Paladin

He Died

The Montrose house felt like a ghost town. So much so that Illyria had taken to lounging around the Montrose Manor just to avoid her parents. They hadn't taken the news of her being physically assaulted and being reported by the Crown Prince so well. A flurry of conversation could be heard from downstairs which caught Illyria's interest and she waded down the stairs.

She blinked at the sixteen well dressed men-well, they were a few years older than her at most, sitting down at the dining table, "What's going on here?" To be more specific, why was Aitor sitting at the Montrose Manor?

"Illyria, these fine young men have enrolled in a short course led by the British School of Etiquette and I have graciously allowed the Manor to be used as a learning utensil," The Duchess boasted.

Illyria stared at her, dumbfounded, "Are you joking? Because I can't tell if you're joking right now."

"Oh Illyria," Duchess Montrose huffed and ushered her out of the dining room. "If you can't be serious for one moment, then please don't stall these men from becoming gentlemen."

"Some of them can't be helped," Illyria muttered and waited outside when she heard Aitor excuse himself for a moment.

She grabbed onto his hand and took him into an empty closet that stored a number of tablecloths that one person simply didn't need, "What are you doing here?

"Nice to see you to," Aitor didn't seem surprised to see her at all.

"Oh, I should be glad to see you? You told Ms. Baten when I specifically said not to," Illyria couldn't help but put Aitor on trial for his lies.

"You were being too stubborn for your own good. I did what I thought was right," He said with a neutral expression.

Illyria shook her head," What are you doing in the Human World?"

"What do Humans call it-gap year, is it?" Aitor tapped on his chin thoughtfully. "I wanted to come here before starting my training for becoming King." He shifted on his feet. "I'm going to travel the world, have the time of my life, and then head back to Paladin in a year."

"Sounds so fun but did you have to be in my home city?" Illyria groaned. "And why are you in the British School of Etiquette anyway?"

"London is the capital-this is the best place for me to be," Aitor said reasonably which Illyria couldn't dispute. "And they enrol us into this course to observe humans and to adapt so that we can infiltrate the upper class more effectively. It's actually very helpful."

"...right," Illyria didn't know if they were all in a joke that she wasn't privy to and accidentally stumbled in the closet; Aitor's arms automatically wrapped around her waist.

"What is that?" Aitor said into her ear.

"I don't know-" She couldn't speak at the sight of Sofia's portrait; she had completely forgotten about it.

"Is that you as a baby?" Aitor chuckled and Illyria admitted to herself that it sounded very attractive.

"No, that's Sofia," Illyria realised how close they were one another and flushed at how near his lips were to hers. "My little sister."

"Then what's it doing here?" Did he not notice how irregular her breathing was? "I didn't know you had a sister."

"Um, she didn't like it so she took it down and stuffed it here because she knew Grandmere wouldn't look here," He was looking at her lips. "We should go before they think you're lost, and they come looking for you."

He dropped his hands from her waist and she instantly missed the warmth, "You're right, let's go-" She placed a hand on his jaw and guided his head down so that their lips could meet.

"Or we could do this," Aitor murmured against her lips.

***

"Can I just ask you what do you think you've been doing with my brother?" Lorna slammed her hands down in front of Illyria and glared at her quite viciously.

"Lorna, what do you want now?" Illyria didn't look up from her book.

"Aitor is in the Human World. He's not in training like he should be, you dumb human," Illyria raised her eyes. "It's not a coincidence."

"I'm kind of getting sick of this mean girl act, Lorna," Illyria hissed into Lorna's face. "You and Aitor made my first year here living hell so whatever you're fabricating, leave me out of it." Illyria gathered her books and strode away defiantly.

***

So, what do you want to do for your birthday? Hyeon's message shone on Illyria's face and she quickly replied before switching it off.

Idk. I don't really feel like doing anything.

Level Five Physical was a drastic change from Level Four. Illyria wiped the sweat of her brow and pulled up against the crowbar for what felt like the millionth time. Her arms strained under the pressure until she couldn't take it anymore and dropped on to her feet.

She barely heard John speak to the class, "Alright, let's take a minute before we do five laps."

The class groaned and Illyria stumbled when she received an onslaught of thoughts out of nowhere. They thrummed against her head, threatening to break in.

Ugh, why can't Physical be optional-

I thought Level Four was the worst-

I can't take it anymore-

"Illyria, are you okay?" John brought Illyria's trembling hand down from her face; he looked concerned.

She breathed unsteadily, "I can't-my ability-it's messing with my head-"

"Alright, calm down," John soothed her, shielding her from the other students momentarily. "Let's go to the infirmary-Illyria!"

She fell to the ground, her eyes fluttered close and a crowd formed around her. Her chest rose up and down erratically and her face visibly screwed up in pain.