They were cutting her out.
Tori didnt say it out loud, but that was essentially what Gideon was doing, putting distance between them and Alessa. He wasnt just excusing them from one invitation once either, but for an indefinite amount of them. Now, he could use the excuse of training at the Naval Academy to get out of any invitation from Alessa.
Her eyes moved to the young blonde woman whose face dropped. Alessa didnt seem so disappointed as she was hurt. For a split second, Tori almost felt pity for her.
In these sorts of stories, the heroine had very few trusted friends and a lot of love interests. Usually, it was a male childhood friend who was separated from her for so ti, which existed in the form of Tom, and a loyal maid. Alessa did not have a maid who followed her from childhood.
With her cheerful personality, it was easy to make friends, but Tori didnt think she had friends like Ilyana and the others, whom she could depend on as much as Tori did. This was usually a plot point in order to ensure that the love interests would be able to swoop in and help the protagonist as much as possible, thus getting chances to accumulate, in this case, romance points.
And now, Gideon straight up said not anymore, Satan. Tori bit her lips and turned her head back to the table, letting out a light laugh on cue. Tell about it! I mustve gone through so many ingredients, too. The ice cream kept lting, I had to get professional assistance.
Youve decided to join the Naval Academy? Alessas voice was quiet, and Tori strained to hear it over the other conversation.
Gideon smiled. Yes. Last sumr, I really enjoyed it. It was difficult, but exhilarating. I found that I love being out on the water.
What about Universit? Alessa asked with a face filled with confusion and unwillingness. You are a prince. Werent you planning to go to Universit?
It was an option, but not necessary. Gideon didnt seem to want to say anything more. He turned his head and saw Elias Jaeger with a tray in his hands and several individual servings of the ice mountain cake. Ah, that must be part of our order. He looked towards Alessa and gave her an apologetic smile. We should go back to the room. Enjoy your al here, Alessa!
Have a good evening, Baroness. Fabian also gave her a nod of his head before following Gideon upstairs.
Alessas eyes crinkled up and she looked down. Naval Academy? She didnt seem to want to believe it. She snapped her head up and looked around. Tori imdiately moved on to greet another table, avoiding her gaze.
Tori could feel eyes on her as she walked around the room and ignored Alessa. After she completed her circle checking on her guests, Tori prepared to return to the upper floor. In the crowded and loud space, no one noticed when Alessa moved to block her way.
Tori raised a brow and gave her a questioning look. Baroness?
Did Prince Gideon really train for the Naval Academy this sumr? she asked. I thought he accompanied the first prince to your brothers wedding.
Yes, that was the beginning of the sumr, Tori replied with a bright smile. I believe afterwards he was going to attend at least two sessions of the condensed sumr training at the Naval Academy, but an opportunity arrived for private training with one of the Naval Academy's senior training commanders, so he and von Dorn took that instead.
She didnt know the exact details, but she could put the information together to make a plausible explanation.
Is this what he really wants to do? Alessa asked. She seed stunned to even consider it.
In the beginning, Gideons goal was likely to beco the crown prince. This was his role in the original ga, he was already on that path considering his popularity, and Tori recalled that he did eventually beco crown prince in the ga. She never could accept it considering Gideon was an ass to her when they first t, and that he had a far superior older brother.
Isnt it great? Tori asked, putting on a smile. Alessa looked taken aback by her enthusiasm. He knows what he wants to do and can make plans and follow them accordingly. Having a goal and working towards it is admirable. Tori tried to make it sound like a good thing for anyone, not just Gideon. It is the sa with you and , isnt it? We want to work on our businesses and when we have a goal, we can make plans to et them. When you were first given the Golden Cow, wasnt it a bit overwhelming?
Yes, I suppose it was....
But once you were able to get more knowledge and understand what direction you wanted the Golden Cow to go, wasnt it easier to make decisions? You can then make them in the best interest of your store and can weigh the pros and cons accordingly, Tori told her. I think this is the sa for Prince Gideon.
Alessa was quiet for a mont, but slowly nodded. You are right, she said her face taking on a look of determination. Gideon has been a good friend to . Now that he has a goal in mind, I should support him.
Tori nodded with approval and patted her shoulder. This is what friends do. I do the sa for mine. She stepped around Alessa and began up the stairs.
