Retrieve the Kingdom

Friends with the Former Foe

“What do you mean?”

Phoebe asked Andrei who just finished his lunch, “Do you trust him already?” The prince asked, looking at her which she responded with her shaking her head as a no. “Not that I trust him, I am just looking forward to that thing that he is saying. Of course, I am not trusting him that quick, he was my rival, it’s actually an unnecessary rivalry, it’s just a position in a room with 20 people, including him.” 

“Something’s really fishy about that apology, if I were you, you should’ve make him do something before accepting his apology. A sorry is expensive nowadays, especially when he did you wrong so badly.” Belle suggested which Phoebe disagreed on. “You are becoming like him, Belle. Well, at least his former self. I mean, if it’s really genuine, then it’s enough. Seeing him change his ways is enough. It’s like Dona’s situation all over again.” 

“Just watch out for everything he does, especially that friendship that he is offering. It’s not that I am telling he is fake, but for someone who has done a lot of things to get what he wants, I am not surprised if he does.” Andrei stands and looks at them, “Let’s go back to our classes.” 

The student council called all of the class officers on the campus once more. “Hello everyone! And welcome back to the school~ I hope you guys had fun while when you were at your vacation, did you?” Cledaire greeted them all with a smile and enthusiastic spirit like nothing really happened just last week. A lot of different answers were heard and the room was dominated by a lot of talking noise. 

“I am happy to hear those who had a fun vacation, to those who aren’t, it’s fine! Everything will be fine soon.” Cledaire smiles at the officers in front of her. Ferryl took the lead, “Speaking of vacation, it’s just a small favor, but please take a moment of silence for our leader’s father and also one of the officer’s father too, late Law Councilor Claro of Hastey. If you still didn’t know, he died during the sibling’s vacation, we will take this moment to pay respect for the former viscount of Hastey and one of the law councilors.”

Silence ensued in the room and was cut minutes later by Cledaire. “I wasn’t expecting this but, thank you so much Ferryl, and you too, everyone. This has been a bittersweet experience for me…” She wipes the tear coming off from her left eye, “And also my brother. But, there’s no time to mourn this day, I already had it last week, we will move on why I called you all here!” 

She smiled once more which she rarely wears off, even earlier, she was trying not to frown and keep that radiant smile on her face. “It’s Goddess Alba’s month this January if you forgot it! It means another event will occur days later~ In honor of the goddess, we will make an event for our professors, which is heaven sent by Alba’s wisdom. We will make a project too that includes your respective classes that will be discussed later.”

Ferryl took the lead again, “So, for the event, each path have their own unique way to give a gift or at least a surprise for the teachers. Not literally a gift, but maybe some kind of activity, or anything you would want like a serenade. The event will partake a week from now, so Path Councilors, start planning now with the officers under you.” 

Three people nod, one familiar with Phoebe which is the prince himself. “Before you guys take your meeting, about the project, it is about teaching someone. You are not limited by age, it is your plan who’s your target and what subject you will teach them. This will be in the span of the whole month until the celebration is over. This project is per year level, and if your year level has 2 classes, those two will be separated, meaning it’s per class for you guys, for those who just have a lone class per year, it’s per year. You understood me?”

All of the officer nods as some of them jot down what just the assistant head of the council just said. “Any questions?” And it started pouring onto Ferryl, a lot has some misunderstanding on what he said, but it got sorted with the help of Cledaire and particularly the other councils.

“You are now dismissed~!” Cledaire announced as students start raising on their desks and grabbing their items back at the storage of their choice. The Path Councilors announced some meetings while Andrei just said to them to meet at the cafeteria in the morning. The officers from the freshmen of Politics Path took their leave. “I forgot something, let me get it. You guys can go now.” Cledwyn said as the three of them nod and take their respective ways. 

However, Phoebe was curious and suspicious what will Cledwyn do back at the room, she has her ace if he ever caught her. She peeked at the door and overhear some conversation since the room is empty now. She noticed Andrei by her side but she kept quiet not to blow their cover. 

“I can notice you seem having good terms with that ‘partner’ of yours, and also your underlings. Giving up your ego now? Getting lonely in this scho—” Cledwyn cut her, “Look, I am not looking for another fight again, sister. And so what if I am giving up my ego? It’s better than clashing with karma once more.” 

“You just don’t know how to dodge one. And, why give up your ego with those people? It’s not worth it.” Cledwyn sighs, “Look, I never became plastic with anyone. I express what I want to express, if I want to say you are a jerk, then you are a jerk. I am not a faker like you, I am definitely a manipulator, but I am not plastic.”

