At the president´s office, inside Nicholas´head.
It was faint, but I can swear I saw it.
At that moment, in the arena, when he rose his fist.
The future. A glimpse of it.
One where he ruled with many people at his side.
And there was an army, an invincible army that would be the bastion against everything that could harm this kingdom.
There would be irregulars and nobles fighting together as one. People would gather around them to congratulate them on their victories.
And I would be at my home, with a beautiful wife and children with smiles on their faces. Living peacefully.
And he would be there, on the throne, with his forces ready to strike down the enemies before him.
History will talk about us from this moment onwards. I must make sure that the tales are worth listening to.
That´s why you have to ascend, Dominique. Even higher than me.
You will be the weapon I use to force my father into submitting the throne. I will show him your power. Your bravery and greed.
And once you marry Verónica, I will be free from this cursed bloodline.
I won´t have to be the prince or the machine.
Just Nicholas.
Simply, Nicholas.
So, accept, Dominique.
For me.
For all of us.
*
This deal is just strange. I know there is something else to it, and even if that is the case, why should I not accept it?
I´d not only be having the protection of the prince but of the academy itself. I would also be considered an authority by the students and teachers.
This should also give some privileges, earning achievements would become significantly easier.
I need to build respect and power among the population now that I said those things, so being part of the academy´s hierarchy is also good protection against anyone who is not in the disposition of changing things around here.
For now, those are all the advantages I can think of in the post.
Regarding the disadvantages, well...
I would have to obey the request of the academy and Nicholas, and probably the teachers. And I don´t want that knowing that the final boss is amongst them.
I still don´t know if the Academy of Xerxes is going to support me, so they could force me to attack other irregulars to end my movement.
And being part of a disciplinary committee practically means that there are going to be a lot of fights. I´m sure it´s going to be even harder since we are irregulars.
Yhea, I also have to remember that I´m involving Isabella and Jasmine in this, so saying yes means putting them both in unnecessary danger.
I can´t have the heroine dying on me just yet...
Fuck... What should I choose...
"Those are basically the threats of this deal... What do you both think?"
"... If you can obtain some reasonable conditions... I believe this is a nice opportunity" Said Jasmine with her hand holding her head.
"... I don´t know... The prince seems open to suggestions, but do you think the school will respect our deal?" Added Isabella with insecurity on her factions.
"I´d need to make sure of that first. I guess as long as we don´t have to hurt our kind unnecessarily and we have some human treatment, it should be fine, right?"
The girls looked at each other for confirmation, and once they nodded, I left the group and stepped in front of Nicholas.
"Are you done?"
"You could say that, but there is still much to talk about"
"Indeed... Well then, come with me, let us discuss this in a more comfy space"
Nicholas stood from his chair and lead me to a section of the room where a couple of sofas and a table were waiting for us. It was far enough from the entrance to not be heard and close enough to know that people were talking.
As he pulled out a document with a pen, I mentally prepared myself for negotiations.
I´ll show you how stubborn I can be.
*
Right as Dominique and Nicholas began the discussion, a new guest arrived at the council´s office.
She had beautiful golden hair with bright crimson eyes. She could be described as a noble in all the senses of the word.
As a woman and student of the academy, she was on another level.
Just like Dominique.
Maybe that´s the reason she looks at him with those eyes.
So filled with happiness. And with such a smile of pride, almost as if she was looking at her son making his first swing with the sword.
Her look was so deep and personal.
Special.
There was no room for doubt.
This woman... She felt something for Dominique... Something that was not just admiration or respect...
I can sense it...
And...
It bothers me...
"Oh, forgive my late introduction. My name is Verónica Sideris Fotiadis. I am the vice president of the student council"
"Fotiadis... That is the family where Dominique is related by his branch..."
"Information travels fast, right? You´re right, the Yatras are our lowest branch. And Domi is part of them"
Bathum...
"Domi?"
"Oh! I-I mean! Mister Dominique! M-My status makes me want to give nicknames to those below me! Or something... A-Anyway is nothing serious!"
She was talking with haste. Moving her hands in front of her now bright face. Yet she still had that smile on her...
"So this is his kind of woman..."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"..."
"Am... Excuse me? Are you not feeling well?"
"... It´s nothing..."
As I said that phrase, I left the room. I wanted to be alone.
No.
I just didn´t want to be near her...
"I´m such an idiot"
Before I could stop them, there were tears already running down my cheeks.
Really, falling in love with a person that is already in love with someone else...
How stupid can one person be?
*
"Haaaaaah. This is why kids are..."
"Jasmine, you are also here"
"Thanks to you, my lady"
The maid did a short bow to the lady.
"Forget about that. More importantly, is she alright? She seemed upset"
"That´s her own fault, don´t worry about it"
"Are you sure?"
"I am"
As always, or at least, since the day these women met. Jasmine showed a mature air before the crisis.
"It feels so awkward to have you acting all mature when I had to force you to wear pajamas one night"
"My chest wouldn't fit in them, what did you expect?"
"... I hate you so much..."
"The feeling is mutual"
And just like their meeting, their conversations were a bit hostile.
"Haah. Whatever, I guess he is busy negotiating with Nicholas, isn´t he?"
"He is. I haven´t seen him so focused on something since the day we met"
"Tch. Right"
"Yup, since the day we kissed"
Bom.
"You want me to blow you away, don´t you?"
"Fufufu. It´s just delightful the way you get jealous"
Yes, Jasmine told Verónica all the details of her encounter with Dominique. It was the condition of Verónica for letting her stay in a bed under her roof. Jasmine knew Verónica since Dominique had told her about her lady, so when she asked for details she never skipped the facts.
Especially the part where they both French kissed.
As she expected, Verónica almost murders her, but she stopped since now Jasmine was under the wing of Dominique, her love interest.
Even if it pains her, she has to accept the fact that his first kiss on the lips was not hers, but Jasmine's.
Although, saying it and doing it are quite different things.
"Ugh, go to hell"
"Well, we might as well go there if negotiations turn the wrong way"
"Nicholas likes to scheme, but he´s not irrational or impulsive, I´m sure Dominique can convince him to do as he wants"
"It is not the prince I´m worried about, lady Verónica"
"Then, who?"
"... You should already know that, don´t you?"
"... Yes... If you put it like that there is not much room for speculations"
"There are some teachers here that I know it would be better for us if we stay away from them... I just wish we don´t have to own them a favor ever..."
"Hm... Maybe you have a point"