Eldera Akademus

Chapter 2

Kristel nibbled her lower lip, her gaze unyielding as it fixed on the creature seated across from her on the living room couch. No trace of joy crossed her features at his presence, not after what he had done earlier. The memory of it nearly caused her to faint, her heart still pounding as if trapped in a vice for those few seconds.

She despised being caught off guard, a feeling that dredged up memories she wished to bury. Shaking her head, she refused to dwell on the horrors of the past, unwilling to display any weakness before him.

"Are you all right, prin—" His words halted abruptly as Kristel emitted a shrill noise, cutting him off.

"For the hundredth time, I've told you never to say that word! Do you not understand?" Kristel snapped, taking a seat on the opposite couch.

"Why do you look so dreadful?" She scrutinized him from head to toe.

Who wouldn't be vexed by his appearance in clown attire, clutching five different colored giant balloons? It was no wonder she had been startled; she half-expected malevolent spirits to emerge and devour her.

He leaned back in his seat, and Kristel attempted to discern his thoughts, but she found his appearance off-putting. She had never been fond of clowns, especially their red, smiling faces reminiscent of maniacal killers.

"I've traveled from various places just to find you. Your whereabouts weren't easy to ascertain, and the king didn't provide much information. Nonetheless, I'm here to fulfill his orders," he explained.

"That's not what I'm interested in. What's with the outfit? Did you attend a children's party?" Kristel's eyebrows shot up at the idea, knowing him to be a creature who enjoyed playing with children.

So, that's why he had taken so long to locate Kristel and deliver the king's orders to her father. He smiled sheepishly, confirming her suspicions.

"You're correct," he admitted, scratching his head.

Kristel closed her eyes, taking three deep breaths to calm herself. She didn't want to become stressed, but his presence was only adding to her tension.

"When I open my eyes, I expect you to be dressed appropriately," she stated calmly.

Why did he always have to be the one to carry out the king's orders for her? The king had plenty of capable messengers at his disposal, unlike him.

When Kristel opened her eyes, she found him already dressed and seated in his usual spot. He appeared more presentable now, and the boiling rage within her began to dissipate. Kristel exhaled heavily. He had been serving the king for almost five years, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that he wasn't particularly adept at his job. It seemed he always managed to infuriate her before delivering her father's messages. She didn't care to recall the numerous times he had donned various frightening costumes, further fueling her desire to throttle him.

Now, however, he appeared almost human—no, not human, but resembling one. His brown curly hair, thin, pink lips, refined jawline, and dark brown eyes gave him a semblance of humanity. Standing five inches taller than her and boasting a muscular build, he had been a playmate of hers and his sister, Astra, during their childhood.

He was clad in a messenger's attire: a dark green coat, matching pants, sturdy boots with a distinct messenger's design, and a badge adorning his left chest.

"You look rather pale," he remarked, glancing at her skin.

"This is just how my skin is. It won't change. So, why are you here, Jhensy?" Kristel asked directly, crossing her legs and raising both eyebrows as she fixed her gaze on him. Glancing at the white Bulova watch on her right hand, she noted that it was already 2:50 in the afternoon.

"But you look unwell. What's happened?" His concern was evident in his voice. Kristel raised an eyebrow at him, giving him a pointed look that silently asked if that was the real reason for his visit.

He winced, feeling her assertiveness. He knew her well enough to understand how much she detested ambiguity.

"The king wants you to guard and protect Princess Katlyn," he finally revealed.

Kristel's eyes widened at the news. Guard and protect Katlyn? Me? Why me? The disdain she felt must have been evident on her face.

The room fell silent as she processed the information. She had no desire to watch over Katlyn—her half-sister had still been a baby when Kristel last saw her, and she was turning eight years old now. All the love and attention seemed to be directed towards Katlyn, leaving Kristel feeling neglected. She didn't hate her half-sister, but she was hurt by how much more their father and others seemed to favor her.

Jhensy understood her silence and chose not to add to the weight of her emotions. Kristel took a deep breath and offered a forced smile.

"Why?" she inquired.

"Hmm, because someone tried to abduct her. She was nearly taken. Thankfully, the king intervened in the garden..." His voice carried a note of sadness. What had transpired? Kristel waited for him to continue, dreading what he might reveal about her sister and father.

"A Darkia attacked and injured the king. Fortunately, the queen arrived in time to save him and Princess Katlyn," he explained further.

