Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

I laid down on my bed and thought about the conversation I just had with Aunt Zaira. Luna was killed by the demons because of her future seven years ago. That meant the demon clan had been active for the last ten years and nobody was even aware of it. And worse, the higher ups of Praiji Empire were keeping mum about it.

I couldn’t really blame them. The demon clan’s uprising before the empire was founded struck fear among humanity. They probably did not want panic to rise among the people. But I still couldn’t help but wonder at the yellow-eyed demon’s words.

-Luna will be an obstacle in the future for them, how did they even know such information? And that celestial... he’s obviously an officer from the celestial palace, just what the hell is going on?

My thoughts were cut off by a knock on my door.

“Come in.” I said and sat up. Vyfal snuggled closely to me and I started caressing her fur. It made me relax which was a pretty nice feeling.

“Fourth young miss.” Thomas greeted and bowed in my direction.

“Tommy, just call me Luna please. We’re friends.”

“Very well then.” he sat at the edge of my bed and clasped his hand in a casual manner.

“Eh? You’re home?”

“Tomorrow’s a weekend remember?”

“Oh yeah.”

“I have good news and bad news. Which one would you like to hear first?”

Surprisingly, Thomas was smiling which was unlike him and I found it suspicious.

“Uh… the good news?”

“The good news is there was no attempt on Kai on the days that you were gone and surprisingly, Freya asked how you were doing.”

“Huh? Really?”

I probably held a funny expression because Thomas started chuckling at me. Well I wouldn’t blame him about it. I probably looked ridiculous when I heard the one about Freya.

“Freya? As in Freya von Borealis? Snobby Freya?” I asked to confirm.

“Yes, snobby Freya.”

I had a suspicion that it was probably one of her personalities that asked about me. It was probably the personality called Fiona since she seemed to be the most level-headed one. Freya herself wouldn’t act that way since she hated my guts.

“Wow. That’s… wow. Anyway, the bad news?”

“The bad news is everyone wants to visit you in the weekend.”

I scoffed. “It’s just visiting. It’s normal for friends to visit their sick friends, right?”

“It 'is' normal. It’s just that, they don’t really know you’re part of the Celestine Family so they might be surprised when they see you in the main house.”

-Shit.

Yeah, that one swear word was my only thought. I attended the Imperial Academy incognito, what everyone knew was that I was from the Celestine Territory, but they did not know I was part of the family that ruled it.

“We need to do something.” I told him and immediately stood up. “Is there a vacant room in the Dorms?”

“Fortunately yes, I checked.”

I breathed out a sigh of relief. “Help me move some of my stuff there.”

The Dorms was a building behind the Celestine Manor that housed the students from the Celestine Territory that did not have any relatives or residence in the capital. Although the Imperial Academy provided lodging for its students, the academy administration couldn’t stop the students where they would go and sleep during the weekends and the short holidays. So, Aunt Zaira created the Dorms for those students.

Thomas lived there together with the other students from our hometown. And since our friends were going to visit me, I had to stay there as well. At least, for the duration of their visit.

I ended up sleeping in the Dorms that same night. It was a very awkward experience since the other residents of the building were either cautious of me or afraid of me. Let’s just say, my local reputation is neither good nor bad but definitely scary.

I woke up late the next day and before lunch rolled in my friends was already waiting for me in the lounge area of the Dorms. I was very surprised to find Peter and Senior Leo visiting as well.

“I’m only here to accompany Kai.” Peter reasoned. “My father wouldn’t let him out of the academy or the palace without somebody with him. It’s either me or a small squad of bodyguards.”

I just nodded my head in understanding. And then our gazes landed on Senior Leo who was inspecting the interior of the lounge.

“Oh, I’m here to babysit both Kai and Peter. My imperial brother asked me to.”

“Okay?”

After that awkward conversation with the princes, Andrea tackled me to the floor and hugged me really tight.

“Luna! I really missed you! I asked my mother to cook a very nutritious soup for you!”

“Thanks Andrea now please get off.”

We all sat down and I noticed most of them checking out the room.

“Wow, the archduchess really is something.” I heard Leo comment as his eyes roamed around. “She has always been intimidating but she actually really cares for his people. I mean, she even went as far as providing free lodging for the students from her territory. Truly amazing.”

“Uhm, Prince Leo no offense, but we usually don’t talk about the archduchess around here, I’s weird and rude since this is still her land and she's our benefactor.” Thomas said and flashed with a strained smile on his face.

“By the way Luna, are you okay now?” Charles asked and suddenly handed me a potion. “It’s a health potion I made one my own. It can also be used as a food supplement and most importantly, it has peppermint flavor.”

I blinked my eyes in both surprise and confusion, but accepted the potion anyway.

“Are you going to return to school on Monday?” Kai asked this time.

“Yes. I’m okay now and staying here is really boring, so I’d rather return to school.”

“That’s the spirit!” Bernard exclaimed and patted my shoulder.

The entire afternoon was spent on talking and eating. And despite Senior Leo not being part of our circle of friends, he actually managed to fit in. As expected of the student council president, he could easily adjust to his environment.

“Hey, Sebastian’s not here right?” Peter suddenly asked once everyone else was distracted with a board game.

“Shouldn’t 'you' know that? He lives in the palace and so do you.”

“Why should I? I don’t even like him.”

“I can see that.” I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and sigh. “By the way, why do you hate the crown prince? I mean, he’s super nice.”

“That’s none of your business. I just wanted to know if he’s lurking inside the Celestine Residence, I didn’t ask you to question our relationship.”

Before I could even reply, he already walked away. I did my best to hold myself back even though I got really annoyed by the idiot.

-What is his problem with Sebastian? I should ask someone about it soon.

By the time the sun had set, they all finally returned home. Thomas and I saw them off at the side gate, the gate that was the closest and had direct access to the Dorms.

“They did not suspect anything right?” I asked him.

“Not a thing.”

“I’m claiming that room by the way, just in case something like this happens again.”

“What will happen again?”

Thomas and I almost had a heart attack at the sudden question and presence. I turned around and saw Aunt Zaira standing behind us in casual clothes.

“Is it having guests?” I nodded nervously and Thomas was practically frozen stiff beside me. “I don’t mind you guys having guests, just inform me in advance and make sure you don’t get busted Luna.”

“Yes Aunt Zaira.”

“Good. Now come, Torii’s visiting and we’re having dinner. You can join us Thomas.”

“Yes archduchess.”

Thomas and I looked at each other nervously and followed my aunt as we made our way back to the main house.