Chapter 83. The Snapping Strand

Lucilline suffered from a sleepless night. The wisps of thin threaded clouds banked upon the dark skies, thickening into a dancing figure. What exactly am I? Lucilline turned over on his bed, his blankets shuffling to every inch of movement. Am I a monster? I was able to kill that mind demon... but I have no control over this power.

His red eyes seemed to signify something unspeakable—something he could not put into words. It made him afraid, yet he still relished it, chasing after it like an addict.

"Willow," In the morning, Lucilline summoned his maidservant to his side. He tapped a finger on his teacup, watching ripples stroke across the tea's surface. The white-haired maid stood by his side nervously, her gaze not daring to linger upon his face. "Do you think I'm a monster?"

The white-haired maid perked up in confusion.

Willow frowned, "No, Young Master." She was about to question why, but was quickly interrupted. "Good. Let's go." Lucilline did not allow for any questions to be asked.

They prepared a carriage, and headed for S Academy.

*****

The class was short-lived. Miss A. inquired for his absence from yesterday, but Lucilline brushed it off as merely being busy. The blonde-haired teacher could only sigh in discontent, trying to hide her disappointment from the noble teenager.

Lucilline did not mind. Rather, he couldn't care any less.

During lunch time, the black-haired nobleman sat lazily in the school's courtyard. His relaxed figure slumped upon the back of the bench, an endearing black coat spread across his lap. The sun's rays of light warmed his stomach, and Lucilline closed his eyes.

Even with his eyes closed, he could still perceive the sunlight lightening up his surroundings.

All of a sudden, the black-haired nobleman felt his eyelid twitch.

His golden eyes fluttered open, only to meet with the astounding sight of a pure and flawless figure. Strands of silver hair reflected upon Lucilline's vision, and beads of sweat rolled down that figure's glistening forehead. A pair of familiar amethyst purple eyes met his.

That white-haired teenage froze, looked towards him, nodded, and then narrowly ducked.

He dodged the swing of a wooden sword—and only then did Lucilline realize that this white-haired teenager was sparring with a student. Their wooden swords swung at one another, creating a large impact to ripple across their arms, numbing their flesh cold.

The black-haired nobleman gazed upon this scene with little interest.

It's just another spar between fellow students. There was already a crowd forming around the match, with plenty of other students watching, excitement laced in their hushed whispers. Lucilline couldn't help but arch an eyebrow. Is there really a need for such a crowd?

"They're so fast!"

"Yes! I haven't seen such a fascinating spar in a long time!"

"Who is that handsome white-haired boy? I've never seen him before!"

"Uh— he's in our neighbouring class! I heard he's a transfer."

"Seriously?"

"Don't even think about involving yourself with him. He's a commoner."

"...ugh."

Lucilline's ears subconsciously tuned in on the conversation, despite trying to mute it out of his mind. All of a sudden, a gust of cold wind washed across the courtyard. Gasps piped up, and Lucilline caught a look of the sparring match.

The white-haired teenager had easily knocked the sword out of his opponent's hands. He indifferently pointed his wooden blade at the student's neck, with the latter stiffening in defeat.

The crowd applauded for the spectacle, and the white-haired teenager pulled away his sword.

He flashed a brilliant smile, one capable of rivalling the sun. "Azalea," the defeated student sighed, "You really are gifted in swordsmanship. Truly, nobody can possibly beat you."

The white-haired student—Azalea—had smiled shyly, "You are praising me too much, Sir."

"I did not lie," the defeated student patted his spoiled pants, "You are really good for a commoner."

Azalea stiffened. His amethyst purple eyes seemed to dim slightly, before brightening up again. "I am really grateful for your compliment, Sir." The spar had ended there, and the two students went to rest up.

However, Lucilline's eyes couldn't help but still on the white-haired student.

A commoner... he clicked his tongue at the roof of his mouth. His memories began to gush back, as if currents began flooding a wimpy dam. Why am I even thinking about the past... how annoying.

He ruffled his strands of black hair, then laid back to sleep on the bench.

*****

As weeks passed, the presence in S Academy shifted. The entire school became aware of the two new transfer students—Daphnne and Azalea. Even Lucilline, the Third Young Master of House Rubius had caught news about these two.

Azalea had been known as the brilliant white-haired commoner, his figure handsome like a knight clad in silver armour.

Meanwhile, Daphnne had been known for her sweet behaviour, and her appreciation for flowers. She'd often concoct many herbs, and even impressed the school's physicians.

In House Rubius, the Royal Healer had examined the conditions of Duke Rubius—but there have been no illness detected.

"What do you mean there's no illness?" Lucilline couldn't help but suspect that the Healer was tricking him on purpose. However, the Royal Healer only shook his head hurtfully, just as confused as he was. "I have never encountered an illness like this before. Perhaps it is a new disease? I will prescript for Duke Rubius to have plenty of rest, and to avoid fatiguing the body."

Alas, the black-haired nobleman could only accept this advice with a heavy mood.

He continued to delay the rest of Duke Rubius' meetings, then arranged for the Royal Healer to regularly visit and prescribe new medicine. However, nothing seemed to improve Anderson's conditions. His haggard appearance resembled a dying man.

He was nothing like the past.

*****

It has already been a month since the arrival of the two new transfer students.

"Azalea! Your swordsmanship is really impressive!"

"I think so too!"

"Could I ask for pointers?"

"Hey! I arrived first! Who do you think you are, cutting in the line before me—"

Lucilline sucked in a deep breath. His head was ringing heavily, while the name of 'Azalea' kept bouncing on his mind, as if trying to give him a concussion.

The black-haired nobleman really wished to pull a book over his book.

