I arrived to school the next day brimming with excitement. I can't wait to wipe my success at yesterday's dual in everyone's face. Maybe then they'll stop doubting me.
I walked in the door and saw William waiting for me.
He snickered, "I didn't think you'd make it."
I smiled smugly, "Perhaps you will allow me to skip class as a reward for my success?"
"No chance."
I crossed my arms angrily as he dragged me by the collar to class. I sat down at my desk still upset. I wonder when I will be able to skip class. I can't wait until William leaves the school. Sigh. It's so pointless to be here.
Millie smiled at me, "Seri! You're still here. Are you being sent away to the asylum later?"
"Millie. Acting like that so isn't cute."
She pouted, "Aw... I'm really not cute?"
Ack! Where did this charm come from?!
I grabbed her cheeks, "Of course you are! You're so adorable I just want to put you in my pocket!"
She giggled, "I don't think I'd fit in your pocket."
The teacher cleared his throat. I released Millie and rested my head on my desk. He started class without complaining since he was now used to me not paying attention.
Millie woke me up and together we went to lunch. We sat at the table and Dante and William soon joined us.
Dante smiled at me, "So you managed to fool the doctor?"
I rolled my eyes, "I didn't have to fool him. I'm not crazy you know."
He chuckled, "Sure. But how did you manage to trick him?"
"I said I didn't trick him! But I did study the methods he had learned beforehand, so I knew what he was trying to figure out."
"So you tricked him."
I slammed my hand against the table, "I did not trick him!"
William spoke, "How did you know what he was going to ask?"
"I bought the books that they use to teach with. You could tell he based everything on those teachings too. It was too easy."
William thought hard for a second, "Wait. Aren't you only able to get those books if you attend an academy for it? How did you get your hands on those books? Isn't it illegal?"
I quickly grabbed his cake and put a bite in my mouth. I started humming and ignored his questions. He glared at me threateningly. Dante just sat there shaking while trying to refrain from laughter.
Now that I think about it, I don't feel the usual glares on my back as I usually do. I looked around and noticed everyone quickly avoid my eyes. Not only is everyone avoiding me, but there is no Ilene.
I looked at Millie, "Millie, why is everyone avoiding me today? And where's Ilene? She's usually staring us down from the table over."
A look of uncomfortablity passed over everyone's face, except for Dante who seemed to be enjoying it.
She spoke quietly, "Well.. Something happened last night with Ilene's father."
"Oh?" I took another bite of cake.
"Yes. Her father was caught working with someone in the Royal army to kidnap a doctor's wife. They used it to blackmail him into falsifying his testimony on your report."
"Well that's no good."
She nodded, "But somehow the doctor found out about it. He went to the Guards and they were able to find his wife. It was exactly where he had been told to go by a tipster. Everyone asked him who tipped him off, but he wouldn't say."
"So what happened to him?"
"The Knight was thrown into jail, but since the Duke had such a high position, the King just took away his dukedom."
Heh. Good riddance.
"Good. I'm glad that family is no more."
"Actually, the duchess was allowed to divorce him, so she and Ilene are allowed to keep their status."
"What? There's such things as divorce here?"
"Only in rare circumstances granted by the King. This was the first divorce in 89 years."
Ah, my hope was so quickly destroyed.
I looked at William, "Is it enough for you to cancel your engagement?"
He looked stunned, "It should be."
Dante glared at me sending shivers down my spine. "You don't seem too surprised."
I quickly ate my cake, "I am very surprised. But that doesn't explain why everyone is avoiding me."
Millie answered, "That's because of the new rumor."
"Another one?"
"Yes. Ilene didn't have any troubles until she made you angry. Now her reputation has been ruined. They are saying that you have criminal ties because her reputation was ruined so easily after you attacked her."
"Criminal ties? That's a little extreme."
"Well it's also because you ruined the teacher's reputation and also those cooks that worked for William."
Everyone has such good memories. D*mn.
"But how did this all spread so quickly overnight?!"
She shrugged, "News travels fast here."
William spoke, "Most people arrive early to school, unlike you. So there's plenty of time before class to discuss such things."
"So you also found out about the kidnapping quickly?"
