♝
AS AWKWARD AS IT may seem, Max was walking in front of four of the members of Vixens, also known as the queens. It was a relief that white uniforms weren't in school anymore so no one was there to see what was happening. They'd definitely blow this out of proportion.
"We're here," Max says as he stops in front of the stadium before turning around to face the queens.
"Thank you, Leigh," Cindy replies as she walks closer to her.
"White uniforms aren't allowed inside so I'll wait for you out here," Max tells her.
"No, it's fine, you can go home now, I'm sure your butler has been waiting for you. I'm really grateful that you went out of your way to accompany me today Leigh, I really mean it," Cindy says as she grabs Max for a hug, surprising the other queens.
Max was surprised, but he smiles and pats Cindy's back before pulling away. "I hope you get to tell the kings whatever it is that you intend to say," Max tells her. "And I hope you get to tell me whatever it is about you and my big brother."
It was Cindy's turn to be surprised by Max's last statement, but Max bowed and finally walked away before Cindy could even say anything.
As the queens stare at Max take his leave, Rosalia moves closer to Cindy and tells her, "That boy will change J.S High in a way that none of us could predict, I just know it."
"You think so?" Violet asks back.
Rosalia grins and looks at Lilith who has been quiet since earlier. "What do you think Lilith?"
Lilith doesn't say anything for a while as her eyes continue to follow Max. And as soon as Max was out of her view, she tells them, "Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire can give J.S High a bright future, for both the House of Kings and the House of Queens because he was not part of its past, and that's what makes him different. But that too can be a weakness that he has to be able to overcome because you cannot fix something if you do not know what caused the damage."
Cindy and the others look at Lilith with shock because Lilith has never spoken about someone like that before. And by the looks of it, she sounded like she was praising Max too.
"Well then..." Violet clears her throat, and Rosalia smiles and pats Lilith's head before turning back to Cindy.
"Well, shall we head inside now?" Rosalia finally asks, and Cindy nods her head and enters the stadium first, followed by Rosalia, Violet, and then Lilith.
The four of them went inside, and as they expected, both the princes and the kings were there. PHD were practice-shooting. Hee-joon was teaching them how to raise their accuracy especially when Hee-joon is known to be the best shooter out of all the brotherhoods in the five houses. While Busters were playing basketball on the other side of the stadium.
The queens finally make their entrance, and their entrance surprised everyone, even Viktor.
The prince, Kim Hee-joon, didn't even say anything as his brotherhood starts lining up in front of the queens to properly greet them. All the members then bowed as Cindy and the others approached them. Even Hee-joon was bowing, which was such a rare thing to see.
"Our queens," they say, and Cindy lifts her hand, signaling them to stand. She then approaches Busters, and unlike PHD, none of them bowed, but they did stop playing to show their respects.
Viktor takes a deep breath and walks towards Cindy before faking a wide smile. "My queen!" He shouts, stopping in front of the queens who looked at him with disgust.
Since they were playing basketball, Viktor wasn't wearing his black coat and gloves. He was only wearing his white polo shirt that almost looked see-through because of his sweat. It was even unbuttoned to the point where his chest was showing. His sleeves were rolled upward too, and his hair was an absolute mess. It was definitely not a look that was fit to welcome a queen.
"My queen, you should have told me you were coming. I could have prepared a grand ceremony for your visit," Viktor says, approaching Cindy to give her a hug. But just before he could even touch her, Rosalia blocks Viktor and pushes him away.
"Don't you dare come any closer," Rosalia warns, instantly making Viktor laugh.
"My my, still so feisty Rosa. Such an attitude always made me shiver in delight," Viktor says as he licks his lower lips.
"Don't humor me, Mad King," Rosalia seriously tells him, and Viktor finally steps back.
Finally, his playful aura disappears, and a more serious appearance welcomes them.
Viktor snaps his fingers, and two members of Dangerous Five (Under PHD) run to his side to hand him his handkerchief and his coat and gloves.
Viktor wipes his sweat first before wearing his uniform. He then fixes his brooches and walks toward the stage to sit on the throne. Usually, Hee-joon would follow and take a seat beside him, but the prince didn't move. Since the queen was here, it automatically makes it her throne, but of course, Cindy didn't take a seat. The least she wants to do in this situation is to sit beside Viktor.
"So, why did you decide to visit our castle?" Viktor finally asks.
Cindy steps closer, leaving Rosalia and the other queens with Busters.
Without removing her eyes on Viktor, Cindy equally shows him her dominance as she says, "I came to meet you because I wanted to let you know that my proposal still stands. Bow to me and I will help you and your house."
