SMITTEN

Aisha's mouth slackened at Rosalia's statement. Her copper eyes blinked rapidly.

She was already trying to forget it. She thought that she would just pass the time until D-Day, so she would not get nervous. If not, she would back out and run away.

To her dismay, she couldn't escape the necessary preparations that she had to make. Like now.

"The King has given an order that starting from now on, you will study Gaean history, traditions and culture. You also need to learn about the responsibilities and duties of a royal wife and learn the skills needed to fulfill them, my lady," Rosalia enumerated the scope of the King's order to her.

Aisha touched her temples as she closed her eyes. She felt a wave of cold air seeping in through her bones..

"So what you're saying is I have to take up classes and study? Again?" Aisha grumbled as it dawned on her.

Aisha recalled how she hated studying. She would rather skip classes and go to the malls than review for exams.

Fortunately, she has good genes, which she probably got from her mother. She never failed an exam.

"But I will stop it after we get married, right?" Her face lifted in a hopeful smile with her wiggling eyebrows.

Rosalia sighed, but she answered cheerfully, "It will depend on your Majesty, my lady. If he sees that you are proficient and knowledgeable already, perhaps you don't have to attend it anymore."

"But if not?" Aisha asked, her lips dropping.

"You just have to keep learning them, my lady. You are very fortunate. There are only a few women who could sit under Master Aurelius," Rosalia responded with a smile. "In fact, he is already waiting for you at the Athenaeum."

"I guess I have no choice then," Aisha's chin went to her chest. But she stood up and followed Rosalia to the designated location.

"Maybe I should also learn the architecture of this Castle. Until now, I haven't memorized the chambers here," Aisha rambled on to Rosalia.

She was expecting her to react. But she didn't, making Aisha tilt her head to her with her forehead furrowed.

Rosalia has been a little different since yesterday. Something seemed to be bothering her, but she was trying to hide it by focusing on her task as a personal assistant.

Now, she was back to her quiet version with her attention drawn to the Castle Gates, which was visible from the parapet walks.

Aisha continued to observe her manner and appearance. "Hey, are you all right?" She asked in a concerned voice.

Rosalia immediately lifted her head and made a wide grin. "Yes, my lady. I apologize. What is it again?"

Aisha squinted her eyes as she gazed at her and saw that her smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Never mind," she replied with an encouraging smile. Then she reached out and rubbed her back, which made Rosalia's eyes wide open in surprise.

But when she heard Aisha's words, they were immediately replaced with gratitude and appreciation.

"Whatever it is, it doesn't reflect who you are. You're a strong woman. I know you will make it through," Aisha said in the most comforting tone that she could utter.

Rosalia couldn't help but stop and with her eyes brimming with tears, she bowed down to her. "Thank you, my lady. I will do so for you."

"Oh no, not for me. I'm nobody. Just an alien castaway in this land who happened to have a stroke of good luck, I guess. Do it for yourself. And your family," she said as she tried to lighten up her mood.

However, her already lifting spirit slightly went back to her depressed state when she mentioned her family. But it was only a fraction of a second. Rosalia immediately bounced back as she pointed to a door.

"There's the Athenaeum, my lady," she gave her a genuine smile as she directed her.

A royal guard opened the door as soon as she saw her.

Aisha slowly walked inside as she gazed in wonder at the place. It was like a small public library with rows and rows of books.

In the middle was a creature who seemed to be waiting for her. His head, his wings, and his whole body were covered in white and gray feathers. But his face appeared like a human.

He was wearing black-rimmed glasses and his hand was holding a black stick.

"Greetings, my lady," Master Aurelius greeted her with a bow.

Aisha responded with a curtsy, "Thank you for your time, Maser Aurelius. I am excited to learn from you."

However, Aisha was secretly mumbling to herself as she readied herself for a boring day, "I suddenly miss the video illustrations flashed by my professors during classes."

Master Aurelius started as soon as Aisha sat down. He began with the history of Gaea and how it was founded.

"In the beginning, darkness hovered over all of the Gaean lands. The Great Theos decided to create a place where creatures that are discriminated against from other realms could thrive. Thus, the Kingdom of Gaea was formed," Master Aurelius introduced the lesson.

Aisha was about to yawn when Master Aurelius began to do something that made her almost drop from her seat.

He waved his black stick, which changed the atmosphere, creating a hologram-like thing in the air.

"Wow," Aisha blurted out with her lips wide open.

It was like a big screen showing how the lifeless Gaean soil sprouted with different plant species, transforming the dark grounds into a fairy tale land. Different species flew, swam, and crawled to the majestic land bringing life to existence.

"It's beautiful," Aisha muttered in admiration.

"Yes, it is indeed beautiful," a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

Her heart thumped wildly in her chest as if it was excited to see its bearer.

She quickly turned around and bowed her head with a suppressed smile, "Your Majesty,"

Master Aurelius gave honors to King Leandro as well.

**************************************************

"To acquire knowledge, one must study;

but to acquire wisdom, one must observe."

― Marilyn vos Savant