"I doubt it." He answers.

“...”

"What are the chances? It would be too much coincidence." He looks at me and leans forward, resting his arms on his legs. “Besides, Quinn seems like a nice guy. I doubt he would just attack someone, especially a young girl.”

I turn my gaze away.

Maybe he’s right, but at the same time… I think he’s only saying it to cheer me up.

"... He attacked me because…” I want to say the rest, but at the same time I already regret bringing it up.

Al patiently waits for me to continue. I work up the will to tell the rest.

“He saw my clothes full of blood. He thought I killed a noble and wanted to bring me to the guards.”

“Hmm, but then he became violent right?”

“Yes, I resisted. But then. I… I used Inner Magic to punch him. He drew a knife and was going to kill me.”

“I see.”

“And then…”

“You did what you had to do. That’s what matters.”

“... Yes…”

A moment passes. He puts the bag on the ground, next to his bed.

“C’mon, let’s rest.”

I nod.

I take out my shoes and look around. I should change to-- Oh... I'm so accustomed to change into pajamas that for a moment I assumed...

"I'm sleeping like this aren't I?" I murmur.

"You said something?" Al asks, already under the covers.

"Ah no, sorry." I do the same and cover myself.

"Ok. Good night." He reaches for the candle and blows it.

It doesn't take long for me to fall asleep.

-----------

"She's evil!" Al screams.

Al is seating on one side of a white mantle in the middle of the academy campus. Christine is seated at his right side while the princesses are on the opposite. In the middle of the mantle, there are sandwiches and tea. It’s afternoon and there are also some students doing the same as them.

“*sigh* Al, just take responsibility…” The elder sister, Aldorah, speaks while holding close to her mouth a sandwich.

“But it’s her fault!”

“If you did your homework like you should, it wouldn’t have happened.” Liliana replies while drinking a cup of tea.

“But I did! Half of it! I didn’t know she was going to…”

“But master, I did what you asked me~.” Christine interjects.

“S-shut up!”

“Oww, you’re so harsh with me~.”

“*Giggle* But then again, he’s letting you have a lunch with us.” Liliana says.

“You’re right your highness. But this is the least he can do to make up for my nightly services.”

The girls' cheeks become red and look surprised at the maid. Al, flustered and red like a tomato, yells at her:

“W-w-what the heck are you saying!?!?” He looks at the sisters. “S-she’s lying! We never did t-that!!!”

“Did what master~? I’m talking about the tutoring~.”

Al covers his face and drops on the floor.

“She’s evil… She’s evil… She’s the devil…”

“*Ahem* If we could change the topic.” Aldorah speaks up, irritated. “Al, next time do your own homework.”

“I know. I won’t make the same mistake again.” He says as he raises again.

“Oh? I thought you would like my work.” Christine speaks again with a smile.

“It. Was. A composition about. Inner Magic. Why did you do that!?”

“Did I wrote something wrong?”

“No! But you didn’t have to write it that way! What’s up with ‘Strength Magic makes the muscles so hard and big’!?”

“I prefer the endurance part.”

“Ugh... Now I have to do double homework for tomorrow! *sigh*”

“There there~.”

“You…” Al looks at Christine with an annoyed expression, but she just continues to smile.

“You only got what you deserved.” Liliana adds.

“Indeed.” Aldorah says before taking another bite.

“Hmph! Bah, whatever!” He gets up and walks away “I’m going for a walk.” Christine was about to get up but “You stay there! I’ll be right back.”

She obeys him and stays where she is.

Aldorah sighs.

“You weren’t chosen by chance were you?” Liliana asks Christine.

“Indeed I wasn’t your highness.”

“It’s been only two months since you came. Thanks to you, Alddan somewhat calmed down, at least with his pranks.” Aldorah says.

“It is as you say your highness.”

“He also seems to be improving academically. He’s studying more regularly, answers the teacher’s questions… And I'm really grateful for that.”

“...”

“Alddan respects you. I dare say you are his friend as far he’s concerned.” Aldorah puts down the sandwich. “I need to know something.”

“What, your highness?”

“Answer truthfully.”

