"You're not going to freeload on us, are you?"I looked in Loki's direction and raised an eyebrow, "I will not ask for money, especially from the likes of someone who don't even know its value."Aquilo laughed aloud as Cady smiled despite herself while the rest of the scions looked offended by what I had just said.All of them, except Himiko, giggled loudly, "If I am an heiress of another nation, I will take your words as offending and discriminatory. But, alas, that's the truth. Most of those born from the monarchies or the top of the nobility food chain are ignorant of how important currency is.""And you are not?" Ester asked pointedly as the baronetess winked at her meaningfully."Of course, I am not. A scion like you I may be, I am from Vosque. The land of commerce where crys is the real ruler and we members of the ruling family are merely there to make sure the cash flowing for everyone else. I definitely understand where our commoner classmate is getting from and his reaction a
"...very excited for you being there, brother.""Yes, I was still surprised about it, to be honest.""Surprised? What, are you saying you are not expecting to not pass at all?""Well, yes...""Seriously, I will honestly be more surprised if you didn't.""Still expecting too much from me, Lythena.""Because you can't, that's why. Anyways, I bet mama and papa will be very pleased when I relayed the news.""You think?""I don't think, I know. This is just too much for me to take in. I am literally hyperventilating.""Really, you are overreacting, sister.""Me, overreacting? Please, if it's just some random school in Fang or Alcrima, then yes. But this is Crysalian Military Academy we are talking about which only accepts the best of the best of the cream of the cream of the crops! Only heirs and heiresses have free pass to study at that school. Celebrities are a no-go!""Speaking of that, I am put into a class together with them as well.""No way! Did they...""It is highly unlikely, sist
Aquilo blinked and inclined his head in my direction pensively, "Now that you said it, I never have given that much thought.""About what, Aquilo?" Zeo asked curiously."About our privilege and what it looks like from outside looking inside."Ester took a deep breath and sighed, "Well, the reality is we are born high above the social pyramid. Father said that we exist technically on a different plane of reality from the rest.""My own father said the same thing," Himiko followed and smiled a little, "Try as hard as we might, we are just different from other people.""You really do," Cady agreed as she glanced at me quietly before continuing, "Honestly speaking, when I first met you all earlier, it's like I am in front of someone so near yet so far. Like there's this huge invisible wall that separates you all from the real world."Loki grunted loudly as if she was woefully ignorant of a fact, "That's because that's what it should be. We, monarchs, are separated from the common folks by
"Krios will, of course, handle the cooking. Godiva, will be our public representative while Himiko will take care of our finances as a treasurer. Aquilo will be in charge of our security, Loki our consultant and Cady as our logistician."Ester then looked at me kindly, and I knew that look.I have seen that so many times in my life that I've grown used to it.But it doesn't mean that it became less painful, though."Arcelon, we have already covered all of the important tasks. What you can do to help us all at least is to act as our runner," the mistress said ever so carefully as not to offend me, and I appreciated her doing that despite our differences, "If we need someone to buy things, we don't have or contact our teachers and staffs at school, you will be the one who will do it. Also, if any one of us is struggling with our own tasks, you will lend assistance as well."I nodded in agreement, as raising an objection would be futile anyway.That, and I think I am best for that partic
The two of us remained quiet as he continued speaking."It is given that our other classmates, scions they are, to profess their absolute faith in the religion, or at least give a lip service to it. What I wanted to know is what the Crysalian Elemental Religion is for you Cady and Arcelon? Are you devout? A believer or non-believer?"I blinked when I heard his last word, "Non-believer? Is that word even legal?""It isn't technically speaking. But it is a reality all the same. As much as the religious lay ministers around us want to hope, not all Crysalians are faithful to the church. That is what His Holiness has confided to me confidentially. The times, the people, the world are changing and we are slowly but surely losing sway over the people."Cady took a small breath as she tried to tread carefully on the topic, "Are you sure you should be saying that to us? We just met, and we are commoners as well.""The more reason I can trust you to understand where I, no, where we are coming
I stood up and put the used clothes that I removed into the wicker basket next to my bed and opened the cabinet to see the things I haphazardly packed neatly organized inside before I pulled out a boxer, short and white sleeveless undershirt for me to wear.There is a sound of running water inside the closed door on the southern part of the room, which I guess is the bathroom, so I quickly dressed before His Highness saw me butt naked.True enough, after I sat down on the edge of my bed, the door opened, and out came Loki, who was only wearing his boxer briefs, dripping wet and drying himself with the red towel he was scrubbing his hair with.And here I thought I wouldn't get amazed at how "perfect" he is.His body is not as bulky as Aquilo's, but certainly an athletic one.He had bulging biceps and pecs, six-packed abs, and he clearly didn't skip any leg day. He was surprised a little to see me sitting right in front of him and stared at me for a while.I guess he feels good about h
