Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(140) WA: Where the Wind Reaches

Wassailia Celebration for the Schoenheit family usually starts with a quiet morning. No frantic packing for an out-of-country trip. No phone calls for shooting schedule confirmation. Just peace and quiet. That was how Vil had for the morning; a mug of hot chocolate in hand as he leaned on his second-floor room balcony, watching the sunrise across the sea. The peace was something he appreciated. Yes, he loves his job, but sometimes he just needs to get away for a moment. It was a shame that Jonah couldn't come. His parents would've liked to meet with his 'little brother'. But Dire had said that Jonah had his own complication and wanted to stay in his hometown. Dire hadn't mentioned anything about visiting anywhere in the boy's rescue mission, but even he sounded rather unsure when he returned to the Schoenheit family's holiday house. He calmed down after a moment after father's reassurance. It didn't stop him from more than often pent up in his study of the holiday house, though Vil could hear him muttering something worrisome that even he didn't understand. Vil guessed that it could be an out-school matter, so he didn't dare to pry just yet.

"Good morning, sweetie." Looking behind him, he saw his mother walking toward him, still in her nightgown, but he noticed it rather crumpled. He didn't say it out loud but know the indication. Vil and his family, along with Dire, did an annual winter retreat to the coast. As a family of celebrities (his father is also a famous actor, while his mother is an award-winning chef), it is hard for them to be out of the public eyes, which is why they went on secret and random.

"Morning, mother." Vil smiled. She smiled and pulled him into a one-arm hug, kissing his temple gently.

"Beautiful morning, isn't it?" she sighed looking at the beach below. There were already a few people walking down there, some just on a stroll and one or two with their surfboard.

"It is."

"Your father hasn't woken up yet, so I'll be preparing breakfast, kay?"

"Need any help?"

His mother giggled. "That'll be great, dear. But you might want to wake your uncle first, maybe a cup of caffeine for him."

Vil smiled. "Alright then."

After getting a cup of coffee from the kitchen as his mother prepared the ingredient for their family-of-four, Vil walked toward the study where Dire was usually can be found. That was always his first destination. Unlike what the students were thinking, Dire was actually a great headmaster with the bubbling idiot facade and a great mentor for him. His uncle had taught him a lot since his first years, both academically and becoming the future headmaster, this include involving him in staff meetings, mostly as his secretary.

Opening the door to the study he found Dire laying on the settee by the now-dead fireplace. He had his arm over his eyes and a brown envelope on his stomach. Walking toward the sleeping man, he put the mug on the end table near Dire's head and proceeded to shake him awake. "Uncle Dire?" he called, shaking his shoulders. "Dire, wake up."

It didn't take long for the man to groan into awakening. He's always a light sleeper, sometimes always in high alert even during quiet times. Lifting his arm, Vil saw the pair of golden eyes blinking drowsily. "Oh?" he yawned, "It's morning already?"

"Did you not sleep the whole night?" Vil asked.

"I was planning to read the document Ambrose just sent to me," Dire said as he stretched his muscles, "but it seems the tiredness finally caught up with me."

"RSA principal?" Vil reached for the coffee mug at the same time Dire picked up the brown envelope. A quick trade and Dire sipped his coffee. "Is this for the next semester?" Vil asked, opening the envelope.

"For the next year, actually," Dire said as Vil took out the documents from in it. A report in form of a book with the title 'Development of Strategic Plans and Work Programs – Night Raven College'. "We're going to have one more meeting before the new semester with Citrouille, Amelia, and Reed before announcing it to the schools."