William looked slightly embarrassed, "Well to be honest, my mother was so enraged by the Duke's behavior, that the King was already watching him. So when the doctor was tipped off, the King was able to swiftly deal with him."
I guess it was a good thing I made sure to let Queen Luna know that he had threatened me. Ah, I just love it when a plan works out.
After we finished eating we started walking towards the library. I felt someone grab me from behind and toss me into an empty room. I tried to scream but the stranger covered my mouth.
"What are you doing? Shut up."
"Mmfmf?" He took away his hand, "Dante? What are you doing?"
Even though the room was dark, I could see the glare of his eyes almost illuminated. Ack. He's super pissed. Defense mechanism activated.
I pretended to be flustered, "Oh Dante. You're such a naughty boy dragging me in here."
He sighed, "Shut up."
"Aww you're no fun."
He glared at me and I quickly closed my mouth.
He continued, "Just what did you do?"
"Nothing illegal."
He raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
"Why are you so distrusting of me?"
"Because I know you like all things illegal."
Well, can't argue with that one.
"Hey, you can't talk either. You think I don't know that your sources aren't all willing individuals?"
He looked surprised for a brief moment. He shook his head, "It doesn't matter. Just fill me in on what happened."
"What if I don't want to?"
He glared at me menacingly. My body shook uncontrollably. This is like a bunny being stared at by a wolf.
"Alright, alright. It's nothing too important. What do you want to know?"
"How did you get those books?"
"Well, let's just say I have friends in low places."
Low, as in terms of morality.
"And how did the doctor find out where his wife was? Were you involved in kidnapping her?"
"Hey! I'm not that mean. I had nothing to do with the kidnapping. One day I was in an alley and overheard two people discussing kidnapping the doctor's wife. I just so happened to casually mention it to the doctor when he was visiting."
"Ah, I see. Just like how you casually revealed to William and Queen Luna about the Duke's visit?"
"You caught on to that?"
"Very easily. You can't hide from me that easily. I've been watching you for a while."
I felt my face turn red. Doesn't he know that statement could be easily misunderstood? Good thing this room is dark and he can't see my embarrassment.
I tried to act creeped out, "Dante... That's incredibly creepy."
He looked stunned, "Creepy?"
"Yes."
"It's not creepy."
"You sound like a stalker."
"I'm not a stalker. I just meant that I've been observing your actions and you always seem to have this troublesome smile on your face when you're up to no good."
"I don't know, it still kinda sounds creepy. Do you also stare at William's face so much?"
He glared at me, "I do it because a Knight is supposed to be observant."
I'm pretty sure a normal person isn't capable of being THAT observant.
He sighed, "I'm not mad or anything. Just next time fill me in so I can help you out."
"Wait. So you abducted me in daylight just to tell me this?"
He paused.
"I didn't abduct you."
"You grabbed me from behind and threw me in a dark room, then proceeded to cover my mouth. Does that not sound like an abduction?"
He avoided my eyes, "Fine. Next time I won't do that."
"Next time, if you want to be with me or speak with me alone, just ask."
"..."
"Okay?"
"Okay."
I smiled. He seems to be embarrassed to admit that he wants to speak with me alone. I guess even Dante has a cute side.
He turned away from me, "But you need to promise to keep me in the loop when you plan something. Are we not partners in crime?"
I chuckled, "Yes, yes. Next time I promise to let you know my plans."
"Good. So do you now feel better about the whole Ilene situation?"
"F*ck no. She wasn't punished enough. I told you I wanted to ruin her and her family. I'm not finished yet. Her father paid a small price by losing his title, but he's still rich. Not to mention the rest of them only lost a bit of face."
"Alright then. You're serious about this vendetta, aren't you?"
"Yes. This is a message to all those entitled children and adults who think they can do whatever they want. From now on, there's going to be consequences."
He snickered, "And what about you? You don't think you need to be taught a lesson?"
"Hey. I'm nice to anyone who is nice to me."
"I don't recall doing anything bad to you, but you seem to hate me."
"Well that's because you're the devil incarnate."
"What."
His cold voice sent shivers down my spine.
"Nothing! We should be getting back now before anyone worries."
"Just for that you're going to have to practice with a heavier sword today."
"What?! But my current one is already too heavy! You monster!"