Total pages in book: 207
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 196971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 985(@200wpm)___ 788(@250wpm)___ 657(@300wpm)
Swallowing, she told Soleil haltingly, “I understand. I hadn’t been aware of that, but...I’ll get used to it.” It wasn’t like she had a choice.
A twinge of pain pinched Soleil’s heart at the pain underlining the girl’s voice. “I’m sorry.” She hated that she was forced to keep saying the words. Curse it, but this was not the way a student’s life should start. She took her job seriously, and she considered it her personal failure that she had not foreseen the possibility her student would be in this much pain over her parting from her Master.
“The relationship between pets and their Masters is something unknown to me,” Soleil admitted carefully, “but it may not be as bad as you think. In fact, I wouldn’t rule out the possibility that you would see Lord Alexandru from time to time, during school trips and field assignments—-”
“I’m afraid Lord Alexandru wouldn’t permit that.” Zari’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she continued, “He may not seem like it, but he takes his duties very seriously, and he expects the same from—-” She caught herself in time, having almost referred to herself as her pet. But that was no longer allowed either.
Zari’s fingers dug into her palms.
“Lady Zari, if you wish it, I can arrange for one last meeting.” This time, Soleil knew she was consciously violating one of the school’s rules. But the look of devastation on her student’s face was unbearable.
Slowly, Zari shook her head. “Thank you for the offer, milady, but this is how it should be.
“I see.” But she didn’t really quite see at all. It behooved Soleil to admit it, but maybe she really was the secret romantic that Fleur often teased her of being.
For Soleil, if two people were truly in love, was it not important that they did everything to make sure they were always together?
As they ascended the stairs, Soleil tried to lighten the mood, saying, “If it is of any help, you may talk about him with me whenever you want. You may freely gush of the gentleman’s looks—-”
Zari couldn’t help snorting. “That’s guy no gentleman.”
“Perhaps,” Soleil allowed with a grin, “but in Chalys, we always refer to men as gentlemen – no matter how boorish they may act.”
“Oh. My bad.”
She shook her head. “Sorry.”
Zari was bemused. “Why are you apologizing?”
Soleil’s dimples flashed. “I’m not. I meant, you should say ‘sorry’ when apologizing. You should refrain using ‘my bad’ as well, or at least until you are used to switching between our way of speaking to your way of speaking, depending on who you’re speaking with.”
“I. Am. So. Confused.”
They looked at each other, and their laughter spilled out at the same time.
“I’m gonna flunk my first term here, aren’t I?”
“Yes, you are going to flunk your first term here if you do not improve in time, but there are always supplementary classes to take during breaks—-”
Zari interrupted with a groan, “You’re almost as bad as my professors in LSL.”
“I will take that as a compliment, milady.”
Zari giggled. “Thank you, milady.”
“You may call me Soleil, you know.”
“I’d like that.” Zari nodded in relief. “And please call me Zari.” She bit her lip then blurted out, “Thank you for being so nice. There’s just something about you that makes me feel more...at ease.”
“That is my job, you know,” Soleil teased. “To make you feel right at home.”
Zari was looking at her in admiration. “You know, almost the whole time I was in LSL, I didn’t feel I was a proper fit. But you really are good at making people feel comfy – I mean, comfortable.” Unable to help it, asked curiously, “Do you never worry at all?” She could hear an imaginary Alexandru sighing in exasperation in her head. He had always told her off for being too curious for her own good, and even though she knew this was true, she just couldn’t help it.
“I suppose,” Soleil said slowly, “I worry like any other, but I also do my best not to worry about things I can’t control.” Like the curse that had been hanging over her head her entire life. “I’ve learned early on that the key to a happier life is to keep trying what you can do and what you think you can’t do. Because even if you fail, you would still be better off compared to where you would have been if you had not tried at all.”
Zari was grinning when she finished. “Do you know, I have a feeling we’ll be like Po and Master Shifu.”
Soleil paused, thinking the names were familiar, but she couldn’t quite recall who those were. “Are you speaking of Sir Edgar Allan Poe and...” Oh, but who was the other one? Perhaps a contemporary of Confucius?
Zari tried to keep her laughter from bubbling out. “Umm, never mind.” But then she thought about how her life would also be similarly restricted, without any access to technology, and she wasn’t that amused anymore.