She then looked at me and Cady, who was sitting next to each other at the back of the class, expectantly, "Before I begin my lesson, I would like to advise you all that in case some of you are not aware yet, Ms. Cady and Mr. Arcelon scored the highest on theoretical and practical applications of political studies during the scholar examinations respectively. I and Sir Trajan checked the paper ourselves and we are thoroughly impressed.""Coming from a commoner background, that is impressive," Ester remarked in approval as my companion smiled shyly."You are giving me too much credit, really. I am instructed by my benefactor months before I was sent here for the scholar examinations," she then deflected the praise to me, "If there is someone who is impressive here, it's Arcelon. I actually have been meaning to ask this yesterday but never really got the chance to do so. Where did you learn about politics?"I brushed off her and gave the answer papa instructed me to deliver if they asked
I nodded and took a deep breath before speaking, "As you all might already know, Alcrima and Fang seceded from the empire together when it fractured a long time ago. The two different clans of metal and earth, due to their symbiotic relationship with each other decided to unite as one nation under the palatinate. But a few hundred years ago, the Monarchy of Fang heard the calls for a more democratic government by the Alcrimans, thus granting them independence. However, they also demanded to keep the special relationship between the nations. I guess Cady can carry on from here.""I will, Arcelon," she agreed and continued from where I left, "As he said, my people wanted more democracy but not to the point of existing on our own because we are so used to be with our Fangian brothers and sisters. So our forefathers and mothers adopted a viceroyal type of government to still be technically under the palatinate's sphere of influence while getting the democracy we wanted all along without c
I nodded and took a deep breath before speaking, "As you all might already know, Alcrima and Fang seceded from the empire together when it fractured a long time ago. The two different clans of metal and earth, due to their symbiotic relationship with each other decided to unite as one nation under the palatinate. But a few hundred years ago, the Monarchy of Fang heard the calls for a more democratic government by the Alcrimans, thus granting them independence. However, they also demanded to keep the special relationship between the nations. I guess Cady can carry on from here.""I will, Arcelon," she agreed and continued from where I left, "As he said, my people wanted more democracy but not to the point of existing on our own because we are so used to be with our Fangian brothers and sisters. So our forefathers and mothers adopted a viceroyal type of government to still be technically under the palatinate's sphere of influence while getting the democracy we wanted all along without c
She then looked at me and Cady, who was sitting next to each other at the back of the class, expectantly, "Before I begin my lesson, I would like to advise you all that in case some of you are not aware yet, Ms. Cady and Mr. Arcelon scored the highest on theoretical and practical applications of political studies during the scholar examinations respectively. I and Sir Trajan checked the paper ourselves and we are thoroughly impressed.""Coming from a commoner background, that is impressive," Ester remarked in approval as my companion smiled shyly."You are giving me too much credit, really. I am instructed by my benefactor months before I was sent here for the scholar examinations," she then deflected the praise to me, "If there is someone who is impressive here, it's Arcelon. I actually have been meaning to ask this yesterday but never really got the chance to do so. Where did you learn about politics?"I brushed off her and gave the answer papa instructed me to deliver if they asked
I stood up and put the used clothes that I removed into the wicker basket next to my bed and opened the cabinet to see the things I haphazardly packed neatly organized inside before I pulled out a boxer, short and white sleeveless undershirt for me to wear.There is a sound of running water inside the closed door on the southern part of the room, which I guess is the bathroom, so I quickly dressed before His Highness saw me butt naked.True enough, after I sat down on the edge of my bed, the door opened, and out came Loki, who was only wearing his boxer briefs, dripping wet and drying himself with the red towel he was scrubbing his hair with.And here I thought I wouldn't get amazed at how "perfect" he is.His body is not as bulky as Aquilo's, but certainly an athletic one.He had bulging biceps and pecs, six-packed abs, and he clearly didn't skip any leg day. He was surprised a little to see me sitting right in front of him and stared at me for a while.I guess he feels good about h
