The next day, the school was bustling once again as Peony secretly made her way back to her dorm room. The Ramshackle dorm was nearing completion as Peony helped unravel what seems to be a scandal of the hired crew who had decided to embezzle a large portion of the funds for the reconstruction of the dorm. Although this was something that could not be seen by the naked eye, all she needed to do was find someone who could asses the work being done and luckily this person was someone Vil and herself had met with a long time ago. All she needed to do was secretly hint at something being unusual with a fellow club member's work and ask Rook for some help. Rook, being one who won't hide such trivial problems would definitely share this matter with Vil. The only problem is if this would have caught Vil's attention. If Vil was still the child he was years ago, he would have offered some help of whatever connection he had. In the end, Vil did just that. With that said, the dorm should be completed in a matter of a two weeks. After taking down the walls that had been half-heartedly built, they had discovered that the old foundation of the building was so sturdy that it had withstood everything that occurred during the attack and it was still standing strong. However, according to what was left of the funds and what had been given back as compensation, it would not be enough to build everything a new. She watched as the construction began once again. For the next few days, she will have to ask Crystal to keep a closer eye on the dorm's reconstruction. As she watched the reconstruction from the shadows, she noticed a familiar figure appearing from the sidelines.
It was Vil.
She smirked. In the end, he really hasn't changed at all. Back then, he was the most critical and clever of the two and the other was a bold yet naive child beastman. Perhaps because Jack was the most honest, he was also the one who ended up always chasing off the bullies who cannot yet understand right from wrong. However, that would lead him to become confused by the things that do not make sense to him. Thinking back now, she also watched from the sidelines as much as she could because the two would not stop dragging her all over the place to play. However, those days had long gone. After all, there was someone who needed her help more than they did in that time. To think that small thin child with a girlish face would grow to a man. Fate truly enjoys toying with her...
Suddenly, Maisey's voice spoke up in confusion, "That human man... He feels familiar."
"Do you recall our time in Shaftlands, Masiey? That time when I was very small? We went there to find a kidnapped son of the eldest daughter of Rose kingdom's Royal Chancellor of Treasury."
"Ah! That crazy long title? We did go to Shaftlands back then. It was rather fun pretending to be human. It was the first time I ever knew that humans can be just as diverse as fairies." Maisey nodded in surprise, "That was also the first time her highness made friends around her age for the first time..."
"Amongst the two children, there was a child we assumed was a girl." She reminded him, "One with blond hair you complimented. Remember?"
"Hah?!" Maisey cried out in bewilderment, "That child was actually a boy?! How did you know of it, Milady?"
Peony sighed as she grumbled, "You do not want to know. All I can say was that I had also been unaware."
She made her way through the woods calmly as the former darkness that had fallen upon it had slowly vanished over the months that had gone by. Touching a tree, she looked up as she could hear the soft whispers riding the wind and the calm scent of pine resting lightly upon her shoulders.
Seeing her so unusually calm, Maisey was surprised as he watched in awe.
As she walked along the path deeper into the forest, a faint sense of pain interrupted her short period of calm silence as she looked down upon her hand.
"Milady! Your finger!"Maisey cried out in horror as he hurried to stop the bleeding, "How dare a small piece of the vines' thorn hurt the princess?!"
"Peace, Maisey." She responded with a warm smile as she glanced at the vine who was shivering, "This is the right thing to do. Otherwise, I would have clawed it off its perch."
"B-But, blood on the last day of the fairy gala-!"
"It is said that injuries and mishaps during the gala season is an unfavorable thing foretelling some terrible incident would occur during that year." Peony knelt down and carefully caressed the thorn vine with a soft, warm, yet sad smile across her face, "However, this is a blessing in disguise for myself. Do not punish this child, Maisey."
"B-but-!"
"Also, did I not say not to refer to me as that?"
Hearing this, Maisey was startled as he covered his mouth in bewilderment.
Peony smiled as she got up and looked upon her small injury with a reminiscent gaze, "Do not worry... I did not forget... A-Li..."
"Lotus?"
