Knight (48 page)

“Lord Lienhard is quite the stubborn man.” Lord Aeron stated. “Have you seen him, Lady Seraphina?” He asked her. “He must've paid attention to you quite well since you are his daughter.”

With this said, Valeriana stared at her guardian in shock. It took a few moments to remember being told that Seraphina was the illegitimate daughter of the present king's younger brother, which must've been this man.

“He sent me a letter a few days ago.” The lady answered. “He has invited me to some tavern he took a liking to. I assume he's around there right now.”

“Then, when should we go there?” The young lord asked.

“Who's going?”

“Us, of course.” Corvan answered with a
matter-of-factly
tone. “We're going to get Lord Lienhard ourselves.”

“I think this will be a good idea especially with what’s happening right now between Valeriana and Courtney. Perhaps you leaving the academy for the mean time in an assignment will be the best. It’ll say you aren’t under suspicion. Even so, I will leave no stone unturned. If I somehow found out you are responsible, Valeriana, you know the consequences.”

“Yes, Headmaster.” She nodded nervously.

“Stop scaring the girl, Kylon.” Seraphina said. “You know that that idea is far-fetched. Valeriana has no motives to perform those acts. It is unlike her.”

Kylon turned to the Court Leader. “Do us a favor and tell the king immediately, will you, Lord Aeron? If he still possesses the ability to fortify the barrier, then we will rely on him.”

“No problem.” Aeron replied.

“Anyhow, aside from the fact that we have to get the lord ourselves . . .” Charles started. “I have a question I must ask.”

“What is it?”

“How did Corvan end up in the bath?”

With this, all eyes turned to the young lord, expecting for an answer. Corvan scoffed and crossed his arms, leaning back on the armchair he currently occupied. The look on his face said that he wasn't at all pleased being the center of attention like this—especially if it's about a matter that questioned his honor and pride as a noble.

“Something compelled me to.”

“You were compelled to spy on Valeriana?” Keelan concluded in wide eyes.

He turned red. “I TOLD YOU IT WASN'T LIKE THAT!” He roared, his fist clenching and fire appearing from his hands.

Everyone scooted away from the sudden flare of temper. When Corvan finally realized what he was doing, he took a deep breath and the fire sizzled, disappearing completely. The young lord brushed away the wet lock that fell on his face, raking his hands back through his scalp.

“Look.” Corvan started. “Whatever you're thinking, that is not true.” He told them.

“Then why were you there?”

“A voice.” He answered.

“What?”

“There was a voice inside my head.” He looked at all of them. “It didn't stop until I finally decided to go to that goddamned bath. That's where I saw the stupid witch being dragged down by a stupid demon.”

Valeriana froze at his statement.

“A voice?” She asked him. “A voice told you?”

“Why? Does it mean anything to you?” He inquired.

“No.” She shook her head. “Well, maybe.”

“You mean . . . you had that experience before, Valeriana?” Tamara asked.

“Many times.” She nodded. “Many times since I came here.” She told them.

“What?” Headmaster Kylon leaned forward. “When?”

“First, it was during the battle with Courtney. Second, I think it came out during my battle with Zion.” She answered. “It saved my life twice. And now . . . maybe thrice.” She looked at Corvan in suspicion.

“Everyone . . .” Someone whined.

Valeriana continued. “But it always said it was my common sense so I didn’t—”

“EVERYONE!” The voice hollered.

They all turned to the source of the sound.

“What is it?”

Raziel came to sight. He was still stuck on the wall, the knives Corvan threw at him held the poor guy in place. He was whining, looking uncomfortable and impatient in his current position. Tamara raised a brow questioningly at him.

“Can someone get me out of here now?” He asked them.

The mysteries were piling one after another. The Twelve would have to find all the answers to them one-by-one, respectively.

“Actually, you make a good decoration.” Valeriana commented.

Chapter Fifty ♣ Trouble in Sight

C
orvan climbed up to his room after the Gathering. He didn't want to show everyone how stressing the little act of playing the knight-in-shining-armor for Valeriana was. Trying to conjure fire while being submerged in water wasn't easy at all. It took a lot of his strength and weakened him to an extent where he couldn't even lift a finger. The sudden burst of fire from a while ago when he got annoyed drained even more of his energy.

He sighed. Feeling the urge to suddenly collapse on his bed and drift off into a deep slumber. He never felt so weak his entire life. It was a surprise he even managed to climb the stairs, and even then he was struggling to lift his feet to take another step.

He felt so worn, but his pride wouldn't let him show the weak side to him. He was the great Lord Corvan—son of Rupert and Saskia who were currently the Lord and Lady of Arlandia and the first-ranking member of Celeste Academy's Celestial Twelve. He was not only the heir to his family's fortunes; he was also skilled among various areas.

But, of course, what happened today totally ruined his dignity. He took the liberty of saving that ingrate's life and all he got instead of thank you were accusations of being a pervert! He was already doing a good deed and yet, he got whacked and pushed back.

His clothes suddenly feel tight so he tugged on the cravat tied around the collar of his clothes. He had changed into new clothes immediately after saving Valeriana. Needless to say, everyone was bemused when they saw him walking into the dormitory soaking wet from head to toe. However, when they saw the mood he was in when he told them to arrange for a Gathering immediately, they were more than happy to oblige without saying anything.

