I eventually got used to everyone trying to avoid me at the school. In fact, it was quite relaxing. Ilene did eventually return to school, but she also made sure to stay clear of me. That didn't stop her from death glaring at me though. It would appear that I have made a lifelong enemy.
We sat in the library and I started to doze off. I can't believe these three can just sit here so still and read books. Noble children are something else.
Millie closed her book, "I can't help it. I'm just so excited."
I jolted awake, "Excited?"
"Yes. I can't wait until we go on the trip tomorrow."
"We're going on a trip?" The three of them stared at me with judgemental faces. I smiled innocently, "I assume I forgot something?"
William placed his book down in annoyance, "It's our graduation trip tomorrow."
"A graduation trip? What's that?"
He stared at me, "How could you forget? Every year, once we complete a grade, we celebrate by going on a school trip. Then we have a two week break before school resumes again for a new year."
"Ah!" I clapped my hands together, "I was wondering when I would be able to have a break from school."
Dante smiled, "It may be a break from school, but not a break from training. Lucky for you, we will have much more time for training exercises."
I forced a smile, "Wonderful..."
Ugh. I have a feeling he is going to kill me during this break.
I looked over to Millie, "So what are we doing on this trip?"
She smiled excitedly, "We get to go to the Northern territories!"
"Northern territories?"
Ugh. That sounds cold. I hate the cold.
"Yup! We will go skiing and ice skating. Not to mention, the hotel we will be staying at will have hot springs. I heard it's so relaxing to get in one after a day on the slopes."
I groaned. William glared at me, "What? You don't like the sound of that?"
"As a matter of fact, I don't. I hate the cold. And snow. Especially snow."
"Well we will only be there for five days. It won't be so bad."
"Five days?! That's five days too many. Surely it's optional, right?"
"It's not."
I hit my head against the table. This sucks.
Dante smiled at me, "If you keep hitting your head that hard, then you'll lose whatever brains you have left."
I glared at him. He just smiled back with that scary look. He looks like he's smiling, but his eyes are so cold it's frightening. It's like the eyes of a predator.
In the novel he was described as having an angry aura. His eyes were fierce and could pierce into anyone's soul. When he smiled, it wasn't because he thought of something pleasant. Essentially, he was a frightening and dangerous character.
When I read the novel, it had started much later when they were older. I didn't think much about their childhoods. It seems that Dante was born with this attitude, but I don't think he's as bad as the book describes.
However, William was described as a genius who was one of the best Crown Princes to exist, but I can see now that he's just a gullible idiot. I don't foresee that changing any time soon.
William noticed me staring at him silently criticizing him. He frowned, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I'm just merely expressing concern for the future when you're King."
A vein suddenly began to throb on his forehead, "You..."
"Oh! William, you have something on your face." I pointed and he went to wipe his face, "No. Up a little more. Now down more. To the right. No, my right."
Dante spoke, "There's nothing on your face."
William jumped up, "You! I'm going to get you!"
"Eep!"
I quickly ran out of the room and William followed in hot pursuit. I tried to outrun him, but unfortunately no matter how hard I try, he's still faster than me. Once he caught me by the collar, he gave me an earful.
Ugh, he's like a nagging grandmother.
Later that day, I had returned home from training completely exhausted. I didn't waste much time falling asleep. Dante is growing more ridiculous in his training techniques. It seems to be getting harder by the day.
I woke up the next morning to see suitcases packed. I rubbed my eyes and looked at Lona, "Why are you packing suitcases?"
She stared at me in exasperation, "Today you are leaving for your trip."
"Oh yeah. Where's your suitcases?"
"I'm not going."
"What?! Why not?!"
"Because it's only for school officials and students."
"That seems like a lot of responsibility for the teachers."
"I'm more worried about what troubles you will cause for them."
"Troubles? I won't cause any trouble."
"And how can I believe that?"
"Because I will bee too busy freezing to death! Please Lona! Don't make me go..."
"It's mandatory."
"Mandatory? Pah, that means nothing to someone who is rich."
"Well, you're not rich. Your parents are and they want you to go."
I groaned and collapsed onto my bed.
She sat next to me on my bed and smiled, "I know something that might cheer you up."
"What?"
"I have a gift for you."
I sat up immediately, "A gift?! Oh, I like those."
She chuckled, "Yes, I know."
She handed my a light package and I quickly opened it. Inside was a handmade matching set of gloves, hat, and a scarf. They were a light purple color and the hat had a white fuzz ball on top.
She smiled, "It's not what you're expecting I'm sure. Since we usually don't have cold weather here, I made you something so that you will be warm."
I threw my arms around her, "Ah! Lona I love it!"
"You love it? But you usually hate getting clothes."
"This is different. This is a handmade gift from my most wonderful maid."
