Making a new friend

"Hi Ed, nice to see you and I see Rey has an exhibitionism fetish now, interes....ting I guess!"

"*huff* Nice to see you *huff* again, Jenny." Ed was exhausted, he ran to the Levington's estate as fast as he could all the while dragging Rey with him half naked-with only a small towel- through the whole town.

It was fortunate that no one saw his face due to the speed otherwise there would have been a new flasher in town. Who am I kidding, some people managed to see his face when Ed inten-accidentally slowed down around some of the crowded areas.

"Come inside, we'll talk in my room." As they met Jenny near the entrance of the estate, she guided them through it to her room.

Though Ed was not a stranger to the Levington's residence, Rey was fairly new to the place and welcomed the free tour.

"It's been so long since I have been here." the three toured the entire area of the estate and Rey came to know once thing, the Levingtons were loaded. Their residence was larger than Ed's even though Ed's family had a history of being nobles unlike Jenny's.

"Well this never came even though I kept inviting you. And whenever I was in Rosewood, you were on some adventure of yours. Look at Ed, he always came when I invited him."

"Not like I had a choice"

"What did you say?" Jenny looked at him from the corner of her eyes, sending shivers down his spine.

"I.. I said that... Rey had no choice... adventure business you know... helping uncle." Ed tried to cover up for his slip of tongue as to protect his head.

"That reminds me, how are uncle and aunt?"

"Just like you last saw them"

"That's certainly good to know, I should visit sometime soon hmm..."

"N-no need to trouble yourself over such trivial matter."

"W-what? You know that we are family friends, so it is never a trivial matter for me to meet them. And why don't you want me to come meet them?"

"I-I mean... look, we have reached your room." luckily they reached her room in time for him to use as a distraction.

The trio did outside a large door, three times their size which had a large placard hanging in the middle of it, which read,

'My Princess'

'Don't do it, don't, control yourself Ed.. '

"Shall we go inside, princess?"

'F*ck you! Now I am dead."

"Call me that once again and I'll make sure that you are the last Prince of your house."

Rey was enjoying seeing the two fight. Since their childhood, those two were always ready to fight each other and Rey was the one who enjoyed it the most.

[Who is she Rey and why didn't i know about her earlier?]

'I was wondering where you were for so long, guess you are still there. She's my childhood friend that's all you need to know.'

Following behind Jenny, they entered the the room. Now one would expect a girl especially a noble and one whose door had princess written on it to be more girly like -not to be sexist- bright colours, a large wardrobe, mirrors, flowers.... you get the point.

But when one entered Jenny's room they felt they had entered a soldier's room, various types of weapons, armours, shields hanging one side of the room and skulls of beasts decorating one entire wall like trophies.

'Don't be a fool Ed, control yourself!'

"Welcome to the room of the man-girl." Ed couldn't control himself from speaking and as soon as he realised his mistake, he tried to do what any man would- deny; but the damage had already been done and he was beyond human saving.

"You know Rey, they say that sometimes a person goes insane when facing death." Jenny went past Ed and placed a hand on Rey's shoulder but the pressure was felt by Ed.

'Please God, if I have ever done anything good in my life save me from this girl, please God!'

"But I guess, our little friend here has gone insane just to face death *KRRACK* *KRACK*." she cracked her knuckles in an intimidating manner and turned towards Ed who had his eyes closed.

'Please god, show me a way!'

'There is one way child'

'Really?'

'Yes, prostrate yourself and swear allegiance to her as her loyal slave. Then you might survive.'

'..... ' Ed opened his eyes and saw Jenny a few inches way. 'Grandmother, here I come!'

*20 minutes later*

"So what made you come today so suddenly?"

"Actually..."

"Did I ask you to speak, slave?"

"No ma'am"

"Then stay quiet"

"Yes ma'am" Ed was sitting down on the floor in his knees looking all beaten up and wearing only his undergarments, stripped of his clothes.

"So what made you come here today, Rey?"

Rey and Jenny were sitting across a table, having tea.

"I don't know. This du- I mean your slave just came knocking and dragged me here before I could even wear my underwear."

"I need not know that may part as it was painfully obvious when you can here but I guess I have no other choice, speak slave!"

"So I ....." Ed was about to start when he felt a huge pressure on him.

"Did you forget your manners?"

"Sorry ma'am! Thank you for letting this slave of yours speak in front of you."

"Nice, continue!"

"So actually I had a talk with uncle about not sending you to the Academy."

"Wait... you're not going?"

"Nope, my old man refused."

"Why didn'ti know about this till now?"

"Perhaps is you hadn't been so adventurous, you might have known about it."

"That...."

"As I was saying, I managed to convince him somehow and he is ready to send you if you want."

"D-did you really....*ahem* I guess you are not worthless afterall."

"So you will go then, right?"

"That... "

"Of course she'll go" Ed seeing the opportunity that Jenny was in a good mood got up and sat on another chair.

"I can't go guys"

"... "

"... "

"I know I wanted to go but after talking to father I realised that I am not some genius like you and i won't be able to survive on my own there. Thank you for what you did nonetheless."

Ed and Rey looked at each other and started laughing leaving Jenny confused.

"If you won't go then there is nothing we can do to change your mind."

"But we can do what we can."

"What do you mean?"

"It hasn't been long since I joined this business, only a couple of days, but I am confident in kidnapping you."

"Kidnap-what?"

"We'll kidnap you and then take you with us to the Academy. Then keep you as our hostage where you'll be forced to attend the Academy against your will. How's that for an evil plan?"