“Said someone who had friends and it spiraled down, what if—” Her brother cut her again, “What if you shut up? I am done with you, just finish your business with Ferryl, faker.” Silence ensued between them as Cledwyn smirks, “Guilty as charge. It’s better not to have friends than faking with one for your p—”

“Shut! You do not speak of that here.” Cledaire points at her brother who he just shrugged. “I’ll go now. It’s your choice if you will go with me, but seeing that face, I guess it’s a no.” Cledwyn walked out of the room as Phoebe and Andrei make themselves farther from the door.

“Oh, hey guys! And, also bye, I got to go now, see ya tomorrow, perhaps.” He smiled as he passed by them. Phoebe looked at Andrei as they started to walk away from the room. “If you wanna ask me about Ferryl and Cledaire, I have no idea what is Cledwyn pertaining to. I am just here for about two years. And I don’t like gossips, so I have no idea if those two had something before or something.” Andrei shrugged which made Phoebe think. 

“I am sure that Cledwyn was pertaining her making friends with her for power or position, I heard the pop of the P. Which is obvious for a family like them,” Phoebe concluded. “We can’t be sure unless we heard it the way through. But it is most likely about power and position.” The two part ways when they reached the gate. Phoebe went in her carriage and went home to the archduke’s mansion.

She arrived with ease as she enters the mansion. The archduke has already arrived from his work. “Good afternoon, Phoebe.” Bermin smiles at her, “You seem had a good school day.” The young lady nods, “Yep, miraculous things have happened today.” The archduke looked at her with interest, “Oh? Mind if you tell me, little miss?” 

“Well, my former foe just said sorry to me.” Bermin raises his eyebrows, “Do you mean Cledwyn? Huh, are you sure this isn’t a trap or a play?” Phoebe shrugged, “I don’t know, but base on his actions earlier and how he talks with his sister, it seems genuine and really true. But, Andrei told me to be vigilant at all times.” 

“You should, Cledwyn is a creation of manipulation and envy, he will do anything he wants and he might succeed doing so. But if this is true, I am glad that he already became humble and admitted his mistakes. His father’s death might contributed to it, because I have no clue how did he became this if not.”

Phoebe changed her clothes and came back downstairs to talk more with the archduke. “How’s your observation with the two councilors I said to you, sir Bermin?” She asked which made the latter sighs, “Well, no sign of someone enslaving people. I might start befriending the two to observe them more. But I still need a reason why I would be close to them. None of them are my men so I need to be cautious.”

Their conversations continue along with the lady who arrived from the marketplace with the other maids. Tomorrow was another day for her, and another chance for Cledwyn to prove himself once more.

Early in the morning, Phoebe is already heading to her school for their path meeting for the event for teachers. When she arrived, she quickly went to the cafeteria plaza to meet with the others, a lot of people were there now, including her co-officer, Cledwyn, Kyran, and Gerald. 

“Good morning, Phoebe!” Greeted Kyran, followed by Gerald's typical chill greet, and for the first time in Phoebe’s life, a lively greet from Cledwyn. “Take a seat, the meeting will start soon.” The latter said as the only lady in the group sat beside him.

“I am glad for your redemption, Cledwyn. I no longer need to be nervous everytime we have meeting or even a needed interaction. Those really make my sweat back off.” Kyran said which made the two laugh while the other leader sighs. “I am quite sad that I made you feel that. I am really sorry.”

“That’s your 68th sorry starting from yesterday. Look, we already forgave you. A single sorry from you really impacted us all. For now, let’s set aside everything from the past. For someone like you to start over again with your attitude, you must not take a glimpse of your past anymore, it will just make you feel down. Your reflection in the winter break is already enough and it shows.” Gerald said as he pats Cledwyn’s shoulder. 

“Typical philosopher Gerald. Why didn’t you take some special classes for being a philosopher? It suits you well.” Kyran giggled which made Gerald smile. “Nah, after all, Political Path is fun.” After their talk and giggles, Andrei took the lead to open and start the meeting. 

As the start of class was approaching, Andrei dismissed them all and all of the officers make their way to their classrooms. The three arrived in theirs and sat in their respective seats. As they wait and confirmed their first subject of the day will not come, both of the leaders took this as an opportunity to discuss about the project that the student councilors bestowed upon them. 

The meeting went well and their classmates have a lot of suggestions and visions about the project. With Cledwyn’s new attitude, it made them a bit more comfortable to suggest and talk about their ideas. They did some classes and they all took lunch in their respective areas. 

Phoebe arrived in her circle’s usual area with Belle and Andrei was already there waiting for them. They greeted each other, “Cledwyn is improving, it seems he really meant it huh.” Phoebe smiles, “It seems too, I guess he wants to be better now—”

“Mind if I sit with you guys?”