Chapter 92 - Childhood (4)

Ayami pursed her lips and looked down, her cheeks were flushed red. She could not bear to look at the teacher's eyes, which was filled with disbelief and scorn.

The other children were giggling to themselves.

"Young miss Ayami, this… this isn't even hard. This is just an evaluation test, so why did hand a blank paper? We're you nervous?"

"I-I…"

Ayami could not answer her question. Her face lost their colors. The teacher let out a sigh.

It was true that it was easy for those who were born in the Lein Family and the adults, but for Ayami, an outsider who was just brought in, she could not answer them. Any normal child would not be able to answer it.

Those who were born in the Lein Family were brought up to be an elite. Education starts at the age of four, whether you're a genius or not. Of course, those geniuses receive harsher education.

An evaluation exam will be held once a child turns six. Those who did not pass will receive punishment while those who got top scores will be rewarded.

By the age of eight, the children should have finished the primary education. By the age of sixteen, all must have finished tertiary education.

For Ayami, who was not a genius and just a normal child, she wasn't able to keep up with the Lein's strict education. So she, who was deemed as a failure, was bound to suffer while living under the Lein's.

"I'm sorry, young miss Ayami but you cannot join today's class. I'll talk to the patriarch about this. For now, please go back."

The teacher kindly said but her eyes could not hide the disappointment and contempt. The other children whispered to themselves which Ayami could hear.

'Pfft. This test was so easy and yet she could not even answer it.'

'What an idiot.'

'I'll tell my mom about this.'

Ayami weakly stood up and left the room. Her legs were wobbling as she walked out but she could not pass out here because, by instinct, they would look down on her even more.

She walked back to her room in a daze, still luckily avoiding all the traps set around the whole place.

When she arrived in her room, her legs gave and that was when her dam of tears broke.

"Wuu… Mommy… Daddy…"

She curled up into a ball and stayed like that for the whole day, not even bothering to eat.

Then, the time came when she was called by the patriarch. When she arrived in his room, she bore his contempt that was obvious from his eyes.

"What a useless child." He loudly muttered for her to hear. Oujiro took a quick look on her face.

Except for the hair and eye color, Yue and this child looked the same. And that was what irritates him.

"You're clearly her child, but why are you polar opposites?"

Oujiro shook his head. It doesn't matter.

"Have her study the basics first and slowly increase the difficulty." Oujiro ordered his assistant before dismissing the both of them.

However, after a year of studying, her results was unsatisfactory in the eyes of the elders, especially the patriarch. So her education became harsher and stricter.

Just like the other Lein children, she lost her childhood. She spent her days studying.

Sometimes, she would sneak out and go to the garden to meet up with Shun—whom she treats as her big brother—to ask for advice. Shun treated her like a little sister but what he could do for her was limited as he, too, is controlled by the patriarch. He gave her advices on what to do and what not to do.

On her way back, she overheard the elders talking about her mother. That was when she found out that she no longer had a mother.

Luckily, Shun was there to send her back and comforted her. Seeing her look sad, he decided to go to the patriarch to ask for permission to visit Ayami's father.

Oujiro approved on a condition. He was to leave and study abroad while broadening his connections.

Shun took Ayami to her father. Though, he hates him to the core for taking away his aunt, he, at least greeted him and showed basic manners.

On their visit, Ayami saw her father's state, which Dennis would obviously not show to his daughter. Of course, Dennis was surprised by their sudden arrival.

To think that her father was suffering, Ayami decided to hug him and show her affections. She cried and hugged him tightly.

"Why are you here?" Dennis asked in disbelief. "Did you get permission?"

"Of course, we did. We don't want to suffer from any punishment after all." Shun replied.

"Enjoy your reunion. I'll come pick her up later." Shun left them alone.

The two spent their day together. They decided to enjoy the short time they had.

Soon, Shun came back and picked her up like he said. Ayami, though reluctant, said goodbye and left.

Then the day came when Shun was sent to abroad to further his studies and also deepen his connections to the foreigners. This time, Ayami was truly alone with the pack of hyenas waiting to devour her.

Although the elders did not know why the patriarch still did not kick her out, the chance of her becoming the favorite of the patriarch was there, and their resources that was supposed to be theirs would go to Ayami as what happened when he pampered the 'princess'.

The elders saw her as a threat and so, they schemed against an innocent child.

One day, someone broke the patriarch's favorite vase—a gift from Yue. A child pointed to Ayami and blamed her. The others started testifying. The more they spoke, the more paler Ayami became, making her look like she was guilty.

"Lock her to the punishment room for three days to reflect! Do not give her food or drinks! Those who are caught doing that will receive a worse punishment." Oujiro ordered in a thundering voice.

"I-I… I didn't do it! It wasn't me!"

Even when she cried, begged, and screamed, the servants dragged her away with no expression on their faces. If there was, that would be annoyance.

There, on the punishment room—a place where there are no lights or anything—Ayami was locked there for three days.

On the first day, she was crying and screaming for help. On the second day, she calmed down and completely became quiet. On the third day, her personality had a great change.

This incident made her realize how cruel they can be and nobody will be on her side. After she came out, there was no more expression on her face.

"Have you reflected on yourself?"

"Yes."

"Good. Leave then. I hope there is no more next time."

Similar incidents occurred again and again. Slowly, she became accustomed to it and started to counter their schemes.

The time came when the children was taught combat training, martial arts and assassination arts. Ayami was able to complete the trainings without getting injured. There was also a possibility of them being killed due to the intensity of the training.

It only went on for a year. Others were free to continue on their own or focus on their studies. Of course, most would continue as it would be beneficial. Ayami chose to occasionally train herself.

Compared to her mother's life while living here as a princess, her life was the polar opposite.

Ayami became smarter and twisted. She could not trust anyone anymore. Emotions disappeared as time went on.

Even Marie, who became her servant after she turned eight, was someone she did not completely trust.

From the bright and cheerful child to the cold and indifferent teenager, her experiences made her like that. As she aged, the more colder her heart became.

Perhaps that was the one of the reason why she acted like that in her past life. Irrational and twisted from the jealousy of the others experiencing love, which she could not have.

When she turned sixteen, that was when she was allowed to leave the place but she was still bound to the Lein Family.

***

"Wow, that was a really long story. Long story short, your mother died, you got captured by the Lein Family, then you were trained to be an elite. After all that, you finally left, had a reunion with your father and met your step-family, and enrolled in the academy where I met you. No wonder you were so cold."

Celine clicked her tongue and shook her head. "If not for me getting caught by your grandfather, I would not have known this and continue to be your tool." Celine looked at Ayami and sighed. "It's hard to break down the wall of an Ice Queen."

"Who's an Ice Queen?" Ayami pouted and left her behind.

"Ah, wait for me!" Celine followed after her with a chuckle.. They ran around the garden like they went back to their childhood.