school before having to return to work. 

She had a week to decide what she would do. The choice conflicted her—she enjoyed working at the bookstore. It had become more than just a job; it was her personal escape in Ashwood. 

“Mother,” Elena said in a sincere tone, her eyes steady as she looked at Catherine. “I want you to trust me. I won’t cause you worry.” 

“I do trust you, Elena,” Catherine responded softly, though the hint of lingering concern flickered in her expression. 

“Even if I stand out, trust that everything will be okay. And if they gossip about our circumstances…” Elena paused, her voice growing stronger with resolve. “We’ll still be okay.” 

Catherine gazed at her daughter, a mixture of pride and emotion filling her chest. Elena was braver than she had been at that age—far braver. The strength Catherine had long tried to shelter within herself now shone brightly in Elena, a reflection of her efforts to protect her daughter from the past. 

The two embraced tightly, a quiet understanding passing between them. As they pulled apart, Catherine whispered, “You’ve grown into a remarkable young woman. I’m so proud of you, Elena.” 

Elena smiled, feeling the weight of her mother’s words. She wasn’t alone in this—whatever happened, they would face it together. 

When they said goodbye outside Ashwood Academy for the second time, neither of them carried the nerves they had the day before. The weight that had once pressed on both of them now felt lighter. 

After a brief moment of reflection, Elena turned to enter the academy. As she walked through the halls, her confidence from the morning wavered slightly. Would she run into Sebastian today? The thought sent a flutter of uncertainty through her, reminding her of her mother's warnings and the complicated feelings she was still trying to process. She felt a pull—both to avoid him and to seek him out. 

She took a deep breath, shaking the thoughts from her mind as she focused on navigating the maze of hallways. After a few wrong turns, she finally made it to her classroom. 

Professor Montgomery and Matron Darlington soon arrived to finalize the students' schedules for the term. Elena glanced around the room, relieved to see familiar faces like Lorianne and Lucas, but her mind still wandered back to the possibility of seeing Sebastian again—whether she wanted to or not. 

“Miss Sinclair,” Matron Darlington said, her voice tinged with concern as she pulled up an empty seat next to Elena. “Are you certain you want to take these electives?” 

Elena raised her eyebrows slightly. “What do you mean?” 

“Usually, Commerce and Politics are electives that mostly the male students take.” The matron's eyes scanned Elena’s face, watching for any sign of hesitation. 

Elena felt a flicker of uncertainty but kept her expression neutral. She had expected this kind of reaction, though hearing it out loud still stung. 

“The Languages elective is great, as both male and female students take it, as well as Creative Writing and Poetry," Matron Darlington continued. "But I worry these other subjects may prove... too challenging for you.” 

Elena maintained her polite smile. “Still, Matron Darlington, can’t I give it a try? That wouldn’t hurt, would it?” 

There was a slight pause, the matron’s gaze softening. “It may affect your ranking in the mid-term if you don’t perform well. But if you’re set on it… there’s nothing I can do to stop you.” 

She handed Elena her updated schedule, her expression a mixture of doubt and resignation. As the matron moved on to the next student, Elena glanced down at the list of subjects, her heart racing slightly. She knew the risks—her mother would expect nothing less than excellence. 

But if she succeeded, perhaps it would prove, once and for all, that she didn’t belong in the shadows of others' expectations. Most importantly, these electives would be her start in being better, better to help her father. 

As Elena cycled through her classes for the day, she found herself loving every moment. Languages, of course, were exactly as expected—exciting. She was already near fluent in several of the languages being taught, so she knew this class would be the least of her worries.  

Elena's linguistic talents had blossomed early, thanks to her mother's encouragement and her own insatiable curiosity. By the age of nine, she had already mastered multiple languages. Her mother, a polyglot herself, had introduced Elena to the joys of language and culture, and she had taken to it like a fish to water.  

