Ever since I attended school, I always, always hated physical education classes. I mean, I did practice sword mastery for almost a decade now and Father always tell me that I am doing a great job as same as to my elder brothers. However, physical education classes in school are far more difficult to deal with.
I sighed as I opened my locker to change into our PE uniform which is a white shirt, a pair of maroon cotton pants, and another pair of maroon sneakers. We all are wearing the same outfit, including even the shoes. We just differ in the sizes that we are wearing.
And our class head to the multi-purpose hall of the Academy. Beside this facility is the school's basketball court and in front of it is the wide track and field.
We are advised to do some warm-ups while waiting for our instructor. As the most active athlete in our class, Kee led the session. And while we are doing some stretching, our PE teacher entered the hall and observed each of us.
"Thank you, Lord Aiden." Kee nodded to him and returned beside me. "All right, good afternoon, class. Last week, we finished our discussion in badminton wherein all of you played as well. And for today, we will all be tackling about fencing."
Ah, fencing. I guess I might participate for today. Sword fighting and fencing are kind of similar, right? Of course, there are a lot of differences too.
"One of the most notable fencing figure in the present times is Princess Eleanor Gianni Lilith Clemont Valdemore, the First Princess."
Princess Eleanor is my most favorite fencing player. She uses different strategies per competition she participates in, giving the majority of the consideration to her opponent's style. Of course, she always win. No one was able to defeat her in every competition.
And as always, I participate even though I will still lose. Not that I lose because my enemy is powerful than me (though I won't deny that it was Kee who paired up with me), but because I do not want to win. I never intend to win.
President laughed as I opened my locker, sighing. "That's a deep one. Kee is such a sporty lad. Won't blame you for that as he seems to be knowledgeable on all kinds of sports."
"Ah, I wish I have physical strength as to you, President. You were good earlier."
"Thank you for that. By the way, I just remembered it now. What sport will you participate in the Open School Festival?"
"Chess, maybe."
She snickered. "Ha, that's so like you."
After a tiring day, President scolded Kee for going too much to me earlier during the PE class despite being aware that I am lacking in physical skills.
I bid farewell to them and rode the family cr. "To the Royal Academy, please."
"Yes, Young Lady," our family driver replied and turned on the engine.
"May I know why do you want to go to the Royal Academy, Young Lady?" Josephine asked.
"I just want to see where my brothers are studying. They've been to Montgomery for a lot of times but I haven't gone to the Royal Academy."
As we arrive at the Royal Academy, the family driver opened the door for me when I was about to. My mouth gapped in awe seeing how grand the school is.
I think I want to study here as well at college.
"Young Lady, we are currently at the exclusive parking lot of the Royal Academy of Vanimelde. To go inside, we need to acquire visitor's pass from the visitor's lounge."
"Okay, let's get for ourselves." I faced our driver. "Do you want to go inside as well?"
He became flustered and bowed immediately. "I appreciate your kindness, Young Lady, but I will just wait here."
It would be better if he will come too inside. "All right. Please contact Josephine if something happens, okay?"
"I will, Young Lady. Please enjoy your tour inside."
"Thank you!" I nodded at Josephine and we made our way to the visitor's lounge.
The strict security measures of the school is reasonable as this is where children of nobles, including the Imperial Princes and Princesses, are studying. Royal Academy of Vanimelde has been tagged as the most exclusive educational institution worldwide, only having a total of 2% acceptance rate this year for all the grade levels.
I am wearing a different school uniform, so I already expected that I will be garnering attention here. Not only that, I have my personal aide with me. Students here are taught on being independent, so one will never see a single student with his maid or butler around.
Josephine toured me to the places where we are only allowed. Even visitors aren't allowed to break rules here.
After two hours of walking, we rested on a bench and watched the students hanging around. Some are even glancing at me and then, will continue speaking. Despite being used to being the center of attention, I still feel embarrassed.
We still have one more hour to spend before the dismissal time of the college students. That means, we have to endure one more hour of being looked at for countless times.
"Josephine, I will just go there." I pointed the place where there are ten cats around.
"I will go--"
"No. You should rest for the meantime, Josephine. If you're still doubting, you can watch me from here."
She took a deep inhale and nodded in defeat. "All right, Young Lady. Please just stay there."
"I will. Thank you, Josephine!" I went to the place and some of the cats approached me. I lowered down and started petting each of them.
"Briallen also loves cats."
I quickly raised my sight and bowed as I stood straight. "Y-Your Highness, uhm, I apologize."
"Apologize for what?" I gapped my mouth, in verge of responding when she chuckled. "It's nothing... uh, what's your name?"
"Azariella, Your Highness."
"Azariella, please raise your head." And so I did. Her eyes widened as she stared at me. "You are so beautiful, Azariella." She let out a chuckle as I felt my cheeks blushed. I am not used on hearing compliments because of my looks and not to mention, it came from Princess Eleanor.
"Y-You look like a goddess, Your Highness."
"You don't have to force yourself from responding, Azariella."
"N-No, Your Highness. I really mean it!"
