"Third Sister?" Rosemary says, coming to the daybed. "Ai, you are so pale! How do you feel?" Rosemary asks, laying her hand on Lucy's forehead. I just got a maid whipped for standing up. Of course, I'm pale!

"I feel fine, First Sister," Lucy says, her eyes drifting to Rimes Dai. She held a jade box. Rose giggles. "Dai, bring it over," Rose says, giving Lucy a glance. "I brought you a present to entertain you on your sickbed," Rose says. "Since you spend so much time sketching"

Rose opens the box, revealing rows of charcoal sticks. It wasn't a small box either, there must be at least a hundred sticks in it. "Thank you, First Sister," Lucy says, accepting the box. If I grind a couple of these into powder, I'll have pigment for black. Calk could work for white until I find a better choice.

Lucy puts the jade lid back on the box. This is much better than all those herbs, and blessed health charms people keep sending me. Lucy tucks the box under her blanket and smiles at Rosemary.

"Papa said your Awakening is next week," Lucy says. Rose nods, fear drifting off her. "Honored Mother is hoping I'll Awaken a Strong Aura, so I'll definitely be able to take the entrance exams," Rose says, her face suddenly stark white.

You look ill. Worse than me. Is this Awakening so scary? "Strong Aura?" Lucy asks. First Sister nods, "Innate Aura is very important. It's divided into Weak, Low, Fair, High, Strong, Extreme, and Supreme. Low and Fair innate Auras are common, while High or Strong Auras are talented. Imperial Grandmother has an innate Extreme Aura, that's why she was betrothed to Imperial Grandfather as a child." Rosemary says, she rubs her arms.

So you are disqualified if you have anything less than a strong aura? "Entrance exams to what?" Lucy asks. First Sister blinks, her lips parting. "Third Sister?"

What? What did I do? Lucy purses her lips. What did I do wrong! Selena coughs. "The entrance exams to the Clear Edge Academy, Little Mistress," Selena says.

That explains nothing. Wait. I've heard that before. Clear Edge? Clear Edge. Where did I hear that name? ?Lucy lowers her head. My knowledge is insufficient. They expect me to know this. How did I miss something so obvious that a 2-year-old should know it?

Lucy clenches her fist. Stupid. A soft hand pats hers, making Lucy freeze. Lucy meets Rosemary's eyes. Rosemary smiles at her, taking Lucy's hand into hers. "Big Sis Amu has left for her trip to take the entrance exams. Third Sister must have missed the news due to your illness" Rosemary says, making an excuse up for Lucy.

Lucy's eyes widen. Oh, yeah. Damn it. I should have remembered that. "Is the Academy very important?" Lucy asks, helplessly. Do I need to pay attention to this school?

Rimes Dai coughs. "Really Selena! This poor child!" Rimes Dai says, a hint of concern in her voice. Selena winces and kneels, her head low. "This is my oversight, Little Mistress. The Clear Edge Academy holds entrance exams every year, but they rarely accept students. They only accept up to a thousand students, but the attendants of the top 500 may study there." Lucy tilts her head. That's no different than having an extra few thousand students.

Selena continues. "The entrance exams are very strict. One must have a Strong grade Aura, be able to draw a beta magic circle, and slay an Aura beast of the 2nd Tier" Selena explains in detail. Lucy almost chokes. A beta magic circle? I can't even draw a Beta Eternity Ring, let alone a magic circle that contains all the basic Runes.

"In our Vera Empire, girls who are allowed to take the exams are fought over in marriage. To give anything less than a consort status is an insult." Selena says. {My carelessness has shamed my Little Mistress. Ai, I should just slap myself} Selena's feelings of embarrassment, shame, and just upset nearly drowned Lucy.

Lucy pats Selena's head since it was right there as she was still kneeling. "Oh, I forgot" Lucy lies. Don't stress so much Selena. I'm still two years old. You are already shoving a lot of knowledge at me. Don't freak because I missed something so far away.

"It must be because I was thinking of eating ice cream when you told me. Stand up, please" Lucy says. I have Void Hunger, being distracted by food is a good excuse, yes? Selena stands. ?"Don't say please to servants, little mistress. It's beneath your status" Selena cautions.

Lucy sighs then stills her eyes drifting to Rimes Dai. Rimes Dai felt disdain. {This child seems to have poor etiquette. It must be that null Concubine mother of hers. I must inform the Family she requires more etiquette tutoring.}

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Lucy lowers her eyes, resisting the urge to slap Rimes Dai. Looking down on my mother. Lucy clenches her teeth. How dare you? Lucy's eyes water suddenly. Failure. I'm such a failure. I keep making mistakes that make Mom look bad.

No. I won't let anyone look down on Mom. Lucy meets Dai's gaze, her eyes were wet but fierce startling the maid. ?{Third Miss seems angry. Is she hungry?} Rime Dai glances around, and moves a platter closer to Lucy.

Lucy's anger suddenly pesters out. Rimes Dai in the grand scheme of things was more respectful. Rimes Dai might feel disdain but she didn't call Mom trash, not even in her thoughts. It was better than some of the maids who served in this courtyard.

Lucy swallows. I must improve myself so no one can stay bad things about Mom. For the first time, Lucy wanted to train, wanted to study.

"Honored Mother is very nervous. I had to sneak out to see you." Rosemary says, distracting Lucy. "After my Awakening passes my time for lessons will decrease as I will begin attending Feasts and such" Rosemary says.

Lucy's eyebrows furrow. Big Sis Jiao was Awakened, but she didn't have to bother with that. Only girls 8-years old had to attend parties. "So soon? Big Sis Jiao doesn't go to feasts" Lucy says.

First Sister smiles wryly. "Even though Big Sis Jiao is Imperial Aunt's daughter. Imperial Aunt married into the Rimes Family, so her daughter isn't an Imperial Miss like us. As daughters of the Imperial Family, we must attend entertainments with grace and poise" Rosemary explains.

No. No! No! I don't want to do parties. My Name Day was so boring. Lucy tears up in her heart. My precious free time!

Lucy knew how many lessons the girls in the Rimes Family took up after their Awakenings. Magic lessons, combat, riding, medicine, dancing, singing, instrument, and embroidery lessons. Household management training, and body conditioning.

I will die.

Lucy sighs. Looking on the bright side, I can always imprint things when I have to memorize.

Feeling familiar energy, Lucy looks up to see Papa. "Good morning, Papa" Lucy calls out. Rosemary freezes and stands to curtsey. First Sister swallows and softly calls out. "This daughter greets Papa" First sister looks so nervous, Lucy's heart nearly exploded.

AH! My heart. I just want to hug you to death. So cute!

Papa's somber air softens as he smiles at Rosemary. "Good morning, my daughters." He says, then heads for Mom's rooms. Lucy watches him, her eyebrow lifting.

"Royal Father smiled at me" Rose whispers, her eyes wide as saucers. "He never smiles at me!" Lucy nods smugly. "Papa likes being called Papa," Lucy explains. "But, you call him Royal Father at times," Rose says forehead creasing.

Lucy coughs. "Yes, well.." Lucy shrugs. "In public, one must follow etiquette," Lucy says. One must adapt to the situation at hand to succeed

Lucy glances toward Mom's rooms, where Papa disappeared. I can't give anyone a chance to disdain my Mom. Lucy's eyes narrow. Papa had better be nice to Mom.