The Baron's Nephew

"What would you even say if I told you that I came here for you?" Nicholas raised a brow.

Sophie thought about it for a moment and said, "As long as that means that I'll be able to actually have the reassurance that you'll get in contact with Rothschild's banks, then I think that's great."

"You really are focused on one thing alone," Nicholas murmured. He was convinced all Sophie ever thought about was the money.

"I have to put my entire energy and effort into it," Sophie said. "If I show any signs of weakness or get distracted, I'll lose the opportunity to do it right. All of us tend to only have one chance at making our goals come true."

"That sounds like a lot of pressure on your shoulders…" Nicholas frowned.

Sophie smiled at his words. "Not every one of us has been given the same amount of opportunities, but it doesn't mean that I should buckle down under the weight of it, right?"

Compared to Nicholas who could probably evade his tutors and not have any major consequences to it, or even to Sophie's cousins who were provided Katherine as a tutor if they were having difficulty…

Sophie wasn't allowed the same privilege as them.

Nicholas couldn't help but notice the serious look on Sophie's face and wished he could alleviate the troubles that she was having. Although he could easily solve them in a snap, Nicholas knew he couldn't do that.

It was so easy to hurt someone by giving them everything they wanted.

But it wouldn't allow them the opportunity to actually grow stronger and become capable of handling matters on their own.

Nicholas could tell that Sophie was someone who was independent and was determined to carve her life out by herself.

"You're right," Nicholas said at last. He gave her a grin and scratched his head. "You're making me admire you more the better that I come to know you."

Nicholas already knew that Sophie was selfless and kind from the start, but to know how strong she was as a person? He was in awe.

"I have to prove myself," Sophie shrugged and then smiled. "At least so that you can give me a good word for Rothschild's bank, right? Hey, look… this girl is very determined, she'll be a good person to give a loan out to. You will get your money back with profit."

Nicholas chuckled. "Okay, I really won't forget about my promise since I know you will keep reminding me about it. But why don't you help me out again, Sophie?"

"What is it this time?"

"Well, I'd like you to show me around the academy and help me familiarize myself with it," Nicholas rubbed his chin. "Actually, since I was always escaping my tutors… I might have some difficulty with classes. Ahem…"

Sophie raised a brow. "I thought you told me that I didn't have to be a teacher if I didn't want to?"

Nicholas smiled sheepishly at her words. He realized he was making up a reason to stick at Sophie's side, even if it meant countering his own words when they were by the tree.

Sophie noticed his silence and grinned so widely. "I was kidding. Jeez…! I'm more than willing to help you out with study so you can catch up with the lessons. Come on, let me show you around!"

Word traveled fast among the students of Cawden Academy especially when the students who happened to be near the headmaster's office saw the ordeals that occurred and the baron who left the premises.

Among those students were Lucia and even Richard Lancaster who was talking privately with one another without Valerie even knowing about it.

Lord Ferdinand walked out of the headmaster's office satisfied with the arrangement provided and the secrecy implemented. The prince himself was already gone long even before the conversation was finished.

It was one of those rare occasions where Lord Ferdinand saw his nephew actually look excited about something. When the baron saw the students nearby, the old man decided to put in a good word for his nephew.

"Ah, hello there. If you happen to meet a young man named… Nicholas, please treat my nephew well," Lord Ferdinand said.

The baron then vacated Cawden Academy to let the young man enjoy learning with others while he could.

The king and queen would normally be against the idea of the prince mingling with the commoners, even those from the wealthier families with official positions or small names, but the baron was convinced by the prince.

"It's a good opportunity for him to be around people his age," Lord Ferdinand said to himself after he left.

Once the old man was gone, Lucia quickly stood up and dusted her dress. "I think we should stop talking with each other, Richard. I'm sure that my sister has been looking for you."

Richard growled for a moment. "Are you for real?"

Lucia was the first one to hear of it and was quick to put two and two together.

***

It was the headmaster himself who welcomed Nicholas into his classes at Cadwen Academy and also gave plenty of words of encouragement to the teachers and students.

"Lord Ferdinand's nephew, Lord Nicholas Ferdinand, will be temporarily joining us over the course of his stay here at Hastings. I hope that everyone will make him feel comfortable and well," the old man said.

The man continued, "He is older than you all, so I hope you can show respect to him. He has never attended school for the masses before because he is always taught in private. So, please show him what a nice experience you have in attending school, okay?"

Nicholas who was sitting at the back with Sophie tried not to bury his head on the table. He told his uncle to keep it from his parents, but it slipped his mind to tell his uncle to keep it a secret from everyone else.

Now everyone was going to try to get in his good graces. Well.. at least uncle Joseph was smart enough not to use Nicholas' real family name. These students would flip!

And it turned out to be just as Nicholas thought it would be, that his classmates didn't even wait for their classes to end. During break times, the girls and even boys would clamor to him for attention or to become his good friend.

Other students from different classrooms and year levels also made their presence known and introduced themselves to Nicholas.

Even the so-called 'prince' of cow dung academy approached Nicholas with a friendly grin that Nicholas immediately despised. It was obvious that Richard Lancaster was trying to maintain a high position in this academy.

The son of the mayor wanted to be friends with the nephew of the baron.

Sophie was pushed to the background even though she was originally seated beside Nicholas before everyone knew who he was. She was actually surprised to figure out who he was, but now it made sense.

A nephew of Lord Ferdinand who came from the capital. Several lords and ladies came to Sophie's mind as she remembered her classes on present-day nobilities. But before Sophie figured out who he was, Nicholas reappeared in front of her chair.

"Huh?" Sophie looked up at him in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Let's get something to eat," Nicholas grinned and pulled her up to her feet.

Before anyone else could offer to join them, the two of them were already gone and vacated the classroom and left everyone in surprise. Richard Lancaster blinked at the young lord and Sophie leaving together.

Even though Valerie was glaring daggers at Richard, the boy couldn't help but grunt.

"Of course the guy goes for the prettiest girl," Richard murmured.

SLAP!

The mayor's son got a slap from Valerie who left him with long strides and pursed lips.

***