The three young boys tried to remain as quiet as possible, holding their breaths as they observed the scene unfolding before them. This was the first time they had seen the infamous committee head this close. Sure, they had seen him countless times during the morning assemblies, but it was from a long distance. He had always seemed like something otherworldly—a figure carved from marble, cold and imposing.
Now, with him standing just a few feet away, his sharp gaze and calm demeanor unnerved them in a way they couldn't quite describe.
They exchanged nervous glances, their unease palpable, none daring to disturb the moment. It was like standing in a snow-laden forest, where even the softest step would cause an avalanche.
Lucien's voice rang in a smooth and composed tone. "Your belongings will arrive shortly," he said, his golden eyes scanning the room with calculated precision. "I've instructed the workers to ensure your space is cleaned and arranged properly."
Noah looked up at his brother, the hesitation clear in his expression. "It's okay, Brother… I can… handle it," he replied softly, a stark contrast to Lucien's firm presence.
His crimson eyes flicked toward his roommates, a hint of worry flashing through them. The last thing Noah wanted was to inconvenience his new roommates. After all, they had only just met, and Noah feared that having workers barge in would set the wrong tone.
"Are you sure? There will be plenty of things to set up," Lucien asked, his voice smooth yet laced with a faint edge of skepticism. His golden eyes flickered down, observing Noah with quiet intensity.
Noah nodded firmly, his small hands gripping the straps of his bag as though it were a lifeline. "I-I promise I'll handle it nicely, Brother Lucien," he said, his voice soft but filled with unwavering determination.
Lucien studied him for a moment longer, his gaze unreadable, before he gave a small nod. "Alright, as you wish."
Noah's face lit up with a bright smile, his relief evident. Looking up at Lucien's tall frame, he felt a familiar warmth settle in his chest.
Brother Lucien really is kind. Noah's crimson eyes shimmered with gratitude as they locked onto Lucien's golden ones.
Noah looked at him with unguarded fondness, like the unwavering glow of a lantern in the dark, unafraid of being extinguished.
Lucien found it almost laughable how much faith and admiration the boy carried for him. Such a foolish being.
Finally, Lucien turned his attention to the other three boys who had been standing quietly, their presence almost swallowed by the tension in the room. The moment his golden gaze landed on them, they straightened instinctively, as though responding to an unspoken command.
Lucien offered them a polite but disarming smile, the kind that carried effortless charm and authority. "Please look after my younger brother and get along well," he said smoothly, as though it were less of a request and more of an expectation.
The boys blushed slightly, a mixture of nervousness and awe spreading across their faces at Lucien's radiant smile.
"Of course!" Silas blurted out energetically, his voice brimming with enthusiasm as if he wanted to leave a good impression.
The other two nodded along in agreement, though their movements were stiffer, clearly more apprehensive under Lucien's piercing gaze.
Lucien turned to Noah one last time before leaving. "Take care. Be sure to inform me if there are any inconveniences," he said, his tone calm and deliberate.
"I will," Noah replied with a bright, earnest smile.
Lucien gave a faint nod and strode out. The soft echo of his footsteps receded down the hallway, followed by the faint click of the door closing as he exited.
The silence in the room stretched for a beat longer, heavy with the weight of Lucien's departure. Then, like a spark igniting dry tinder, the quiet exploded into murmurs.
"Noah! Is Lucien really your brother?" Dorian asked, his voice pitching upward in excitement as his wide eyes flicked between Noah and the door Lucien had disappeared through.
"Wait, wait, so you're a Marcellus too? Seriously?!" Silas practically shouted, leaning forward as if that might somehow confirm the truth faster.
"Guys, calm down," Jude sighed, adjusting his glasses with a flick of his fingers. His exasperation was evident, though the slight furrow in his brow hinted at his own curiosity.
"Well… he's my cousin," Noah admitted quietly, his voice laced with a mix of pride and self-consciousness.
"Unbelievable!" Silas gasped, throwing his hands up. The idea of sharing a room with someone even remotely connected to the illustrious Marcellus family felt surreal.
