The World Of Sally

Chapter Eleven: The Hellish Study Session with the Prince

“Wake up you imbecile!” The crown prince yelled and hit Sally with a book on her forehead. Sally woke up and touch her forehead with a teary expression. “How can you sleep in the middle of our study session? Did you forget the deal you made with the headmaster?” He roared. She rubbed her forehead and took the book.

“Sorry, your highness.” She answered.

“I would have accepted it but your book is upside down, you idiot.” He glared. Sally immediately turned the book to the right position. It’s been three days since she got personal tutorial sessions with the crown prince. Some may think this is a great opportunity, however, for Sally, this is one hell of a study session with the most dangerous man in the kingdom.

Helios looked at Sally whose eyes were droopy.. A while ago, he had a passionate lecture about magic but the woman dared to sleep in front of him.

‘I somehow admire her audacity that I want to throw her right now.’ He sighed and massage his temple. He doesn’t know why the hell he’s helping her get through her situation. It’s not his obligation to help her and any time, he can just drop it and let her suffer after.

“Thank you for helping me, Your highness, and I'm sorry. If it’s too hard, Your highness can leave anytime.” She said those words but he knows she didn't mean it. Perhaps it’s because of how expressive her silver eyes that's why he's doing this.

“Your apology and gratitude wont help you get smarter. Go read the book. I’ll ask you questions after.”

“Yes, your highness.” She replied and started to read the book silently. He stared at the window. It’s a sunny day, but he didn’t feel like taking a stroll since he’s not fond of seeing everyone’s faces. The library is empty because all of the students were probably in the new library the headmaster constructed a few months ago. He doesn’t want to go since it will surely be crowded.

“Stop reading for a while.” He spoke all of a sudden and stood up. “I want to have tea.” He added.

“Then, I’ll be waiting for you here…”

“You’re coming with me.” He said.

“I beg your pardon, Your highness?” She asked in disbelief.

‘Is he inviting me for tea? What if people see us?’ She wondered nervously.

“I said let’s stop and have tea for a while. I’m thirsty.” He repeated.

“Thank you for inviting me but, I respectfully decline, Your Highness.” She refused politely with a smile.

“I refuse to accept your answer. Stand up and come with me or else I’ll stop helping you.” He threatened. Sally swallowed a lump of saliva before she stood up and forced a smile in front of the crown prince.

“Yes, your highness.” She replied. The two walked out of the library and decided to drink some tea. She’s a few steps behind her, thinking that the crown prince is the center of attention, she became anxious. She doesn't like crowds however she doesn't hate him for that, she’s just wary.

‘I want to end this already.’ She thought. She bumped into someone’s back. She immediately steps back and looked up. It’s the prince’s back. He glared at her making her more nervous. He’s making his pace slow for her to catch up but whenever he does that, her steps became even slower than before.

‘What the hell is wrong with this woman?’ He hissed inwardly. He decided to stop.

“Walk faster.” He ordered. Sally flinched and laughed uncomfortably.

“I apologize, Your Highness. It was wrong of me.” She apologized and walked faster. This time, she’s faster than the prince.

‘This i***t…’ The prince growled and grabbed her.

“Excuse me, your highness?” She asked.

“Why are you walking faster?”

“Huh?”

“Walk beside me, idiot.”

She blinked several times before nodding like a dog to its master. They arrived at the dining hall. They sat next to the glass window where the school ground can be seen. The tea, as well as the desserts, were served in front of them.

“Why do you think it is not best to overuse your mana?” The crown prince suddenly asked. Sally put down her cup and answered.

“Mana must not overused because it can cause mana deficiency syndrome to the body that can lead to dangerous situations such as paralysis, coma, and even death.”

The questions from the prince continued that it became a long conversation. The people around them are throwing glances in their direction.

“Greetings for the rising sun of the kingdom.” They raised their heads and saw Athena with Ethan beside her.

“Lady Robia and Sir Lionel, what are you doing here?” Helios asked.

“We’re going to have tea as well, your highness, and I happen to saw you with Sally. If it’s alright, can we join you?” She asked smiling at them brightly.

“I apologize but I can’t do that. We’re busy with something.” Helios answered while sipping his tea. He put back the cup and looked at Sally again. “The answer?” He demanded. Sally snapped and looked at him too.

