15 Punishment and Pride

[Shelly's POV]

What does all of this mean? Someone has to explain to me why I 'should' have or 'must' have an affinity. Aunt Yurara rants' gave me answer as to why I was being locked away in the mansion - it was because I have no magic. On the other hand, around the maids, when I talk about the idea of having no affinity, they would immediately shush me so Aunt Yurara would not get angry?

I do not understand. Are they acting like that, to avoid angering my aunt?

"You may not understand it right now, but you will someday." the sweet-spoken voice of Lhea snapped me back to reality.

"D-don't you think it would be dangerous for her to know?" mumbled Maid Hori.

So, I was right? I tried getting up from this bowl bed made up vines, but they were quick to put back to the lying position.

"Don't move so much, Master." said Maid Lhea.

I let Maid Lhea finished tending to my wounds which by the way still aches. I am in pain and I am tempted to rip off the gauze so that my skin would not brush close to each other much. I kept the thoughts to myself before clearing my throat. "What now?"

"No offense to your injury Master Shelly, but yah- ehem you got no time to rest." Mikheala sits beside me on the vine cradle, placing one hand on my shoulder in the process. Is she comforting me or warning me?

"Our c-classes Master Shelly. It's everyday with no rest. T-that was how Yurara trained us in the past." Horikawa remarked while raising a hand as if reciting in class.

I gulped at the thought. Would this mean that we will continue to deceive Aunt Yurara?

"That is why we should not hold back, do our best to start supporting our Master!" beamed Mikheala with a thumbs-up.

"Support me?" with a raised brow, I deflected Maid Miki's positive energy with a heavy sigh, "then what was with your shenanigans these past few hours? or days? If it isn't supporting me, are you simply toying with me?"

I felt my eyes begin to swell as the tears I have been holding back came trickling down my cheeks.

"Of course not Master Shelly!" Maid Lhea pulls me into an embrace, "we are not toying with you, it's just that-!"

A loud thud echoed from upstairs.

I looked up to the others, and they were all wearing an affirming expression on their faces, except Maid Yona.

I blinked back the tears, and slowly leaned away from Maid Lhea's embrace. "Thank you everyone. I am glad that I met you all. It makes me feel less miserable."

[Miki's POV]

"It's a promise Mast'r Shelly. We will be here for yah." I assured before winking at the cute blonde in front of me.

We will be here for you, like we always did.

A creak from upstairs ruined the atmosphere as Yurara makes her way down, both hands holding her skirt higher. I wish I could just trip her.

"Finally! The drama is over. I was getting sick of waiting, and waiting, and waiting. Apprentices listen well." Yurara looked at Master Shelly, and did not break eye contact.

I could see that her sharp stares are making our master uncomfortable, more so that Shelly is sweating again.

"Tomorrow, spell casting begins. The enchanted books you need are all in the Library. Lei, Mikheala and Horikawa will accompany my niece. No one will rest until Shelly learns at least three spells." and with that announcement, Yurara headed back upstairs.

I slowly turned around to see Shelly's reaction, and the look on her face was something I have never seen before.

"What about Hato?" it was Master Shelly who raised the question.

Normally, no one questions Yurara, but I am starting to like the changes around the place.

"Hato will be spending the whole day with me." Yurara seriously answered.

"Pole dancing lessons?" Shelly further inquired.

Holy shit. I... Why would you ask that Shelly?!

"Pole what?" Yurara's eyebrow perked up, visibly confused. It took her a few seconds to process the out of the blue question. "It is none of your business, niece of mine."

"Apprentices, return to your rooms." Ordered the older witch to us, as she snaps a finger to signal Hato to follow her.

Hato left without a word, so it is only the four of us now.

"Maid Miki and I will go ahead to prepare for d-dinner." smiled Horikawa, as she cutely tugs the end of my lace skirt.

Is our time up?

"Right, right. We'll serve yah the freshest veggies, and make sure that yah will eat a lot." I followed up with a smirk.

Lhea stands up, dusting her skirt from somekind of imaginary dust, then offers a hand in front of our Master. "If you don't mind Shelly-sama." and without another word, freaking scoops Shelly like a bride.

"O-OH. I guess, it can't be helped." Shelly veers to avoid eye contact, so she ended up looking at me.

"You'll be fine." I mouthed towards our adorable blonde, before giving her a little salute.

I earned a silent giggle from her.

Nah-ah.

I clutched my chest, and continued following Horikawa.

[Yona's POV]

Yurara brought me to the botanical garden where Maid Hori and Maid Lhea engaged in a fight. There are still remains of ice, but mostly dissolved, becoming just water. However, the damage to the plants are the most noticeable. There are holes on the trees, damaged to the shrubs, and large craters on the ground. The craters are obviously from Lhea's affinity.

"I believe you know why I brought you here." Yurara spun once while wearing a smile on her lips.

A smile I prefer not seeing.

"An interrogation, I understand. I will tell you what you want." I answered.

"How could you assume that I am here to interrog-, I don't like that word. I prefer 'talking' with you." Yurara corrects as she runs her fingers on a thick piece of vine.

"My deepest apologies." I took a bow.

"Apology denied." Her stern voice felt like a huge lump on my throat.

As expected, she's just playing me around, before directly talking about the main subject. I placed both my arms behind my back like a soldier-in-training, both feet touching another.

"Are you begging me to end you lady?" and in a blink of an eye, she had two fingers touching my forehead.

I know this part. I can't speak, rather I should not.

"You are the MOST stubborn of the four. I like that about you, it makes you unique." a pause, "which is the THING I hate the MOST!"

I saw it coming, but I won't dodge.

She sent me flying across the botanical forest, and I do nothing about it. I coughed, and croaked as I tried getting up.

"Your affinity is the most annoying of them all." Yurara shouts from the other end of the forest.

How her voice reached me was probably with the help of her wind affinity.

I turned my affinity on. I can see her. She would not be able to reach my location, so easily.

"I can sense your fear. You better not move, and accept this punishment like you always do! You are being treated fairly, and you know you deserve this Yona. You know it!"

Yurara's anger felt like thorns on my skin, something familiar to me, and also something I cannot stand poking around.

I found myself looking back to the first day we met. It is still horrifying.

"Strong witches musn't cry. You will help Shelly attain her utmost form, her greatest skills. You will do what I said, just like all of you love doing."

Reaching to my pocket, I grabbed the object that keeps me going, what reminds me that this is worth every drop of blood I bleed.

"Get up Yona. You must sweep the corridors before midnight."