Warsong | Celeste Academy Series Book #4

Chapter Eight ⚜ Enmasque (pt. 1)

Valeriana's heart had long lodged to her throat by the time they reached the group. Tamara did not have any problems inserting herself in the conversation and—rambunctiously—greeted out loud like it was some casual get together of some sort. Contrary to her expectations, they were both greeted warmly. Tamara was a person hard not to like but easy to hate to a certain degree. Luckily for Val, she knew a couple of faces in the group, so she did not feel too alienated.

"Everyone! Everyone!" Tamara was like a mischievous little child as she came to greet their seniors. "You're all here."

"Tam!" Claude exclaimed. "How are you, dear niece? I hardly recognized you!"

"Oh, please." She waved her wrist dismissively. "I came because everyone was together and I told myself I just had to come."

"Yes, this is a very rare occurrence for everyone to be here," said a guy to Manilla's right. His redeeming quality was his green hair and silver eyes. "And your friend is?"

"Oh, this is Valeriana," Tamara said. "Val, this is Count Aodan. He rules the borderland country of Lasairiona in Arlandia, he's also a very high-ranking Celeste and was—what was your rank?"

"With Kylon, I was a mere ninth, but I graduated as fifth," he said with a smile.

"Oh, there you go!"

Valeriana was lost in deep thought. Back on Earth, this guy would've been hailed as king since he was basically ruling over a country. However, in Valemnia, he was only granted the title of count. The hierarchy in this world was rigorous.

"Oh yes, Valeriana, my not-so-human long lost little cousin," Claude said. "You look so much like my older sister, it breaks my heart." He sighed regretfully as he stared at Valeriana.

"Unadra Arlandos, you are right," someone exclaimed.

Valeriana looked up at the Larkovian duke with confusion.

"News travel fast," Claude added.

"How exactly are you related to the Vernados?"

"My father is Garvyn . . . Garvyn Elgar."

*A/N: I keep on mistyping ELGAR to EDGAR out of habit. Sorry for being confusing, but it's supposed to be ELGAR, yes, yes.

The looks of confusion did not come scarce after they heard her answer.

"Garvyn? Didn't he die?"

"It's a very complicated topic, but I grew up on Earth," Valeriana told them. After having gotten used to the fact, she no longer had any trouble admitting her human life.

"I have a lot of questions but it seems inappropriate," someone muttered.

"If you all have questions, you can ask them at a later time. What you only need to know is that Valeriana is an exceptional girl, both as a student and a friend," her lady knight guardian said. "Valeriana." Seraphina came forward to kiss her on the cheeks. Her affectionate gesture set the current fifth at ease.

Somebody started laughing. "Aw, Phina is so sweet to her junior," the guy teased. "That is so adorable, but from a fish you become a dragon, good gods."

Seraphina turned to the ordinary guy with a dull shade of brown for both the hair and eyes. "I suggest you shut your trap, Gaylord," her tone was condescending and something Valeriana had not seen before—at least not too often. Lady Seraphina acted different around these bunch.

The guy grimaced when his name was called. "Lord is fine."

Valeriana giggled as she looked at Tamara. "Seriously?"