“Ah. The potions must be well mixed with each other so that the effects will be as effective as the camouflage potion but it’s much more effective than the latter…”

“But if you mix it with mermaid’s scale, it can become an invisible potion.” Sally looked at Athena surprised by her interference with their conversation, even Helios and Ethan themselves. “I apologize for the audacity, your highness. If it’s alright, I can be of help to your tutorials with Sally.” She suggested.

“It’s not me to decide. Lady Esther, what do you think?” Helios asked coldly and looked at her.

“Huh? Ah. There’s nothing wrong with it. The more the merrier.” She smiled brightly. “Thank you for helping me. I mean it.” She added.

“Don’t worry about that. You’re my friend so I should help you at least with this.” Athena chuckled as she took a seat beside Helios.

“Thank you so much, Ms. Robia, Mr. Lionel, and your highness.” She smiled and bowed to them.

“Don’t mention,” Athena said and smiled as well.

---

Athena is walking in the hallway with a serious look on her face. She’s still thinking about the study session they had earlier. After tea, they went to the old library to teach Sally and after that, they went back to their lectures.

“Hey,” She stopped and looked behind.

“Ethan.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re going to help her?”

“Why not? She’s my friend.” She turns around and started walking again with a frowning face. Ethan remained standing, watching her back. He sighed before walking to his classroom.

When she arrives in the classroom, some of her girl classmates approach her.

“Hello, Ms. Robia.” They greeted.

“Hi.” She replied.

“We heard about the study session of the crown prince Helios and a girl named Sally Esther. As you can see, we are all having a hard time with the upcoming exams. Is, is it alright for us to study with them as well?” They asked her.

“You want to study with them?”

“If it’s not a bother, we also heard that you’re there and we knew you’re smart and always got high grades.” They complimented.

‘Study with us… Is it… possible?’ She wondered. A bright smile appeared on her face as she answered,

“I don’t have the right to let you all study with us but, you should ask Sally.” All of them became gloomy but she added a few lines, “Don’t worry, she’s a kind person.” The ladies looked at each other and their faces became bright as well.

---

Sally went out of the classroom silently. She’s done taking the history class and she wants to go back directly to her room to study before eating dinner.

‘I mustn’t slack off. Mr. Bolton and Dr. Ashton’s careers are on the line…’ She reminded herself as her grip on her books tighten. All of a sudden, several ladies gathered her in the hallway. She stopped and looked at them in confusion.

“Hi, are you Sally Esther?” One of them asked.

“Yes, what do you want?” She answered.

“We heard that you’re studying with the crown prince and Ms. Robia. Can we join too?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Ms. Robia said that we should ask you directly if we want to join the study session. Please, we’re having a hard time with the exams and we don’t want to disappoint our parents by getting low grades. You won’t reject us right?”

“Uh…”

She’s nervous. What will she answer? If she says yes, the crown prince will get angry because it was supposed to be her and his study session only, and she’s receiving too much from him already. She can’t just take his help for granted, can she? On the other hand, if she says no, then all of these ladies will surely be disappointed and would taint Athena’s reputation by sending them all to her.

‘What will I do?’ She pondered. She took a deep breath and smiled awkwardly.

“I apologize but I can’t just decide on my own. You see, I can’t just take the kindness everyone is showing me for granted. If you don’t mind, I’ll ask the crown prince’s permission first.” She answered. They all frowned and looked at her in annoyance.

“Can’t you just decide on your own?” One of them asked her.

“I’m sorry.” She replied as she bowed her head.

“You’re just saying this because you want their help for yourself. You know, we’re disappointed, to think that Ms. Robia complimented you by saying you’re kind. Hah. I guess she’s wrong because you’re a selfish wench.” She walked past through her but she made sure to hit Sally’s shoulder. She flinched and watch the group walking away with angry expressions. She sighed heavily and was about to resume walking when she saw a familiar face a few meters away. It’s Felix.

“Ms. Esther!” He called as he approached her.

“Mr. Robia, good afternoon.” She greeted .

“Where are you going?”

“Hm? Back to my dorm. I’m going to study there.” She answered.

“I see. By the way, who're those ladies you’re talking with earlier?” Felix asked.

