n

n

nSensing the discomfort of those three stooges, Ezekiel cleared his throat and speak on behalf of them.

n

"It's about Nadia.

"

nNathaniel seemed alert all of a sudden. His back arching off the chair and leaned forward, eyes narrowing at him.

n

"What's with her?

"

nHe was looking so serious that everyone in the room tensed up. They know about Nathaniel's attitude, have seen what he's capable of, knowing about the incident might trigger him, and do something in retaliation.

nMore so, the fact he's being such a doting brother as of lately, he might just do that.

nThe four of them remained silent which made Nathan frown. .

n

"What? You aren't going to talk?

" His eyes then landed on the most talkative in the room,

"Eon.

"

nEon flinched and looked at Conrad who averted his eyes, then to the smiling Prince who doesn't look ruffled and sat there smiling, and to Luther who was acting like the frills on the pillows looked suddenly interesting.

n

"W-well…

" He muttered. He saw Nathan looking at him expectantly so he started to sweat cold bullets.

"You see… Nadia in the cafeteria…

"

nThose pale red eyes lingered, getting more and more focused on him. Like a predator patiently waiting for the kill. A red-eyed predator.

nEon felt like crying due to the pressure and began gazing at the prince with pleading eyes.

n'I don't want to die yet! Save me!'

nEzekiel saw him looking pathetic and took pity on him.

n

"Apparently, something happened in the cafeteria and Nadia was involved in it.

" He declared.

nNathan's eyes shifted to him,

"And?

"

nThe council room got silent again which infuriated Nathan.

n

"Just tell me already!

"

nHe was getting so annoyed by all the beating around the bush thing.

n'They just have to say it to me directly, what's with these looks?'

n

"Well, she was bullied.

" He flatly says.

nA hush fell inside the room and it was beginning to feel cold. Eon and the others shivered as they feel the chill permeating through their clothes. They were also afraid to look at Nathan's expression and were pretty sure it was scary as hell.

n'I pity those girls who would feel Nathan's wrath' Conrad mused.

n'I would seriously pray for their souls' Luther swore wholeheartedly.

n'Is my sister involved as well? She's a troublemaker maybe she joined the fray. Wait, my sister wasn't around what the hell I'm being so worried about then

" Eon rambles. Even in his thoughts, he still says nonsense things.

nThe three were all thinking like these while Nathan, on the other hand, looked like a slab of hard granite.

nEzekiel saw his anger and felt the cold winter pervading.

n'Hmmm. Really strange… They are both strange…'

n

"She handled it fine though,

" Conrad murmured at the side after a moment.

nNathan's eyes instantly locked on him and he gulped upon seeing the frost in there and averted his eyes.

n'I shouldn't have talked.'

n

"Name.

" Was Nathan's response.

nIt got silent again. Nathan was really looking annoyed now because they weren't talking for the nth fvcking time.

n

"It is fine now—

"

n

"Names.

" He cut off Eon's words which made the latter closed his mouth shut in an instant.

nEzekiel sighed and tried to calm Nathan down. He was looking like he's about to fly off the roof and hunt down those people.

n

"You can ask Nadia about that,

" He says just to appease him and removed the burdens from the three's shoulders.

n'He could just bug Nadia for their names, I mean they're close now anyway. And Nadia might stop him from doing something bad. If and only if, Nadia would stop him, that is. Maybe she also wants to retaliate who knows…'

nNathan's brows furrowed but didn't say anything. Then he opened his mouth but got cut off.

n

"Right. We didn't know their names anyway.

" Conrad seconded. He had sensed that Nathan was about to object so he immediately tried to butt in.

nEon nods in affirmation, feeling glad to be finally rid of the problem.

n

"Maybe she would ask you to avenge her as well!

"

nConrad looked at Eon with disproving eyes, rolling heavenwards for his idiocy.

n'This stupid guy.'

n

"What?

" He whispered back, seeming confused.

n

"Idiot.

" Luther mumbles which made Eon question himself.

n'What did I do wrong? They are so mean.'

n

"Well, you just have to ask her.

" Ezekiel seconded,

"-and don't listen to Eon.

"

nHe added the last sentence because Nathan looked like he was rearing to go and interrogate Nadia now.

nNathaniel's eyes narrowed at him.

n

"Hmph.

"

n

"And you still have to help us with something,

" Ezekiel mentioned and flashed his infamous smile.

n

"…

"

n--------

nThroughout the day, the people in the council noticed Nathan's distress. There are times he would abruptly stand up and go to the window to gaze aimlessly outside, looking deep in thought. Then he would sit down again but frowns and would adjust his position. He would stare at the space for a while with furrowed brows but do nothing.

nThough mildly entertaining, it was also disrupting their work because they kept being sidetracked.

n'He seriously wants to ask her now huh?' Ezekiel thought as he watched him being restless.

nIt was distracting and weird to the eyes. Nathan was never restless. All the time, he just looked indifferent and act like doesn't care and give zero fvcks but now, he's completely the opposite.

n

"Is this really the Nathan I came to know?

" Conrad mumbles as he watched the guy being on edge.

nThe three other guys heard him and are silently agreeing with him.

n

"Why isn't he storming off then if he really wanted to know what happens to Nadia that much,

" Luther questioned and glanced at Nathan.

n

"Because of work.

