Nobility of the 21st century

Chapter VII: More Problems

As winter loosens its grip on the land, the air fills with a soft, warm, revitalizing breeze. Trees begin to awaken from their winter slumber, and flowers timidly emerge from the earth, bursting into a lush palette of colors. Spring sets in, tinting the landscape with vibrant, fresh tones, creating an atmosphere of renewal and hope.

Days flowed like a constant river, carrying with them the uninterrupted sequence of time. The sun rose on the horizon, pouring its warm light over the world, announcing the beginning of a new day. The first rays of light filtered through the curtains, awakening life as they seeped into the rooms.

The daily routine unfolded in every corner, with people stepping out of their homes and immersing themselves in the bustle of everyday life. The streets filled with hurried footsteps, moving vehicles, and the constant murmur of voices. The city came to life with its vibrant energy, reflecting the diversity and multiplicity of stories intertwined at every corner as they were embraced by the autumn breeze.

Benjamin energetically copied the exercises left by the math teacher. When he finished, Professor Raquel Valencia offered them some gentle words of advice on how to solve the exercises and promptly bid them farewell as soon as the bell rang. Benjamin stood up and took Edgar's papers that he hadn’t yet handed in.

—Benjie, let's go to the cafeteria, are you coming? —Lucien asked as he took out his cell phone—. I'm hungry...

—I have to hand in these papers —he excused himself—. Bring me a ham sandwich —he requested, watching as the count nodded gently.

Erika suddenly appeared, hugging him tightly, catching him off guard. Benjamin looked at her, and she smiled, but then glanced around.

—What about the new guy? —the raven-haired girl inquired, a little confused—. I didn't see him during the whole class —she added, looking at her friends, who nodded.

—That's true… —muttered the brown-haired boy and smiled—. It's a good excuse to give him a warning. My father couldn’t do anything because he already accepted him, so Edgar can keep up with this attitude and attract his expulsion —he explained, lifting his head with pride.

Lucien started laughing loudly and slapped his friend on the back.

—And add another one because I don't like it —he joked, or maybe not, the count. Erika shook her head as she crossed her arms. Benjamin laughed and left, waving goodbye.

The prince made his way up the wide stairs of the Gold and Silver Crowns, with the murmur of students and the echo of his footsteps resonating around him. As he ascended, he noticed a figure in the shadows that caught his attention. His steps became more cautious, and he advanced with curiosity toward the spot where the dim light cast shadows in the hallway.

And there, on the stairs, his eyes met a scene that left him breathless. Edgar, the son of his father's rival, was embracing Linda, the principal's daughter. Their lips were locked in a passionate kiss, as if the world had stopped around them.

The sound of papers falling surprised the two passionate youths. Their gazes turned to the brown-haired boy, who still couldn’t say anything from the shock. Linda blushed with embarrassment, and Edgar remained still for a while.

The air seemed to thicken at that moment, as the weight of the discovery fell upon the three. An uncomfortable silence filled the space between them, interrupted only by the heavy breathing of those involved. Until voices and footsteps alerted them.

The principal appeared alongside the secretary, Ximena. She also widened her eyes at the scene before her. William, the principal, couldn’t have been more dumbfounded; his face lost color at the sight of his daughter with her disheveled uniform, and Edgar similarly disheveled. Then, his gaze shifted to the brown-haired boy, who also looked at him nervously.

—The three of you, to my office! —William ordered in a single shout, causing the three to tense up.

Benjamin nodded and bent down to pick up the papers he had dropped, then hurried after Linda and Edgar, who were straightening out their uniforms. He let out a sigh. He hadn’t thought the principal would use those stairs; after all, he usually used the elevator or the main staircase.

They climbed up to the office. The dark door opened, and they all entered without saying a word. The principal sat down, and Ximena left after closing the office door. Linda began to tremble, and Edgar remained silent, showing nothing more than a serious and somewhat worried expression.

—What happened down there? —William questioned, glancing at Edgar's dark eyes and then at his daughter's, but neither of them wanted to respond. The brown-haired boy frowned at being trapped in that stupid situation; he wasn’t even friends with that pair. He wanted to leave once and for all—. Do you have anything to say, Fox?

—No, I just needed to drop off these papers, but as I was going up, I ran into Edgar and Linda on the stairs —Benjamin said, leaving the documents on the principal's desk. When he raised his gaze, he met Linda's green eyes, looking at him with annoyance and anger. Edgar, on the other hand, still didn’t pay much attention.

—You may leave. —The prince didn’t wait any longer and quickly left. He descended the stairs in a stumble and reached the classroom, where his friends were waiting for him.

They were talking quietly, but they fell silent abruptly when they saw the brown-haired boy approaching, agitated and with a strange expression.

—What's wrong with you? —Lucien inquired, seeing him in that state. Erika stood up and handed the brown-haired boy a water bottle. Benjamin drank clumsily and almost choked, but he recovered quickly.

—I saw… —Benjie murmured and coughed—. I saw Linda and Edgar kissing on the stairs. —His friends let out a huge exclamation of surprise—. But that's not the worst part; I mean, the principal caught them! —he added in a muted shout.

—What?! —his friends exclaimed in unison. Erika was the first to react.

—At this rate, he'll only get himself expelled… —the marquise muttered, and Benjamin nodded with a more relaxed expression. Lucien smiled for no apparent reason.

—Anyway, it's not our problem —said Lucien and hugged Benjamin by the neck—. Let's go, we'll be late to help Erika.

—Right, the party is tomorrow! —exclaimed Benjamin, and Erika started laughing exaggeratedly.

The three ran to the Fox family's van and got in amid laughter. The driver started the car, and they set off on their way.