"Members of the Celestial Twelve, though had not yet graduated, are automatically members of the Celeste Dispatch Division."
♣
Chapter Thirty Nine ♣ Pulling Strings
The headmaster sighed in exhaustion and went through the door leading to his workplace. He massaged the bridge of his nose and sauntered to his seat while blinking away the sleepiness that gathered in his eyes. As he sank down on his chair, he sensed another person in the room and blew out another sigh.
"What are you doing here again, old man?" He addressed rather rudely and indignantly.
"Those words are too rash to be given to the Court Leader." The man said with a playful tone. He sat by his usual seat in front of the fireplace, doing what he was doing like always—drinking tea.
"How did you get into my office without my consent, Lord Aeron?" Kylon asked again, this time, much more polite and composed. He laced his fingers together and relaxed them on his lap, leaning back comfortably.
"Is your work as the headmaster of this academy starting to get to you?"
"Can't I lose my composure once in a while? I'm really tired. Can you please state your business so that I can finally relax?"
"You don't need to be formal whenever I'm around, Headmaster. You're welcome to act rude like how you were a while ago."
"Just say what you came here for." He huffed.
"Oh, I finally know why you're acting that way. Is it because of Lady Seraphina?" Lord Aeron said, apparently refusing to go straight to the point.
Kylon blushed and looked away, huffing. He was pouting childishly like a kid who didn't manage to get something he wanted. This reaction made the Court Leader break down into a hearty laugh.
"I see." He chortled. "Youth. You should just convey your feelings directly. If you act that way, you won't be able to get your feelings across."
"Who said anything about feeling anything for that woman? She's so dumb. She never sees me as someone else aside from being her rival. Why would I even have the slightest bit of feelings for her? She's conceited and arrogant and rude and . . . and . . ."
"And . . . ?" Lord Aeron chuckled as he added a teasing tone to his statement. "What else did you notice?"
"She's . . . just wait a second. Where is this conversation going?"
"I'm just trying to be a person whom you can confide in. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone how infatuated you are with Lady Seraphina."
The headmaster's eyes made a scary twitch. "This is nonsense. What did you really come here for?"
"Is it bad to visit once in a while?"
"Oh, come on, Court Leader. You never visit the academy unless you are in need of something."
"I'm not in particular need of anything at all. I'm just here to inform you about something."
"So you were here for a reason." He sighed. "What is it?"
"It's been decided."
"What has been decided?"
"Although the original plan's been delayed since the king became busy with political matters, I finally managed to get a proper time set up. Valeriana will meet the king." The Court Leader looked up and met the Headmaster's eyes, smiling at him knowingly. "Tomorrow."
The headmaster sighed and fought the urge to bang his face against his desk. "You pulled a few strings, didn't you?"
"Hmm." He sipped his tea. "I believe I have nothing to say in that particular matter."