Chapter 102: Showing Off At The Training Grounds [Rebecca’s POV] (Part 1)
After seeing Nick off early in the morning, I drifted off to sleep for another 2 hours. Luckily, I was able to follow through on my plan and wake up enough to give Nick a kiss on the cheek goodbye. He does so much for me, I need to work hard to do the same for him. Seeing his wide open surprised eyes and his big cheesy smile made it all worth it.
Now, I'm heading off to the training grounds after getting up and changing into my training gear. I have a little pep to my step since I get to show my powers to my brother and the mages that protect the County for the first time. I can't wait to see their surprised faces. Nick is also excited to hear about it once he comes back, so I need to make sure there is a good story to tell him.
Once I saw my brother standing in the distance, I waved my hand and started jogging over to him.
"Brother! Good morning!"
As I got closer, I noticed that my mother was also with him! My brother turned his head and called out once I got within speaking distance. "Hello Rebecca.
My mother chimed in happily, "morning sweetie!"
"Mother, what are you doing here?"
"I came to cheer you on! I also want to see the result of my daughter's hard work all these years."
My Mother's response was surprising to me. I thought she would have told me that trying to be a Royal mage was unladylike and I should instead focus on being a good wife. Those were the things she tried to instill in me during all our years of studying…but what surprised me the most was her current attitude.
"Mother…I don't think cheering me on from the sidelines is something a noble woman would do…"
"You know Becky, I've been thinking a lot since yesterday…what was the point of me trying so hard to act like a noble? No matter how much I tried to act dignified and refined, the other noble ladies still treated me like an outsider because I was born a commoner.
I used to believe my noble act was important because I was trying to be a good role model for you and help you be more like the perfect noble wife, but look what happened in the end. You got out of the difficult position your Father and I put you in by being true to yourself.
If you listened to me, you would have been neglected by Nick for the rest of your life. Instead, you stood up to him once you were his wife and he responded positively to your reprimanding. You being confident enough to be yourself is what changed him for the better. You earned this new happy married life you currently have. I'm so glad you were stubborn about your beliefs because it was much more effective than my stupid noble ideals. Even I have trouble speaking up for myself against your Father…
From now on, I also want to follow your example and be true to myself. That starts with me coming here and supporting my two children that I love with all my heart! I will cheer you on from the sidelines and I don't care what people think. Also Becky, I want you to know I'm so proud that you stuck it out for 10 years and were able to become an intermediate mage. You are the strongest person I know. Keep believing in yourself and go make significant good change for the people living in the Duchy."
I never thought I would hear these words from my strict and noble mother…to think she was masking her true self from us all this time. Though I'm happy she will be openly cheering me on now.
If there is one thing I feel bad about, it is the fact that I didn't really change Nick for the better by being myself. In reality, the current Nick took over the original Duke's body, but that is not a thing that should be possible in this world so it would be impossible for someone to guess the truth.
"I'm glad you had a change of heart, Mother. We should all be ourselves and not care what others think about us. As long as we always stick to our principles, no one can shame us and we can focus on what makes us truly happy."
Mother clenched her fist. "Yes, no more regrets from now on!"
To my right, Rob joined in, "in that case, I also have something to say…Rebecca, we weren't very close growing up because you were always locked up in your room and I was studying to be the heir to the County. However, I always cared about you and wanted to help you out. I spent a lot of time getting connections with the mages that protect the County, so that I could one day let you work with them.
But even in my wildest dreams, I thought at best you could train with them using basic magic and help with administrative stuff. To think you were a much stronger than I anticipated. I'm sorry for not speaking up for you sooner…"
"Brother, I'm also sorry for hiding all my training from you. Nick told me I should have trusted you and talked to you about my struggles because there was a chance you would have been willing to help me. Now I see that he was right. I made the mistake of thinking I was all alone when there was actually someone on my side all along."
"It's my fault for not creating an atmosphere where you believed I would be willing to help you. I kept my thoughts too close to the vest."
Rob and I both felt like we were at fault for our misunderstandings so far, so we didn't want to accept each others apologies. While we were going back and forth, my Mother clapped her hands. "Alright, that's enough. It's obvious you both feel bad, now all there is to do is to not make the same mistake twice. Make sure you both support each other openly from now on!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone