After the tense lunch, Edwin and Alex decided to head outside for some fresh air. The weight of the morning’s events hung heavily between them, but they walked in silence, both lost in their own thoughts.
As they stepped into the courtyard, the sun was warm on their faces, a welcome contrast to the cold hostility they had just endured. They found a quiet spot near a cluster of trees where the noise of the school faded into the background.
“I just don’t understand why he has to be so cruel,” Alex muttered, breaking the silence. “It’s like he enjoys it.”
Edwin nodded, still trying to shake off the encounter with John. “People like him need to feel powerful. I guess that’s how they do it—by making others feel small.”
Alex was about to respond when, out of nowhere, a blur of movement caught Edwin’s eye. Before he could react, a figure collided with him, sending him tumbling to the ground. The impact was sudden, and he felt the breath knocked out of him as he hit the dirt.
“Hey! Watch it!” Alex shouted, stepping forward, ready to help his friend.
But Edwin barely registered Alex’s words. He was too focused on the figure now sprawled on the ground beside him—a female fox dressed in ragged clothes. Her fur was matted, and she looked like she hadn’t eaten in days. But it was her eyes that held him captive.
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away. As they lay there, their gazes locked, Edwin felt something stir deep within him. Her eyes, a striking shade of green, were filled with a mixture of fear, desperation, and something else—a softness, a vulnerability that reached out and touched his very soul.
Time seemed to stand still as they looked at each other, and in that brief exchange, something passed between them—an unspoken understanding, a connection that transcended the chaos of their surroundings. Edwin’s heart pounded in his chest, not from the fall, but from the intensity of the emotions swirling inside him.
“Are you okay?” Edwin finally managed to ask, his voice gentle, almost a whisper.
The fox blinked, as if coming back to reality. She quickly scrambled to her feet, a look of panic flashing across her face. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, her voice shaky. “I didn’t mean to... I was just—”
“It’s alright,” Edwin said, cutting her off before she could finish. He stood up, dusting himself off, and offered her a hand. “Are you hurt?”
She hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, her touch light and hesitant. “No, I’m fine. I just... I need to go.” She glanced around nervously, as if expecting someone to appear and drag her away at any moment.
But Edwin wasn’t ready to let her go—not yet. “Wait,” he said softly, his heart still racing. “What’s your name?”
She hesitated again, her eyes flicking to Alex, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of confusion and concern. But in that moment, Alex sensed something more—an unspoken connection between Edwin and this mysterious fox. The way they looked at each other, the quiet intensity of their interaction, it was as if the air between them was charged with something deeper. He could see it in the way Edwin’s expression softened, in the way Lila’s eyes lingered on him just a little longer than necessary.
Finally, she looked back at Edwin, her expression softening just a little. “My name is Lila.”
“Lila,” Edwin repeated, as if savoring the sound of it. “I’m Edwin. This is Alex.” He gestured to his brother, who nodded in greeting but remained silent, still absorbing the undercurrent of emotions he had just witnessed.
Lila gave a small, almost imperceptible nod in return, but her eyes were still filled with unease. “I really should go,” she said again, her voice trembling.
“Where will you go?” Edwin asked, concern lacing his tone.
Lila bit her lip, glancing around the courtyard. “I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Before Edwin could offer anything more, a familiar, taunting voice cut through the air. “Well, well, well, what do we have here?”
Edwin’s heart sank as he turned to see John Arundel approaching, his fiery fur glowing in the afternoon sun. The fox sauntered over with a smug expression, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him.
John’s gaze flicked between Edwin and Lila, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “Looks like our little ‘noble’ here has picked up a stray. How touching.”
“Leave us alone, John,” Alex said, stepping forward, trying to shield Edwin and Lila from John’s looming presence.
But John wasn’t deterred. He took a step closer, his eyes locking onto Lila. “What’s this, then? You don’t look like you belong here. In fact...” His voice lowered, his tone becoming more menacing. “You look like you’re from somewhere else entirely.”
Lila’s breath hitched, and Edwin could feel the fear radiating off her. He instinctively placed himself between her and John, trying to protect her from whatever cruel game John was playing.
“Where are you from, little fox?” John pressed, his eyes gleaming with malicious intent. “Ketill isn’t the only place in the world. Could it be... you’re from one of those kingdoms where things are a bit... different?”
Lila remained silent, but her eyes betrayed her terror. John’s smile widened as he realized he had struck a nerve.
“You’re from Cabarita, aren’t you?” John said, his voice dripping with false sympathy. “Where prey rule and predators like you are nothing but slaves.”
Edwin felt a jolt of shock, but Lila’s reaction confirmed it. Her eyes widened in panic, and she looked like she might bolt at any moment.
John leaned in closer, his voice a low, threatening whisper. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me... for now. But I wonder how the rest of the school would react to knowing there’s a little runaway slave in their midst.”
“Leave her alone, John,” Edwin said, his voice firm despite the anxiety gnawing at him. “She hasn’t done anything to you.”
John chuckled, clearly enjoying the power he held over them. “She hasn’t... yet. But I’d be careful if I were you, Edwin. You never know what kind of trouble you’re bringing into your life when you pick up stray predators from places like Cabarita.”
Before Edwin could respond, the bell rang, signaling the end of the break. The three of them headed back to class, but the tension remained heavy in the air.