“Oh, nothing. They just, asked if they can join our study session with me, the crown prince, and Ms. Robia.” She answered.

“Athena teaches you?” He questioned with a hint of surprise.

“Yes. Lady Robia was intelligent and she always explains the lessons in detail. It’s easy to understand.”

“… I see. Then how about I help you as well?”

“I beg your pardon, Sir?” She asked in shock.

“I’m not as good as his highness but I can help you.” He smiled awkwardly.

“Please don’t say that, you’re both the best in different ways. Don’t compare yourself with his highness because you’re a different person.” She said. He became silent for a while before speaking again.

“What do you think, of his highness Helios?” He asked out of the blue. Sally stared at him as her forehead wrinkled.

“Well, his highness, he is worthy to be on the top. In a short amount of time, I learned that he’s someone who values people around him and works very hard in achieving something.” She answered sincerely.

“Hm, how about me?”

“Huh?”

“What do you think of me?” He repeated. Sally blinked several times. She was caught by the sudden question off-guard. But why is he asking her? Anyway, she needs to answer him.

“As for you, Sir, how can I say this? You’re like the warm sunlight every morning.”

“Warm sunlight?”

“Yes. You gentle and warm, and the yellow color suits you.” Her face beamed. She let out a soft giggle. “Thank you so much for your help, Sir. I’ll repay you someday, don’t worry.” Felix’s lips lifted into a smile and patted her head.

“Don’t mention it.” He replied.

---

The next day, she went to the old library to meet the prince. She slept for only three hours to study. She even made good notes for every subject. Even if it’s tiring, she felt satisfied. She’s smiling the whole time, however, it vanished when she saw a lot of ladies in the old library.

“What happened?” She mumbled as she hurriedly went to the entrance of the library. She met Felix and Ethan on the way. “Sir Robia, Sir Lionel, what happened? Why are there so many people?” She asked.

“Seriously? You don’t know?” Ethan asked sharply. “Didn’t you invite them all in here? Bragging that you’re with the crown prince and the other outstanding students?”

“I beg your pardon, Sir?” She asked in confusion. “I’m sorry but there must be some misunderstanding…”

“She’s here!” Someone grab her wrist and drag her inside. She hissed in pain. It might bruise later. The woman let her go in front of the crown prince. His red hair is like burning fire under the soft sunlight and he always looked good in the academy’s black and white uniform.

‘Ah, he’s always like that.’ She thought softly. Helios glared at her and she flinched.

“Right! She’s the one! She told us that it’s alright to be in here and to study with his highness the crown prince.” A woman claimed beside her.

“Huh?” She mumbled dumbfounded.

“Don’t act like you don’t know, you wench.” The woman gritted her teeth and glared at her.

“Explain yourself, Lady Esther.” The prince demanded.

“Your majesty I…!”

“Your Highness, I’m sorry for my boldness but Sally has nothing to do in this matter. It is I who did this.” Athena claimed. Sally’s eyes widen.

‘She did?’ She wondered. But that didn’t help her situation because it made the misunderstanding even worse than before.

“Lady Robia is kindhearted, she even took the blame from that loser.”

“Yes. I admire her even more.”

Sally heard them but she closed her mouth tightly. Her heart is pounding that it aches.

‘Silly, you’re used to this right?’ She laughed at herself. She took a deep breath and smiled brightly at Athena.

“Thank you for defending me, Lady Robia,” She forces a smile and faces the crown prince, “however, I want to clear myself and this misunderstanding. I did not tell to anyone that it is alright for them to be here like what the lady is claiming.”

“Liar!”

“Then please tell me the exact time and place that I told everyone that it’s alright for them to be here.” She requested.

“That’s…!”

Sally waited for her answer but it didn’t come out of her mouth.

“I was just about to ask permission first to his highness and the others if it’s alright with them, I also understand the feeling of pressure when it comes to exams… I did not expect anything for this to happen…” She bowed down in front of the prince. “I apologized for this mess, your highness, Ms. and  Mr. Robia, and Mr. Lionel. It’s because of my carelessness.”

Ethan saw her and sighed. He roughly brushes his hair and laughed sarcastically. 

“Seriously, this is hell.” He mumbled in annoyance.

***