Severus joined Adrian and the group outside the classroom, still buzzing with excitement. The old tavern was known for its lively atmosphere, and he could already feel the thrill of the night ahead.
Adrian led the way, chatting animatedly. "You won't believe what I heard! They've got this new drink called 'Firestorm'—apparently, it's so strong, it can knock you off your feet!"
Severus laughed, catching Adrian's infectious energy. "Sounds like a challenge! I'm ready to take it on."
As they walked, Severus's mind occasionally flickered to the possible consequences of breaking the rule, but he quickly pushed those thoughts aside. Tonight was about having fun. He wanted to enjoy every moment without worrying about what might happen.
Arriving at the tavern, Severus's eyes sparkled with anticipation. The place was bustling with noise and laughter, the dim light and warm, smoky atmosphere inviting them inside.
Adrian waved him over to a corner table where their friends were already seated, drinks in hand. "Here we are! Grab a seat. We're about to kick off the night!"
Severus took a seat, his grin widening as he saw the array of bottles and mugs spread out on the table. He reached for a drink, trying to look nonchalant, though his excitement was evident.
One of the other friends, a girl with a mischievous smile named Lila, nudged him. "So, Severus, heard you were in for a wild night! You ready to show us what you've got?"
Severus chuckled, raising his mug. "Absolutely. Let's make tonight one to remember!"
They toasted and began chatting, the conversation flowing freely. Severus was fully immersed in the fun, his earlier worries fading into the background. He was determined to make the most of the night, pushing aside thoughts of rules and potential trouble.
As the evening went on, Severus's laughter and good spirits were unwavering. He danced, sang, and enjoyed the company of his friends, each moment filled with light-hearted enjoyment. The risk of punishment seemed like a distant thought, overshadowed by the joy of the night.
For now, Severus was content to let the fun take over, hoping that whatever came next would be worth every bit of the risk.
As the night went on, Severus and his friends were fully absorbed in their celebration, with laughter ringing through the tavern. Meanwhile, trouble was brewing elsewhere.
A few tables away, a group of students had been keeping an eye on them. One of these students, eager to stay in the authorities' good graces, reported their rule-breaking to Elijah and Elex, who were meeting with the disciples. They informed them of the group's violation of the Eleonorin Palace's drinking rule.
Elijah, quick to address rule breaches, turned to Elex. "Looks like we have a problem," Elijah said, his voice serious. "Get the guards. We need to deal with this right away."
At the same time, Evreux was relaxing in the palace garden, trying to unwind after an earlier confrontation. His peace was interrupted when a palace guard approached him urgently.
"Master Evreux, some students are breaking the drinking rule at the old tavern. Elijah and Elex are heading there with the guards."
Evreux's face grew serious as he took in the news. "I'll go with them. We should handle this ourselves."
The guards quickly assembled and made their way to the old tavern. When they arrived, the noise from inside was loud enough to hear from outside. Elijah, Elex, and Evreux approached the entrance, ready to confront the students.
Inside the tavern, Severus was in high spirits, raising his mug in a toast with Adrian. "To an unforgettable night!" he shouted over the noise.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Elijah, Elex, and Evreux entered with their guards. The lively atmosphere in the tavern fell silent, and everyone's attention turned to the newcomers.
Severus's smile faded as he saw the stern faces of the authorities. His heart sank. He exchanged worried looks with Adrian and the others, realizing that their night of fun had taken a serious turn.
Elijah stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Severus, Adrian, and friends, you're all breaking the palace's drinking rule. You'll need to come with us."
Severus's excitement vanished, replaced by a sinking feeling. He tried to respond bravely but found himself speechless. The rule he had ignored so casually now felt very real.
Evreux looked at Severus with a mix of disappointment. "Let's go," he said firmly, leading the way for the group to follow.
The lively night had turned into a heavy silence as Severus and his friends prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
The fun was over.
As Elijah, Elex, and Evreux led Severus and his friends out of the tavern, the lively noise and music were replaced by a heavy silence. The students realized their night of fun had taken a serious turn.
They were taken back to the palace, where they faced the punishment for breaking the Eleonorin Palace's drinking rule. They arrived at the punishment hall, a place known for strictly enforcing the palace's laws.
Severus, looking pale, exchanged worried glances with Adrian and the others. This was the second time he had been caught breaking the rules, and he knew the punishment would be severe. His friends, caught for the first time, were also scared, especially the girls who were not used to such harsh consequences.
The guards lined them up, and Elijah, with a stern face, spoke to them. "You're all guilty of breaking the drinking rule. Severus, as a repeat offender, will get 100 lashes. The rest of you will get 50 each. This is to make sure you understand the seriousness of the rules."
Severus's heart sank. The punishment was going to be harsh, and hearing it made it even more real. He tried to stay strong, but he was sweating from fear. Adrian and the others, especially the girls, looked very shaken.
The punishment was carried out quickly and efficiently. Severus went first, and the sound of the lashes was both painful and haunting. Each strike reminded him of the rule he had broken and the consequences of his actions. He gritted his teeth, trying not to show weakness, even though the pain was intense.
His friends watched, fear and sympathy on their faces. When it was their turn, they prepared for the punishment. The lashes were severe, but the girls, though scared, faced their punishment with quiet strength. The sounds of the lashes and the occasional cries of pain filled the hall.
As the punishment ended, the atmosphere in the hall was heavy. Severus, though hurting, tried to keep his spirits up. He forced a weak grin at Adrian and the others, trying to offer some comfort despite the pain.
Evreux stood to the side, his expression cold and unfeeling. His anger and disappointment were evident. As the students were led away, Evreux stepped forward, his voice icy.
"Severus," he said, his tone sharp, "you've done it again. I trusted you to learn from your mistakes, but clearly, you haven't."