Though he was younger than the rest of the Twelve, he possessed an air around him that made people subservient to his wills. Despite his youth, he acted mature and experienced like an adult. Still, there was a side to him that remained a child—which, by far, Valeriana was the only one who is able to bring out.

He loosened the cravat around his neck, tugging it off. He started to unbutton the vest he wore that left him in his cream-colored, long-sleeved, cotton shirt. He threw the clothes he took off on his bed before he started to remove his top.

He slid off his shirt, exposing his lithe torso and muscular arms. Just as he jerked off his sleeve, a series of knocks landed on his door. He turned and eyed the knob, not stopping from his undressing.

“Come in.” He said.

The knob clicked and, slowly, it opened. Valeriana peeked through the gap before widely opening the door and turning her gaze to Corvan.

“Hey, Corvan, I—” She stopped short when she saw his undressed state.

Corvan, with a straight face, continued removing his top. He seemed nonchalant about someone else seeing his bare body. With regards to his noble background, nudity was nothing new. He had servants attending to him before, even regularly bathing and dressing him.

A shade of red branded Valeriana's neck and cheeks. She went so red up to her ears that she resembled a ripe apple. She bit her lip and turned her back on Corvan, staring at her shoes as if they were the most interesting things in the world.

“Put some clothes on!” She screamed.

Corvan smirked. “Is this your first time seeing a man's body?”

“Good god!” She exclaimed, putting her hands on her cheek. “You really are a pervert!”

“It's not my fault you came in while I'm changing my clothes.” He answered smugly. “And, once again, I'm not a pervert.”

“I freaking knocked like three freaking times! Why didn't you say you were getting dressed?” She almost screamed, eventually covering her face in embarrassment.

He ignored her, casually padding towards his walk-in closet. He entered and came out a few minutes later, dressed in more comfortable, and loose clothes. He found Valeriana still standing in the doorway, back facing him.

“Are you dressed?” She asked him.

“Yes.”

“You better not be lying or I'll freaking kill you.”

He huffed at her empty threat. “Like you can.”

“Oh, yes I can.” She said as she turned and faced him.

“What's your business?” He asked.

Valeriana sighed. She was glad he was fully dressed now, though. The blush wasn't as worse as before, but still evident on her fair skin. “Look, I'm really sorry for pushing you and calling you a pervert after you saved me.”

“It's about time you thanked me.” He said, settling on an armchair. “What are you waiting for? Don't just stand there.”

He's being nice.
Valeriana thought.
This is so unlike him.

“I don't want to be told inhospitable by someone who already called me a pervert.” He added.

She frowned. But then again, Corvan was still Corvan.

“Thank you, but no.” She answered. “I'm perfectly fine standing. Besides, I just came here to give you something.”

He quirked a brow. “Where is it?”

“I left it by the door before I knocked. I didn't want to drop it really.” She replied. “It seems I made a good decision. If I had been holding it, I would’ve thrown it at you.”

He grinned at her annoyed expression as she spun and walked out of the room. She bent down on the floor and picked up something, carefully lifting it from the ground. Corvan eyed her questioningly, watching as she carried a tray towards him. She set it carefully down on the table that stood beside his chair, letting him catch a whiff of a familiar scent.

“I noticed that . . .” She paused and looked at him with guilt. “It was hard trying to use your fire when underwater, right?”

Although she seemed sorry, she seemed not to be sorry for him, but for herself. She looked at the ground. “I'm sorry for getting you in trouble. It's alright if you tell me off for being so reckless.”

“This is your second encounter with a demon, isn't it?” He asked, reaching for the cup and sipping it. He felt the effects of the drink immediately. His strength was slowly returning.

Valeriana eyed him questioningly, wondering how he could drink the horridly tasting beverage with a straight face. But then again, with his stoicism, it was no wonder. Still, she was glad that he accepted the tea she made for him.

“Yeah.” She answered as he began swirling the contents of the cup between his hands.

“Do you now know how truly dangerous this world is, Valeriana?” He asked. “You're only being kept safe since a barrier is intact. But when it comes off, chaos will break out.”

She gulped at his statement.

“There are many more kinds of demons out there, all with horrible forms.” He said. “A few have very pleasant appearances, but they are all the same when it comes to being rotten and malicious.”

“I know. I read books.”

“Books don't do justice when you encounter them in real life. You know that.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “They strike fear into you and feed on it. That's their most favorite.” He sighed. “But it's not like you have to worry about it. After all, these problems won't be yours to mind when you go back home, right?”

“That's . . .” She trailed off.

He didn't prod the issue any further and decided to keep silent, wordlessly drinking until he finished the whole thing. He set the cup back down on the tray and stood, padding across the room until he reached his bed. He sat on the duvet before lying down comfortably, setting his head down on the soft pillows.

“You can leave.” He told her with a deep sigh. “I prefer to have my sleep in peace. Unless, of course, you intend to join me.” His tone had been joking.

Valeriana didn’t even know he was capable of such comment.

“Damn jerk. Who would want to?” She bit back.