HENRIETTA: PRAELUDIUM [TO BE EDITED]

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

"The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle teaches about the philosophical inquiry into the nature of the good life for a human being. The great philosopher Aristotle begins the work by positing that there exists some ultimate good toward which, in the final analysis, all human actions ultimately aim." The Chancellor wrote a few important things on the board that explains how important this book is in our life.

I have heard of Aristotle before, but I didn't really expect that he would be famous here in this world as a foreign philosopher. What's more to that is the chancellor's attitude towards me suddenly changed after learning that I'm not a lousy student, unlike the young noble ladies these days.

He mentioned that we would be studying important philosophy books that were written by foreign philosophers like Aristotle, Rene Descartes and Plato.

To be perfectly honest, I still can't get used to this world's timeline.

Our lessons continued with History. Since I've only read the first three volumes of the History of the Empire, the Chancellor instructed me to read the remaining ones as my first assignment. He also reminded me not to rush in finishing the books and that I should read one at a time to be able to understand its contents.

Our lesson ended after I had finished deciphering three poems that is written in the Archaic Language.

"I'll see you in two days, princess. Please come earlier so we can learn more things than we did today," the Chancellor said, smiling at me. He looked like he enjoyed teaching me today.

"I will, sir." I bowed my head before leaving for my next class.

I greeted Keita as soon as I saw him outside of the room, waiting for me. He has been like that ever since he was officially appointed as my personal guard. "How's your first class, princess?" He asked as we walk to my next class.

"It was nice. The Chancellor seemed like a nice person," I answered.

I couldn't help but heave a soft sigh as we approach my drawing room closer for my next class, Etiquette. Somehow, I feel worried that the new teacher that will be teaching this class might act like my previous etiquette instructor.

"Keita. Do you know Viscountess Cherrywood?" I asked, glancing at him.

Keita purses his lips, probably thinking about my question. "Well, I heard that she was one of the prettiest ladies in the empire. Well, of course, no one can still beat our princess' beauty," he answered, smiling as he looks at me.

That's not the answer I want to here, Keita.

"But is she nice?" I asked once again, throwing a curious glance at him.

Keita halts his step, so I did the same. He gently grabbed my arms and leaned closer to me. "Are you worried?" He asked softly, looking at me with those gentle eyes of his.

I didn't realize this at first, but Keita seemed to change a little. Well, not just him, but also my brothers and the other people that's surrounding me.

Keita became gentler and firm, as if he already knew what he wanted to do or protect. The shyness he felt before melted away and it became a warm energy that radiates from him. And somehow this makes me feel at ease. Like I shouldn't worry too much because everyone's on my side now.

I smiled and extended an arm to pat his head gently. "I was, but not anymore. I feel a little relieved because you're here with me."

I couldn't help but chuckle as I notice his cheeks blushing a little at my statement. Well, it seemed like he didn't change that much. He's still that cute Keita who blushes because of my compliments.

We went on our way and soon arrived in front of the drawing room. I personally requested to use this room since the garden I frequent is currently being redecorated.

"Well then, I'll be back after a few hours," I said and smiled at him. He bowed his head while I went inside the drawing room.

The fair woman with brown locks and green eyes quickly stood up and greeted me as soon as she saw me. "Blessings to the undying glory of Amaranthia, Viscountess Georgia of House Cherrywood greets her highness." She's very noble than I thought she would be.

"Greetings, Viscountess. I am Princess Henrietta Amethyst le Clair, and I will be in your care from now on," I greeted back.

"Yes, your highness, you can address me casually as well."

"Please do the same with me."

Our early greetings sounded awkward at first. I was too wary of her, while she seemed awkward with me. So far, she hasn't looked like someone who would try to harm another person, let alone a princess. But like what Astraeus said, no one can be so sure of the other person's real intention.

We started off with the basics, tea and dinner etiquettes. It had taken half an hour before we finally finished and the Viscountess looked delighted at my performance.

"It looks like I have nothing else to teach the princess about the basic etiquettes. Shall we proceed about the Social Gathering Ethics and Socializing?" She asked, showing a book with leather covers to me.

Etiquette seemed hard for someone like me, but I'm really a fast learner, you know?

"First of all, the future Empress should know how to wear different types of mask in front of her people. Of course, the princess should know how to distinguish someone before wearing that mask to hide her true self."

I frowned. This lesson sounded like a tough tongue twister for me. Or is she clearly asking for me to learn how to become a pretender?

"Princess, in this world where the powerless struggle beneath the corrupt, you should be able to know how to control yourself. That includes your behaviour and your expressions. In order to become a great ruler of an empire, one must always remember how imperfect he or she is and uses that as a power to sway your subjects' hearts. This might sound like a negative thing, but this is a very beneficial power in order to take down the corrupted officials and properly serve the empire."

The Viscountess... she looked determined. As if she was hoping that I will be a ruler that the people can rely on. Someone who won't be swayed by the gibberish fluttery that the corrupted nobles throw. A pretender in front of those with power and a goodhearted ruler for the powerless. A burden that the empress and emperor of this empire carries in order to rule the entire nation.

Can I really do such a thing? Am I really capable of doing that?