"Never," Viktor immediately answers, almost gripping on the armrest of his throne in irritation. "It will take more than just a bomb explosion before I'd even bend my knees for a woman like you."
"You watch your mouth!" Rosalia fires back, but Cindy immediately puts her hand up to stop her.
"Still as stubborn and prideful as ever," Cindy says as she starts walking towards the stage so that she can get closer to Viktor. Viktor doesn't move from his seat as Cindy finally arrives in front of her. She then bends over and touches Viktor's chin before whispering in his ear, "Did madam Luna make you weak, our little Vi?"
Viktor's eyes widen from shock, and before he could even lay a hand on her, Cindy immediately pulls a dagger out from her booth and directly points it at Viktor's neck, instantly making him stop moving.
Busters were ready to make their move, but the three queens who were there made sure that they wouldn't get any closer to their leader.
"Your pride will poison you one day Viktor. When will you realize that just because you finally have the crown, it still does not make you a king," Cindy tells him, pressing the edge of her dagger on Viktor's neck.
Blood slowly drips from his neck, but Viktor doesn't falter as he continues to stare at Cindy's eyes with complete anger. "If you have forgotten Cindy, the previous kings made use of the queens before too, and nothing good came out of it. I would rather be poisoned by my pride than be wounded by such claws again."
Cindy doesn't say anything, but she finally pulls her dagger away from Viktor's neck.
"Despite your stubbornness, my offer still stands. Bow to me and my house will assist you," Cindy says, immediately making Viktor stand from his seat.
"How dare you continue to mock—"
"It is a promise I made with your old president. Until you realize that a king cannot go to war alone, you will never escape your past," Cindy says as she finally walks down the stage so she and the rest of the members of Vixens could take their leave.
"I will be waiting Viktor Stepanov. But if you still insist on being poisoned by your pride...then I'll gladly watch you choke on it."
...
Max takes a deep breath and looks out the window of his car. The sky was finally bright after all the rain from yesterday.
"You look rather dashing today," Étienne says as he looks back at Max through the rearview mirror.
Max was wearing his white uniform - complete with his brooches - as well as the sash and the badge that he received when he won Mr. Brains & Brawn. Hans told him to wear them and even told him to fix himself, so Max had to wax his hair back too, making him look like an actual pageant contestant.
"Somehow I'm more nervous about this than I am was during Mr. Brains & Brawn," Max explains, making Étienne chuckle.
"Is it because you'll be meeting girls? Well, you were never sociable with them after all," Étienne teases, making Max glare at his butler.
"That's not it you idiot. What I meant about that is that I'm nervous about embarrassing myself, and not because of the fact that they're girls. I'm representing my House, so if I make a full out of myself now then it will definitely bring J.S High to shame," Max explains, making Étienne look back at him with a more serious expression now through the rearview mirror.
"You don't have to be pressured about it. You were personally invited by them, yes? Then you're seen as someone important. It is not likely for you to make a fool out of yourself in any given situation," Étienne explains, obviously trying to make Max feel better.
Max doesn't say anything and just looks out of the window again, pulling out his necklace and holding onto it to comfort himself.
After a long drive, they finally arrived at the House of Queens. Like J.S High, the school also looked like an old castle, but it was just a little smaller. There was even the same statue of the Roman god Janus in the middle.
"Here we are," Étienne says as he drives inside the gate.
Max couldn't help but look out of the window, staring at the white uniforms who were getting ready to go to attend their class.
"It looks the same but it feels different," Max observes, and Étienne couldn't help but agree.
"The ambiance makes it look like we're in an actual castle. In your school it always seemed like I'm dropping you off at some kind of military academy," Étienne answers, and that short comment made Max look at him, almost like he just realized something important.
Max was about to ask what he meant by that, but then Étienne parks at the entrance, making the students stop and stare, especially since their car alone is quite famous, considering how it's white and has the Lemieux emblem on the hood.
Étienne heads out and opens the door for Max. Max takes a deep breath and finally steps out of the car as well, and his appearance immediately made the students flock to him.
The white uniforms were looking at him with shock, others whispering at each other like they were facing an actual celebrity. It didn't really bother Max since the student in his own school does the same thing, but somehow, their stares felt like it had a different meaning, and it was definitely not admiration.
Max respectfully bows at the crowd, which honestly surprised them because they weren't expecting Max to actually bow to anyone.
