8 Chapter 7: You are special

"This is my... second year as a freshman. I had to r-repeat because no one wants me as a knight. That... I'm not special." Leo sighed and decided to tell her the truth so she won't be surprised if trouble would happen again. "I hate violence and arguments that's why I always back down and let them be. Hence, they thought I'm not fit for the job."

'Let's get this over and done with. It would be better for her if she'd stay away from me.' He said bitterly in his mind.

They're currently on their way to the chairman's office. And Heaven was liesurely walking on the grandiose hallway with her hands behind her back.

An awkward silence came after his confession.

After a short while, Heaven stopped in front of a window and finally broke the silence. "My life started the day I opened my eyes five years ago. I was already inside the Zion Tower. I tried to call out for anyone but... no one came."

Leo was taken aback when she unexpectedly shared her story.

Heaven continued, "I don't have any memories of my life before that. The only proof of my existence was an anonymous letter. On the letter, the mysterious person addressed me as Heaven Fair and mentioned my age. So, I just assumed that that's my name and age.

"Whenever I'm lost, I would always see a letter on my window. When I'm bored, I have my books to keep me company. And when I want to feel free and play, I will go out and tumble on the grass, swim on the river and make friends with different animals and plants. It was fun and I felt free.

"I feel safe in the mountain because I knew that my mysterious companion was there to watch over me. But... I have always wanted to see the outside world. I wanted to experience the kind of life written in my books. And more importantly, I wanted to know why I was abandoned there. So, for the first time since I opened my eyes, I decided to take on a journey and face the unknown. That's when I realized the meaning of courage." She ended her long story with a nostalgic smile on her face.

She turned around and looked at him in the eyes. "But today, you have taught me a different kind of courage -- being grounded on your principles even if everyone condemns you. I think it's more knightly than what was described in the books." Heaven smiled softly.

"What I'm trying to say here is... I'm a nobody; no real name, no rich and famous background. You don't have to be worried if you'll cause me trouble by your actions. So next time, if you want to punch someone on the face, throw caution to the wind and open your eyes to embrace the experience. According to my books, true friends clean each other's mess. So, I'll make sure to be right behind you to clean up your mess, just as you would do to mine, right?"

Leo hung his head low as his throat constricted from his overwhelming emotion. His shoulders trembled as he cried silently. He placed his right forearm on his eyes to cover his tears.

Heaven tip toed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders like a tomboy. "Tsk! What a crybaby," she gently teased him. "Leo... you are special. And I am glad to be your friend."

"I-I'm sorry...I'm just so h-happy," Leo sobbed. "I don't know what to say. You're my very... first friend. Waahh!" He finally let go and bawled.

For the first time in his life, someone did not laugh at him. For the first time, someone said that he's special. For the first timen he finally made... a friend.

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After a while of crying and laughing, Heaven and Leo finally reached the chairman's door. Once they heard the affirmation of the person on the other side of the door, they pushed it open and entered the room.

"Welcome to Aeon Academe, Lady Heaven Fair. I am very happy to finally meet you."

Heaven was greeted warmly by a handsome man upon entering the chairman's room. She stopped in her tracks and unconsciously stared at the man in front of her.

Urien Lucerne, the heir to the house of Lucerne and the youngest chairman in the history of Aeon. According to Leo, his family belonged to the old money and their influence spread far beyond the Empire's shores.

The man's aura and features really spoke of a true nobility. He looked to be 180cm tall with lean body. He had a long hazelnut hair that was beautifully braided at the side and tied by an expensive looking jade hairband. His eyes were the same color of his hair and adorned by long, thick eyelashes. He looked so warm and kind. His attire was fashionably styled to accentuate his noble presence.

'Woah, men in real life looked so amazing than how they were described in the books.' She thought dreamily.

The chairman observed her with a gentle smile on his face while she was busy gawking at him. In fact, he looked so happy upon seeing her.

"How old are you?" Heaven blurted out her question. She was really curious at his age. He looked so young to be a chairman.

Leo, who was patiently standing on the side and observing silently, choked on his saliva and coughed upon hearing her question. 'What a crappy way to start a conversation.'

He tilted his head sideways as he place both of his hands behind him. "How old do you think I am?"

Heaven approached him and looked up. She noticed that his voice was as warm and kind as his looks.

"You... your age looks the same... with the man in my dreams." Heaven whispered softly. Her eyes were moist with tears but she didn't know why.

The chairman looked surprised for a bit and smiled warmly. "Then, why don't we keep it that way." He answered in a doting manner.

Leo cleared his throat awkwardly to get the their attention. He was taken aback by the sudden transformation of the chairman that he almost thought he entered the wrong room. This was the first time he saw the chairman to be kind and gentle. He always looked cold and strict that's why everyone feared him.

The aces and school personnel secretly named him as 'The Ice King.'

"Then..." Heaven trailed off and poked the carpeted floor with her shoes. She looked shy, totally out of character to the savage girl Leo met hours ago. "Can I also call you, B-big brother?"

"Of course! I am an only child, afterall. It has always been my long time wish to have a little sister. But in return... can I call you by your first name, too?"

Her eyes sparkled in happiness. Isn't calling someone by their first name also means they're your family. She suddenly jumped in joy and embraced him tightly. She had made a friend and a family in just one day.

She didn't know why but her gut feeling was telling her that she could trust him. It was not just because he had the same vibe and age with the 'big brother' in her dreams, but the most important reason was because... he was just simply so damn handsome!