After the incident, the three bullies were each suspended for two months. And not surprisingly, when their parents heard about this, they were not happy. They lashed out, making claims like "Do you know who I am?" and "I can remove you from this position if I wanted," and even "Do you seriously punish a noble for putting a commoner in his place?"
The principal was already used to this by now. Rosa Academy was a school for only nobles in the Rosa duchy.
And then we have... Dorian.
Dorian was a complicated case. He was a commoner learning with nobles well, more like... you couldn't call him a commoner per say, but you wouldn't really call him a noble either.
Dorian's biological parents were commoners. After their tragic death, he was adopted by the Vaelthrone family, a noble house that his parents had served for as long as Dorian could remember. He was born in the Vaelthrone home, and has been like the younger brother to Elric, who was by the way three months older than him.
After Dorian's birth, the Vaelthrone family invited his parents to live with them full-time, which showed just how close their families were. So this was how Dorian ended up with this predicament.
***
[Knock, knock]
"Come in."
The door of the principal's office opened, and in came Elric, Dorian, their mother, and a little girl on Viera (their mother) arms. She was close to age two.
"Welcome, Viera. Boys, and little Tasha, please have a seat"
"Thanks for having us," Viera replied. Viera was in her mid-thirties, she was very beautiful and had long black hair. But in contrast to her looks she had bags under her eyes, no makeup. The Vaelthrone family was the richest count family in the duchy, and most powerful family after the Rosewells' (The Duke family), but all these extravagant riches didn't show in her face. She wore expensive clothing though, but that was it, no additional ornaments, hat, gloves, or any of the fancy trending fashion worn by other noble ladies.
"You look worn out, Viera. I could have said you should try relaxing, but I know that is not quite possible. Feel at home, let me get you some tea" he insisted. He brought a cup of tea and handed it to her.
"Why, thank you." She reached out to the cup. "Dorian is still having it a little bit rough, huh?" she said as she glanced at Dorian.
Dorian was a frail boy with dark hair, and his timid nature gave him a posture that made him look like something that needs to be protected. It was in contrast to Elric, who had brown blonde hair and a fuller structure with more body. But Dorian looked more like Tasha (though they were not related), she had her mother's dark hair and beauty. All of the family dressed quite well, except the mother.
"Don't worry about it too much, we are taking care of it," he paused, controlling the tension of the atmosphere. He knew very much the trouble Viera was going through, and she had a sad and tired look on.
"What is troubling you?"
***
Earlier that day, when the boys were still in school , Viera, who was back at home was busy with paperwork.
"Hello, Viera." A man barged into her bedroom. Her heart skipped a beat for an instant, it felt like it was ready to jump out of her mouth. She turned behind to see who had the boldness to just bust into her room. Normally, aside from the family, only an old caretaker lived with them in the entire estate, and he couldn't just barge in her, room. And if it were a guest, her permission was still required before they entered the estate.
"You are becoming quite daring, coming to my room uninvited," she said, arranging herself back in order. Her heart seemed to have gotten back to its usual place in her chest.
"You seem relieved, like you are just recovering from a shock. Were you scared?" he smirked. "Don't worry, I don't bite." He licked his lip, not holding back while showing his intentions. Despite his demeanor he was quite a smart man but he always put up an annoying act just to frustrate people.
"You seem to be amusing yourself." She stood up and left for the door. "Follow me. This is no place for such a meeting, Lord Deren."
"Oh, so we are playing the chasing game now. [Sigh], so bad," he paused. "I could have loved us to have the meeting here, and maybe, you know..." He fastened his pace so he could face Viera. "We could do other things too, you know."
"Enough." Viera shouted as she stood firm , clenching her fist, veins popping out of her pretty forehead. She released her aura. She was not going to stand this much disrespect.
"Oh my God, save me, I am scared, shaken, terrified, petrified and uh do you know any other word that ends with fied, oh yeah, I am horrified, oh noo, soo scary" Deren mocked, he knew how to get to the back of people's heads.
And [Baam]
He held her neck and slammed her on the wall, and the back of her head collided with it, giving her a sharp pain. She couldn't breathe properly, Deren's hands was tightly gripped around her neck.
"What do you think of yourself, you insolent parasite, how dare you threaten me with your washed up aura, turn it off you ungrateful leech" Viera was left grasping for air; all the fight she had had disappeared. She couldn't do anything but obey. She closed her aura flow.
"Good girl." He released Viera from his grip, winding his wrist. "See, obeying me is not bad. You should try it more often." He laughed. "Anyway, I just thought I could enjoy myself for the very last time." He dusted his shirt and gave a pause, hopefully waiting for a response. "Ehem, for the very last time" he repeated and they was still silence. "What, you are not going to seriously ask any questions?" Another pause. "You are not curious in the least?" He rubbed his chin, giving Viera an intense stare. "Hmmm you are no fun. Well, if you are not going to ask, let me say it." He turned his direction, looking at the end of the aisle that led to the living room. "Let's head to the living room shall we, or should we go to the bedroom.", another pause " sigh, you really are no fun, enough of this play let's move" He moved forward. He switched his act so swiftly from whatever annoying piece of shit he was playing as to a more coordinated and serious demeanor.
When they were settled in the living room, he began the conversation.
"I'm not going to try and take over as family head anymore."
Viera spat out her tea, staining her dress. The news was like a bomb for her and her face showed it, her eyes were wide open, and her jaw dropped. It took a few seconds before she could reclaim her composure. She picked up her handkerchief, cleaned her mouth, and adjusted her position to be more ladylike and took a deep breath.
"Why the sudden change?" she asked. She was not convinced.
"Don't be so shocked. It's just a matter of time before Elric turns fifteen and reclaims the position. I wouldn't really enjoy only six years of being the family head, and it will make me seem really pathetic don't you think. Fighting for my late brothers position with his nine year old son"
"I don't believe it. What are you up to?" She stood up, her hands were shaking tremendously.
"[sigh], I'm not in the mood to make you believe, so I wouldn't waste my time trying to explain," he said, sipping his tea. "I hear Tasha's birthday is coming this Saturday. I'm planning to grant Dorian the family name that day."
"What are... why... you... We don't need your help," she stuttered, not knowing what to say.
"At least I have the power to do that. But none of you can. Your husband didn't do it, he was planning to make it grand and do it on his tenth birthday, how foolish"
"Don't bring my husband into this."
"Calm down. you are talking as if his not my dear brother."
"You monster. What are you planning?" She banged her fist in the table.
"Calm down. Jeez, you are really making me feel like a despicable evil monster," he paused. "I believe Dorian and Elric see me as a bad uncle you know, like a cyclops with a heart of stone, six eyes and twelve horns, something like that. So the only way to save myself from Elric when he becomes head is to make some good impression. Maybe he might change his mind and make me a mentor you know, meeting me before making any decisions. That will make me useful, Is that enough to calm you down?"
Immediately, there was a cry from inside the house.
"Uh uh,seems like little Tasha just woke up from a nap. That's my cue to leave. I have passed everything I needed to say. Goodbye." He got up from his chair, carefully placing his teacup on the table, ready to leave.
"Where do you think you are going? Come back here." she tried to force him to stay
"Enough! I don't like talking about my defeat so much. So... back off you pitiful mongrel." He glared at her with blood shut eyes which frightened her enough not to call him back
***
"What is troubling you?"
Viera took a long stare at her teacup as she gazed upon her pitiful reflection.
"Elric, Dorian, take your sister outside, please."