Chapter 14 - Just Two More Years

I grimace in pain when the ice pressed on my arm pressed a little too hard.

"Forgive me, my lady!" Amy immediately said, I shook my head and told her that it's alright. Unfortunately, I wasn't lucky today. The Duchess called for me again earlier, and she slapped me at least three times in the face and used a stick made of wood or some sort to make me suffer. I was hit at the back two times and four times at both my arms and legs.

I earned bruises, there are even dark, blue-ish spots on my body. The corner of my lip was also bleeding again and there were scratches on the right cheek and the side of my neck.

When Amy saw me in that messy state, she panicked and immediately went to get something to treat me with.

A week has passed already since I... got bound in a contract with Gaos. Hariz is already back at the Castle, I didn't bid him goodbye yesterday when he left since it's not like it'll do me any good. As for my relationship with Gaos –

"You coward! Even though that wrench is your mother, you should've fought back! Now, look at your pathetic state!"

– nothing has changed.

I ignored what he said and quietly let Amy treat my bruises. No matter how loud Gaos speak, it seems like I'm the only one who can hear him. Two days ago, I also discovered that I can talk to him with just my mind if I focus enough. Fortunately, he can't really read my mind and I still have my privacy.

"I can kill that woman if you want! Just call my full name and let me materialized!" He shouted.

"Behave." I said to him through my mind. The day I made him explain everything to me, he also said that he's inside the dark dimension – or my shadow and that he's speaking to my mind from there, but he can materialize himself if I'll allow him. The only requirement is that I call his 'full name', the one he told me about too on that day.

Which probably won't happen unless extremely needed.

"You human! How dare you treat me like a pet?!"

Ignoring Gaos, I asked Amy, "What date is it today?"

"It's September 25, 20XX already, my lady." She said, and I nodded. Time really passed without you knowing. Just a few more months before the year ends and next year, Aksia – I, will have my debut, or debutante.

Girls who enter the Academy usually make their debut before they start attending and studying since there's only a certain age where we can make our debut in high society. In the game, Aksia had her debut at age seventeen and next year, I'll become seventeen. Aksia's debut... is grand. However, it wasn't done out of love, the Duke made it seem that way since they want to maintain their image.

I remember Aksia saying in the game that on her seventeenth birthday, the Second Prince, Anakin was there as the representative of the Royal Family and also as Hariz's friend. Other than him, a lot of important nobles will be at the party that's why I need to prepare myself. Other girls will also be there for their debut as well.

As much as I want the Duke and Duchess to lose face, I can't sacrifice myself too while doing so.

"Hey, mortal! Now you're ignoring me!"

"Now that you asked me, I only have two years with you now." I looked at Amy who's making a sad face, she's talking about how I'll start attending Royal Academy in two years. Students can bring two maids each, but knowing the Duke and Duchess, they won't let me. Not having one wouldn't affect our image that much, it kind of shows that the person wants to be independent, and that's probably what the Duke and Duchess will tell me – to be independent.

In reality, they just don't want to do something pointless such as sending a maid with someone like me. It's really unfair because even the others and even the heroine have at least one maid on her side.

"Don't worry Amy, it's not like I'll be staying there forever. I can write letters and even visit during the holidays." I said and she nodded, smiling slightly.

Even if I prefer the Royal Academy than this home, I will still visit for Amy. Even if I have to see the Duke and Duchess.

Two Years – I just have to endure for two more years and I'll finally leave this cage. Even if it's only temporary, I can do anything I want at the Academy without the Duke and Duchess watching every move I make. I'll be able to freely breathe in there for three years if everything goes right.

I closed my eyes as I remember Gaos earlier saying 'you should've fought back'. If someone would ask me why I am not doing anything, and why I am letting myself be treated like this, there are multiple answers. Even if I have knowledge about what will happen in the future, I can't act recklessly. Even if I have information that I can use against my enemies, I can't simply go ahead and do something without thinking about the consequences of the 'butterfly effect'.

Right now, I'm just a weak, almost powerless sixteen-year-old girl. One wrong move could lead to me being exiled or executed.

I do have Magic, but that's not enough. Compared to others, I'm still weak. I do know how to teleport, I also know some defense Magic and basic attack Magic like a fireball, I also learned levitation, but even with all of that and my dark Magic combined, If I'm facing a lot of enemies at once – especially people who can use Magic as well, I would immediately be overpowered.

I'm not afraid of death, I already died once – I even wish for it myself. But I'm just starting in this life, I can't just let myself die without a fight and without seeing and learning more Magic. My wish was finally granted, I was given a chance and I will not waste it.

I've never thought about revenge before. My past life... was something extremely plain, ordinary, and boring after all.

But surely, it'll be sweet.

Much more so since I'm preserving it.