THE ONLY SON AMONGST THE DAUGHTERS OF EROS

Aeric sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t start, Delva.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” Delva said, her grin widening as she sat back on her horse. “But I have to say, Master Aeric, you’ve certainly outdone yourself this time.”

Melina’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she said nothing, keeping her gaze firmly ahead as Aeric led her toward where their beasts were.

“Hello, Melina,” Delva teased.

Melina looked back at her and smiled. “Hi.”

Delva giggled, then shook her head. The stares and murmurs followed the two Royals as they mounted Sylver and Drex, who both seemed to be having a good time sitting beside each other.

Then, the trio headed towards the Institution.

~ ~ ~

By the order of Young Master Aeric who didn’t want any word out of Delva’s taunting mouth, the journey to the Royal Institution was uneventful and silent, but even at that, the air between the three of them still felt loaded with tension.

Aeric rode ahead on Sylver, leading them on the Silver Road while Melina was close behind on Drex, quite ecstatic to be riding this way for the first time, and Delva followed closely behind on her nimble mare, her sharp eyes glancing occasionally at Melina.

Very soon, they landed from the sky into the Institution grounds. As usual, this entrance caught a lot of attention and the sight of the Daughter of Moonlight riding alongside Aeric caused a ripple of murmurs as they both got down from their Beast Companions.

As expected, the campus was alive with activity. The Daughters and Teachers that were in conversations or carrying out quick chores, halted all they were engaged in as they registered the trio’s arrival.

The whispers broke out as Aeric dismounted, then Melina after him. Delva led both of their beasts to their stead, while the secret conversations continued as eyes watched the two walking together.

It had become an all-too-common sight seeing Aeric and Melina, but everyone still seemed to have an opinion. It seemed that they all knew about Melina’s banishment.

‘Guess word travels fast,’ Aeric thought.

More than surprised, Celestia was wrenched and heartbroken. She got up and hurried into the school, hiding her face. It seemed like Aeric was parting from her and only getting closer to Melina.

“It’s true then,” one Daughter muttered. “She’s staying in Starlight now?”

“I heard her mother banished her for a week,” another replied.

“Starlight, though? She went all the way to an enemy Region? Is she that obsessed with him? The same guy she used to bully?”

Aeric tried to ignore them, though their words buzzed around him like gnats.

Melina, for her part, kept her head high, her silver hair gleaming in the sunlight. If the whispers bothered her, she didn’t show it, and that actually impressed Aeric.

He had almost forgotten that she was a no-nonsense, snappy girl, and perhaps she had just learnt to be different around him.

Delva returned after securing their Beast Companions, then broke the silence among them. “So,” she said, folding her arms, “now I wish you the best of luck on your inauguration day.”

“Hey, hold on,” Aeric demanded, his tone businesslike. “You have to hang around today. We’re going to do the rundown for the Beast Glade raid later. Since you’re part of the team, it’ll give you a chance to meet the rest of them.”

Delva nodded. “Okay. I won’t be too far.”

“Good.” Aeric then looked at Melina who smiled up at him. He tried to ignore that bubbly feeling when she did, and just gestured for her to walk with him.

As they walked, Melina caught a glance with her elder sister, Aryanne, who stood across the courtyard. Aryanne’s silver eyes met Melina’s briefly, a flicker of emotion crossing her face.

But before Melina could say anything, Aryanne’s eyes turned cold and dark,then she turned away and disappeared into the crowd.

Melina sighed softly, but Aeric’s attention was drawn elsewhere. The bells of the Institution began to ring, and deep tones echoed across the campus.

A voice called out over the commotion, clear and commanding. “All students, please proceed to the ceremony hall for the inauguration of the first-ever Head Boy. Repeat, head to the ceremony hall.”

Melina looked up at Aeric, a small smile playing on her lips. “I guess that’s you. Congrats on the position, by the way.”

Aeric nodded. “Thanks.”

Before he could say more, Faeryn appeared seemingly out of nowhere, her quiet yet commanding presence drawing his attention.

Aeric was taken aback by her sudden appearance, but he tried to compose himself, her red eyes burning into him.

“Congratulations, SonAeric,” she said.

“Oh,” he sighed. “Thank you, Faeryn.”

“But remember, there’s a responsibility that comes with the position of Head boy. You. become closer to the Divine and you’ll be expected to uphold the standards of this Institution and lead by example.”

Aeric met her gaze evenly. “Yeah. I’ll keep that in mind.”

He was just about to turn around and escape when he heard another voice call his name again. Aeric turned to see Daphne of Dawn approaching.

The Head Girl was an imposing figure, her presence as commanding as the rising sun. S

Like other Dawn Princesses, her clothing was yellow, though she was more resolute in her dress code. She was clad in golden wargear — a fitted yellow tunic with intricate silver embroidery, that was so tight he could see the outline of her belly button.

There was room for quite a good amount of cleavage, and the outline of her breasts covered a good amount of her biceps. The gear was reinforced by gleaming shoulder pauldrons and a high collar, and there was a fancy belt with a hook for what appeared to be round blades designed in the shape of a sun.

They hung by her waists, dangling side to side like earrings as she cat walked towards him.

Her blond hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, highlighting her sharp, angular features and the piercing green eyes that seemed to see through him.

“Congratulations,” she said with a tone devoid of warmth. Then she looked at everyone else like they were lesser beings. “Come with me. The celebration is about to begin.”

Aeric blinked. “Uh… okay.”

Daphne’s gaze lingered on him, unreadable. “Everyone else is here to celebrate you. But you? You’re not one of them. You’re the one being celebrated. There’s a difference.”

Aeric glanced back at Faeryn and Melina, offering a quick goodbye before following Daphne. “See you two later,” he said.

Melina gave him an encouraging nod, while Faeryn simply folded her arms, no expression at all even though she had her opinions.

Daphne led Aeric toward a door at the far end of the academy. One he’d never been to.

As they stepped through, the noise of the crowd faded, replaced by an eerie silence. The air was colder here, the stone walls had barely any light even though flickering torches were present.

They ascended a spiral staircase, the steps creaking faintly underfoot. The passageway was narrow, the walls closing in around them. Aeric felt a twinge of unease.

“Where are we going?” he asked the Head Girl.

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