It feels like I'm here for so long that I could no longer deny this feeling. Who knew I would be in the same class as Zairon for years. At first I was fine with it and it was tolerable, however, it's getting annoying.
Apart from joining us during break; he always appears right beside me and asks me to be his partner in every single training or pairings in classes. I tried to escape him and all of the results were failures.
As if that weren't enough, he borrows my books and asks me to accompany him to the library.
Because of it rumors about us had been circulating around and it reached my brother and cousins ears.
Those damn rumors... I thought they were buried by now. I believe that he's punishing me for those things I had done before.
For now my desire is to graduate early like Caesar and the twins. They graduated two years ago, at the age of 13 and with flying colors to boot. Because of it, my dear Father said something. Challenging me in fact.
["It wouldn't damage the family name if you failed one subject."]
I expected it and yet I'm annoyed.
"I think I lost my homework." Celestine says, a frown appeared in her delicate face.
She reluctantly fetches a piece of paper and starts writing an essay about the history of the Empire. Luckily, I did it a few days ago and tucked it tightly in my book like a bookmark.
"Maybe you slip it in one of the book's pages?"
"Unfortunately, no. I can just finish this in ten minutes though." She says she has written half of the paper.
A fleeting brown light flew right to me. That earth-spirit has been visiting me at random times.
"Wren! I missed you!" Adara says while rubbing her small form on my cheeks, I gently patted her head with my finger. "How's everyone at the castle?"
"Still the same. Caesar is rarely at home and often goes out to do missions with Laxus while Lexus always cooped up in his Lab and he goes to the Mage Tower with the First Prince."
It's what I expected the most from those three especially my brother.
Well, now that Caesar graduated; mother is at ease and Father begins his harsh training and lessons on my brother because I was informed that he will become the next Duke. Unfortunately, my older cousins refused to take part in the succession leading to Caesar being the only successor.
I'm quite sure he didn't like it. There's nothing he could do though when he's the only one who could succeed the title after everyone stepped down.
"When I became the Duke... I will make all of you work to the bones."
Adara said it with a sweet voice making me shudder. I could see his smirk, similar to Father.
"Adara, where's Cervi?" I have been trying to summon him to do something for me, but he's not answering me. "Hmm? I remembered that the Duke ordered him to come with your brother for their mission."
Damn it. How could he borrow my spirit? Wait, even so, How could he choose my father over his own master!
"The Duke bribed him with a huge feast upon his return." Adara giggled like a child while nuzzling at my neck. That explains it. Everyone knows how they could coerce Cervi to follow them.
I thought I got rid of that bad habit of his. Upon my return he will face much worse training to remove that habit.
"If he returned tell him to come to me immediately."
*****
Ah. Today is exhausting. To think I would be paired up again with Prince Zairon and I couldn't refuse. I blame his face and our professor for pairing us. Another sigh escaped my lips when I felt cold hands gripping my shoulders followed by cold breath in my ears giving me another shiver.
"That's a heavy sigh, Master."
"Kyah!"
Cervi's disheveled state didn't make anything better! He looked like something straight out of a horror movie. Dried blood clings on his clothes and hair.
"I apologize, master. I can't come to you as soon as possible." I waved my hand and sat down, but I could still feel my heart thumps loudly. Apparently, there are more things I need to teach this kid and...
There are things changed in Cervi, after some time of training he rose in rankings and he got his own fans outside the Duchy. I think the one who started it is one of the noble ladies we encounter at the boutique. To sum it up, he became more handsome and it is a problem for me too.
I can't concentrate because of that face! Ahem, the reason I called him is because...
"I need you to find some information about Herrold Romanoff." Adara told me that every year he sends me gifts even though I rarely go home. My parents were confused about it as well.
I should have done this a long time ago, but I dismiss the idea since he might be doing it out of gratitude. But giving too many gifts without reason is questionable. He couldn't say he's fond of me because we haven't met and he's not friends with our family.
His gifts to me were giving me a vibe of being spoiled by his future grandfather-in-law... Just thinking about it is enough to send chills.
"Master the reason we went off a mission and I can't come was because Caesar and I have been investigating someone in the South," His eyes became colder in a minute, "It's Count Romanoff."
"You should have told me then!" I shouted and felt hot blood surging at the back of my neck. Aigoo, these people are unbelievable. "It's not that I don't want to. Something surrounds the Count's mansion that blocks out communication outside and... The Young Master is speculating that he has anti-magic in his home."
Anti-magic? Like the one in the past?
