Chapter 210 - Double Dinner, Double Trouble (Part 1/5)

Dinner.

For some reason, Faustina felt odd. Perhaps a feeling of tension—peculiarly though, she didn't experience any of that as she was teleported in front of the bridge that leads to the island where the dormitory of the sixth Ianua is situated.

"Then," Ezekiel smiled as he leans to her, and then, fluidly he gently held the end of Faustina's hair and kissed it with the bow of his head. "I'll pick you up at 7."

Faustina blinked.

"Sure."

**

Why? Why did I agree?

Faustina buried her face to the pillow. She was in a trance-like state earlier—she walked with her head on the clouds and the moment she arrived in her room, that was the time she realized she just agreed to have a dinner with such an important person.

Ezekiel Johann Unsterblich!

Not only did he save her in the incidence that occurred in the capital, but he was also a student that is in the first Ianua. And also—most of all—

He was the next schoolmaster.

Ezekiel Unsterblich.

Faustina turned her head sideways.

"Unsterblich... hearing that name only makes me remember him."

Him.

The forsaken.

Faustina's heartbeat sped up. The forsaken still harbored an effect on her. In some way, she still doesn't feel too good remembering him—not in any way. Even just thinking about him makes Faustina's heart clench, both in sorrow and anguish.

"But still, why did I agree?" Faustina buried her face in her palms.

Sheila specifically told her to lay it low! Having dinner with the schoolmistress's son is something that is too uncalled for. Besides, why did he ask her for dinner? What's up with it? Did something happen?

Or... is she found out?

Faustina kept on thinking about the reason whereas to why Ezekiel asked her for dinner. And so, after she finished taking a bath and dressing up, Faustina still felt tired from all the thinking.

It was fifteen minutes away from seven, so Faustina figured she must get going.

"Ezekiel didn't say if he'll pick me up from the dorm's gate or the bridge..." Faustina murmured as she smoothed the crease on her pastel pink dress, which fell below her knee. She also wore brown floaters and had her hair tied into a three-strand braid.

She brought her purse and then stored her staff using magic, just in case things would get awry.

**

Anakin and Lilliane were walking to the streets of Magierstadt's town. It was already evening, and the fireflies were already drifting around the place, illuminating the dark. Lilianne was wearing a dress which had the finest silk their father could ever fathom to gather—it was the color of red, which contrasted Lilianne's blond hair beautifully. The dress was indeed gorgeous, but his sister was given credit for her appeal and looks.

If it wasn't only her patience and her brain, then she should have been perfect.

"It's weird for you to join me, Brother," Lilianne said. "Usually you would tell me to go back to Feuersturm, or at least attend to my studies. What's with the change of mind?"

Anakin stared at Lilianne, who was still looking at the shops and the magical items that can only be seen in a magic country.

Lilianne came to Magierstadt without any prior notice—he only knew when she sent a letter saying she had arrived. This was how Lilianne is; to expedite her social circle, she would go as she pleases to different places (and in this case, a different country). This should be a big deal, given Lilianne only gone to different places in Feuersturm.

However, it's not like she doesn't have a good reason. Both her brothers—Ruenti and Anakin—were students of the said country. Coming for a visit passes as an excuse to their father.

But Anakin knew better.

"I want to see Ezekiel, brother..."

"You should stop whining and get it together. You're going to be Feuersturm's next empress. You shouldn't be too infatuated with him."

"Huh. The king's pretty much sickly, anyway. And I haven't seen his face since his ascension—plus it's not like I can remember it when I'm pretty much a child myself back then."

"So?"

"So he's probably not my type," Lilianne said. "So, what's the place in Magierstadt that is suitable for a noble lady, such as I?"

"I don't know. This place isn't the same as Feuer Capital, Lili. Magierstadt is the home for scholars. Do you expect scholars to party for a week?"

Lilianne rolled her eyes heavenwards. "Are you stupid? Of course, I know that."

The two were walking onto the streets, finding a good place 'good enough' to pique Lilianne's interest. Anakin himself looked around. Many seemed to be equally attracted to Lilianne like the ones in the country. She was, after all, a very charismatic lady that their mother educated as early as she learned to walk.

