Chapter 9. You're Definitely a Good Person

Lucilline burrowed his head into a book.

He studied the page, trying to fend himself off from boredom. Concentrating, his eyebrows twitched once then twice. The corners of his eyes curled like a happy cat. A truffle of his hair had stuck upwards, making him seem quite silly yet harmonious at the same time.

Lucilline had laid across the table, with his chest pressing against the surface.

He wore his uniform, then unbuttoned the sweater and tied it around his waist, feeling that the summer heat was bothersome.

Inside the classroom, students were taking their seats.

Among the students, a certain handsome and silver-haired young man seemed out-of-place. Azalea sat next to Lucilline, with his back ramrod straight and entire body rigid. His amethyst violet eyes turned to look at his desk partner, Lucilline.

His eyes stared so hard, it was enough to bore holes through Lucilline's back.

Lucilline, "..." What the hell is that guy staring so hard for?

A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead, as he racked his brains trying to find an answer. Sooner or later, Miss A. entered the classroom, standing at her spot behind the podium. She knocked her pile of books adjacently at the wooden surface, gaining everyone's attention.

"Today is a Tuesday. I hope everyone managed to enjoy the sunshine yesterday." Miss A. smiled.

Lucilline frowned. He didn't get to enjoy any sunshine. Who knew that he would've encountered a tall and handsome rogue man, who carried out attempted murder!

"There's a lot of sunshine today as well. Once your session of school is over today, please do go outside and have some fun." Miss A. was happy as usual.

After carrying out her introduction, she began the lesson.

Meanwhile, Azalea was still preoccupied with staring down at Lucilline. Ever since eating at the restaurant and having to pay the bill, but ending up having someone else pay it in his stead... Azalea had always been unfocused. Even when Daphnne tried to get his attention, even when he was heading back to his inn, even when he was lying in bed... Azalea remained in this vulnerable state.

Originally, he thought that Lucilline was despicable for ordering so many dishes. After all, the black-haired youth was basically trying to empty out his pockets!

But then, that same exact black-haired youth had paid in his stead.

This made Azalea stunned on the spot. It turned out that... he was misjudging the victim once again! He'd already blamed Lucilline once for not wearing his uniform properly, even though it wasn't his fault! Then, he judged the nobleman for "using people's money", even though it was Lucilline who paid!

Azalea couldn't let this go. He could apologize once again, but that sounded so lacklustre...

Miss A. decided to give the class a small break. She went to sit on her teacher's chair, while taking out a book to read. The silence in class had withdrawn, then came noises from students chatting.

Lucilline was bored. He played with a strand of his black hair.

His golden eyes wandered around, like a curious cat.

At the same time, Azalea looked at his desk mate.

Suddenly, his eyes hardened.

Reaching out, Azalea enveloped Lucilline's gloved hands. The copper bell strung across the latter's wrist had rung twice to signify an ominous premonition.

The moment Lucilline felt that touch, the hair on his body had instantaneously rose up. He was like a cat on edge, with his fur rising as self-defence. "...what are you doing?" Lucilline whispered. Confusion clouded over his golden eyes.

Azalea deadpanned, "Lucilline." A strange determination was visible in his eyes. His every focus was on Lucilline, as he blurted, "You are definitely a good person!"

Lucilline, "..." After being told that he was the villain of some novel last night, this statement gave him mixed feelings.

Coming back to himself, he took his hands back to himself.

Setting aside his book, he asked, dumbfounded, "What's gotten into you?"

Azalea shook his head without a word. There was a profound meaning and complicated emotions in his amethyst purple eyes.

"I just realized that I might have been too harsh on you." Azalea admitted. "We just met, and I was a jerk."

Lucilline's eyes widened. "A jerk?"

Azalea nodded to confirm. "Yes. I blatantly assumed that you were a bad student, based on your inattentiveness during Miss A.'s class. However, it seemed like not all things on the surface are true. It was my fault for blaming you without considering your circumstances."

His hands tightened around Lucilline's gloved hands.

"From now on, I'll stop assuming everything, okay? Would you forgive me?" Azalea tilted his head. Subconsciously, Lucilline's eyes had faltered and fallen to look at the opposing student.