Peony looked up rather startled as she saw that it was Ren calling out to him with Elijah besides him. Surprised, she smiled back while pushing Maisey behind her neck as she made her way over, "Oh, Ren? Elijah? What are you guys doing here? This is past the dorms."
"Nothing much." Elijah responded curtly.
"We heard about the scandal and decided to drop by and see how the construction was going." Ren responded politely with a smile, "I didn't think we'd get the chance to cross path with Pomefiore's dorm leader though. How about you? I heard you haven't been feeling that well these past few days."
"I've just been feeling a little under the weather. Nothing much." She replied calmly.
"Would you like to study with us today? There's going to be a test in the next three days, remember?" Ren suggested, "It would be easier if we studied together."
Peony nodded, "That'd be great! However, I'm afraid I'll have to turn down the offer this time. I have something scheduled tonight. Another errand to run. I need to prepare for that. So I won't get the chance to study much today. It's already lucky that I even managed to finish my homework on time these past couple of days."
"I see, then. Still, the weather is getting warmer. If you want to stay out, you'll need water. Want to go back with us?"
"With you?" Peony glanced over to Elijah in confusion, "He's going to study in Diasomnia dorm today?"
"Yes." Ren nodded with a chuckle.
Elijah sighed, "Everyone in the lounge are those who cannot sit still. The dorm leader gave those who have good grades a chance to study elsewhere."
"I see. Looks like everyone is doing their best then." Peony nodded, "Then, I'll follow you back to the dorms. I need to hurry with the preparations."
"Great! Let's go!" Ren smiled as he led the two back to the dorms unknown of the eyes that had been watching them carefully from afar.
Concentrated on the construction of the Ramshackle dorm, Vil had been lost in thought when he noticed someone had been watching him from afar. He had thought it was just his paranoia when he saw Ren and Elijah making their way over. However, he certainly did not expect Lotus to have been hiding amongst the trees or that Ren would have been able to spot her so easily! Even now, everytime he sees the two of them, he would feel as though something was not quite right and be irritated. However, why would that be? The two of them clearly even get along. Then, there was Ren who is more calm and careful with his words. He understands others without needing much said and is very respectful to everyone regardless of their backgrounds. He is naive and inability to analyze his surroundings carefully would be his only flaws. It is a mystery how he is able to even go around like now without having been picked on. Calm clear-headed, and a good speech. Such natural skills makes it all the more easier to make enemies. Especially since it is clear that he is not as ambitious as others for the role of dorm leader. Someone who does not know ambitions...
He can't help but wonder what would happen once such a person is bitten once.
He grimaced at the thought. If such a thing occurred, he definitely does not wish to witness it. Perhaps it would be better if he keeps a close eye whenever he is around the vicinity so it does not taint his view.
.....
Upon returning to the green house, she is met with Robin who waved with a mysterious smile as he casually spoke up, "You're finally back, princess. How did the inspection go today? Do you still need me to hold your hand?"
Peony sighed, "Everything is calm... for now. How are the preparations?"
"Everything is according to the princess's wishes." Robin smiled wider with eyes hiding excitement, "Have her highness met with Briar Valley's prince today too?"
"I did not." She shook her head, "He is busy getting ready for the event. He has been counting the minutes and remained in the lounge all day once classed ended."
"Pity. It would be of great benefit for the princess had she gone to see the prince just now." Robin smirked.
Peony sighed, "What entertainment are you wishing for this time?"
"That's quite harsh, milady!" Robin chuckled, "I was simply saying the princess just recently became friends with him. It would be nice to spend some more time with them."
"Is it? Last I remember you also found hanging two young human children and a young beastman by the foot entertaining and now you think other scandals would be just as entertaining." Peony scoffed, "More importantly, how much did you know about mother's plan to bestow me a middle name? Both of you should have known that the gala would be recorded and possibly even broadcasted by the humans. Now, not only do they know that the fairy kingdom has a princess, but that she is even bestowed a name fitting of a fairy queen. In the sense of society, that name carries a very important duty and should not leave the kingdom. Thus, they should have been given to the next fairy queen. It is well known to many that I do not wish to remain here in this world forever. Not when there is still a target on my back."