Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

Despite having a free day before a big day, I couldn’t help but be anxious. For one, there was the finals for both Capture the Flag and Ice Pillar Destruction, then the fact that we would be against a really troublesome opponent, also there was the fact that Retoulis Royal Academy was still ahead of us, and lastly, there was a foreign god called the Monkey King in Azte City for reasons I did not know.

It was mental! Or I was mental!

Okay, maybe that was anxiety building up in me.

“Good morning Lu- What happened to you?”

My head snapped to the direction of the voice and saw Senior George staring at me with a confused and worried looks. I only sighed and proceeded to the dining table where breakfast was being served by Senior Trent and Freya.

Once I reached my seat, the others gave me the same look as Senior George, minus Freya. Freya had an eyebrow raised and gave me a questioning look instead.

“What happened to you?” Freya asked and took a seat between Torii and Senior Daniel. “You look like you didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.”

-That’s exactly what happened. But I probably shouldn’t say that.

“I was… I was thinking about something. I got too excited so I ended up staying up until the crack of dawn.” I simply answered and took a sip of the soup prepared in front of me.

“What are you a kid?” Freya retorted and shook her head, obviously in disbelief.

“Calm down Freya.” Senior Anastasia said. “I’m sure she has her reason for doing so. Still, please remember to get proper rest Luna. Not just for the sake of the G.A. Games, but also for your health. Keep that up and you might stop growing.”

Without really thinking about it, I looked down and spotted my small chest then looked at Freya’s who was developing quite nicely. Senior Anastasia probably saw my reaction and gave a small laugh.

“I meant your height Luna.”

I heard Freya and Senior George snicker which earned them a glare from me. I also noticed a small smile grazing Torii’s lips. Meanwhile Seniors Trent and Daniel were giving us confused looks.

“But Luna’s height is okay though.” Senior Trent defended which definitely did not make the situation better. “She’s still fifteen, she’ll grow.”

“Trent, that’s-“ Senior George did not finish what he wanted to say because he started laughing out loud.

“You better stop Senior George you might end up choking from an unsuspecting piece of meat.” I said with a threatening glare. My senior made an audible sound of gulping and stopped. I then turned to Senior Trent and Senior Daniel. “Don’t worry about it. And yes, I’ll still grow. You’ll see.”

We continued eating our breakfast which thankfully passed without any more jokes or the likes.

After breakfast, Senior George invited us to go sightseeing. The others immediately agreed, leaving me as the one who declined.

“Why?”

“I’m… I’m seeing someone today.” I answered.

I immediately heard gasps. I wasn’t sure from who but I only rolled my eyes.

“Is he- are you two- Luna!”

-Seriously Senior Trent, make up your mind!

“He’s a family friend okay?” I immediately responded as to avoid a misunderstanding. “He’s in Azte to visit my aunt. We met yesterday and he wanted to come see me.”

I saw Torii raise an eyebrow. I shrugged my shoulders, hoping my message of ‘I’ll-tell-you-later’ was conveyed. The others on the other hand just gave me suspicious looks but let it go anyway. We headed outside and we separated ways when we reached the street where the road to the residential areas was located.

“I’ll see you guys later!” I said while waving my hand.

A few minutes into the road, I bumped into someone unexpected.

“Kai.” I called out to the white-haired prince who was walking out of an alley.

“Luna.” he said at me with shock written on his face.

To be honest, it was a little awkward being in his presence. Sure we already discussed and settled our last issue, but the fact that we confessed to each other yet he declined pursuing it and I agreed with him, made the atmosphere between the two of us very awkward.

“Uhm… Fancy seeing you here.” I said flashing a smile, something I hoped would ease the stuffy atmosphere.

“Yeah. On your way to the Celestine Manor?” he asked.

“Uh, yeah. I have to go see someone.”

“I see. I’m also on my way there. Want to head there together?”

-Is he serious?

But I decided not to say what I thought out loud. It would only make us drift apart even further.

“Sure.”

The two of us walked to the direction of the Celestine Manor in silence. It was sort of off putting to be honest. I was used to Kai always talking whenever the two of us were together, but that day Kai was unusually silent which did not calm my nerves.

“You know I found out something.” he said out of nowhere when we were nearing the manor. I gave him a questioning look. “Archduchess Zaira Chrishni von Celestine is your aunt.”

I was speechless. If jaws could drop, mine were probably on the ground. But of course, I immediately recovered my wits and composure.

I looked at him, searching for a hint of humor and waiting for the time he’d say ‘Gotcha! Did that joke get you?’

He had his days.

But nothing came. Instead, he just looked at me with his head tilted to the side. I had to admit he looked really cute at the moment.

-Stop it Nyx! Damn my raging teenage hormones!

Or at least that was supposed to be what’s fueling a teenager’s emotions, according to Aunt Zaira. I did study psychology under her.

I did notice that there was no hint of humor or anything in his question. He was really just stating a fact, something he found out, or so he said.

-If he really does know, then there’s no point in denying it. I’d only be digging my own grave.

I took a deep breath and calmed myself.

“Yes.” I said with confidence. “The Archduchess Celestine is indeed my guardian. How did you found out?”

“Hmm… The archduchess slipped one time so I just dug around for evidence. And now that you’re admitting it, then that confirms my speculation.”

I only nodded my head at his words. I couldn’t believe Aunt Zaira would be so careless and slip though. Unless she wanted him to know.

-I wonder why she did that.

“So you’re one of the four successors of the Celestine House whose identities have been kept in secret.” I nodded my head once again. “That means you trained with Sebastian and Zach.”

“Indeed.”

“How does it feel to have the archduchess as a guardian?”

-That’s what he’s asking?

I was actually expecting he’d ask why I kept that a secret from him and our friends, and what our reason was for doing so. I even expected him to ask who the other members of the current generation of the archduchess’ adopted children were.

“What?” he questioned, a bit more casual than moments ago when we saw each other.

“Nothing. Uhm… It has its pros and cons I suppose.”

“Ooh. Please do tell.”

I could only shake my head. Kai might’ve changed a bit for reasons unknown to me, but his inquisitive nature and love for gaining information was still around.

“I’ll tell you when we have time. We’ve reached the manor.”

I heard him mumble something I did not really catch, but he just shrugged and we entered the gates of the manor.