Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 3: The Empress

"...if we managed to corner the enemies here at the exact time that their supplies have been delivered, we will have a chance to land a decisive blow to the war effort."

We just looked at the Riksentian commoner in amazement as she answered confidently the question of our Military Arts professor regarding the best course of action in a certain engagement.

Mr. Ayalde is trying to suppress his own amazement as he tries to make a counter-argument, "However, if you push through with your attack, you might suffer a catastrophic casualty yourself, Hrist. Remember, the enemies have just been replenished."

"I will not change my answer, professor. The attack will continue. It is the best time to make a move when the enemies are at their most complacent behavior. Well-fed and well-armed they will think that no sane person will attack them. But I know better, it is far easier to kill a glutted prey than a hungry one waiting vigilantly," she said with so much confidence in her answer that made the Crown Prince of Kalalit smile in amazement.

"Very straight-forward and effective. You will kill the opposition and take their supplies at the same time. I don't have anything else to say but are you sure you are a Riksentian?"

She nodded and smiled proudly, "Through and through. Although I don't know if the Kingdom still has existing records about the House Arngrim which I belong to. It is said that our bloodline is an offshoot of the Dahly Dynasty that branched off from the main family hundreds of years ago until we became the cornerstone of the Riksentian military arsenal."

"My father, the King, once told me that besides the House Faulken, there's still another minor house that still exists in Riksent that is from our own family which follows our military dogma up until today. What an opportunity to finally get the chance to meet you. Your way of stratagem speaks highly of your Gondwanan roots."

Hrist bowed respectfully before taking a seat beside me as our professor clapped his hand, "To get the approval of Trevor is a big compliment, Hrist. I concede and am forced to agree that your strategy is practical however, it doesn't end there. I see that Kirov has something else to say about it. Please stand up and share your Imperial views on the matter at hand."

"Thank you, Sir. While I do agree that the crude and simple plan of Hrist here is useful, I still believe that there is a better way to approach this situation is a cleaner manner," Kyrus' retainer said courteously but it didn't hide the condescending tone he shared with his Lord that made Trevor furrow his brow, "Instead of waiting for the enemy to be replenished, why not attack the logistics brigade themselves before they get even the chance to hand over the weapons to our opponents?"

"Forgive me for butting in but I have to say that I completely agree with Trevor's stratagem. If we can just arm ourselves with the weapons that are for the enemies' use and use it against them while they are still weak and out of supply, wouldn't that be a better approach? I mean it will surely increase the chances of success and lessen our casualties to a bare minimum," I piped in before even stopping myself and realizing that it is a bit rude because the topic interests me so even if I have zero military background compared to my classmates in this room.

However, Kirov didn't seem to mind at all as he smiled at me sweetly, "Wow, you finished my answer. And here I thought I will be out of place in this elective subject that I chose. It's nice to know that your way of thinking is really not far-off from ours. My liege is right about you all along, Kady."

"What an interesting point of view from you two, Kirov and Kady. You presented us a valid argument which is very plausible, however," our professor said as he looked at Hrist and Trevor who is quietly observing our exchange, "What these two said can not be discounted either. Both sides presented applicable strategies that can be used in the situation at hand. I am very happy that this class is composed of students from the four different nations, unlike my earlier ones where they are from the same countries. It didn't produce varying opinions and discussions as much as I wanted them to. I do hope that we will encounter more ideas moving forward. Don't be afraid to butt-in as well, Kady. It's a breath of fresh air to see a commoner like yourself who is proactively participating in such discussions with the nobilities. But hey, I shouldn't expect anything less from our academy's scholar. Dismissed!"

And with that, the kind professor waved us goodbye and stepped out of our classroom leaving the four of us by ourselves.

I started packing my things back to my bag to prepare for my club-hunting. 

It is a requirement that all of us will find a job to join before the end of the day. Especially for myself. I receive a notice from Ms. Summer that if I am to keep my scholarship in good health, I need to get myself a club post-haste or risk getting kicked out.

Unlike my other classmates who just have to study one major elective class a day, I, however, am required to take nothing but major subjects for the rest of my stay here. I don't have the luxury of indulging myself with the less demanding minor subjects like Home Economics, Physical Education, Arts, Music, and the like since the academy demands that I excel at all the main courses they offer as a way of showing their benefactors that their curriculum is top-notch. 

There's no such thing as free lunch and as oppressing as my schedule sounds, they are making sure that they are getting what they are investing in me. It is a generous agreement if I do say so myself. 

I am getting paid, clothed, and schooled for free and all I have to do is focus on my studies and get good grades while I'm at it.

I never give so much as a thought on how intelligent I'm really am as I mentioned before that my father is content with me not failing my studies. But judging by my stellar performance and the good feedback I'm receiving from my teachers so far, I think it is safe to assume that at the very least, the non-stop stories and talks of my father about seemingly random subjects have finally paid off.

It inadvertently gave me the knowledge needed not just to survive and thrive but also to excel when he is now no longer with me. He always told me that it may seem like nothing but nonsense before but he is sure that in a distant future, I will find use in everything that he has told me about.

And here I am now...

Enjoying the fruits of his labor.

Even if he didn't leave me with a large amount of money, his teachings to carry on long after he is gone. 

"Kady?"

I was pulled from my deep thoughts and looked up at Trevor who is beaming down at me expectantly, "Yes? Can I help you with something?" I asked as I finished throwing things inside my bag and zipping it.

"I was actually wondering if you are interested in swimming by any chance? I already signed up for the Swimming Club."

I shook my head and stood up while stretching, "Nope. Can't swim for the life of me. Thanks for asking though. I hope you will enjoy your new club, Trevor. See you around!"

With that, I finally walked briskly towards the door of our room and stepped outside to find Kirov waiting for me with a grin on his face.

"His Highness wanted me to ask you if you want to join the Political Club with him? He has high hopes for your intellect and wants to learn together with you if possible?"

To be honest with myself, I am rather interested in the political nuances of the world. It is also one of the favorite topics of my father to discuss so I have a special place in my mind and heart when it comes to governance debates and studies.

However, I can feel a stare that is piercing my back that helped me decide quickly as I shook my head at the Imperial Retainer, "A very generous offer but I must refuse, Kirov. I think I have enough of political matters to contend with my subjects that I guess you know are all major ones. I don't want to push my sanity any more than I did today. Send my gratitude anyways, thanks."

"Oh, right. Sure, Kady. See you!"

"See you!"

I took the path leading to the west wing of the building where the club rooms are located and saw several students like me who are heading that way to choose as quickly as possible and get home after a hard day studying.

There's a lot of us walking down the hallway so I didn't attract any attention as I walked past Hrist and Lenneth together who together with their sister, Selmeria pointed at the Holistics Club behind them as I smiled and nodded before waving them goodbye.

I am clueless about healing and medicines and I tend to make my wounds even worse when I tried treating them on my own.

As I walked further, our numbers are getting smaller and smaller by the minute as the first years are joining the clubs that pique their interests.

Let's see what's left, Kady...

Basketball? Goodness no, I'm afraid of balls.

Music? My father forbade me to sing at all, bless his soul.

Dance? I'm born with two left feet.

Art? Nope. Can't even draw a stick man for all its worth.

Cultural? No can do, I'm not that knowledgeable of other nations.

Advertising? I was always put at the back-office in my part-time jobs.

Cooking? My father died still not knowing how I managed to make the beef casserole explode.

I was so engrossed with choosing that I didn't realize that I reached the end of the hall and is now standing in front of the probably last club I wanted to be in.

The door was open and I can hear the loud grunts and painful groans of the ones inside together with chairs being thrown about and bodies slammed at the floor.

Brawl Club...

I looked at the two burly twin boys standing in front of the door that looks more like they are there to scare the applicants rather than attract them.

Their uniforms are unbuttoned and torn. Their faces may be handsome but marred with fresh wounds and bruises. 

I didn't bother wasting any more of my time at the end of the corridor and turn my back to resume my search.

I was just a few steps from the Spiritual Club when I heard a familiar voice in my back.

"You still have an open slot available?"

I turn around and saw a classmate of mine that if I am not mistaken is called Galion from the Kingdom. 

"Are you sure you want to lose your pretty face, big boy?" one of the guys asked my admittedly very handsome classmate.

He is one of the most eyecatching boys in my class and justifiably so.

He has this elvish face with his striking facial features and pinkish thin lips. His ears are a bit on the long side that only added to his roguish charm that he is exuding.

"Why would I lose something you won't be able to touch anyways?" he asked tauntingly that made the two guards laugh at each other.

"Oho! We have a live wire here, bro."

"Well I'll, be..."

And in a blink of the eye, the twins lunged at Galion in coordination that made the two looked like lynxes attacking a prey.

I was almost sure that Galion is done for but in a quick but simple movement, he managed to evade the two with ease and smiled at the twins who looked impressed, "Am I in?"

"Drop your name, nationality, and social standing."

"Galion von Alric, Kingdom of Kalalit, Member of the Alric Dynasty."

"Oh lookie here, a noble who knows how to walk the talk. Go right ahead, boss."

My classmate grinned and proceeded inside the room.

I just heaved a sigh and continue my seemingly never-ending search for the right club for me and as I peered at the Film Club, I heard one of the twins spoke behind me.

"Another pretty boy, are we turning into the Pageant Club now or what, Bro?"

"Beats me. Hey you! Yes, you hiding behind the pillar! You looked like you wanted to get inside. You know what to do!"

I decided to turn around again and wonders never cease. It's another of my classmate and the other of the most handsome boys.

He's from the Empire and according to Kirov, the scion of one of their Tsardoms. I think his name is Lexei if memory serves me right.

His face is very boyish as if he is in the midst of his puberty and is halfway between a teen and manhood.

His eyes are innocent but I can see a glimmer of cunning behind them. His nose is small but pointed and his lips are pinkish and thin. However, unlike Galion, his body is frail thin, not unlike mine. Tall and lanky, this Scanian boy is forced out of his obvious hiding spot by the twins and is walking towards them slowly.

Until in a swift movement, he slipped frail thin fluidly between the two and raised his two hands and was about to do a double knifehand strike in their necks when he stopped abruptly when the twins laughed hard.

"Oh boy this is really interesting. You drop your guard and you get stabbed."

"Indeed. Name, nationality, and social standing," one of the twins asked without looking back at my classmate.

"Lexei von Laevi, Empire of Scania, Heir to the Yekaterin Tsardom."

"Wow. A bigger fish than the last one and can fight too!"

"You're in. Get inside so we can start the initiation rites."

Well, alls well that ends well, I suppose.

Now that the show is over, I think it's high time for me to get on with the business and find myself a club since my classmates already got theirs.

I also noticed that I am the only remaining first year in the hallway. I decided to stop being choosy and head straight for the Language Club which is just next door.

Before I can even walk towards my future club, I heard a loud crash, several shouts, and a bang.

"LOOK OUT!"

I quickly turn around and to my horror, a huge foldable chair flew out of the Brawl Club's door and the twins who were standing a few seconds earlier there quickly jumped out of the way as the chair hit the wall so hard it bounced and is now flying towards my direction.

I don't have anywhere to run to. If I ducked and cover, I will not be left unscathed. 

If I jumped out of the way I will crash either on the wall or on the floor. 

There's one thing left to do...

"I didn't teach you how to fight. I taught you how to defend. Reach out your hands, my daughter..."

I opened my hands and made a quick twirl and swiped my hands in the air in an arc as if reaching my hands above before spinning quickly from where I stand as I felt the heavy metal chair hit my hands and thankfully bounced away from me safely.

Before I even stopped revolving, I heard a loud sound of breaking glass and to my horror, the chair broke the window and crash-landed on the backyard of the school as I heard several screams and surprised shouts of the students from inside as I hear doors being opened and footsteps of shocked people are flooding out of their clubrooms.

"Oh my goodness gracious!"

"What in Gearth happened here?"

"I heard a loud crash and then..."

"Who is she?"

"That scarf! She's the scholar!"

"The first-year student?"

"Yes from A-0!"

"What's her name again?"

"Someone call the guards and the Prefect!"

"Is someone injured?"

"Hello? Is this the Security Department? We have a situation here..."

"Come with us or you would rather deal with them, Lady?"

I looked at my back and saw the twins offering their hands at me.

I took them without a second thought and held their hands as we ran towards the Brawl Clubroom and when we got inside they both shut it close quickly.

"Kady?!"

"What are you doing here?!"

I saw my classmates walking towards me clearly as I let out a frightened moan and shook my head in denial, "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I... I didn't... It's my fault... I'm sorry... It shouldn't..."

"Sit down. Now!"

I quickly followed Galion's stern order and sat down to the chair offered to me by one of the twins, not unlike the ones I deflected out of the building and accepted the water offered by Lexei who is looking at me worriedly as he patted my back, "It's alright, Kady. Breathe. I know we didn't even get the chance to talk at all earlier at our homeroom class but we're here. We're your classmates. We're here for you. Just relax, breathe, and drink."

I accepted the half-full water offered by one of the twins and didn't think twice before drinking from it unceremoniously. The water is cold and refreshing as I drink it down to the last drop.

"It's not much, but if you want more, my Lady..."

I snatched from the hand of the other twin the barely full bottled water and drank it straight in few gulps before letting Lexei take it from my shaking hand as I try to calm my self as hard as I can.