"Yes, unfortunately, the Count has no mana in his body. Hence, he blocks the mana flow. The people in his territory have complaints about him since they can't use magic."
Oh fxxk. Now Boaife is inside the room too! They will be the death of me, "Count Romanoff also has other..."
Several knocks interupted my two spirits and without any words both of them vanished, "Wren we have no classes tomorrow. Would you like to go out?" I glanced over to where my spirits were earlier then looked over Celestine.
I don't know how to say this, but her smile is like a forced one. "Sure. It's been a long time since I've gone outside."
*****
"I smell croissants..." I nodded at Celestine and headed towards the smell. The place was packed with students and noble ladies and has a fancy set up. What attracted us the most was the displayed foods and their names.
"I'll take this Berrylicious triple choco delight and scones," Celestine glanced over me and chuckled lightly before handing her own order. "You still have a sweet tooth."
"I can't help it," I said and then glanced over at her. She hasn't touched her food and she has this troubled look on her face.
Maybe, the reason why she asked me out is because she has something to ask. We visited her favorite shops, played with some kids at the park and now we're watching a boring opera.
"Oh, my beloved... why must you leave me...?"
The actress sobbed, picked a small vial while mourning for her lover's death. It feels familiar somehow like Romeo and Juliet.
"Don't worry... for I... will join you."
She drank the liquid from the vial and slowly fell down on the wooden stage. Blood drips on the corner of her mouth.
"We will be together again..."
"This is ridiculous." I blurted out and glanced over Celestine.
She opened her mouth then closed it then opened it again... closed. The remaining patience in my mind is running out and her cheeks are flushed red even in the dim lit place.
Tsk, maybe those ladies from before finally lose their mind and take it out on Celestine.
"Say... is someone bothering you?"
"I met the one I'm engaged to... yesterday!"
Huh? Our voice overlaps and surely I misheard her because there is no way she suddenly had a fiancé. She also seems taken aback by my question.
"No... no one's bothering me. But I met my fiancé yesterday for the first time."
Wait, wait, wait. First time? Since when did she have it and why am I only hearing this?
"Our parents were friends and proposed a marriage between us— their children. I haven't met him when they informed me about it five years ago since we were busy."
Yes, we were busy that time since we were in our first year. It isn't uncommon for a lady to be engaged at a young age. Take it from me, Past Wren begged her own father to submit a marriage proposal to the Imperial Family.
"What happened when you met him?"
Her brows furrowed and her gaze avoids my gaze. Damn it, don't tell me he emotionally abused my friend? Wait, is he neglecting my friend?!
This is common in rofan and I will not stand by if he did those things to her!
Her face flushed while her hands on her cheeks and a heavy sigh escaped from her lips. Damn it, I'm right...
"He's totally my type."
"Huh?"
She then looks at me and I can see how her eyes lit up as she sang praises to the man she's betrothed to. It doesn't sit right the way Celestine acts right now.
"Then, what's troubling you?"
She stopped and coughed before whispering, "I'm afraid that his kindness and affection towards me are staged. You know this kind of marriage always happens and I'm afraid that after we wed his true colors will show."
I didn't know that Celestine had this kind of problem whereas I'm having a headache because of my spirits.
"Why don't you ask him about his intentions to you? Be frank and if he did mislead you because of his actions... kick his thing between his legs."
"Wren... your voice..." She whispers. Right, we're still at the opera.
---------------------------------------------------
"Where have you gone?" Once again, the Prince stood outside of their dorm. It has been a habit of his that Wren couldn't understand.
"Good Evening, Your Imperial Highness. Forgive me if I made you wait... again. Lady Bates asked me out for a change of pace."
She glanced at her surroundings and a deep frown appeared, "again. Why are you here? You should go back to your room, Your Highness."
It would be bad if someone would see her with the prince at this hour. Especially if they support the two of them.
One of those supporters is Celestine, "Celestine Bates greets His Imperial—"
"I'm a Prince I can be wherever I want."
He totally cut her off. She stared at the two of them and smiled.
"I should be going then..." She whispered and sneaked behind.
"Why do you always do this?" She asks, a hint of annoyance in her tone. He scoffed and answered, "To see if you're inside."
Whatever for?
"Well, Your Highness, I'm here. Do you want to come inside my room?"
Since he came her to check on her, the least thing she could do is offer a tea before he left.
Prince Zairon's ears flushed red at her question, "No! I-I'm going to go back to my room now that I seen you!"