Princess Eleanor only laughed and lowered down to pet the cats. "These cats are stray ones but I always feed them before going home. The Empress Consort doesn't want us to bring a pet at the Imperial Castle so we are just taking care of them here in the Royal Academy." She gazed at me once again. "So, you're studying at Montgomery?"
"Y-Yes, Your Highness."
"As to what I see in the pictures online, Montgomery is surely a large school as well. Azariella, would you mind if you tell me some details about the school you are attending while we are petting these cute little paws?"
"N-Not at all, Your Highness. So, uhm, Montgomery Academy is 15-hectare co-ed secondary school situated at the Viennici City, Whitewood. Our school is known for being active in all kinds of sports. Some of the popular athletes are Montgomerian alumni. Montgomery is also famous for its annual open festival, especially the Band Night program where everyone can sing along with a wide range of bands."
Princess Eleanor let out a laughter. "Seems that it is fun being a Montgomerian. It is my first time hearing that annual open festival."
"Only a handful of schools are still doing it, Your Highness. Other than it needs huge amount of funds, it requires a lot of time and attention for it to be possible."
Her phone beeped all of a sudden. "Excuse me for a while." I nodded and played with the cats while she's talking with someone over the phone. After a few minutes, I stood up as well. "Sadly, I have to go home now. Nice meeting you, Azariella."
"It is my honor to meet you personally, Your Highness."
"And oh, do you want to adopt a cat?" My eyes widened to her question. She only smiled at me. "Students here are so shy to even step on this place so I can't ask them if they want to adopt one. I'm hoping that, at least, even one of them gets taken care of, I am assured that they are in safe arms."
I do want to take care of some, but I don't think I can give them the attention they need. And, my books are in risk too.
"Luthien! There you are!" I quickly turned to Vesper who's walking towards my direction. He paused halfway and hurried to me. "Your Highness," he greeted as he bowed.
"Oh, Albert. Azariella's blonde hair is familiar to me, but I never thought that you two are siblings! Kindly raise your head." Vesper did and Princess Eleanor eyed me. "So, what is your decision?"
"If you may, Your Highness, can I ask my brother about it?"
She nodded, still smiling. "Oh, sure! Go on."
I faced Vesper and smiled nervously. "S-So, I was planning to adopt a cat."
"Cat?" I nodded. "Well, I don't really have a problem with that. You can adopt if you want. Are you worrying about your books?"
"Vesper!" He snickered. "Well, yeah, partly. But, I don't think I can't take care of them as much as they need."
"Then, we'll ask Father and Mother about it." My face brightened to his response. "Just make sure you can manage your time."
With an enthusiastic expression plastered on my face, I bowed at Princess Eleanor. "Thank you for letting me, Your Highness."
"That's nothing, Azariella. Though I want to stay for a little bit longer, I really have to go now. Take care of them, okay?"
"Rest assured that they will be utmostly taken care of, Your Highness." Vesper and I bowed to her one last time and faced the cats as she left. He bent down and carefully carried one with gray and white fur. "Are you going to adopt as well, Vesper?"
"Of course. Why don't you get yours too?"
He has been sticking himself on me since I arrive here, so I smiled to the white cat. "What should I name him?"
"There you are, you two!" It was Kinsley. With him is Josephine who's still holding my bag. "Oh, interested in cats?"
"Do you want one too, Kinsley?"
He shook his head. "I will just take care of them if you two are out."
Vesper named his gray cat, Ash, while I have my white one named Pyry. Since Josephine has my bag, I am carrying Pyry using my both arms, making sure he's comfortable on his position and secured as well if anything happens unexpectedly.
"Why do we drop to a pet store before going home?" Kinsley suggested as we entered the car. "We need some supplies and tools for them." Vesper and I agreed to him so our driver started the engine and drove to the nearest pet store.
As we got home, we immediately said everything to Father and Mother who were both at the conservatory. Mother surprisingly has some experience in taking care of a pet so she'll be aiding us.
Josephine started organizing my pets' supplies while I am transferring my books to its new bookshelf which Father immediately bought. Vesper and Kinsley also got theirs.
With Father's great influence in the county, the De Loughrey Manor has became a pet-friendly house in an instant. Not the velvet carpets, by the way.
It is Saturday tomorrow, so Mother gathered us and taught how to take care of cats. Unlike most of the dogs, cats are commonly more difficult to train due to their nature.
Thankfully, Ash and Pyry seems to be easy to train though the former seems to be a little bit of rebel.
As the night gets deeper, Father decided to call it a day and we all went to our respective rooms. Pyry jumped on my bed and even started rolling on the sheets.
However, as I touched the sheets, my head suddenly ached badly that I hear nothing but static noises.
"Luthien, what are you feeling?"
"I'm fine now, Mother. I'm sorry for making you all worry."
"The family doctor said you're stressed. Are your sure you are all right?"
I nodded at Father. "Yes, Father. It was just kind of busy in school but I still can handle things. Please go to your rooms now, I will be sleeping as well."
Mother nodded and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Sleep soundly, my daughter."
Father, Vesper, and Kinsley also said good night to me before leaving. After checking on me again, Josephine bade as well and left.
I know to myself that I am not stressed. But if it is the only thing that can do to make them less worried on me, I will use this reason when talked about it.
More importantly, what are those I saw?