Father and Mother were confused when I asked again for their permission if I can visit Royal Academy after our class. They allowed me without asking further questions. And so, I returned to my room, excited yet a little nervous.
"Josephine!"
She quickly faced me. "Is there anything you would like, Young Lady?"
"Can you fix my hair?" Her eyes widened. "I was just asking if you can, Josephine. There is no need to be that shocked."
"Y-Yes, I can, Young Lady. I was just surprised that you want to all of a sudden."
I smiled at her. "Okay! Hmm, I trust your talent and skills, Josephine, so I'll be leaving my hair style to you." Still puzzled and surprised, she nodded and went behind me as I sat in front of the mirror. "Thank you!"
After styling my hair to a princess braid and curling the middle to end part, Josephine sprayed the usual scented hair spray on my hair to keep it moisturized and protect it from the harmful UV rays. However, this time, I had the summer floral scent that Mother bought so I can try it.
When we entered the dining, Vesper dropped his utensils on the table while Kinsley almost choked while drinking his juice. Father and Mother were both astounded, yet after exchanging stares, they cleared their throats and acted as if everything's normal. Josephine stood behind me as I sat down on my seat.
"W-Wait, what's happening?" Vesper uttered, staring at me.
"Huh? What are you saying, Vesper?"
"Father, Mother!" Kinsley exclaimed. "I believe we deserve an explanation!"
"For what, Kinsley?" I asked him when Father and Mother ignored their sentiments.
"Luthien, your hair is styled!" they yelled in chorus.
I laughed at them panicking. "I just styled my hair, Vesper, Kinsley. I believe there is nothing unusual with it?"
Both of them gasped. "There is something unusual with it!"
"Vesper, Kinsley, manners," Mother stated, in which the two quickly complied. "Luthien, you look beautiful with your hairstyle. Looks like Josephine's doing a great job, as always."
"Thank you, Mother."
I went along with Vesper and Kinsley after breakfast, making me eat my meal faster than I usually do. After all, they were already eating when I arrive. While walking along the corridor, I could feel their glances at me. Kinsley would even touch the tips of my hair and frown. Vesper is just checking my hair style.
"You know, you two are acting weird."
"Says the woman who, all of a sudden, fixed her hair."
"You're making it sound like I wasn't even washing my hair everyday, Kinsley."
"Seriously, Luthien, what happened?" I chuckled at Vesper. "Oi, don't laugh at me."
"I don't know what you two are even thinking but all I can say is you have to stop. The day's just starting yet you are already acting insane. Is there some sort of mathematical expressions on my hair or history dates you are required to memorize?"
"Ha, that should be your last joke for today, Luthien."
After biding goodbye to them, I rode our family car and made our way to the Academy. "Oh, I will go at the Royal Academy after classes. Have Natan drive for us later. Also, Josephine, you can have your rest."
"Are you sure, Young Lady?" I nodded. "I will."
Students have their eyes on me, praising my appearance and hairstyle. My classmates, however, were all surprised after seeing me. They even have President check on me again and again.
"What's with the hairstyle, Azariella? Are you going on a date?"
"Of course not! What kind of question is that, President?"
"Nothing. You just look like... majestic today."
"I-I'll just take your words as compliment." I sat beside Kee who's staring at me. "What?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Kee!"
He burst in laughter. "I was just kidding, Lu!"
"You all are acting strange today. Making my hairstyle a big deal."
"Well, can't blame us. You always let your hair down and swaying. I think this is your sixth time having your hair styled. Do you have any schedule after class?"
I nodded. "I have to go somewhere. I actually accepted an invitation from someone so I will be meeting her after our class."
"That's good to hear."
And so, the afternoon arrived in the blink of eye. I guess I didn't get a track of time since I spent my lunch in the library. I wasn even late for my first afternoon subject.
John opened the door leading to the backseat for me when he saw me walking at the pathway. After closing the door, he quickly sat at the passenger seat and have Natan drive to the Royal Academy.
I pulled out a pocket mirror and checked my appearance, particularly my face. Since I do not seem tired or unpleasant at all, I only stared outside the window and watch the surroundings.
The car stopped as Natan finished parking it properly. John opened the door once again and I step out of the car. "I will be going inside. Please contact me if something happens."
"We will, Young Lady," they both replied while bowing.
I walked towards the lobby area to get a guest pass. Although it's my second time here, I'm still nervous but not that tremendous when I first stepped here. As usual, since I'm wearing my uniform, students loitering around are staring at me. They would even whisper to each other after.
Instead of strolling around, I straightly went to the building where the office of the Nobles of the Round is located according to the receptionist. They identified me as an aristocrat and sister of Vesper and Kinsley so they went easy with me instead of taking some strict security measures.
I even gathered more attention with the students around the building when I look like I know the way to my destination.
"Isn't that Lady De Loughrey?"
"What is she doing here?"
"Lord Albert and Lord Orion are at the Charleton Building, right?"
