Chapter 9.1

The Marquis looked at Lia, deeply moved. Lia was not a child that asked for anything, she never expressed her desire. This was a rare moment when she looked up at him, full of hope and sparkly eyes for a favor.

“Lian, do you want to go to the academy that much?”

“Yes!” said Lia eagerly.

He considered Lia his daughter despite how she was raised. The Marquis sometimes regretted raising her like a son when he heard about what other girls her age thought about Lia. Perhaps he could raise her as his daughter still, it wasn’t so late. But letting Lia be more exposed around people could prove to be dangerous. He held Lia’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.

“I will discuss it with Anastasia and then look for a place near the academy,” said the Marquis.

Lia brightened. He could not refuse her one request that she asked of him. While the Marchioness might not agree, Lia still couldn’t hold her eagerness that she might finally be able to go to the capital.

The schoolmasters and the Dean smiled. Things had gone their way. The Marquis sighed and dismissed them all. He stood up and thanked the schoolmaster. The schoolmaster was happy because this meant that the academy would have another very powerful sponsor.

“Shall I arrange things so Sir Canillian will enter the academy after three weeks?” asked the schoolmaster while leaving. “I will inform you of the entrance and donation fees.”

“Right,” said the Marquis, “Thank you.”

The Marquis waved at them as they were allured by the Marchioness beautiful garden which grew very lush especially in the warm weather. The Marquis considered closing down the mansion since it was usually Anastasia who handled the visitors, but she was no longer here. She was up north. He turned to Lia.

“I heard you had been quite unwell,” said the Marquis.

Lia smiled awkwardly; she scratched her head at his words. “I am alright now after a week of rest. Thank you for your concern.”

The Marquis knew why Lia insisted on going to the capital. She wanted to find her mother. He had tried to find her, but she had disappeared without a trace. He was uncertain if he should say this to her. He decided against it.

“The academy will not be easy,” said the Marquis, “The young noblemen gather there to create lines and factions. Of course, you do not need to worry about your position since you’re my son, but others may come at you with ill intentions.”

“Ill intentions?” asked Lia.

“Yes, people might have differing opinions and wish you harm,” said the Marquis.

The Marquis poured a drink. Lia glanced at the newspaper on the desk. He knew that Lia read the public paper but the one published by the Imperial family differed from the rest. The headline was of the Duke of Ihar’s secret visit to Geore and the neutral lands. That was the main news. The serial murders of young ladies in Etear Streets in broad daylight was given only a small box at the side. People were requesting the Imperial family to intervene since the police investigations had not been able to find out anything.

“Master,” appeared the butler, Anher, after escorting the schoolmasters to the carriage. He smiled at Lia, an indication to take her leave.

“Then I will also take my leave,” she said.

Lia went out of the reception room, confident that she would finally be going to the academy. The Marchioness hasn’t given her permission yet, but Sir Theodore was positive that Lia had worked so hard and learnt so much that she might even be beyond the seniors of the academy. Lia had worked harder in her studies after she heard of a place from Claude. She realized that that might be the only chance for her to go to the capital.

Lia left the mansion, walked in the fresh air towards Kieran’s outhouse. She had been ruffling her hair when a stranger approached her. He was one of the deans, a nobleman in his thirties.

“I see you again, Canillian.”

“Hello, sir.”

“You can call me Eddie.”

Lia murmured her apologies that she needed to be elsewhere and started to walk away. But the man with slick, brown hair asked her a question even before she could take a step.