To his surprise, all the surrounding noises had dissipated. Lucilline lifted his head off his desk, his golden eyes found from confusion. Then, he noticed a familiar and dashing figure standing just before him. A nest of silver hair swayed before his eyes, that colour more blinding than the sun.

Azalea shyly smiled, "May I talk to you in private, Third Master Rubius?"

Lucilline paused. Is he taking to me?

The sound in the room was devoid of sound, enough to hear a pin drop as clear as day. Lucilline then noticed that everyone's eyes were glued to him, as if a thread attached to their eyes had sewn unto his figure. He could feel the burn stinging into his gaze.

"Of course." The black-haired nobleman agreed, rising up from his desk.

A bright layer of light folded across Azalea's soft curls of silver hair. His pale face had only glistened underneath the sun, and he bloomed like a budding flower. "Great! If you could follow me, Sir!"

Lucilline couldn't help but hum to himself. What a weird guy.

He was led to the school courtyard, where it was empty of any other students. It was almost time for the next lesson, and students were busy with heading to class. Lucilline leaned lazily on the school wall, his straight and lean back resting like a sly black cat. Across from him, the white-haired transfer student nervously bit his bottom lip.

His white teeth chewed, almost enough to tear his lip's skin. Azalea fumbled with his hands, his thumbs fiddling in distraught.

"Ahem, Sir..." He laughed to sound nonchalant, but the atmosphere only thickened.

Lucilline, "..." Hurry up. I don't have all day to waste.

As if he could sense the black-haired nobleman's impatience, Azalea got straight to the point. He bowed flawlessly in a 90 degree angle, his thin waist revealed from his uniform pulling upwards.

"Lucilline Rubius Sir! I am wondering if you are interested in hiring me as a knight!"

That proposition echoed in the air, breaking many layers of the winds.

Silence followed afterwards.

Lucilline: ???

"Umm, Sir?" Azalea became even more nervous, his nails pinching himself on the index finger. "I can prove that my swordsmanship skills are sharp and perfectly capable of guaranteeing Sir's safety. If I am Sir's knight, then I will do my utmost best to perform my knightly duties for you!"

Lucilline had a blank face.

He really wished to run away from this heartfelt white-haired teenager, and go drown in the school's water fountain. What is going on!?!

"Allow me to ask you a question." The black-haired nobleman cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation. "Why is it that you chose me out of all the nobles in Lydia to serve? What makes me so special that you decide that I am suitable as your master?"

Azalea did not expect this question.

He stumbled over his words clumsily, his calloused fingers already filled with nail marks. "W-Well, it's because we are classmates... and I really look up to you! You have many admirable traits too!"

Lucilline raised a brow, "Such as...?"

"Your brilliant intelligence!" Azalea applauded, "Miss A. have once given me the duty of returning our previous tests, and I accidentally glanced at your paper. To my surprise, Sir, you have scored perfect! I also noticed that you spend all class either sleeping or reading books from the library, and instead of reading the given materials from Miss A., you do not take any notes either! You must have excellent memory and intelligence, which makes me admire you a lot!"

The black-haired nobleman raised a hand to shield his eyes from this bright light.

He'd never received so many compliments at once!

It almost made him laugh out loud, as if a smiling dog was wagging their tail before him. His heart couldn't help but be tickled.

Lucilline teased, "I am not that special. Sir Percival Delta is a year older than us, but he is still studying diligently in the class across ours. He is also intelligent, so why don't you ask to be his knight?"

Azalea paused.

The black-haired nobleman brushed a hand through his hair, "Isn't it just because we're in the same class? You think that you'd have a better chance of becoming a knight if you work under me, right?"

Azalea gullibly nodded.

Lucilline, "..." Don't just outright admit it!

Alas, the black-haired nobleman could only wipe away his tears. He held his chin lightly, his slender fingers pinching at the smooth skin.

Azalea held his breath, "What is your answer, Sir?"

Lucilline glanced at the white-haired teenager. His handsome face had a hint of anticipation, as if he was an energetic pup sitting at his owner's doorstep. Despite that endearing expression, beneath Azalea's pristine uniform, his abdomen bulged out in vigour. His skin had a layer of glistening sweat, and his limbs were made of firm muscles.

Every finger of his were covered in rough callouses, and he must have used those strong hands to wield a sword several times.

"My answer is..." Lucilline's lips gently curved upwards. "No." His deadpanned rejection did not even settle in Azalea's brain yet. The white-haired student still wore a small smile, his expression of anticipation. All of a sudden, he processed the information. "...what—"

Lurking in the shadows, a skinny figure clutched her chest. Her dark purple hair perfectly blended in the silhouettes. November could not stop the ugly smile climbing her lips.

*****

The next day at school, Lucilline was greeted by an unusually cold classroom.

He could feel the ugly stares piercing and stabbing at his back. Those students must've thought that they could look all they want just because he doesn't stare back. Lucilline sat down silently in his seat. His ears twitched, as he could hear soft whispers from the students.

They wore a sharp look of disgust.

Some of their fleeting words entered his ears. "Who does Lucilline think he is? Just because he's the son of a Grand Duke doesn't mean he can trample over Azalea's pride like this."

"Azalea has the potential to be a knight! I can't believe Lucilline would turn him down like that."

"He thinks he's all special—just because he's born a higher standing than the rest of us."

"What a narcissist."

"Lucilline is nothing compared to his siblings. Is he really a Rubius? After all, he doesn't even have red hair and silver eyes... could it be that he's an illegitimate child?"

"I bet it's probably true! Why is it that Duchess Rubius doesn't leave the house anymore? Perhaps she is ashamed that she'd given birth to a child who isn't hers?"

Lucilline felt a strand in his mind snap.