'They say the future is full of surprises….'
It was a sentiment both subjectively and objectively true – after all, unless you're a prophet or a seer, you can never truly foresee what lies ahead.
And now here I was, standing in the midst of one such surprise.
"This is my uniform?" I queried, my eyes widening in awe as I beheld the garment presented to me by the duchess.
She smiled happily, her eyes twinkling with pride as she showcased the slick black uniform adorned with intricate gold details along the sides and collars. The pants, matching in black, exuded a sense of elegance and authority. At the back, a striking golden wing-like symbol caught my attention, while a sleek black coat and a vibrant red necktie completed the ensemble.
'Abel royal academy'
There was no mistaking it – this was the uniform of the Abel Royal Academy, renowned throughout the empire for its prestigious education and rigorous training.
An academy specially funded by the first emperor, a prestigious institution where nobles and royalty alike congregated to hone their skills in magic, swordsmanship, and various other disciplines.
It stood as a beacon of excellence, drawing applicants from far and wide, even from other nations.
While commoners occasionally found their way into its halls, they were a minority, often gaining entry through either familial wealth or the rare scholarship bestowed by the imperial royalty.
It was the dream school of countless aspirants, a symbol of status and opportunity. And yet, here I stood, dumbfounded, as the duchess handed me a uniform bearing the emblem of that very same academy.
"Try it on," she commanded, her gaze sweeping over me from head to toe.
"E-excuse me, my lady, but I don't—" I began to protest, but she cut me off.
"Try it, okay?" Her tone brooked no argument as she gently pushed me towards the private quarters of her room.
Her determination, reminiscent of my young miss's stubbornness, caught me off guard. Perhaps she had inherited that trait from her mother after all, though I had always attributed it to the duke.
With a sigh, I complied, slipping into the uniform with a mixture of trepidation and curiosity
As I gazed at my reflection in the grand mirror of her opulent room, a heavy weight settled in my mind.
The events of the past few days remained unresolved: the sinister presence that haunted me with its perpetual smile, the unsettling world that felt too real to be merely a dream, and the strained relationship with my young miss, who continued to avoid me.
The nightmares, too, lingered like shadows in the recesses of my mind. With each passing moment, my apprehension grew, compounded by the unexpected gift of the uniform.
'Was the Duchess contemplating enrolling me in the academy?'
Shaking off my doubts, I shed my butler's attire and hastily donned the uniform. I couldn't bear to keep her waiting any longer.
As I emerged from her chambers, I made sure to present myself as the epitome of elegance and poise.
After all, in the face of uncertainty, a semblance of confidence was my only refuge.
….
After a few minutes in the Duchess's private quarters, Taylor emerged from the dressing room wearing the uniform, looking every bit as dashing as one could imagine.
The fabric hugged his form flawlessly, complementing his sharp features and fiery red hair. His loosened necktie added an air of casual elegance, enhancing the captivating allure of his natural charm.
The Duchess and head maid Bella were both taken aback by Taylor's transformation, their eyes widening in astonishment as they beheld the sight before them.
"You're so handsome, Taylor," the Duchess exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine admiration as she circled around him. Bella, typically composed, nodded in rapid agreement, a rare break in her normally calm demeanor.
"Thank you, Duchess," Taylor replied graciously, though a hint of uncertainty tinged his words. "But may I ask why you are making me wear these?" He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye, despite the flattering compliments.
The Duchess, recovering from her initial surprise, let out a fake cough to regain her composure, her cheeks flushing slightly with embarrassment. She then hid behind her iconic fan, attempting to conceal her blush as she formulated a response.
Taylor felt a familiar weight settle in the pit of their stomach as the duchess handed them a piece of paper, its seal bearing the emblem they knew all too well.
It was the same insignia that adorned his current coat and graced the letters from the Abel Royal Academy—the institution where the young miss of the household studied, receiving only rare and significant correspondences.
"Go on, open it," the duchess urged, a glimmer of anticipation evident in her eyes.
Despite the sinking feeling, Taylor couldn't refuse. With a resigned sigh, he tore the seal apart, their fingers moving almost mechanically.
As the paper unfolded, confirming his suspicions, Taylor's heart sank, the weight of the news heavy upon him.
[Abel Royal Academy]
Dear Taylor Crimson,
On behalf of the Admissions Committee at Abel Royal Academy, I am delighted to extend to you our warmest congratulations on your acceptance to our esteemed institution. Your application stood out among many outstanding candidates, and we are thrilled to welcome you to our academic community.
