The bells sounded in the distance, telling the students that it was now time to move to the next classroom. Piera picked up her books from the desk that laid across her lap and turned her attention to a group of three girls in the room that were doing the same. She was able to catch the attention of one and smiled at her, but her friend merely bowed her head briefly before ushering the other two out the door.
Piera knew that she needed to find a way to show them she was no different than before, but she lacked ideas. She wondered if she could talk to Lenore and prepare a plan of attack, but she questioned whether she should be talking to the Princess at all or if Armand was even supposed to inform her of such a story.
With a sigh, she began to move toward the door which caused several students to hurry out of her way. She had never treated any of them poorly and yet they were acting as if she was to be the cruelest queen in the history of Ronea. Part of her wanted to yell at them all to stop treating her like a tyrant, but it would serve no purpose other than to prove she was one.
As she stepped in front of the open door, a gentle smile came to her lips. "My Prince, why are you here?" She asked Lesatan as she took the couple steps down to stand at his level. Other students moved around them to get to class, but they remained untouched by the trampling herd.
"Armand informed me of your hardship." He watched her frown. "Was he not meant to? I'm afraid that my advisers have to keep a path of honesty with me in order for trust to walk between us."
Piera shook her head, "No, I suppose I never asked him to keep the conversation confidential."
He offered out his arm for her to take and when she did, they began to make their way to her next classroom. "If no one wishes to act as your friend while walking between classes then I shall do so personally."
She couldn't help but smile a little. "I am most gracious, but it is quite alright. I wouldn't wish for you to be late for your own classes. Also, some of our classes are so far apart, it would be impossible for us to meet every time."
"Indeed, but not for Enoch and Armand. They have already agreed to meet you." He chuckled. "I had suggested the idea to Krius, but the frown he offered informed me that it would be best to leave him out of our plans."
"He does frown in such a way that you can almost feel your heart stop." Piera told him as they arrived in front of her next class.
"Here we are." He motioned toward the door as other students tried to make their way around them.
During classes, the students weren't meant to concern themselves with station, but nonetheless it was difficult to not care. Eventually, the Prince they ignored or bumped into would be out of classes and he would remember the face of the one that insulted him. So, as the two chatted in front of the classes, students cautiously tried to get around them and into their classroom. All while appearing that they were not listening to the conversation.
"Thank you, truly for escorting me." Piera told him. "I still plan to gain my friendships back, but I am blessed to have your support, milord."
Lesatan nodded his head. "I must hurry or I shall be late." With that he turned around and rushed away.
Piera didn't think she had ever seen him run before, and she smiled once more to know it was she that he had to lose decorum over, but he didn't seem to mind.
Turning around, she headed into the classroom and found her way to her seat as the other students moved out of her way. Sitting down, she continued to smile as she laid her book on the desk and opened it to the page she knew they would be working on. If Lesatan had been anyone other than the Prince, she would be able to tell her friends about this moment and they would all giggle and be jealous of her. For now, however, she would just have to keep these moments to herself.
The classes ended for the day, and Ophelia walked beside the Princess as they were on their way back to the dorms. Krine had been with them briefly, but she had to go to the library and quickly left their side. The two walked quietly as groups of students moved around them as they didn't want to get in Lenore's way.
Ophelia noticed that Lenore seemed to act like it was perfectly normal, and didn't seem bothered by it in the least. Though, Ophelia still felt odd when she walked with Lenore and it occurred.
"So then." Lenore broke the silence. "Remus? I hadn't noticed that there was anything between you two."
The Souchan chuckled. "Do you remember in the beginning of the year how I was interested in Santh?"
Lenore nodded.
"I gave up on my feelings for him, because you seemed to care for him. However, once I stepped away, I realized that there was someone already looking toward me. I was just staring too much at another to notice." She sighed. "It has been rather romantic, truly."
The Princess briefly stuck out her tongue at the thought. "Remus does not seem the type to fawn over a woman such as yourself."
"What does that mean?" Ophelia asked playfully offended.
She shrugged her shoulders, "You can be rather... forgetful. You also gossip endlessly. Remus, on the other hand, seems to always be in control even if he isn't. I wonder how such feelings formed between two very different people."
"Are you wondering for your own personal predicament?" Ophelia clutched the books in her arms a little tighter.
The Princess raised an eyebrow, "What are you suggesting?"
"Santh has softened toward you quite a bit. There are no more arguments or feet stomping, and he follows you around everywhere. There are some rumblings that he and you have become secret lovers." Ophelia giggled at the ridiculous rumor as she thought that she knew Lenore and Santh could not be secret if love had blossomed between them. They could barely contain their infatuation as it stood now.
Lenore frowned then began to open her mouth to speak only to close it as Remus and Santh appeared.
"There you two are." Remus approached. "We were waiting for you at the classroom gates." He informed them though Santh looked annoyed that his friend had given that information away.
"Whatever for?" Lenore asked.
"To ensure you have an escort." Santh snarled.
With a snort, Lenore brushed back some hair from her face. "Ophelia and I have walked home without you two hundreds of times before."
Remus made eye contact with Ophelia and leaned forward to mumble. "I feel a lover's spat in coming."
She giggled at his comment and when he stood up, they both noticed that Lenore and Santh were staring at them.
"Do you wish to share your comment with everyone, Remus?" Lenore was now just as annoyed as Santh.
Remus smirked and looked down at Ophelia. He quickly grabbed her hand before he began to move forward. "I was simply stating that the two of you should have some very private time together so the rest of us will no longer need to hear your frustrations."
Lenore allowed him to pass and then looked up at Santh who seemed to be turning slightly red. "Are you blushing over that comment? I have said far worse to you."
Santh glared down at her before hurrying to catch up with the others.
Dalton made his way toward the Royal Dorms as he had run out of ink during class that day and needed to get another bottle from his room. After wards, he would go to the library to study until it was time to head to the Unmentionable's Dorm. Though he hadn't befriended anyone from the dorm, not even his own sister, he found it to be comfortable. No one asked him about his life as a Vinson and no one treated him poorly like the rest of the Royal Party did. It was as if the group was a bunch of misfits and he was just one of many.
Making his way down the twisting hallways, he saw his door at the end of the hall but a cloaked figure came to stand in front of the door before he arrived. Dalton made his way toward the waiting guest and found himself staring eye to eye with Damek Tahan. He had never met the man before, but his name was as commonly used as Lesatan Cromwell's and even Lenore's.
Damek's father had been the older brother of the King, but from what Dalton had been told the older brother was not meant for this throne. The former King announced his second son as his heir, and gave his older son a large region to rule. The King and his older brother were known to be close friends and there was no hardship between them. However, Damek was not known to be anything like his carefree father.
Before Lesatan took over the school, Damek had been the head of the student council. He took his work seriously, and from the rumors Damek heard the future duke was an excellent ruler. The school was flourishing under his leadership, but once Lesatan arrived and stole the seat from him, it all returned to the way it had been as Lesatan overruled ever edict he could.
"Dalton Vinson, I assume you know who I am." Damek pulled the black hood from his head and watch as the man gave a brief nod. "I have been racking my brain to decide if we are actually related. Lenore is my cousin, and she is your sister, but yet we are not cousins. It is a strange phenomena."
Dalton felt his heart begin to beat quickly. He didn't know if he was afraid of the man before him or afraid of the many times he had been approached and found himself the center of torment. Damek remained in front of the dark wood door and didn't seem interested in making this conversation private, so Dalton chose not to offer. The hallway was empty enough as it was and it truly didn't matter. "Yes, it is."
"Technically, we aren't related at all. How odd our relationship is. In fact, this is the first time we have ever spoken though I have seen you about before." Damek cleared his throat. "Speaking of ties that bind, how is your mother?"
"Still bitter."
