Nicholas's POV:
.....students...requested to.....dining hall...in...
I tried hard to keep my drooping eyes open and let my ears concentrate on the words being announced in the common space of the shared dormitory, though I'm still the only one occupying it.
....all students are...gather for breakfast at the...15 minutes...
WHAT?!
Just as the words settled in my mind, I sat up abruptly, streching my numb limbs, rubbing my eyes, I looked at my side, of course Chris won't be there. Last night he did mention that I must attend the breakfast early in the morning, is there really something I'm forgetting?
Not wasting any time, I freshened up in 10 minutes, then got ready for the day, as I got out of the room, the announcement rang again through the whole building, that made me immediately start a little jog. Thankfully my head doesn't hurt anymore, just a little throb, the fever is also down, I should thank Chris for taking care of me. But first let's find out what's going on in the dining hall, just what on earth happened that professor Klein asked every living soul present in the campus to have breakfast together?!
And entering the dining hall might've been the most desperate decision, I've ever taken cause when I reached there, everyone was already settled in their seats with their own foods. So automatically my every movements were watched by each and every eyes, and I wished to dig a hole to bury me inside it. Surprisingly, professor Klein also stopped the announcement, they didn't just wait for me to come here, right?
Grabbing my tray, I headed to my usual table which was shockingly empty, as I sat I could feel others stares on me, few were worried, few were smug, maximum were curious about whatever was about to unfold and honestly I'm also one of them.
Before I could dig in, a boy around my age approached me, his facial expression really familiar, yes! Last night he dumped the dirt on me! And he is in the friend gang of Harris Clive, yes! I got it correct! But what happened to his face? It was completely busted out, as if someone tried to make smashed potatoes out of his face.
"I'm sorry, Nicholas."
"Huh?" Completely dumbfounded I stared at him.
"I apologise for last night's incident!" This time he did it louder and clearer, bowing 90 degree in front of me.
The whole room fell silent, as I scanned the crowd awkwardly, I didn't have words to say and It seemed that it was not needed either, as he already sprinted out of the dining hall and as if on cue the whole room started moving again, students eating their foods, chatting among themselves. But I couldn't focus on mine, as if a complete daze engulfed me.
Thankfully a strong hand pat on my shoulder, got me out of that, keeping his plate on the table, with an amused smile, Chris asked "how're you feeling now?"
"Just a bit throbbing head, and nothing else at all. Thank you for taking care of me last night."
Ahh maybe not everything was okay, my voice sounded so much hoarse, as if someone scratched a rough surface.
"Nick, it's my responsibility to take care of you, don't thank me for that. And it seems like you still have a cold, take medicine for that, okay?"
Nodding my head, I finally asked "Chris, was it you, who beat him?"
Gasping almost dramatically, Chris remarked with a fake offence "how could you take me as a violent person?! I prefer non-violence the most and here you're accusing..."
"Your highness."
A smooth baritone voice cut him in mid through. I guess I knew who it was, still I couldn't believe my ears, was it really him?
As I looked up from my food, my eyes met with the exclusive honey pools of my roommate, Felix Chase.
What is he doing here? Since when he knew Chris? And he actually dared to cut him in mid of his talk?!!
As I nervously looked back at Chris, he was surprisingly having an amused smile on his face.
With a soft tone, he responded, "yes, Felix."
"Can I talk with Nicholas for few minutes?"
He wants to talk? About what? And Chris actually didn't lash out on him for interfering!!! Just how much I'm missing out?!?
"Of course you can! I'll give you guys some privacy."
While getting up, the older male looked at me who was already surprised to witness all of this, giving me a mischievous smirk, taking his plate, he left for his usual seat between his friends.
The moment I looked back in front of me, my heart did a flip in nervousness, why though? It's not like he is a bad person, but somehow his existence close to me made me feel things that I dare not indulge myself into
Giving a soft smile, with a polite tone, he initiated "how's your health now?"
"I'm fine. Just a bit headache and this itching throat..."
Surprising, right? How I, who actually avoided all kind of interactions with other people, actually talking with a boy whom I almost treated as a foe. Wait....
"How do you know I'm sick?"
"Who do you think had given those medicines for you last night?"
Ohhh! How embarrassing! Chris might've approached him for the keys and since he is a doctor, he might've given those medicines. simple!
"Ah, now it makes sense. So what were you going to talk about?"