Your exceptional qualities and achievements were brought to our attention by Duke Kraus, who highly recommended you as an outstanding candidate for admission. Duke Kraus spoke highly of your academic prowess, exemplary character, and dedication to personal and intellectual growth. We hold Duke Kraus in high regard, and his endorsement further solidified our belief in your potential to thrive at Abel Royal Academy.
We believe that you will make significant contributions to our school community through your academic excellence, leadership skills, and commitment to excellence. We are confident that you will embrace the opportunities for growth and learning that our institution provides and that you will emerge as a leader among your peers.
As you embark on this exciting journey at Abel Royal Academy, know that you have our full support and encouragement. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to guide and mentor you every step of the way.
Please accept this letter as confirmation of your acceptance to Abel Royal Academy. We eagerly anticipate your arrival and look forward to witnessing your continued success and accomplishments.
Once again, congratulations on your acceptance, Taylor. We are honored to welcome you to our community.
Sincerely,
[Evangeline Walker]
[Principal]
[Abel Royal Academy]
It took Taylor a good minute or two to digest the contents of the letter fully.
The words seemed to blur together, and they felt a wave of disbelief wash over him.
Crimson? Since when was that his last name? And the duke—did he actually put forward Taylor's name for recommendation?
The shock of it all was enough to make Taylor question his own sanity once more.
'That fucking gorilla actually recommended me of all people?' struggling to comprehend the situation. The implications of the duke's actions were staggering.
Not only had he spoken highly of Taylor to Principal Evangeline, the esteemed last living archmage and grand duchess of the north, but he had also managed to secure Taylor's acceptance into the academy.
As Taylor continued to process the letter, a sense of unease settled in the pit of their stomach.
'Wasn't this technically cheating?'
Taylor had heard rumors about the rigorous entrance exam at the academy, a test designed to sift through the best and brightest minds, regardless of their lineage.
Yet here he was, armed with a forged noble name and a recommendation from a powerful figure.
'How much did he highball my achievements?' feeling a mixture of frustration and betrayal.
The duke's actions had not only potentially undermined Taylor's integrity but also thrust them into a world of privilege and entitlement he never sought.
And then there were the consequences.
Once the other royal and noble children at the academy found out about Taylor's dubious acceptance, they wouldn't simply let it slide.
Afterall people who got accepted because of the principal herself can only be counted in one hand and they were al people who became legends of their own… and now Taylor became one of those said future legends…?
Taylor could already envision the scornful glances and whispered rumors that would follow him through the hallowed halls of the prestigious institution.
Even the duke himself might face repercussions for his actions.
No to mention his young miss… 'Did that idiot think this through?'
"Congratulations, Taylor! You're going to the academy with my dear Stella tomorrow! How do you like my gift?" The duchess beamed with happiness; her excitement palpable as she spoke.
Bella, standing beside her, joined in with genuine applause, their joy evident. It seemed they were truly happy for Taylor.
As Taylor processed the news, a flurry of thoughts raced through their mind. So, this was basically the doing of the duchess and the duke.
'How long had they been planning this?' It was a question that lingered, unanswered, in Taylor's mind.
"Ha-ha, thank you, Duchess," Taylor responded with a forced smile, masking the turmoil beneath the surface. If only he could share in the happiness that surrounded them.
With a heavy heart, Taylor glanced down at the letter in their hand, a slight worry gnawing at their insides.
But after a moment of internal struggle, Taylor let out a resigned sigh.
Perhaps, he reasoned, it wasn't such a bad thing after all.
He could focus on the positives—the opportunity to spend more time with the young miss at the academy, the promise of specialized education that came with their newfound status.
Was this why the duke had been so attentive to Taylor's training, even going as far as to continue late into the night despite claiming to be finished?
After graciously accepting the troublesome gift, Taylor excused themselves from the room, slipping away to retrieve his butler outfit once more.
As he smoothed out the fabric and adjusted the collar, Taylor couldn't help but ponder the events of the day.
With another heavy sigh, he mused over how to conclude the day's affairs. Tomorrow was the big day—the journey to the academy alongside the young miss.
Despite the whirlwind of concerns that had plagued him, thoughts of the impending adventure seemed to cast a comforting light over Taylor's mind.
"Haah... the young miss and I are going to the academy tomorrow..." Taylor murmured to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.
For some reason, the troubles that had weighed heavily upon him seemed to diminish in comparison to the anticipation of spending time with her there.