The next morning came bright and early. I woke up against Flynn's hard chest. He even smelled good to me before he showered.
Flynn's blonde hair glowed in the sunlight. His white face glistened too. For once he actually looked like an angel. He sure isn't any other time unless it's your first time meeting him.
I kissed my lover on the lips. He smiled and woke up to see me.
"Good morning." He said.
"Morning."
I got up from the bed to go to the shower. Unfortunately there wasn't any hot water today. That must mean I have none either. Great way to start a morning right before school. I don't want to shower anymore. Me and the cold do NOT get along.
"Flynn! No hot water!" I called.
He sighed. "Let's go to Estellise's then."
"Estelle's?"
"Estellise told me that we can come over any time before school so we can walk together. Now is a good time to go."
I groaned. Going over to the castle means seeing the elf prince before the sun sets all of the way in the sky. That'll wake me up even without the cold water.
Together, with our uniforms, we went over to the Imperial Castle in the Nobles' Quarter. The guards recognized us right away.
Flynn asked them to escort us to the bathroom. It was unnecessarily large in here. There were so many shower stalls and one gigantic bathtub. I wouldn't mind coming here all of the time… Even though that does mean seeing Ioder.
I couldn't wait to use it until a certain someone I was just thinking of came in.
"My beloved Yuri!" Ioder said cheerfully. It sounded like he couldn't believe that I was here.
Prince Ioder's face turned sour when he saw Flynn behind me glaring at him.
Ioder held onto my hand and Flynn held onto my other hand. They looked as though they were shooting electricity at each other.
"Not in the morning!" I scolded.
I broke away and went to the stall farthest from Ioder. We may be all boys here but I don't want him to see me naked.
Flynn gave the elf prince one last glare and went to use the stall right next to mine.
I washed up as quick as I possibly could. The tension in the room was getting way too uncomfortable.
After the shower I wandered through the halls without Flynn or Ioder with me. Estelle should be around here somewhere. Maybe in her room? When I think about it, she might not be. Estelle is always going somewhere random and no one can find her.
It sucks that there aren't many windows in the building. There aren't many clocks here either. I hope that I don't get lost. All I know is that Estelle's room is in the west wing. There are many ways to get there and just as many ways to not get there… In the end I know I'm going to get lost.
Imperial Guards and important nobles were walking through the same hall as me. The nobles stared at me like I was filth but the Imperial Guards nodded at me saying hello. I'm surprised those snobs recognized my face.
I kept walking by. Soon I came by Estelle's bedroom. The only way I knew it was hers is because she had a sliver sign on her door that said: "Estellise's Chamber" with a smiley face and a pink heart on it.
No matter how you look at things. This girl is too innocent. It's better off that way though. I think she'd be "exploring" too many things in high school. Curiosity kills the cat… or Estelle.
I knocked on the naïve girl's door. No one answered so I knocked again but a little louder.
"Yes?" She called.
"It's Yuri."
"Oh!" She said cheerfully and she opened the white door with excitement. "Welcome Yuri!"
Even Estelle is loud early in the morning. It's expecting but I wasn't ready for it. For people like Estelle you have to be prepared to talk to her.
"Want to walk to school with Flynn and me?"
"Sure! Let me get my bag."
Estelle went back into her room to get her bag. I took a quick glance at her room. It's bigger than my entire apartment. It's a shame how the rich live WAY better than the poor. Where the hell is Robin Hood?
"Ready!" She said.
We went to go find Flynn. As we were walking together, Estelle talked my ear off about all her adventures here at the castle. Even the little princess herself gets lost in her home. Although it's ridiculous for someone who has lived here for sixteen years to still get lost. I won't tell her that though.
Estelle and I heard Flynn and Ioder arguing from another hallway. It was about me of course. We followed the source of the voices and soon met the two of them. Their arguing turned into trying to find their way out of the castle. Is it only me who finds it shameful that the royal family easily gets lost?
"Yo!" I called. "Let's go to school."
Both of their faces lit up when they saw us. Now they can get out IF Estelle knows where she's going. Good thing she does. The four of us began walking to the school.
Everyone seemed so cheerful today. Maybe today will be better than yesterday… There's a guarantee that it'll be better today. Zagi is nowhere to be found on school grounds.
My mind wandered elsewhere as my three friends were talking about irrelevant things. Nothing they said caught my interest anyway.
