17 Chapter 17
At dinner time, Henri found himself waiting for Audie to keep to his promise and come pick him up. He would never admit it but he was wary of walking around all alone. Not when there were so many students waiting for him to do just that so that they could ambush him.
He was the one that insisted that they treat him just like any other student but he was starting to seriously consider abusing his power if it would get them to keep away from him.
Audie actually made it on time, his dark red dress shirt was a couple buttons open and he had a big grin on his face. "Sorry, to keep you waiting, your Highness."
Henri hid his relief with detachment. "It's fine, it's a surprise you showed up at all."
Audie laughed goodnaturedly, not batting an eyelid at Henri still having his waistcoat on. Although the full uniform consisted of an overcoat and waistcoat, most of the students spent most of their time wearing their dress shirts.
It was the legal dress code, after all, it was just disallowed during lectures for the sake of decorum. That was the only time they were mandated to either wear both their coats or just one.
"Let's go pick up Vale and Nael," Audie said casually like it was a part of the plan all along.
Henri wasn't impressed by this, he would rather avoid unnecessary stops if he could. "Why didn't you pick them up before coming to me?"
Audie ruffled his blond hair. "Because I didn't want to be late." He said in his unfiltered way.
Henri deflated at this, he couldn't be angry over this, it was just a little thing. "Where are they?"
"In the year two dorms, Valentin's older brother is a senior and I left them in his dorm room a while ago, I'm sure they're still there." He said confidently.
Henri accepted to go with him but it wasn't like he had any other choice, going to dinner all alone was out of the question.
The year two dorms were a short distance from the year one dorm, practically side by side with a park for leisure located between the two dorms. The first thing Henri noticed when they entered the foyer was just how many students were frolicking around shirtless.
This was a big culture shock for Henri who couldn't imagine going into a public space without proper clothing, which was a little ironic for someone who had been dressed by other people his entire life.
Audie on the other hand didn't seem to notice anything amiss and they went up the grand staircase to the second floor where they would be picking up the others.
Luckily, Henri went by unnoticed, it would seem that he was only popular amongst his mates, wasn't that a treat?
Audie pounded on the door when they got to the room, a stark difference from how politely he knocked on Henri's door.
He could hear Valentin's familiar voice yelling from the other side but just as the door opened, Henri was distracted by another shirtless Alpha walking past them. his reaction was a mix of disbelief and amazement.
"Henri! You came!" Valentin grinned, throwing an arm around a distracted Henri to pull him inside the room.
"Errol! Stop pining over your stupid boyfriend and come meet the Prince!" He called to someone out of sight.
Nael was quietly sitting cross-legged on the ground against a wardrobe. Audie beelining for one of the beds to jump on it.
The bathroom door on the right side swung open, "Seton isn't stupid!" An Alpha with a short stature exploded.
"His name is stupid though," Audie grumbled from his spot on the bed.
The person that had been referred to as Errol was dressed in a dark blue dress shirt, the buttons were undone just enough to slip down one of his shoulders. He was roughly Henri's height, maybe an inch or two taller but Henri instantly felt a camaraderie with him.
Errol also had braids in his strawberry-blonde hair, making Henri wonder if it was a sibling thing. His big eyes were a very light blue and they widened in horror as the rest of his younger brother's words sank in.
"Di-Did you say the Prince, Valentin?" He froze, quickly adjusting his clothes and buttoning up. "Pardon my manners, your Highness." He quickly apologized making a move to bow.
"No, no, it's fine and please call me Henri." Henri quickly stopped him in a very nice tone.
Audie turned to look at Henri and then Errol. "Why is he nice to you? No fair."
Errol walked forward and flicked Audie's forehead and he passed by. "That's because I was nice first." To Henri, he smiled, a faint red hue staining his cheeks. "I'm honored to be in your presence."
It was a little odd but Henri was more comfortable using formal language. "As am I." More interested in talking to Errol who he didn't have to look up to, to have a conversation. "Are you perhaps coming with us to dinner?"
Nael got up at this point. "Yes, you should come with us." He said before Errol could turn Henri down.
"B-But…" Errol hesitated, glancing at the door.
"Stupid Seton isn't coming back," Audie grumbled again.
Errol looked truly torn by this, his eyes glassy. "He said he would."
"You're not going to turn down the Prince's offer, are you?" Nael capitalized on his hesitation.
Henri was just standing on the sidelines, more than a little confused about what was going on. He had only asked to be polite, his request was a little selfish, yes but he had meant no harm by it.
"Mother said you should look after me, I'm going to tell her that you didn't," Valentin added smugly.
It was clear that they all wanted Errol to come with them but Errol was held back by this Seton character. Henri was curious about him now, he wanted to see him.
Errol rolled his eyes at his younger brother's comment. "And I'll tell her how much of a nuisance you were to me."
"But I'll go with you all for the Prince's sake, just hold on a moment let me get ready." He finally accepted, gliding over to the wardrobe that Nael had been leaning against earlier to take out a silver-grey waistcoat. It was a little more fitted than Henri's waistcoat and it showed off how slender Errol's waist actually was.