Severus, wincing from the pain, managed a half-hearted chuckle. "Well, Evreux, you know me. I guess I just like to keep things interesting."
Evreux's eyes narrowed. "Interesting? Is that what you call it? Breaking the rules and causing trouble? You're a repeat offender, and it's clear you have no respect for the rules or the people who enforce them."
Severus tried to keep his tone light despite the tension. "Come on, Evreux. It's not like I meant to cause all this trouble. I was just having a good time."
Evreux's face hardened. "A good time? Do you realize how serious this is? You've wasted our time and disrespected the rules that everyone else follows. This is not a game. It's about discipline and respect, which you seem to lack."
Severus looked down, his smile fading. "I get it, Evreux. I messed up. But you don't have to be so harsh about it."
Evreux's gaze was steely. "Harsh? You've been warned before. This is the consequence of your actions. Maybe now you'll understand that there are serious repercussions for breaking the rules."
As the punishment hall fell silent, Severus's forced grin had faded completely. He tried to stand straight, but the pain and Evreux's harsh words were wearing him down. Evreux stepped closer, his anger palpable.
"Severus," Evreux said, his voice dripping with contempt, "You're the only one who keeps breaking the rules. It's clear you have no respect for this place or its authority. I've had enough of your reckless behavior."
Severus flinched at the coldness in Evreux's tone. He tried to stay composed, but the harsh words cut deep. "Evreux, I... I didn't mean to..."
Evreux's expression didn't soften. "Didn't mean to? This isn't just about one mistake. You've had countless chances to learn and change. If you continue this behavior, I'll have no choice but to kick you out of the palace. You're not fit to be here if you can't follow the rules."
Severus's eyes widened, and he looked down, his voice barely a whisper. "You really hate me, don't you?"
Evreux's gaze was unyielding. "Hate? It's not about hate. It's about maintaining order and respect. Your actions show you don't care about either. If you can't prove you're capable of respecting the rules, then maybe you don't belong here."
The words hit Severus hard. He felt a lump in his throat, the weight of Evreux's judgment pressing down on him. He realize that he might be expelled from the palace that made him feel a deep sense of despair.
Evreux turned away, his posture rigid. "Consider this your final warning. You need to decide if you're going to change or face the consequences."
Severus watched as Evreux walked away. He stood there feeling lost. The palace, once a place of excitement and joy for him, now felt like a place where he might not have a future.
As Severus and his friends were led away from the punishment hall. The harsh words from Evreux echoed in his mind, adding to the physical pain he was already feeling.
When they reached a quiet corner of the palace, away from the guards and other students, Severus turned to Adrian, Lila, and the others.
"Guys," Severus began, his voice low and urgent, "please, don't let my brother and sister know about this. They don't need to worry, especially after all that's happened."
Adrian looked at him with a mix of sympathy and confusion. "Are you sure? I mean, they're your family. They might want to know."
Severus shook his head quickly. "No, it's not about them wanting to know. It's just… I don't want to add to their stress. I can handle this.
Lila, spoke up. "Severus, we all care about you. If you need support, they're the ones who'd want to be there for you."
Severus sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I know they would. But I just need to deal with this on my own right now. Please, just keep this between us."
The group exchanged worried glances but nodded in agreement. Adrian placed a reassuring hand on Severus's shoulder. "Alright, we won't say anything."
Severus managed a faint smile. "Thanks. I really appreciate it."
" So, we'll go now. See you around, Severus." Adrian tapped his shoulder before walking away together with the others.
Later that evening, as Severus lay on his bed in his room. The pain from the lashes had begun to throb, making it hard for him to get comfortable. The silence of the room was both a blessing and a curse—quiet enough for his thoughts to swirl uncontrollably.
A soft knock on the door pulled him from his reverie. It was a gentle, familiar knock that he recognized immediately. He sat up slowly, his heart sinking. The knock came again, followed by a soft, concerned voice.
"Severus? Are you in there?"
It was Seiren, his older sister. Her voice was warm, but there was an edge of worry. Severus hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. He didn't want to lie, but he also didn't want to burden her with the details of what had happened.
"Yeah, I'm here," he called out, trying to sound casual.
The door opened, and Seiren stepped in, her expression softening as she saw him. Her eyes quickly took in the sight of him—clearly in pain and looking troubled. She moved to sit on the edge of his bed, her hand gently touching his arm.
"Severus, you look awful. What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Severus winced but tried to force a smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just had a bit of a rough day."
Seiren's eyes narrowed slightly. "A rough day? You're clearly in pain. Did something happen? You can tell me."
Severus sighed.
He struggled for the right words, knowing that he couldn't keep lying to his sister. "Alright, something did happen. I… I got into trouble for breaking the drinking rule at the tavern, again."
Seiren's eyes widened in shock. "You did? But why—"
"I know, I know. I messed up," Severus interrupted, his voice weary. "It's already dealt with. I just… don't want to worry you"
Seiren's expression softened with empathy. "Severus, you're my brother. I worry about you, no matter what. It's my job to be there for you, even if you don't want to burden me"
Severus looked down. "I didn't mean to keep it a secret to you Ate. I just thought—"
Seiren cut him off gently. "It's okay. What matters is that you're safe. But you have to promise me something, next time, come to me when you're in trouble, instead of trying to handle it alone.And please avoid causing troubles. If Sixten will know this, he'll surely pinch you, nonstop."
Severus nodded, a bit of relief washing over him. "I promise. Thanks, sis. And please promise me not to tell this to Sixten, I don't want to get pinch"
She smiled softly and squeezed his arm. "Okay. Get some rest. You need it."
"Hmmm"
As Seiren left the room, Severus lay back on his bed, feeling a lighter than earlier.