" Eon answers.

n

"He isn't helping though,

" Conrad remarked which made all of them shut their mouths.

nThe whole day came to an end and it's already time for everyone to go home. Nathaniel who was silent all through the day suddenly stood up and stormed off the room, leaving everyone speechless at his expense.

n

"Wow…

" Eon uttered as he stared at the closed door in wonder.

nThey all solemnly nod in unison.

nWow, indeed.

n------------------------****

nAs my attendants and I prepared for the upcoming dinner, the door to my room suddenly burst open and Nathan comes in.

nThis guy never really learns how to knock.

n

"What?

" I asked and stared at Nathan who was doing the same thing to me as well.

nHe sized me up and down, scrutinizing everything especially my face, and then frowned.

nWhat's wrong with this guy. Why is he frowning at my face? Do I look ugly right now?

nI immediately turned towards the mirror to check but found everything is still the same.

n

"Are you okay?

" He suddenly asks.

nMy brows furrowed,

"I am? Why?

"

nHe didn't say anything instantly but just continued studying me.

nI was getting worried now,

"Seriously Nathan, what is wrong?

"

nHis eyes bored down on me.

n

"Do you have something to say to me?

"

nHe seemed so serious while saying that, and stood there like the towering giant he is, as if he's waiting for whatever he's waiting for.

nHuh? What?

nConfused, I blinked at him.

"I don't think I have?

"

nNathan's face turned even sourer.

nWhat did I do now?!

n

"Are you sure?

" He urged more.

nWhat is he urging me for though? What is it?!

nI looked at the others in question, they might know what Nathan wants.

nErin and the others looked on innocently and are also as clueless as me.

n

"…

"

nNathan suddenly turned indifferent and after a lingering look, he then left without uttering a single word.

nStaring at the door Nathan had walked out of, I muttered.

n

"What the hell was that?

"

nNo one answered of course, for all of us here have no idea what just happened.

nNow, it's kind of bugging me. This is his fault!

nDinner came, the three of us were eating together as usual, but Nathan looked oddly upset for some reason. He was frowning when he's eating and would occasionally glance at me.

nHe shouldn't be mad while eating, that's bad etiquette, Nathan!

nWhat is really going on with him though? He's sulking like a child…

n

"Nadia, I heard something happened at the Academy?

" My dad suddenly asks.

nMy head turned to him in surprise,

"Ah, that?

"

nNews sure goes around fast, even dad knows of it.

n*clang*

nA sound of utensils hitting a plate reverberated around the room which made me look at the source. It was Nathan, and he kept banging his fork down like he's throwing a tantrum.

nWhat the heck.

n

"Nathan,

" Dad warned.

n

"Sorry.

" He responded but still did it anyway.

nHmm… Is he sulking because of that?

nLeon's eyes pierced at me, looking worried.

"Are you okay? Do you want me to do something?

"

nThere was a sound again, I don't need to look to know who did it because there's only one person throwing tantrums in here.

nInstilling my attention at my dad, I replied.

n

"Oh, I'm fine! I had already taught them a lesson and if they forget it,

" a sweet smile appeared on my lips,

"I'll gladly teach them again!

"

nRight. If they ever pull that thing on me for the second time, I won't hold back and endure the whole fiasco. I would come up to their faces and show them what I'm capable of.

nThere's no need to paint fake facades this time. If they hate me for being me then who cares? I would only be cordial to those I like and to those who are worth respecting. The haters could go to hell!

nI could give it to them if they are really asking for it.

n

"Hmph,

" Nathaniel suddenly huffed.

nThis guy…

nHe must have been waiting for me to run to him and report it. I might have been leaning onto him a lot for him to act like this now.

nI turned to Nathan, who was still wearing that aggravated look on his face.

n

"Don't worry about it brother. They are not worth your time.

"

nHe didn't respond to what I said and just continued sulking.

n

"Well, if you say so,

" Dad answers,

"-but if you want me to do something then don't hesitate to tell me.

"

nI beamed at my doting father who returned my smile warmly. He looked younger and more handsome when he did that, which made me cry inside in gratitude.

nBless the heavens for the good genes…

nI glanced at Nathan again, he wasn't banging his fork now and is only coldly sitting there like a block of ice.

nShould I apologize? But I did nothing wrong though…

nThe dinner came to an end, but Nathaniel hadn't even croaked even once. I am seriously worried about it now. He could get back to being indifferent with me again!

nI was scaring myself with these thoughts, but I can't help it.

nBiting my lip, I turned around and looked at Nathan who was walking behind me. He halted his steps as soon as I faced him but still remained silent.

n

"I'm sorry for not telling you about it,

" I mentioned.

nNathan looked on and says nothing. I waited for a while for him to just utter a word but it didn't happen.

nSighing,

"Good night,

" I mumbled and left.

nMy feet were moving on their own and I departed the place in dejection.

n

"…me…

"

nI thought I heard something so I looked back again. I'm not hearing things right?

n

"Huh?

"

n

"Next time,

" He started,

"-tell me.

"

nHis eyes bored on me for a while and then he walked passed by me and went ahead, leaving me there staring at his retreating figure.

nA small smile appeared on my face after a while.

n