The Laws
They all gathered in a small hall as the school head, Mrs.
Jasmine, walked in to address them and give a welcome speech.
Mrs.
Jasmine was a skinny woman with short bobbed hair.
Her eyes were of different colours, giving her a strange yet captivating appearance.
She wore a proud smile, for she was known as one of the most talented women in the kingdom, rivaling even the young master of the Shen family.
She was the finest female poet and possessed the most beautiful handwriting in the kingdom.
It was also said that she was the first person to cross the Foggy Forest into another kingdom and return alive.
The girls around her gasped and chatted excitedly, showering her with praise.
Mrs.
Jasmine simply walked past them with her chin held high, pride evident in every step she took.
“Good day, everyone.
It is a privilege to be admitted into this prestigious school, and I assure you that we will provide you with the finest education possible.
From dance lessons, cooking lessons, history, morals, and poetry to training you to become proper nobles in your respective households.
“Since today is your first day, you will only attend one class. However, you cannot all remain in the same class and will therefore be divided into different groups. In front of you is a box. Inside are folded papers bearing the names of various classes. Whatever paper you pick will determine your class, and you will stand with your fellow classmates.”
As she spoke, she slowly walked around the room, inspecting each student.
“Now, you may begin.”
The students lined up and each picked a folded paper from the box.
Many were disappointed to discover they had been separated from their friends, while others were delighted.
Ella unfolded hers.
Spring Class.
She glanced toward the slate board marked Spring Class, but before walking over, she noticed Selena heading in the same direction.
Selena?!
Were they destined to be tied together forever?
Why couldn’t she just stay away?!
“What’s your class?” Isabel asked brightly.
“Spring Class,” Ella replied calmly.
“Oh!”
Isabel threw her arms around her.
“We can never be separated! We are destined to be best friends!”
Apparently, they had been assigned to the same class.
Together, they walked over to the Spring Class group.
Selena smiled warmly when she saw Ella, but Ella ignored her completely.
Once everyone had gathered, Mrs.
Jasmine addressed them again.
“Now that you know your classes, I hope you remember where to go whenever you come to school. No entering another person’s class to cause trouble. No stealing. No fighting. A noble should possess proper manners—or is there anyone here who lacks them?”
The room immediately fell silent.
“Good. Since everyone claims to have manners, I expect you to behave accordingly.”
She accepted a book from her assistant, Miss Polina—the same teacher who had supervised the entrance examination—and placed it on the table before her.
“This school has laws and rules that every student must obey. Anyone who fails to follow them will be expelled.”
The room became tense.
“Rule Number One!”
Her voice echoed through the hall.
“Every morning, you will run up and down the hallway stairs twice before class begins. It will keep you energetic and focused. Any latecomer will do it ten times. Anyone caught sleeping during class will do it twenty times.”
The room instantly exploded with murmurs.
The hallway staircase alone had fifty steps.
Walking up them once had already been exhausting.
Running them every morning sounded more like punishment than exercise.
When the noise finally settled, Mrs.
Jasmine continued.
“Rule Number Two. No student is permitted to wear makeup, gold jewelry, or anything flashy while attending this school.”
“What?!”
“That’s unfair!”
“What kind of rule is that?”
“How am I supposed to look presentable?”
“I’m a noble!”
Several girls protested immediately.
Mrs.
Jasmine ignored them.
“Rule Number Three. This is a place of learning. Therefore, no romantic relationships of any kind are allowed.”
More groans followed.
“And lastly—no bullying. Just because your family is richer, more powerful, or of higher status does not give you the right to look down on others. Within these walls, every student is equal.”
Her sharp gaze swept across the room.
“Do you understand?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” they answered reluctantly.
“Good. Now proceed to your classes.”
The students filed out of the hall, many of them grumbling and regretting their decision to enroll.
There were four classes in total: Moon Class, Snow Class, Flower Class, and Spring Class.
The Spring Class classroom was beautifully furnished with polished desks and chairs.
Writing materials had already been neatly arranged on each table.
There were twelve students in the Spring Class altogether—six girls and six boys.
Ella, Isabel, Selena, and Roselle were among the girls, while Desmond, Eric, and Zeliah sat among the boys.
The remaining students quietly took their seats as they waited for the lesson to begin.
As everyone settled down, Desmond leaned closer to Eric and lowered his voice while glancing toward Ella.
“Are you sure the king really married her? She seems suspicious.”
“You should learn to watch your mouth,” Eric whispered back.
“That’s the king’s wife you’re talking about.”
“I know,” Desmond replied.
“And no one can deny she’s beautiful. But I still can’t understand how someone born into royalty could possess no powers at all.”
Zeliah silently glanced at Ella before returning his attention to the book on his desk.
For some reason, he found himself curious about her as well.