Night followed, and Vincent was all left in his room without even eating. He wasn't hungry. He wasn't in any mood to swallow food as he reviewed some papers he needed to read. Some of the documents were the academy's papers and activities.
After glancing at it once, he just tossed them over, realizing that he had already read it before. The papers were just some announcements and some activities for the academy's test. He was always prepared for such matters, so he doesn't need to dwell on these and use his energy for such small matters. He should be able to answer them if there were no complications from the very beginning.
He needed to concern himself about the happenings outside this academy. The real world, or so he should say.
Neirin Circe Halstead.
His adopted sister has been doing the job she said she would do, expanding the Halstead duchy's influence while he was here, studying all the necessary things he should learn as the future ruler of the duchy.
For some odd reason, the longer he spent reading the papers about the reports of his shadow, Dylan. His heart palpitated. Soon enough, he felt confusion crawling over him.
Was this fear?
Or was he anxious?
Perhaps, it was both?
All these emotions were new to him. Vincent was always calm as he walked toward the future with a perfect plan. However, one day, with her as a variable, everything became uncertain to him.
Trust was something he found hard to give, to begin with. Although she gave him numerous assurances, Vincent still could not trust her.
Everything in this world has laws. These laws follow a certain pattern and even though there was kindness, love, and even selflessness, in such laws, it was rare and almost no people possess such pure heart.
Although these papers he held were merely reports, he can see how efficient his sister was. It was clear from the information that she did not trust the royal family, even more, the nobles around her; she was efficient enough to eliminate and use the people who wanted to leech over her, especially if she wanted something from them.
She was really moving.
Right now, she was blossoming into someone who could gain and even possibly, dominate the whole noble society through her words and actions. If the court of Miracles were to be her backup, he would be nothing against her.
Inferiority.
This was the feeling he denied all along, only to slap him again with such realization.
Vincent flipped through the pages trying hard to press down the emotions coming to him. He pushed his rationality over the matter and put his feelings aside. His thoughts wouldn't help him if he kept thinking like this.
Focus! He needed to focus!
"Vincent?" A voice with a knock coming from the door interrupted him.
Vincent tried to ignore the familiar voice coming through the door. 'If I don't answer, he'll think I'm asleep and leave,' Vincent thought. But in contrast, the knocking became loud and persistent. It was almost impossible for Vincent to ignore him with his actions.
Vincent frowned and glared at the door as he walked towards it. "What is your bloody problem, Rezef?" Vincent glanced at the clock in his room. "It's ten in the evening! Every student should be in their rooms and dormitories!"
Rezef did not mind Vincent's complaint at all. Instead, he lifts both of his hands, holding a tray. The plate was full of food and even some coffee and tea. Vincent's frown deepens even more.
He wasn't hungry!
"What are you trying to do?"
Rezef shrugs, "trying to find an excuse to see you?" He chuckled. "As you can see, I heard from our classmates that you did not leave your room at all. Hence, the food. But more importantly, there is something I wanted to tell and ask you."
'Asked?' Such word caught Vincent's attention.
Although Rezef was persistent and continuously approached him with any shame, this was the first time he asked something.
Vincent's expression changed. He gave a mocking smile as he leaned toward the door frame. "Ask? Or is it a favor?"
With the immediate change of atmosphere between them, Rezef dropped his mask and smiled viciously. "More like to negotiate." He said those words with the food tray he was holding. Although he looked very intimidating, it was a little bit entertaining for Vincent.
Vincent opened the door widely. "Come in," he gestured and went straight to the sofa.
He moved the documents he was reading moments earlier. He would not want something like this to be known in public. According to the rumors he had heard, the nobles thought they were brothers and sisters. Moreover, some stories say that Vincent completely trusted Neirin, which was why he kept still and quiet inside the academy.
Vincent prefers such rumors.
"Rezef Andrew Grace," Vincent uttered his full name. "How should I view you right now?"
Rezef put down the tray on the table. Vincent grabbed the tea that was still steaming hot. On the other hand, Rezef grabbed the coffee. He crossed his right leg over his left and leaned on the sofa.
"An ally?" Rezef answered. He sipped the coffee. Both of their gaze met. "But you do not trust me, so, I should say the proper term as business partners."
"Business? If you wanted Halstead to fund your family's business, or form ties with us, you should contact my sister. She is the head right now."
"No," Rezef said otherwise. "I wanted something long-term. The duchess right now who sits on the throne of the duke had always made herself clear to everyone that she will only be seating until you come of age."
"Is this the reason why you're leeching to me." It wasn't a question. It was more like a statement.
"Yes and no." Rezef put his coffee on the table and rested his hands on his thigh. He acted like nothing happened when Vincent had uttered those words.
"My father wanted an absolute connection with the Halstead family, so he was thinking if he'll make the duchess as one of our in-laws."
Vincent stayed quiet as Rezef began to talk. "I was the family's only heir, and although I did not have any competition, my father was greedy for fame and power. He thought of marrying me to the princess, but now, the duchess, who was gaining more and more popularity, caught his attention. I received a letter from him before I went to your room."
Vincent asked, "Are you asking me to introduce you to my sister?"
"No. It's the opposite." Rezef shifted his gaze to the window looking outside. Snow begun to fall. The moon was nowhere to be seen and everything was dark outside. "I want us to form a partnership with two specific conditions."
"And that is?"
Rezef gaze went back to Vincent. "Although I do not find the duchess as someone I can marry, I want a different connection to her. I want to learn from her."
"Aren't you viewing my sister in a very high manner?"
"She was worth more than that," Rezef mysteriously countered. "Second, I plan to kill my father sooner or later after I graduate from this academy. I want your absolute help in this matter."
Vincent had already concluded long before Rezef made the statement. He was someone who knew the gaze of a son having to loathe his father. He was once there. So, It wasn't a surprise for him. But the one thing that caught him off guard was his boldness in for asking for such help.
"You wanted to become the new patriarch of the Grace family?"
"Yes." Rezef admitted boldly.
"What makes you so sure that I will help you? I have told you, if you wanted our influence, my sister would be the one you should be talking--"
"You don't trust her completely, Vincent. Do not fool me." Rezef's mischievous expression changed. His gaze looked like someone who had seen though a secret that should not be revealed to anyone.
"I know very well the suspicions you hide from your eyes every time I mentioned her. Besides, although the rumors had been telling us that she was really the daughter of the duke, even though she was an illegitimate child, the facts to back this up do not fit well. Was she someone hired or was she someone who had fooled the duke into thinking that she was his daughter? Vincent, you knew the answers to these questions but you remained here. I know you are also waiting and watching."
Vincent's expression did not change. His gaze just lingered on Rezef face.
"I know that the fame, money, and even social standing of the Grace family cannot be compared to the Halsteads; I can assure you that once you promised me that you'll help, I'll do everything to my best ability to help you. Even if you decide to kill her one day."
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