Azalea had a beautiful white neck. It was pale and unblemished, as if it was carved out from white jade. It reminded Lucilline of the neck of an elegant white swan. When he tilted his head, Azalea revealed his sharp chin and cheekbones, which enhanced his handsomeness and appeal. Going downwards from his neck, pale clavicles were exposed from his shuffling uniform.

All in all, this was the appearance of a handsome young man.

Lucilline blinked. He hurriedly looked away, afraid that he'll become blind if he look any longer.

"What do you say, Lucilline?" Azalea had no idea what thoughts were on the great villain's mind.

"Okay." Lucilline whispered.

"What?" Azalea didn't hear clearly.

Upon hearing that, Lucilline hardened himself. Don't be shy, Lucilline Rubius! Why are you shy of the opponent's appearance, when you look more beautiful!?!

He whipped his head around and nodded. "No worries. I don't mind you being impolite." A beautiful smile had fallen on his lips, revealing a row of white teeth. "I forgive you."

Azalea stared.

Lucilline stared back.

They found themselves enamoured in their staring contest. It was then Azalea blinked, with a happy expression dancing in his eyes. "Thank you."

As Miss A. returned to teaching, Lucilline boringly looked at the black board. He steadied his chin on one hand, with his elbow pressing against the surface of the desk. Without his notice and sitting right beside him, Azalea continued to stare at him.

Heavy emotions were faint in his amethyst purple eyes.

When class ended and it was lunchtime, students began to leave the classroom. Only Lucilline remained seated. Looking at him in confusion, Azalea hesitated on whether to go to the cafeteria or not.

"Lucilline," Azalea called, "Why aren't you going to the cafeteria?"

"Too crowded." Lucilline huffed. "I don't want to go."

His eyes wavering, Azalea could only leave. When he came back, he brought back an extra person.

Upon seeing Lucilline, Daphnne immediately went on her knees. "Oh, great Lucilline! You are definitely a good person! Let us be friends please!"

Lucilline, "..." Did Azalea tell her to say this, or is she just telepathic?

"...stand up, there's no reason to kneel." Lucilline coughed.

Daphnne did as she was told. Her eyes shone like the stars of a dark night, "Lucilline, is it possible for Az and I to become friends with you?"

Lucilline tilted his head in confusion. His locks of silky black hair had laid across his shoulder. It appeared so soft and delectable, like the feathers of a crow. When he was confused, his eyes would widen and his eyelashes would flutter hesitantly.

This mesmerized both protagonists. Daphnne and Azalea stared, not daring to blink.

"You guys want to be friends with me?" Lucilline asked.

Daphnne nodded eagerly. "Of course!"

Lucilline's eyebrows furrowed. "But you guys don't know anything about me. Additionally, I don't know anything about you guys."

"Then let's get to know each other!" Azalea chirped. He didn't think twice, and merely believed that all noblemen needed to understand anyone who are going to be their friends.

The three students sat around the table. Daphnne was enthusiastic when introducing herself and her friend, "Az and I are from an orphanage in the rural district. It's in the countryside where a lot of commoners live. We are commoners, so we are really happy that we get to attend S Academy, a school of many noblemen."

"How about you, Lucilline?" She asked.

Lucilline pursed his lips. "Do you guys... really not know who I am?"

Azalea was quite surprised at that question. "You're Lucilline Rubius, a nobleman, am I right?"

After hearing that, Lucilline fell silent. It turned out that truly, these two commoners didn't understand the hierarchy of society nowadays. He coughed, pressing a fist to his mouth, "Have you two ever heard of Grand Duke Rubius?"

"...Grand Duke Rubius?" Daphnne was puzzled.

Azalea showed the same confused look as his childhood friend.

At that moment, Lucilline knew that they knew nothing about noblemen. He took out a textbook from his leather bag, then flipped to a designated page. Showing the page outwards, he ushered the two commoners to look at the contents. "Look."

On the page were three symbols. There was an "R", "D", and "L".

"What is this for?" Daphnne was confused. She lightly touched the page, feeling the material with her fingers.