Her love of reading had also played a significant role in her language skills. Elena devoured books of all kinds, from classics to modern fiction, and her impeccable memory allowed her to recall conversations, passages, and even quotes with ease. Now, at Ashwood Academy, she felt a rare sense of ease when it came to learning, especially in this field.  

As she entered the Commerce classroom, the room quieted, and all eyes turned toward her. Curious, skeptical stares filled the space.  

 The classroom, usually dominated by male students, wasn’t known to expect any female faces—especially since women didn't usually pursue these fields. She was the lone female in a sea of young men, the very course Matron Darlington had gently tried to steer her away from.  

“I don’t think you’re in the right room,” a voice called out from the corner, casual but laced with a hint of amusement.  

Elena glanced over, her eyes narrowing slightly. “No, I am,” she responded firmly, her voice steady, betraying no hint of uncertainty.  

There was a brief silence, the tension palpable as the room absorbed her defiance. One or two students exchanged glances, whispering to one another, but Elena remained unshaken. She had chosen this path, and no one—not even her peers—would intimidate her into backing down.  

By the time lunch rolled around, Elena had reconnected with Lorianne, Lucas, and a few others in the dining hall, their group steadily growing. However, today, she didn’t wait for the commotion surrounding Sebastian's entry. Instead, she excused herself and decided to explore parts of the academy’s grounds she hadn’t fully seen. 

Part of her avoidance stemmed from the turmoil inside her—how could she reconcile her mother’s painful history with the duchess and her own uncertain intrigue for the duchess’s son? The conflict tugged at her, making Sebastian a complicated figure in her mind. 

Just past the academy’s well-manicured gardens, she discovered a small pergola adorned with wisteria. A bench sat underneath, and Elena, mesmerized by the cascading flowers, took a seat. The gentle breeze that stirred through the petals offered her a sense of peace as she reflected on her day so far. 

“I didn’t think anyone else had found this spot,” an unfamiliar voice broke through her daydream. 

Startled, Elena looked up. A young man stood nearby, smiling warmly. “We haven’t been introduced yet. I’m Norman,” he said. 

Elena shifted slightly on the bench, feeling caught off guard. “I didn’t know this spot was taken. I’m Elena,” she replied, offering a polite nod in return. 

“You don’t look familiar. You’re not a first-year, are you?” she asked, her curiosity piqued. 

“No, I’m in year two, actually,” Norman responded, his smile easy and unassuming. 

Elena studied him, her thoughts guarded as she wondered about his intentions. Her gaze fell on the book in his hands—a collection of poems by a famous poet she knew well. 

Noticing her eyes on the book, Norman smiled. "Ah, have you read this before? It’s for my poetry elective." 

“Yes, I’ve read it,” Elena responded, trying not to sound too eager. The book had been one of her favorites, one she’d read cover to cover many times. Learning that it would be part of the curriculum for the second year filled her with excitement she tried to hide. 

Before long, they’d broken the ice and were deep in discussion about poetry. The ease with which they spoke was surprising, even to her. Unbeknownst to them, they had attracted an onlooker from afar. Up in the upper halls of the Academy, someone gazed out into the garden. 

Sebastian’s eyes instinctively found her, her distinctive black hair setting her apart. But she wasn’t alone. The wisteria obscured the figure next to her, sitting at a respectable distance, yet close enough to stir something inside him. 

Why should it matter? Sebastian thought to himself, forcing his attention back to the hall and trying—unsuccessfully—to push Elena from his mind. 

The days that followed saw Elena returning to the wisteria-laden pergola during her free time. She had managed to avoid Sebastian altogether, yet, in doing so, found herself spending more time with Norman. Their conversations often revolved around poetry, but Norman also shared stories from his first year at Ashwood, offering her glimpses of what lay ahead. 

As Norman complimented her on her book choices, Elena felt a flutter of appreciation, but it was overshadowed by the image of Sebastian’s playful smirk. Why was it that she could talk so easily with Norman but felt a storm of emotions whenever Sebastian was near? 

