The two became friends since that day. It was an unusual type of relationship at first. If someone was to observe, Little Calix would always be seen pouting in frustration next to an amused Little Lumierre.
But the funny thing was, they still remained attached to each other. Once they discovered that they had been assigned to different sections, they hung out every snack time. The two would meet in the secret garden to share snacks and stories.
The teachers in the academy's primary department became concerned about the constant disappearance of the heirs of the two dukedoms. Lumierre's adviser was already aware of the Monrell heir's mischievousness, so the teachers didn't even consider the possibility that both of their disappearances were linked. Furthermore, it's no secret that the two clans are at odds with one another.
So imagine their surprise when they saw the two kids laughing uncontrollably as they lay under a tree in a beautiful garden they discovered. A garden almost hidden by the intricate interior of the academy.
The two advisers were at lost on what to do but they left the kids. They were relieved to know where the two pupils were going but was wary of the revelation. In the end, the two advisers decided to kept quiet on the situation because, wasn't this better? If the next head of the two dukedoms were in a good relationship with each other, the future of the empire will be bright. This would also put an end to the pointless rivalry between the people of Lanchaster and Monrell.
However, another teacher had found out about this. He was quick on telling this viable information to the duke of the second kingdom, greedy for the reward. As the teacher enjoyed a single gold bar given to him, Lumierre and Calix were confronted with the reality.
"You're a Monrell," little Calix said as he was pulled back by a teacher. They were inside the faculty after being called once classes were dismissed.
"Of course he is," a Monrell mage hissed, glaring at him while he stood in front of a stunned Lumierre.
Little Calix was unconcerned about the insult. He was contemplating something. To be honest, it wouldn't matter if Lumierre was a Monrell. Unlike the adults, he believed that the ancestor's fault was not the responsibility of their descendant. Lumierre has also been nothing but kind to him. Sure, he was irritating most of the time. But the other was a joy to be around. It was like being bathed in sunlight. Calix would wake up looking forward to spending time with Lumierre.
"Lumi," he called the other, reaching out his hand. Calix will fight for their friendship. However, when the mage moved a bit to side, uncovering the Monrell's heir's face, little Calix was heartbroken to see the disgust within pretty lavender eyes. He quickly realized at that moment that their friendship was over and it will only be a fleeting memory from his childhood.
Calix shook his head as he recalled the incident. It was pointless to cry over spilt milk. There were more important matters to attend to. For example, why was the heir of their family's rival in their midst?
"How dare you trespass on our property?" he demanded, glaring at the other.
Behind him, Nero stifled a yawn eliciting weird looks to the cursed child. He ignored them. It's there fault for waking him up a few minutes earlier than what his body clock has set to.
Lumierre saw this and was taken aback by the cursed child's actions. This was not what he expected from a proclaimed tyrant. Lumierre reminded himself that he needed to inform his father about this.
"A subject of mine has yet to return to his home," Lumierre said, his gaze fixed on a specific person.
Nero was not ignorant to the subtle exchange of glance between his eldest brother and the dame. He stared at the dame. Was she the reason for the missing subject of the Monrell?
Nero felt a tremble from his brother. He brought back his gaze just to see Calix letting out a huff.
"My, what a coincidence; we have yet to receive a response," he said coldly.
What came next was probably the most intense staring Nero had witnessed. The two looked down on each other with so much contempt but Nero was no fool to the lingering sexual tension. He cringed as he remembered Linda's ecstasy over shipping these two. He was secretly judging his childhood friend because the two would never blossom into a rose of romance given their circumstances. But looking at the two now, he should probably kneel down before Linda to ask for underestimating his childhood friend.
Nero was about to speak to drop the suffocating silence and unbearable sexual tension when a knock sounded. The freckled servant stiffly opened the door and they were greeted with the duke's butler. Butler Zerlon was indifferent and paid no heed to the situation; the messy room of the cursed child, the trembling servants, the Monrell heir, and the majestic dragon. He simply bowed down to the two lords before facing the heir.
"My Lords, you are both requested by the duchess."
"We are in the middle of something-"
"Pardon for the intervention, My Lord, but the duke is sick."
Calix brought his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. Problems have been piling these past few days. Nero brought a comforting pat to his brother's shoulder. Calix heaved a deep sigh and gave his brother a grateful smile.
Sir Azra came forward and spoke. "We'll escort the Monrell heir to the gates." Dame Kiesha nodded behind him.
"Oh my, what will the people say? The esteemed heir of the fallen dukedom rudely kicked out their guest," Lumierre intervened, descending from his dragon to stand on the railing with impressive balance.
"You are not a-" Calix paused and sighed again. He was the only one in the room who knew most of how stubborn the Monrell heir was. He narrowed his gaze on the other.
"Fine," he threatened, "But stay close so I can keep an eye on you."
Lumierre smirked in response and licked his lower lip. "How daring, Ali," he remarked with a wink.
Calix averted his gaze as heat rose to his cheeks. "Stop with your shameless jokes." Then he dragged a baffled Nero to accompany him to the duke's hall.
Lumierre simply laughed and motioned for his dragon to settle down. Once the creature had rested on a thick branch of a tall tree, he allowed himself to be guarded by the two knights as they followed the lords to the duke's hall.