The lesson was already underway when they entered the classroom, and the teacher gave them a pointed look as they slipped into their seats. Edwin tried to focus on the lesson, but John’s words echoed in his mind, and he could feel Lila trembling beside him.
John, sitting a few rows ahead, couldn’t resist. Without bothering to lower his voice, he pointed directly at Edwin and Lila, drawing the attention of the entire class. “Well, look at that—a slave with a slave. How fitting.”
The room went silent as all eyes turned to Edwin and Lila. Edwin’s fists clenched under the desk, but before he could respond, John continued, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
“Prey really are stupid,” John sneered, drawing out each word with disdain. “The king of Cabarita was greedy for gold, wanted a trophy but killed tons of slaves both before and after its completion. That gold suit he wore became his cage, and he drowned in the very pool the slaves built for him.”
A few students chuckled nervously, unsure whether to laugh or remain silent. Edwin’s fists tightened further, but before he could speak, Alex stood up, his voice cutting through the tension in the room.
“The predators let their greed and false sense of superiority get the better of them,” Alex said, his tone sharp and defiant. “And the prey rebelled, making them the new rulers.”
John’s smirk faltered for a moment, clearly not expecting such a bold retort. “What’s your point, Alex?” he asked, his voice laced with irritation.
“My point is,” Alex continued, unwavering, “that you should think twice before looking down on someone just because of where they come from. History has a way of turning things around, and it’s not always the predators who end up on top.”
The room fell silent, the weight of Alex’s words hanging in the air. John narrowed his eyes, visibly unsettled by Alex’s challenge. He opened his mouth to respond, but the teacher, sensing the rising tension, intervened.
“That’s enough,” the teacher said sternly, casting a warning glance at John. “Let’s focus on the lesson, everyone.”
With a final glare at Alex, John slumped back in his seat, clearly irritated but silenced for the moment. The other students exchanged glances, some impressed by Alex’s boldness, others too intimidated by the atmosphere to react.
Edwin felt a surge of pride for his brother. Alex had not only defended Lila but had also reminded everyone in the room that power is not absolute and that history is filled with the unexpected. He leaned over to Alex, whispering, “Thanks for standing up for her.”
Alex nodded, his expression still serious. “We’re in this together,” he whispered back. “No one’s going to tear us down.”
Lila, sitting quietly beside them, gave Alex a small, grateful smile. The fear in her eyes had diminished, replaced by a glimmer of hope. Edwin knew that, despite John’s threats, they had made it clear that they wouldn’t be intimidated.
The tension from the classroom confrontation lingered as Edwin, Alex, and Lila made their way to the school entrance. The final bell had rung, signaling the end of the school day, but the weight of John’s words still hung over them.
As they approached the black limousine waiting to take them home, Edwin noticed Nolan, leaning casually against the car. His sharp eyes immediately zeroed in on the trio, his expression unreadable.
“Edwin, Alex,” Nolan greeted them with a nod, his voice steady and measured. His gaze then shifted to Lila, studying her with a calm, assessing look. “And who might this be?”
Before Edwin could speak, Alex, sensing an opportunity for some light-hearted teasing, grinned widely. “Oh, that’s Edwin’s girlfriend,” he said, nudging Edwin with his elbow and giving him a playful wink.
Edwin’s face flushed immediately. “She’s not my—” he started to protest, his voice faltering as he glanced at Lila, who looked equally surprised, though a small, shy smile tugged at her lips.
Nolan’s stern expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained sharp. “Is that so?” he asked, though his tone was more amused than serious. He glanced back at Edwin, who was now red-faced and stammering.
“Sir, this is Lila,” Edwin managed, finally regaining his composure. “She’s… she’s had a rough day.”
Nolan’s gaze lingered on Lila for a moment longer, taking in her appearance—the disheveled fur, the nervous demeanor. His expression remained inscrutable, but there was a subtle shift in his demeanor, a hint of understanding in his eyes.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Lila,” Nolan said finally, his tone polite but still carrying the weight of his authority. “You’re welcome to join us on the ride home.”
Lila hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure of how to respond to the nobleman’s unexpected kindness. She nodded slightly, murmuring, “Thank you, sir.”
Nolan gestured toward the car. “Let’s get you all home. We can discuss everything more in detail later.”
As they climbed into the limo, Edwin could feel the heat in his cheeks, still embarrassed by Alex’s teasing. Lila settled into the seat beside him, her earlier anxiety seemingly eased by Nolan’s calm and measured demeanor.
During the ride, Nolan kept his questions to a minimum, instead observing the interactions between the three of them. He was clearly assessing the situation, though he offered no judgment, allowing Edwin and Lila some space.
Alex, still grinning, leaned over to Edwin as they drove. “I didn’t know you were such a charmer,” he whispered, his tone playful.
Edwin shot him a glare, though there was no real anger behind it. “Cut it out,” he muttered, though a small smile tugged at his lips despite himself.
Nolan, catching the exchange from the corner of his eye, allowed himself a brief, faint smile. His sons—both biological and adoptive—were growing up, and while he had high expectations for them, moments like these reminded him of the bonds they were forming.
As the car rolled on toward Skycross Castle, Nolan’s mind turned to the challenges ahead, but for now, he allowed a moment of quiet contemplation, content to let the three young people share in each other’s company.