Kristel was at a loss for words. Was her father all right? What about her sister? Jhensy had mentioned her father's injury. She felt a pang of guilt for what had happened, unable to bear the thought of her father being hurt or endangered. After all, he was still her father, and she his daughter.

"Okay," Kristel replied, feigning indifference to Jhensy's words.

"The king was in good condition when I left. He's pleading with you to guard and protect the princess until they apprehend whoever is after her," Jhensy explained, avoiding her gaze.

He couldn't bear to see her expressionless face, the facade of indifference she wore.

"I'll consider it," Kristel replied boldly.

It was a relief to know her father was alright, but she still fretted over Katlyn's safety. Who were these people trying to abduct her sister, and why? What could be so important that they were willing to harm her father just to get to Katlyn? Kristel couldn't stand the thought of allowing anyone to manipulate her family.

That perpetrator would pay dearly for what they had done to her father and half-sister, especially for disrupting her life.

"The princess is enrolling at Eldera Akademus, and she doesn't want a guard accompanying her because it's deemed safe there. Your father wants you to leave tomorrow for her departure. He knows you'll object, but he insisted I deliver this to you," Jhensy said, handing over a crumpled dark brown paper tied with hebra root. Kristel accepted it, noting Jhensy rising from his seat.

"Are you leaving?" Kristel asked.

"Yes, that's up to you, Kristel, if you accept your father's request," he replied, smiling at her. "I still have a lot to do. I'll meet you if you change your mind."

He had long harbored a desire to study at Eldera Akademus, but admission was reserved for the blue-blooded, the upper class, and a select few from the middle class who possessed exceptional talent. As a member of the lower class, he had no right to aspire to such opportunities; society deemed those of lower status as ordinary and lacking in talent.

However, Jhensy was different. He possessed abilities inherited from his father—he had firepower. He could manipulate fire or transform into a fiery creature. Kristel knew nothing of his father; she had never even seen him.

"Wait!" Kristel called out before he vanished in a shimmer of magic dust.

She rose from her seat, clutching the paper tightly in her grip, a wide smile lighting up her face. He looked at her curiously, his brows knitting together in response to her unexpected enthusiasm.

"I accept," she declared.

His face lit up, and he returned her smile. "Well, I knew you cared about your family."

"How can you tell?" Kristel raised an eyebrow at him.

"I know you, Kristel. Despite everything, I know you still have a heart," he replied, giving her a wink. Her eyes narrowed at his words.

"Wow! Am I that heartless?" Kristel exclaimed as he grimaced.

"That's not what I meant," he protested, shaking his head.

"You said it, though!" she retorted, causing him to pale.

Kristel couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. People often seemed to fear her due to her abrasive attitude, and she knew she could be difficult at times. Perhaps it was just her demeanor they disliked.

"I'm sorry if I implied that," he apologized, bowing his head as he spoke.

Her smile widened as she tossed the paper at him. He glanced down at his foot where it had landed, picking it up without so much as a glance in her direction. Kristel couldn't fathom why he tolerated her quirks when no one else seemed willing to take his place whenever her father sent a message. Even his sister, Astra, wasn't afraid of Kristel; she only grew apprehensive when Kristel became angry, though Kristel refrained from using harsh language with them.

"Tell the dear king that I accept his request, and I wish I had someone with me," Kristel stated in a commanding tone, struggling to contain her laughter.

"I'll inform him," he replied, still bowing his head. She playfully hurled a cushion at him, which he caught and placed on the couch without meeting her gaze.

"Is that all I want to tell him?" She tossed another cushion at him, mimicking his actions.

Then she burst into laughter, and he regarded her with a quizzical expression, silently questioning her amusement.

"Geez! You're funny, Jhensy. You're coming with me," she declared, her tone serious as she uttered the final statement. Confusion flashed across his face, indicating he didn't quite grasp her meaning.

"Don't give me that reaction. You should be happy. You're coming with me," she insisted.

A flicker of happiness crossed his face, quickly masked by a neutral expression. "I'll come," he replied casually. Kristel tossed a piece of paper with a letter to him, which he caught.

"What's this?" he inquired.

"I want you to give that to my father," she replied, resuming her seat.

"I'll deliver it to him. Thank you," he said before vanishing with a smile. Kristel would have thrown him the cushion in jest, but he disappeared before she had the chance.

Most of the people in her father's palace viewed her as heartless and judged her harshly upon first impression. Kristel didn't resent them for their perceptions or the gossip they spread behind her back.

Why?

Because she simply didn't care.