Upon returning to the room, she found that her friends had surrounded the large ice mountain and were taking spoons to it, completely bypassing the part where they cut it and served it on separate plates. Piers remained seated at one end of the table with a faint look of disgust on his face as he slowly ate his individual serving.
Gideon and Fabian also had their own individual serving, but were eyeing the much larger cake with glints of envy in their eyes. Individual servings were a set size, but if they were fast enough, they could get more from the ice mountain. The fastest eaters were Ewan and Axton.
If youre going to eat the entire thing, then we couldve just asked for individual servings, Sonia said with a frown.
I just wanted one more bite, Ilyana said. You can have the rest.
Ill take Ilyanas share, then! Ewan said, guiltfree.
Brother, you can have my share. Not to let Axton be disadvantaged, Montan put his spoon down and moved away from the cake. Axton reached over and patted his head.
Gideon looked at his partially eaten cake and then looked at Piers. As if knowing what he wanted to do, Piers spoke up. This serving is enough for .
Gideons seed to frown just a bit. Tori closed the door behind her. I take it the food is good?
Your food is always delicious, JP said as he leaned back against his chair, stuffed.
Good. Then since youve eaten it, you can help with the First Year Excursion lecture this weekend, Tori said with a bright smile. JP froze in his seat.
Thats a Sword Association event.
Albert and I are not part of the Sword Association, and we help, Ilyana pointed out. Albert nodded beside her.
Countess, if you need assistance, I can help with the demonstration. We had experience with the equipnt this sumr, Fabian said. I am also part of the Sword Association.
And Im joining this year to get single-handed sword lessons, Gideon added as he looked up.
It depends on the number of students. The seminar and demonstration were very popular last year, Tori said. We almost didnt have enough ti to check on each group individually.
Headmaster Laurent did ask if we could teach all the First Years, but Tori declined, Albert told the group before eating another spoonful of ice cream.
Tori sighed. The class is supposed to be a benefit for new mbers of the Sword Association. It is so that our mbers have a prepared advantage.
JP let out a small hum and frowned. Werent there students who complained in the last two years?
Yes, and to that I said to ask their own clubs and associations for assistance. This is sothing we are doing strictly for the Sword Association, Tori paused. And the tabletop gaming club, but we dont want to tell students that until after theyve joined.
Henrik put down his spoon after he had finished eating. You can also do a tiered system. One general lesson for all students on setting up a tent and starting a campfire, and then a more advanced one covering cooking, first aid, and reviewing the map.
The Sword Association gives out first aid kits to each group with a mber, Tori replied as she sat on the empty chair next to Ewan and on the left of Piers seat. That would be a good place to show them and give them the kits. Thats a good idea Henrik. That will keep most students from complaining.
Then if thats the case, we should prepare notices for it on the boards to let the first years know. Ilyana made a little rectangle in the air with her fingers to stress the point. Tell what date and ti and I can get them done.
Lets aim for a general class in the morning, then just before lunch, we can send the non-mbers out and continue with the advanced class, Tori said. They chatted a bit further about the arrangents before Tori got up to begin seeing off her guests.
Since everyone was returning to campus, Ilyana and the others, including Ewan, who needed to be dropped back off at La Garda, ca downstairs to leave, as well.
Montan, youre here too? I didnt see you here with the other contestants, Alessa had just put on her uniforms blazer when she saw him co down the stairs.
Tori wasnt sure if Montan forgot that she was there after blissfully spending ti with his esteed big brother, but he stopped in place when he got to the bottom step. His head snapped up and his wide, gray eyes stared at Alessa.
My brother is here, Montan replied as he seed to regain his thoughts and gave her a small nod of his head.
Brother...Duke Alvere? Alessas face brightened. Have you reconciled?
Montan nodded. Yes.
But...I didnt see you at the wedding in Sur. Alessa tilted her head to the side and gave him a curious look.
I didnt attend. I was working in Horizon at the ti, Montan replied. Tori tried not to look too intrigued as to why he didnt launch into talking about his new godmother, which he often did.