Immediately his amused face faltered as he replied with a grave tone "the misunderstanding that kept happening for the last one and half month. The reason why I don't use my right hand in the arena."
He looked a bit hesitant to keep talking and before I knew, the words got out of my mouth "you don't have to explain anything. Now that I know that you haven't done anything wrong, I don't need anything else."
And saying that, my heart felt so much contented and encouraged, it was a good feeling.
"No, Nicholas, it's not only for this time, this is for the times to come. I need to clarify."
Determined, he looked at me, then standing up, he gathered everyone's attention "can I have a moment of attention from all of you?"
I watched in awe as the whole room turned to him and he continued
"I'm here to apologise to Nicholas for the treatment he received for the past one and half month because of a stupid misunderstanding. My right hand had been gravely hurt since March, I hurt it in a practice session at my old school. If you don't believe then you can look for the medical certificates, I submitted in this university. I didn't feel the need to clarify anything about it, since it's my personal deal, why would I go announcing where I've got hurt?! But this time, my silence had caused a havoc in someone else's life and that's too much of you guys! Hope this clears everything now and I will not sit back just to watch if anyone treats him wrong again."
Wow! He looked so sincere with every word uttered, and the underlying threat...did he actually mean it? But why all of a sudden he is caring about me? He could've explained this a long ago, right?
Taking his seat, looking at me with an apologetic smile, he spoke "I'm sorry for the delay."
Did he just read my mind?!
Before I could say anything, he continued "I know you won't ask me the reason yourself, but you deserve to know."
"Felix, I..."
"Well you see, I was already 12 days late for my classes, then the burn injury restrained me from attending practical classes, that included hospital rotations too. My grades are important too you know and that's what I'm trying to raise for the last half month. Don't think that I'm making excuses, I was really helpless and trust me, I'm not even attending any other classes here except for the Defence Strategy practical. I didn't even know these things were happening with you until last night. I'm really sorry for the lack of communication between us."
Since he decided to pour out everything, I may as well "yeah, that was the main problem, lack of communication. So from now on make sure to keep us in good terms."
"Of course!" He looked really happy with my suggestion.
"But I don't think I will be able to live in the dorm, until the semester exam." With a calculated expression, he added.
Did that disappoint me? Definitely! Why? I like the whole place to myself only, then why am I anticipating him to live with me?
My expressions might've shown my thoughts again, as he assured me "don't worry, I'll join you here in lunchtime or breakfast. What do you say?"
"That would be great!"
With a genuine smile spread over my face, I forwarded my left hand to shake his "then...friends?"
His face suddenly turned into a petrified one, was he hesitant? Or... before I could apprehend anymore, his eyes lit up with a pure happiness as with a huge grin, he shook my hand.
"Friends!"
As I concentrated back to eating my food, and he started eating, my eyes darted to Chris who was watching all these with an amused smile, when our eyes met, he gave me a teasing grin and I just shrugged off the obvious accusation. When I looked back at the boy infront of me, I noticed that he was indeed focused on his food, so I decided to not disturb him, however, I didn't miss the occasional shy smile appearing on his flawless face. Why? Was he thinking about something? But that night, he didn't seem to be a shy person, right?
I was cherishing his features for a while I guess, as he also felt my stare on him, immediately, I lowered my eyes to my plate, and surprisingly, it was empty! When the hell did I finish my food?!!
"That's my plate." With an amused smile, Felix answered for my thoughts.
Then I looked at the other plate which still had 40 percent left, when did he even exchang our plates? Was I that lost in his charm?!
"First I thought, maybe you're done, but then I noticed your were lost somewhere else...Or should I say lost in someone?" The teasing grin on his face suddenly looked so hot.
Oh my God! NICHOLAS HAMMOND!! Get a hold on your racing heart! He just caught you red-handed staring at him! Gosh it's so embarrassing! How am I going to explain?!
"No. It's not like that. I..."
And he interrupted me, "what?! You think I'm not admirable enough?!"
I bet he was enjoying it wholeheartedly and here I was panicking inside out!
"No. No. No... that's not the case. You see my artistic eyes see beauty in a different perspective."
Please believe my words and drop it already.
"Beauty, you say? What kind of beauty you see in me?" His voice carried a smooth alluring wave in it as if he was indeed trying to get praises from me.
