After hesitating for a moment, Tilia carefully picked up the palm-sized box.
It was a familiar package: almond candies that Tilia often bought for herself. They were a little expensive for her budget, but not so much that she couldn't buy them occasionally. On special occasions she would treat herself alone.
Why is this in the medicine cabinet?
Tilia looked from the pile of medicine next to her to the chocolate and tilted her head in confusion.
Medicines and chocolate...
"Not a bad combination."
Whoever the packer was was quite competent, Tilia thought as she put the chocolate back into the box. Then, with a satisfied expression on her face, she swept all the scattered medicines back into the box.
Placing the heavy box back under the table, Tilia opened the desk drawer with a light heart.
Inside was the same real chocolate she had just seen.
This was not part of Ilex Davenport's hush money package. It was the chocolate Judy had given her a week ago.
Tilia tore the wrapper of her favorite treat with a satisfied expression on her face.
She broke off a piece and popped it into her mouth, almost immediately the sweetness filled her taste buds.
Everything was as usual - an absolutely delightful reward.
***
Finally the last day of the semester arrived.
The entrance to the dormitory was buzzing with the joyful noise of carriages arriving one after another from each family.
The students, packing their things and preparing to leave, were filled with joy and excitement at the thought of finally going home.
But only one person remained calm - Tilia.
- Oh, here she is!
Judy, unlike Tilia, couldn't contain her excitement when she saw the Wells family's carriage and jumped up.
- Tilia, I'll go first. I'll send an invitation soon, so you should come, okay?
- Yes, definitely. Take care of yourself.
After seeing Judy off, Tilia sighed softly and began to look around for the Ambrose family's crew.
It didn't take her long to find him. Among the screaming carriages, the dull painted crew of the Ambroses stood out in contrast.
With a blank expression that matched the sad look of the crew, Tilia walked towards him without much emotion.
Having given her luggage to the coachman, without even looking at him while he chatted, Tilia sat inside alone.
In contrast to the exterior, which at least retained the appearance of a noble carriage, the neglected interior was in disrepair.
Just when she saw the worn seats and curtains with torn seams and turned her head to find a cleaner seat...
Ah.
Without any order, the carriage moved off.
The sudden movement caused Tilia to sway violently. Before she even sat down, she barely had time to grab the handle attached to the wall of the carriage so as not to fall.
But instead of knocking on the ceiling and attracting attention, she decided to close her eyes and let the situation go.
It was foolish to expect basic politeness from a coachman who did not receive a proper salary, especially from an old coachman who knew only too well his position in the house.
Tilia sat tensely on the uncomfortable seat, her back straight.
She had to accept it. The good times when she only needed to study are gone.
For the next month she will have to endure rather than enjoy life.
***
Knock. Along with the sound of a fist hitting her head, her head turned. It seemed that a dull pain was radiating from the temple, and not from the side.
- Is this what you call a report card?
A sharp swearing sounded in her ears, and a white piece of paper flashed before her eyes.
Tilia stared blankly at her report card, which had fallen to the floor.
The first thing she saw was the number "2/143". Below that was the phrase “full scholarship recipient.”
- Being anyone other than number one is pointless. How many times do I need to repeat this for you to understand? You have nothing, so you need to at least earn the title of the best graduate of the academy to prove that you can be a worthy match!
Tilia listened silently to the verbal abuse of her father, Bradley Ambrose.
Although she stood with her hands folded in front of her in a submissive pose, inwardly she was not one.
Tilia watched Bradley Ambrose as if from the sidelines.
Despite the fact that he was the father of two grown children, Baron Ambrose's appearance was impeccable. His soft brown hair was much thicker than his peers, and his clear green eyes still glowed with a harsh light.
Certainly.
Pretending to be a repentant daughter, Tilia indifferently mocked him.
He must have looked good enough to marry the count's daughter, despite being a lowly baron.
- Do you know how much money I spent for you to graduate from the academy? Do you know what an astronomical amount this was?
God knows Tilia never received a penny from her family while she was at the academy. From hostel fees to pocket money, it all came from the Royal Academy Fund.
But if she pointed this out now, the Baron would probably go back to the beginning and start talking nonsense again, as if rewinding time.
“How can a leech like you not regain first place at least once!”
While she didn't care about getting hit, she hated wasting time. Tilia was silent, lowering her head, as if she was repenting.
- That's right. Leech - that's what you are.
At this moment, a real bloodsucker intervened, who actually devoured the family money.
Tilia did not turn her head in his direction, but she knew exactly what expression the man had when he joined the conversation.
- Always fussing, even if you are completely mediocre and full of unnecessary ambitions.
He probably put on a smug face, glad to finally be able to say something to her, showing off his frighteningly white teeth.
- You didn’t even take first place, and you’re wasting money. Is there anything you can do well?
George Ambrose. Her biological brother, who looked like her father.
- That's why girls are hopeless.
He spoke excitedly, a man who had been sidelined after causing significant losses in every business venture he undertook.
- Father, are you sure that she will be able to finish her studies normally? I can't understand how she passed the entrance exam with such a head.
Tilia slowly closed her eyes and then opened them again before speaking quietly.
- I'm sorry.
Then she made a promise she knew she couldn't keep.
“Next time I will try harder and do my best to give the farewell speech.”
- Do you think the attempts will lead to success?
- That's enough, George. If your sister marries well, won't it benefit you?
- Do you really think that she will marry well?
- Quiet! At least she has a brain!
Hearing his father's harsh words, George pouted his lips in irritation.
Tilia quietly hoped that he would shut up soon, that this repeated ordeal she had to endure every holiday would finally end.
- Tilia, don't be stupid. You need to repay what they did for you.
Baron Ambrose spat out these words with contempt before finally giving his permission to leave.
- Go away.
Finally, it's over. Tilia bowed low, took her report card and turned around.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Bradley standing with his chin raised arrogantly.
Tsk-tsk. The sound of his clicking tongue echoed softly through the quiet office, clearly intended for her.
“Is it because this is my last year?”
As Tilia turned the handle of the office door, her eyelids slowly lifted.
“I don’t want to put up with this today.”
With a slight sigh, Tilia slowly turned her head.
- Father.
Bradley Ambrose, lounging in a chair and lighting a cigar, asked irritably:
- What is it?
-Can we call a healer?
- What?
The Baron frowned when he heard his daughter's impudent request.
“Are you seriously asking for a healer just because I trained you a little?”
- That's not the point.
Ignoring George, who seemed ready to intervene, Tilia continued:
- I have a meeting tomorrow. I'm having dinner at Lady Wells's house. I'm worried that there might be a bruise near my temple where I was hit.
- …What?
- Judy sent an invitation. Since a family member was back after a long break, she said they wanted to have a dinner and insisted I come.
Tilia's expression remained calm, as it had been the entire time she was in the office.
But Baron Ambrose's expression was anything but calm.
- Why didn’t you say about this earlier!
Bradley stood up in a rage, exhaling angrily through his nose and rummaging anxiously through his things.