"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
"WHAT? WHAT? She broke off with him?" Both Alesteria and Klaus looked at Parie with a scrutinizing way and scowled at the same time. "What a strange way to put it, Parie," Klaus remarked, disappointedly looking at her. Parie, on the other hand, rolls her eyes and crosses her arms, pointing at Alesteria, who is still frowning. "I mean, she's very attached to him." It was the day after Alesteria's meeting with Nicholae, and it took her an entire day to not feel upset about her decision, while knowing what he had done for the previous years. Believe it or not, she sincerely considered Nicholae as a dear friend of hers. He is the only person who didn't see her status and interacted with her still, despite the bad rumors surrounding their families. Alesteria was sad about this, but she knew it had to be done. "Parie." Klaus called for her, a tone of warning under it. Alesteria sighs at this and shook her head, her expression is still dim but not as much as it was yesterday. "Am no
"YOU ONLY come here when you either caused another commotion or when you need permission about something." Was what Xerxes first said as soon as the door to his office opened and that familiar face came into view, accompanied by a sheepish smile. "So, which one is it this time?" Alesteria couldn't help but giggle at how Xerxes greeted her because she had been causing him headaches since she was five years old. She didn't get into too much trouble back then, but she knew Xerxes would send his own knights to keep an eye on her from afar, both to keep her safe and out of trouble. Tristan is at Xerxes' side, per usual, holding a bunch of documents while smiling at Alesteria. "I think the princess is here to ask you something." Tristan commented as he looked at Alesteria knowingly. "She rarely visits me and if she does, that will probably why she is here." Xerxes commented too, not leaving his gaze from the paper in his hands. Alesteria was a little bit offended by their words but kn
"I NEVER thought I would see the day you five will all be gathering like this again." Was what Aldrich said as soon as he walked to the table with his usual grin. "So, what's the agenda for today?" Alesteria furrow her eyebrows at his words, seeing that he was teasing them again, while the rest stood up simultaneously and curtsied towards the two princes. Aimilios is standing beside him, without an inch of expression on his face, but his eyes were soft as he looked at Alesteria. Alesteria erased the furrow of her eyebrows and replaced it with a smile aimed at Aimilios only, which Aldrich pouted as he sulked. "Greeting to the future sun of the empire and future Duke of the Lidloch." Aldrich smiled at them momentarily, seeing that he is in a good mood all of a sudden, as he waves his hand and motion for them to stand up straight. They all did so as Aldrich wastes no time and turned to Alesteria with the same sulking expression. "Why did you only smile at Theo? I'm here too!" Ale
AS ALESTERIA packed her bags, she couldn't help but reminisce the two years she stayed in the academy. She remembered having fun around the campus, Kallista and her enjoying lunch by the oak tree behind the building, and the times Parie stole from the dessert aisle at the cafeteria.It was quite a ride for her and leaving feels surreal. It felt bittersweet as the breeze blew coldly, autumn might just be a week away as she closed her window.She closed her eyes and sighed, turning to look at the room she resided for the past two years, an unfamiliarity strings along as she looked at the half-barren room."This feels oddly...sad." She muttered to herself as she looked down at the bag on her bed, yet to be filled with clothes.‘I never expected to be so nostalgic about this.’Alesteria smiled to herself, feeling that the quiet halls and main grounds that are usually filled with people are what
LOUD CHEERS and chants can be heard throughout the stadium as a woman with a high ponytail and blonde hair stepped into the stage, her outfit is similar to those who will go horse-riding except there is a slight modification.She is wearing a half cape, one that is on her right shoulder alone, as well as a badge that glistened when the sunlight shined on it.It was a badge of the magic department and as soon as she stopped in the middle of the stage, a large screen projecting her was shown to the rest who can't see her clearly as the stage is farther from the audience seats.One girl bounced excitedly, her dark magenta hair and jade-colored eyes waved at the person while a certain lapiz-lazuli eyed prince kept her at bay, putting hand on her waist."Alesteria!"The blonde-girl, Alesteria, turned to who called her name so familiarly and as she did, everyone screamed louder as Alesteria smiled beautifully while waving back gracefully.The girl who called her is Eve, and beside her is Ai
"CLASS DISMISSED."The sound of the studengs chattering as they left the room made Alesteria breathe out a sigh of relief. It has been a month since she started teaching and her classes are well-made, as one of the professors said when they passed by one time when she was teaching.'Not sure whether to take that as an insult or compliment.' Alesteria thought as she shakes her head.She gather up her things and the moment she stepped out of the room, she saw Kallista waiting for her with a huge smile on her face, her eyes sparkling."Ales!" Kallista happily called as she walked towards Alesteria.Alesteria thought it was a puppy waiting for her, seeing how Kallista is in a good mood."Kallista, you're here early." Alesteria commented with a smile on her face as well.Kallista giggled and blushed, "Well, it is near lunch time and you know... We are eating at the cafeteria, right?"Alesteria almost laughed at how Kallista suddenly blushed, hearing that lunch break is in about five minute