The two of us remained quiet as he continued speaking."It is given that our other classmates, scions they are, to profess their absolute faith in the religion, or at least give a lip service to it. What I wanted to know is what the Crysalian Elemental Religion is for you Cady and Arcelon? Are you devout? A believer or non-believer?"I blinked when I heard his last word, "Non-believer? Is that word even legal?""It isn't technically speaking. But it is a reality all the same. As much as the religious lay ministers around us want to hope, not all Crysalians are faithful to the church. That is what His Holiness has confided to me confidentially. The times, the people, the world are changing and we are slowly but surely losing sway over the people."Cady took a small breath as she tried to tread carefully on the topic, "Are you sure you should be saying that to us? We just met, and we are commoners as well.""The more reason I can trust you to understand where I, no, where we are coming
"Krios will, of course, handle the cooking. Godiva, will be our public representative while Himiko will take care of our finances as a treasurer. Aquilo will be in charge of our security, Loki our consultant and Cady as our logistician."Ester then looked at me kindly, and I knew that look.I have seen that so many times in my life that I've grown used to it.But it doesn't mean that it became less painful, though."Arcelon, we have already covered all of the important tasks. What you can do to help us all at least is to act as our runner," the mistress said ever so carefully as not to offend me, and I appreciated her doing that despite our differences, "If we need someone to buy things, we don't have or contact our teachers and staffs at school, you will be the one who will do it. Also, if any one of us is struggling with our own tasks, you will lend assistance as well."I nodded in agreement, as raising an objection would be futile anyway.That, and I think I am best for that partic
Aquilo blinked and inclined his head in my direction pensively, "Now that you said it, I never have given that much thought.""About what, Aquilo?" Zeo asked curiously."About our privilege and what it looks like from outside looking inside."Ester took a deep breath and sighed, "Well, the reality is we are born high above the social pyramid. Father said that we exist technically on a different plane of reality from the rest.""My own father said the same thing," Himiko followed and smiled a little, "Try as hard as we might, we are just different from other people.""You really do," Cady agreed as she glanced at me quietly before continuing, "Honestly speaking, when I first met you all earlier, it's like I am in front of someone so near yet so far. Like there's this huge invisible wall that separates you all from the real world."Loki grunted loudly as if she was woefully ignorant of a fact, "That's because that's what it should be. We, monarchs, are separated from the common folks by
"...very excited for you being there, brother.""Yes, I was still surprised about it, to be honest.""Surprised? What, are you saying you are not expecting to not pass at all?""Well, yes...""Seriously, I will honestly be more surprised if you didn't.""Still expecting too much from me, Lythena.""Because you can't, that's why. Anyways, I bet mama and papa will be very pleased when I relayed the news.""You think?""I don't think, I know. This is just too much for me to take in. I am literally hyperventilating.""Really, you are overreacting, sister.""Me, overreacting? Please, if it's just some random school in Fang or Alcrima, then yes. But this is Crysalian Military Academy we are talking about which only accepts the best of the best of the cream of the cream of the crops! Only heirs and heiresses have free pass to study at that school. Celebrities are a no-go!""Speaking of that, I am put into a class together with them as well.""No way! Did they...""It is highly unlikely, sist
"You're not going to freeload on us, are you?"I looked in Loki's direction and raised an eyebrow, "I will not ask for money, especially from the likes of someone who don't even know its value."Aquilo laughed aloud as Cady smiled despite herself while the rest of the scions looked offended by what I had just said.All of them, except Himiko, giggled loudly, "If I am an heiress of another nation, I will take your words as offending and discriminatory. But, alas, that's the truth. Most of those born from the monarchies or the top of the nobility food chain are ignorant of how important currency is.""And you are not?" Ester asked pointedly as the baronetess winked at her meaningfully."Of course, I am not. A scion like you I may be, I am from Vosque. The land of commerce where crys is the real ruler and we members of the ruling family are merely there to make sure the cash flowing for everyone else. I definitely understand where our commoner classmate is getting from and his reaction a
"I think it is actually better now that I have to tour you after sundown here in Valeria, the sub-urban town well within the Crysalian Military Academy," Caileane said excitedly as she toured us around the busy streets full of students buying things for their dorm rooms, "You will find stores that cater to both commoners and nobles alike. Branded and general goods are overflowing. Here is my favorite shop for just about everything I need inside my dorm room."Our group stopped in front of a rather quaint and cheap local store full of students from the lower classes, literally taking everything off the shelves because of the new school year sale."I thought you are from the House of Azalea, one of the most prominent noble families of the empire?" Godiva asked, and Loki nodded quietly as he looked at the student council president with a bit of curiosity in his eyes, "Why are you buying in a general goods store?"Our guide just laughed off the question, "Yes, I am from a well-known noble