He nodded his head, "Yes, anyone would be bitter after losing their link to such power. Though I hear for your mother it is love and not power that drove her." He chuckled. "As if we are to believe a servant girl is not driven into such a man's arms because of the position he holds." Damek waited for a response as if he thought he was goading Dalton, but Dalton merely pressed his lips together. "I suppose that my approaching you seems odd, however. I am not doing this casually, and in fact have a purpose."
"What would that be?" Dalton didn't know if he should use a title for him. They were of equal status, and if he showed submission to him now, he might never live it down when they both became Dukes.
"I have heard that you visit the Unmentionable's Dorm nearly every day. Visiting your sister?" He crossed his arms.
"She offers a study group, and I am in dire need of instruction." Dalton informed him. He didn't know why every answer was falling from his lips. He normally would ignore most people and their questions, but Damek made him feel like he had no other option.
The council member nodded his head, "I wonder what Lenore is like in familiar circumstances. When she approaches me it is always to act as the Princess, never as a cousin or friend."
The questions were beginning to confuse him as they really seemed to have no purpose other than being completely random. Yet, questions about Lenore were a touchy subject for him. It was part anger toward her and part desire to protect her. "She isn't much different, though I suppose she is more playful. Why are do you ask after my sister?"
"She has been visiting me often over her protests, and I am trying to understand why she is acting in this manner. She has never seemed to care for the suffering of others before, and therefore I wonder what her plans are. They seem rather scandalous, don't you agree?"
Dalton shrugged his shoulders, "Princess Lenore does not keep me within her private circle. I am afraid if you want information about her plans I would not be the one to ask. Try the Souchan traitor's daughter or even that Mondue pup of hers."
Damek knew when to end a conversation, he bowed his head. "Thank you, I just might."
Lenore and Ophelia chatted about their etiquette class as Santh and Remus followed behind them. They were making their way back to the dorm or so the boys thought, but the two girls would often stop to speak to each other longer. It caused many annoyed looked to be offered between the two males of the group.
"How many years do we need to be told how to drink tea?" Ophelia sighed, "I grow tired of learning the same lessons every year, and it's only my second year."
The Princess chuckled, "You should take the Combat Classes with us next year. I'm sure you couldn't do worse than Remus."
Ophelia laughed and looked toward Remus.
"I am the money behind the hired sword. There is a place for us all." Remus crossed his arms and glared playfully at the two women.
Santh realized that they were standing in the flower court just outside the dirt path, and wondered how long the two would take before they decided to go in. It had already been ten minutes but they continued to linger. He thought he would go in himself, but decided against it when he realized it would leave them alone with Remus.
"It is still pathetic when you can not even pick up the sword that you paid such hard earned coin for." Lenore teased.
"I..." Remus' mouth closed as he watched the approaching man in a familiar shirt.
"My Princess." Krius came to stop in front of the four of them, his eyes turned to Ophelia. "Lady Romanus." He gave a bow to each of them, but seemed to ignore the two men entirely. "I apologize for the interruption, however I was hoping that I could speak with you in private."
Before Lenore could respond, a large form stepped in front of her. Santh glared up at the taller Mondue. "The Princess has no interest in being alone with you." He growled.
Krius' face remained completely neutral. "I shall allow milady to make that decision. Excuse yourself from my view."
Santh crossed his arms to show he was defiant.
Ophelia stepped behind Lenore as did Remus. She wrapped her arm around his own and feared for the worse, though Remus merely patted her hand to comfort her. They both knew that Lenore would have to step in to prevent this from going too far.
"I was not aware that the Princess allows commoners to make decisions for her." Krius spoke the words to Santh, but it was as if he were speaking through him to Lenore.
Lenore knew that Santh might have a chance in a fight against Krius, after all Santh was the unarmed champion. However, she knew that politically he would lose. "Santh, thank you, but that is enough." She placed her hand on his arm and walked around him to look at Krius.
Santh looked horrified by her decision. "Lenore, you can't..."
"Do not address the Princess in such a familiar manner!" Krius barked and grabbed Santh's collar. "She is your Princess and you will speak to her in a manner befitting her station!"
Santh and Krius stood with their death glares locked. The actions between the two men caused many of the passing students to take notice of them. Santh knew better than to fight the man in those moments, though he knew he could have released himself from his grip.
"Krius, release him!" Lenore yelled which drew more attention to the situation.
He did as she ordered him.
"I decide how my friends speak to me!" Lenore continued to raise her voice and came to stand in front of the giant Mondue.
"Yes, milady. Forgive me." He lowered his head.
Santh had enough and stormed off down the dirt path before another word could be spoken to him.
Lenore watched him before turning back to Krius, "Follow me." She snapped.
Ophelia and Remus watched the two walk into the crowd of students, before Ophelia turned her attention to the man beside her. She smiled widely at him.
"What has made you so giddy after witness such intense drama?" Remus questioned.
"Lord La Croix was wearing my shirt. Doesn't he look dashing?" She released his arm and turned to head down the dirt path.
Remus frowned and raised his voice as he followed after her. "Well, where is my shirt? I'll wear your shirt."
Jolon and Anton had gone to gather Saena after classes. She had told them that there was little to do this week, and she would be allowed to leave early that day. When they approached the dining hall's back door, Saena was sitting on the steps waiting for them. She smiled and quickly made her way over to them.
She had been studying with them as much as she could, and would do nothing at home except her chores and more reading. The books had to be hidden from her father for now, as he wouldn't be able to understand why she was bothering. She also knew that eventually the truth behind what she was doing would come out, and everyone in the Servant's Guild would think that she was abandoning them. She feared for when that day would arrive, but she hadn't voiced her concern to anyone just yet.
The three decided to use the servants' pathways to get to their dorm, as they didn't want anyone to question why Saena was with them. The dirt paths could be muddy during the rainy season, and at night they became very dark. Saena had learned to navigate them during her time at the university though Jolon and Anton seemed rather uncomfortable walking through the wooded area with her.
"I do not believe I have ever properly apologized for my cousins." Saena told Anton as they walked side by side.
Jolon moved ahead of them and looked over his shoulder when she spoke.
Anton's face at first looked pained before a smirk appeared upon his lips. "I wouldn't concern myself, just promise that you will not try again. Women in your family seem to be repulsed by me."
Saena opened her mouth to argue, but there was nothing she could say. All evidence pointed to just that. For some reason the women in her family had turned tail and run the moment they had seen him. "I wonder what it is. I am not repulsed by you."
Anton laughed as he looked toward Jolon ahead of them. "Well, thank you, I think."
She seemed to realize her mistake and covered her mouth. "I didn't mean..." She took a deep breath. "I meant to say you are not repulsive, and I do not understand why they both had that sort of reaction to you."
Jolon stopped and turned to face the two of them. "You needn't worry, Saena. Anton has had more than his fair share of admirers. Your cousins' rejections is meaningless to him."
"Oh?" Saena stood on the dirt path with the two men who had both come to a stop. The dying trees around them were releasing their colored leaves. "You have? Yet, you always seem so alone. I thought perhaps you were too shy, or..." She cut herself off as she knew it would only lead her to another embarrassing comment.
Anton smirked at his friend before responding to the girl. "I am very private about my... affairs, but you need not worry, I am not lonely."
She smiled sheepishly, "Then I will do as you ask and not worry myself." Her eyes turned to Jolon, "We should hurry along, I left early so I could study longer today."
They all agreed and began to make their way toward the dorm.
"I am curious how so many males can share a dorm with two women both of which have great power and riches in their futures..." Saena began to speak when there was too much silence between the three of them. "How is it possible that nothing has happened? Though, I would guess that they are both ladies that would not wish to do their reputations harm."
Both men chuckled at her final sentence as they knew them too well.
"The Royal Dorms has both females and males." Anton shrugged.
"That is true enough, though she is right in some manner. In truth, they are both somewhat claimed, aren't they? Even if no official relationship stands." Jolon was thinking out loud more than talking to the two people behind him.
Saena had no response and looked to Anton for an answer.
"Routine and Lenore are official." He told his friend.
Jolon nodded, "I suppose. Are we almost there, Saena?"