Soon after that three students in white uniform arrived, wearing brooches that Max was somehow familiar with. The other students instantly made way, and when the woman in the middle stopped in front of Max, Max got a better view of her brooch. It was the roman numeral number II, the same one that Gavriil has.
"Welcome, Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire, to J.S High, or better known as the House of Queens. We are very delighted to have you here," the woman says with a bright smile. "I am Veronica Stilton, the vice president of the Elites. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine," Max replies, bowing again to respectfully greet her.
Veronica was a tall woman with long curly brown hair. Her eyes were black and her smile was captivating, but it did not diminish the fact that she has a strong presence.
"I apologize if the other student council members cannot personally greet you; they're quite busy at the moment. I hope our rank 6 and 7 can suffice," Veronica then says, and the two beautiful white uniforms standing behind her bowed to greet Max as well.
"Rank 6 and 7? They're part of the Elites? Aren't the student council only made up of ranks 1 to 5?" Max confusingly asks, making Veronica and the other girls laugh.
"You're right, only ranks 1 to 5 are part of the Elites, but our ranks 6 to 10 closely help out with our tasks and would sometimes observe. How else will they be able to perform their roles effectively?" Veronica asks, almost like Max was stupid.
"O-Of course," Max awkwardly answers back. "We don't do that in our house so I was a bit confused."
The three girls looked at each other first before Veronica could say, "No worries. Anyway, we would like to chat more, but please, follow me. Mr. Redford Monsour is already waiting for you. He arrived just a couple of minutes before you," she says, not even waiting for Max's response as she turns around and starts walking away.
Max doesn't say anything and quietly follows beside her while the other two walk behind them.
As they walk down the hall, Veronica glances at Max and says, "If I may ask, how do you find the campus?"
"It's wonderful," max truthfully answers. "It somehow looks like our campus, but it feels different...better, actually."
"Better," Veronica repeats before giving out a soft chuckle. "Not to be rude but I do agree. We visit the House of Kings from time to time but it feels rather suffocating when we're there. Maybe it's because of where you're located. It is hidden in the mountains after all."
"I disagree," Max says, making Veronica look back at him with her right eyebrow raised. "I believe it feels different because of its past. It's like a school that was once a hospital; you still feel eerie even though it already changed. The stains from the past are still in its walls, and that is why it is suffocating," Max corrects, and Veronica couldn't help but smile impressively.
"You know your school well..." she then pauses and stops walking as she adds. "I'm glad."
Veronica brightly smiles at Max, almost making Max feel uncomfortable, but then she gestures at a large door and says, "Please, Mr. Redford Monsour is inside."
Max gulps and slowly nods his head before answering, "A-alright...thank you."
The three continue to stare at Max until Max finally enters the room. And as soon as Max closed the door behind him, he couldn't help but sigh in relief. Somehow, being with those white uniforms felt...
"You okay there big guy?" a voice suddenly asks.
Max looks up and sees Red drinking tea and reading a magazine. The room was actually a room that looked like a lounge. This was probably their waiting room.
"You're here," Max says as he approaches Red with a wide smile. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you."
Red chuckles and puts the magazine down as Max sat beside him on the sofa. "Why, were the girls swarming over the ever-so-handsome Maximilian Leigh Sinclaire?" He asks as he scoots closer to Max so he could fix his badge and sash for him.
While Red was busy doing so, Max answers, "Not exactly. They're actually welcoming, but somehow it feels like—"
"They're mocking us? Looking at us like we're a bunch of fools?" Red cuts off, and Max looks directly at Red's eyes.
Red smirks and leans close to fix Max's hair before saying, "There's one thing you need to know Max, and that's the Elites are different here. This isn't like Cindy and the queens with who you can be friendly. The Elites in this House have power. They're not like ours who would appear and scold some students and then move on. The Elites in the House of Queens are the actual queens. They rule this castle."
"And the Vixens are okay with that?" Max asks.
Red finally moves away from Max to grab his cup. After taking a sip of his tea, he answers for him, "Oh no, they're not okay with it at all, but they clearly have no choice. Their Elites are responsible for what their house is now. They don't technically have the privilege to interfere."
"I didn't know that was happening here," Max honestly says.
"Remember Max, the Elites, the brotherhoods, and even the white uniforms coexist. One is not superior to the other. Once you enter the Elites, will you be able to unite them together?" Red seriously asks, but before Max could even answer, someone suddenly opens the door to their room.
Red and Max immediately stand from their seat. They were expecting to greet a student, maybe a member of the Elites, but to their surprise, it was someone that Max has not seen for many years.
"Aunt Janet."
- END -