"Vincent?" A voice was heard along the hallway of the academy. It echoed through every wall making the students who were wandering around look over to see whose voice it belonged to.
"Vincent?!" It was persistent, loud, and cheerful that hearing it over and over again made Vincent irritated and sick.
"Vincent? Are you going to ignore me again?"
Vincent glanced over. There was no expression on his face. Not even an acknowledgment was given. However, the owner of the voice just smiled from ear to ear as though he had gotten used to it. He only gave a low chuckle.
"What are you doing here, Rezef?"
"There's no classes so I am thinking of spending my time with you."
"I am busy. Find someone else." Vincent answered back grabbing his things and arranging his desk. This morning, there was an announcement that there were will be no classes for the professors had an urgent meeting with the principal.
This left the students studying inside the academy free until tomorrow morning. Vincent who was cleaning all of his belongings inside the bustling classroom had no time to chit chat and wanted to rest. For the past few days, he had been a mess that even his academics were being dragged and he does not want that. He needed rest and perhaps, sleeping this afternoon would help him clear his mind.
That was his initial plan. However, this man, Rezef had been pestering him since the announcement was made and now, he had said that he wanted to spend his time with Vincent alone.
"Everyone is boring except you, Vincent," Rezef countered.
Vincent frowned the moment he heard that. He glared at Rezef but he just gave Vincent a smile as though there was nothing wrong in his statement. There he has it again. That aura that was telling all the people around him that he was like a dog, adorable and harmless.
Rezef Andrew Grace, that was his name.
He was the only son of Marquis Ronald Grace and the heir to his father's title. This man who had emerald green eyes and blonde hair was smiling from ear to ear like he always was. It was a coincidence that they had met.
It was only a simple afternoon inside the halls where Vincent and Rezef had been involve in a simple event in their academy where they had to participate in order to build connections and a stable relationship with their classmates.
Of course, it looked just like that but most people would see that the event the instructors and professors had planned had a hidden agenda to it. It was normal for the strong to dominate the weak and the instructors had already begun establishing such hierarchy that would soon be hard for the students to ignore.
Vincent refused.
Coincidentally, Rezef found Vincent's refusal to be amusing and Vincent regretted that moment.
From that day forth, he had been following him.
"Vincent?" Another voice. This time, Vincent saw a gorgeous brunette with blue eyes walking towards him.
Anna Loraine Hemsworth. The beautiful and elegant daughter of the Count of Hemsworth. There were rumors that said she was treasured by most of her siblings and even parents. Maybe that was also the reason why she was persistent in making friends and wanting to get close to Vincent.
In Vincent's point of view, their standing in the society has a bigger distance. She was someone he doesn't want himself to associate with.
"Is there something?" Vincent asked. Rezef was now standing close to him. Both of them were looking down at Anna who was smiling at them sweetly.
"Are you going to spend your time together? Can I come too?"
Vincent laughed inwardly. "No. I am tired. If both of you wanted to hang out and play friends, then, help yourselves and do not drag me."
A shock expression soon destroyed Anna's smiling face.
Lifeless and cold.
It was a cold voice that both Rezef and Anna heard. In their minds, it looked like Vincent had already drawn the line between them.
Vincent turned grabbing his things and left the classroom without saying an farewell. He couldn't careless.
Anna was left there standing. Soon after, her friends come over but she just continue to watch Vincent's back until it disappear from a distance.
However, Rezef followed him. He was still smiling. For him, he was already used to Vincent's words and actions.
"How cold of you. Didn't you know that she like you?" Rezef opened the topic as they walked out of the classroom and enter their respective doors.
"Her liking me is not relevant to what I feel for her." Vincent hated the term like or love. It was something he never thought of and never want to feel.
Rezef stared for a moment. He then smiled again. "How heartless, Vincent. Is this what your sister had taught you?" Rezef asked. It made Vincent paused for a moment. He pursed his lips and he continued to walk. This time it was a bit faster that Rezef had a hard time following him.
"Did I hit the nerve?" He asked, no. He's more like provoking.
"Rezef, are you curious about my sister?" Vincent asked n the end. They were now inside the building of their dormitory. However, no one was around in the hallway except for them. Both of them standing side by side. There was a tension between them. It looked like a fragile glass that can be broken for any moment.
Hearing Vincent's question, Rezef laughed. His laugh vibrated through the entire hallway echoing through the walls. He then said after. "Yes, Vincent. I am curious to the person who was able to pass the qualifications of the previous Duke of Halstead. I am already sure to myself that she is a very outstanding person."
"Is that why you are clinging to me like a slug?"
"Yes. But who knows, maybe we'll be able to build friendship after this."
Vincent cold stare at him. "I do not want to become friends with someone more cunning than you."
--
After the heated conversation, Vincent was finally able to return to his room. His room was simple. Few furniture for him to use and books in the bookshelves. His desk was covered of papers. Although everything was simple, Vincent knew that this room was prepared with all of the high grade materials the the academy could even buy.
He was the heir of the Halsteads. He was always treated with respect and expectations that he felt so tired with it. Even in a small classroom, gazes of admiration, benevolence, expectations, and even greed was there.
It was very trying for him to live like that but his fate had always been like this from the moment he was born and from the moment he had received the name, Vincent Raphael Halstead.
He was already used to hearing that. However, he was in distress. Vincent put down all of his belongings on his bed and walked to his table. There he saw what he had written few days ago.
On the paper, a certain name had been scribbled.
Neirin Circe Halstead. It was the name of his adopted sister.
For the past few days he kept dreaming. It was glimpses that he would soon forgot the moment he woke up. However, a few days after that, a certain imaged kept playing.
There was blood and his sister was crying. She kept mumbling words after words until she died. And then, he saw himself. Lifeless and ready to die. However, there was light. And there was a person who seemed to be negotiating with him.
He had a smile on his face. He gave Vincent words of assurance. He can't remember what.
Was their relationship that close? No.
Vincent still treated Neirin as a threat to his position. So, why would he dream of that? Why did she cry? What were her words? And what did he do after that?
For some reason, Vincent was skeptical to sleep afraid that he would soon piece every dream he had seen and find conclusion.
He was a little afraid that his determination would soon waver.
But that was all just a dream. A product of his subconscious mind and it wasn't true.
That's right. He should not be swayed especially right now that her sister was moving. He had been using Dylan as his informer and from time to time he would report to Vincent about the recent developments of the duchess and her works.
He knew that she met the emperor and the crown prince. He also knew what happened to the Hilstone salon and to the court of Miracles. Although he had a definite understanding of what the court of miracles were, he was still doubtful.
It was an organization that his father built. Would he be able to handle it?
Vincent stared at the papers on the desk. His sister's name was there.
'Would I still find my place after I go back?'
--