"Just a little bit farther."
Lenore found her way to a solitary tree near the Royal Dorms and turned to face Krius who had followed behind her the entire way. She crossed her arms and glared up at the much larger being. Her eyes demanding to know why she had to be dragged away from her friends to speak with a man she had no interest in.
"Was my actions toward your friend appropriate?" He asked referring to Ophelia. "I wore the shirt she provided me as well." He plucked the sleeve briefly. The anger and annoyance that he had to portray toward the traitor's daughter was evident in his voice. Though Lenore wondered why he had been so kind to her before, but when he was ordered to be so he found it to be a nuisance. "I hope she was pleased to have a man of my position lower himself to wearing such clothing."
The Princess said nothing as she stared at him in annoyance with her arms folded across her chest.
"You do realize that these protests that you are orchestrating are upsetting the Prince, do you not?" Krius folded his arms and glared down at Lenore. "What exactly are you planning? Are you wishing for social acceptance among the females? Tell me that you are not interested in your brother's throne, Princess."
She brought her brows together but still didn't speak to him.
"At this beginning of the year, it seemed to be a repeat of the last. You didn't care for anyone and kept to yourself." He tossed one hand in the air as he spoke. "Then as if overnight, you become a revolutionary leader." His face remained neutral though his voice carried more concern than anything else. "You are on the lips of every female in this school. They speak of you as if you are a savior." He motioned toward a group of students that were making their way into the dorms.
"What if I am?" Lenore snapped.
"Lesatan doesn't appreciate it, and neither will the Queen. You should know better than to place yourself in the public eye when there are two powerful individuals terrified of any action you make. They fear you want their crowns." Krius warned.
A smile came to her lips. "I have never made a move in my entire existence that didn't take into account my brother and his mother. I promise you that I haven't started now. Do you truly think me so daft that I wouldn't consider them?"
Krius didn't know how to answer that question. He wondered how only a few years ago, he had acted as her closest confidant and now she wouldn't even trust him to know what she had for breakfast. Of course, he knew what he had done, but not remembering made it difficult for him to understand why she was so angry with him. "I am acting as a friend and warning you that the dragon now sleeps, but you must keep quiet or..."
"I do not need your metaphors, Krius." She hissed. "I told you long ago that I no longer required your services. That includes your protection and your advice."
"Yes, I see I have been replaced by an inferior Mondue." He snorted. "Does he even have it within him to understand your predicament?"
"He understands what I need him to understand." She retorted. "Just as you once did."
Krius pressed his lips together. "Do not pretend that I was just a dog that followed you about. There was much more than you give me credit for, despite how it ended. That Mondue is nothing but a commoner, and..."
"Varden Aguilar's son." Lenore snapped. "You do remember Varden, do you not?" She watched his face fall blank, though that didn't mean he didn't know. Krius could hide his emotions behind an emotionless veil. "I heard that he taught you a great deal of swordplay when your father was too busy advising the King. Perhaps, you are jealous of Santh. Not only did he get the father your heart desired, but he may in fact get the woman you desire as well."
"Watch your words, milady." Krius growled.
"He doesn't even appreciate it, does he? Not like you would."
"Silence, woman!" He yelled.
Lenore smiled when she knew she had won and forced him to show anger. "You should spend more time worrying about Lesatan's actions and how the world perceives him than what is occurring in my life. Good day."
Lesatan watched as his sister spoke to his adviser. He continued to watch from a distance as Lenore walked around him and Krius stormed off in the opposite direction. A smirk played on his lips as he began to move toward his sister.
Piera was at his side and went along with him. She had stopped when he did and wondered what amused the Prince about his sister's conversation. She decided that it was best to remain silent and just do as he did, as he had offered to walk her back to the dorm after classes.
"Lenore." Lesatan called out to his sister.
The crowd of students around them took notice and quickly moved out of his way so he had a clear path to his sister, who had heard his voice and stopped. She stood on the path that would lead her out of the classroom area, and sighed as her brother approached.
She turned to her brother with a grin. "I have never seen the two of you together before." Lenore told them once they had both come to a stop in front of her. She looked them over for a brief moment. "You make a good pair."
A shy smile appeared on Piera's face, but Lesatan ignored her compliment all together. "Speaking of pairs, I have not seen you and Krius together in some time. I wonder what topics you would have to discuss with my adviser."
Lenore snorted, "Are you afraid that I have turned your adviser against you, Les?"
He shuttered at his nickname as it was spoken in public, but he decided he wouldn't correct her now. "In truth, I was rather hoping that the two of you have ended your feud, however I concluded from the abrupt ending to your conversation that I will have to remain disappointed."
Piera had no idea what she was meant to say or do during this conversation. She had never really seen Lesatan and Lenore during their notorious verbal sparring, though she had heard from Armand they occurred often enough.
Lenore chuckled, "You needn't worry, as neither of those scenarios have occurred or will ever occur. Krius was warning me away from my protests and my attempts to sway the council."
The sentence immediately made Lesatan look amused and he couldn't help but smile. "I have heard that you and Damek have had your fair share of secret meetings. I am beginning to wonder what the two of you are getting yourselves into."
"You sound as paranoid as your mother now." Lenore crossed her arms.
Lesatan decided to ignore that comment as well. "If I remember clearly enough, Damek was far worse to you then I could have ever imagined myself being. He would call you a bastard and spit on you in public. He had nothing but disdain for a bastard child that was living as a Princess when he believes he should have the right as a Prince."
"Damek has no interest in your throne, Lesatan. He does grow weary that his attempts to do what is necessary for this school only end in your delays or your outright countering of them; all because they are not your own." She slowly shook her head.
Lesatan didn't look too pleased by that comment. "You do realize that you are bound to lose this one."
"This may be a battle that I can not win, but there will be others. One does not simply lay down and die because someone told them no." Lenore tried to keep a civil decorum in her words and the way she spoke, though her venom was clear enough. "An act of courage and resilience that you are not accustomed to, I'm certain."
Her brother's lips pressed tightly together as he looked toward Piera, "Let us return to the dorm. It seems my sister is out of sorts and is in no mood for company."
Piera nodded her head and as she walked away with the Prince, she briefly looked at Lenore. Her eyes told her that she was hurt and angry, though Lenore had no idea why. She also wouldn't be bothered by Piera's emotions at the moment as she had more important tasks to accomplish today.
Dalton and the commoners sat with their desks on the ground as they watched Routine work calmly and kindly toward Saena. She repeatedly got a question wrong and he would merely explain the proper way of finding the answer to her again. If any of them had gotten the same question wrong repeatedly, he would tell them they were wasting their time as it was obvious they didn't wish to learn.
Already, he had snapped at Dalton and Jolon when they were unable to find the answer to their arithmetic question. In some ways, they were all beginning to feel slightly jealous. Routine rarely spoke to Ophelia, but he was always kind to Lenore and now he was acting just so with Saena.
"Is it just women that he shows any compassion toward?" Dalton finally asked Anton who was sitting beside him.
Anton looked toward him and shrugged his shoulders.
Routine's ears perked up as he and Saena were sitting on the beds and not the cold ground as the other boys were doing. He turned his attention to them. "If she was privileged enough to have had private tutoring her entire life, I would treat her with the same contempt as I treat your dilatory study habits and lackadaisical attempts at solving mathematical equations!"
All three boys lowered their heads and begin to work on the scrolls that were laid out before them.
However, Routine was not going to allow this to rest there. "You all should feel ashamed as Saena is only now learning the most simplistic of academia and yet she retains and learns far faster than the lot of you together in the past three months alone."
Anton raised his head and looked toward Saena. She was grinning, which caused him to mouth the words. "Teacher's pet."
Saena was able to understand what he was saying and she merely stuck her tongue out at him before returning to what Routine was teaching her.
"Stop moving around so much!" Ophelia's voice could be heard behind the dorm. She and Santh had disappeared together in order to adjust his new shirt. "Giant Mondue and you can't take a tiny, accidental pin prick!"
