"AND SO, that's what happened." Alesteria is seated next to Klaus and Ich while Neo and Nadia are on the other side of them. After a protracted conversation, they have finally spoken calmly and realized that Klaus was not a suspicious individual. Alesteria paid close attention, avoiding bias or taking sides, and she understood who was at fault and why things had escalated the way they had. It involved both sides in this instance. Ich turned to look at Neo being cared for by Nadia and said, "So it was really Neo's fault then." Although Neo's injuries are not too serious—just a few minor scratches here and there—his bruises will undoubtedly darken over the course of the following few days, so Nadia is doing her best to minimize them by administering first aid. She and Neo turned to look at Ich when he made the remark as she was doing this. Ich held onto his arm as Alesteria smacked his arm and hissed at him while also giving him a glare. She opened her eyes and glared at Ich, "Do
ALESTERIA GOT back a little past eight last night, without being detected and woke up earlier than usual. It is not that she had a hard time sleeping, it was just there is a lot on her mind that day that wanted some answers. So, all she did until she was called for breakfast was to ponder about Nicholae and his previous actions. She still hasn’t forgotten about seeing Nicholae, she was sure it was him. However, she wasn't sure why he was here, when the last time she heard from him was about a month ago. A lot of things happened in a month. "Penny for your thoughts?" Alesteria broke out of her reverie and looked at her side, seeing Parie standing there tilting her head at her as she looked back. "You seem to be in deep thoughts." Parie sat next to Alesteria, she was near the window looking out as she got lost in her thought while the former just appeared and sat on the edge of the window. Last night, they didn't get the chance to talk because Alesteria went straight to bed after
WHEN ALESTERIA announced to Xerxes and to her brothers, Aldrich and Aimilios, about her willingness to study for the education of going to the academy like every noble and royalty does, Xerxes was surprised to say the least. He didn't expect Alesteria to willingly take the classes since he knew how much she hates studying but go be the first to say it to him makes him a little proud. "She said that?" Both Bastian and Tristan asked simultaneously to Xerxes as he nodded, a slight smugness in his eyes as he told them about what happened at breakfast. "She did, she even said she wants to go to the academy." After breakfast, Xerxes just told Alesteria to not go out anymore and to stay in her room. She can either go to the garden or with her brothers, but she cannot leave the palace. Aldrich and Aimilios seemed to be ecstatic about this, but Xerxes reminded them that their probation is yet to end so they cannot go to the garden, even if Alesteria is there. Still, they were satisfied w
"YOU SEEM to be fond of making decisions right at the spot, Alesteria." Parie's words were neither mocking nor disappointed as she spoke, Klaus standing at the side while Alesteria was sitting on the chair placed in the balcony. The place was peaceful, the trees and bird being the only background noise, as Alesteria was reading something that Aimilios gave her after the whole announcement at breakfast yesterday. The two princes seemed to be happy, or satisfied, with her decision and even supported her, forgetting that she went out without permission as the only thing that mattered was her willingness. Though, Alesteria is sure that if she didn't announce that, she will be sent otherwise. "Yet again, I shouldn't be surprised you actually decided something like that." She added. She was pertaining to what Alesteria did before when she left without saying anything, which Alesteria knows. Still, when Parie keeps bringing that up, even if it has been a long time, she is slowly starti
NICHOLAE WOKE up that day feeling a little bit nervous, for whatever reason, and felt the need to think for a moment before doing his daily routine. That day is the day he will visit the palace once again, after a long while of not doing so, and meeting Alesteria for the first time in four years or ever since he inherited the dukedom. At the moment, Nicholae stood in front of the huge window in the duke's office, which is his now, as the door opened and entered a maid in black uniform pushing a trolley inside. The trolley consists of just a teacup and teapot, a few small jars of honey, sugar, and coco sugar. Nicholae didn't bother to turn around and face the maid as she did her job with a steady hand, but she was nervous on the inside due to Nicholae's overwhelming aura. The maid did her best, at least, and placed a cup of a lukewarm tea in a clean place on the opposite side of the pile of documents in his table. "Here is your tea, master." She said as she lowers her head after.
AFTER ALESTERIA stated that, Nicholae breaks out in laughter, not expecting her to be frank but that is precisely why he liked her, as he fell back and attempted to cover his lips ultimately failing because Alesteria can see his big smile. However, Nicholae paused for a moment as he recalled what he thought, his eyes slowly dimming. 'Like?' He laughed at that in his mind, thinking it was an absurd thought that passed him, but his heart is beating otherwise. It was a word Nicholae have never knew in his whole life nor has he ever used it to feel toward something or someone. All he has ever known is 'tolerance' and 'patience' due to the fact that he wasn't even taught basic human emotions; what to dislike and like about certain things. For him, 'Like' is such a foreign word that it leaves Nicholae's mind in disarray as well as a bitter taste in his mouth. Although bitter, Nicholae can sense the sweetness that comes along with it and oddly enough, he doesn't mind it. "Like..." He
NICHOLAE'S EXPRESSION was cloudy, more so dark, as his grey eyes gave off a feeling of a mixture of an incoming storm that even his aura was affected by it. He left the gazebo without uttering another word, his expression already shows what his emotions are as Leandro accompanied him, currently sitting in front of him throughout the carriage ride with a tensed atmosphere between them. Leandro doesn't follow the conversation between Alesteria and Nicholae. It was a confusion in his part, how they both started with a light greeting but when Alesteria brought up the letter, it took a dark turn. He can't help but wonder if somewhere along the lines, like a string was snapped that made every effort Nicholae built fall. That is how Leandro would describe the conversation between them. Even though the carriage ride was silent all throughput the way back, the silence was loud enough for him to think he was deaf. "We're here, Duke." The coachman announces as the carriage halted. Leandro
THE SKY was dark as Ich stared at it, noticing the dark clouds rolling in indicating that a storm will be coming in the next hour or so, while he felt something that is not quite right. The last time he felt this was when he met Alesteria in front of a bouquet shop being harassed by a man he didn't know. Or at least, that is what he saw so he is sticking with it. Speaking of that, his mind wanders to Alesteria and what she is doing at that moment since they haven't seen each other for the past couple of days. 'I wonder how she is doing now.' He thought momentarily as he sighs. Aside from the weather, the room where he is right now is dark with only a few candles to light up some areas. It is not because he doesn't want the room to be well lit, but because of the person standing near the door with a relaxed stance. That person can be vaguely seen because of the candle's luminousness, their face is still hidden, but Ich know this person too well. "So, are you sure you want to qui