“Wow! Quite a lovely little place you got me.” I said, staring into what would be my new home for however long. I was talking to a kind old woman who’d just left the dorm. She’d left a meal inside I was eyeing up, trying to get a better look at what would fill my starving orifice.

“Oh thank you, nobody ever really gives me compliments anymore.” she smiled. “Just ask anytime if you need a cleaning, okay? I don’t question whatever weird stuff you’ve got in there, promise.”

Weird stuff? What did she think of me as? A male prostitute?! Nay! I was a showman, damnit! A glamorous jester fit for a glorious king! “Alright, will do. Thanks!” I replied, being a polite young gentleman any grandma would desire.

“You’re welcome.” she finished, leaving the door open and walking down the hall.

The dorms were situated far from the main schoolhouse. Around a quarter of a mile, infact. But the buildings related to the college stretched that far. Probably unlike Headmaster Vivaldi’s tiny you-know-what.

While I liked Walnut, her father was a bit of a prick. He’d stalwartly thrown me to servants, ran off with his daughter, and made judgemental faces at me when I had seen him. It’s like I’d done something wrong to him, it felt as if I was awkwardly here, like Emperor Dirge came back from the dead and suddenly started romping around campus like he’d not committed several crimes against humanity.

Whatever the case, I was just pleased to have somewhere to contemplate the last couple hours. Each one became stranger and stranger. Above all, though, I just hoped my uncle was okay, wherever he may be.

I’d sat on my comfy, plush couch. Then I sprawled out like a cat, and took a loooong sigh. Life was good.

Then I inhaled and experienced the odor on my body that everyone had been smelling the entire day and nearly puked my guts.

I stood up and took the costume off, sitting on the couch in my undergarments. Just a short-sleeved white shirt and my underwear.

It smelled a bit better. Gods, that thing was muggy. I’d ask the maid to wash it later as I realized it was the only thing I could walk around the campus in right now. Where would I get clothes? How would I even-

*growl*

Oh, yeah, how the heck had I forgotten breakfast?! Wait… was it now lunch? I stood up and looked at the plate sitting upon my bed. A nice piece of veal with some mashed potatoes and a warm bun. Yum! Now this was a feast I wouldn’t have thought twice about eating. If it had been poisoned (which it luckily wasn’t) the assassin would have been paid handsomely for such a successful kill.

I gorged on that poor sheep’s roasted corpse, finishing the meal in 15 minutes flat and washing down with some water I got from the ceramic pitcher the maid lady was nice enough to bring.

Damn, I could get used to this! Now, if only I could get a bath, this would be perfect.

----------------------------------------

“Well, today got considerably worse.” Vivaldi said, sitting back in his office chair. His daughter was sitting before him, boredom across her face.

“If you’re wondering, I was on the beach, practising spells, when I was taken.” Walnut explained. “Sorry though, Dad.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“It’s okay. The nerve that Demetrius thinks he can just take you to get my attention of Mr. Marsile.” the principal said, shaking his head. Around that time, the door swung open. A tall woman wearing way too much makeup and dressed in a scarlet outfit probably not allowed on campus due to its scandalous curvaceousness was standing in the door.

“I heard of the news.” the vixen said, quite uppity. She began giving a pouty face to the headmaster like a sad dog.

“Walnut, you’re dismissed. Be more careful next time.” Vivaldi said to Walnut, who got up and left with a sigh. “Hi Mom.” she said solemnly, shutting the door behind her.

“Darling, what’s the matter?” she said to Vivaldi, after ignoring her daughter.

“Jenkins Marsile just showed up at the front door and got a college tuition. That is a big matter.” Vivaldi sneered at his wife.

“What?! He mustn't see me! Why is he here?!” she exclaimed in whisper, running closer and dropping both palms on the desk in anger.

“I suppose you could ask Demetrius… he wanted him here.” he sighed, shrugging lightly.

“Get him out, Vivaldi! I could sic’ Worcester on him right now!” the woman continued, fuming. “You know what that ghoul brought him here for, right?”

“No, I’m afraid I don’t. However, his prophecies have worked in the past, and I believe he is trustworthy.” the principal continued, trying to stop the lambasting.

“His prophecies are nothing! They mean absolutely fuck all compared to what Machina has given us! He is a snake!” she continued angrily.

“Anastazie, Machina provides less and less each month, he is abandoning us. If we want to survive, we’ll prevent another war by simply letting Jenkins into the college.” Vivaldi suggested.

“Oh is that what the old fool told you…” Ana groaned, shaking her head once more. “And what if it’s a trick to get his filthy hands upon the Fantasmal Lexicon?”

“Oh honey, you are worrying waaaay too much. Listen, I am pissed about Jenkins being back too, and that we have to make sure he doesn’t find out, along with Walnut, but you have to remember, the new king is in vocal support of our school, which does put us in a good spot to stick around for a long while.”

“How does that have anything to do with Jenkins?” snapped Ana.

“Jenkins won’t cause any harm, I’ll see to it myself. He’s just some loser guy in a jester costume. He’s just a joke.” Vivaldi replied, leaning back, in control once more, calmed down.

“He better be, because if he’s planning to nab the Lexicon, we’re all screwed. Just remember who’s money put you in that chair, and built this building.” the vixen said, trying to look an inch taller as she turned to leave.

“Yes darling. But you are starting to sound more devout to yourself then Machina, perhaps that’s why-”

“Why what…?” Ana interrupted, turning back in contained fury.

“I’ll see you at dinner, my love.” Vivaldi smiled dismissively. His wife scoffed and clopped out the room on her high heels, disappearing down the hall.