— Excuse me, is it busy here?
During the process of my serious mental activity, I did not immediately notice a knock on the door of my compartment.
Soon, the face of a young man appeared in the doorway, who, seeing that only I was there, asked:
«Miss, would you mind if I joined you?» I've been looking for a compartment for so long, but everyone is already occupied.
— Oh, yes, of course…
I mumbled it out of politeness, even though I wasn't too eager to go with a stranger.
Fortunately, he looked quite friendly, and sat on the opposite side so as not to inconvenience me.
As soon as the guy was in front of me, I involuntarily began to look at him; He was quite cute, you could even say handsome; Blond hair lay flat on his head in a neat hairstyle, and blue eyes radiated a soft pleasant glow.
Even if we hadn't been on the same train to the Royal Academy, I would have known right away that he was an aristocrat. From his appearance and behavior — which differed from the background of ordinary people — it seemed that he had been practicing all these skills since childhood.
The stranger, in turn, was looking at me, although he did it much more imperceptibly.
Despite the similarities with the description from the book, the terrifying thought that this man could be the Crown Prince for some reason did not cross my mind.
In the end, I couldn't believe that such a noble person like him could just sit in a compartment with a strange girl and talk to her! Most likely, the royal personages had to be allocated a separate compartment, or even a carriage, so I didn't have to worry about this.
It is likely that this guy is just from a noble family, the same as me.
We drove in absolute silence for a while; I stared out the window, and he stared at the ceiling.
Then, the stranger suddenly spoke to me:
— What course are you studying?
— Ah… well… On the first one,» I hesitated, — And you?
— Me too, — he smiled, — I guess you're worried? I couldn't sleep all night. They say that for many, studying at school is the most important and interesting stage in life.
— It must be so, — I decided to agree, although in fact, I was ready to give anything just to stay at home and not go anywhere.
— I'm glad that you allowed me to go with you, — the guy continued, — In fact, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find a common language with others. But you seem like a good person.
— Really? I hope that's the way it is.
The stranger looked at me with interest, as if trying to read the thoughts on my face.
I had nothing to hide from the guy I see for the first time in my life, so with a strained blissful smile on my face, I most likely looked like a fool.
— What's your name? I asked my new acquaintance.
— Mmm… You can call me Phil,» he introduced himself, choosing his words for a while before that, «And you, dear lady?
— Leriana. Nice to meet you.
We shook hands.
«Your name is as beautiful as you are,» Phil complimented with a charming smile.
Any other girl, at this moment, most likely would have melted with happiness long ago.
I giggled nervously.
The real Leriana, who was born an unearthly beauty, has received such praise for her appearance since childhood. And there was nothing surprising in this for her.
As for me… In a previous life, except for my mom, no one ever said that I was at least pretty. Perhaps this was due to the fact that I was really so-so.
But now, with the face of the most beautiful girl in Azeroth, I felt awkward when I received such words and looks.
— Thank you, you're fine too… I thanked him, to which he laughed in response.
The rest of the way we chatted merrily, discussing a variety of topics.
Phil turned out to be a very pleasant conversationalist, and I was glad that I had already managed to make friends here.
After all, if I still have to study at the academy for the next three years, then having friends will help me adapt more quickly and significantly brighten up this time.
A couple of hours later, the train stopped at a station near the Royal Academy.
The students' belongings were delivered in advance, and, most likely, have already been distributed to the rooms.
As soon as we got off the ground, the academy guards, led by one of the teachers, had to escort us to the building.
I saw a huge snow-white castle consisting of several floors, and which looked more like a historical landmark than an educational institution.
It was surrounded by high golden gates, and when we passed through them, I involuntarily held my breath from the beauty I saw.
Indeed, an elite academy exclusively for rich kids from aristocratic families.
Most likely, the selection here was no worse than the most prestigious universities.
While we were being led inside, I managed to see that in the courtyard of the academy there was its own lake, greenhouse, and even a garden with fruit trees.
Well, it was possible to have a desire to enroll here, at least because simply excellent living conditions were created here.
The principal's opening speech to the freshmen was to take place in the ceremonial hall, and there was still a little time left until that moment.
Phil, who had been walking beside me all this time, did not stop looking around, muttering restlessly to himself.
«Is something wrong?» I asked.
— Leriana, you can go inside, — he said, — I still have something to do.
— Eh?
— My brother, — the guy was confused, — We act together, but for some reason I don't see him. He's very shy, so I'm worried he might get lost.
— That's how, — I responded with understanding. — Of course, go. Just don't be late for the ceremony, Phil.
Phil disappeared into the crowd, and I was left alone.
The principal's speech was less than ten minutes away, and more than half of the students had already entered the classroom.
I also decided not to linger, and headed for the large open doors.
At that moment, just before the entrance, a man walked past me, accidentally pushing me.
It was quite painful, but I didn't even have time to demand an apology, because the unknown person immediately disappeared.
It seems that not everyone here is as well-mannered as it might seem at first glance.
Snorting, I still decided to put this incident out of my head, and going inside, took the first place I came across in the last row.
After all, it's better for me if I catch the eyes of others less often.
As soon as the lights in the auditorium went out, our director came on stage — a tall and thin man of nondescript appearance, similar to my teacher from elementary school.
— Dear freshmen, we are glad to welcome you to our academy! Here you will get acquainted and learn everything that will allow you to become worthy members of our society. In addition to gaining knowledge, the academy is also an excellent opportunity to make new acquaintances among the peers of your class, and strengthen the ties between your families…
And all in the same spirit.
The director's speech turned out to be exactly what I imagined it to be.
Of course, only half of all those present here came to the academy solely for knowledge. The rest, however, is simply in search of useful connections and a profitable partner, which, as a rule, were acquired during their studies in such institutions.
I didn't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing, but in any case, it had been the way for centuries, and I wasn't going to poke my nose into these things.
The opening speech was supposed to be long, and I was ready to fall asleep at the fifth minute, when suddenly…
A heart-rending scream rang out from the western part of the castle.
Everyone immediately tensed up, trying to figure out what had happened.
The screams continued, and it became clear that it would be impossible to simply ignore it.
The ceremony was interrupted, and the director had to go downstairs to find out what had happened.
Despite the request to stay in their seats, the students, as if they had not heard it, without thinking twice, followed him. Out of pure curiosity, I decided to keep up with the others.
In the end, having reached the place of the sound source, everyone froze from the picture they saw.
Even the director, who was just about to severely punish the violator, hesitated.
There were two people in the garden by the stone column. The guy is a student who was lying on the ground, curled up in pain, and the man who attacked him.
It turned out to be a girl with a frightening aura, who, apparently, had released the young man only a moment ago, and now casually shook her hands, as if she had touched something dirty before.
The director and everyone present here knew who this person was, and therefore the fear in the eyes of many only increased.
At the moment when our eyes met for just a split second, I noticed how her bright scarlet eyes flashed from the sunlight.
My legs staggered.
I couldn't believe it was really her.
Rachel Cassius.
The mother of the second main character, the cursed Duke tyrant, who in the future will carry a deadly threat to the kingdom.
And also Brisney's future lover.