n

n

nThe two-week break was over and we were now back in the academy. Of course, that would mean that I have to do my duties as well as the first-year representative. The first thing that I did was to gather feedback from the student body and to assess which of those raises concerns. Noah and I finished the report in record time due to their cooperation.

nAfter working with Noah for a few days, I have gotten to know his personality a bit. He was pretty chill all the time, even after meeting a few assholes who looked down on him due to his Baron status. He also had a sense of humor and would always try to lighten up the mood. Though he may look laidback, he was actually a hardworking person.

n

"Are you going to the council now, Nadia?

" Gwen asks after classes.

nBea was in a different class, so the only time that the three of us could meet was during break times or after the class had finished.

n

"Yep,

" I muttered and picked up my case..

n

"We haven't got to hang out lately. You are so busy these days,

" she pouts at me.

nChuckling, my eyes bored at her.

n

"You know you can also come to the council room right? Your brother and the Prince said so.

"

nGwen averted her eyes as she played with her sleeves, which made me smirked. It was obvious why she was hesitant to go there.

n

"I-It's fine! Just finish your jobs early, okay!

" She exclaims.

nAra~ It makes me want to tease her more. Hmm…

nI have to find more about this Conrad guy…

nWe left the room together, and I immediately saw Noah who was passing by. His eyes caught sight of me, and then he stopped.

n

"Miss Nadia,

" he greeted.

n

"Hi, Noah!

" Gwen also addresses him. She had also spoken to Noah quite a few times, and they both hit it off.

n

"Miss Gwen.

"

n

"Oh come on! I told you to call my name without the miss,

" she berated, and Noah only flashed an easy smile in return.

n

"You're also going to the council room?

" I asked.

n��Yes, then I saw both of you so…

"

nGwen pouted again and glanced at me before letting out a sigh.

n

"Let's hang out on the weekends okay?

"

n

"Okay. We should pester Bea in her home then,

" I answered and watched her eyes widen.

nPfft

nShe is so obvious.

n

"No! I mean, we should ask for Bea's consent first, right? She may not like it if we just visit without her permission,

" Gwen blabbers which made me snort.

nGwen and her excuses. Bea said it was fine for us to visit anytime without the necessary invitations, but here she is as if she had forgotten Bea ever said that.

n

"I will go and wait for Bea now. Bye Noah!

" She declares and hurriedly walks off.

nBoth of us watched as she disappeared among the crowd of students heading home. I then turned to him and smiled.

n

"Let's go.

"

nAs we were about to leave, Noah looked at my hands and offered up his right hand. I looked at it in question.

n

"I will hold your bag for you,

" he said.

nI then let out a small laugh,

"It's not heavy so it's fine.

"

nNoah scratches the back of his head,

"Ah, but I really wanted to help.

"

nThis is one of his good sides too, he is a gentleman. I watched him earnestly trying to carry my bag for me, he was cute so I gave in initially.

n

"Okay then, if you insist,

" I said and handed my case to him.

nHe flashed a bright smile,

"Of course. I can carry you too if you want.

"

nI burst out a laugh,

"Noah! Are you flirting now?

"

nThis guy…

nWe made it to the council room without any problems nor people blocking our ways. Some greet us but politely, girls are fangirling from Noah as well, but they're mostly my 'followers' they say.

n

"Oh, you're here!

" Eon exclaims upon seeing the two of us enter.

n

"Hello,

" I uttered and smiled.

nWorking on the council was fun but sometimes stressful. When Conrad and Eon are together, it gets rowdy. I welcomed the rowdiness though because they are entertaining to watch anyway.

nThe others turned to look either and greeted. Prince Ezekiel was on his desk, as usual, the three are on the sofa, and Nathan was at the corner, reading something. He immediately stopped what he was doing when we came.

nNathan's eyes zeroed on Noah's hand, which is holding my case, and frowned.

n

"Tch.

"

nHe then resumed reading and ignored me.

nAh, that's right. He was still sulking a bit, but I think he was back from the start again. Is he mad because of Noah? Ehh…

nThe others were silent for a moment while Noah looked a little awkward. Ezekiel then cleared his throat to ease the tension.

n

"Good timing today, we were just going to discuss the upcoming event.

" He said.

nOhh, an event?

nBoth Noah and I joined the three on the sofa and turned our attention to him. I just noticed how excited Eon was looking, and now I am getting more and more curious.

n

"Fall is coming, that means the event that happens every 5 years will start soon. The Hunt would probably happen next month if the schedule isn't moved.

"

nThe Hunt? Wait, it sounded familiar to me…

n

"Right, I hope it won't be rescheduled. I was waiting for it for a whole year now,

" Conrad voiced out.

n

"Ah, The Hunt is around the corner huh…

" Noah mutters from beside me.

nEon was smiling from ear to ear,

"I have been earnestly training day by day for this you know!