"Prefect of Discipline Department. I need to speak to your Club Manager or any Club Representative."

I let out a whimper as the club members looked at each other in confusion.

"I'll deal with them. You two, take care of her. She looks like she will faint any moment now. I'd rather deal with the cops than have that in our clubroom."

I saw a shirtless muscled boy barely a year older than me walked past us and opened the door behind me before closing it again.

"Don't worry Kady, just focus only on calming your frayed nerves,"

Galion grunted and raised an eyebrow at me, "What the hell did happen anyway? You don't look like you were injured by the flying chair earlier. Did it hit the window?"

"I..."

The door behind me opened and closed quickly as the person who talked with the representative of the Prefect of Discipline Department returned to us all inside.

"Kiel, what did the bloke said?" one of the boys who brought me here asked the guy who sneered at me and shrugged his broad shoulders.

"He is more concerned about this girl's wellbeing than the smashed window," he answered as if it's not what he is expecting, "The dude wanted to check on her but I just sent him the security footage and he's quickly off our backs."

Lexei who is still kneeling in front of me looked up at Kiel, "Security footage?"

"Oh, right you're a newbie. Well, clubrooms here have their own closed-circuit television for times like this," he answered as he looked down at me with great amusement, "But I must say, you are something else. When I decided to view the footage I was expecting you to scream and flail about. Color me impressed."

"Show us, Kiel!"

"Yeah, man! Don't hog the goods!

"Sharing is caring!"

"Come on!"

Galion nodded and looked curious himself, "To be frank, I am interested to know what exactly happened."

"Feast your eyes, plebes!"

Kiel raised the black smartphone he is holding and pointed it on the cracked LCD monitor hanging in the wall at the back of the room like a remote control. The screen came to life and what was shown was the bird's-eye view of what happened to me earlier.

We heard the shout and a loud crash before that accursed flying metal chair flew out of the room, bounced towards my direction who was ignorantly walking towards the Language Clubroom.

My mouth fell wide open when I realized what was about to hit me but I quickly opened my hands and was obviously panicking on what to do next. It was clear that I was already too late to do anything else other than what I did on the video right now.

I made a rapid whirling movement with my hands outstretched and acted as a barricade between me and the metal chair that bounced off the defense I made and was redirected towards the window where it smashed the glasses and flew down the building.

"Kady..."

I looked at Lexei who is clearly awestruck with what he just watched as even Galion was smiling now in spite of himself.

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to throw it at the window. I have no choice. If it hit the wall or the floor it might bounce back up to goodness knows where. I... I just..."

Kiel raised his two hands as if showing that he has nothing against what I did, "No blood, no foul. The Prefect of Discipline will not press any charges against anyone. As I mentioned earlier, they are more concerned about you than their stupid broken window. Can't have something happen to their precious scholar, huh?"

Several club members laughed out loud as the twins chuckled as well but curiously keeping an eye on me.

Before I can even react, the school bell rang signaling the end of the school day and I quickly stood up from where I am sitting in panic.

"I still don't have a club! I must..."

Kiel shook his head and pretended to look hurt and offended, "What are we? Chopped liver?"

"But..."

"But what? You're already inside our clubroom anyways. Might as well join the big boys," Kiel offered as he looked at the more than a dozen members, "I'm getting sick and tired of the sausage fest. What say you, Kady? You get a club, we get a new member?"

He then clapped the shoulders of my classmates, "Your buddies are already here too so is it a yes that I am about to hear? I will throw in my twins here to sweeten the deal!" he then proceeds to nod at the twins who responded amiably.

I didn't know what to say about the offer but what I do know is I am out of options to even consider declining. The deadline is already over and Ms. Summer made it clear that the academy is very serious when it comes to being on schedule.

"I..."

Lexei was looking at me expectantly while Galion on the other hand still looks amused by what he just watched as he keeps on glancing at the monitor that is replaying what happened earlier.

I gulped and was almost sure that I will regret what I'm about to say now but who cares?

"I'm in."

Kiel smiled broadly and looked genuinely happy as he offered his right hand to me which I accepted half-heartedly, "Deal! We've got a good haul this year lads! Two nobles who know how to put their money where their mouth is and the prized apple of the eye of the academy. Not bad, dare I say?"

"You won't hear us complaining. I'm Yugo by the way and this is my brother Yuro. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, My Lady."

I shook my head and also shook the hands of the twins, "Please, no formalities required. I'm just a commoner as you all know. Nice to meet you two."