The ceremony and the fact that Antonia was now his godmother wasnt announced; it was a private and intimate event ant for just close family and friends. It was also rather shaful that Montan, who was seventeen, hadnt been given a trifecta ceremony as an infant with his father having been Duke Alvere at the ti.
It wouldve reminded others that he was a bastard, and everyone felt this was a sensitive matter to Montan. The noble guests were high ranking, but they were all in a sort of inner circle that would not bring it up. After all, Genevieve had secretly paved Montans way amongst her trusted peers. For their own pride, they would protect Montans reputation and consider him an adopted mber of the family.
Like march families, adopted children did not have rights to inherit titles and positions, but they could inherit wealth allocated by their adopted guardians. Like Robert and Fiona, Montan would never starve or be without shelter.
The fact that Montan was Antonias godson likely hadnt reached Fabianas ears, as Antonia purposely kept information away from her troubleso sister. If Fabiana didnt know, then Alessa would not have heard from her.
This is what Tori wanted. If Alessa found out Montan had been in Viclya when her charm stopped working, Tori was worried shed beco suspicious.
Working? Alessa almost flinched at the word. She leaned a little closer and lowered her voice as Montan tried to maintain distance without being too obvious. Montan, is your brother not...treating you well?
Montans face imdiately flushed with color and he couldn't seem to help but frown at the suggestion. My brother treats very well! I only like to work. I dont want to depend on my brother for everything.
Montan, I forgot to give you your pocket money this month. Axton ca down the stairs behind him and Tori turned her head to keep from snorting as Montans face reddened further.
He turned around and clenched his hands at his sides. Brother, I dont need pocket money. I have a job. Tori had given him a bonus for the escape room work.
It is in case of an ergency, Axton told him in a stern voice as he handed him a small crystal token used to transfer money. Most wealthy students used crystal tokens to pay for things in the city. Just keep it with you. It refills back to the original amount once a month, but if you run out before the refill, call .
Montan was embarrassed as Axton took his hand and put the crystal in it, but was still obedient. Yes, Brother.
Tori and her friends, who had been watching by the door, couldnt help but turn their gazes to Gideon to compare. Piers had co downstairs after Axton. He didnt seem to see his brother standing by the stairwell as he walked past to get to the door. Tori almost felt that Gideon was pitiful.
Piers didnt pay attention to anyone else and stopped in front of her. Tori, Im leaving.
Call later so I can say so words to Alexander, Tori said. While she still had her nightly calls with Piers and occasionally led him through another ga, she also liked to talk to her cat. Alexander was very vocal.
Shed only been on campus for a few nights, and she already missed the ball of warm fluff that slept next to her all sumr. She didnt mind sharing a bed with Ava, who seed to throw punches and kick at night, as if she were fighting cri in her dreams, or Fiona, who kicked off blankets, then got cold and would weasel her way to Tori and use her as a heat source, but Alexander didnt bother her in her sleep.
Piers gave Tori a small nod of his head. He looked at the others and gave them another curt nod.
Thank you for letting us have dinner here, Your Highness, Henrik said before the rest of the group added their thanks.
Piers nodded once more. Compile the estimates for the Lunar Pavilion rental for a New Year Ball. Different food should be served.
Of course, Your Highness, I will look into it and put together a plan for your approval, Henrik replied in his professional voice. Her friends didnt know she was dealing with diplomatic concerns while they were going on, but Ilyana had noticed she was more tired than normal.
Axton revealed that Tori had beco busier, so Henrik and Ilyana took over the Lunar Pavilions rental arrangents. Ilyana also lectured her on taking better care of herself and Sonia forced her to schedule at least two hours a week to go riding on Layla to relax.
Layla was kept at Piers house, so the day before, Axton ca to pick her up with Layla, and Alexander in his basket, to ride around a bit. Alexander was seen by so junior students who were particularly excited that he was a cat riding in a basket on a horse.
Tori, do not overwork yourself, Piers told her in a softer voice. You must let handle the concerning issues.
Concerning issues being Pargaths possible ties to the Duraga Federation. Tori nodded. Shed restrained herself from asking about it despite her curiosity. If she was needed, then she would be contacted. So far, no one has bothered her.
All right.
Piers, lets go. The carriage is waiting. Axton and Piers left, and Tori continued seeing off guests.
