Different

I went out of my room and headed out from the dorms. As soon as I got out, everybody's eyes were on me. Maybe because of the aura that I give off or maybe because of the belt I'm wearing right now. Whether it's the former or the latter, the attention they're giving me is making me uncomfortable but I'm kind of used to it.

Whispers from the students can be heard and I can feel their eyes piercing throught my back. As I walked to the building where my first class is, I suddenly felt a weird feeling in my stomach. It was something that you feel when you're nervous.

I squinted my eyes at the thought that suddenly popped in my mind.

Am I nervous? But... why?

Because I was spacing out so much, I didn't notice that someone was in front of me and bumped into him. I could feel his hard chest touching my face.

He had a familiar scent. It was a refreshing scent like from someone who just finished taking a bath.

I quickly took a step backwards and was taken aback when I saw who it was.

"Noah..." I whispered his name as I looked at him. "Good morning, my lady," he said as he bowed at me. "I'll get going now," he said and continued walking.

I felt my chest tightened.

I haven't even responded to his greeting yet...

Like this... He's always treated me like this. Whenever I'm with him, I feel like I don't exist at all. He pays no attention to me as if he doesn't care about me even a bit. Despite all that, I still loved him. He was the first person who has ever treated me like a lady. Among all the people whom I have encountered, he's the first person who has treated me kindly.

It's already been over five years since the first time I met him, but my feelings for him never changed. At times like this, I would usually force myself onto him and keep following him, making different topics we can talk about and ask him random questions just so we can talk longer. But this has to stop now.

Instead of turning around and following him, I took a step forward and continued walking. I've decided to stop this, so I will do it. I've already made up my mind.

The wind blew the leaves from the ground, making it float in the air.

This familiar mana...

"Good morning."

I turned my head to the direction where his voice came from and saw that he was standing next to me.

I'm so out of it today that I didn't even notice his presence...

"Good morning," I greeted back. A smile formed on his lips as his eyes turned into a crescent. His hair was moving around has he controlled the his magic. It was as if he was styling his red hair.

"How is she?" He asked, still smiling. In contrary to the face he's making right now, his eyes definitely show immense worry.

I smiled a little.

He really cares for her a lot. She's so lucky to have someone care for her as much as he does.

"She's fine. The doctor came late at night and he said that the princess will be fine after a few days of rest," I replied. Adonis nodded and said, "That's great."

The way my brother looks right now made me realize it even more. Krishiella is really lucky. She's very lucky to have someone worry about her that much. The way my brother's fsce brightened when I told him that she's fine made me somehow a bit... jealous.

I want what she has but I don't want to take anything away from her because...

She's my best friend.

NOAH'S POINT OF VIEW:

I feel so empty today. Maybe it's because the princess isn't around. Haaa...

It's already afternoon and I'm currently sitting under the shade of a tree. No one really goes to this place so it's the best place to take a break peacefully.

I laid down on the soft, green grass and thought of her highness again.

I wonder if she's already feeling better. I want to visit her so bad but the dorms have very strict rules. If you break even a single rule then you'll get expelled right away.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know someone was here."

I looked at who it was and saw a lady standing near the tree. Her beautiful red hair was still tied up just like this morning and her face still looked beautiful.

I smiled for a bit and quickly changed my facial expression. I'm pretty sure she came here knowing that I'd be here.

I got up and said, "It's alright, my lady. You can stay here if you want."

If she's gonna stay here, then I guess I have to leave to avoid being near her—

"No, I'm gonna leave now. Thank you for the thought," she said. She turned around and started walking away.

"Huh...?"

I was left dumbfounded.

What's wrong with her today? Why does it seem like she's avoiding me? Why—Haaa... Never mind. It's better this way anyway. Nobody's pestering me and following me around.

I know it's rude to think like this about someone but this is really how I feel.

I don't like how I feel when I'm with her. The way she keeps pushing herself on me makes me feel weird and that's why I wanna stay away from her.

I do not like her as a woman at all. I do admire her as a captain of the knights, though. But that doesn't change the fact that I can't reciprocate her feelings back.

I stared at the spot where she was standing at earlier and her face suddenly flashed on my mind.

Her face... didn't have any expression at all. It was blank. Very different from how she usually looks whenever she sees me.

I wonder what happened...