Early Morning - Late Spring : Kingdom of Kaelallan

*Shing* "Good morning Princess." Martha opened up the blinds, filling the room with light.

"Uhh.. hmm? Oh good morning." Lucy was incredibly groggy after having a rough night's rest.

"Did you not sleep well?"

"I slept fine I think.. just woke up during a rough dream."

"Want to explain what the dream was about?"

Lucy looked a little embarrassed, "I'd rather not.."

"Hooh? Was it about a boy?"

"No of course not!"

-Her blush gives it away.- "Well I won't pester you. What would you like for breakfast?"

Quickly shaking off her shyness, she made her decision, "Egg Toast!"

Martha gave a warm smile, "Go ahead and get ready, you've got school today. Want me to send in the maids?"

"No no, I want to dress myself today."

"You're quite daring today."

"Hmmf.." Unable to retort, she just pouted.

"Let one of the maids know if you need help. I'll be right back with breakfast.”

Seeing Martha leave the room, Lucy hopped out of bed, energized and ready to conquer the day.

-I wonder if Vasilias is going to come with me..-

-

"Mmm.." Although my nap wasn't really a nap for a dragon, only lasting a few hours, it was a nice rest.

-I guess I should probably get going..- "would you like to come along and see the academy with me, Ilios?"

"Woof!"

"Alright!"

Before heading up the lift, I ended up playing with Ilios some since it was part of my post-nap routine.

"Alright, now we can go." My morning to-do list was checked off.

Once up the lift, I found two maids cleaning the throne room, one in her early 30s and one who looked to be in her teens.

"When and where should I go to meet up with Lucy.. erm.. the Princess, to head to the Academy?"

The maids paused for a moment before the older one spoke up, "She will be out front in a few minutes where she will get in a carriage and go to the Academy, Young Master."

-So the maids are referring to me as 'Young Master' now?- "Thanks for the directions."

Heading out of the throne room, I decided I would just wait by the carriage.

"Young Master? Isn't that child the one who saved the lord in the plaza? Is he truly the lord's bastard son?"

"Ah right, I nearly forgot you weren't working here yet a few days ago. He is apparently the son of a close friend of the lords. The lord gave him his authority in the palace so be sure to be polite in the future.”

The young maid gave a strong nod.

“Even though he is a child I can't help but wish he was older."

"Why is that?"

"He is quite dreamy, smooth skin, white teeth.. those beautiful violet eyes... He is ridiculously strong, but also kind and forgiving to boot.."

The young girl was lost in her own thoughts listening to her teacher's ramblings.

"Alright now back to. I still need to show you how to clean the throne! My most important job!"

Snapping out of her daydream, the young girl gave a quick nod and her eyes filled with determination.

-

Back outside, I saw a carriage waiting at the entrance of the palace, -guess I'll just wait for her..-

As I went to sit at a bench, The doors to the palace opened and showed Lucy in her school uniform.

The uniform was a short one piece dress, nothing fancy but it looked quite good.

-The uniforms of earth are a little more my taste though..-

"Vasilias! Are you coming to the academy with me?"

"I'm just going at the same time as you, once we are there, I'll just do as I wish."

She looked a little down before a gleam appeared in her eye, "Well how about I give you a little tour?"

"I'll have to pass, sorry." -I'd rather just go to the library or explore on my own..-

She looked saddened by my harsh response.

"I just want to go to the library for a bit, but I might sit in on your class some."

Light returned to her eyes as she regained hope, "Okay!"

"Miss! It is time for our departure!" The man sitting on the carriage called out.

"Well, let's head off."

Climbing in the carriage, Lucy sat on one side whereas I sat on the other with Ilios laying on my lap.

The ride was fairly smooth considering there wasn't any suspension and was also fairly short.

The Academy was on the opposite side of the noble district from the front of the palace so the carriage just went in a massive semi circle around the upper district..

Lucy and I didn't talk the whole ride, but Lucy was looking anxious about something.

"Don't stress over school, I'm sure you'll like it once you get used to it."

"Ah.. right. Mother and Father have been telling me the same thing.. that It'll be easy or fun, but I'm still nervous."

"Just take a deep breath and relax."

"Ahh, hooo.." letting out a breath from the depths of her chest she managed to relax some.

She looked a little shocked at how effective it was even though she didn't realize I assisted her with my aura.

"T..thanks.."

"No worries."

*Click* "We have arrived Miss." The well mannered carriage driver opened the door.

Outside was a lavish building made of white stone with gold plated detailing.

It was truly a beautiful piece of architecture but.. "Where do the commoners enter?"

She was a little taken aback by my question, "Oh, they enter on the other side where they are washed and dressed so they can blend in with the nobles."

Her response was incredibly unexpected, -a ‘non-discriminatory against social standing’ school?-

I was genuinely impressed, but that positive impression was shattered on the inside.

Inside the building, I noticed a significant change in the people I saw.

Most of the noticeably less well kept ones, wore frowns whereas the ones who were neat and tidy wore smiles.

-So it's still nobles vs commoners here..- The ones I presumed to be nobles were picking on the commoner students around every corner but the teachers simply ignored it.

The inside of the building was still beautiful but the bullying was a bit much. -I should give Oliver some tips.. maybe they can ta..-

"Hey cutie, your face is new around here." A well kept noble boy, maybe 15 or 16, interrupted my thoughts.

"Yes, this is my first time here."

"Oh, well how about I give you a tour?"

"No thank you." Lucy's responses were cold and blunt, leaving a bad impression on the boy.

"Look, I tried to be polite. Be my girl and I'll let you roam the academy free. Pretty good deal eh?"

-What does he mean by that? Is there an in-school mafia or something?- Although the boy was rude, it was understandable. Almost any 15 year old with power or authority would let the power go to their head.

"No, I'll have to refuse." As she refused, she inched closer towards me.

"Listen girlie, hiding behind pip-squeak over there with his dumb pup-" *CRACK*

"Whoops, my foot slipped" I casually hit his shin with my foot, completely shattering his leg. -I would've just scared you away with my aura if you didn't insult Ilios.-

"AHHH!" His scream filled the halls grabbing everyone's attention.

"Well, shall we head to class?" I gave Lucy a satisfied smile after being able to vent my frustration a little.

Lucy had half expected it, but she could help but become a little queasy seeing the boy's shin bent in such a way on top of hearing his screams.

She did her best to avoid looking at his leg and tone out his voice to respond, "Yes.. I'll lead the way."