Fallen Royals

Chapter 12

Yesterday afternoon Natan arrived in the village next to the Bonaparte campus. He traveled with Marko and two guards, but Marko and one of the guards left after lunch so he was finally free to start his new life. Milan will be staying with him. He was specially picked by Natan. He was smart and on top of the form. As he was from a commoner family, this was for him an opportunity of a lifetime. He applied to their local military school but this gave him a chance to learn from the best. Milan will be taking the same classes as Natan, diplomacy was an extra knowledge he'll gain.

Natan was looking at himself in the mirror, waiting for the potion to work its magic. He received 4 potions, each of them lasting 6 months upon taking. His face started transforming after several minutes. The N letter was completely gone and scars, created by the whip or knife, were toned down to the minimum. His face wasn't smooth but he now looked more like an experienced warrior than a tortured soul. You could finally see his face past all the inflictions. His neck and rest of the body also went through transformation, most of the scars were gone, only the deepest ones were left in their soft form. They weren't an angry red anymore, but dull white.

If this works out, I might consider getting plastic surgery for my face. This face says I survived hell but it's not repulsive... Ok, time to meet new people.

"Milan, we're leaving." The youth appeared at the door. His face said it all. He was shocked and impressed by his king's new looks.

"We're going to work on your poker face. You reveal too many feelings."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Also, cut that. I'm Natko now to you and to all the people we'll meet in the next two years. Don't blow my cover."

"Of course... Natko."

Goodbye, Natan Lopac! Hello, Natko Novak!

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The day didn't reflect Natko's mood at all. It was raining and a chill wind blew through the bones, but Natko felt alive for the first time after a long time. An old song's refrain was singing in his head:

"Nothing will spoil my day

Nothing will spoil my day,

(Vapshuvarivari, vapshuvarivari,.)"

The building in front of them looked modern - a mix of Old and New World. Once big windows were partially replaced with wooden planks. Who needed that much light, anyway?

The wooden planks gave more security which was more important than the posh look the building originally had. Its surroundings were well maintained, the grounds were tidy and students milled around on little paths which led from the lecture building to other parts of the campus; training grounds, dormitory, cafes and other facilities.

Natko and Milan passed the lecture building and headed for the dorm. Natko received the instructions via mail so before going to listen to their first lesson, they went to drop off their things. They will share a room.

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Bonaparte Military University enrolled 8 classes each year; there were fixed classes for royals and for commoners. Classes studied military strategy as their main and only subject or in combination with diplomacy, law or business. Royal classes were more exclusive with up to 10 students and military strategy only class was the least popular choice. Getting a job which included use of military strategy was much more difficult than finding a job in law or business. After successfully writing their thesis at the end of second year of studying, the students would get their well-earned diploma.