"You... you guys... seriously..... "Jenny was trying to hold back her emotions so as to not show them on her face, as she leapt towards towards Rey embracing him in a hug.

[Whaaaaa... get off b***h! You may be his friend but no physical contact, GET AWAY!]

Ed also joined the duo and the three of them had a long group hug.

"Th... thank you.."

"Don't cry, a man-girl doesn't look good crying."

"Shut up Rey!"

The three of them hugged for some more time and when it got awkward, they went outside to take a walk.

As it had been a long time since Rey and Jenny met, it was mostly them who caught up with each other with Ed joining in occasionally.

"Thank you guys, it was nice talking to you especially you Rey. It helped me clear my mind but I still need some time to make my decision."

"No need to thank us and there is still a year left till the exam, you have plenty of time."

"Don't forget to train, don't want you to get rejected after all this."

"...."

"I think we should go Ed, I can feel there is a storm coming soon."

" Y-yes"

Thanks to Rey getting them out of there on time otherwise Ed would have to experience hell once again.

"It was nice seeing Jenny after such a long time."

"You should definitely meet her more often, you two really get along."

"I would if only I wasn't scared of her. I don't wanna imagine what she'll do if I piss her off."

"She is a terrifying girl for sure, I feel bad for her future husband, if she ever manages to get one."

Don't jinx yourself dude!

'What? There's no way I'll for that muscle brain.'

"You know I'm going to tell her that, right?"

"No you won't betray a friend."

"Of course I will. A slave should know its place, ungrateful bastard!"

"You..."

Ed chased Rey through the whole town until they reached the inn they were staying in.

"Ah! Mr Rey....."

A boy tried to greet Rey but because Rey was sprinting with all his speed, he couldn't stop in time and bumped into the boy, knocking him down.

"I'm sorry, are you fine?"

"Don't mind me, this much is nothing."

Rey extended his hand towards the boy, that's when he took a good look at his face and noticed that his one hand was cut off.

"Are you....."

"Haha, yes I am the one who you saved earlier."

"I'm really sorry about your hand if only we had...."

"Don't be, it was my fault anyway and I should not expect someone to save me when I am in danger. Rather I was waiting to thank you for what you did."

Meanwhile Ed also caught up with Rey and seeing another person, let go of his anger. Ed was waiting for a suitable opening to join the conversation and while waiting learnt that the boy was the same they had saved in the hunting grounds and he was not older than them but their age only.

The two continued to talk ignoring Ed. With Ed not getting any chance to join them, he decided to tag along uninvited when they headed for the cafe.

"Where are my manners, I haven't even introduced myself. I am Zeke Trovsten, Cordia."

"Rey Shelding, Rosewood, it is not as beautiful as the capital but I am proud of it."

"I am sure it is a wonderful place."

"Edmund Clive, Rosewood." finally seeing the chance Ed also joined them.

Rey acted like he was surprised on seeing Ed but didn't say anything.

"Nice to meet you two. I would again like to express my gratitude for saving me and my friend earlier." Zeke stood up and bowed to them showing his gratitude.

"No need, we were just helping fellow humans not expecting any reward or such... "

"Rey!" Ed slightly nudged him with his elbow on the shameless remark.

"Haha, I promise your troubles won't go unrewarded. I'll compensate you both adequately."

"There's no need actually but I won't stop you. By the way of you don't mind me asking, where is your lover.... is he alright? Just that you came alone, is he out of danger?"

"Rey!" Ed was feeling embarrassed on seeing Rey getting more shameless.

"Sorry, sorry you don't have to answer that question, it was rude of me."

"It's fine! To be honest we broke up. After we were healed, Sam said that he could not go on anymore as I almost got him killed."

"Sorry to hear that"

"There's no reason to be sorry, I was just seeing what it felt like to be in a relationship with a boy and with it coming to an end, it means that I am available back in the market."

Zeke and Rey continued chatting but Ed couldn't join them fully. He had a constant feeling that he had heard Trovsten somewhere before but was not sure where and kept thinking about it the whole time.

After a couple of hours and snacks, they decided to part ways as Zeke had some business with the Levingtons.

That's when it struck Ed, he had seen a file on his uncle's desk with the same name along with business meeting. After that he also remembered what he had learnt about the Trovstens.

"Excuse me, are you the Zeke Trovsten, heir of the Trovsten Merchant Guild, the biggest merchant group in the empire and among the top five in the whole continent?"

Just when Zeke was about to get up, Ed revealed his whole identity.

"Hahaha, what should I do now that you have found about my identity, my plan is ruined now."

"What plan?" they both responded in unison, with Rey running his mouth without filter they were scared whether they have said something to offend him or not.

"Don't be alarmed, I just wanted to be friends with you guys but thought that you would be hesitant after knowing about my background, that's why I didn't tell you guys about it.

Ever since I saw you guys back at the hunting grounds, I have wanted to meet you and befriend you for personal as well as business reasons. I am a businessman afterall."

"You shouldn't have said the last part if you wanted to befriend us."

"Ughhhh! I knew it, I shouldn't have revealed the truth. It never does any good."

Ed started laughing joined shortly by Rey on hearing about Zeke's worries.

"If that was the case then I wouldn't be friend with this idiot here."

Zeke was relieved that the both of them were neither intimidated nor reserved after learning his identity. He felt happiness as he thought that he could have a normal friendship with these two.

The three of them talked some more before retiring for the night. Zeke wanted to meet again tomorrow but Rey and Ed had to return home so they refused. In the end, they exchanged their system info so that they could keep in touch and promised to meet again at the Academy.

The next day Rey and Ed were standing in front of the place where Ed had left his carriage they were supposed to take back home.