Mist Kingdom Year 4019, Silver Palace
Miley was sent to the silver palace on the very same day the general left for the west. Since then only three days have passed. The silver palace, in short, a place where women are educated/trained to become fine noble ladies to be a bride someday. When Miley first heard that explanation, she thought it was ridiculous. There's no way such a stupid place exists; there's no way that they'd waste such a beautiful castle for something so absurd. However, Miley was proved wrong. For the first two days she received her introduction, and on the third day today she was finally starting her official classes. Miley exhaled deeply, as she recalled how her first class went.
Who needs to know how to play the koto? How ridiculous. But the women in this place are brainwashed to think that their wife training is beneficial. Instead of training to be a wife, aren't their more important things to do? Like, contributing to the war effort. Miley was itching for a fight, to train, to do something other than 'actions that define a lady.' it felt like she was slowly growing insane.
When she tried to spend her time training with her weapons, she ended up getting scolded for so many hours. So Miley did not try it again, she figured that next time they would confiscate it. She exhaled deeply, right about now master must be having fun in the battlefield. No fair Miley wanted to join too, Miley shook her head, "Don't be so impatient, " Miley murmured to herself. She made that promise with master; she ought to keep it.
Miley walked around for a while; no lessons were on so she figured she would take a walk. As much as she disliked the place, she ought to get familiar with everything. It would be back if she got attacked here. Her thoughts broke for when she heard the sound of a blade. Ah? Miley followed the direction of the sound and found somebody training. Long, pure golden curly hair, wearing the same uniform as her. Contrary to the girl's delicate appearance, her movements with the blade were swift and sharp.
A beautiful person, they appear to be the same age too. But Miley's never heard of somebody else this good before. She watched the girl for a while and nodded. Excellent skills, in fact maybe they could match her own.
"Who is there?"
"Uh sorry, " Miley apologised and stepped out of the bushes. Normally Miley is not the type who would apologise. It's not in her nature, but whenever she did something wrong, it would naturally leave her lips. Her thoughts broke off when the girl rushed over; she dropped her wooden sword on the ground and made her way over.
Out of instinct, Miley stepped back, but the girl did not appear offended. Instead, she reached out for her pocket and pulled out a gorgeous silk handkerchief. It should not surprise Miley, but the item looked so delicate and beautiful, "Uh, no I'm okay, " Miley understood why she got it out, on the way here she got injured. So it's natural.
The girl smiled and shook her head, "I'm Xiao Lina. You can call me Lina."
"Oh, I'm Miley," Miley introduced herself. She blinked, huh? The girl's surname seems familiar, is it just her?
"Then Miley, stay still. I'll heal your wound on your leg too, " Lina quickly finished wiping the dirt away from her cheeks. Miley was still somewhat cautious but nodded. She already got so close, she could have used that time to hurt her but didn't.
After much persuasion, Miley sat down on the steps and watched the girl from the corner. How odd, this is the first student she's seen that can carry a blade without getting blamed. Somebody tried it as a joke after she got scolded and got in trouble. It supposedly does against their code and ethics, whatever the rest of the explanation was. Miley didn't listen. Lina returned with a bucket of water and a towel, "Sorry for the wait, " Lina aapologised
"Weren't you going to heal me with magic?" Miley wondered.
Lina laughed, "Yes but if I healed you without cleaning your wound first, it would get infected, and the magic would backfire, " Well Miley supposed that made sense. Miley watched as the girl carefully cleaned the wound.
...…
No sooner had Lina finished cleaning her wound, did she hear a familiar stupid annoying voice, "Lina! There you are," The owner of the voice made their way over. It belonged to stupid Lan.
"Aha, you found me." Lina laughed.
"This is not funny, do not rush off like that without saying anything, " Lan seemed panicked.
Miley stared at the two back and forth; how do these two know each other? Or rather this must be a first. She's never seen stupid Lan treat someone well without his mask.
"Please get back inside; you can attend class again starting tomorrow. But until then you must rest."
Lina chuckled, "You worry about me too much, brother."
"Of course I do ---" Miley cut stupid Lan's sentence short then.
"You two are related!!" Miley exclaimed in disbelief.
"You know my brother?" Lina said at the same time. The girl looked at her questioningly for a moment, and Miley understood what was going on her through her mind.
She frantically shook her head and muttered the words, "Definitely not!!"
Lina laughed, "I see. Ah, perhaps your the rumoured girl my brother is having a hard time chasing?"
Miley shot Lan a glare; she didn't expect others to know about his foolish proposal. Judging from Lina's reaction, people don't know who the girl being chased is. However, it's just a matter of time. The last three days here, Miley has learned how quickly gossip can spread. She sighed deeply, how on earth did she get caught up in this troublesome situation? It wasn't up until recently where she would use this time to refine her skills or go hunting. But now she's stuck in this place.
To think stupid Lan has such a cute and strong sister. It was only a glance, but Miley could tell she was strong, what a waste for her to be in this place.
"Miley, did you come here because of brother?"
"I was forced here," Miley exclaimed.
Lina raised her eyebrows confused, "Forced?"
...…..
After a few minutes of explaining, Lina nodded, "Queen Lyn is as harsh as ever. When she wants to punish people, despite her hesitation, the punishments do end up brutal. I guess that's what makes her a good leader though, " Lina paused, "Oh, I know her personally so I can say this."
"The Queen is familiar with Miley too," Lan spoke up.
Lina's eyes sparkled, soft laughter escaped her lips, "Then that makes us the same."
The same huh? The same as this girl? While Miley does not know the girl's circumstances, she could more or less guess. Judging from Lina's relation too.
This girl has lived a sheltered and protected life. Despite having such good skills, Queen Lyn ensured that she lived comfortably here instead of going out onto the battlefield. For a young girl who lives in this world, normal life is for the best. As of late Queen Lyn is doing the same with her. But it's too late already. If the Queen did so from the beginning, she may have accepted, now though things are different.