"No, we insist. I hope we can be fast friends," Yuro said expectantly as Kiel and the other club members jeered and whistled because of what they heard.

"Well, I'll be, you two being nice and courteous at all? You normally ignore and scowl at any girl who was within six feet around you. What gives?" Kiel asked while chuckling softly as he gave me, Lexei and Galion our membership forms, "Anyways, here are the forms you need to sign before we let you three out. I guess it goes without saying that once you left your signature there's no turning back. It will be treated as a legal paper for all intents and purposes."

My classmates quickly signed the papers as I looked and skimmed through the pages. It really is like the contracts I used to sign when I apply for a part-time job. It is a binding agreement and I can be held accountable financially and lawfully if I break it.

Oh well, appearance aside, they look kind despite their brutish behavior. Well, I prefer to deal with people who judge a person based on their physical capabilities than social or financial standing.

Here goes nothing, I suppose.

"Perfect. I will get this submitted right away. There's a daily club meeting and everyone is required to show their ugly mugs every four in the afternoon here at our turf, Monday to Thursday. That goes for you too, Kady. Don't expect any special treatment just because you're the only girl here. There are no sacred cows in this group unlike the others," Kiel warned as he pointed at the door behind us, "I will get into the dirty details tomorrow afternoon. I don't like unpunctual people the least so be on time. Galion, Lexei, escort Kady, please. The last thing I want is the Imperial and Royal Crown Prince breathing down on my neck. Dismissed!"

He turned his back on us as he returns to a messy desk full of paperwork and buried himself there half-heartedly.

The twins were the ones who opened the door for us and waved us goodbye cordially. 

When Galion made sure that I am totally fine, he walked quickly ahead of me and Lexei as if he is chasing something or someone.

"I hope Kyrus won't ask too many questions. I hate his annoying talks that last forever," Lexei said as we walk together side by side while gazing at the back of our classmate that is getting farther and farther from us every second, "Although I must say, what you did was really impressive. What is the name of your fighting art?"

I shook my head and honestly answered his question, "I don't know. My father just taught me how to defend myself in case things like that happened and I was left with no other choice. It was my last resort. I am really at a bind and it's either I will just stand there and be smashed to a pulp or to deflect it."

"No kidding. You really looked like a cornered rat in that footage. Anyways, I'm glad to finally able to talk to you properly, Kady. I thought you were unapproachable but thankfully, I am wrong."

I chuckled as we stepped outside the school building and into the courtyard where several students are also heading towards the dormitories like us, "Unapproachable? Me? I am a commoner. Any nobles or rather, anyone who has a higher social standing than me, which is virtually everyone else, can talk to me whenever they wish. If I have time that is. My schedule is unforgiving."

"Really? Now that you mentioned it, I heard from our other classmates that you are following a completely different curriculum than the rest of us. I never see you in any of my minor subject classes today. Where were you?" he asked curiously while the two of us entered the front lobby of our dorm.

I heaved a sigh as I wave at the kind receptionist who is smiling at me warmly, "I'm attending the other major subject classes the whole day. I have no minor subjects in my curriculum, Lexei. Oh, can I call you by your name? Our other classmates are rather insistent that I treat them as if we are equals."

"No worries, Kady. I hate formalities myself. It's too bothersome if you ask me," he said kindly when we stepped out of the elevator and into the floor where I, Trevor and Kyrus lives, "Wow, sucks to be you. You are really sandwiched between the two. I don't envy you at all."

"You can say that again, Lexei," I laugh exasperatedly as I opened the door into my room and let myself in, "It's still early for our dinner, don't you wanna come in for a snack? Let me thank you for accompanying me back here. It means a lot."

The heir of the Yekaterin Tsardom blinked at my offer and after a few seconds, he nodded and followed me inside before closing the door behind him, "Well, if you insist. But wow, this room is neater than mine. I've only just stayed a few days and it already looked like a citadel of clutter compared to yours," he said as he made himself comfortable on my sofa while I opened my fridge and took two bottles of soda and throwing it at him which he caught appreciatively.

"You don't say. Well, I guess it's to be expected since I don't own a lot to make such a mess myself in the first place," I said to him as he gulped the soda quickly, "But enough of my room. I have a rather personal question to ask. Were you really following Galion earlier?"

He suddenly choked and spattered when he heard my direct question which answered it quickly for me.

I'm on to something.

"It's not what you think, Kady! I swear I am not..."

I just looked at his guilty face as I chuckled while hearing his excuses.

THE EMPRESS

                            It's a truly wondrous moment to enjoy life's blessings...