The group chuckled together. Even Dalton found humor in the moment, though Routine didn't seem very amused. He was annoyed that she was distracting his students, and even more upset that Lenore had yet to arrive to assist him in this group. A group which had not been of his own invention and that he had little interest in heading.
Remus was laying on his bed and sat up. He had been nearby the entire time, but had been quietly resting his eyes. Standing up, he began to make his way behind the dorm.
Saena watched him briefly leave and then asked out loud. "Remus and Ophelia... they have a strange relationship, don't they?"
Dalton who was not around enough didn't bother to give a response and went back to his work, while Anton and Jolon looked at each other briefly.
"Do they?" Anton asked.
Jolon shrugged, "I have never noticed."
Saena shook her head slowly.
With a clearing of his throat, Routine was quick to get everyone back on task. Saena was slightly intimidated by one of the most intelligent students in the entire university, though she was able to learn quickly from him as he seemed capable of explaining things on a very elementary level for her.
When she looked up briefly from a scroll in Routine's lap, she found Jolon smiling at her. She returned the smile but went back to what Routine was teaching as she didn't want them to get caught by their strict task master.
Remus made his way around the dorm and found Ophelia standing on her bed in order to measure Santh's bare shoulders. He knew she had been using pins on him moments before and he wondered why she was remeasuring him now. As he approached, Santh took notice of him and immediately frowned.
"What seems to be the matter?" Remus asked as he came to stand in front of the bed.
Ophelia sighed, "I must have measured his shoulders wrong, because the shirt doesn't fit him properly. I will have to trim it down for someone else and make him another." She told him as she dropped onto her behind on the bed and found her quill in order to write down the sizing. "I wonder how I managed to measure you this far off. I did so well when I guessed Krius' measurements."
Santh sat down on Lenore's bed and rubbed his upper arm where he had been stabbed with a pin more than once. "I never asked this of you."
"Yes, you are a poor victim of my evil torturous ways." Ophelia snapped back as she looked over her new measurement and compared them to the older ones she had in the scroll. "Have you increased your muscle mass? That is the only way I could have been so far off."
He shook his head.
Remus looked between the large Mondue who was partially nude and the woman in front of him. Though the sight of seeing Santh without a shirt was common, Remus found himself with chest pains. He never cared to notice before how Santh's form made his own look like a small boy. He had slim arms and hardly any definition in his chest and stomach. Krius shared a similar build to his Mondue friend, and he wondered if this was what Ophelia was attracted to.
"May I speak with you?" Remus asked without thinking through what he might say. "Privately."
Ophelia took a moment to look up and realize that he was speaking to her. "Certainly." Her eyes turned to Santh, but he remained locked in position. "Could we have a moment?"
Santh's frown deepened and he laid down on Lenore's bed, placing his hands behind his head.
Ophelia reached out her hand and smacked the Mondue on the thigh, "Brat!" She barked causing a small grin to appear on the corners of Santh's lips. She turned her attention to Remus. "We can speak down by the stream." She told him before stepping off the platform and moving toward the stream with Remus on her heels.
When they came to the stream, Ophelia realized how dark it would be soon. "It won't be long until the next tournament. We will have to start eating at the dining hall again." She more mumbled to herself than to Remus.
He heard what she had said, but was too distracted with his own thoughts to produce a comment in reply. "I am curious as to what your plans are with Krius. It seems that you believe that he might come to have feelings for you, and I worry what might happened when..."
Ophelia didn't allow him to finish as she let out a long and annoyed groan into the night sky. "Remus, you are so frustrating!"
That reply was not what he expected and he found himself silent.
"Your jealousy is no longer cute." She explained. "Initially, it was, but now I find you to be a hindrance. You are truly becoming as bad as Santh, are you aware of this?"
"As bad as Santh?" He repeated with shock in his voice.
She gave a firm nod. "I have watched this go on between Lenore and Santh since I arrived at the dorms. She does something to make him jealous or worry, and he follows her around either yelling at her in order to gain her attention or just follows her quietly just to be near her. I thought it was endearing when I saw it between them, but I can barely make it through a couple days with you acting this way."
Again, Remus wasn't certain what to say as he could not tell where Ophelia was taking this conversation.
"Sometimes, I just want to tell Santh to..." She took a deep breath and looked directly into Remus' eyes. "No, I should tell you. If you like me then say you like me, and if you do not than stop bothering with me."
He opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it. Rare was the moment for Ophelia to be a step ahead of him, and he hadn't been properly prepared for this incident.
She sighed as the silence remained between them. "Very well, I shall take your silence as your statement that you do not like me. Now, leave me to my own devices. I do not need a protector, I already have one in Lenore and she doesn't confuse my feelings."
Remus remained quiet and Ophelia walked passed him as she headed back toward the dorms. Once he processed everything, he turned to look over his shoulder. "I like you." Normally, he would have gone into a longer, and more romantic explanation but he didn't feel as if Ophelia would give him the time to do so.
Ophelia stopped and kept her back toward him. A small grin appeared on her lips that he couldn't see. Raising her voice, she spoke. "Too late!" With that she hurried toward the dorms once more.
Remus had heard the humor in her voice, and was quick to follow her. "Do not play games with me. I am an adversary that you can not hope to win against!"
Shortly after Remus and Ophelia disappeared toward the stream, Lenore turned the corner and found a large man napping in her bed. On the floor was a shirt that held several pins and she was aware that Ophelia had trouble sizing Santh recently.
Approaching the platform, she expected him to awake on his own but he seemed lost in the fantasy world of his dreams. His eyelids flinched from time to time and Lenore smiled as she briefly watched him before deciding that she would need to wake him.
"Has Ophelia stolen you for sizing again?" She asked when she came to stand over him. Her shadow blocked out the nearby torchlight.
Santh's eyes slowly opened and though he could not see Lenore's face due to the shadows, he knew it was her as he recognized her voice. He had no reply other than to grunt which in truth was all Lenore expected from him.
Lenore sat down on Ophelia's bed and began to gather together her items for the bath she would take in the stream. "She guessed Krius' size so well. I wonder why she has such difficulty with you."
"Perhaps, she enjoys touching me." He mumbled and briefly touched his own bare chest in an effort to show how the younger girl measured him.
She chuckled, "I know I do." With that comment, she reached out her hand and made a grabbing motion though she did not touch him.
Her comment made him uncomfortable and he immediately sat up with a frown upon his lips. His eyes met her own and she could tell that he wasn't pleased with her response.
"One would think you would have grown used to my jests by now, but they seem to forever have an affect on you." She sat the basket on the bed beside her and leaned back on her arms.
"I wonder how honest those jests really are." He replied with a response that he hadn't expect to hear from his own mouth.
She looked taken aback by his words and took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Are you suggesting that I am doing more than merely teasing you, Santh?"
Santh decided that he didn't want to pursue this path of the conversation as he knew he wouldn't be satisfied with any conclusion that it would come to. "Where did you disappear to today?"
She understood that he was changing the subject as it made him uneasy and decided that she would go along with it for now. She shrugged her shoulders initially in response to his question before voicing her own thoughts. "Why are you always so interested in where I go? I remember a time when I would come and go as I pleased, and only receive a good scolding when I returned by the house Mondue."
"I am watching your actions to ensure that your behaviors do not affect the others. They are pawns in your game." He told her as she stood up with the basket in her hand.
Lenore smirked at his response as he looked up at her. Once again, her face was hard to see due to the torch lighting. "Of course, and I am sure they appreciate it." Unexpectedly, Lenore leaned down and placed a gently kiss upon his lips. She thought he would push her away, but Santh held his ground though he didn't respond. Standing back up, Lenore held up her basket. "When Ophelia returns, inform her that I went to the stream."
"Remus and Ophelia are already down there." He explained. His voice held no conflicted emotions about what she had just done to him.