"Of course, you can."

I flinched, my head turning to face the window beside us. My eyebrows creased together as I look outside. For some reason, I think I heard a weird voice in my head just now.

"Princess? Is there something wrong?" The Viscountess asked worriedly.

I quickly turned my gaze and shook my head. "I'm sorry. I thought I heard something. Please continue our lesson." I smiled at her gently, reassuring her that she can continue with her lesson.

After a few discussions about the different characteristics of nobles and the typical words they say during gatherings, the Viscountess decided to take a short tea break. We drank the tea that we used for the basic etiquette. During our break, I had discovered that the Viscountess was one of the social flowers that's currently blooming in the High Society. She also told me different stories about the outside world called 'Social Gatherings' and informed me about the usual topics that the ladies used to discuss.

We talked about alot of things, from the funny things that the nobles do to impress someone to the upcoming events of the empire. It was really fun talking with her. The uneasiness before gradually faded and all I could sense from her was a harmless warmth. Is it possible to be friends with her?

Time flew quickly, it was already the end of our class. We didn't even notice it, but it was past afternoon as well. We might have talked too much for us to not notice the time.

"Well then, your highness, we shall end our class here and continue with embroidery in two days time. I wish to exchange letters with you while we wait for our next class." Her bright smile showcased her radiance, and I couldn't help but smile back at her.

"You can send me letters anytime, Viscountess."

"Georgia. You can call me Georgia, your highness."

Ah.

I chuckled softly as my smile grew brighter. "Then please call me Henrietta."

Well, who knows? It might be possible to be friends with the people outside this palace without being too wary of them.


─── 𖥸 ───


[ THE NEXT DAY ]

"It has been a while since I last saw you. I thought they wouldn't let me out of that tower until today. I was already thinking of burning it down." Astraeus looked the same as usual, but instead of a sorcerer's cloak, he's now wearing a magician's robe with the imperial crest embroided on the heart part of it.

As I thought, dark colors suit this pale man.

"Princess, you looked like you didn't miss me. Tell me. Have you claimed another human to replace me?"

My cheeks felt like they're burning. I'm not sure, but I suddenly want to throw this guy out of the window.

"What are you saying?!" I asked, stumbling with my own words.

Astraeus frowned at me then he stepped closer, leaning his face closer to me as well. His silver eyes glimmered with an emotion I couldn't recognize. "I'm upset. Don't you miss me? I really missed you, though," he repeated the same words he said just a while ago, but this time, he sounded sad.

I smiled at him then reached his head to pat it gently. "Of course, I missed you. I was just thinking that the color of your new robe suits you well," I said, confessing my thoughts to him. There's no point in lying anyway, he'd figure it out before I could even utter a lie.

"Good. Don't claim anyone else because you already have me. Anyway, they told me to teach you Theology and Magic, which is weird for me." Astraeus moved away, sounding relieve then he grabbed the book from the bag he was carrying when he arrived here.

I leaned back against my chair as I watch him curiously. Is it weird because they are both opposite matters?

"Why do you find it weird?" I asked, my gaze fixated at the grey book he was holding.

"Because Theology and Magic are opposite matters that has no attraction to one another. A magic-inclined person won't be able to receive divine blessings in his body. It will only pass through him since his body isn't be able to accept it because of the magical mana that's present in his body. The same goes with people who have divine powers, like the high priests. They can coexist because they can't feel each other's energy." Astraeus placed the grey book on top of my table and opened it, showing a specific lessons about magical and divine components.

I looked down, reading the specific contents of the page while Astraeus continued to speak. "However, there are circumstances that a person with magical powers can receive divine blessings and vice versa, and that's what they call an 'Awakening.' This is a very special situation that happens rarely. As per history record, it only occurred when the empire was created and the next one was 30 years after that."

Something's telling me that this lesson feels familiar, like I've read it before. But being able to have both magical and divine powers would be too good to be true. I mean, you must have a lot of mana if you're able to have both of that.

"So they're powerful than anyone, right? I mean, if they'll be able to use both magic and divinity, then they'll probably become the most powerful creature in the empire." I honestly said that without realizing it. I was too entranced with the subject that my tongue slipped.

"Yes. That will make you, her highness, the most powerful creature in this empire once your awakening occurs."

I quickly looked at him and frowned. Is he saying that I've been blessed with both things? Or am I understanding this incorrectly? He seemed to understand how confused I feel that he quickly moved away and went to the board he prepared. "Allow me to explain." He said then grabbed a chalk and started drawing a few circles and arrows.

"There are two reasons why an Awakening can happen to someone; first is a natural cause that the Goddess herself bestowed, second is by a ritual or process called Transfusion. Since her highness performed Transfusion before with the previous master of the tower, her body indistinctly prepared itself for the awakening. You already know what transfusion is, right? It's the transferring or donating of someone else's mana and/or life essence to another person or to a new host."

I nodded my head while he writes a few things inside of the circle as well. The lower circle was labeled as 'new host' then the circles on the upper part were labeled as 'mana' and 'life' essence. Then he drew another circle above those two and wrote 'previous host' and added arrows pointing downwards, to the circle with the new host label.