His mind raced, trying to piece together why a member of such a prestigious household would be staying in a modest dorm room like theirs. Why is he even here in the first place? Silas wondered, though he quickly dismissed the thought with a mental shrug. Rich boys must have their curiosity. Good for him, he guessed.
Silas grinned brightly. "Noah, why don't I show you your bed so you can start unpacking?" he offered.
"T-Thank you," Noah replied, his relief evident in the gentle curve of his smile.
The dorm room was a far cry from the opulence Noah had grown used to, but it had its own kind of charm. The wooden floor bore scratches from years of use, giving it a lived-in feel. Four neatly made beds were arranged against the walls, each with a simple nightstand and a small shelf for personal items. A single window let in soft, golden afternoon light, illuminating the room, and the air carried the scent of freshly cleaned linen.
As Silas guided Noah to his designated corner, the workers began delivering Noah's belongings, each piece carefully carried in and placed with precision. The boys worked together to help him unpack as they chatted animatedly.
It took some time, but eventually, Noah's corner of the room came together. The space wasn't grand, but it was his. He was now ready for his campus life.
- - - - - -
The flights of stairs stretched before Lucien, twisting upward like the coils of a serpent, as he climbed them with a steady, measured pace. His polished shoes clicked softly against the stone steps, the sound rhythmic as it resonated gently against the walls.
Upon reaching the hallway of the Academic Building, Lucien's gaze immediately swept toward the balcony, where his friends were already waiting. Theodore stood against a pillar with a pamphlet loosely held in his hands, eyes scanning the page with detached focus. Kevin, on the other hand, leaned casually on the railing, his arms folded as his eyes wandered aimlessly toward the sky, lost in thought.
Around them, students bustled with the familiar rush of campus life, moving like an undulating current of chatter and footsteps. As they passed, their gazes lingered longer than was polite, drawn to the three figures near the balcony. Yet none dared to openly stare; their interest was veiled and careful.
Theodore was the first to notice Lucien's arrival, his eyes flicking up from the pamphlet with a lazy smile tugging at his lips. "Where did you disappear off to?" he asked with a hint of amusement.
Lucien withdrew his hand from his pocket, his fingers moving with smooth precision to adjust his tie. "Noah arrived today," he replied. "I was helping him settle in." His tone remained calm, devoid of any particular emotion.
John had given him clear instructions the night before to help Noah adjust to his new environment, assisting with whatever was necessary. It was a directive he was dutifully following.
Theodore blinked in mild surprise. "Ah, right. He did mention it in one of his letters," he mused, before casually returning to his pamphlet with a light shrug.
Lucien raised an eyebrow at the unexpected statement. He hadn't been aware that Theodore and Noah were close enough to exchange correspondence. Considering Theodore's personality, it was rather unusual for him to be so invested in someone, especially someone like Noah.
But, as always, Lucien chose not to dwell on matters that didn't concern him directly.
The melodic chime of the period bell rang out heavily, its deep sound reverberating through the building like the toll of a distant cathedral, signaling the end of break.
The students, once leisurely walking, now quickened their pace as they scurried back to their respective classrooms, their footsteps echoing like a wave of quiet urgency.
"It seems there's a new patisserie opening nearby," Theodore remarked, folding the pamphlet and slipping it into his pocket. "Why don't we check it out sometime?"
Kevin, who had been quiet up until that point, stretched his arms above his head with a lazy yawn. "Why don't you go by yourself?" he replied bluntly, his tone laced with disinterest.
"Always so pleasant, aren't you?" Theodore shot back with a grin.
Lucien glanced at the two of them with mild amusement as they began walking down the hall together. The students around them instinctively parted, halting in their hurried strides to let them pass with almost subconscious deference.
The world beyond the building seemed to mirror their own rhythm. Birds sang cheerfully in the trees, their melodies blending with the distant hum of campus life. The dappled shade from the towering trees offered respite from the sun's steady, golden heat, and the faint scent of fresh grass hung in the air.
The day resumed peacefully, its natural cadence undisturbed.