章節 11: Junia's Departure
Three days passed in a blink of an eye, and the day Junia will set off to the Capital arrived. Elvira never saw her mother after that awkward lunch. Junia usually stayed in her study while Elvira spent most of her time in the library studying the Andeolan language. She can now read some words without looking at her notes, soon reading more difficult books will no longer be a problem. Fortunately, she had a mind of an adult so she could pick up things faster than a normal kid.
Seraphis comes to bother her a few times, telling her stories about her parents, sometimes the stories are unbelievable enough that she thinks Seraphis just fabricated them to entertain a seven-year-old kid. He even painted Junia as a romantic, telling her that Junia is the one who approached and courted her father. Thinking of Junia's stern look, it is very hard for her to imagine, the image is just too ridiculous.
Roza and Erna have been taking care of her ever since they were transferred as her maids. Elvira is used to doing things herself, though she can't persuade Sonya about dressing up and bathing by herself, she was able to convince Roza and Erna to let her do those things by herself.
Of course, Roza is in charge of doing her hair, she just wants it in a simple ponytail but Roza insisted on styling them differently every time. Roza seems to enjoy her newfound hobby of styling her hair, so much that she can probably open up a hair salon and be brilliant at it. Both Roza and Erna are enthusiastic about serving her but fortunately, they both often respect her wishes.
It has been a pretty harmonious three days, but today, every single person is busy preparing for the departure of the Mistress of the house. Elvira looked outside the library's window, she can see the carriage Junia would be riding. The carriage is dazzlingly white with gold embellishments and the flag holds the Parall Family Emblem, a silver feather that has a golden sword handle.
Elvira saw a brown carriage behind the magnificent one, this ordinary carriage seems to be for Junia's luggage. She saw a servant open the carriage door and put a suitcase, then another and another. 'Just how much luggage did she bring? It seems she's moving out and not just taking care of business.' Elvira wrinkled her eyebrows at the number of luggage Junia is bringing with her. She is amazed at the carriage's capacity. 'It must be enchanted with magic.'
Roza suddenly spoke from behind, slightly spooking her. "Miss, would you like to go down and send Mrs. Parall off?"
"Gyaah! Roza... You scared me... You should have told me when you arrived." Elvira pats her chest to calm herself, she really thought she was alone.
Roza scratched her head. "Miss, I have been here all this time. We arrived together."
Elvira blinked. "Is that so? I must have spaced out. Sor..." She did not continue her words after remembering Sonya's reprimand that she must not talk politely nor apologize to servants for every little thing.
Elvira looked outside again but did not respond
"Miss..." Roza wanted to persuade Elvira but seeing that Elvira seems to have no plans in going down, she just shook her head and instead excused herself thinking Elvira needs time for herself. "Miss, I'll go and look for Erna, she seems to be taking too long in getting the snacks."
Elvira nodded but continued to stare outside.
As soon as Roza left, Seraphis appeared. "Brat."
Elvira looked towards Seraphis snd unconsciously smiled. "You came."
Seraphis stretched out his hand and laid it on top of Elvira's hair. "I'm leaving with your mother. Don't miss me too much!"
Elvira's mouth pouted involuntarily. "You're leaving?"
Seraphis grinned. "Are you sad? I'll come and check on you every now and then. Junia despises writing letters, I'll come and bring you news about her too."
Elvira just stared at Seraphis. She had gotten used to his presence, coming and going as if a ghost. Even if she does not want to get too much involved with people here, Seraphis is different, he is quite good at appeasing her emotions. She does not feel too alone in this place because of him but now he is suddenly leaving, she feels a bit sad.
Seraphis saw her mood go down and he ruffled the neatly styled hair that is under his palm. "Brat, be good. How about this, if you could guess my true identity I would give you a gift."
Elvira frowned and turned her head to evade Seraphis' hand. "Guess? What do you mean? Aren't you just my mother's friend?"
Seraphis grinned. "You have learned to read, right? The whole library is at your disposal. Once you know the answer, Just call my name and I'll come and give you a gift. Of course, you can't call me when you don't have the answer."
Elvira sighed. "Too troublesome."
Seraphis laughed. "Of course the gift will be worth the trouble brat! I'm going now. See you brat!"
Seraphis ruffled her hair again and disappeared.
Elvira frowned and fixed her hair. She looked down from the window for the last time and sighed.
She does not know why she is fixated on Junia's departure, she rarely sees her and the interaction has been minimal.
She does not know if this feeling is hers or the remnant emotions of the original Elvira.
She shook her head and went back to studying.
After a while, Roza and Erna came back with some refreshments. Elvira continued to read at a slow pace until a knock sounded from the door.
Erna opened the door and Junia entered the library. She walked towards Elvira and sat on the sofa across her. Elvira looked at Junia, not knowing how to react. Junia looked around at the books piled near Elvira, before gazing at Elvira. "Sonya mentioned you have been learning how to read, it means you have forgotten most of what has been already taught to you. I have hired teachers for you, to teach you language, etiquette, and Andeolan History. Once you have been accustomed to these lessons, other lessons will follow. You need to study hard as the heiress of the Parall household." Junia spoke at a tone that does not allow rejection.
Elvira nodded her head and did not speak. Junia continued, "With your current state, you have lots to learn. I am looking forward to your improvement when I return. It would take some time but if I don't return before your Eighth birthday, then I will have someone fetch you. You will celebrate your birthday and have your Identification Ceremony at the Capital."
Elvira turned her head a little at the foreign word and unconsciously repeated the words. "Identification Ceremony?"
Junia sighed and spoke to explain. "That is the ceremony to know if you have a magic aptitude and the nature of magic you can use. Malkrom, your History teacher will also explain them to you when he comes." Junia waved her hand dismissively, finding it too bothersome to explain more.
She stood up and said. "I have been here for a long time and is needed in the Capital. If there is anything you need, talk to Sonya. She is in charge along with Butler Herkien while me and your father are away. No need to see me off, I'm going now."
Junia walked to the door and opened it, she paused and looked back at Elvira. "Behave." It was her last word before closing the door. Elvira felt there was too much information to absorb but at the same time felt the information given is too lacking.
Elvira shrugged her shoulders and continued reading, after some time, she heard the carriages move, after a few minutes the silence returned. The Mansion is tranquil again as if nothing has happened but the only difference is that her mother and Seraphis are no longer in the mansion.
............
A few days passed and Junia's departure did not make a difference in Elvira's daily routine, she spends most of her time in the library reading and trying to decipher Seraphis' words on his true identity. If he is not just her mother's friend, they could be related, so she began to inquire more about the family tree of both her mother and her father. But nothing related to Seraphis is found.
One morning, she woke up, had breakfast, and went to the library as usual when Sonya appeared with a brown-haired, strict looking middle-aged man. Sonya introduced. "Miss Elvira, this is Sir Malkrom Ormand, he is your teacher in Andeolan Language and History. He will be teaching you from now on."
Elvira looked up and saw the middle-aged man look as if he is glaring at her and she shivered. 'We haven't even started but he is already glaring...'
Malkrom gave a gentleman bow and looked at Elvira, not smiling at all and his eyes a bit sharp. "It is nice to meet you Miss Parall, You may call me Teacher Ormand."
Elvira subconsciously gulped. 'Why do you look as if it is not a nice meeting at all.' Elvira looked to Sonya as if to ask for help. Sonya misinterpreted it as her way of saying please leave us. So she graciously left Elvira, and took Roza and Erna with her, leaving her and teacher Ormand alone in the library.
"Well then..." Teacher Ormand straightened up and fixed his glasses with a finger as he looked at Elvira sternly. "Shall we start?"
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