Negotiating her terms, Viola was only able to settle things after 3 hours of arguing with the dean. While she expected a round of heated words, she didn't anticipate it would last so long that her throat was simply parched and dried after all the talking. The man is determined to keep her in the city, his terms were all to let her stay close to where he and the other elders could see her.
It's not a lie she is touched by their thoughtfulness. They respected her enough to give her a chance to state her stance and work things out in a 'balanced manner'. Should they want to be unreasonable, she has no power to decline or resist her as she is no longer a Frostine who had a family behind her or a grandfather who will shield her from the wind and cold.
Standing on a modest 2-storey house located at the heart of the university city, Viola sighed at the arrangements they made to chain her down. If she had not experienced prosperity, she could have sigh and be an obedient follower. Although small, the house was located at a prime location the sum to buy this piece of land and having a house on it is simply not for the poor. Not to mention even if you have the money, one has to have enough influence to earn their place here.
"I guess it was worth being a slave for those old men and women." Viola thought to herself. "At least I will have some sort of a backbone enrolling myself back to school."
Without a burden of mind, simply treat herself home.
"Welcome home master." A clear young voice greeted her as soon as she closed the door shut. "I am HouseKeeper32018, your exclusive house robot. Would you like to have a bath drawn or enjoy some treats to relax after your long journey?"
Viola looked at the slender and shiny round robot that was greeting her. It has a panel at the front with lights flickering on it. It's currently white-blue indicating it is awaiting instructions.
Observing the robot, Viola was a little absent minded as she saw it. But 3 years since she last saw such exquisite robotics, it looks quite strange in her eyes. Seeing them again made her remember that a household robot is a norm on the capital star and a must for every home. Well except for some old money who prefers actual people working for them.
"No need." Viola replied as the flickering lights turned green as it processed her response. The lights flickered bluish white, signalling that it is waiting for further instructions. "Show me my room. Afterwards, I'll call you if I need something."
"Understood." The lights turned blue-white again. "Please follow me to your room."
Following it upstairs, Viola took a moment to observe the house as they moved around. It looked quite homey than she thought it would be. The interior was made with warm reddish wood, it also had some solid wooden furniture, and it only had the necessary appliances for a comfortable house. She sees a few little indoor plants that add up the aesthetic of the place.
The first thing that came to her mind as she looked at the layout was expensive. Wood as good as these are a rarity and worth a fortune to obtain. With the increasing demand on a uniformed housing, there is hardly a house made with these materials to cope with the demand. Especially that plants are simply a luxury for the people of this era.
With the increasing advances of technology, agriculture is no longer a thing that is prioritized. Food was the main driver of the field's advancement. But a few decades ago, nutrient solutions had been developed and been a wild spread source of energy and nutrients of their people. It could be said that there are too few people who can stomach consuming solid food without going sick in this generation.
Wood on the other hand, there were plenty of them in some planets that could be used for making a house. But the sturdiness, the maintenance, and the cost of harvesting them is a huge expense compared to other existing durable materials. Not to mention some trees at certain planets are dangerous for human use with effects on other living things if not handled properly during the processing. It might be due to the lack of immunity or simply people are not used to it, a few studies discouraged using wood-based housing or furniture due to these cases.
And there are those house plants. Those were luxuries among luxuries. With the decrease in people appreciating them, there are only a few people who cultivate them for aesthetic purposes. They are notoriously fragile as well, making them worth a fortune to purchase and an expensive thing to keep. Being able to have them at home is a symbol of status among the upper class.
For Viola these things were easily attainable for her, she is a rich lady herself. She knew what was good and what was not growing up. Above all else, these things intrigue her the most. It works even better her grandfather shared the same passion, it was a way to bond learning and experimenting. She spent time and energy learning things related to plants while keeping up with her studies.
"This is your room Master." The robot stopped at a room on the second floor. "If you needed something there is an intercom on your bedside. You can also give instructions on your optical brain, the old gentlemen had already enrolled me as one of your robots."
Checking on her terminal, Viola did see the robot's serial numbers and unique identification codes among the list of her under her current assets without her knowledge. Looking up the manufacturing dates and the version her household robot was, the price is quite high and it requires a strict veto process before a robot is made and provided to the buyer.
With a raise brow, she wondered if those old fellows had done something more inappropriate behind the scenes. After all stuffing assets on someone else's name is illegal and was banned except in certain circumstances such as inheritance and likes. Due process on getting an asset of this magnitude is tedious and requires her participation, signatures, and consent. 3 years with little to no contact made it impossible for her to provide even a Power of Attorney to represent in her behalf.
As a friend of her dear grandfather, she knew their a quirks and mannerism as soon as she understood. While they are mostly righteous and impartial, at times they really don't hold back in getting things done. She learned a trick or two from them, so she is more than sure they did something shady, but enough for their intent to happen.
"I'll probably talk with the old Childe about the things they put here." Viola murmured as she noticed few properties that she didn't recognize or remembered purashing.
Flipping through the records, there was quite a difference from what she had when she was 15. And with her living in isolation with her basic needs being fulfilled by her planet, there is was no reason or opportunity for them to grow exponentially. And as far she knew the soon as her inheritance was mitted out, there was no financial manager who helps investing, growing and assessing her account to expand her over all net worth.
Sorting filling some suspicious points, her terminal rang and it made her pause from digging more of her accounts.