Medusa’s Tale

Chapter 9

I subsisted yet was forcefully awoken by the slight shake of my body. I sat up, rubbing both my eyes due to a blurry vision. I groaned as I felt a throbbing pain in the neck but my head was way more painful.

"Where am I?" I yawned, anticipating an answer as I clear my own vision.

"Tahaci Academy. Now get up." His voice was calm yet too cruel for me to realize who it was.

Tahaci Academy?

There were several voices in the background I was unintentionally hearing aside from Vlad's frigid voice. It took me a minute to remember the occurring event held today as the smell of the late-era filled my senses. The repulsive drowsiness was washed down as I panicked from my seat. Adrenaline suddenly rushed inside my system making me unintentionally stood up from my seat but due to my stupidity, my head hit the trunk of the carriage making me wince in unbearable pain. It was too soon for me to realize that I was inside a chariot with Vlad earlier ago.

Why does destiny tend to hurt my head so generously today? What did my head do to be fiddled by destiny itself? The suffering is expanding as each time passes. And perhaps it is my stupidities fault that I am now in pain.

"Stop whining, let us go. Get off the chariot already." He rudely demanded.

Scratching the back of my head, I got off the chariot without any help coming from Vlad. He is such a gentleman.

Once I got off, voices that surrounded us caught my attention. Looking around, I gasped as I saw people in luxurious clothing were entering a big thick gate that was wide open, welcoming these people. Assorted men and women were all delighted as they talk with people whom they are with. My gaze followed two couples entering the entrance, their waves of laughter were genuinely happy. After they had vanished from my sight, my lingering eyes widened in surprise as the huge castle drawn my attention.

"Tahaci Academy?" I asked Vlad for reassurance, yet I received no response.

I neglected his rude attitude towards me since I was awestruck by the enormous castle who stood proud of its wealthy structure. No pieces of information did Desiree told me about Tahaci Academy only that there will be having a delightful event that realizes, I couldn't quite fit based on the people who were entering.

I have no clue about the time in this occurring moment for I have no clock or wrist watch with me. But the sun was completely praising the castle's structure and as well as the thick walls, creating a vivid formation of shadows, distorted yet the detail is obtained. Inside the heavy door, there were no guards protecting which confuses me.

"Eleanor!"

A voice has pulled me back from my daydream and hearing her feminine voice today had risen my anticipation upon seeing her here. I scanned the entire surroundings filled with crowds as I anticipated for someone with a familiar voice to show up.

The feeling of longing for someone I had missed triggered my heart. Expectations have filled me once more, hoping for the person I am searching for to show up.

"Eleanor!"

Hearing her voice from my back, I quickly turned around but fall back when I was surprised by a tight embrace. People who were passing by were glancing at us uncannily. Perhaps her boisterous voice was too attention-seeking and seeing her running towards in my direction had captured their interests.

"Eleanor!" She exclaimed with heavy breathing.

The familiarity of her voice had brought joy onto my heart as the smell of her perfume lingers my nose. I returned the warm embrace of my friend.

"Belle..." I called her.

She laughs joyfully as I called her name. Her hug tightens around my body, suffocating me by refusing the air to enter my system. Trembling, I tapped her shoulder to show her I was running out of air. Her eyes widened as she unclasped herself from me. Inhaling deeply, I gathered all the air that I have missed.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry. Are you alright, Eleanor?" She asks anxiously.

I smiled nodding to her, "Yes, I am. Don't worry."

"Ladies, let's go." An unfamiliar voice diverted our attention away. However, seeing Vlad who was with someone who had a small similarity with Belle herself, I remembered it was Elliot, his brother.

After seeing the two of them with each other at that ocean back then, I have understood that the both of them were friends since then. And both belle and I were left clueless. It is such a small world for the four of us to see that everything was destined to be and will always end up with us.

Belle grasps my hand with hers as we followed both boys entering the huge castle. However, I was not amazed by the enormous castle anymore. I was distracted by thoughts once again. I am always pervaded with curiosity and nothing can put an end to this but answers.

"Belle?" "Eleanor?" We both said in chorus.

Our eyes were widened in shock and soon after, it was followed by our touches of laughter. Thankfully, the two boys didn't mind it.

"Alright, you first, Belle." I insisted. Yet she shook her saying I should say it first.

I insisted on her upon saying what she wishes to say until she gave up, raising both her hands in the air as we were following both Vlad and Elliot.

"It seems like we have the same idea on mind." She smirked.

"Oh truly? What is it you have in your mind, Belle?"

I really did think the same. Maybe we both have similar questions to each other?

"Do you know where we are?" She asked. Expecting her inquiry, I giggled.

"We indeed have a similar inquiry in mind," I said in amusement. "Unfortunately, I do not know where we are but Vlad's maid said something about Ithaca."

"And so did Elliot. But nothing more." Her eyes dropped on the ground as she placed her fingers below her chin. "Did your maid said anything from you aside from being in Ithaca?"

To my disappointment, I shook my head. Desiree only told me about Tahaci Academy and Ithaca. But I also remembered she mentioned something on about the Enchanted Realm, will I say that to Belle? Will she laugh knowing that she knows I do not believe in such stories?

