After that incident, Mika had been curious about him so Royce stopped his children to probe more and said that Dio had an unknown illness. Because of that, Mika and Kael had been more caring towards him, making him feel like a little kid being protected by his older siblings.
“Dio, make sure to sleep as soon as you go to your room, okay?” Mika said.
Dio smiled because he was reminded of his mother with the tone she used. “I’m not a kid, Sister.”
“Though you’re an adult now, you still need to take care of yourself.”
Dio shook his head as he succumbed to his sister’s will. “Fine. I ate a lot and now I’ll sleep a lot too,” he said with a grin.
“That’s my boy.” Mika messed his hair which made him frown.
He entered his room and dropped himself on the bed.
‘You’re really happy with your new family now.’ Blur said in his head.
‘Yes. I never thought that I’d experience this feeling again.’
‘Th
The bright light coming from the window woke Dio from his slumber. He squinted his eyes and saw a familiar build opening the other curtains in his room. “Rise and shine, sleepyhead!” Mika’s voice echoed around his room. He had no choice, he sat up and rubbed his eyes as he tried to suppress his yawn. “What are you doing here so early in the morning, Sis?” “Have you forgotten? Today is a special day!” The excitement in his sister’s voice reminded Dio of the special event for that day. They were supposed to apply for admission to the academy. “You better prepare yourself, Dio. I’ll come back after two hours.” Dio nodded his head nonchalantly. He stood up when Neil entered his room with his change of clothes. Dio went to the dining room and he saw that his family was already there. “You look good on your clothes, Dio.” Riguel complimented him with a smile. “Thanks, brother.” He sat beside Riguel and across Mika. “A
“Today is the day!” Kael said excitedly as he went out of the carriage. Dio followed after him and stretched out his hand to help his sister down. The image of a strikingly handsome and kind gentleman was impressed in the mind of the girls who saw them leave their carriage. Most commoner girls giggled and blushed at the sight of the Armani brothers and the boys could not take off their eyes to the Armani’s only daughter. “We didn’t have a grand entrance and yet we still caught the attention of the students,” Mika said with a sigh as she clung her arms to Dio. “We only caught the commoners’ eyes because we belong to the Armani Family. I bet the Aristobrats wouldn’t even spare us a glance,” Kael said with a sarcastic smile emphasizing the term aristobrats which he made up to say that aristocratic children were brats. The three of them parted ways as soon as they entered the gates because the Theoretical building was located on the east side of the acade
“No. You guys are not going to live in the dorms.” Kael and Mika looked like they want to say something but both of them chose to shut their mouths. Their father already drew the line and they knew well not to try their luck once their father already decided on one thing. “Father, the three of them became members of the Elite Class. Don’t you think it would be best for them to stay with their peers?” Riguel said as he discreetly winked at his siblings. “Riguel, you know why I wouldn’t allow them. How could they stay at a place where nobles reside?” Royce put down his knife and fork and looked at the twins. “No matter how wealthy our family is, there will be nobles who wouldn’t look favorably upon you.” “It doesn’t matter. We will live in the dorms so that we could spend more time training and studying, not to make friends with the nobles,” Dio said nonchalantly. “To be honest, I’m more worried about you.” Royce faced him with a worried express
Their first day of class came right after that day. Princess Cassiel who became a part of the Elite Class woke up earlier compared to the other members and her maid immediately attended to her needs. She went down with the hopes that she could surprise the others with her cooking skills, but she was surprised instead when she saw Dio wearing an apron while cooking breakfast in the kitchen. “I didn’t know that you can cook.” Cassiel smiled as she stopped beside Dio to peek at what he was cooking. “I’m not that good of a cook but I can cook simple dishes.” Dio smiled back as he put the omelet on a plate. He fried the bacon while the rice was being cooked on the other burner. “Can I help you?” She said as she took the omelet and put it on the table. “No need, your highness.” Dio smiled as he put the cooked bacon on a new plate and put another set on the pan. “But I didn’t come here to be served.” Cassiel pouted as she rested her chin on her hand.
“Are you going in the training field again, Caspian?” Arthur asked his seatmate. Since the start of classes, the elite class had their own training schedules, so they all went their different ways right after dismissal. “No. Prince Andriel invited me to his training room for a spar.” Caspian put his books on his space ring and stood up. “Too bad.” Arthur sounded disappointed but he patted Caspian’s shoulder and smiled. “I’ll see you at the house, later.” Caspian nodded as he walked his way towards his destination. While walking along the corridor, he saw Dio surrounded by guys from other classes. Dio looked bored while listening to their insults but he didn’t talk back. After spouting derogatory words, the group of men left him alone and he just went on as if nothing happened. Caspian shook his head. He noticed the bad treatment of the nobility towards Dio ever since the start of the academic year. He would always see him surrounded and harassed by a
“Dio!” Cassandra held Dio’s shirt to stop him from walking further. It had been a week since the classes started and she noticed the difference in treatment towards Dio by the other students, especially the nobles. “Is everything okay?” Dio turned to face her and flashed a kind smile. “Of course!” “But I saw you being surrounded by the nobles from other classes last time.” She looked down and frowned. “Oh, that?” Dio scratched his nape. “It’s fine. Words alone wouldn’t bring me down. I have decided that I wouldn’t care about other’s opinions about me since they don’t matter.” He smiled but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. Cassandra knew that Dio was just faking it. It was hard to be judged and shunned by people with higher status and it was harder because even the members of the Elite Class wouldn’t stand up for him. It was as though he was all alone in whatever situation he was in. “Nothing is lonelier than fighting your battles alone,” Cassa
“I told you, I won’t,” Dio said sternly. His hand was in his pockets as they walked out of their classroom.“That’s unfair, you taught Lady Riva but you wouldn’t teach me?” Amery pouted as she stood in front of him, blocking his path.“She was having a hard time so I thought I should give her some hints.” Dio chuckled. “But I’m going training with my brother today so I won’t.”“Mikael Armani!” Amery called out for Kael who was about to leave the room.Kael walked towards them with confusion written all over his face. “Do you need something, my lady?”“Yes,” Amery replied as she smiled mischievously at Dio. “I need Dio today, can I borrow him?”Kael looked more confused as he eyed Dio suspiciously. “I thought you had a crush on Lady Riva? Don’t tell me you are also chasing after Lady Flavian?” he whis
“You’ve been busy for the past days. Aren’t you, my dear cousin?” Arthur put his arm over Dio’s shoulder.“I’m not your cousin, Baron.” Dio shook his head subtly when he heard Arthur laughed.“I can’t believe that you are more popular than me.” Arthur grinned as he looked around. Though the nobles gave them looks of disapproval, the commoner girls look at them with admiration. “Being close like this, isn’t it obvious that we’re relatives?”Arthur looked at Dio’s hair which was a few shades lighter than his. It was proof that Dio came from a noble lineage and he was also stronger than him in terms of mana capability. If Dio didn’t refuse to be adopted in their family, he was sure that the Marquis would make him his heir and he wouldn’t be able to refute it because he knew that Dio was the rightful heir to the northwest territory.“People will j