The Princess looked toward the path that would lead her to the stream and she took a deep breath before sitting down on Ophelia's bed once more. "Well then, I shall keep you company until they return."
Piera knew that she needed to find a way to show them she was no different than before, but she lacked ideas. She wondered if she could talk to Lenore and prepare a plan of attack, but she questioned whether she should be talking to the Princess at all or if Armand was even supposed to inform her of such a story.
With a sigh, she began to move toward the door which caused several students to hurry out of her way. She had never treated any of them poorly and yet they were acting as if she was to be the cruelest queen in the history of Ronea. Part of her wanted to yell at them all to stop treating her like a tyrant, but it would serve no purpose other than to prove she was one.
As she stepped in front of the open door, a gentle smile came to her lips. "My Prince, why are you here?" She asked Lesatan as she took the couple steps down to stand at his level. Other students moved around them to get to class, but they remained untouched by the trampling herd.
"Armand informed me of your hardship." He watched her frown. "Was he not meant to? I'm afraid that my advisers have to keep a path of honesty with me in order for trust to walk between us."
Piera shook her head, "No, I suppose I never asked him to keep the conversation confidential."
He offered out his arm for her to take and when she did, they began to make their way to her next classroom. "If no one wishes to act as your friend while walking between classes then I shall do so personally."
She couldn't help but smile a little. "I am most gracious, but it is quite alright. I wouldn't wish for you to be late for your own classes. Also, some of our classes are so far apart, it would be impossible for us to meet every time."
"Indeed, but not for Enoch and Armand. They have already agreed to meet you." He chuckled. "I had suggested the idea to Krius, but the frown he offered informed me that it would be best to leave him out of our plans."
"He does frown in such a way that you can almost feel your heart stop." Piera told him as they arrived in front of her next class.
"Here we are." He motioned toward the door as other students tried to make their way around them.
During classes, the students weren't meant to concern themselves with station, but nonetheless it was difficult to not care. Eventually, the Prince they ignored or bumped into would be out of classes and he would remember the face of the one that insulted him. So, as the two chatted in front of the classes, students cautiously tried to get around them and into their classroom. All while appearing that they were not listening to the conversation.
"Thank you, truly for escorting me." Piera told him. "I still plan to gain my friendships back, but I am blessed to have your support, milord."
Lesatan nodded his head. "I must hurry or I shall be late." With that he turned around and rushed away.
Piera didn't think she had ever seen him run before, and she smiled once more to know it was she that he had to lose decorum over, but he didn't seem to mind.
Turning around, she headed into the classroom and found her way to her seat as the other students moved out of her way. Sitting down, she continued to smile as she laid her book on the desk and opened it to the page she knew they would be working on. If Lesatan had been anyone other than the Prince, she would be able to tell her friends about this moment and they would all giggle and be jealous of her. For now, however, she would just have to keep these moments to herself.
---***---
The classes ended for the day, and Ophelia walked beside the Princess as they were on their way back to the dorms. Krine had been with them briefly, but she had to go to the library and quickly left their side. The two walked quietly as groups of students moved around them as they didn't want to get in Lenore's way.
Ophelia noticed that Lenore seemed to act like it was perfectly normal, and didn't seem bothered by it in the least. Though, Ophelia still felt odd when she walked with Lenore and it occurred.
"So then." Lenore broke the silence. "Remus? I hadn't noticed that there was anything between you two."
The Souchan chuckled. "Do you remember in the beginning of the year how I was interested in Santh?"
Lenore nodded.
"I gave up on my feelings for him, because you seemed to care for him. However, once I stepped away, I realized that there was someone already looking toward me. I was just staring too much at another to notice." She sighed. "It has been rather romantic, truly."
The Princess briefly stuck out her tongue at the thought. "Remus does not seem the type to fawn over a woman such as yourself."
"What does that mean?" Ophelia asked playfully offended.
She shrugged her shoulders, "You can be rather... forgetful. You also gossip endlessly. Remus, on the other hand, seems to always be in control even if he isn't. I wonder how such feelings formed between two very different people."
"Are you wondering for your own personal predicament?" Ophelia clutched the books in her arms a little tighter.
The Princess raised an eyebrow, "What are you suggesting?"
"Santh has softened toward you quite a bit. There are no more arguments or feet stomping, and he follows you around everywhere. There are some rumblings that he and you have become secret lovers." Ophelia giggled at the ridiculous rumor as she thought that she knew Lenore and Santh could not be secret if love had blossomed between them. They could barely contain their infatuation as it stood now.
Lenore frowned then began to open her mouth to speak only to close it as Remus and Santh appeared.
"There you two are." Remus approached. "We were waiting for you at the classroom gates." He informed them though Santh looked annoyed that his friend had given that information away.
"Whatever for?" Lenore asked.
"To ensure you have an escort." Santh snarled.
With a snort, Lenore brushed back some hair from her face. "Ophelia and I have walked home without you two hundreds of times before."
Remus made eye contact with Ophelia and leaned forward to mumble. "I feel a lover's spat in coming."
She giggled at his comment and when he stood up, they both noticed that Lenore and Santh were staring at them.
"Do you wish to share your comment with everyone, Remus?" Lenore was now just as annoyed as Santh.
Remus smirked and looked down at Ophelia. He quickly grabbed her hand before he began to move forward. "I was simply stating that the two of you should have some very private time together so the rest of us will no longer need to hear your frustrations."
Lenore allowed him to pass and then looked up at Santh who seemed to be turning slightly red. "Are you blushing over that comment? I have said far worse to you."
Santh glared down at her before hurrying to catch up with the others.
---***---
Dalton made his way toward the Royal Dorms as he had run out of ink during class that day and needed to get another bottle from his room. After wards, he would go to the library to study until it was time to head to the Unmentionable's Dorm. Though he hadn't befriended anyone from the dorm, not even his own sister, he found it to be comfortable. No one asked him about his life as a Vinson and no one treated him poorly like the rest of the Royal Party did. It was as if the group was a bunch of misfits and he was just one of many.
Making his way down the twisting hallways, he saw his door at the end of the hall but a cloaked figure came to stand in front of the door before he arrived. Dalton made his way toward the waiting guest and found himself staring eye to eye with Damek Tahan. He had never met the man before, but his name was as commonly used as Lesatan Cromwell's and even Lenore's.
Damek's father had been the older brother of the King, but from what Dalton had been told the older brother was not meant for this throne. The former King announced his second son as his heir, and gave his older son a large region to rule. The King and his older brother were known to be close friends and there was no hardship between them. However, Damek was not known to be anything like his carefree father.
Before Lesatan took over the school, Damek had been the head of the student council. He took his work seriously, and from the rumors Damek heard the future duke was an excellent ruler. The school was flourishing under his leadership, but once Lesatan arrived and stole the seat from him, it all returned to the way it had been as Lesatan overruled ever edict he could.
"Dalton Vinson, I assume you know who I am." Damek pulled the black hood from his head and watch as the man gave a brief nod. "I have been racking my brain to decide if we are actually related. Lenore is my cousin, and she is your sister, but yet we are not cousins. It is a strange phenomena."
Dalton felt his heart begin to beat quickly. He didn't know if he was afraid of the man before him or afraid of the many times he had been approached and found himself the center of torment. Damek remained in front of the dark wood door and didn't seem interested in making this conversation private, so Dalton chose not to offer. The hallway was empty enough as it was and it truly didn't matter. "Yes, it is."
"Technically, we aren't related at all. How odd our relationship is. In fact, this is the first time we have ever spoken though I have seen you about before." Damek cleared his throat. "Speaking of ties that bind, how is your mother?"
"Still bitter."
He nodded his head, "Yes, anyone would be bitter after losing their link to such power. Though I hear for your mother it is love and not power that drove her." He chuckled. "As if we are to believe a servant girl is not driven into such a man's arms because of the position he holds." Damek waited for a response as if he thought he was goading Dalton, but Dalton merely pressed his lips together. "I suppose that my approaching you seems odd, however. I am not doing this casually, and in fact have a purpose."