Despite the tense atmosphere and Aldorah serious expression, Christine maintains her smile. Aldorah seems to be gathering strength to speak her next words.

“Are you sleeping with Al?”

“No, your highness, I am not.” Christine answers right back.

Aldorah takes a moment to study Christine expression.

“I see. Al would never do it unless you tempted him. But… He is very important to me, and the thought of him being with another person... Your presence here makes me very uncomfortable.”

“...”

“I don’t wish you ill will nor I say this because of your status.” Aldorah looks straight at Christine's eyes. “You will not do any of that with Al.”

“... I understand your highness.” Christine bows. “However, Al’s father orders override your’s I’m afraid. If Al wishes my body, I’m forced to let him do as he pleases.”

Aldorah closes her eyes and shows an unsatisfied or rather, frustrated, expression.

“... As long you are not the one who seduces him, I’ll forgive you.”

Christine raises and silence follows, except for the other students that can be heard from a distance.

“Dora, you are aware that we might have…” Liliana breaks the silence.

“... I know Lili.”

“Al is my friend and I like him dearly. But I don’t think I like him the same way you do. I don’t want to be in the middle between you two...”

“Lili, I don’t mind if it’s you. We knew since we were little what was our purpose.” She looks at the sky. “Mother is the one who really paid the price... It’s ironic isn’t it?” She looks again at Liliana. “We shouldn’t like Al. They made us just to… Have his sons. But in the end, we became friends.”

“Indeed.” Liliana giggles. “He has his own charms, despite being an airhead.”

“And annoying.”

“Lazy.”

“Naive.”

“So I come back and you are already saying bad things about me?” Al approaches the girls from behind their backs.

The sisters look at each other. They smile and speak in unison. “1, 2, 3.” Then they look at Al and yell at the same time. “Stupid!”

“Oh yeah? Take that!”

Al takes out water from the grass and launches it against the girls. But the water falls on the ground before it could reach them.

“Wa--! No fair! We agreed to not use negative mana!”

“Hehe, that was when we were younger.” Aldorah says with a smile.

“In war, everything is permitted.” Liliana adds.

“Take him from behind!”

“On it!”

The two girls get up and run towards Al. He takes some steps back to try to keep his distance.

“H-h-hey stop! I can’t hit on girls! Magic only!!”

“Too bad~~!”

Al uses Wind Magic to keep them away, but they nullify it.

“I-I’ll use so much mana that you’ll pass out!!”

“No you won’t!”

Aldorah tackles him. She didn’t use enough force to make him fall, but Liliana put her right leg behind Al’s legs. He trips as a result.

“Ha! You’re done!”

They start to tickle him.

“Nonono! Buhaha--! No stop! Let me get up!”

“You’re our slave! You’ll do whatever we want now!”

Liliana puts herself on top of his legs.

“Dora, hold his shoulders!”

"Ok!"

She grabs his right shoulder and forces him to stay down. They keep tickling him. Al tries to fight back without using magic, but to no avail. The girls don’t let him get up nor do they let him breath.

"No! Stop! Hahaha!"

On the mantle, seated, Christine looks at the event, still smiling.

“I’m sorry princess.” She murmurs. “I also need him.”

-----------

“*pants*”

I suddenly wake up. I’m sweating all over.

“*pants*"

I raise my torso.

What's happening? Why am I panting? Why am I sweating all over?

I look around… That’s right, we’re sleeping in an inn. I can see some sunlight from the curtains of the windows. It’s already morning.

*breathing*

At my left side, Al is still sleeping. This is the first time I wake up before him.

“...”

Of course… I’m so stupid. I’m being so selfish and thinking only about myself while he’s taking care of me. Of course he’s tired.

“...”

About what he said yesterday... Yeah, he’s right. The soldier, the hunter… They tried to hurt me. No… They tried to kill me. I should… Try to move on, or suck it up at least.

“But, easier said than done...”

I still don’t agree with what Al did at the store. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do what's necessary again. But… I shouldn’t burden him any more than I already have.

I use my sleeve to wipe my forehead.

“Yeah, everything will be alright. We just need to get home and talk to father.”

Until then, I’ll manage.

I stretch my legs and:

“Ghhhhe!!!”

