CHAPTER 12

Cassy pov

The day had ended well. I was left with several pleasant memories. However, I felt completely turned off when I realised that the training session that was scheduled for the morning was cancelled because I was supposed to go to the academy in the afternoon. I never thought that I would be so disappointed about missing the sessions with him, but I was. I felt as if the entire morning was dragging by. It was so boring.

However, my father said that since it was my first week, I might be too exhausted to attend two training sessions in one day. I ended up spending my morning with my parents as they attended their duties in the. According to them, I needed to become familiar with the work so that when I took over as the queen, I would be familiar with it. I was bored, of course, but helping them around did kill some of the boredom. However, the whole time, all I desired was to see Elliot. Even a glimpse of him would have been fine.

I guess he too had work to attend to. Anyways, I made myself busy by helping my mother with little things I could help with and when it was time to go to the academy, I was given a dark green gown that had a golden belt tied around the waist.

“What? Am I supposed to wear this?” I exclaimed. “I can’t even walk in this huge dress! How am I supposed to train in it?” I asked my mother.C0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.

“Now now, dear. That is what all the girls wear in the academy. You would only wear something different during the physical training sessions.” She explained, shaking her head.

“Huh? You mean, today we don’t have any physical training?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“But……then why did you cancel the session with Elliot? I could have been just fine!” I protested, not thinking about what meaning she might derive from it.

“Oh looks like someone doesn’t mind training with the ‘flirt’ now!” she sniggered as she stressed the word flirt.

Rolling my eyes, I smiled. “Hey. You were right. He was just being friendly.” I told her. “We are friends now.”

“Oh….just friends??” she wiggled her eyebrows. I g*****d as my cheeks heated up.

“Mooooom! Yes. Just friends.” I replied, fiddling with the papers on the table in her office. A small smile was curving my lips. Was it normal for parents to tease their daughters like that?

She was making me so bashful. At least she doesn’t do that in front of anyone else. But Elliot was just a friend. He likes someone else. So he was out of bounds to me. Miles was the closest one who was to me like that. But of course, he didn’t want me. What would she say if she met Miles? I thought.

A sudden feeling of melancholy washed over me as I was reminded of my relationship status. All I could think of was Miles’ rejection. It was so easy for him to reject me. He had found the strength to defy a strong bond formed by our creator. Something which was supposed to be stronger than a mere desire. Something that was regarded to be sacred and pure.

Was I that despicable? Was I truly worthless? He found it so easy to yell those painful words out. Maybe no one would want me. I mean, how could anyone like me? Even the one who was bonded to me didn’t want to be with me. Perhaps that is what I am meant to be.

Alone.

“Honey?”

My thoughts were interrupted by my mother’s soft voice. It was only then did I realise that my cheeks were already stained with the salty liquid that rolled out of my eyes.

“Why are you crying?” she asked, her tone now completely soft and caring instead of the teasing one.

I inhaled shakily and wiped my tears away. Smiling sadly, I looked at my fingers. This was a hard topic for me to discuss.

“Mom. What if no one wants me?” I asked, my voice quivering.

“Why are you saying that?” she asked, looking into my eyes with concern. Her forehead creased and lips pulled into a thin line.

“You know that I was rejected. Maybe I am not… Maybe I’m not worthy of being loved?” I expressed more like a question.

“What? No! Don’t say that! Oh my God!” she gasped and stood up. She rushed to where I was sitting and grabbed me to hold me against her chest. I heard the thumping of her heart, which was soothing. “Many people would like you. I am sure.” She stated, still holding me close to her heart.

I loved being held by her like this. It felt completely different from being held by anyone else. As if I was home and protected against everything bad.Perhaps because she was the one who carried me in her womb.

“You are beautiful, smart, sassy. Lots of people would like you.” She stated and held me at arm’s length to gaze into my eyes. Her eyes were now glossy with the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

“Why are you saying that? I’m sure that…. wait, can I tell you something?” she asked. She was fighting against her tears as she spoke.

I nodded. My tears had dried up albeit the pain in my heart remained somewhat the same. She dabbed her eyes with a tissue and faced me.

“I think Sir Elliot likes you,” she mumbled. I chuckled and shook my head.

“I don’t think so, mom. He already likes someone. I don’t know who yet, but he does. He told me yesterday.” I told her.

“Oh?” she raised her eyebrows and I nodded.