"What would that be?" Dalton didn't know if he should use a title for him. They were of equal status, and if he showed submission to him now, he might never live it down when they both became Dukes.
"I have heard that you visit the Unmentionable's Dorm nearly every day. Visiting your sister?" He crossed his arms.
"She offers a study group, and I am in dire need of instruction." Dalton informed him. He didn't know why every answer was falling from his lips. He normally would ignore most people and their questions, but Damek made him feel like he had no other option.
The council member nodded his head, "I wonder what Lenore is like in familiar circumstances. When she approaches me it is always to act as the Princess, never as a cousin or friend."
The questions were beginning to confuse him as they really seemed to have no purpose other than being completely random. Yet, questions about Lenore were a touchy subject for him. It was part anger toward her and part desire to protect her. "She isn't much different, though I suppose she is more playful. Why are do you ask after my sister?"
"She has been visiting me often over her protests, and I am trying to understand why she is acting in this manner. She has never seemed to care for the suffering of others before, and therefore I wonder what her plans are. They seem rather scandalous, don't you agree?"
Dalton shrugged his shoulders, "Princess Lenore does not keep me within her private circle. I am afraid if you want information about her plans I would not be the one to ask. Try the Souchan traitor's daughter or even that Mondue pup of hers."
Damek knew when to end a conversation, he bowed his head. "Thank you, I just might."
---***---
Lenore and Ophelia chatted about their etiquette class as Santh and Remus followed behind them. They were making their way back to the dorm or so the boys thought, but the two girls would often stop to speak to each other longer. It caused many annoyed looked to be offered between the two males of the group.
"How many years do we need to be told how to drink tea?" Ophelia sighed, "I grow tired of learning the same lessons every year, and it's only my second year."
The Princess chuckled, "You should take the Combat Classes with us next year. I'm sure you couldn't do worse than Remus."
Ophelia laughed and looked toward Remus.
"I am the money behind the hired sword. There is a place for us all." Remus crossed his arms and glared playfully at the two women.
Santh realized that they were standing in the flower court just outside the dirt path, and wondered how long the two would take before they decided to go in. It had already been ten minutes but they continued to linger. He thought he would go in himself, but decided against it when he realized it would leave them alone with Remus.
"It is still pathetic when you can not even pick up the sword that you paid such hard earned coin for." Lenore teased.
"I..." Remus' mouth closed as he watched the approaching man in a familiar shirt.
"My Princess." Krius came to stop in front of the four of them, his eyes turned to Ophelia. "Lady Romanus." He gave a bow to each of them, but seemed to ignore the two men entirely. "I apologize for the interruption, however I was hoping that I could speak with you in private."
Before Lenore could respond, a large form stepped in front of her. Santh glared up at the taller Mondue. "The Princess has no interest in being alone with you." He growled.
Krius' face remained completely neutral. "I shall allow milady to make that decision. Excuse yourself from my view."
Santh crossed his arms to show he was defiant.
Ophelia stepped behind Lenore as did Remus. She wrapped her arm around his own and feared for the worse, though Remus merely patted her hand to comfort her. They both knew that Lenore would have to step in to prevent this from going too far.
"I was not aware that the Princess allows commoners to make decisions for her." Krius spoke the words to Santh, but it was as if he were speaking through him to Lenore.
Lenore knew that Santh might have a chance in a fight against Krius, after all Santh was the unarmed champion. However, she knew that politically he would lose. "Santh, thank you, but that is enough." She placed her hand on his arm and walked around him to look at Krius.
Santh looked horrified by her decision. "Lenore, you can't..."
"Do not address the Princess in such a familiar manner!" Krius barked and grabbed Santh's collar. "She is your Princess and you will speak to her in a manner befitting her station!"
Santh and Krius stood with their death glares locked. The actions between the two men caused many of the passing students to take notice of them. Santh knew better than to fight the man in those moments, though he knew he could have released himself from his grip.
"Krius, release him!" Lenore yelled which drew more attention to the situation.
He did as she ordered him.
"I decide how my friends speak to me!" Lenore continued to raise her voice and came to stand in front of the giant Mondue.
"Yes, milady. Forgive me." He lowered his head.
Santh had enough and stormed off down the dirt path before another word could be spoken to him.
Lenore watched him before turning back to Krius, "Follow me." She snapped.
Ophelia and Remus watched the two walk into the crowd of students, before Ophelia turned her attention to the man beside her. She smiled widely at him.
"What has made you so giddy after witness such intense drama?" Remus questioned.
"Lord La Croix was wearing my shirt. Doesn't he look dashing?" She released his arm and turned to head down the dirt path.
Remus frowned and raised his voice as he followed after her. "Well, where is my shirt? I'll wear your shirt."
---***---
Jolon and Anton had gone to gather Saena after classes. She had told them that there was little to do this week, and she would be allowed to leave early that day. When they approached the dining hall's back door, Saena was sitting on the steps waiting for them. She smiled and quickly made her way over to them.
She had been studying with them as much as she could, and would do nothing at home except her chores and more reading. The books had to be hidden from her father for now, as he wouldn't be able to understand why she was bothering. She also knew that eventually the truth behind what she was doing would come out, and everyone in the Servant's Guild would think that she was abandoning them. She feared for when that day would arrive, but she hadn't voiced her concern to anyone just yet.
The three decided to use the servants' pathways to get to their dorm, as they didn't want anyone to question why Saena was with them. The dirt paths could be muddy during the rainy season, and at night they became very dark. Saena had learned to navigate them during her time at the university though Jolon and Anton seemed rather uncomfortable walking through the wooded area with her.
"I do not believe I have ever properly apologized for my cousins." Saena told Anton as they walked side by side.
Jolon moved ahead of them and looked over his shoulder when she spoke.
Anton's face at first looked pained before a smirk appeared upon his lips. "I wouldn't concern myself, just promise that you will not try again. Women in your family seem to be repulsed by me."
Saena opened her mouth to argue, but there was nothing she could say. All evidence pointed to just that. For some reason the women in her family had turned tail and run the moment they had seen him. "I wonder what it is. I am not repulsed by you."
Anton laughed as he looked toward Jolon ahead of them. "Well, thank you, I think."
She seemed to realize her mistake and covered her mouth. "I didn't mean..." She took a deep breath. "I meant to say you are not repulsive, and I do not understand why they both had that sort of reaction to you."
Jolon stopped and turned to face the two of them. "You needn't worry, Saena. Anton has had more than his fair share of admirers. Your cousins' rejections is meaningless to him."
"Oh?" Saena stood on the dirt path with the two men who had both come to a stop. The dying trees around them were releasing their colored leaves. "You have? Yet, you always seem so alone. I thought perhaps you were too shy, or..." She cut herself off as she knew it would only lead her to another embarrassing comment.
Anton smirked at his friend before responding to the girl. "I am very private about my... affairs, but you need not worry, I am not lonely."
She smiled sheepishly, "Then I will do as you ask and not worry myself." Her eyes turned to Jolon, "We should hurry along, I left early so I could study longer today."
They all agreed and began to make their way toward the dorm.
"I am curious how so many males can share a dorm with two women both of which have great power and riches in their futures..." Saena began to speak when there was too much silence between the three of them. "How is it possible that nothing has happened? Though, I would guess that they are both ladies that would not wish to do their reputations harm."
Both men chuckled at her final sentence as they knew them too well.
"The Royal Dorms has both females and males." Anton shrugged.
"That is true enough, though she is right in some manner. In truth, they are both somewhat claimed, aren't they? Even if no official relationship stands." Jolon was thinking out loud more than talking to the two people behind him.
Saena had no response and looked to Anton for an answer.
"Routine and Lenore are official." He told his friend.
Jolon nodded, "I suppose. Are we almost there, Saena?"
"Just a little bit farther."