She ruffled my hair, "Aren't you just charming?"
I tried the hat on and smiled at her, "How does it look?"
"Like it will keep you warm."
"That's all one requires."
She quickly began to prepare me for the day by brushing my hair and picking out my outfit. She made sure to give me extra warm clothes. It was almost making me sweat. She handed me a heavy wool coat.
"You can put that on when you get closer."
I forced a smile, "Well, with all of this I'm sure to be warm."
She quickly hugged me, "Please don't get into trouble."
"Why do you keep saying that?"
"Because I know you will find a way to get into trouble."
"You need to have more faith in me."
"I'm being serious, little Miss."
"Alright alright. I promise to be extra good this time."
"No fighting?"
"No fighting."
"No brilliant ideas?"
"What's wrong with my ideas?" She raised an eyebrow. I sighed, "Okay, I won't have any bright ideas."
I quickly finished my breakfast and was rushed towards the door by Lona. My father and mother came to see me out.
My father hugged me tightly and started sobbing, "Please be safe."
"I will Daddy."
"It's dangerous in the North. Please don't get hurt."
"I won't."
"Don't forget to look out for wolves and bears while you're there."
"I will Daddy."
"And I don't mean just the animals. Don't forget that men are wolves."
"Yes Daddy."
How could I forget when you keep reminding me all the time?
My mother looked at me angrily, "Don't embarrass us."
Is it too hard for you just to say 'stay safe' or something?
Finally, we managed to pry my father off of me and headed off to school. I got out of the carriage and said my goodbyes to Lona.
"Be safe and don't forget what I said."
"I promise to be extra careful, don't worry."
She stared at me not believing a word I said. I waved goodbye to her and went over to where everyone was gathering.
William glared at me, "We've been waiting for you."
"Oh, I'm sure I'm not the last one to arrive."
My teacher looked at me, "Oh thank the heavens. You're finally here. We can leave now."
I looked back at William who smiled smugly. "You were the last one."
I stuck out my tongue in annoyance.
The teacher spoke to everyone, "Alright. Everyone, we are going to get into the school's carriages and head out. We should be there in twelve hours. We will take a break every four hours."
I screamed internally. Twelve hours?! I can't even last in a carriage for one hour!
William and Dante both looked at me with concern.
The teacher continued, "Alright. We can fit six in each carriage so pair up."
Naturally me, Dante, William, and Millie stood by each other. We still needed two other people. William looked peeved.
Dante smiled at him, "At least it's only two instead of four this time."
I looked at them in confusion, "What do you mean?"
Dante explained, "Every year the girls fight to sit with us. It's usually a headache."
I nodded. Poor kids. "Why don't you just ask any guys to join?"
William answered in irritation, "Because they hate us."
Hmm. Now that I think about it, I've never seen them talk to any of the boys. Now that I look around, I can see them being stared at with eyes of jealousy.
"Ah. It must be hard being good looking."
William snickered, "You wouldn't know."
I glared at him, "Just for that I'm going to find your most loyal fans to join us."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Watch me."
I walked over to the set of girls who always screamed the loudest when they saw William. At first when they saw me, they looked terrified and contemplated running away.
I smiled at them, "We need two more people to join us. Would anyone be interested?"
They started squealing so loud I had to cover my ears.
I picked two out, "Alright. You two. Let's go."
They both shouted, "Kyaa! Thank you!"
When we walked back over, William was glaring at me in anger and with a hint of betrayal. I winked at him.
He huffed, "Fine. But I will sit by the window and Dante will be next to me. I refuse to be next to you while you're puking."
Millie and the other two girls looked disturbed by this statement. Millie was the first to inquire, "What do you mean by puking?"
William spoke, "This one can't stand carriage rides. When she came to my house, we had to stop midway because she was vomiting."
I frowned, "Hey! That was only one time!"
"Yes, but now instead of an hour, it will be twelve."
"Uck."
D*mn. He's right. I'm toast.
Millie and the two girls looked reluctant to sit next to me.
Dante sighed, "I can sit next to her. I don't mind."
I smiled at him, "Thanks Dante."
He continued, "After all, I have trained to be tolerable of horrid smells."
My smile disappeared. He continued to smile at me with that annoying look of his. I climbed into the carriage still irritated. Once we finally started to leave I could feel my body jerk more than usual. It seems these carriages are not as smooth of a ride. It makes sense that the school's carriages are lower quality then the kind I'm used to. My face started to turn green.
William snickered, "What's wrong? Sick already? It hasn't even been 10 minutes."
Dante smiled at me, "If you'd like, you can lay down on my lap."
"I think I'd rather puke out the window."
The two fangirls sat realizing that a carriage ride with William was both a curse as it was a blessing.