The first thing that entered my sight was the luxurious musical instruments hanging on the wall, clearly telling the social status of the shop's owner. There was no one at the counter, however when they heard the bell ringing someone appeared from the back.
A woman, that most would call beautiful, appeared. She had a fair complexion, a slender frame, as well as emerald green eyes that is paired with her waist-length golden hair. She had her typical one-piece dress under a long black coat, she also had an emerald brooch on the middle of a ribbon tie. I assume that this is her teaching attire, since I saw Lith just leave a few minutes ago.
"Hello,What can I help you wi- Oh, if it isn't a Linia ?" Aerin said as she appeared
"Hello~" I greeted her
After reading about Hannah in the novel, my suspicions about her grew. On more than one occasion, Lith has said that his teacher asked him about if he had any interests in moving to the capital, to supposedly play music there. Lith also said that he denied any interests, saying he was worried about his Mother as an excuse. But still, she asked multiple times even after that, one time she even offered to cover his expenses so that he could play and study there as well.
Before, I already raised an eyebrow on how well she was treating my brother his othee teachee is also treating him to well to , but now alarm bells were ringing inside my head as the situation seemed pretty similar to what I read. But I still couldn't be one hundred percent sure that she's really like that, if I just falsely accuse them based on my conjunctures and what I read then I will be the one who will look bad.
"Well, there's only a week left before the year ends and Mom said that I should give you this as an early gift for teaching my brother all the time~" I smiled as I raised the basket containing sandwiches, fresh fruits, as well as wine.
I don't know about the actual quality of the wine, since I can't read human text but she also can't, so I can just pass it off as special 'foreign' wine.
"Another one?... Oh my~ I really appreciate it. " She seemed to have a thought at first but I couldn't hear it, before she happily accepted the basket
"It's only natural~ also there are sandwiches there, so it's best you eat them while they're fresh" I said
"You came all the way here, so why not have some of my snacks. It's already quite some time after lunch, so just treat as a light meal" she invited me inside
"I would love to~" I said as I put my hands together in gratitude
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I was having cookies while we were having small talk, when I finally decided to ask-
"You really seem to be fond of my brother, as a student of course. Not just multiple gifts over the course of the years, but even going as far as offering him to study at the capital." I asked her
"Well, he's really talented so I find it a waste for someone like him to remain hidden in this area. Not only me but Amelia also wants the same because he also talented in drawing " she answered before sipping tea from her cup
"Even I can feel your 'determination' to take him away, to play music of course. I too was mentored by the guards somewhat and they never did such things for me" I said
"Well, I don't mean to offend the guards. But even if they wanted to, I do not think they have the same financial capabilities to fully support bringing someone to the city, something which I and Amelia definitely possess" she said before gesturing towards the expensive decorations hanging around the house
Fuck it, I should've expected roundabout answers like this. Not to mention I'm getting pissed seeing her blatantly point out 'Hey, I'm rich, you know?'. Knowing that trying to probe around, hoping that she'll accidentally slip up won't work. I had to ask in a more aggressive way, I thought back to what first happened in the book that I read before throwing out the words-
" I see... There's a lot of bad teachers out there so I'm just happy that he's got such a good teacher guiding him. "
"Have you heard? Some teachers misuse their authority to force their students to perform 'certain' acts" I randomly said as I closely observed her eyes
"I've read about it, and I can't help but feel disgusted at those" Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I said those words to make sure she knows how I feel regarding those types of people
"I see... I find it a shame as well. Such things not just occurs with teachers, but to anyone who is in a position of authority over someone" she said as she took a bite out of the sandwich I made
"It could be a superior in work, a master, or perhaps even family." she said as she looked at me
Though her face and her tone remained the same, there was a change on the way she spoke. Did I perhaps strike a nerve? Or did she notice that I'm suspecting her?
"It's not always just what you make someone do, it can even be what you do not allow someone to do."
What the fuck is she saying? Did she get all emotional due to me suspecting her work ethic? Or did I somehow strike some sad childhood regrets of hers?
"I'm pretty curious..." she said
"He must've told you about our offers right?" she asked
"He did mention it to me..." I answered
"Some of my offers, I made sure it would have no downsides and only benefits for him and his family... Amelia also gave him many offers bwtter than mine " she said
"Yet they were still all rejected because he can't leave his family, which is very understandable." She said in regret
'Of course, we are pretty worried about leaving him alone with you two witch .' I thought like I can't see what's the problem
"So I can't help but imagine how good the offer you and Luna got must've been, for your Mother to suddenly change her mind and move the entire family to the capital despite refusing to do so for your brother" she said as she took a bite out of the sandwich
She knew about our scholarship offer? I'm guessing Lith must've told her that we'll be moving to the city. However what pissed me off was that, did she just say that Mom is playing favorites between us? No bitch, Mom just doesn't trust some random rich girls to suddenly pay off her son's education. To even think that Lith would be some sort of unloved child in the family, I actually am offended.
