Fate's Worst Children: Destruction

Chapter 36

In the annual gathering of the nobles, the heads of Jayen's family, which is his parents, asked him to act properly. He wanted to go things smoothly so he nodded and practiced for more etiquette.

"Jayen, let's play again!" Xian brought some spell books for a guide.

"... I don't want to play, Xian." He says softly, balancing five books on his head while standing up.

"What was that for? I thought you're finished on that thing already?" She sits on the ground, grinning widely at him.

"That's true but remember the annual gathering next week?"

"Yes? What about it? Our parents will throw us in a room full of other noble rats — brats, I mean."

He laughs softly, "you didn't miss being so rude, hmm?"

"Of course not. If people won't treat me with kindness and I didn't even do a single sinful thing for me to receive mistreatment, I'll give them the same treatment." She scoffs, putting down the spell books and crossing her arms.

"I wish I have your confidence, Xian."

"You have it though?"

"Huh?"

"You have confidence, but your parents are controlling it for now because you will be the future head of your family remember? You need control in order to keep everything in balance."

His eyes widened and ears turned pink, "You and your wisdom..."

"Do you like me now?" She says in a playful tone of voice.

"You're like my sister, stop it — Ah!" He loses balance and falls right on his face. Instead of helping him, Xian bursts out laughing and lays down on the ground.

"It's not funny!"

"It does! Look at your face!" She slaps the ground too hard, "Ow!"

From pouting, Jayen's face slowly turns brighter and he laughs at her misery.

"You! Jayen!"

"We're like that before?" Arete's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes. I'm a calm and collected kid. While you, you're the wild one."

"It must be embarrassing for you to have a friend like me! I'm sorry!" Her ears turned red and she covered her face.

"Don't be. It's full of fun and a lot of memories were made because of that."

"More! Continue your story!"

On the night of the annual gathering, Jayen and Xian arrived as partners. It's mandatory even in young nobles. They saw their rivals at the academy which slightly triggered them.

Things were going so well at first. Xian helped Jayen in rehearsing his lines to make an acquaintance to the other young lords that he will make an alliance with when he gets older.

Then some other nobles start comparing their achievements from Jayen's. He smiled throughout the conversation, keeping his emotion on track even though in his eyes, he's close to breaking down. He's growing up and this is the harsh reality between young nobles. It's inevitable. Right?

"I'm glad you achieved your present goals, my lords. I'm sure it will help you to stand out in the academy more."

"What about you, Young Lord Jayen? Don't you have any recent activities for your family's adding honor?" A young lord says in a mocking tone.