Make up your mind
POV: Serena Laratje
"I don't want to stroll around anymore.", I grumbled, not particularly enthusiastic about the fact that Isabelle was now dragging me into probably the 100th store. It might only be the 4th store, however that was already an accomplishment for someone like me. Regardless if you considered the actual me or Serena.
"Princess."
The universal term Isabelle used.
Depending on pitch, speed, volume, facial expressions and gestures, she could fall around my neck at any moment. Either to embrace me joyfully or to strangle me mercilessly.
The last was probably a bit exaggerated.
However, I still understood her displeasure.
It wasn't often that Serena left the mansion of her own accord. After all, she only bought the most necessary things from catalogs, and that alone bothered her. She felt like an outsider in the Laratje family, so she felt uncomfortable ordering clothes for herself.
Therefore, she almost never did so, and when she did, her choice was very modest. Not only in quantity, but also in quality.
"I would rather like go to a bookstore. We can have an early lunch afterwards.", I suggested with big, big puppy eyes, which caused me to be exposed to a wary brown in the same breath.
Isabelle seemed to hesitate briefly before giving me a small smile and turning back now.
She clearly knew the city better than I did and the shortest way to our desired destination.
"Princess?"
With a curious glance I looked at the elder, who in moments like these exceptionally let me walk beside her, despite the etiquette that actually existed.
Therefore, I also had a very good view of her serious face.
"May I ask you why you have changed... so much in the last few weeks?"
A long moment later, only silence filled the air.
I had been thinking about this question, or rather my excuse, quite a while ago as well.
After all, Serena, the shy and solitary wallflower has changed into a quite self-confident and also almost cynical personality.
I'm only surprised because of the timing.
I expected this question weeks or at least days ago, but Isabelle was more patient than I assumed.
It's also possible that she was just insecure about whether this was a sensitive topic.
She really was a sweet, considerate girl.
"It's nothing special.", I nonchalantly admitted, while also not looking her directly in the face. My attention was on the busy crowd on the wide street.
"I've made up my mind that I want to attend at least the last three years of school at an accredited institution."
Isabelle was silent.
"I haven't had proper home schooling since Eric was brought up as the next head."
A fact that Isabelle, of all people, knew.
"I haven't reached my own limits with self-study yet, and I'm in accordance with the school syllabus, but it's insufficient. I need, if I want to leave the Laratje family without a title as a noblewoman, a foundation for life."
"A recognized and good school diploma.", Isabelle now stated with a shallow nod that I could see out of the corner of my eye.
"I've made up my mind to give this family a chance until then, and I'm at my patience's end.", I confessed without the slightest hint of sorrow.
"I can' be accused of being ungrateful or anything of the sort with my behavior over the past few years.", I continued after a few seconds, avoiding alongside a screaming child who was being chased by two more and a loud laugh.
"I'm tired of holding back. From now on, there's only your happiness and mine to focus on."
A small smile formed on my lips as a warm, somewhat rough hand closed shallowly around my right at that moment. Without hesitation, I applied pressure, which was returned in the same breath.
The reason for the drastic change in my behavior was a lie, possibly not the best excuse, but everything else was true.
Moreover, I really intended to obtain a recognized school diploma, so that I could start an apprenticeship in an appropriate profession.
Isabelle could decide for herself what she would like to do then. However, during my school years, I would also build up her skills and knowledge.
"I want to go to the Forgé Boarding School."
The abrupt movement of her head, of course, went not unnoticed by me.
"I can also take a servant with me, as long as she lives on in my quarters."
Since Isabelle stopped, I had to stop, too.
Still, I didn't look at her.
After a few seconds, however, I couldn't stand the sniffles any longer and patted her head shallowly, but she continued to have it vehemently lowered.
"As I said... it's just the two of us now."
Because of my words, the soft sniffles turned to crying, cause of which I began to smirk a little.
Carefully, I pulled the older one to the edge of the street past the busy people, so at least we weren't in anyone's way at the front of the house.
"Have you always been a crybaby?", I asked a little amused at this emotional reaction. At that moment, my hand, still holding Isabelle's, was squeezed painfully tight for a second.
A hissing sound inevitably escaped me, causing me to actually hear a soft giggle.
"Cry or laugh. Just make up your mind. Both at the same time looks really ugly.", I teased the brunette, who now gave me a more than just upset look, which I, however, only returned unimpressed.