A sharp pain runs through my body from my right thigh.

“Ghh, ah, that’s right, I need to take the medicine.”

I get up from the bed carefully, trying to not move my right leg too much. I support myself on the bedside table and go to Al’s bed.

I carefully sit on his bed, next to him.

I look at him.

*breathing*

“*sigh*”

Good, he’s still asleep.

I pick up the bag and put it on my lap. I open it and search for the bottle.

“Found it.”

I grab the bottle, open and drink a bit of it.

“Yuck, this stuff…”

I put the bottle back in the bag.

“*sigh*”

I don’t feel like sleeping. What should I do to pass the time?

I put the bag down and look at Al’s face.

So strange…

I get closer and watch him from above.

It’s so weird comparing him to the young Al of my dreams. He was so different.

What happened to you Al? What could possibly have changed you so much? What made that innocent kid turn into you?

“If you are going to kiss me, you better do it fast.”

“Wha-ahaa---!”

His sudden words made me panic and fall behind, on the floor.

Ouch, my head… At least my leg doesn’t hurt anymore.

He raises and scratches his head.

“So here I was, wondering how to cheer you up, worried about you, only to wake up with you almost on top of me?”

Then there’s this nasty side of him.

He has a funny expression, almost like he regrets saying what he did.

“Hmmph, shut up! I was just worried!”

He looks surprised, then grins.

“…”

Crap, I ordered him unintentionally again.

“Ugh, forget my last order.” I get up.

“So kind of you to be worried about me.”

“Al…” He’s starting to piss me off again.

“I kid, I kid.” Then he turns serious. “Are you really ok?”

“... Yeah, I am. I’ve been thinking, and you are right. I must be strong and move on.”

“Hmm.”

“I still feel bad. But now I realize, it wasn't my fault. They forced my hand so... I did what I had to do.”

“I see.” He nods.

“But, I still don’t fully agree with you.”

“Hm?”

“I don’t want to harm anyone. It may not be our fault that we are in this situation, but that doesn’t mean it’s ok to harm others.”

“I never said it was.”

“I know, but…”

I’m not sure how to express myself. I know he doesn’t hurt others because he wants to, bu---

“I understand what you mean.”

“Eh?”

“Like I said, I can’t promise you that I won’t hurt anymore people. Our lives are more important. But, I can promise one thing… I’ll try harder from now on.” He smiles.

His smile is so refreshing. Unlike his usual smile, that smile is so honest that reminds me of his younger self.

“I see.” I sigh of relief. “Thanks Al.”

“Hmph.” He crosses his arms. “You’re such a nice woman.”

“Uh?”

“Look at you. I thought you were just some girl who didn’t even know how to change her diapers. But after all, you’re a grown-up who can think for herself.”

“...” I am not amused.

He notices my expression. Oh no, he’s going to tease me again...

“Keep it up. I’m proud of you.” He says so with a serene voice.

Uh? Wait what?

“What…?”

“Oh sheesh, you think that badly of me? You thought I was going to tease you again?”

“... Sorry.”

He shrugs. “Hmph, don’t worry, I do tease you a lot. That’s a natural reaction.”

… Well, at least I’m happy. It felt good hearing him saying that.

A moment passes.

He’s still sitting on his bed, with his legs under the covers. I'm looking at him, but he just keeps staring at the wall. It’s almost like he’s oblivious to this awkward atmosphere.

“So, should we be going now?” I ask.

“Wait a minute.”

He’s still in the same place.

“Are you that tired Al? Maybe we should stay a while longer…?”

“No no. I’m fine. But I need a minute.”

“... I don’t get it.”

“Dear Nightingale, did you ever study male anatomy?”

“I did…”

I really don’t follow.

“Do you know what happens when a man wakes up?”

“No…”

What is he saying...?

“Then, please keep yourself in your blessed ignorance. You shall hopefully find out someday.”

“Why do I sense this is somehow perverted?”

“Hey, blame nature, not me.”

“I just can’t believe you, ugh! You're a jerk!”

“*chuckle*”

Then again, he has this nasty side.

********

Chapter 20.5 coming out today, hopefully. Btw:

#DidIEverSayHowMuchIHateCollege