"First your eyes, your deep, big doe like eyes they reflect a pair of lucious honey pools, your perfect firm jawline, that cute nose, your blonde soft hair, your heart-shaped soft lips as if made to hypnotize everyone..."
First he looked so caught up with my praise, that he seemed breathless, then suddenly he choked on his own breath, and started coughing. Immediately getting by his side, I gave him water, smoothly patting his back, I tried to calm him down. Was my elaboration that much excessive? Wait...his heart! It's beating so fast. My palm was on his back and I felt his heart reacting oddly.
Once, he calmed down, I sat back and asked "are you okay, now?"
"Yep. I'm okay." He was avoiding my gaze at all cost.
"Are you sure? I just felt your heart..."
"Uhh Nicholas, why don't you finish your food now? Take your time, of course. I'll get going first. We have a surgery class, this noon. We need get ready for that, and I won't be able to see you today anymore. So see you tomorrow!"
This guy, definitely has a habit of cutting in middle of other's talk.
Saying all those altogether, he hurriedly stood up and almost sprinted out of the dining hall, and thankfully no one minded that. But what happened with him just now?! He was all okay when he was teasing me, then suddenly he reacted like he was kissed by his crush!!
Wait a damn moment! NICHOLAS FUCKING HAMMOND! Get that thought out of your mind! RIGHT NOW! It's not him! It's YOU!!!! You who wanna be kissed by those hypnotizing heart-shaped soft....STOOOOOOOPPPPP!!!!
In the Kaiser territory eastern watchtower and army camp:
"So you've got the location of The Knights, finally!" A tall, stout middle aged man enquired a spy, his expressions were shrouded with a malicious grin.
The spy visibly shuddered as he confirmed "yes, your majesty. They're right now stationed at the Escortia University and they're currently operating from there."
"Hmmm interesting! Some grown up kids in mid of toddlers! How ridiculous! Don't you think King Samuel?"
He looked at the other tall, middle aged but still handsome man.
However the King of the Kaisers had a very unreadable expression as he commented "they're just some ant infront of his majesty, then why bother minding them, King Hammond?"
The mentioned King Hammond lost his sinister grin, immediately gripping hard on King Kaiser's jaw, he spat "cause it's the same ants that got Queen Hammond abducted years ago. And you know how I hate to loose my wife, right?"
All of a sudden, his tone softened and he released Samuel Kaiser's face.
"Spy! I want all the details of their members as soon as possible! You understand?!" With a dangerous threat, King Hammond ordered the spy.
Then looking back at King Kaiser, he added "I've got my spies recruited there too for watching over my sons, it won't be difficult for them to eliminate any looming threats. Hope your boys will take care of it.
Void of any emotion, King Kaiser assured "your spies will receive the news from mine."
Then King Hammond left the camp with his troop of guards, towards wherever he wanted to go.
"Your majesty, why didn't you tell me I was supposed to keep away all the informations out of his reach?" Disbelief was evident in the spy's tone.
"Nolan, that would have caused suspicion in that monster's mind and he would have cut every connection with me. If that ever happens, I won't be able to know his plans ahead." With a deep frown King Kaiser reasoned.
"But the princes..."
"Nothing will happen to my sons! As long as I'm alive, I'll not let anything happen to them."
Determined, King Kaiser's face lit with vengeance.
"That monster dared to attack on Simon in Gyanlo! I'll not just sit back and let that slide."
"Your majesty, his highness had been living in the safety of his brothers, don't worry."
"That's the only reason I haven't reached out to them yet. The way it's going, I don't think I'll ever have a chance to explain everything."
"Once they come to know the truth, they will get over it, don't worry. Should I get more inner information about The Knights?"
"No need. Let them thrive on their own. However I do have a job for you."
"Anything for, his majesty and the princes."
Bowing down, Nolan firmly responded.
"Listen very carefully, after gaining success in this mission which I know you'll get, don't present the reports to me, give them to your brother."
"To Henry? Why?" Confusion and worry both were evident in his features.
"Yes. Didn't you say that he is the leader of The Knights?"
"Yes, he is. His highness, the first prince is the second in command."
"Nolan, they know what they're doing or where they're heading ahead, or they wouldn't be standing as the most renowned spy group now."
"That's indeed true, your majesty."
"Then trust me, at any cost report back to him! And remember, no matter what, the princes' lives are the most important matter."
"I'll do as you wish, your majesty. But what's my mission this time?"
"That man, find out, what he originally looks like."