Chapter 37 Lion’s Share

A stillness. A lull that saunters by, the smell of blossoming lavender graces the night wind. Only my occasional sob floats through to the surface.

“Aey…” It’s Horusha’s voice that breaks the calm. It’s a tender stroke, even though I would have preferred the tender silence instead.

Vaniriel looks down at the ground. That’s a new expression on her, I think in my head.

“What’s going on?” Fenrir carefully treads up to us. When neither of us respond, another quiet spreads. He sighs, before placing a gentle hand on my head, “Did his royal pain-in-the-ass make you cry?”

A soft breath escapes me, and an easy warmth spreads.

“Vani can kick his ass if you want?”

“…I’d like to see her try.” Nott grumbles.

“I would not even need to try.”

“You-!”

Laughter blossoms and chimes through the field. I wipe the last of my tears away, “No. Nott didn’t make me cry.”

“Then…?”

I glance towards Nott, but he just evades my eyes. Looks like he’s given up on keeping it a secret. Opening my mouth to speak, another voice clashes through.

“What are you children doing out here past curfew?”

“!!!”

All five of us spin around to see a form clad in inferno-red attire, a robe of silk and brocade. Although the voice is genial, the figure’s amber eyes gleam in the dark with a keen wolfishness. The two Hellions perk up at this. Their ears stand up, black eyes shining bright with intelligence.

“P-Principle Aurelian!?”

Dear First, Twice, and Thrice! In all that is holy, true, and baleful, please grant me mercy and spare my student record! Cold sweat pours from my body as I think of the shame it would bring upon my household if I were to be expelled!

Swiftly, all routes of possible escape whisks through my head. I’m just about to suggest that he might not be able to see us in the dark and that we should make a break for it, when Laelap suddenly trots over. She picks me up by the scruff of the neck and plops me in front of the principle himself.

Y-You traitor…!?!

“To think, the esteemed first daughter of the Newlyn household would break the rules in her first semester here.”

He knows me by face and name!? Gods and Goddesses, why have you forsaken me so!?

“N-No, I was simply… I just… This is-!”

“This is? Please do go on.”

N-Nooooooooooo! I’m doomed!

I’m about ready to just give up and faint, before Nott steps forward. “This was all my idea.”

H-Huh?

“I asked these four to help me with a personal problem. The female Hellion is named Laelap, and she is my responsibility. She’s…” He pauses for a fracture of a second. “She’s pregnant. And they were only helping me.”

“Nott…”

“S-Second Prince?”

“…”

“Oh, so that’s what’s going on.”

My mouth moves faster than my mind can process, “This isn’t true! I was the one who accepted his request. Therefore, the blame should befall me.”

I shut my eyes tightly, for I can’t bear to look.

A single tarnish on the Newlyn name - and it’ll be all my fault. Sorry, dad.

“What are you saying? I was the one who broke the enchantments.”

V-Vani!?

“Jeez, Aey. I was the one who dragged you out for an impromptu break-out.”

F-Fen…!

“As the only reasonable one here, it should have been my duty to dissuade them from such activities. Therefore, I too should be punished.”

R-Ru!

“What-!? You three don’t even know what’s going o-!?” Swiftly, Vaniriel covers the entirety of Nott’s face with her hand.

“Quiet.”

A low growling sound erupts from the very depths of the principles core.

“!?”

It takes me a second longer before I’m able to tell that it’s laughter.

“Do not worry, while breaking curfew is indeed a punishable offence. It is not so harsh that you need to try and take all the blame yourselves. But, I cannot say that I dislike it.” He looks to the Hellions circling about him. He places two fingers in his mouth and whistles. The beasts immediately trod over and place themselves by his feet.

“Wha-!?” Nott begins.

“I was wondering why Gamr suddenly kept going off on his own these days. To think it was because he found a mate.”

That Hellion is yours!?

“Pregnant, hmn? Well, since I am the guardian of the other party, it seems I will need to take responsibility as well.”

“R-Responsibility? What do you mean…?”

“I couldn’t help but overhear your children’s plights.”

“Like Thrice you did! No one else could’ve possibly overheard us in-”

“Ah, it wasn’t as if I meant to eavesdrop though!”

“Don’t just cut-”

“I believe the University has more than enough resources to carry out a Hellion birth here. Not to mention, there should be more than enough room for her to hunt and live.”

The words immediately die in Nott's throat.

“Of course, the Hellion would have to stay on campus grounds. We can’t have such a large beast roaming around town.” He smirks, amber eyes glowing bright. “Though… I suppose once she’s recovered and the cub is old enough to fend for itself, it would be only ethical to allow them freedom. Perhaps in… Three years.”

Principle Aurelian…!

Looking towards Nott, his eyes are wide and he’s just staring at him like a nitwit. “You idiot, what are you doing!? Thank him!” I whisper through my teeth.

“T-Thank you, Principle Aurelian.”

“Whatever are you thanking me for? I’m just deciding whatever I want.” His loud laugh rumbles from the pit of his stomach.

“Now then, as for your five’s punishment…”