Rumors

BEFORE THEY KNOW it, the three days have passed, and the day when their classes officially starts have finally arrived.

Hades stands before the mirror in his room, he was pinning his feather badge on his collar instead of his blazer, right next to the golden crown badge. He then takes his blazer, and wears it. He stares at himself for a short moment, lost in thought. He'll admit… he never thought he'd be able to wear this uniform until he turned nine. The first thought he had then after knowing the possibility of entering the academy, was to show off his uniform to his family.

'The sick young boy you used to visit is now out on his own, I'm sure you're all proud', he thought as he reached to fix his tie. 'Although, it's a bit of a shame that I won't even be able to finish my first year', he thought again, and laughed.

The three knocks on his door caught his attention. "Hades? Are you done? Breakfast is already being served at the dining hall," he heard Rufus' voice from the other side. Taking his keys, pocket watch, a fountain pen, and the book that he wanted to read for today, he walks to the door, and opens it.

Rufus was there alone, wearing his uniform as well. After closing the door from behind, Hades walks with Rufus to the lobby. There, they once again found their other classmates waiting patiently for them. Hades stares at them with blank eyes, "Are we seriously heading to the dining together?" he asks.

"What's the problem with heading there together? Shouldn't we leave a nice impression on our seniors?" Griffith asks, while Hades sighs.

"Let's split up, you're all just going to embarrass me," he says as he walks away. To his dismay, they still followed after him, like little chicks. Even the indifferent imperial prince, Silver, had joined in their charade. It was hard to imagine that Hades was the youngest among them.

However, even a fool would know at a glance, that he wasn't someone ordinary.

'AH… THE ATTENTION is draining me', Hades thought to himself as he didn't bother maintaining a friendly smile. He sighs as he sat on the table which his classmates have reserved. Ever since they entered the dining hall, all eyes have been on them. Unlike Hades who loathes unwanted attention, his classmates were ultimately immune to it, as if they have their own world.

Thankfully, the noise died down a little as official students begun to decrease, and leave the hall. Hades was finally able to regain his energy a little.

"Hades, are you alright?" Hades turned to that voice, it was Tevin. He seem concerned about how Hades was eating slowly, but Hades smiles back at him. Tevin was one of the few who would notice if someone is either out of energy, or simply in a foul mood.

"I'm okay," he replies and takes another bite of his meal. Unlike his classmates, he wasn't exposed to the public or to the society in his childhood. Even during his eight years at Novak Grand Duchy, he never left the manor, or met new people. It wasn't that he was shy, he was simply sheltered.

'And it's not like I haven't been pressured half of my life', he thought again, and drank a glass of water.

"I first thought that you had social anxiety," Cornelius stated his opinion, and Hades chuckles.

Rufus rolled his eyes, and interjected, "He simply doesn't like unwanted attention, but Hades… shouldn't you have expected this after you ranked second? It's your own fault, you churl," Hades glares at him for his opinion.

"They would've left me alone even if they know that I ranked second," Hades stated, and rolled his eyes. "They're only buzzing about me because you're all sticking to me," he added, and bites off his meal in a calm manner.

They silently stared at him, purely in bewilderment. 'Ah… that's what he meant by embarrassing him', they thought.

"Better get used to it then, you're a class representative after all," they heard a deep empty voice. All of them turned to the voice, only to see the ever so blank imperial prince, Silver drinking his glass of water. Hades could only sigh at his statement and thought;

'It's as if he's rubbing in that I should've intentionally lost to him so I wouldn't have to deal with any of this.'

"Oh, speaking of which, I heard from a friend in another department," Tevin's voice caught their attention, and as he leans in, they copied the same motion. "There have been rumors about us among the seniors… the most famous one is that the second place commoner, Hades, is in truth someone of noble blood in disguise, or a spy from another country," he says, lowly, only for his classmates to hear.

"Pft—" their heads turned to Hades who had just let out a short laugh. It was funny, since it was one of the things that he heard from their gossiping schoolmates. William narrowed his eyes at him.

"Does this sound funny to you? They're literally spreading that you're possibly a traitor," William expressed however, Hades' small smile did not leave his face. His classmates' gazes contained wariness, and confusion. Well, it's not that the rumors are wrong, he is a noble lord in disguise… and he can be labeled as a traitor, still in action though.

"I apologize, it's just preposterous to hear such things, and it's not as if the rumors would stop if I say anything," Hades implied, and shrugs his shoulder. "In addition, they're merely gossip, rumors, and a topic in a conversation. They don't have any valid evidence to back what they're saying," he states, and their eyes did not leave him.

Naturally, they were suspicious of his words and actions. As a commoner dealing with inane rumors for the first time, Hades was expected to react more upset of people misunderstanding him… yet he's reacting way calmer than they thought.

He's not even denying anything…

"… you sound so manipulative just now," Rufus speaks up about Hades' strange words, and Hades was baffled at his words.

"… are you serious?" Hades mumbles, and all his other classmates nodded back at him, making him sigh once again. "I'm always told that I seem dark, serious, and unapproachable. I'm not that kind of person, don't misunderstand," his smile had faded, and he rolled his eyes. They gaze at him with disbelief.

'That's… what you're upset about…?'

The more they spend time with Hades, the more they felt that he's estrange... different from them. Hades is definitely an unreadable man, nevertheless, he still feels close. He is just a commoner, that's all.

"You don't mind traitorous rumors about you… but you're sensitive about the first impression? That's an incredible mindset you have, Hades," Hollis comments, and expresses her astonishment.

"What kind of commoner wouldn't be conscious of the first impression when he's surrounded by noble ladies and lords?" Lorenzo contended.

"… Lorenzo's not wrong," Jarrett adds, clearing his throat.

"He's our class representative too," Curtin interjected.

"I thought smart guys like you wouldn't care about first impressions," Alonso utters his own opinion, Griffith second his statement, while Rufus grins teasingly. He definitely found another chance to tease his friend.

"Bet he only cared about the first impression now that he's met the imperial princess," Rufus claims, nudging Hades by his sides. His companions' expressions changed at the mention of the imperial princess. They didn't expect to lead to such a topic, given that Silver is present himself.

"You're attracted to Her Highness, Ecru?!" Hollis audibly gasps at Rufus' bold remark. While Hades remained silent and did not even bother meeting their gaze as he eats, Rufus wore a smug expression and nodded.

"He surprisingly is, I was shocked too," Rufus tells, the other men were silent after hearing his words.

'… who wouldn't find her beautiful?' The others thought to themselves.

Rufus then glances over to Silver and said, "Hades has fallen love at first sight with your sister, would you let him pursue Her Highness?" They all turned to Silver, anticipating his reaction, despite how much they know that he's protective over his younger sister. Even Hades found himself glancing to Silver's direction.

Silver was silent for a moment, until his lips curved up to a small smile, and said;

"Although marriage might be impossible, I don't mind. I think Hades would match Ecru as well."

Silence. There was a complete five second silence before everyone could react, and break into a fit.

"Huh…?"

"HAH?!?!?!"