My eyes actually wandered over to Duke entering the school with a man wearing a purple vest. I've never seen that man around before. Duke looked as if he knew him very well. It's the first time I've seen him laugh. It looks suspicious since he's still in a relationship with Commandant Alexei.
Flynn held my hand and asked "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." I responded calmly.
"Aww! How cute!" Estelle cooed.
I smiled slightly. "I've got to go. I'll see you guys later, okay?"
Then I headed for the building. I figured that they went into Duke's classroom. Why was I spying in the first place? Maybe I should also say curiosity kills me too. Karma will come to me later.
Quietly, I peeked around the corner of Duke's room. Duke and the man were talking and laughing about old times. I guess they're just old friends until I saw Duke get up from his desk to kiss the stranger. The stranger kissed him back too. My mouth dropped. I didn't think Duke was the cheating type.
"Wow sensei." I said as I came into the room. "Commandant Alexei didn't work out?"
"Yuri!" Duke said in shock when I entered the room.
"Who's the kid?" the stranger asked.
"Yuri Lowell." I said.
"I'm Raven. Nice ta meet ya."
We shook hands. He looked about in his thirties. Maybe a little older than Duke himself.
This Raven guy seemed laid back. The exact opposite of Alexei. This must be why Duke wants Raven instead.
Judging by my sensei's face, he didn't want me to say anymore in front of his new "friend." This can't be good. More drama is going to start this school year. Not just with the students either. All this time I thought Duke was smart, he ends up cheating on Alexei with someone else. Something tells me I'm going to be involved anyway. Commandant Alexei always assumes I know something. In this case I do.
"I'll see ya later." Raven said to Duke. "Nice meetin' ya kid." He told me and then left the building.
"What happened to Alexei?"
"Um, he went to Heliord for something important. He'll be back in a week."
"Ha! You get lonely quick."
After the dangerous expression he gave me, I took that as my chance to leave. The bell rang not long after for first period to start anyway. I'm safe for the moment. I won't be surprised if he finds some reason to hit me in English class. He can be cruel.
Zagi wasn't here today after all. Good thing too. I actually got by science class without detention. The teacher still watched my every move though. There is no need for him to be hating me. I didn't do anything. Every day I come to this class I have to see his hateful face and the students too but I think that the teacher hates me more than them.
By the end of class, I was given more assignments since I hadn't gotten in trouble. I wonder if Flynn will help me with them. If not, I can always ask Ioder or Estelle. They'll definitely help me out.
English class came finally. Everyone was taking notes as Duke read out of the text book. Nothing he said caught my attention. I'm acing English anyways. Even if I don't study for a test or pay attention I end up passing. So, I looked out of the window.
Nothing interesting happened outside either. The birds sang their usual songs and the wind blew like normal. Outside of the window I saw that Raven guy and… Commandant Alexei… talking.
Raven then pointed to Duke's classroom window. Alexei looked up, and then stormed in with an angry expression. Raven looked upset too but not like the Commandant.
Duke saw that I was panicking.
"What's wrong, Yuri?"
"An angry Commandant and a Raven."
Duke grew pale. "Everyone please go to the library. I'll meet you there in a little while."
The students left but Duke wanted me to stay. He was scared. This affair probably hadn't been going on for long and Alexei couldn't have been gone long, or maybe he was gone long. Either way my sensei is going to be in serious trouble.
Honestly, if Duke is merely going to get yelled at, he deserves that, but Alexei doesn't look like the type to just yell. I hope that he doesn't hit sensei. There's nothing I can do here besides support my teacher.
"Just tell him the truth, Duke." I said.
"That's what I'm afraid of. Raven knew that I was with Alexei and… I wanted someone other than the Commandant. I don't want to tell him that."
"Is that so?" Alexei asked as he came into the room and slammed the door behind him.
The Commandant looked so intimidating. If I felt afraid just by seeing him, I can't imagine how Duke is feeling.
"YOU CHEATED ON ME!" He questioned.
I laughed nervously. "I really should be getting to the library."
"SIT DOWN YURI LOWELL!"
Immediately, I sat down. I wonder if anyone else is hearing this. It'd be nice if someone else did. I'd feel safe that way. Duke and I are both stuck with the angry leader of the Imperial Knights.
"Alexei listen…" Duke started. He didn't seem to know where or how to start explaining. Unfortunately, I can't interfere. "I've known Raven for a long time and he's always been there for me. You… you've been so busy that I've gotten lonely… Raven was there for me. He came all of the way from Dahngrest to comfort me then… things happened."