There is nothing that I could hear when I arrived at the fourth floor of the Johannes Building, which is the building for social sciences courses. Both ends of the corridor has a door, but according to the receptionist, the door at the right is the Administration Office. That means, the door on the left is the office of the Nobles of the Round, the highest organization in the Royal Academy of Vanimelde.
I took a deep inhale as I stopped in front and knocked. "Come in." That deep voice startled me, yet I composed myself and twisted the knob.
As I raised my sight after closing the door, my eyes widened. "L-Luthien?" Vesper and Kinsley exclaimed, even stood up from their seats.
"U-Uhm, hmm." My sight quickly diverted to Prince Radcliffe who's sitting at the desk and bowes at him. "I apologize for my intrusion, Your Royal Highness."
"Lady Azariella Luthien De Loughrey, right?" I nodded and smiled. He stood up from his seat and walked towards me. "Have a seat, Lady De Loughrey."
"It-s an honor, Your Royal Highness."
As he walked beside me, the other members rose up from their seat and stood at a side. Prince Radcliffe sat on a long couch and offered me to sit across him. "Is there any drink you would like?"
"U-Uhm, I'm fine with tea, Your Royal Highness."
He nodded and eyed, if I am not mistaken, Lord Francis of Adameus, a county at the North Region and is famous for their high quality rice grains. "Could you get us a tea for two, Lord Francis?"
"Y-Yes, Your Royal Highness." He bowed and quickly left the office.
Prince Radcliffe smiled at me. "You're popular here in the Royal Academy despite not being a student. That's why it isn't difficult to know you, Lady De Loughrey. I heard from my sister, Lleanor, that you adopted one of the stray cats we're taking care of here along with Lord Albert."
"Y-Yes, Your Royal Highness. I am assuring you that Pyry and Ash are well taken care of. They are already part of the De Loughrey family, after all."
"That's relieving to hear. We also heard that the the construction for a pet adoption center is already starting as soon as it was approved."
"Father and Mother decided to use the extra budget of the border county after hearing my brothers' insights regarding this matter." The door of the office opened again and Lord Francis served the tea to us. "Thank you," I uttered and he nodded to me as a response.
"Say, Lady De Loughrey, do you have any interest in partaking in the government?"
"P-Pardon, Your Royal Highness?"
"Your dedication in being of service to people and nature seems to be quite genuine than I thought. Other than it, you are intelligent and quick to adapt. Those are the qualities of a public servant we would want to have in government."
I glanced at Vesper and Kinsley who are just looking at me and smiled at Prince Radcliffe. "I would be lying if I said that I find joy and solace in assisting those in need and taking care of them to extent of my knowledge and abilities. However, I would like to leave the political matters to my brothers. Please allow me instead to take your words as compliment, Your Royal Highness."
Prince Radcliffe's chuckle made them all gaze at him and he sipped his tea. "I think I understand your reason. You do not seek power or authority. It is a great choice, Lady De Loughrey. Being in power might stain your desire in being of assistance."
The door barged open all of a sudden, almost making my heart jump out, followed by a yell. "I heard that Lady Azariella is here!"
"Manners, Lilith."
I stood up and bowed at them. "It is an honor to accept your invitation, Your Highness."
"I'm glad that you did, Azariella!" She went beside me with all smiles. "I heard students talking about you so I rushed here after remembering that Lugh did tell me you will meet me once again." She held my hand and pulled me back to the couch. "Oh, right, I'm sorry. I was just really fond of you."
"I-It's all right, Your Highness. I don't mind at all."
Prince Radcliffe sighed and faced the members of the Nobles of the Round. "You may all leave now." Since he said all, Vesper and Kinsley also left. "I can't believe you're being careless, Lilith."
"Sorry about that, George. You know, I can't contain my excitement." Prince Radcliffe only sipped his tea as if Princess Eleanor has been always like this. "Oh, Azariella, I'd like you to meet my siblings!"
I smiled and bowed to them. "It is an honor to meet you. I am Azariella Luthien De Loughrey."
"I have a question."
"Oh? Go on, Sage."
"Why didn't you incorporate your title with your name, Lady De Loughrey?"
"Ah, about that... although the title sounds good, I don't really feel like saying it. I mean, yes, I acknowledge that I am a nobility but I don't believe that I always have to incorporate my title with my name to identify myself as one. I hope I answered hour query, Your Highness."
Princess Eleanor applauded, smiling at me. "Your answer makes perfect sense, Lady Azariella."
"And so, what do you want to do, Lilith?" Prince Radcliffe commented and raised his sight at Princess Lleanor. "I understand that you want to see Lady De Loughrey badly that you even invited her to go here all by herself. But, she is a student just like us too. I believe she has school matters to accomplish."
"Hmm, you have a point there, George. In that case," she glanced at me with a bright expression, "let's have our afternoon snacks! Is it okay for you, Lady Azariella?"
"I-I don't mind at all, Your Highness."
"Well then, let's have a feast in welcoming Lady Azariella!"