Finally the day of my departure arrives... I feel both sad and anxious, I hug tightly my brother and then my father... I almost feel like crying but hold it back, eventually parting at the end.
I hop on the carriage and see my brother run behind us, waving his little hand. I lean outside the window and wave back to him -I'll see you soon! I'll miss you!-
-Lou...! I miss you!- he shouts a few times before his little legs give up and he seats in the middle of the road...
Although parting is sad, this isn't a goodbye but just the beginning of something new... I smile brightly while holding one of my bags close to my chest -London... I can't believe it-.
...
While on the ship for England I keep running around and making my grandfather anxious -You're going to fall off if you keep spinning so much- he says as he stops to catch his breath, i turn around and laughs -I'm just so excited! Ahh, I've never been on a boat before! I never left France either-
I lean in the handrails and look at the sea beneath us, strong wind comes and I have to hold onto my hat to prevent it from flying away -Woah! I can see the with coast! It's incredible! It feels even more real now-
My grandfather places a hand on my shoulder -It's so nice to see you happy, it feels like seeing her again... Ah nevermind, let's enjoy this boat ride- he smiles and I nod content.
...
We take off the train and find ourselves into the station of London, I grab my luggage and run toward the exit -Wait, Lou!- I hear my grandfather calling me from behind but I just rush ahead, once the sunlight hits me I look around and see a bustling city in front of me. It's completely different from Paris, everyone seems to be rushing somewhere and merchants all around try to catch some clients. The clothing is much more simpler and darker in colours, some sparks of bright green here and there and beautiful umbrellas in the ladies' hands...
-It's different from Paris and it's romance, but it's still beautiful- I looks around some more and read a few shop names or newspaper titles untill I hear a horse neighing behind me
-Carefull young one- warns me a man, I turn around and see a very handsome guard riding that tall horse -Oh I'm sorry- he smiles charmingly -Just look where you're going or you will be hurt- he says and leaves just like that.
-There you are!- huffs my grandfather finally catching up -So, how was you first impression of London?- I stare around me with parted lips -Beautiful! I love it already- he scoffs -Aren't you a bit too optimistic? Ah i guess you take from your mother on that- I smile at him and take his bag -Let's go to the college!-.
...
We rent a carriage and take off, the school is located near a big forest just outside London... It has been built there to prevent the City's liveliness from bothering the students, the calmness of the forest will help the students to focus more on their studies and forget everything about irrelevant things. Afterall, this is where the future is being build... New politicians, new Professors, new Composers and so on... Most of them are of Noble origins, some Duke's son or a soon to be wife of one. Only those with money and status can attend, I shall thank my grandfather for granting me such a privilege.
Everyone have to be perfect here, giving it their all and achieving enormous goals for their families' names and wellbeing.
We slowly leave the last houses from London behind us and cross a long stone bridge, a tall gate awaits us at the end of it indicating the beginning of the College's territory.
Passing over we find ourselves on a very long road between the trees, some street lamps are at the sides of it thankfully... The street is so long and empty that I would think we got lost in the wood if it wasn't for this one sing of civilization.
After a while my grandfather knocks on my shoulder and points to the window -Look outside, you can see the college- he smiles, I lean toward the window and see some tall brick towers drawing closer... It looks like the entrance of a castle!
A big arch is beneath it, granting access to the actual Academy, along a beautiful round fountain... Almost nobody walks around, I suppose the students aren't interested in going this far afterall.
We pass around the the fountain and under the arch, I attach myself to the glass of the carriage's window to take in everything I'm about to see...
Passing over that dark arch a garden meets us, green grass and roses everywhere... I finally see some people walking around, mostly teacher seeing how some have gray hair alreadu. At the end of the garden are two big identical mansions, probably where the teachers rest... Close to both the entrance and the Academy itself for practical reasons.
We pass over another bridge and a few meters beneath it, on a rounded hill, I finally see the real academy!
I'm left speechless at the beauty of they building... It's not light coloured nor full of gold, like your typical French castles, but gray and black instead with very high towers and decorative spikes... If I had to compare it to something I know I might say it resemble the gothic style of Notre Dame, but that's not it actually. Maybe Rouen Cathedral but much darker and imposing.
-Am I really allowed to set foot into that?- my grandfather laughs and nods at my words -Of course you can-
The route up the tiny hill is full of little gardens and smaller buildings for the student's entertainment, I can see some cafe's or libraries along a club for cigar enjoyers and so on...
I wonder where the dormitories are and what more awaits me!
I see some young men walking around and a few young ladies chatting at the sides, as we pass through some of them stops to either stare at us or welcome us with a waving hand...
All these people must real geniuses to be here, between them there could be my next best friend or classmates!
Reaching the entrance of the Castle the carriage comes to a stop and we hop off, being immediately approached by a butler -You must be Sir Alexandre and the young Lou, please follow me inside to confirm your registration and then I will give you a tour of the Academy. Leave the luggage to the reception-
He instructs us and I remain puzzled for a second, I still haven't really took everything in yet this man talks so casually as if all of THIS is normal for him... Well it probably is for those of a higher status afterall.
I shake my head and grab my bags -It's real, here we are- I murmur to myself and follow that man eventually.