HAVRING'S SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED: Anomaly

Rebels

Another long chapter, get ready!! ~Nerdy 🤓

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"Why can't you tell me? I want to know what made you so mad!! You never spar like that unless you're really mad. What did he say? Are you fired? Are you commanded to stay here forever?" Brandon followed me as I stalked down the hallway toward my room.

"Brandon, I will tell you once we are in my room. I'm a little on edge today. Eyes and ears are everywhere. Now, hurry up." I was already at my door, waiting on Brandon to follow me inside. Unlocking the ancient but sturdy door, I flicked the light switch on the wall. As the dim lights became brighter, my bed, desk, nightstand, and balcony doors became visible. I inhaled the familiar scent of vanilla, a special fragrance the maids only used in my room and a few others. "I may not be here for long, but it's nice to be home. Let me text Professor Barnden and let him know that I had to attend a formal event at the palace and that I'll be back tomorrow." I pulled out the sleek phone, amazed it had stayed in its holster during sparring. After eating my delicious lunch made by Madame Bel, I had quickly changed into a loose magenta sweater and some tight black pants. I usually left my phone in my backpack, but for security reasons, I had clipped it into a holster on my pants. As I was texting the Professor, Brandon walked out onto my balcony and inhaled the fresh air.

"I've always loved the view from the east side of the castle. Sadly, only the royal family lives in this wing." Brandon turned around with a wicked grin. "Oh, wait! Someone else live in this wing. I wonder who and why?"

"Brandon, I live here because it has the royal family's escape route, which I have to escort them on. Well, more accurately, him." I finished texting Barnden and set my phone on my desk. "Speaking of which, I have meeting with him in..." I checked my watch and realized it was 11:00. "Dragons! I have to meet him in an hour! I didn't realize we sparred for that long. Brandon, out! I have to get ready." I shooed Brandon out of my room and sent him on his way. Shutting the door behind me, I closed my balcony curtains and opened my closet door. What to wear. No idea. Ughhhhhhh. This would be a nice time to have handmaidens. I searched through my closet for something presentable to wear, and settled on a navy blue evening gown. The silken fabric hugged my nearly flat body, and fell neatly around my feet. It wasn't too flashy, like many of the royal advisor's daughters wore, but it wasn't too plain. It must be new. The maids are the best. I finished applying light makeup and glanced at my phone screen. 11:55. Five minutes to spare. Not bad. With one last glance at the mirror, I left my room and headed through the back entrance to the gardens.

12:00. 12:05. 12:15. Lewis, I said midnight, not one o'clock in the morning. Just as I was about to go back inside, Lewis, or King Varon, joined me on the stone bench.

"Hey. Sorry I'm late. The advisors insisted on having a ball tonight, and it took me forever to sneak out. I don't have long, I promised I would be at the ball all night." He flashed a sheepish grin. "So, what do we need to talk about?"

"Well, this afternoon, when I was on my way back to my chambers, I heard voices from behind a tapestry. At first, I thought it was a couple of maids, but then I heard a male voice. I went to check it out and found a door, just like all of the other secret doors around the palace. Not too long after I discovered the door, two people came out looking very frustrated. After they left, I listened to the others in the room." I paused here, not sure if I should share the rest of my information.

"What did they say? I know of every secret door in this place, just like you. I'm not surprised people where in there, it may have been one of the advisor's chambers." Lewis looked at me, trying to use his almost clear blue eyes to search my green ones.