Geya slowly stepped down from the carriage, bowed deeply, and watched the Versace family enter the Royal Theater.
She felt that even December's bitter winter was no colder than her prospects.
Thinking back to when she had first won the position of assistant instructor at the academy, she had happily believed her life had reached its final destination—
She had secured a decent permanent post with generous pay. Perhaps after saving her salary for five or ten years, she could buy a little two-story house in Lingering City.
She had never considered marriage, because she did not think anyone was good enough for her. Living alone, she would probably keep another parrot. This time, she had money, so she would not have to worry about it failing to receive timely treatment for a collapsed lung, as Mr. Dowen had.
She would teach basic music theory at the academy, finish her classes on time, and work just four hours a day, becoming the envy of everyone who called her a salary thief.
She would live like that until she was 180—that was about as far as her lifespan would stretch. Then a few Gnome classmates who still remembered their old friendship would come to her grave and mourn the girl who had once dazzled everyone at the academy.
Perhaps they would even discover that she was the author of The Teren Guide, and marvel that their seemingly unassuming senior had secretly possessed a rebellious heart—
Her life did not need to be glorious, or particularly exciting.
Ordinary yet beautiful, dull yet happy.
That was the life she wanted to enjoy.
Now, that lovely dream was about to be destroyed by one person and a single remark.
She could almost see her future: becoming the mouthpiece for the grand achievements of the