Chapter 3

That night Lycia is laying on her bed in the room the Scretia household has provided for her. She stared at the window where the moon is shining bright.

'Mother huh?'

The next day Lycia once again was reading her book. She's just finished it when Zachary put a plate of cookies in front of her. Lycia put her book down then took a cookie.

"You do realize I'm not only interested in cookies right?"

"You say that but you're eating one right now"

"You're eating two"

When they finished eating, Lycia stared at the book she just finished with a frown. It was the only book that she brought since she didn't know that there stay at the Scretia household was going to be this long.

'Now what am I supposed to read?'

Zachary noticed her frown.

"You don't have anything else to read don't you?" Lycia was surprised at the sudden remark.

'Bullseye' Zachary thought.

"Indeed I don't"

"Then why didn't you say so?" Zachary stood up then grabbed Lycia's hand. Then he dragged her with him. They ran at the hallway of the mansion.

"Can you stop?! I am not the type of person who is used to physical activity!" Zachary didn't hear her complain and continued to drag her.

When they finally reached their destination Lycia was out of breath and panting. When she finally calm down she was surprised at what she saw. There were mountain of books.

"My two older brothers loves to read, this is my family's collection. Impressive huh?"

"And why am I here exactly?" Zachary stared at her with a blank face.

"I don't know, probably to eat. Of course to pick a book! You finished that one right? Then go ahead and pick one."

Lycia hesitated to enter when Zachary lightly pushed her.

"Go ahead, I'll be right here."

Lycia looked at him then proceed to go inside the library.

Some time later both of them are walking back to the room they were in. Lycia was holding a thick book.

"What's that?"

"It's a book about magical creatures"

"What? Like bedtime stories? You're surprisingly childish"

"It's not bedtime stories. And also this isn't a story. It's a book that contains information about legendary creatures"

"It's still childish of you to believe such things"

"I am simply interested at the fact that they managed to come up with such things"

they were waking side by side when Zachary spots the Duke of Estrella and Scretia downstairs. He was about to call for his father when he saw Lycia in his peripheral vision.

Her eyes were full of longing as she stared at her father.

When they finally got back, Lycia was somehow down.

"Hey what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me"

Even though Lycia tries to avoid his questions, Zachary still feels that something is wrong, yet he don't want to pester her.

"When I told you about my mother, you weren't disappointed?"

"Disappointed? why would I be?"

"Well, since she's not a noble. Many ladies are nobles, like your mother"

"My...mother huh" sadness flashed at Lycia's eyes for a second at the mention of her mother.

"Well wether a person is a noble or not does not matter" 'Since I know a certain someone in a similar situation' suddenly Alexander's face came in Lycia's mind.

"Why do you sound like you're talking about someone you know?" Zachary questioned her.

"I actually do. There's someone who my family is sponsoring right now. He was also a slave once"

"Your friend?"

"I have no such things"

"Don't refer to people as things!"

Zachary returned to his seat and began thinking for a while.

"If you have no friends then how about me?"

"You what?"

"Be your friend! What else?"

"No thanks, that's disgusting. I have no need for such things"

"You're rude mouth would never stop would it?!"

Another week had passed and the aura between the two changed. At first the two would hate that they need to spend time with each other but now they are always together like it's a normal thing to do. Their banter never stopped but it wasn't as serious as before.

A day like any other day, Lycia was reading her book and surprisingly Zachary also has book in his hand. He has trouble reading it and would groan from time to time. Lycia who couldn't take the noise anymore speak.

"Alright just what is the matter with you? Can't you read?"

"It's not that I can't read! This is in ancient text! Father won't stop bugging me to learn it. But who reads ancient text in this day?!"

Lycia sighed at Zachary's complains. She went beside him and leaned close.

"Hmm, I think it's not that you can't read ancient text but rather confuse the characters since they look similar." then Lycia started pointing out the difference between the characters.

Zachary turned suddenly red.

"Hey stop leaning! You're too close!"

"I am not. I am simply teaching a stupid human"

"What did you just say?!"

Lycia returned to her seat and read her book once again.

"You can read this things at such a young age?" Zachary admired Lycia's intelligence.

"Of course. I am after all Lycia Monique Estrella, the one and only daughter of Duke Alvis Mikael Estrella. The young miss of the duchy of Estrella" Lycia said full of pride.

"Stop bragging that's disgusting"

"The only thing disgusting here is you being taught by a little girl"

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