Lucilline huffed, "I am teaching you guys the history of Lydia Kingdom. It seems like you guys understand nothing." Hearing that, the two commoners found their eyes light up. They want to learn more about the kingdom that they wish to serve!

Then, Lucilline began to teach.

"Back in the 15th century, Lydia Kingdom was way different than what it is nowadays." Lydia Kingdom used to be a kingdom where all types of creatures coexisted. This included: humans, human-animal hybrids, mages, mermaids, fairies, dwarves, and even demons!

However, one day, the Demon Lord decided to rebel against the humans. The reason as to why was unknown, but all the humans knew, the Demon Lord was keen on making the human population extinct.

All races apart from the humans had fled in fear. Only the mage race stood on the humans' side.

In Lydia Kingdom, the war between humans and demons had begun. On the side of the humans, three households came together; the Rubius, Delta, and Leinhart. Those three households lead the army and won the war against the demons. They helped the royalty take over the throne, and since then, these three households had gained a large amount of respect.

The three households were deemed as nobles. The King and Queen had granted them the status of Grand Duke. Since then, their descendants continued the family lineage and bloodline. Even now, the three Grand Duke households are serving the royalty.

"Woah!" Daphnne was star struck. "It turned out that Lydia Kingdom had such an astounding history."

Azalea agreed with her. "I had no idea either."

"Mhm." Lucilline nodded. "The three Grand Dukes are; Duke Rubius, Duke Delta, and Duke Leinhart. These three households are never to be messed with."

Suddenly, Azalea seemed to realize something.

Daphnne didn't notice. "But what does this have to do with your identity, Lucilline?"

"Wait!" Azalea scrambled to talk first. "Lucilline... Lucilline Rubius?"

Daphnne came to a realization. "You're...!"

"Yes," Lucilline showed off. "I am the third son of the current Grand Duke Rubius."

It was then, the two commoners realized that... the beautiful young man they were hoping to be friends with... was actually such a prominent nobleman all along? They panicked, feeling the tension in the air become thicker.

Lucilline noticed their hesitation. He then sighed, "Would you two like to accompany me after school?"

The tension had instantaneously shattered.

"Huh?" Azalea was surprised. "Accompany you for what?"

"Shopping." Lucilline confirmed. The two commoners still didn't understand. Lucilline saw that they were still clueless, so he added, "What, aren't friends supposed to shop together?"

The two commoners were stunned to stupor. Abruptly, their eyes brightened. It was like they'd been enlightened delightfully. They were... acknowledged!

All of a sudden, Azalea remembered something.

"Lucilline." Azalea snapped out from his stupor. "Aren't you hungry?"

The nobleman shook his head. "Not hungry."

Azalea was concerned. "You sure?"

Hearing that, Lucilline's eyes faltered. Truth be told, he never had a good eating schedule. Sometimes, he would eat sweets in the middle of the night. Other times, he would skip lunch and only eat dinner.

"Here." Azalea's eye's softened at the nobleman's appearance.

He swiftly turned his wrist, then a bright apple was revealed in his palm.

Daphnne's eyes brightened at this. "Wow! I never knew you could do magic, Az!"

Lucilline was also amazed. He'd seen plenty of magic tricks on the streets, but this was his first time seeing one up close.

"Eat up." Azalea gave it to Lucilline.

The latter cupped the red apple with both hands. "This..." Lucilline hesitated. "I'm not hungry. You should eat it instead." He gave the red apple back.

However, Azalea refused it.

"You should eat something." He was sincere, "Besides, Daphnne and I had already gone to the cafeteria and ate. We're full already."

Daphnne chirped on the side, "Yeah! That's right! Just take it!"

Lucilline's pair of golden eyes had fallen on the apple in his hands. He pursed his lips subconsciously. Then, his head drooped, with his expression hidden in the shadows.

At this sight, Azalea and Daphnne panicked.

Don't tell them... did they upset their new friend?

Little did they know, hidden beneath his locks of black hair, Lucilline's pair of pearly ears were flushed in a sweet colour of crimson red blush.

His heart felt unexpectedly warm.