Athelinda : The Forbidden Name

Ch 24 : Goodbye Obelia

Time flew by in a matter of weeks. Athelinda gave her entrance exam for the Academy in May, and the results were supposed to be announced in August.

The scores of all the candidates would be displayed in the National Education Hall.

So when came August Athelinda decided to visit the Hall, but instead got into an argument with Claude, again. He insisted not sending her out. The argument was won by Claude and so Cassandra went to the Hall to see the result.

All while Athelinda wss anxiously pacing around in her room. Athanasia was sitting in her room as well and reassuring her sister that it would be okay.

Not so surprisingly Claude had sent Felix under cover as well to see the scores and report it to him.

And so the results were revealed.

The Highest marks go to Ijekiel Alpheus.
The Second Highest marks go to Athelinda de Alger Obelia.

Cassandra double checked the board, but she was already aware of the genius young master of the Alpheus Duchy. He had gotten full marks on the exam and an extra mark for appropriately detailed answers.

Athelinda had gotten full Mark's as well, she only fell short of the extra mark.

__________

"Princess,  are you still sulking?" Cassandra asked as she was spreading the sheet on Athelinda's bed.

"I lost to that snake's kid and how come if he's such a genius I never heard about him?! " Athelinda glared at Cassandra from her desk.

"Young Master Ijekiel has always kept to himself much. I served Princess Jennette and only heard about him from the princess's mouth. I had heard rumours of him going to an abroad institution but to think it was the same one you chose princess. . ." 

"You should've told me anyways. . . "

"Would you like to hear about him now?" Cassandra asked with sparkling eyes.

"No."

"But aren't you curious about the one who succeeded you."

"Just once This is the only time. Next time it'll be different. "

". . . As you wish."

____________________

Claude wasn't too happy with the results but Athelinda could care less. The time she spent with him after the display of results was extremely low. She only met him three times after result display. Once when he called to congratulate her in his indirect way by inviting her to tea.

The second time she went to return the key to the forbidden library.

"Keep it with you." Claude spoke over his paperwork.

"But I'll be leaving for Arlanta and it's best for you to keep it until I come back."

". . .When will you come back?" Claude asked with a dazed face as he rose his head to face his 'daughter'.

"Winter Holidays, December.  I'll have holidays in between but the Academy lasts seven years."

". . . Then I'll keep it for you to take when you return."

And the third meeting they had was none other than for their goodbyes. Athelinda had prepared her luggage and she was now off to the Academy.

An interesting turn of events was the company of a knight. The Academy rules allow one maid and one knight to enter the academy along with a student, only if it is necessary.