Fifth Month, the 3rd day, 1386. 18:30.
HAELYN sat by her office chair comfortably after a whole day of catching up with her longtime friend, who left a few moments ago with her secretary. She can feel the cool relief as she heaved a deep sigh.
She's here. She's not hurt. She's safe and sound.
Her worries have been washed away now that she's seen her. And with Adela smiling and chuckling as they chatter the day away, Haelyn was beyond happy and shocked. For all the years they've been close friends, she's never seen her glow like she did.
Adela was the kind of person to stay comfortable, she does not stray from the path that was paved for her. Hence, leaving both her job and her family was something Haelyn would've never imagined her doing. To think that simply stepping away from the life that she accepted and took would make her seem more… flawed.
A human.
Her golden eyes wander around. The table with untouched documents since this morning, the ceiling with unlit lights, then to her open window. She watched the sun drown, slowly diming the study. It was complete peace and quiet… that was until the school bell rang, echoes across the academy.
After a minute, the winds began to gush inside, pushing the black curtains to shut close and forcing the room to complete darkness.
Haelyn could feel a dangerous presence inside the office. In fact, that presence was right in front of her, standing about a meter away from her chair, exactly by her window. With quiet yet heavy footsteps, that presence slowly closed their distance. She stared at him, unfazed and without panic.
Stopping right in front of her, she felt his clothed big hand cupping her left cheek gently as if handling a fragile treasure. Haelyn then couldn't contain her sweet smile as she confirmed the identity of the presence inside her space.
Of course, it's him, she thought to herself as she then touched the back of the hand that was caressing her face. There was only one person in this world that would make an entrance so quiet and secretive.
"What business do you have here in the Academy?" Haelyn voiced lowly; it was enough for him to hear.
"I see your friend has returned," said the man. Haelyn immediately arched a brow. Has he been on watch since this morning?
"Why? Is there a problem with that?" she asked, her tone changed from sweet to sharp.
"A big one. The grand duke has been missing since the coronation, and Dame Adela was the last person he was seen with."
Haelyn's eyes widened in realization. She knows exactly what the situation is now; she figured out the reason behind Adela's resignation.
That son of a dog! He crossed the line! She can feel herself boiling from the rage, but she chose to face the man in front of her.
"If Adela was the reason for his disappearance, she should have brought his head to the emperor. That's how it will end, but Adela stepped down from her position in the palace from the moment she returned; she is no longer the emperor's knight. The grand duke must be alive somewhere." Haelyn explained and stood up from her seat, forcing the man to pull his hand away.
The man became quiet. He knew Haelyn would be completely protective over her dear friend, but every clue leads to Adela. There's no mistaking that she's somewhat involved. He then sighs in surrender. Despite the suspicion, he can see why Haelyn is acting like this, and he completely understands.
"I will put a halt to the investigation for now, but I'll keep her on the list of suspects," he complied, and Haelyn sighs in relief for his immediate decision.
"Then, you'll wait for His Grace to return?" she asked. Haelyn heard him chuckling as he stepped closer to her, once again cupping her face.
"We don't have a choice now, do we?" he said. "It's not uncommon for him to go into hibernation once in a while, but we're slightly panicking because he never goes beyond a month of absence."
Haelyn chuckles at his choice of words. Hibernation, really?
"Well, if things go south and he does not return for another month, I'll tell Adela myself," Haelyn suggested as she stepped back from the man. "She'll be busy for a while, it's better for her to focus. You should get going."
The man let out a laugh as he reached for her hand, pulling it closer to his face. She felt his soft lips touch the back of her hand for a moment.
"As you wish, Princess. Until next time," he bid goodbye.
In a snap of his fingers, the curtains fluttered open and the man himself disappeared along with the dark. Haelyn stood there; her heart skipped a beat.
This wasn't new. It was always there.
She heaved a sigh to calm her heart and corrected her posture.
"Let's get to work."
"THIS will be your quarters for as long as you work here, Dame."
Soren gestured to the door in front of us, then handed me the keys, a folder, and an item that seemed to be a handbook. "This contains your pin, your identification card, and detailed files of your role. And this is the instructor's handbook. It has sample lesson plans that can help you, although I'm sure you won't need it."
"Thank you," I took hold of the said items and said my thanks. I opened the folder and took out my card. It was a light alloy card with my personal details as well as my position here in the academy. How they wrote my name made me smile.
It didn't contain my last name on it.
He must've heard.
"Your other luggage is inside, and your horse is in the stables of this very building," he mentioned, then bowed. "I'll take my leave for now. We'll notify you once we've gathered all the students in one classroom. Welcome to the Academy once again, Dame."
I smiled and bowed my head, "It's a pleasure to be back."
He turned around and began walking away. I faced my door and opened it with the keys. As I stepped inside, my eyes wandered.
The interior was similar to a normal hotel accommodation for nobles. It's wide, but it doesn't have much design, it's simple and pleasing to the eye. It's a house in one room; it has all the necessary furniture. The bed, the study table, a bookshelf, a couch, a tea table, a closet, a vanity table, a comfort room, and a bath space.
Now, this is how I like it.
I placed my things by the table, which happened to be next to the door of the small balcony. I opened the door, and as soon as I stepped outside, the cold night breeze brushed my face and hair. This is the only room on this floor, and the highest one too. Haelyn made sure everything was to my preference. I'm not sure how I feel about this special treatment, but I'll accept it with open arms.
Heaving a deep sigh, I look up at the bright night sky filled with stars. Somehow, this reminded me of the nights I spent with that man. I wonder where he is now…
Speaking of that one time…
"Who knows, I haven't seen her in the past month."
I recalled the palace knight's words; I was missing for an entire month. I had to make sure I heard it right, so I asked Haelyn for the date today as well. It's the 3rd day of the Fifth Month. The coronation was on the 1st day of the Fourth Month.
We were stuck in that space for an entire month. I don't think my sense of time is broken. All I can conclude is that time is slower in that space… Why were we stuck there?
Curiosity led me to looking back on what happened, then something crossed my mind.
"Don't leave us again…? Mother…?"
I don't normally think about my disturbing dreams, but that specific dream felt too vivid. It must have some connection on why we were caged in that space…in Seraphina's house. How did we end up in a place that has been hidden from the world for centuries in the first place? Is there some sort of trigger?
I need to investigate this, but first…
I looked down. I have the entire academy grounds in my sight. I can see students walking, running, and playing around. Others were sitting in benches, reading books, chatting and catching up with their friend. Watching them brings me nostalgia of what I used to be… what we used to be. This place, the fresh air, this scenery…
How I've missed this sense of youth.
Now, I have a proper job. This should be my top priority for now, but I will write to the Grand Duke for this case. I have a feeling I shouldn't leave it unknown; I wouldn't be able to sit still until I know.
I wonder if I'd make a good instructor? I have no experience in teaching, but Haelyn is so confident that I'll do well.
Walking back inside the quarters, I checked the papers inside the folder Soren gave me. I read everything, going through every page. It contains my authority and limitations as a special instructor, the subjects I must teach, and even the basic information of the nine students who will be in my classroom. I see familiar names they hold, and I couldn't help but smile.
I understand now why Haelyn didn't want to give up on these students. Aside from their last names, I personally know that they grew up in a certain environment that I'm familiar with.
I'm glad I came back here to the academy.
However, this is… everything? Are these all the subjects I must teach? With all nine students, this is everything?
I didn't expect the workload to be this… light.