Athelinda : The Forbidden Name

Ch 25 : Ronald Wickens

The first step is always the hardest, but Athelinda took it and ventured within the Academy. She was a princess of Obelia, and she took pride in that.

She firmly walked into the building, her long straight hair fell behind her shoulders as she walked. She wore the Academy Uniform which consisted of a red skirt, a white shirt under a navy blue coat decorated with gold buttons. And it included a ribbon tied at the neck.

Now in the Academy, the method to differentiate between the students is by their neck ribbons or ties. The first years recieved a red tie. Then comes gold, navy blue, black, grey. The sixth and seventh years recieve a tie with the Academy Monologue along with a combination of two colors. For the sixth years the colors are black and grey, and the seventh years have a red and navy blue tie with a golden monologue on it.

Athelinda wore a red tie for now.

She made her ways through the building doors. Cassandra had already reached the reception counter and talked with the counter woman.

As soon as Athelinda entered, Cassandra came up to her and led her to the dorm rooms. Noah followed behind.

The dormitory was unlike anything seen. It wasn't a small room only for studying and sleeping. It was a whole Palace.

There were three floors. The top one included Athelinda's room. It was smaller than her room in Jade Palace, but still spacious enough for her to do just about anything in there.

And as for Noah and Cassandra, the knights and maids were all supposed to find their rooms on the first floor.

Athelinda's luggage was placed in her room, Cassandra told Athelinda she would set everything in her room and closets and that she should take a tour of the Academy.

Athelinda did just that. Accompanied by Noah, Athelinda made her way to the reception counter to ask for a guide around the Academy.

Guides were only reserved for high-ranking nobles or royals, which had come from other nations.

"Pardon me, all the guides are currently taken. Would it be alright to wait. . . I'll send a message as soon as one is free."

"Oh, thank you, please let me know as soon as one is free." Athelinda smiled.

Athelinda turned around, deciding to leave and just explore some of the area herself, until she heard a voice.

"Did you need a guide, princess?"

She turned to see a ginger head. His hair was the first thing Athelinda noticed, probably because Obelia was filled with black heads, brunettes and blondes. Orange was new for her.

The second thing she saw was his emerald-like eyes. Like her jewels, they were like emeralds.

And then she responded hesitantly, "Yes I do. . ."

"Then please allow me to be your guide?" The boy bowed slightly and extended his hand towards mine.

"Pardon, but who might you be?"

"Ah, forgive my impatience, I am Ronald Wickens of the Wickens Marquissate of Arlanta." Ronald replied still in his bow.

Athelinda observed him from head to toe, she had heard of Marquis Wickens.

"I am-"

"Oh I already know who you are princess." Ronald rose his head so his eyes could meet Athelinda's. " Cerulean Jeweled eyes and blonde hair." He walked forward and held a strand of Athelinda's hair and kissed it. "Your beauty is enough to identify your origin."

Athelinda almost laughed out at the boys cheesy statements. His compliments aside, he interrupted someone of higher status than him.

Oh well, this was the Academy. Talent matters here, not status. So Athelinda let it go.

"Thank you for your words, Lord Ronald." Athelinda faked a smile. "If you do not mind, I will take you up on the offer of a guide."

Ronald's eyes brightened up and he gave a smug grin to particularly no one.

"Then please follow me!" He spoke before marching forward.

Noah looked at Athelinda with a neutral face and Athelinda just smiled back. The two then followed the ginger head.

-----------

The tour didn't take too long to finish but Athelinda felt like hours had passed. She had a headache after the tour, partially because Ronald kept babbling on and on the whole time.

He would either compliment Athelinda in his cheesy ways or he would compliment himself.

"Your eyes remind me of crystals in water. "

"Ah, thank you." Athelinda responded half tired from the continuous small talk. "Lord Ronald's eyes remind me if emeralds."

"I know right, You won't find eyes like these in the whole Arlantan Empire."

"Uh. . . sure." Athelinda spoke in the most nicest voice she could form.

"This makes us alike! Doesn't it princess? This must be fate!" Ginger head spoke in the most cheesiest way you can imagine right now.

Athelinda glanced towards Noah, wondering what he was thinking all this time. Noah was a rather quiet knight. Considering he was picked by Felix, Athelinda imagined him to be talkative and good with communicating, and yet he hadn't spoken anything since they arrived at Arlanta.

Noah made eye contact with Athelinda and blinked twice really fast. Then Noah pointed towards Ronald, who was walking ahead of the two, (leading them back to the dormitory for girls) and slid his thumb across his neck.

Athelinda shuddered at the thought, I mean sure she would love to shut that narcissistic brat up once and for all, but unfortunately he's a noble of Arlanta. It'd be different if he was of Obelia. Heck, she doubted any Obelian nobles would approach her here, considering they know how overprotective the emperor is of the princesses.

She shook her head in rejection towards Noah's silent question.

"What do you say princess?"

"Uh, to what?"

"The heavens have arranged this meeting for us. Surely with a reason! So, then." Ronald knelt in front of Athelinda and stretched out his hand to hold Athelinda's. "Let's get engaged."

◇◇◇◇◇◇
Vote and Comment!