It was dusk when the carriage escorted by the royal knights themselves arrived at the borders of the academy, and half an hour to spare to head straight to the very entrance by carriage.
But as in any other typical cases for a supposed VIP, Acanthus and his team took a different path that goes directly to the privately secured dormitories of the privileged.
A few of the academy's staff already await at the promised place for welcoming, their enthusiasm unabashed as they communicated with the escort knights, to proceed as planned.
Thus, by 9, Acanthus was already in his bedroom, full and bathed. Ready for slumber. But his mind refuses to rest and wanders in tomorrow's scenarios.
Acanthus has just confirmed his hypothesis of coming back into the past earlier, and now, he's on cue for altering his future.
He has a concern though.
What if he fails on saving Jordan tomorrow?
Wouldn't that imply that things will proceed as they are destined to?
Then does that mean his coming back to the past is not a blessing but a curse instead...?
To make him pay for the unforgiving deeds he had committed back then?
Acanthus covers his eyes using the back of his hand.
“Fuck. I'm going crazy...”
***
Early the next morning, at a path of the academy where few students pass by, Acanthus and with all the trivial morning routines done, was clothed in a much more stylish and eye-catching all-white clothing compared to the usual, even his hair that resembles that of pure snow was fairly neat and slicked back, revealing his forehead.
On the path, the same extravagant carriage from yesterday was parked, surrounded by the familiar knights that coincidentally, possess high statuses in the field of knighthood just by the badges pinned on their chests that were absent there yesterday.
Walking over the small convoy with the same aura of indifference as usual, Acanthus was having a hard time massaging his aching head. Yes. At such a time, his having a headache. A wrong timing. That he may presume the cause was his lack of sleep.
Right now, he is wearing gloves to compliment his outfit as per decided by the servants they brought with them yesterday. That in the first place, he never likes the feeling of gloves it does to his skin.
Even if the gloves themselves were made out of the highest quality cotton. He never likes it. Despises it even.
Jordan, who'll be leading the convoy, and is overly sensitive about the crown prince, was at the front of the convoy. But when he notices the concerning action of Acanthus, massaging his head, Jordan hastily dismounted from his horse and walked over.
But before he could voice out his concern, Acanthus cut him off with a swinging pointer finger. “It's alright Jordan. I'm fine,” with that said, Acanthus entered the carriage whilst taking off his gloves.
“I...” Jordan looks dumbly at the back of the young prince. Now broad. Now, metaphorically, carries tons of responsibilities. Now... must be lonely. Still fresh on his memory is how the young prince who's not so young anymore, currently 17, would smile and laugh like any of the fairytale princes he had imagined them to be. Carefree. But dumb.
Carefree of worldly affairs like poverty and war. Dumb, as those princes' must've thought of the world filled with cupcakes and rainbows, after being offered close to those, all the time... Jordan sighs. Shaking his head to get over from the trance. He has yet a duty to do.
Without further ado, the team sent forth for the town that's connected to the academy, especially in the town square, where the new school year opening is being held today.
But contrary to the typical opening this year, it'll be a much grander celebration, as delegates from other kingdoms under the empire's reign will be attending. All for the sake of superficial relations, they said. But Acanthus says otherwise with his knowledge of the future.
“Look! Look there! It is the royal family's crest!”
“The crown prince! It is the crown prince!!”
“Kyaaaahhhh~! Your Highness, notice me!”
Acanthus, now alone inside the carriage as Jordan already returned to his post, was abnormally tense. But his face says otherwise though, thus, a good thing to know.
Just... Though Acanthus is aware of depressing over the inevitable is useless, he still feels lost despite knowing the future, so little could he do to make things a little bit better. And with so lacking in power and control at the moment too, this just made things worse for him.
Like really, a lot of people, mostly innocent citizens of this Empire varying from elderly to young children, will die any moment now. Who wouldn't be left bothered by such tragedy right?
Furthermore, Acanthus has yet to confirm whether he is capable of altering the present in order to change the future.
And whether such deed would result in a great consequence. As changing the future at will is not an easy thing to do just because one is willing to do so.
Acanthus with his hands fully covered now in gloves could hardly stay sane. He is restless as much as he is helpless in the situation.
Lowering his head, Acanthus, trapped in the carriage as their convoy joined with the others, was overwhelmed by the noises the citizens were making. The citizens, who are the majority of them, who come from far away places, especially went to this place just for today's event. They were cheering.
The entire town square was packed, with only a specific lane freed from the mercy of jammed pack sardines of people. The crowd grows even wilder upon the resounding ringing of golden bells under the command of the Pope that'll host today's event. All but a cue for Acanthus, he started to whisper to himself...
“5”
“Oh! Oh! The other kingdoms’ convoys are here too! Joining the parade!”
“4”
“Such a great today isn't it? All but peace and harmony for the greater glory of the empire!”
“3”
“I wouldn't trade this moment for anything! At last, commoners are now allowed to enroll in the academy too!”
“2”
“Yes! Yes! How great is this?! Our Emperor is so wise he was able to come up with this genius, of producing more just and humble commoners through education! Equality! Equality, I say!!”
“1”
“Hail the emperor!”
“Hail the emperor!
“Empe.ror! Empe.ror! Empe.ror!”
“Empe.ror! Empe.r---”
—BOOMMMMMMM
•
•
•
A/N: If like pls leave a star for support.
(◠‿・)—☆
Btw y'all, I dedicated this chapter to... MightyMiruLin cuz she was just so dearrr (≧▽≦)
YOU ARE READING
Rewriting Destiny
RomanceAcanthus went back in time. Ready to change his destiny. However, to not fit it to his liking but for the people, he had failed in his past life. His goal? To become the person his people wanted him to become. And that's to inherit the throne. To be...