Alessa lingered behind. Tori didnt notice until Sonia frowned. I think she wants to co back with us.
That is a very inauspicious thing to say, Tori said with a dull look. While the Academic Quarter was very safe at night, Tori still liked the idea of safety in numbers and couldnt fault Alessa too much. She glanced over and saw Alessa talking to Gideon, who was nodding every now and then, but he didnt seem to be paying attention. Tori looked at Sonia and lowered her voice. Start going back. Ill catch up after I thank Mama J and her family.
Sonia followed her gaze to Alessa and sneered. I hope this isnt a sign of things to co.
Stop saying such inauspicious things.... Tori gave Sonias arm a gentle smack. JP dragged his sister out the door with the others, as Tori turned Gideon and Fabian. Montan had slipped out the door with Axton then walked back with the first group of students.
Of the student love interests she observed, Montan was the one who felt the most discomfort around Alessa. Perhaps it was because Gideon was a prince and didnt show his discomfort easily and Fabian had lingering discipline as a forr personal knight and kept a stoic expression.
Tori hadnt seen Dimitri interact with Alessa, yet, as upperclassn didnt go to class until the next week, and Dimitri had been leaving campus to continue with his project following the plan he and Tori worked on over the sumr. He hadnt had a chance to run into Alessa, at least not that Tori knew of.
When he called her to discuss his project, he hadnt ntioned Alessa, and Tori didnt want to bring it up. Considering how Dimitri had acted when he found out about the charm, she doubted hed be as open to Alessa as before.
Tori let out a little cough as she reached Gideon. Your Highness, von Dorn, Baroness, we should return to campus. The shop needs to clean up.
Yes, of course! Alessa perked up and nodded. She didnt move and seed to wait for Gideon to start.
The second prince did what was expected of him, and he took a step forward, heading towards the door. Fabian followed behind him and Tori motioned for Alessa to follow. Alessa was smiling wide as she not only followed, but reached Gideons side.
Tori thanked Mama J and her family once more before she walked out the door. She found Ilyana waiting for her at the door.
I thought you went back with the others, Tori said as she reached her. Ilyana shook her head, her thick brown hair falling in gentle waves around her shoulder. Four years and Tori still thought Ilyana was the prettiest girl in Lyce. Every year, an unassuming first year student would be star struck upon seeing Ilyana and that would usher in another season of secret admirer letters. Tori chuckled to herself. Im blessed.
Ilyana tilted her head to the side, unsure what Tori ant. Im not going to leave without you.
Toris face filled with a smile as she hooked her arm with Ilyana. Our Ilyana is so good. Ilyana lifted her chin and nodded as they quickened their speed and bypassed Gideon.
Lady Agafonova and the Countess have a good relationship, Alessa said behind them.
Ilyana didnt look back as she answered with pride. Naturally. Were best friends.
Im envious, Alessa said with a sigh. You are very lucky.
The luckiest, Ilyana said. She squeezed Toris arm a bit tighter and pulled her forward, as if afraid shed be stolen. Lets hurry. Its almost ti for you to call Fifi for her lullaby.
Tori cringed and lowered her voice. No one needs to know I do that.
You have a nice voice! Ilyana almost announced it in a proud voice. Tori disagreed. I like listening to it, too.
Tori sighed. She was sure Ilyana only enjoyed listening because aside from Fiona, Ava, and in the presence of Alexander, Tori didnt sing for anyone else. She had heard Ilyana mutter special treatnt. When Fiona was first adopted and stayed with Tori in her tent at the delta, Fiona had trouble sleeping, not used to the lack of noise from other children. Tori told her stories and occasionally sang her a lullaby.
Except her lullabies were just slow jams from her original world that she had been able to get to fit the rhythm of Soleils common language. Fiona said shed never heard them before and if she was too tired for a story, she just asked for a song.
Does my brother know you sing? Gideon asked. Tori silently cursed him.
I dont sing. Its just a lullaby for children, Tori replied casually.
Gideon narrowed his eyes and Tori pulled Ilyana forward to try to finish the conversation. When she got back to her dorm and got ready for bed and her call with Fiona, she received a different call.
The voice on the other end sounded calm and cool, but there was a hint of disappointnt in it. Tori, Piers said. You said you dont sing.
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