"Good Night, Your Highness." She shouts even though she's confuse by his rejection and him running away.
When she came back inside their room, she was greeted with a huge grin, "Uhuh. I see that you want to invite Prince Zairon here."
Wren sighed, "No. You see—"
"I understand. No worries! When will be the time you two be engaged?"
"Not you too!"
Wren had to Listen for a whole night about boys and engagement completely forgetting the unfinished report of Cervi for her.
"We have a new student have you heard?"
Every corner of the school was in hush whisper— everyone except Wren was curious about the said new student.
"They say he's handsome and he recently returned to the empire after he studied in another country before," Celestine mumbled and turned to Wren and it is clear that she's uninterested in the topic.
"What? I don't care."
Celestine stared and a knowing smile appeared right in her face, "Very well. If you say so."
Her ears perked at her remark and ignored it. She doesn't have enough sleep because of Celestine. Night after night she always tells her about how great her fiancé is. Eventually, she has no choice but to listen.
"By the way, Wren! You should come with me and meet him. He knows a lot about Prince Zai—"
"Not interested." The mere thought of meeting her partner and both of them will talk about Prince Zairon just doesn't sit well with her. She had enough with all of those rumors around.
"I'm kidding, I just want you to introduce him to you since you're my closest friend." She says while stroking Wren's hands. "Alright."
Her eyes lit up and immediately went outside. They're going to meet at a fountain. According to Celestine, the one she's engaged to is a son of a Viscount and currently a student at the academy and a year older. An upperclassman.
"You told me he ranked first at every exam. Does he want to work in Administration?"
"I'm not sure. However, he at least wants to work under Prince Zairon."
A wrong choice, really. There's the Crown Prince, and I do think he's the better option than the two princes.
"Celestine forgive me for running late... Oh, Greetings Young Lady Vacarella, I apologize for the sight. I didn't realize you were with Celestine."
His facial expressions were amusing for Wren because it changed immediately upon seeing her in a split second.
"Pleased to meet you, Lord Deluah. I believe you and Celes had a good relationship." Wren says to the man and he felt a lump of saliva were in his throat.
Her gaze is like observing a prey. "We do! Nathan is very nice to me all this time and he actually likes me! Oh... Nathan we should help Wren and Prince Zairon." Her brows creased and her smile became stiff.
Was the last part supposed to be a whisper? Because she clearly heard it.
"You needn't." Her firm answer made the young Viscount look at her and ask, "Do you not have a good relationship with his highness?"
"I can't say if we don't or we have a good relationship. However, the only fact is that I don't want to be tied with him." He can sense the determination as well as fury.
The rumors I heard seems... different.
"They have, she just can't admit it. Lately Prince Zairon waits for her outside our building." Celestine says happily while picking one of the pastry on the table. "I think you're blind, Celes. Enough of the Prince and tell me about you guys."
"Oh..."
Both of them looked at each other which made Wren smile even more. Forget the fact that she will be annoyed by listening for hours about them rather than giving her advice about the prince.
She could see that her friend is happy with Sir Nathan's company and he's taking care of her too well. She won't be worried after this.
"You know that there's a new student right? I heard he's going to be transferred to your class. He's..."
"Watch out, Master!" Someone yelled behind the three and Wren turned around to see someone in a white robe walking backwards, legs wobbling and his eyes blurred before he could find somewhere to sit down.
"Ekk!"
She yelps and her tea splashes on her uniform while the person slump on the floor beside her chair.
"Wren, are you alright?!" Celestine runs towards her and pats her skirt with a handkerchief. "My... Master! Look what happened to you! I told you that you weren't in good shape at all to move around and we can handle this!"
The person groaned in pain while shaking his head and tried to get up slowly and steadily.
"Let's... go that person... shouldn't get far away."
Nathaniel grabbed his wrist and his eyes were glinting with anger. If he wasn't near Celestine she would burn herself alongside Wren.
"You're a knight, right? The lady is hurt and you haven't apologized to them."
He glanced over Wren under his hood and lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, my Lady. Excuse me."
Somehow, she felt like she knew him and a smell of mint and lemon lingers in her senses. "Forgive us, my lady! We have--ah!"
"There you are, Wren!" Yessenia ran and bumped into the other knight and like a domino effect, he also slumped towards the knight and his hood fluttered revealing its features.
His eyes reflect the bloody red color while he gazes blankly at the floor.
"eh?! Prince Zairon?!" The four of them said in their minds while staring at him in disbelief because he looks like a Knight.
He is a Knight right now! How could that happen?