"Did you sleep with him?" That's all the Commandant seemed to care about.
"… Yes."
You could tell by the look in Alexei's eyes, he wanted to hit Duke so bad. He might've but I was still there. I'm surprised that he cared enough not to be violent in public. He IS Commandant after all. I think he could get away with hitting someone even if there are witnesses around.
"Forget it. I'm taking a vacation from work. We'll deal with it when you get home."
He left out after thinking for a moment about the situation. Duke, however, let himself fall onto his chair and made a deep sigh. Reacting to the situation like this means he won't be able to focus on teaching or anything else until everything is fixed. Although, I don't think the principal will let Duke go home just because he had a fight with his boyfriend. There isn't anyone to substitute either. I really can't help but say this is entirely his fault. There are ALWAYS consequences for cheating even if you are dating an ass-hole and going for someone better.
"Sensei." I said.
Duke silenced me. "Your next class is starting in five minutes. Go to the library and tell everyone they're dismissed."
I went without back-talking or questioning. He'll be fine on his own. That's what sensei needs. Good thing he has a free period next class.
All of us went to the castle after school. The day went by smoothly for me and all of my friends. They were talkative like usual. Flynn and Ioder argued while Estelle entered her own fantasy world about two boys doing whatever she imagines. She is such a fan girl. While all of this was going on, I tried my best to do my homework with my abnormal friends around and the noise.
No one else here gets homework because they're in advanced classes for the academically gifted. It's no surprise for Flynn and Estelle but how the hell is Ioder intelligent? Money really can get you places.
Flynn began stroking my hair as I concentrated on my work. His touch helped me think better until Ioder decided to join in. Competing is really childish.
"You are truly beautiful Yuri." Ioder told me. "If you were mine, I'd tell you that every day when we'd wake up together. I'd hold you close in my arms and tell you that I love you."
My jealous boyfriend pulled me close to him out of Ioder's reach. Flynn said "Yuri and I already do that without thinking of you. Don't we Yuri?"
I joked around saying "Heh. You don't call me beautiful."
The elf prince couldn't understand the joke. He said "I can call you beautiful more than once in a day."
"Aww… You're so popular Yuri!" Estelle cooed.
I mumbled "More than I want."
Before I knew, it actually isn't a problem for me, the lover boys were doing all of my science homework. They were competing to see who could get done first. It didn't catch my interest at all. Even though they both knew that, they continued to work. Estelle watched in awe.
Since everyone was occupied in something, I decided to wander off. It's probably a bad idea to walk around the castle. I'll only get lost again… That doesn't sound too bad right now but I'll regret that later once I start panicking because I can't find my way back to the others.
Anyway, the hallways seemed darker than this morning. Maybe because I'm more awake everything looks a little different.
When I turned the corner, I saw Commandant Alexei coming my way. He noticed me before I could pretend I didn't see him.
"Yuri Lowell." He called.
I waited for him to come to me. If it were anyone else I'd have turned around and ignored that person but I'm not allowed to ignore the Commandant even if I'm not in the Imperial Knights. Anyone could get in trouble unless you were a certain prince or princess.
"You know Duke well, correct?" He asked. "Does he talk about me?"
"Why don't you ask him that yourself? I'm a student and he's a teacher. Our personal lives aren't shared with each other."
"If you know anything, tell me."
Alexei shook my hand and went into one of the nearby rooms. In my hand was ten-thousand gald. I know I'm poor but this is way too much to accept.
I tried getting into the room that he went in but it was locked. I even called out to him but he didn't answer me. Maybe Estelle can give it back to him. I'd keep a little but that would mean that I'd have to tell him Duke's information.
Surprisingly I found my way back to the others. Flynn and Ioder just finished with my homework and Estelle had been writing down some things. I will not bother to ask. I just might regret it.
"Estelle, can you give this back to Commandant Alexei? He paid me to give him information about his lover." I said.
"Sure." She said taking the money from me. "Which one?"
"Which one?" I repeated.
"Yes." She laughed. "Which lover?"
"He has more than one?"
"Yes."
I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. After how mad he got at Duke I was surprised that he cared enough for information.
Maybe Duke hooked up with Raven out of spite not because he was lonely. That makes more sense to me since Alexei only got mad that Duke slept with Raven. The pieces fit now. I just can't believe that Duke would hurt someone out of spite. I can't wait for tomorrow.
To be continued…