---***---
Lenore found her way to a solitary tree near the Royal Dorms and turned to face Krius who had followed behind her the entire way. She crossed her arms and glared up at the much larger being. Her eyes demanding to know why she had to be dragged away from her friends to speak with a man she had no interest in.
"Was my actions toward your friend appropriate?" He asked referring to Ophelia. "I wore the shirt she provided me as well." He plucked the sleeve briefly. The anger and annoyance that he had to portray toward the traitor's daughter was evident in his voice. Though Lenore wondered why he had been so kind to her before, but when he was ordered to be so he found it to be a nuisance. "I hope she was pleased to have a man of my position lower himself to wearing such clothing."
The Princess said nothing as she stared at him in annoyance with her arms folded across her chest.
"You do realize that these protests that you are orchestrating are upsetting the Prince, do you not?" Krius folded his arms and glared down at Lenore. "What exactly are you planning? Are you wishing for social acceptance among the females? Tell me that you are not interested in your brother's throne, Princess."
She brought her brows together but still didn't speak to him.
"At this beginning of the year, it seemed to be a repeat of the last. You didn't care for anyone and kept to yourself." He tossed one hand in the air as he spoke. "Then as if overnight, you become a revolutionary leader." His face remained neutral though his voice carried more concern than anything else. "You are on the lips of every female in this school. They speak of you as if you are a savior." He motioned toward a group of students that were making their way into the dorms.
"What if I am?" Lenore snapped.
"Lesatan doesn't appreciate it, and neither will the Queen. You should know better than to place yourself in the public eye when there are two powerful individuals terrified of any action you make. They fear you want their crowns." Krius warned.
A smile came to her lips. "I have never made a move in my entire existence that didn't take into account my brother and his mother. I promise you that I haven't started now. Do you truly think me so daft that I wouldn't consider them?"
Krius didn't know how to answer that question. He wondered how only a few years ago, he had acted as her closest confidant and now she wouldn't even trust him to know what she had for breakfast. Of course, he knew what he had done, but not remembering made it difficult for him to understand why she was so angry with him. "I am acting as a friend and warning you that the dragon now sleeps, but you must keep quiet or..."
"I do not need your metaphors, Krius." She hissed. "I told you long ago that I no longer required your services. That includes your protection and your advice."
"Yes, I see I have been replaced by an inferior Mondue." He snorted. "Does he even have it within him to understand your predicament?"
"He understands what I need him to understand." She retorted. "Just as you once did."
Krius pressed his lips together. "Do not pretend that I was just a dog that followed you about. There was much more than you give me credit for, despite how it ended. That Mondue is nothing but a commoner, and..."
"Varden Aguilar's son." Lenore snapped. "You do remember Varden, do you not?" She watched his face fall blank, though that didn't mean he didn't know. Krius could hide his emotions behind an emotionless veil. "I heard that he taught you a great deal of swordplay when your father was too busy advising the King. Perhaps, you are jealous of Santh. Not only did he get the father your heart desired, but he may in fact get the woman you desire as well."
"Watch your words, milady." Krius growled.
"He doesn't even appreciate it, does he? Not like you would."
"Silence, woman!" He yelled.
Lenore smiled when she knew she had won and forced him to show anger. "You should spend more time worrying about Lesatan's actions and how the world perceives him than what is occurring in my life. Good day."
---***---
Lesatan watched as his sister spoke to his adviser. He continued to watch from a distance as Lenore walked around him and Krius stormed off in the opposite direction. A smirk played on his lips as he began to move toward his sister.
Piera was at his side and went along with him. She had stopped when he did and wondered what amused the Prince about his sister's conversation. She decided that it was best to remain silent and just do as he did, as he had offered to walk her back to the dorm after classes.
"Lenore." Lesatan called out to his sister.
The crowd of students around them took notice and quickly moved out of his way so he had a clear path to his sister, who had heard his voice and stopped. She stood on the path that would lead her out of the classroom area, and sighed as her brother approached.
She turned to her brother with a grin. "I have never seen the two of you together before." Lenore told them once they had both come to a stop in front of her. She looked them over for a brief moment. "You make a good pair."
A shy smile appeared on Piera's face, but Lesatan ignored her compliment all together. "Speaking of pairs, I have not seen you and Krius together in some time. I wonder what topics you would have to discuss with my adviser."
Lenore snorted, "Are you afraid that I have turned your adviser against you, Les?"
He shuttered at his nickname as it was spoken in public, but he decided he wouldn't correct her now. "In truth, I was rather hoping that the two of you have ended your feud, however I concluded from the abrupt ending to your conversation that I will have to remain disappointed."
Piera had no idea what she was meant to say or do during this conversation. She had never really seen Lesatan and Lenore during their notorious verbal sparring, though she had heard from Armand they occurred often enough.
Lenore chuckled, "You needn't worry, as neither of those scenarios have occurred or will ever occur. Krius was warning me away from my protests and my attempts to sway the council."
The sentence immediately made Lesatan look amused and he couldn't help but smile. "I have heard that you and Damek have had your fair share of secret meetings. I am beginning to wonder what the two of you are getting yourselves into."
"You sound as paranoid as your mother now." Lenore crossed her arms.
Lesatan decided to ignore that comment as well. "If I remember clearly enough, Damek was far worse to you then I could have ever imagined myself being. He would call you a bastard and spit on you in public. He had nothing but disdain for a bastard child that was living as a Princess when he believes he should have the right as a Prince."
"Damek has no interest in your throne, Lesatan. He does grow weary that his attempts to do what is necessary for this school only end in your delays or your outright countering of them; all because they are not your own." She slowly shook her head.
Lesatan didn't look too pleased by that comment. "You do realize that you are bound to lose this one."
"This may be a battle that I can not win, but there will be others. One does not simply lay down and die because someone told them no." Lenore tried to keep a civil decorum in her words and the way she spoke, though her venom was clear enough. "An act of courage and resilience that you are not accustomed to, I'm certain."
Her brother's lips pressed tightly together as he looked toward Piera, "Let us return to the dorm. It seems my sister is out of sorts and is in no mood for company."
Piera nodded her head and as she walked away with the Prince, she briefly looked at Lenore. Her eyes told her that she was hurt and angry, though Lenore had no idea why. She also wouldn't be bothered by Piera's emotions at the moment as she had more important tasks to accomplish today.
---***---
Dalton and the commoners sat with their desks on the ground as they watched Routine work calmly and kindly toward Saena. She repeatedly got a question wrong and he would merely explain the proper way of finding the answer to her again. If any of them had gotten the same question wrong repeatedly, he would tell them they were wasting their time as it was obvious they didn't wish to learn.
Already, he had snapped at Dalton and Jolon when they were unable to find the answer to their arithmetic question. In some ways, they were all beginning to feel slightly jealous. Routine rarely spoke to Ophelia, but he was always kind to Lenore and now he was acting just so with Saena.
"Is it just women that he shows any compassion toward?" Dalton finally asked Anton who was sitting beside him.
Anton looked toward him and shrugged his shoulders.
Routine's ears perked up as he and Saena were sitting on the beds and not the cold ground as the other boys were doing. He turned his attention to them. "If she was privileged enough to have had private tutoring her entire life, I would treat her with the same contempt as I treat your dilatory study habits and lackadaisical attempts at solving mathematical equations!"
All three boys lowered their heads and begin to work on the scrolls that were laid out before them.
However, Routine was not going to allow this to rest there. "You all should feel ashamed as Saena is only now learning the most simplistic of academia and yet she retains and learns far faster than the lot of you together in the past three months alone."
Anton raised his head and looked toward Saena. She was grinning, which caused him to mouth the words. "Teacher's pet."
Saena was able to understand what he was saying and she merely stuck her tongue out at him before returning to what Routine was teaching her.
"Stop moving around so much!" Ophelia's voice could be heard behind the dorm. She and Santh had disappeared together in order to adjust his new shirt. "Giant Mondue and you can't take a tiny, accidental pin prick!"