"I find it unpleasant, for you to assume things such as my Mother playing favorites purely based on speculation or your personal experiences with your own sad family. We simply found a better, more reliable offer that we can take, that's all. " I said
"Well, I too would find it pleasant if you did not question my work based purely off speculations as well." she shot back
"I don't remember questioning your work though?" I don't remember explicitly stating it
"And I don't remember saying anything about relationships in your family, it was only you who said something about playing favorites" she answered
"..."
"Sigh... I really tried to get along with you as much as possible." Aerin sighed
"But now I have a rough idea of why you always seemed to stare at me when I went over to your house" she said
"Though I wouldn't have liked to say this, but please do not lie when you say things such as receiving something better... It was a full scholarship right? Paying for your tuition full, however things such as living expenses is still all on you"
"What?" I was shocked by how much she knew
Did Lith mention the specifics of the offer we received? Just how much did she ask from him and why is she so fixated on it anyways?
"Looking at your face, I don't think you've noticed yet. No, I did not ask your brother about these things" she explained
"Then-"
"You and your sister Luna met with a high ranking officer who was impressed by you two , right? Who just so happened to annually inspect the troops of this rural village without any economical nor strategic importance." I gulped as I slowly thought of a scenario
"Do you remember the exact name of your sponsor or whose signature was it that was written on the letter that was given to you?" she said as she smiled
"In case you've forgotten or didn't notice, it was signed by me and my father, Max Incaross, the Duke of Wargvel. So yes, I do know the specific details of your scholarship because it is my own 'sad' family that will be paying for your education. After all, I was the one who wrote and recommended you two ." she said lightly as if it was no big deal
I was shocked even though I thought earlier that it could be a possibility, but hearing her say it herself still surprised me. If what she was saying is true then isn't she a Duke's daughter? Even I knew she was rich, heck, everyone here knows she was pretty well-off. But I didn't think she's THAT high up on the social ladder. What the fuck is someone of that caliber doing here, playing teacher with my brother? is Amelia also Duke's daughter ? is there some kind of hidden treasure in our village they want
What the fuck. So much things doesn't make sense. Didn't she and Amelia cook for me once? Did I just shit-talk my own patron then? Where is her guards or servants, isn't she supposed to be someone important? thinking about it Amelia also don't have any gaurd around her or they are hidden and will only appear when they are in danger
Now I felt stupid, if it's true then there's now way someone of her status would go through all the troubles she did if she really wanted my brother. If she was just a rich businesswoman or merchant, then sure I can understand. But can't she just take him away no questions asked, if she really wanted to? Or am I perhaps missing something...
"B-but... if that's true... what is someone-" I was gonna ask because I don't believe that someone like her would be staying at this village in the middle of nowhere
"That's none of your concerns is it? I was placed here and I coincidentally met your brother who happened to have a lot of talent, that's all." she said as she used her magic to reheat her tea
"Don't worry, I'm not so petty as to charge you for transgressions when I obviously hid my rank nor will I withdraw your scholarship. After all, isn't everyone happy? You get to study and fulfill your dreams, while your brother can now play,draw and do the same." she smiled as she said so
"I-I see..." In the end, I became meek as I learned of her background
I was reading and learning about how to quickly climb the rankings, and one thing I learned was that you must know how to use your connections and get on your superior's good sides. And this woman right now, was someone way above me and someone who can change my entire career with just a word from her mouth.
It really left a bitter taste in my mouth. I thought that it was our hardwork and skills that finally paid off and brought us this opportunity that I currently have, when it turned out it was just someone else's doing. Not to mention it wasn't even her main goal. Giving me all of this, my dreams and goals, was just sort of a side dish that happened to come along with the main dish that she was actually going for.
" Don't worry i didn't gave you this just because of your brother you are talented in close combat and many weapon that is quite rare and Luna is very good at magic she also knows instant casting and very few people can do that two of you deserve this scholarship but in this village no one will notice your talent and no matter how talented ypu are you need to have some connection to enter Magic academy "
"Sigh... I see. Well it was a really pleasant talk with you... Miss Aerin." I said as I stood
"Fufu~ Well, I would be looking forward to meeting you next year~" she said as she waved me goodbye
When I finally left her shop, I couldn't help but sigh. I'll check the letter I got one last time later though considering her confidence, I know it's just a futile effort. I wanted to warn her that she should stay away from Lith, but it looks like she won't be disappearing anytime soon.
Maybe I should be happy? Since she's actually going through all the trouble of making Lith come with her. Not to mention she even bothered to talk and get on my good sides, I can atleast sort of believe that she's really just a teacher hoping the best for her student. If I can get on good terms with her, then I can atleast expect things will go just a little bit smoother for me down the road.
I have a lot of questions, but there is no way I can probably get an answer today. Instead I should just focus on the things that I can change now. Especially Mom talking to Lith about adult matters.
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