WebNovels

Chapter 8 - Chapter 7: Interrogation

Wilson felt so giddy, like a kid who was promised sweets for doing something good. Counting down the days, he was really looking forward to seeing his family: to see the younger version of his siblings, to interact with the old servants, to help out his parents, and also see the peace his lands have protected for generations.

He can't wait as the day gets nearer.

"So happy today?" Chris said with his loyal servant trailing behind him. They're on the way to the cafeteria for their lunch. "Did you get off from the community service already?"

"That one was done ages ago." Wilson rolled his eyes at his cousin. He looked at the other students who watched their dramatics from the side. "Father said he'd be here in a week."

Chris tensed hearing that news. Wilson only gleefully smiled at his cousin's reaction, fully aware that Chris had such a reaction after so many summers and winters he had to spend with Earl Thymes.

"Remembering your training with father?"

"N-no!" Chris was quick to deny. From his reaction, he was indeed remembering those times he was brought over for discipline.

Patting his helpless cousin on the back, he assured him that he is not to be tormented by his father this time around. He is coming over to process an early graduation for him. After the formality is done, he will not see his father for at least a few more months.

Chris was unaware of his plan to graduate early. He was shocked and looked at him with unbelieving eyes. He even shook him to make sure it was not some sort of a cruel joke.

"When did I ever joke with this kind of matter?" Wilson said as he felt dizzy with all the shaking his head was subjected to. "You know for a fact that there is no need for me to be in the academy since I had earned my rites at the age of 10."

"My dear brother, can you not leave me here with the wolves?" Chris looked pitiful as he clung to Wilson's arm. "We are the best of friends! Stay and graduate together with me in 2 years!"

"No can do," Wilson said as he pulled his arm away from Chris's hold. As his arm finally had its autonomy back, he shook it for a moment before brushing off an inexistent dust on it. "With how things are, I best be back home before I get involved."

Chris could only fake cry at his words. His loyal servant, cooperating with the act, gave him a handkerchief in a practiced manner. The whole thing was so smooth, telling volumes on how much of a dramatic person Chris was.

"Did anyone else know of your upcoming departure?" Chris asked, dabbing the handkerchief over his eyes.

Wilson dramatically counted people whom he had informed. "Alexus, the twins from the House of Yeil, my peers from the knights committee, and a few commoners whom I am to either bring over with me or need to have correspondence with for future employment. Alphonsus as well."

"Does that mean I am the last one to know?" Chris looked betrayed at the revelation. "I, your cousin, knew it later than others did. Even the Third Prince knew before I did! Where am I in your heart?"

"You're in my heart, but just not much on my mind," Wilson replied.

"You're cruel!"

"Don't be too dramatic. At least I told you now." Wilson patted him again on the shoulder. "If you didn't come up and bring up the subject, I might have forgotten about you and just sent you a letter after I got home."

"That's even worse!"

Wilson could only shake his head at Chris's display. He wanted to make a distance from him with how the other students are now staring at them. No doubt a few who was nearby had heard what they are talking about.

He could see a few of them whispering. By the end of the day, Wilson is sure that his upcoming departure will be known by the whole school. It is just a few more weeks before he will be leaving, so it will not do him much harm.

"Still as dramatic as always," A girl said as she came to their side. She had long black silken hair and a pair of blue eyes. With her was a shorter girl with blonde hair and a pair of golden eyes.

"Great to join us, Lady Yeil, Your Highness. May spirits bless you two." Wilson made a small courtesy towards the shorter girl.

"No need for a courtesy, Wilson," The shorter girl said. "You can call me Diane. I've told you so many times, but you still insist on keeping your distance."

"You can't really blame me on that," Wilson casually replied like he wasn't being formal earlier. "Prince George does not like others being too close to his sister. Except for selected people he approved, addressing you without honorifics warrants his attention."

"I'm pretty sure my brother more than approved of you," Diane easily rebutted. "Brother trusts Alexus's judgement. With how long and how much Alexus regards you, he does not mind you being close to me."

Wilson only smiled at the words spoken. The princess quickly changed the subject before they could talk more about it. She invited him and Chris to join her.

Finding it convenient, Wilson accepted the invitation. Chris wanted to protest, but Lady Yeil was quick to put a hand over his mouth and dragged him over. Chris struggled, but Lady Yeil was a knighted Dame who was assigned to protect and assist the princess. She is stronger and more than practiced in forcing him over for teas and dinners.

They came to a parlor where food was already prepared for them. With the princess's invitation to make themselves at ease, Wilson sat down and watched in amusement as Lady Yeil had manhandled Chris to a chair.