The group chuckled together. Even Dalton found humor in the moment, though Routine didn't seem very amused. He was annoyed that she was distracting his students, and even more upset that Lenore had yet to arrive to assist him in this group. A group which had not been of his own invention and that he had little interest in heading.
Remus was laying on his bed and sat up. He had been nearby the entire time, but had been quietly resting his eyes. Standing up, he began to make his way behind the dorm.
Saena watched him briefly leave and then asked out loud. "Remus and Ophelia... they have a strange relationship, don't they?"
Dalton who was not around enough didn't bother to give a response and went back to his work, while Anton and Jolon looked at each other briefly.
"Do they?" Anton asked.
Jolon shrugged, "I have never noticed."
Saena shook her head slowly.
With a clearing of his throat, Routine was quick to get everyone back on task. Saena was slightly intimidated by one of the most intelligent students in the entire university, though she was able to learn quickly from him as he seemed capable of explaining things on a very elementary level for her.
When she looked up briefly from a scroll in Routine's lap, she found Jolon smiling at her. She returned the smile but went back to what Routine was teaching as she didn't want them to get caught by their strict task master.
---***---
Remus made his way around the dorm and found Ophelia standing on her bed in order to measure Santh's bare shoulders. He knew she had been using pins on him moments before and he wondered why she was remeasuring him now. As he approached, Santh took notice of him and immediately frowned.
"What seems to be the matter?" Remus asked as he came to stand in front of the bed.
Ophelia sighed, "I must have measured his shoulders wrong, because the shirt doesn't fit him properly. I will have to trim it down for someone else and make him another." She told him as she dropped onto her behind on the bed and found her quill in order to write down the sizing. "I wonder how I managed to measure you this far off. I did so well when I guessed Krius' measurements."
Santh sat down on Lenore's bed and rubbed his upper arm where he had been stabbed with a pin more than once. "I never asked this of you."
"Yes, you are a poor victim of my evil torturous ways." Ophelia snapped back as she looked over her new measurement and compared them to the older ones she had in the scroll. "Have you increased your muscle mass? That is the only way I could have been so far off."
He shook his head.
Remus looked between the large Mondue who was partially nude and the woman in front of him. Though the sight of seeing Santh without a shirt was common, Remus found himself with chest pains. He never cared to notice before how Santh's form made his own look like a small boy. He had slim arms and hardly any definition in his chest and stomach. Krius shared a similar build to his Mondue friend, and he wondered if this was what Ophelia was attracted to.
"May I speak with you?" Remus asked without thinking through what he might say. "Privately."
Ophelia took a moment to look up and realize that he was speaking to her. "Certainly." Her eyes turned to Santh, but he remained locked in position. "Could we have a moment?"
Santh's frown deepened and he laid down on Lenore's bed, placing his hands behind his head.
Ophelia reached out her hand and smacked the Mondue on the thigh, "Brat!" She barked causing a small grin to appear on the corners of Santh's lips. She turned her attention to Remus. "We can speak down by the stream." She told him before stepping off the platform and moving toward the stream with Remus on her heels.
When they came to the stream, Ophelia realized how dark it would be soon. "It won't be long until the next tournament. We will have to start eating at the dining hall again." She more mumbled to herself than to Remus.
He heard what she had said, but was too distracted with his own thoughts to produce a comment in reply. "I am curious as to what your plans are with Krius. It seems that you believe that he might come to have feelings for you, and I worry what might happened when..."
Ophelia didn't allow him to finish as she let out a long and annoyed groan into the night sky. "Remus, you are so frustrating!"
That reply was not what he expected and he found himself silent.
"Your jealousy is no longer cute." She explained. "Initially, it was, but now I find you to be a hindrance. You are truly becoming as bad as Santh, are you aware of this?"
"As bad as Santh?" He repeated with shock in his voice.
She gave a firm nod. "I have watched this go on between Lenore and Santh since I arrived at the dorms. She does something to make him jealous or worry, and he follows her around either yelling at her in order to gain her attention or just follows her quietly just to be near her. I thought it was endearing when I saw it between them, but I can barely make it through a couple days with you acting this way."
Again, Remus wasn't certain what to say as he could not tell where Ophelia was taking this conversation.
"Sometimes, I just want to tell Santh to..." She took a deep breath and looked directly into Remus' eyes. "No, I should tell you. If you like me then say you like me, and if you do not than stop bothering with me."
He opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it. Rare was the moment for Ophelia to be a step ahead of him, and he hadn't been properly prepared for this incident.
She sighed as the silence remained between them. "Very well, I shall take your silence as your statement that you do not like me. Now, leave me to my own devices. I do not need a protector, I already have one in Lenore and she doesn't confuse my feelings."
Remus remained quiet and Ophelia walked passed him as she headed back toward the dorms. Once he processed everything, he turned to look over his shoulder. "I like you." Normally, he would have gone into a longer, and more romantic explanation but he didn't feel as if Ophelia would give him the time to do so.
Ophelia stopped and kept her back toward him. A small grin appeared on her lips that he couldn't see. Raising her voice, she spoke. "Too late!" With that she hurried toward the dorms once more.
Remus had heard the humor in her voice, and was quick to follow her. "Do not play games with me. I am an adversary that you can not hope to win against!"
---***---
Shortly after Remus and Ophelia disappeared toward the stream, Lenore turned the corner and found a large man napping in her bed. On the floor was a shirt that held several pins and she was aware that Ophelia had trouble sizing Santh recently.
Approaching the platform, she expected him to awake on his own but he seemed lost in the fantasy world of his dreams. His eyelids flinched from time to time and Lenore smiled as she briefly watched him before deciding that she would need to wake him.
"Has Ophelia stolen you for sizing again?" She asked when she came to stand over him. Her shadow blocked out the nearby torchlight.
Santh's eyes slowly opened and though he could not see Lenore's face due to the shadows, he knew it was her as he recognized her voice. He had no reply other than to grunt which in truth was all Lenore expected from him.
Lenore sat down on Ophelia's bed and began to gather together her items for the bath she would take in the stream. "She guessed Krius' size so well. I wonder why she has such difficulty with you."
"Perhaps, she enjoys touching me." He mumbled and briefly touched his own bare chest in an effort to show how the younger girl measured him.
She chuckled, "I know I do." With that comment, she reached out her hand and made a grabbing motion though she did not touch him.
Her comment made him uncomfortable and he immediately sat up with a frown upon his lips. His eyes met her own and she could tell that he wasn't pleased with her response.
"One would think you would have grown used to my jests by now, but they seem to forever have an affect on you." She sat the basket on the bed beside her and leaned back on her arms.
"I wonder how honest those jests really are." He replied with a response that he hadn't expect to hear from his own mouth.
She looked taken aback by his words and took a moment to gather her thoughts. "Are you suggesting that I am doing more than merely teasing you, Santh?"
Santh decided that he didn't want to pursue this path of the conversation as he knew he wouldn't be satisfied with any conclusion that it would come to. "Where did you disappear to today?"
She understood that he was changing the subject as it made him uneasy and decided that she would go along with it for now. She shrugged her shoulders initially in response to his question before voicing her own thoughts. "Why are you always so interested in where I go? I remember a time when I would come and go as I pleased, and only receive a good scolding when I returned by the house Mondue."
"I am watching your actions to ensure that your behaviors do not affect the others. They are pawns in your game." He told her as she stood up with the basket in her hand.
Lenore smirked at his response as he looked up at her. Once again, her face was hard to see due to the torch lighting. "Of course, and I am sure they appreciate it." Unexpectedly, Lenore leaned down and placed a gently kiss upon his lips. She thought he would push her away, but Santh held his ground though he didn't respond. Standing back up, Lenore held up her basket. "When Ophelia returns, inform her that I went to the stream."
"Remus and Ophelia are already down there." He explained. His voice held no conflicted emotions about what she had just done to him.
The Princess looked toward the path that would lead her to the stream and she took a deep breath before sitting down on Ophelia's bed once more. "Well then, I shall keep you company until they return."