"

nFrom where did I hear about this hunting thing? Hmmm…

nI feel like I have read this somewhere, but where?

n

"Our Academy is also invited to participate in The Hunt. It's now our part to think of something that could benefit the students who would come.

" Ezekiel looks at us,

"Do you have any suggestions?

"

nAH! I remember now! It's from the book! Estelle participated in The Hunt, where Nadia tried her best on harming her! There was this wild boar in the great forest of Rosenthal that had been wreaking havoc to some campers for years. I don't know how she did it, but Nadia leads the boar to Estelle, who was with Vivien at that time.

nGood thing Nathaniel and Prince Ezekiel were there. Why did I almost forget that?

nAnyway, would the boar appear? Eh, impossible. The hunt where Estelle was in was four years in the future. The boar event wouldn't happen this early unless some higher power wants to play a big joke.

n'I want to go to The Hunt too!'

n

"First, we need to know who is participating in the council first,

" Luther points out.

nEon smirked at him,

"Isn't that obvious already? Of course, we all are!

"

n

"Idiot, the two first-years have only just joined. That means they have not partaken in The Hunt before. Don't just decide on your own!

" Conrad interjects.

n'They are bickering again…'

n

"Ah, not really. I have joined last year's hunt as our house's representative,

" Noah declares, which earned him stares.

nI also looked at him in wonder.

n

"Then Nadia, are you going to join The Hunt too? It is fun! I swear!

" Eon asks.

nA wide smile appeared on my face.

n'Hell yeah!'

n

"I do~ I want to participate as well,

" I answered, getting excited already.

nBut if I take part in it, I would have to practice something right? Like archery or swordsmanship.

n

"See? Everyone is partaking,

" Eon stated.

n

"No.

"

nWe turned our attention to Nathaniel who loudly closed his book and was now looking at us, me in particular.

n'No?'

n

"W-wha-- You're not coming Nathan?

" Eon queried.

nConrad and the others were staring at him in surprise and bewilderment.

n'My brother won't come? But why?'

n

"I will. But Nadia won't,

" he dropped which made me shocked to the core.

nWait wait wait waaaait!

nWhat does he mean by that? I won't? Like, not coming?!

n

"But Nadia wants to go,

" Prince Ezekiel points out.

nYesss! Tell that to him, cousin!

nI was dying to know what pushed him to say that. He doesn't mean that right?

n

"I've said what I said. She won't participate in The Hunt.

" He was looking so serious that it scared me.

nScared that he is really serious about that! I am denying it with all my heart. Is this because he's sulking?? But that's so childish to leave me out just because of that!

nNoah glanced at me, looking concerned, but U remained staring at my brother. I want answers!

n

"Why?

"

nThe others went silent and watched us from the sidelines. I don't mind it though, I just want Nathan to explain it to me.

n

"It's dangerous for you,

" he replied.

nAhh. So it's that, he's just concerned. It made me sigh in relief, but of course, I won't accept it.

n

"I still want to go! I can practice for a month before the event,

" I reasoned out.

n

"Still no, Nadia.

",

n

"But why? If it's dangerous, you're there! The others will be there as well! I can just be at the back if it's really that risky!

"

nNathan's eyes narrowed.

n

"Don't push your luck. The Hunt is not for you.

"

n

"What do you mean by that?

" I gasped out.

nNathan's face was set in stone and my heart sank. He is not going to change his mind, isn't he?

nHe didn't say a word but I know what he meant, and I would not back down.

n

"Is it because I'm a girl?

" I affirmed. Nathan did not deny it.

n'What the…'

n

"If that is your reason then I won't accept it. I will join the Hunt, whether you like it or not.

" I declared, raising my chin.

nWhen did these double standards affect his way of logic? That doesn't make sense to me and I find it sexist. If he's being prickly because he is sulking then I won't stand by it.

nNathan's face instantly soured,

"Why don't you listen! I thought you have changed but clearly, you're not. You're as stubborn as before!

" He all but yelled at me.

nI sat there, stupefied by his words. The silent room becomes even more silent. I have never heard a silence this loud and deafening before.

n'Did he just…'

nNathan frowned, while I remained stony and rigid in my seat.

n'How dare he? He really said that, didn't he?'

n

"Nathan…

" Prince Ezekiel uttered but stopped his words when he saw me standing up.

nI felt so offended by that statement. It's like he's referring me to that awful woman! The original owner of this body!

nI stared at him intensely while he avoided my eyes as he looked down while still frowning.

n

"I will take my leave then,

" I announced and swiftly turned around to leave the room, grabbing my bag as I went.

n

"Nadia…

"

nNoah calls out to me but I did not heed their attention and just skedaddled out of the council.

n