Chapter 58: Adventure Awaits [Free]

Nikolai slumped on his seat. It was noon indicating it was time for Professor Nadriel's history class. Markolin followed, sitting on his left and Vysela, occupying the seat next to the vacant one between her and Markolin. He glanced to the place where Allyria used to sit. A lot has changed since she disappeared. The castle became busier than it already is—making weapons, training soldiers, the King and the Queen holding meetings here and there. It was a lavish version for a prison.

Nikolai wanted to be involved with the castle's affairs but there were times when the queen mother would prefer to keep them in the dark. They don't even know what's happening—why there are wounded soldiers coming from a battle they aren't aware of a few weeks ago, why there are so many preparations, why the gold that was supposed to go to the community has been funded for war etc.

The King and Queen were so focused on some hushed rumors of a battle between the rebels that they forgot their daughter was still missing. 

"Pay attention, Prince Nikolai."

The words of Professor Nadriel startled him to reality. Nikolai straightened his seat and gave the professor the attention he needed. He's teaching about the history of Ikigais who used to exist centuries ago. It's not something he knows by heart but something he's already aware of.

The Ikigais are a threat to the world's balance. They shouldn't exist etc. It's the same thing the professor feeds to the young royals. Humans are just entitled, no? He thought. They think they can own everything. Even though that was what they taught him since the beginning of time, he's never come to believe some of their principles. 

"It's already half past 2 and he's still not done yet with his boorish lecture. Please spare us the hell, Professor," Markolin murmured, enough for Nikolai to hear.

Nikolai shove his elbow on his stomach, "You'll be damned if he hears you."

"I don't think so," Markolin chuckled and directed his eyes back in front. Nikolai followed his gaze and almost jumped to his seat when the Professor slammed a palm on his table.

"Care to share your conversation with Prince Markolin, Prince Nikolai?" his eyes narrowed, examining him who backed to the edge of his seat. Nikolai could see Markolin and Vysela simpering from their places, covering their mouths to prevent from laughing in hysterics. As always. 

When the professor noticed the prince has no plans in answering his question, he walked to the board in front, his hands clasped behind his back, "This is my last warning to you, Prince Nikolai. You can do whatever you want outside this room but if you're in my class, do as what you're told."

"Yikes," he could hear Vysela reacting. He just threw daggers at her and pretended to listen to Professor Nadriel's lectures.

But the thought of Allyria missing from her seat bothered him. It's been weeks since they last saw her. No one ever heard of the princess and the prince of Cesparia since then. The King and Queen didn't even want to talk about it. It's as if they completely blocked her from their lives. No one cares about their disappearance. He wasn't even sure he could still trust the people, more so his parents. 

Nikolai yawned, sleep trying to lull him in after thinking about everything that's going on. He kept his eyes open. 

But it was so hard. 

He drifted into consciousness. And then back out. The world was a blur, and random images seemed to float aimlessly around in the pool of his thoughts, as though they were being blown about viciously by a hurricane. 

A tap on his shoulder momentarily brought him back to the outside world, but after a second he was lost again. He could feel somebody trying to look at him, staring dead in the eye, but he couldn't keep focus. The whole world simply felt low resolution, a bad quality movie. 

Confusion blossomed in his heart and he knew that sooner or later he would need to wake up. To stare reality in the face. But for now he grabbed a book, placing it over his head and retreated into wallowing blackness.

***

"Sleeping is always so Nikolai."

"What do you expect?"

"Should we just leave him for training?"

Nikolai could hear voices near him but he wasn't sure where it came from. It sounded like his siblings. But they don't talk that loud in class. They're too frightened to get scolded by the professor. It was impossible. It can't be them.

Suddenly, someone flicked a finger on his forehead.

He got up from the chair, rubbing the reddish part of his head. He adjusted his eyes from the bright light and the face of Vysela standing in front of him. "Good morning, brother! Have a good sleep?" she said, smiling.

Nikolai groaned. "Why do you always do that?"

"Because it's fun! And you always sleep."

He glared, scanning the room. They're still in the library but Professor Nadriel's gone. "Where's the professor?"

