I stand in front of the room we used to meet up in. The cool shade of blue that made it different from the other doors in this hotel. How odd that I never asked him why he painted this door blue when it stands out more by doing so. The knob touches flat cold on my palm as I twist to enter. I sniff the rustic smell as it settles in my nostrils. It is a little fainter than the first time I went here. "Are you sure you're leaving?" "Do I have a choice?" Her red eyes sparkle as they stare at me with agony. I know she will be the one who will take the crowd when they start questioning my absence. She's my closest cousin, after all. But I appreciate that she did not stop me when I told her my plans. I needed this. I needed to escape from this hell if I wanted to save myself from the hell hole that night brought me. Louise holds my hand and rubs it on her cheek. "Did he really not listen to you? How could he—" "It was a mistake from the start, Louise," I smiled at her. It is true. I
Imperial Year 453 “What do you mean I need to attend the banquet?” Charlene, the youngest daughter of Duke Alphonse, exclaimed in a fury in the middle of their family dinner. It had been years since she last attended one— Charlene withdrew from social gatherings after that incident. “Watch your tone, young lady,” Adolphus, Charlene’s eldest brother, calmly said in a warning tone. His eyes land on Charlene, who’s still rebelling against the decision of her father. “Did you even consider my feelings at all?” she cried. Charlotte, her mother, looked away as she could not bear to see the situation of Charlene. Duke Alphonse, however, hardened his heart this time around. He had been letting her youngest roam free, but the presence of their whole family was personally requested by His Majesty— the ruler of the werewolf kingdom, Lightcrest. Though Alphonse wanted to refute the king’s command, the domination of the king overwhelmed him. “You just need to let the King see you, and you’re
“You should have told me you were coming home! How could you betray me, Louise!” Charlene hugs her tight. Louise laughs at her as she taps her shoulder. “There, there, my crybaby little cousin. Get back to your seat. Can’t you see how cramped the carriage is?” Louise chuckles as Charlene sits back. Louise and Charlene are on their way to the King’s banquet. Charlene tried her best to avoid attending the event, but she did not win against her father. Upon hearing Louise’s presence, Charlene had no choice but to follow. After all, Louise is one of the reasons she goes out of the mansion. “We’re here, Lady Charlene,” a knock from outside disturbed her rants. Charlene breathes in and opens her eyes. She looks out and bites her lip. “Can I go home?” “After you greet the King,” Louise caressed her cheeks and pulled her out of the carriage. A couple of pairs of eyes set their place on the two young ladies who had just arrived. Some are admiration, while some are discontent. ‘The unl
“And Charlene?” The duke asked his personal aide, Camon, but the latter only shook his head. Duke Alphonse puts down his fountain pen and stares at the moon. It is another cold night in the country, winter truly is on its way, and monster subjugation should be in a week from now — but all this could be the very least of his concern.“How could the goddess be so cruel to my child, Camon?” Duke Alphonse looked at the moon with worry and sadness as he recalled how the reports about Charlene’s stay in the academy went on.After hearing the situation from his second son, Harry, he immediately had Camon investigate the whole situation. Charlene is getting bullied not just by the werewolves but even by the other races that she comes in contact with. There was no reason for them to bully her, she’s one of the noblest bloodlines in the Lightcrest Kingdom, but the academy doesn’t really take that into account.All that matters is ability and strength. Though Charlene is exceptional when it co
The heir of the county seemed irritated with what Charlene called him. He shifted his weight and saw the son of their Beta, Weiss Heran, that is walking by the entrance. Diatrus Kembal knew something was going on between Weiss and Charlene since last semester. People are even whispering about the possible agreement between Charlene’s and Weiss’s families. ‘This is your fault for insulting me, Charlene,’ “Hah! Big word for someone weaker than a werewolf commoner… oh wait, you’re even weaker than a human, isn’t that right?” DIatrus made sure that his voice was loud enough for Weiss to take notice of them. He glanced at the man and smirked when he saw Weiss walking in their direction. Charlene stays silent, though. She looks at him in silence. Diatrus felt proud as it seemed he hit a sore spot in Charlene’s. “What? Cat got your tongue, pussy?” People around them laughed with Diatrus, but what followed was running students— hiding students when Weiss held Charlene’s shoulder. “You
"Charlene," the woman froze when the cold voice pierced her being. She stood straight in the hallway, refusing to look back. "Now, you're not even exchanging greetings with me? What is your problem?" "Problem? I have nothing of the sort, Weiss," Charlene looked at him. His forest green eyes are staring into her. Trying to dig up what's buried within her. Charlene looked away. Weiss walked to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. He leaned towards Charlene and whispered. "Meet me under the Goddess's grace," he said and marched away. The Goddess's grace… Charlene could not remember the last time they used the code they had made up when they were little. Charlene stared at his back, reminiscing how small it used to be. Charlene looked away and was surprised by the pair of eyes staring at her. It's cold yet alive. It feels like the cold breeze along the shore on a night walk. It wasn't harsh but comforting. "Care to tell me why I am having the privilege of your attention, Your Hig
"A war of brains will be held in the city next month. Top academies will be participating, and the Celestia Academy — the best, of course, shall be proving once more why we are on top even after a century. So, the topic at hand now is who will be our participants," The whole room roared in excitement after the professor delivered the news. The tournament between different academies within the vicinity is held every year; It is a week-long event that will be held at the center of the city. Streets will be decorated, and folks from neighboring areas will come to visit the festival. After all, the academies will be showing different battles, not just of brains, but of swords and muscles. "Lady Charlene, care to share your thoughts about the trees outside?" Charlene looked at the professor with a flushed face. The other students giggle as it is rare to see the woman spacing out in the four corners of the very room. Charlene had been staring outside but not at the trees. She was star
There are festivals that people are always looking forward to. The dashing days to the blazing nights. The brilliant streets are covered with the colors of the rainbow. Everyone is looking forward to it."I didn't know you fancy this kind of event, brother," Louise steps out of the carriage. The sky is still covered in a blanket of darkness.The knight behind her puts a cloak on her shoulder. Louise stares at her brother. The word does not sit very well in her mouth, but she still addresses him as such.'You never changed. You're still like that kid that plays around the castle as if it was not a place flooded by blood,' Louise thought as she stared at his back.The Crown Prince, Galien, glanced at her. "It's not like you didn't know why I am here, Louise,"Louise stared at his crimson eyes. Werewolves are known for their fierce eyes, but only those of royal blood have eyes as red as blood. It's a clear sign of being blessed by the Moon Goddess."Right," Louise nods. "You're here to c