The President's Hidden Legacy

(13) From District to Capitol

Lumi paused, a flicker of resistance in her eyes, but she complied with a subtle nod, recognizing the challenges ahead. Although it bothered her having to change so many things, she really did want to make her father proud. So, she complied, sitting down while the tutor helped with her speech. The tutor diligently worked with Lumi, refining her pronunciation and intonation, guiding her through exercises to soften the edges of her district-accented speech.

Feeling restless after a long day of learning, Lumi couldn't fall asleep. She considered going to her father's room for comfort, unsure if it would be okay. She stood up, walked slowly to his door, and lingered there, contemplating whether to enter or endure the night alone. Eventually, she reached for the doorknob and twisted it open. Coriolanus had his lamp on, engrossed in a book when Lumi timidly entered his room.

"Pa-father, can I- I sle-ep here...with you?" Lumi's words were a bit awkward as she grappled with the accent adjustments she'd been practicing throughout the day.

Coriolanus smiled, closed his book, and gestured for Lumi to join him under the covers. Lumi crawled into the bed, finding comfort in the warmth. Coriolanus adjusted the covers around her, his fatherly instincts kicking in. As Lumi settled in, Coriolanus continued reading his book, a silent guardian in the dimly lit room.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

The next morning, as Lumi woke up in her father's bed with the gentle sunlight on her face, she strolled to the kitchen for breakfast. Spotting a blonde woman who turned out to be her father's wife, she couldn't help but sarcastically think, I'm suddenly getting déjà vu, rolling her eyes at the recurring scenes. In the kitchen, Livia eyed Lumi with a condescending smile.

"Well, good morning, darling. I hope you're not planning to make a mess in my pristine kitchen," she remarked.

Lumi, though uncomfortable, tried to maintain composure.

"I-I thought my pa-father... kicked you out."

Livia scoffed, dismissing her concern. "What's wrong with you?" She laughed, a tone of mockery in her voice, Lumi hesitated but decided to speak up.

"I'm working on my accent," she explained, hoping to bridge the gap and ease the tension. Livia raised an eyebrow, skeptical, but didn't press the matter further.

The tutor arrived promptly, and an Avox silently opened the door to welcome her in. Lumi, still adjusting to the Capitol's peculiarities, observed the silent servant with a mix of curiosity and unease. As the tutor settled in, the atmosphere became charged with the weight of expectations and the anticipation of what the days ahead would hold for Lumi in her new education.

After hours of working on both her accent and manners, Coriolanus returned home. Livia, his wife, took the opportunity to exaggerate Lumi's supposed lack of progress, hoping to incite his displeasure. Coriolanus, however, remained composed, recognizing that such changes take time. The tension in the air hinted at the complex dynamics within the household, leaving Lumi caught in the middle of her father's expectations and his wife's disdain.

Lumi quickly excused herself from her tutor to greet her father. She approached Coriolanus, her eyes seeking approval. "Father, I've been trying really hard with the accent and everything," she explained, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

Coriolanus looked at Lumi with a smile, his eyes showing a mixture of pride and affection.

"I'm proud of you, sweetheart. It's not easy, but you're making an effort. Keep it up, and I'm sure you'll get the hang of it," he encouraged, patting her head gently. Livia, who overheard the conversation, rolled her eyes in disapproval, but Coriolanus didn't pay her much attention.

"Also..I have to ask why is Livia here?"

Coriolanus sighed, a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Livia is here for appearances. In the Capitol, it's important to maintain certain images, and having a family is part of that. It's not as simple as it might seem, but we're trying to make it work for everyone's benefit." He looked at Lumi, hoping she'd understand the complexities of their situation.

"So..she'll eventually leave right?

He nodded, "Yes, Lumi, she will eventually leave. Just focus on your studies for now."

Lumi returned to her tutor, a sense of relief washing over her. As the tutoring continued, she couldn't shake the feeling that her father's household was more complicated than she had anticipated.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Days turned into weeks, and Lumi's lessons with Mrs. Bennett became a daily routine. The tutor continued to emphasize the importance of eradicating any trace of a district accent, leaving Lumi feeling like she was losing a part of herself.

Alongside the language lessons, they delved into Panem's history, science, and math, shaping her into the ideal Capitol citizen. Surprisingly, Lumi showed remarkable progress, grasping the subjects quickly and working hard to meet the high expectations set for her.

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If anyone is interested in what lumi might look like I made a simple edit on my TikTok account

(tbosas.snowbaird10)

I'll probably do more but I just do them when I'm bored I'm not an actual editor 😭