"He left a while ago. Told he'll tell mother and father about your rude behavior in class," Markolin answered for him. He showed a playful grin. He even had the audacity to be happy about it.

"Rude behavior?" he scoffed, placing a palm on the side of his cheek, "Is sleeping supposed to be rude? What a total knock off."

Markolin chuckled, "Stop whining big man and get up. Training will start a minute from now."

He shook his head, "I'm not going."

"Woah, just for that reason? You're going to rebel against mother and father now?" Vysela chortled, the corner of her eyes pursing together. "That's very un-Nikolai of you."

"I'm still the same old Nikolai, so don't un-Nikolai me, little one." 

Vysela rolled her eyes. She never liked being teased because of her age. It made her feel insignificant just because she's not old enough. And Nikolai always finds a way to do it. Well, making good jokes about anyone has never been illegal not unless you're doing it to your tiger of a sibling.

"Let's go. I can't stand seeing your faces anymore," Vysela complained, crossing her arms over her chest. "Looking at old people makes me feel old."

"Are you talking about us, Vysela?" Markolin asked.

"Is there anyone here aside from the two of you?" she twirled around the library, "Hello! Earth to people! Is there anyone hiding in invisible cloaks here? Markolin wants to come and talk to you."

Nikolai stared at his two siblings throwing banters at each other, amused. But without her other sister, it just wasn't the same.

"I'm serious," he started, making the two of them stop, "I won't go to training today. I have important matters to attend to."

"Since when did you have 'important matters'? Mother and father rarely get us involved in castle duties. It's weird how you have 'important matters' to do now." Markolin and his facts. It was true though. They live in the castle, they are royal children yet the responsibility and secrets of the castle were exclusive to the King and Queen only.

"Don't mind me," he replied. "Go now. Commander Marquesse must be waiting for the two of you."

Markolin and Vysela dismissed his sentence, gawking at him like two vultures waiting to prey on their next meal. "Seriously, Nikolai, what are you up to?" Markolin asked.

"It's not something you should know. I can manage."

Vysela raised a curious brow, "Usually, when you know something, you're eager to talk about it to us. Like pronto," she paused, glancing at Markolin and back to Nikolai, "Just tell us. It's not as if we'll reveal that to mother and father. You can trust us. You know that."

Nikolai stood, placing a hand on Vysela's shoulder, "Be a good girl and let your brother do what he knows best. It's better if you stay out of it," he looked at Markolin, "You two."

Markolin heaved a deep sigh, retreating. "Fine, fine. Do whatever you want. We'll stop bugging you." He grabbed Vysela's arm, "Come on, sister. We still need to train, just let him play hero."

Vysela pulled her hand from him, "What are you talking about? Nikolai is planning something and we both know it isn't anything good. We can't leave him here."

"We can and we will. Come on," he pulled her away. Vysela slipped from his grip several times but Markolin was fast enough to hold her back in.

"Take care of Vysela for me," Nikolai said and the two of them were out of the library.

***

Nikolai opened the back door and peeked outside. The coast was clear so he stepped out with a bag flung over his shoulder. He never intended to escape the castle but if this is the only thing he can do to save Allyria, he'll do it.

Nikolai was already in the south wing. There was a hidden road beyond the bushes that would lead to the outside. It hasn't been used for years now but the adventurer in him knew the roads were still passable. He just needed to get his horse and he could be on his way.

As soon as he stepped into the castle stable, the unholy stench of manure and filthy straw almost knocked his boots off. It was like entering a free standing public toilet in the height of summer, one that had gone weeks without being emptied. But he was used to it since he's been going in and out here to take care of his horse.

"Hey boy, how are you?" he approached his silver stallion and rubbed his neck, making him neigh in delight. Icarus has always been his favorite out of the rest of them. It was his after all. The other horses stomped their hooves but he ignored them and caressed the fine hairs of Icarus' back. "It's time to get you running. Prepared to go for a long trip?"

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Written and edited by ephemery.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

Allyria will hunt you down to the ends of Arde Terra and cast you out together with the Undying in the Islands of the Cursed. You've been warned.

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