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Chapter 5 - Memories
Ella didn’t want to go, so she purposely slowed down her footsteps. In the end, there was no way around it. It would have been better for her to take the beatings now rather than later. In the original novel, Ella began taking lessons in preparation for her future role as the future empress. The moment she was selected to marry the crown prince, the number of lessons increased. The current Ella had no knowledge of this. She had no idea what her teachers were going to think when their protĂ©gĂ© couldn’t remember any of their teachings. It was especially a concern today because today’s teacher was Viscount Jersone. Viscount Jersone, who taught the history of the Duffespe empire, was known for his harshness. Luciella always found him to be difficult. If there were at least a few days before her lesson with the viscount, Ella would’ve tried to cram basic knowledge. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any time left for her.
Ella soon arrived at the location where she usually studied. After clenching her sweaty fist, she nodded slightly. Smila, who followed her, knocked on the door, and the door opened. The room was filled with many books. There was an older gentleman with so many wrinkles that he looked like a thin dried-up tree. He was waiting for Ella.
“You’re five minutes late, my lady. I was worried that you might have tried to run away from your lessons again.”
Ella was just about to make an apologetic face, but she soon thought of a solution that would help her out of her current predicament. She sighed. ‘Ugh. Why didn’t I think of that before?’ thought Ella.
Ella’s look made the viscount uncomfortable. The young lady was beautiful and elegant compared to any daughter from a noble family. She often, however, startled him with her unexpected silliness. There was a reason why the entire Constance family watched her every move. There was no telling what this lady would do if left unchecked as she was now. Although her silly thoughts were apparent to others, her true intentions were always a mystery. Jersone shook those thoughts away and escorted Ella to her seat.
“Have you completed your homework, my lady?”
Ella became genuinely startled, covered her mouth in shock, and exclaimed, “Oh, my!”
An exclamation and gesture that Ella had never done in her life came from her so naturally. Ella then softly smiled at Jersone, only this time she did it intentionally.
“I’m truly sorry, my lord. I was going to copy the History of Duffespe Empire written by the Great Rillow the Wise, just as you ordered. But the book was so intriguing that I completely forgot to write it down as I was reading it. I do, however, remember everything from the book, so I’m sure there’s no need to copy it anymore.”
None of it was from Ella’s memories, but the words came out of her so flawlessly. As Ella spoke, new memories began to appear in her mind. Ella had read the entire history book on the Duffespe Empire and memorized its contents. The charming story of the heroes and the founding of the empire raced through Ella’s mind. The viscount, however, had listened to similar excuses many times in the past, so he calmly questioned her.
“If that’s so. Then do you remember where the young King Lucas had planted the Holy tree?”
“The Dorlan Mountains, of course. I found it interesting that the tree’s fruits were only harvested for his highness, the emperor. When the tree didn’t bear any fruit, there was a drought. Have you ever seen the holy tree, my lord?”
The Viscount found no need to further question the young lady. For the first time since Ella stepped into the room, a kind smile appeared on his face.
“Unfortunately, no. The tree isn’t for someone like me. But maybe, you’ll get to see it in the not-too-distant future,” said Jersone.
Ella knew exactly what he was talking about. When someone formally becomes the crown princess, she is going to be baptized by the holy tree. The baptism of the holy tree was one of the most beautiful moments in the novel. Thinking about that moment in the future made Ella’s heart race with anticipation. Viscount Jersone smiled softly at Ella. The protĂ©gĂ©, he was teaching before his retirement, was a troublemaker. She was also someone worthy of being loved by all. Even now, Ella was much more lovable than his own granddaughter.
At last, the viscount gave up on punishing her. Instead, he took out a thick book and placed it in front of Ella. It was a book on the empire’s modern history. The book was written by an author that Ella hated the most. Her face instantly became depressed. Her lovely emerald-colored eyes darkened, and she looked up at the viscount beggingly. Jersone ignored her and opened the book.
‘This book’s so boring, unlike the one written by Rillow. It should be a good punishment for this young lady,’ Jersone thought.
Unlike his expectations, Ella became hooked to the stories. The history that Rillow’s book didn’t cover in detail was in this book. With Viscount Jersone’s explanations, the contents from the book came to life. It even made Ella patriotic towards the empire. Jersone was surprised by Ella’s change in attitude. He still, however, ordered her to copy down parts of the book until their next lesson together.
“Lady, if you want to forget copying down the book this time as well, you should memorize all content of this book,” said Jersone.