"How many times did you two corner Chris for him to react this strongly?" Wilson can't help but ask.

A servant served him a portion of dishes on his plate. Thanking the servant, he looked at his cousin who looked downcasted at the chair he was deposited to. Beside him was Lady Yeil who looked proper and prim as a lady of her pedigree.

"More than enough to make him react instinctively," Diane said without remorse. "You see, he had said a few things in public that may or may not affect Greselle here or her twin Haselle's public reputation. I'm quite protective of my people, you can imagine what happened next."

"I apologized on my cousin's behalf." Wilson could see such things happening. Chris was the type to run his mouth and he more or less often provoked the twin Yeils unintentionally.

Diane only waved away his apology, stating it is not a big deal at the end of the day. As long as those involved duked it out, the matter is basically done.

"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness." Wilson appreciated the princess's approach with the situation. "However, if you would mind, can you tell us why you invited us here? Someone like you typically arranges something like this for something more than a simple meal."

The princess didn't deny his accusation. She didn't answer right away, though; instead, she instructed the servants to leave them for privacy. She waited for them to be out before she turned to Wilson.

"I just want to confirm a few things," Diane straightforwardly said.

"Ask away, princess. I'll do my best to answer your concerns."

"Great to hear that!" The Princess beamed at his response. "First things first. What is the reason why you are graduating early? Hard to believe you will abandon your student career with how much you excel here."

Wilson reached for the glass of wine in front of him. He stirred it slowly with a motion of his wrist. He watched the liquid move about before answering the princess.

"I'll be honest with you, princess, I had long wanted to go back home for a long time." Wilson didn't meet the princess's eyes and focused his gaze on the wine. "You should have heard us earlier in the cafeteria; I don't need to be here as I earned my rites long before I got admitted to the academy. I'm just here for connections and due to my mother's wish for me to be around my peers."

"So you think you have enough network to ditch the academy altogether?" Diane's tone was thoughtful. "If that is the case, not completing the normal courses will result in broken connections. That will oppose the reason why you're here."

"I do have enough of a network necessary for my future role." Wilson finally met the princess's eyes. He smiled at the princess who was trying to read him.

"Early graduation will result in broken connections as you say. But this is something I intended for certain people. For those worth keeping, I already arranged something for us to continue our relationships."

"You're colder than you show yourself to be," The princess commented. "Does Alexus know this side of yours?"

"When we talked, I told him what he needed to know," Wilson casually said. He turned to his cousin who looked at him like he was a stranger.

Well, his reaction is normal seeing that he had not seen him being this calculating. The him at this time was still the one who does things straightforward and directly, never this subtle and precise as a veteran noble who had dealt with politics on a daily basis.

The princess had also picked up where his attention lies. She chuckled at the face Chris was making. She found it interesting, taking in the fact that there are sides of the excellent model student that runs darker than his bright persona.

"Your answer is interesting. I'll take it as you said it to be." Diane took her utensils and cut a piece of steak on her plate. "Then my second question, why the sudden distance from Alphonsus? Aren't you two the closest since the beginning of your freshmen year?"

Wilson was taken aback for a moment, then later on thought the question made sense. He was always close to the Third Prince and had been publicly supporting him at events and gatherings. His sudden distance raises questions and no one had brought it up to him directly until now.

"I grew up, princess." Wilson said the same thing he told Alphonsus that night. "I just realized there are things I should start being mindful of. My father is not getting younger anymore."

"...admirable," Diane easily accepted the fact. "The Thymes are tight -knit. Combining your decision to graduate early, it matches up with a logical motive."

"Glad to hear your compliment, your highness."

"Well, let's talk about the last thing I'm really curious about. It might be a little personal; hope you won't be offended." Diane looked at Chris and Greselle, her eyes commanding them not to spread a word of her inquiry. "What is your relationship with Alexus right now?"

"...for that, it could be what you think it is," Wilson decided to be a tease on his answer. "Or maybe not. As things stand, it's best we keep it to ourselves on how we define ourselves at the moment, your highness."

"You're a tease," The princess chided. "Well, I'll not force it. Alexus is my cousin and among a selected few, we know of his affection for you. I'm just worried how you two will be once you're no longer at the academy."

"Don't worry about that." Wilson had his attention back to his wine. Taking a small sip he said. "We had established that we will keep in touch. All things considered, we've always been well connected."

"I'm happy to hear that." Diane was relieved hearing his words. "If that is the case, then I don't have any more questions as of now. Let's enjoy our meal together."

"With pleasure, your highness."

More Chapters