55th Dawn - The Last Boss Pulling the Last Straws

In the end, I decided to finally do things my way - that is, by being weird all I want.

Steeling my resolve, I make a dash towards Freya's headquarter in hope to meet with Baron Pierre. It's already dusk by the time I arrive. Almost everybody already retired for the day. Fortunately, the Baron's working hour is also finished at this point.

"Lillian!"

A familiar voice called me out of nowhere. Swiveling around, I find Tristan rushing towards me with a worried expression. He then proceeds to gush about the incident this afternoon and how the Baron finds out. But then, I only cut him off and voice out my intention to meet him this instant.

"You sure? Miss Alessandra's also there," he asked, concern laced in his voice.

"All the better."

Then, with that, I make my way to Baron Pierre's office with Tristan in tow. True enough, he's having a conversation with his daughter when I get there. She's the first one to greet me with a belligerent look on her face while I only return an indifferent one. I then immediately state my purpose to talk with the Baron.

"Sandra, can you give us a minute?" Baron Pierre asked Alessandra to which she just reluctantly nodded before eventually taking her leave.

I don't really mind her being there, though. The Baron then invites me for a tea but I kindly refuse. When he positions himself on his leather chair behind his office desk, I stand still before him, gaze fixed and determined.

"Baron Pierre, thank you for letting me be part of this company. I'm grateful for everything you've done for me. I also learned a lot for the past week, yet for various reasons, I'm afraid I can't stay," I started, much to his surprise.

"What do you mean, Miss Lillian?"

"I want to return the apprenticeship, Sir."

Baron Pierre is flummoxed for a moment. We then drift into stifling quietude after that. I only clench my fists at this, bracing myself for any reaction. Yet, what I didn't expect is that he'd show a hooded expression all of the sudden, palm on his forehead as if he's having a headache. It's the first time I see him this burdened and dismay.

"How disappointing."

At this, I stiffen.

In every passing second, he's appearing more and more intimidating in my eyes. Even then, however, I continue to hold my ground. Despite how baffled I am, I only keep silent, ears peeled open.

"I didn't think you'd give in this quickly, Miss Lillian. I expected better..." he trailed off before staring at me apathetically, making my hair stand on end.

"Backlashing and competition have always been in this society. You won't go up if you're too afraid to use these as stepping stones."

Then, my eyes went as wide as saucers. After hearing that, I recall that Tristan told me how Baron Pierre already knows about the contract leaking, how the apprentices treat me, and the matter with Alessandra. He even said that he's already dealing with these issue on his end. However, days have passed and nothing changed at all. Instead, the bullying only got worse.

"Baron Pierre, may I ask something...? Why did you keep silent despite knowing everything?" I questioned, voice a bit brittle and wobbly.

"That's your trial test, my child."

With that, I suddenly find myself running out of words to say. Speechless and unmoving, I only listen to the Baron as he continues to reveal his intention to pressure me from the start. He purposefully let the contract leak and didn't punish Alessandra for it, though his daughter isn't really aware that he already figured it out. At first, he saw my development so far as remarkable since I had endured all of them. Little did he know that it's only because I haven't reached my limit yet. They still haven't involved a precious belonging, so I coped up.

"This trial test should've ended by discussion week. I would've wrapped this up by now. It's a shame that you have to give up on the last day."

I can't even call this feeling as betrayal. I'm extremely flummoxed, befuddled, and disheartened to the point I'm numb all over. Head hung low, I only stood still while he just continued peering at me, expression remained unfeeling. That's until I remember what I'm here for. Alexander's words then started to ring in my ears all of the sudden. At this, I find a small thread of courage that helps me pull myself together and face the Baron again. It doesn't matter if I passed or not, anyway.

"Thank you for that wonderful test, Baron," I finally blurted out after a brief pause, much to his surprise.

At that moment, an intense feeling overcomes me. I sense the rush of overwhelming emotions that make my heart pound loudly - a driving force I never had before. With this, I then show the Baron the most intrepid expression I can muster. Right now, it's my turn to catch him off guard.

"This isn't about the bullying incidents, though. I'll be quitting my apprenticeship in Freya, but I'm not giving up as a designer. I decided to continue my endeavor somewhere else."

That's when Baron Pierre reacts as if something finally clicks in his head. Considering that he already knows the incident in the lobby earlier, he probably figures out which one I'm referring to.

"You're joining my son, then?"

At this, I nod at him with unparalleled tenacity. It takes a moment before everything registers. I can feel the tension building in the air as time ticks by. The temperature slowly drops in the room as his face contorts into a disgruntled one. He's probably very disappointed at me by now.

Baron Pierre and I then continue exchanging looks until he finally heaves an exhausted sigh.

"A rookie like you lumping together with my foolish son... I wonder how this will turn out. Make sure to entertain me, then, Miss Lillian."

With that, relief instantly washes over me. Despite how stern the Baron looks and sounds, I find myself somewhat assured. He didn't try to persuade me to stay nor did he criticize his son to make him look bad, though he did say he's foolish. He just let me do what I want even though it means he'd remain this dissatisfied all the while. Though I'm crestfallen myself, I think that it can't really be avoided since I did turn down the first official instructor who offered a hand to me.

"Thank you for everything, Baron Pierre."

Then, with that, I finally bid him goodbye and take my leave. As soon as I got out, I find both Tristan and Alessandra just outside the door of the office. They probably heard everything. Tristan looks baffled and concerned while Alessandra appears impassive. Unappalled, I then stroll towards her while she only stares at me indifferently.

"I'll give this uniform back to you if you want, Miss."

"Unneeded. Just consider it as my farewell gift or something."

I really couldn't take a break from her grumpiness.

After that, I just proceeded to make my way to the studio in order to pack up all my stuff. I explain the situation to Tristan along the way, but even when we're about to part ways, he stays befuddled about almost everything. I then promise to visit him again and explain everything more clearly. I also have to pay him back for everything he did for me.

As a new day starts in the headquarter, the news has spread already.

Many thought I quit due to pressure, while others assumed that I've been kicked out after what I did to those obnoxious nobles. None of the rumors were true, of course, since it's Alessandra who told them. Baron Pierre banished the complaints and reports about me threatening and talking back to nobles, though. He said it's compensation for keeping silent with the bullying incidents. Normally, commoners like me can't get away with that lightly, but then again, I do have their so-called special treatment.

However, at most, I wasn't allowed to step a foot in Freya again.