Chapter 2

The moment the punishment was handed down, the entire courtyard fell into silence.

Anyone with eyes could see there had been something wrong with the bow Amelia had given me. But no one was willing to stand up for an illegitimate daughter.

An attendant brought over a cane. Slowly, I raised my palm which was still dripping with blood. Out of the corner of my eye, I glanced at Glenn, hoping that the sight of blood would make him see the truth.

Instead, Amelia pouted, her eyes red. "I scraped my wrist when I drew the bow just now. Professor Howard, will you blow on it for me?"

While he blew on the faintest reddened mark on her skin, the cane struck directly across my wound.

Red filled my vision. I endured the pain silently and left without saying a single word. Later, I bandaged the wound and pulled my sleeve down to hide it.

That afternoon, the first lecture was Glenn's class. Despite my reluctance, I still went. After all, he was a respected scholar, and his lessons were genuinely beneficial.

At worst, I could just forget the past and think of him as my future brother-in-law.

Once seated, I resumed my usual composure. I listened in class and took notes. After class ended, I was called over by the headmaster.

"Victoria, I know you've been bullied a few times. My authority only extends so far, but I can offer you a position as a librarian."

Headmaster Whittaker had once been Glenn's tutor. He had watched me grow up. Now, his hair was completely grey, and his eyes carried a trace of helplessness toward his former pupil, and deep guilt toward me.

I shook my head and smiled. "I'm fine. Thank you for the opportunity, Headmaster Whittaker."

I no longer cared about Glenn. But I was grateful to Headmaster Whittaker. He knew how much I loved books and had found a way for me to remain in Imperial Academy.

Walking back, my steps felt lighter. The dread of being forced to leave in seven days had faded.

A librarian was a modest position, but it was still an official post.

For the next two days, I avoided Glenn's lectures and holed myself up in the library.

Perhaps Amelia had grown bored or learned that I was still allowed to remain at the academy. She came to me, furious, pulled several books from the shelves, and began tearing them apart.

"Victoria, don't think you can stay here and continue seducing Glenn!"

Her eyes blazed with anger as she ripped through several priceless, one-of-a-kind books. Those were also Glenn's favorite books.

As expected, I soon saw him hurrying over after hearing the commotion. Amelia instantly rubbed her eyes, picked up the torn pages, and burst into tears.

"Victoria, if you're upset and want to avoid Professor Howard's lectures, that's fine. But why did you have to destroy his precious books?"

I said nothing. But beside me, a library assistant slammed the table angrily and roared, "Nonsense! You tore those books yourself! I heard you threatening Victoria and telling her she wasn't allowed to stay here!"

This time, there was a witness. So, I said calmly, "It wasn't me."

I thought Glenn might be fair for once.

But Amelia sniffled. "You're both working together. Of course you would say that."

Just like that, Glenn's expression hardened. "Why would Amy frame you?"

In his eyes, I was an illegitimate daughter that possessed nothing worth envying, and nothing worth plotting against.

Touching the ruined books, he looked at me with cold disappointment. "If you can't perform your duties as librarian well, then you should give up the position."

With just one sentence, my last chance to remain at Imperial Academy vanished.

"Glenn?" My voice was weak, and my eyes uncontrollably filled with tears.

The library assistant tried to protest again, only to be stripped of his own post as well.

"You will no longer return to Imperial Academy."

The young man's face turned deathly pale. For the past two days, he had laughed and chatted with me. Now, he gave a bitter laugh, tossed down the book in his hands, and walked away.

"Everyone says Professor Howard is a righteous man of integrity. Seeing him now, I guess they were mistaken."

He strode off without looking back. Then, halfway to the door, he turned to me and asked, "Are you coming?"

With my fingers curled tightly at my sides, I shook my head. "No."

My chance to stay was gone. The least I could do was cherish my final days here, right?

Besides, there was no point demanding an explanation from Glenn anymore.