Hesitating, I decided to tell belle about the Enchanted Realm that Desiree mentioned on about with a slight shame beginning to uprise. However, I paused as we entered an enormous hall. Many long golden tables with chairs were proposed as the stage was designed pleasantly. Long curtains were tied on both sides of the stage, as in the middle stood nothing but lighted candles and six pillars that look like vessels. Something was inside yet I could not see due to the height of the stage.

The long tables are settled into two rows, revealing a free path in between for the guests.

People started taking their chosen seats. Men showed their gentleman acts towards the maidens formally as the maidens daintily laugh and talk to them.

I could not prevent comparing myself to the other maidens. The room was gleaming vibrantly, complementing the female's gorgeous dresses. Their movements compared to mine are much less alike. They were more feminine and dainty, and Belle fits the female aristocrats unlike me. Even Desiree fits being with them even if she was born in an underprivileged family.

Oh, how I wish I could avoid the chaos and all the cursed intentions that the future may bring.

"Hurry up, Eleanor," Belle said impatiently, her eyes were filled with amazement.

I notice we weren't stopping. Vlad and Elliot showed how apathetic they were. They were disinterested and continued on walking, passing all the other tables as the ton who were all sitting adjusted their gazes on us. The inaudible whispers began attacking us. The gossips had put an end to their own topics, changing course as if it is mostly important to gossip about our presence.

"How did we captured their interest for them to gossip about us abruptly?" Belle whispered to my ear, laughing at the ton.

Does she enjoy being in a middle of attention? Is she not aware of the bad gossips that they might be giving? Or does she care even a slightest bit?

I notice that perhaps Vlad and Elliot wanted to be seated at the very front for a better view of what would be shown on the stage. After all, Vlad is an arrogant man and probably he is much of an influence to his friend, Elliot.

“Hey Elliot, are people in this Tahaci Academy really like this?” Belle asked aloud, forgetting we aren’t the only ones who have heard her.

Elliot on the other hand, ignored Belle’s question making her raise her own eyebrow. She dislikes the idea of being ignored by people indeed. When this happens, her other side will manifest. Belle is a kind-hearted person who will willingly help others in need. She is compassionate and selfless. Other than that, she is smarter than me. I mean, no one outsmarts her.

“Ladies first...” Elliot insisted as we ended up at the very front table.

I was about to go first when Vlad when his hand repulsed my small form shoving me away for him to sit first. A burst of small laughter coming from across our table caught my attention. I turned around seeing the first table on the second row filled with laughing ladies as their eyes gleamed in our direction.

The thought of going to their table and slapping them at their faces triggered my hands as I curled my hands into a fist.

Why them? What about Vlad?

Although, I can’t do that. How can I if I can’t even defend myself when Vlad and I are fighting? Standing up for myself is way out of my character. All I know is that I was raised, dependent on my late mother.

“Eleanor...” Belle squeezes my hand.

I looked at Belle and she gestured I should sit next to Vlad. Without complaining, I go towards the seat next to Vlad. It was at least my pride or the shame he had put upon me that made me unable to look at him right now. Belle and Elliot followed from behind and once we were all seated, she clings her hands unto mine. When she leaned her head onto my shoulder, she closes her eyes whole humming a song.

I inhaled deeply and stared at both my hands. I admit it is shameful that my stepbrother— Vlad, had planted shame on myself in front of everyone. He did it on purpose, I assume. Humiliation was over welcomed and never did he say sorry... Not even once he would say sorry for the cruelty he would always do to me.

Not even once I could feel me and Vlad could be partially closed to each other. Oh, how I wish I have a brother like Belle’s. Every time I wanted to ask Vlad what wrong did I have done for him to make me hate me this much, I can’t. His eyes are threatening and I am deeply scared by the way he always treats me. Never did he abused me physically, yet after the dinner discussion with our parents previously, he began on hurting me not only emotionally but also physically.

“Greetings, students of Tahaci Academy.” A manly voice vibrated through the entire hall. “We are gathered here today for us to celebrate upon re-opening Tahaci Academy once more!”

Few from the very back were screaming and cheering, clapping their hands wildly. The man on the high platform laughs in amusement. “No need for the cheering young students! HAHAHAHA” He acted bashfully.

“Re-opening? Why did they close Tahaci?” Belle lifted her head from my shoulder. However, due to her loud voice, many near our table have heard her inquiry.

The man on the platform looks in our direction. He touched his mustache, as he fakes his laughter. “Oh, it seems like one of the future students of Tahaci was curious about the academy... I see.” He squinted his eyes as he looked at the four of us. “Unfortunately, I for myself does not know the reason behind the shutting down of the academy. Maybe the founder can explain it to you.”

He stated and moved his body away. And there, another man formally stood as he throws his gaze in our direction. Just by sitting in my seat, I can tell his aura was no joke as he stood proud on the higher platform. Fear prevailed unwritten on his face as he stared at the four of us, manifesting the power and audacity he has.

The ton was covered in silence as their gazes caught the man standing on the stage.