By the time she reached the end of her first week, Elena felt a sense of accomplishment. She had done her best to avoid Sebastian. Though she caught glimpses of him from afar, she was determined for their paths to not cross. 

With no work scheduled at Frowde’s Fine Books over the weekend, she decided to enjoy the freedom. She hoped to spend her time reading, perhaps exploring more of the capital. It had been a while since she’d taken her bike out, and now seemed like the perfect opportunity to escape and embrace the open air. 

“Please be careful, Elena,” Catherine told her daughter as she stepped into Lady Timothy’s carriage. Catherine had finally accepted the long-standing invitation to accompany Lady Timothy to the temple for prayer. Though she was still wary of their presence in the capital, after her conversation with Elena about her past with the duchess, she no longer felt the need to hide away, restricting herself to the suburbs or always escorting Elena to Ashwood Academy. She was ready to stretch her legs, and Lady Timothy had extended a hand to help her do just that. 

“Aren’t I always?” Elena responded with a playful smile, raising her bicycle’s kickstand. 

“Be back by midday. Bethany will have lunch ready for you.” 

“I will,” Elena said, returning the smile to Bethany, who watched from the front door. 

As Elena cycled through the suburbs, the capital felt vast and unexplored. It wasn’t the coast she missed so much, but it had its charms. She couldn’t help but feel a new sense of freedom, the wind in her hair and the bustling streets giving way to quiet corners she’d never seen before. 

Eventually, she came upon a beautiful estate, not grand but still elegant, with a large, peaceful lake in the distance. The sight of it reminded her of the lake behind her grandparents’ home, always calming, always serene. Drawn to it, she dismounted her bike and approached an elderly groundskeeper who was raking leaves nearby. 

“Excuse me, I was just riding by and noticed the lake. Would it be alright if I took a closer look?” Elena asked politely. 

The man turned to her with a warm smile. “Hello, Lady Elena. I’m George, the groundskeeper here. The owners don’t visit much since the old master passed. It’s just me and my wife taking care of the place.” 

“Oh,” Elena replied, a twinge of disappointment in her voice. 

Sensing it, George added kindly, “But you’re welcome to take a look. I’ll walk with you.” 

Elena’s face brightened. “Thank you so much.” 

“The lake is usually pretty quiet,” George continued as they walked. “Only the deer and a few other creatures wander by.” 

Elena took in the sight of the lake, its stillness reflecting the trees and sky. She felt an odd sense of peace, like she was momentarily escaping the weight of Ashwood’s social demands. Here, everything seemed simpler, quieter. 

“If you want to return,” George said, “I’ll notify the new owner—his grandson. He doesn’t come by often, so it should be alright.” 

“Thank you, I’d love that,” Elena said, feeling a bit more at ease in this secluded corner of the capital. 

After leaving Elena to enjoy the lake, George returned with his wife, Elly, who was eager to meet the young lady her husband had mentioned. They didn’t often receive visitors, but the sweet old couple seemed delighted by Elena’s presence. 

Before long, Elena found herself lost in the peacefulness of the lake, spending the entire morning under the shade of a large tree with a book in her hands. Elly had even brought her some juice and homemade treats, just in case she got hungry. It was the perfect escape, a serene oasis that made her forget, if only for a little while, about the pressures waiting back at Ashwood Academy. 

But as the sun climbed higher, Elena realized it was time to head back. A pang of sadness hit her as she gathered her things, reluctant to leave this new place of solace. Bethany would be waiting for her, though, and she knew she couldn’t linger. 

She bid a warm goodbye to George and Elly, feeling grateful for their kindness. As she cycled away, she hoped she could return soon and spend more time by the lake with her newfound friends. 

As she turned the corner, the comforting peace she had spent the morning in slowly crept away as the reality of the week ahead surrounded her. She would be back at the bookstore in the evenings, and she didn’t know how she would keep avoiding Sebastian. More so, she wondered, hadn’t Sebastian heard anything about her family yet? The thought twisted in her stomach, a mix of dread and a desperate hope that he remained blissfully ignorant.