Only then did I realize that time passed rapidly as light. Everything went so fast, and everything went so peculiar for me since the day I bumped into a woman who eventually turned out to be my father’s new lover.
Felix and the new girl named Thebe were lovers. Although I doubt it as my father loves Mom so much and I think he can never astray. I just have this intuition that he is just using the woman for his plans. I’m not sure. Who knows what was going on in Felix’s mind?
Instead of arguing with him, I faked a warm welcome for his new lover. I acted as if I approve of their relationship. That was because I trust Father with his schemes. This was only part of his step, for sure.
Even if I had the power to know someone’s secrets, I find it hard to use that ability all the time as I probably had no experience or didn’t master it yet. I needed to train myself without Father’s help. I couldn’t trust him with this vision I had as Babu’s warning was imprinted in my mind.
Aside from suffering in controlling my feelings because of Thebe, I spent the months focusing on my studies and arts. Just like before, I always received lessons regarding writing and art. And about the contest, I didn’t expect to win. I just splashed the paint on the canvas though.
Teacher Rory’s smile welcomed me. “Renata,” she said, approaching me with ecstasy as if I did something good or honorable.
I smiled a bit as gazed into her eyes. Her eyes were shimmering in glee. I asked her, “Teacher, you seemed so happy. Mind sharing it with me?”
“No, I don’t.” She sighed. “You did great this quarter, actually. Despite causing distractions in your class, you never failed to impress me, Revi.”
“Oh.” I nodded.
I stayed silent for a moment and averted my gaze. Her smile was making me wary. What was she up to?
“Teacher Rory . . .” I gazed at her. “Your smile is scary.”
She laughed. “I’m sorry for scaring you. Guess what? Today is the distribution of your cards. Didn’t your adviser tell you to bring your guardian here?”
I was dumbfounded. Today was the distribution of cards—I forgot to tell it to Father!
I was sweating and stuttering as I looked around. “F-f-father can’t come. He has uh . . . a meeting with someone. He advised me to get my card on my own as he trusts me a lot.”
Rory nodded. “Is that so? Don’t worry since I have your card. Here is it.” She showed a brown envelope.
I was about to get it from her but she raised her hand. I was so small so I couldn’t reach it. She spoke, “but I need to talk to your guardian the next time I visit you at your address.”
“Sure.” I nodded. Well, that’s not a problem for me. It will only become a problem once Father loses his control because of anger, but I’m confident that it won’t happen.
She then gave me the envelope. I opened it and saw a paper containing my grades. I was no longer surprised as I saw that my Math subject had the lowest grade.
I sighed and pulled out the medal in the envelope. A phrase was carved there. “Best in Art.” Am I really that good at painting?
“Congratulations!” Someone clapped their hands. This made me turn around. I saw Yner with a smile on his face while giving me an applause as he approached me.
“Thanks.” I smiled. Although, it’s not genuine. It’s not that I don’t appreciate their congratulations, it’s just . . . Grades here in Madreign didn’t matter to me. We will only stay here for seven years and grades will no longer matter as we come back to Atolon.
“You look like you’re not happy. Is there something bothering you?” Rory asked.
I shrugged. “It’s not that.” I chuckled. “Father won’t appreciate this for sure.” I gave them an awkward smile.
Yner frowned. “I doubt that. Ms. Viglianco is a good man and a great father. I’m sure he’ll appreciate that!” he exclaimed. “I heard from the teachers that you got high grades, certificate of excellence, and a medal—so why did you say that he won’t appreciate it? I’m confident that he will. He’s lucky enough to have a talented and intelligent child like you, Revi.”
Rory nodded. “Yner is right, Renata. Why do you think that he wouldn’t appreciate it?”
I averted my gaze sighed. If they only knew I came from a different kingdom. Well, Yner knew, yet what he knew was a false fact.
 We loathe Madreign, and that fact will never change. Everything that was part of Madreign, shan’t be appreciated nor honored.
A Madreese and a Cidgian will never be friends nor family. Our history and wrath was what was separating us.
And so, I felt bad spending time with them. I felt like I betrayed the kingdom I came from and when the moment finally comes, I will need to betray Yner and Teacher Rory. I didn’t think I would be this perfidious. I didn’t intend to be a traitor, yet I only came here to document all the things I witnessed and dive deeper about the real lore that was kept hidden for thousands of years.
I sighed. I don’t need to be sorry as I was only doing what I was tasked to do. I won’t let my guard down. I won’t feel sorry; guilt; and pity as I was the heir of the Viglianco clan, the angels who fell from heaven, and I must continue taking a step forward to fulfill my duty and to take everything I want.
I may sound greedy and selfish but I am willing to do all means and go to any lengths just to get back my wings that I’ve lost as we fell above. Whoever dared to get in my way shall be punished accordingly.
I chuckled. “I’m sure he would but on the other hand, he also doesn’t. It’s complicated to explain but that’s it.”
Yner shook his head. “Whatever. That still doesn’t change the fact that you’re great!” He smiled.
I won’t lie that I somehow appreciated their praises. I liked the way they gave compliments without even dragging my surname. People in Atolon often compliment me because I’m part of the illustrious Viglianco clan. At first, I liked it, I liked the vast amount of attention I received at such a young age but eventually, I got tired of hearing their monotonous plaudits.
Those annoying voices of theirs made me want to live in a palace. A palace surrounded by wealth and as ravishing as hell, the hidden palace of Vigliancos.
To be continued . . .