Upsides were that Lilianne became very graceful and a renowned lady in the society. She built her connections at a young age, which then called the attention of the castle itself. They saw Lilianne as a suitable empress due to her being a graceful, educated, and sociable lady.

But that was the surface. Anakin knew her to be similar to some villainess in a fantasy romance novel written by commoners. She harbored a short temper like their mother and a selfish and domineering attitude. Once she becomes the empress, she would surely indulge in whatever she sees fit.

"But seriously, Brother... what brought you here?" Lilianne asked as she crossed her arms. "You don't usually spend some time with me."

Anakin only walked alongside her, unsure of what to say.

Why did he come here, indeed?

"Beats me," Anakin exclaimed. "Maybe to kill time? And make sure you don't cause trouble for me."

Lilianne lifted a brow.

"You're less stingy today," Lilianne said. "Why is that? Oh! Did teachers whip you up well? You don't have that smug face of yours now."

Anakin stared at Lilianne and then gave her a knowing glare. He was still smiling, though.

"Don't use that to me," Lilianne proudly exclaimed. "After all, not too long from now, I may have both Feuersturm and Magierstadt at the palm of my hand."

Anakin stared. "Feuersturm and Magierstadt?"

Lilianne smirked.

"The king and the schoolmaster."

"...you sure aim high,"

**

Lilianne stared at her brother. She originally went here to check the ambiance and to sightsee—also, to visit Ezekiel as well.

And of course, Lilianne Disfiegro isn't shameless. She's a very refined lady that was beautiful and influential enough to be labeled as the future empress of the leading country in Zuerst, the Feuersturm Empire. She couldn't let such title go; but then, she won't try to have her youth taken away from her either.

Ezekiel Johann Unsterblich—a young man with such perfect character and face. He was her type, and Lilianne would do all it takes to make Ezekiel hers. She had first seen him when they attended the commencing exercises of her elder brother Ruenti.

There, she sees Ezekiel—he was a fine, young man who was just her age. He was different from all the guys she encountered. He had grace, and he knew the right words to say. Any girl would fall in love with him.

And so, after that, Lili tried her very best to get close to him. Whenever she knew noble ladies liked him, she would sabotage them until they would be considered as pariahs in the social circle.

That was how influential she is.

'But you're the next empress of Feuersturm. You can't dedicate your time creating scandals,' her mother reminded.

'Of course, Mother. I'm not doing this with Ezekiel too... but also for him...

...the king of Feuersturm.'

Unlike Ezekiel who was a gentleman to the core and a graceful young man, the young king of Feuersturm—who was just a tad older than Lilianne—possessed an entirely diverse air.

He had distinct features; platinum-blond hair and sapphire, jeweled blue eyes. When Lilianne heard of it as a child, she dreamt of a beautiful young man who was akin to a fairy tale prince.

Then she saw him at his ascension.

Alexander Octavius Ein Feuerkrieger IX.

His sapphire eyes were lifeless, and he looked pale. He was smiling, but it was hard to actually tell. His platinum-blond hair looked dull, too.

And Lilianne barely remembers exactly how he looked, considering after his ascension, he never showed his face in public. Even though he pushed for legislation of notable laws and even conquered a dungeon that harbored the Sword of Feuersturm, he still wasn't seen anywhere else.

It was because of the rumor he was terminally ill.

If Lilianne gets to marry an emperor that is on the brink of death, then she might get the title all for her own after he dies. And when that time comes, she can have as many lover as she wants—including Ezekiel, at that.

But of course, she wouldn't be able to have Ezekiel given to her on a silver platter.

She ought to make him fall.

"Now then," Lilianne smiles as she stares at the clock tower from the distance.

"I guess it's almost time for dinner." Lilianne then turned to her brother. "So, tell me brother; what's the best restaurant here in this town?"

**

Chain:

Double Dinner, Double Trouble will cover 5 parts. Also, just a lil spoiler: say hello to Noah.