IF ALESTERIA hadn't had such a lengthy patience span, she would have lost her cool right then and there. Thankfully, with years and centuries of being with Parie, that patience paid off quite well. Speaking of Parie, the same pixie is annoying Alesteria after she returned to her side and Alesteria has returned to her dorm after teaching. It was still a little early, so Alesteria decided to read a book in peace, but Pari seemed to have other plans for them. "C'mon! Just tell me a little bit! We are friends, right? Comrades! Please Alesteria!" Parie pestered her as she keeps flying around Alesteria's head like a pesky bug. Alesteria sighed, irritated, as she waves her hand and send a gust of wind to Parie's direction which made her flew back as she tumbled with a soft thud on the bed. "Hey! That wasn't very nice!" She said angrily with a pout as she sat up, crossing her arms. Alesteria closes her book and stared at Parie before finally giving in. "Fine. What is it that you wanted
"HELLO, EVERYONE. I am Alesteria Elsi Alaric, your new assistant professor for this semester. It's nice to meet you all." Alesteria's honey-blonde hair, which was normally not tied or braided, is now in a ponytail as she wore glasses. It was not her idea to wear something like that, but Laroi convinced her to make her look more 'professor-like' in Laroi's term. After Alesteria introduced herself, Laroi standing next to her, the students from the academic’s department whispered to themselves as they stare at Alesteria. They are confused as to why she is there as their curiosity and confusion began to create a buzz, not because Alesteria is an assistant professor, but because she is standing in front of everyone in her uniform. Not just in her uniform, which is the same as the rest of the students in the academic department, she is still wearing her magic department badge as it is proudly pinned on her right chest. Usually, an assistant professor instructing the first-year students
ALESTERIA WAS still calm, but she was annoyed at how Kallista is acting. Both of them are sixteen and they are in the same grade, same class. However, many can see the stark difference between the two. And yet, no one dared to pick sides. Kallista didn't utter a word after Alesteria spoke and they just stared at each other, wanting to be the victor in this staring contest as the air got colder. It is not just their gazes, but Kallista is unknowingly releasing her mana that made the temperature go low. If Alesteria is capable of controlling the pressure and air, Kallista can influence the temperature depending on her mood. Alesteria notices this and took note of it, but as of the moment, she did nothing. Alesteria is unaffected by it, but the other students are not, so it is no surprise when the cold atmosphere was cut short by a familiar voice, breaking the staring contest. "Kallista!" Alesteria and Kallista turned their head simultaneously. From the door, they saw Levi panting
"THERE YOU are!" Parie greeted Alesteria with a huge smile as Alesteria sat down, Klaus is in front of her and there are two sets of food waiting to be eaten. Parie is holding a macaron, which is bigger than her, as she waves at Alesteria. "So, how did it go with Laroi?" Parie asked, taking a bite out of her macaron. "Eventful, I would say." Alesteria responded as she took the cup of drink, guessing it is iced tea, as she drank it. She sets it down after taking half of the drink before turning to Klaus. "We only have five semesters left. Laroi, I mean the principal, gave us an incentive." Alesteria announced as she leaned on her seat and cross her arms, sighing. "We might get home early than intended." Originally, the academy has two semesters per year. There is a summer and winter vacation, for normal students, but since Alesteria agreed to stay for at least two years only, she has taken three semesters in just one year. That left her no time to go home for both the summer and
TWO DAYS passed and Alesteria's name is still creating a huge buzz in the academy. In a manner of a day, what happened in the training ground was spread far and wide within the academy as other departments also heard about it. In the academy, there is three department in total. The first one is the Magic department, where nobles and commoners alike who have innate mana in them belong to this department. There is a lot of nobles than the commoners, but nonetheless, they are enrolled in this department if they show the slightest amount of mana. There is also the Knight department, where those who want to be a knight/escort belong to this department. It can also vary to people who have a talent for the sword to nobles who are mandated to learn the sword, may it be their family tradition or their own will to do so. Lastly, there is the Academics department. The students that belong in this department are geniuses, or just plain smart. They do not have the mana like those in the magic d
"THIS IS... room 203-A? Ah, right." Alesteria look up from her schedule, the one Laroi gave her, as she looks up to the little sign by the door while any students are looking at her, who is wearing the academy's uniform. It looks so foreign on Alesteria, they noted. It was just a simple black uniform, with a plaid skirt and white long sleeve, a black tie, and black coat with the academy's patch sewed on the right side, pockets on each side of the coat and skirt. Still, no matter how plain it actually looks like, Alesteria's honey-blonde hair and ocean blue eyes stands out from the uniform, making her more beautiful than ever. "Why is your schedule at eight in the morning? You should start by ten!" Parie complained as she yawned, her eyes a bit swollen from just waking up as she sat on Alesteria's shoulder. She was forced to wake up as Klaus is on his class, and she did promise that she will take Klaus' place as Alesteria's companion while he studies. Parie is not one to break her