“Besides, I keep thinking about rejection, mom. How am I supposed to be in a relationship?” I sighed. “Do I have to have a partner? Can’t I be a queen just by myself? Why do I need someone beside me?” I asked as my heart seemed to hammer in my chest. There was a difficulty in my throat that made it hard for me to speak. I just wish that I didn’t have to deal with this right now. Miles had hurt me enough.

“You can be queen honey. But don’t you want someone to love you? And perhaps build a life with him? Maybe you would also want pups?” she responded as she tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“I…I think I need time mom. Yeah. I want pups. But…..this is so exhausting. Perhaps I will meet someone who will want me. But I’m not in a rush,” I told her.

“Of course honey. Take your time. Your dad and I love you so much. Remember that,” she said and placed a lingering k**s on my forehead.

“I love you too, mom. I’m so glad he found me that day,” I said as I wrapped my arms around her waist. She hugged me back and rocked me in her arms.

“I wish I had the chance to rock you like this when you were a baby,” she chuckled sadly. “But I’m glad that you had a loving family wherever you were. My worst fear was you being abused and I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it,” she admitted.

I giggled. “And I cant wait to meet them again, mom. Hopefully, when I become Queen.”

Nodding, “of course. It is getting late honey. Go and get ready. Wear your gown. I’m sure you would look great in it.” She stated.

“Yes, mother.”

I went to my room, took a quick shower and changed. I tied my hair in a high ponytail. When I checked myself out in the mirror, I saw a replica of my mom, only younger. Just as I was about to leave the room, the familiar scent that I had adored hit my nose. Elliot was here!

Gasping for breath and almost tripping over, I rushed to open the door.

“Yes. Sir. Okay. I will, your majesty.”

I heard his voice resonate in the corridor. When I rushed in the direction of the voice, I saw that he was speaking to my father around the corner.

“Oh, there you are. Sir Elliot is going to accompany you to the academy.” He told me. “I was going to but I had to attend a sudden meeting. I’m sorry.” He apologized.

“It is okay,” I whispered.

“It would be my pleasure to escort her, your highness,” he replied, bowing slightly.

“Great! You look beautiful in that gown, by the way.” He smiled and looked at his wristwatch and his eyes widened.

“Good gracious. It is very late already.” He urgently looked at Elliot. “I must leave now.” He walked away, leaving us alone. When father was out of sight, I could see that Elliot visibly relaxed and looked at me properly.

His jaw dropped open and his gaze lingered on me for some time.

“Wow. You look great!” he gasped, making me laugh.

“Yeah, right! Let’s go?” I cheerfully said. It felt so good to see him. I was glad that he had come at this moment only to be asked by father to be my escort.

“Sure senorita.” He smirked, making my head snap at him. His eyes mischievously sparkled.

I gaped at him for some time, taking a moment to process what he had said. He called me senorita again! I giggled. Only this time it didn’t irritate me.

He escorted me to a building not so far away from the palace. Still, we went there by car. He took me into a place that looked like an office.

“Oh hello, Sir Elliot. How can we help?” the receptionist greeted us. She looked at me for a second and offered a polite smile.

“There must be a placement request by the king?” he asked.

“Oh yes. Is she the one?” she asked, and Elliot nodded. She once again looked at me and smiled.

“What is your name dear?” she asked.

“Cassandra Williams.” She noted it and looked up.

“Thank you, sir. Follow me.” She gestured to me to follow her.

“I’ll leave you here. Good luck.” He patted my shoulder and walked away.

The lady was patiently waiting for me to go with her. I wordlessly followed. I was feeling funny as I walked after her along the clean corridors of the academy building. My heart was beating way too fast. I was eager to join the classes and hopefully make new friends, but at the same time, I was anxious.

She took me to a class that had around fifteen girls of my age. A woman who was about the age of our parents was already at the front. The receptionist went to speak with the teacher, who nodded and looked at me.

“Class. Please welcome, Miss Cassandra Williams. She will be joining the classes from here on.” She announced to the class.

I felt my cheeks flush as all pairs of eyes studied me.

“Hello. I miss Murphy. I’ll be your teacher for this semester and hopefully throughout the course. Please take a seat.”

Smiling at Miss Murphy, I walked towards an empty seat which was beside a timid looking girl with dark hair and blue streaks.

“She looks like the queen.”

“Is she a royal?”

“I’ve never seen her before.”

I heard hushed whispers that made me feel that I wanted to shrink into my seat.

“Silence. Class! Now pay attention to what I’m saying.” Miss Murphy ordered, and everyone suddenly went silent.

This is going to be a long day.