Astraeus then drew another set of arrows pointing upwards and wrote a few things before continuing his lesson.

"An act of Transfusion will seal the new host's past or current self in order to let the new essence to naturally adapt to the new host's body. This won't affect the new host physically, however, the new host's mental and spiritual state will be affected, enabling the mind to create a new identity or awaken an old spiritual form to take charge of the body during the main spirit's absence. An awakening will happen once the essence have adapted completely and the main and new spirit will merge as one."

He moved to the other side of the blackboard and drew another circle. He wrote 'awakening' to label the big circle then he drew a few arrows again and went on with his discussion. "Awakening is a process wherein the new host's main spirit and new spirit will merge as one and everything that was sealed during the Transfusion process will be unleashed. It will affect the new host's magical and spiritual state, enabling him/her to use the magical prowess and divinity that completely adapted to the new host's body."

Somehow, I can understand what he's saying, but most of the parts seemed blurry for me. I kept my gaze pierced at the blackboard, silently digesting everything he explained. Astraeus seemed to notice how earnest I wanted to understand what he discussed that he chuckled softly. "In short, an act of Transfusion can trigger a person's divinity and awaken it after a long process. The divinity might be small, but it can be useful to absorb divine blessings. And you, your highness, is currently in the process of your Awakening. Once you reached the right time and the new essence inside of you ripens, your real prowess will begin to flow within you. Only the Grand Duke and I knew about this, so before the awakening happens, you must learn how to control yourself first."

Ah, it's almost the same with Georgia's lesson yesterday. Is learning self control the new trend today? But, oh well, we should just listen to the experts and learn from them.


─── 𖥸 ───


I feel like I have used most of my energy today for mana control that I don't feel like holding a sword for my next class. I want to run away and hide or maybe, I should pretend to be sick? That snake... I thought I'd faint during our self control activity. He tasked me to take control of my mana by lifting one branch without breaking it.

And I failed... A couple of times, I had failed. I always end up lifting all of those ten branches and all of them will explode instantly. That was tougher than holding my first teacup without holding out my pinky finger.

*SHING*

"Princess, stay focus!" I groaned softly as Sir Shotaro attacked me with his sword. I was lucky to quickly block it with my sword.

We're currently at the sparring grounds. Sir Shotaro became my new instructor for swordsmanship, and we're currently sparring while Astraeus, Keita, my previous instructor Sir Luke, and a few knights watches us.

Hah. I really feel tired.

I stumbled on the ground as I tried to evade his attacks again then I quickly rolled to the other side to avoid him. He doesn't seem like he's enjoying this either, but is it really needed to test me again? The Chancellor and the Viscountess had done this as well before they were able to teach me.

Is this another form of mockery?

For some reasons, my head's starting to heat up, and a dark emotion's starting to burn inside me. I remembered this emotion... I usually feel this whenever I lack sleep and rest.

I clicked my tongue then dashed towards him, dragging my sword behind me. A smile shadowed on my lips as I lifted my hand then smashed my sword against his sword's body using the remaining energy I have. He was taken aback with my sudden aggressiveness and tried to fight me back, but I didn't let him. I wanted to end this sparring quickly that I unconsciously held the other end of my blade, using the energy on my free hand to force him down.

I didn't notice it at first, but my hand felt stingy. "I surrender, your highness," Sir Shotaro proclaimed, and that's when I realized that my hand was bleeding when I saw him looking at it worriedly.

I panted softly as I moved away, letting my sword fall on the ground. Sir Shotaro quickly requested for a first aid kit, while Astraeus and Keita went closer to me, taking huge steps.

"What were you thinking doing that? Didn't I tell you to control yourself?" Yeah and it took most of my energy. So much for that self-control.

They both guided me to the bench. I couldn't help but frown as I avert my gaze. My lips were pouting while I let Astraeus heal my hand.

They may seem disappointed, but I couldn't care less. I, myself, feels disappointed as well. Knowing that I'm being tested everytime leaves a bitter taste on my mouth. It sucks to feel like this when I've recently gained the confidence to go all out for my lessons. Don't they trust me enough?

"Do I look dumb or lazy? I'm asking because my instructors kept on testing me. Do they see me as someone who can't take my lessons seriously? Or do I still look like a kid that knows nothing?" I should be acting maturely because of my title, but I'm still a young kid who happens to know a lot of things. They don't need to treat me like an adult, but judging me before knowing what I'm capable of feels frustrating.

"Let's end our class for today. We can continue tomorrow or the next day if my instructors will be willing to teach me without testing me again. Do send a letter of notice to the Chancellor and Viscountess as well. I'm tired, so I'll be going now." I didn't bother looking at any of them and with clenched fists, I trudged towards the path to my room.

I'm not this sensitive, but maybe pushing myself too much without enough rest will make my mood sour, thus, resulting to this cranky attitude.

"Keita, don't let anyone inside. Inform Lily that I don't want any visitors for the meantime," I ordered before closing the door of my room.

I didn't bother changing my clothes as well and just threw myself on the bed. I cuddled my thick blanket and closed my eyes. I tried emptying my head by breathing gently. I didn't realize that I fell asleep by doing that.