How to grieve.

Alexander found himself lounging back in his bed. 

Sighing deeply as he stared at the smooth ceiling above. 

The academy had closed for a week, giving students time to process what happened as the staff members worked with law enforcement.

The room was quiet, except for the constant buzzing of the ceiling fan and Jules' quiet humming.

Alexander glanced over at Jules, his expression drained. 

"How are you so… indifferent?" 

The question hung in the air, then with a soft smile Jules slowly raised his head. "You certainly ask a lot of questions, Sir Alexander."

Alexander couldn't believe it, Jules had watched a man die.

Yet he still smiled as if it were Tuesday.

He slowly sat up, his eyes narrowing. "You're weird, Jules… you know that?" 

Alexander then glanced out the window, where professors walked the grounds, heads held low. 

"Someone died…"

Alexander didn't know what he expected from Jules, he didn't even know why he cared. 

But for some reason, he just had to know.

Jules raised an eyebrow, before shrugging. "Death is inevitable, as my father would always say. It's not a matter of if, but when."

Alexander blinked.

"Seriously?!" He asked in frustration and disbelief. "A man was just executed, and that's all you have to say? Death is inevitable?"

Alexander felt his heart pounding as he rose from his bed. He didn't register how angry he was becoming, or even why.

This guy is such an idiot! He should be terrified right now! We all should!

Jules sighed as he looked down at his book. "Indeed, what more can be done? Death is irreversible, no tear will change that." He then flipped a page of his book with practiced ease. 

"Besides, I don't have the energy to weep for a man like that. You understand?"

Alexander pointed a finger at Jules, but before he could respond there was a knock on the door. 

"Coming!" Jules said, clapping his book shut before sliding down his bed.

Alexander watched as Jules opened the door. 

It was revealed to be D'élite Hinata and Princess Elizabeth.

Alexander's eyes grew wide as he spotted the familiar faces, but Jules only stepped aside. "One can only assume she's here for you, Sir Alexander."

"Alex, are you okay?" Elizabeth said softly, stepping from behind Hinata and into the room. "I came as soon as mother would let me."

Alexander internally groaned. 

Not because he disliked Elizabeth, but because he knew she would bring a wave of emotions he wasn't ready to deal with.

He didn't know how to handle it, and Jules played an entirely different ballgame.

"I'm fine, I… I'm just tired." Alexander lied, glancing at Jules who quietly slipped out of the dorm. 

Elizabeth tilted her head before stopping in front of him. "You look more than tired, Alex."

She reached for his hands, intertwining her slim fingers with his. Her touch was gentle and cold, yet warm in a strange sense.

Alexander felt a shiver run down his spine. "Elizabeth, I'm fine, seriously."

Elizabeth didn't respond immediately, but she had that look in her eyes. That look that said, 'I can see right through you, and I know you're lying.'

"Alex, I don't like it when you lie to me." 

Elizabeth said softly, before gently pushing him towards the bed.

Alexander's gaze dropped as he backed into the bed. 

"What am I supposed to say?" Alexander asked softly, sitting down. 

As Elizabeth sat beside him Hinata closed the door.

She stood in front of it like a sentinel, yet her gaze was kind and understanding. 

"You say what you're feeling," Elizabeth whispered, holding Alexander's gaze as she tightened her grip. "Even if you're scared."

Alexander hesitated, before glancing towards the window. 

"Every day is worse than the last." He answered. "Anytime I feel safe, I'm reminded that death is right around the corner."

Elizabeth nodded, massaging his hand with her thumb as she leaned closer. 

"That must be difficult. First a war in your homeland, then the death of your family, and now this."

Alexander frowned. "I feel like I'm the only one who feels conflicted. You, Jules, even Louise didn't seem too concerned after everything. Is that normal?"

Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, but for the first time, she seemed at a loss for words.

"I-I…" She swallowed, raising a hand to her mouth as she glanced at Hinata, desperate for help.

Hinata stepped forward, hands behind her back. 

"Alexander, I believe you misunderstand her highness' demeanor. Calmness in the face of tragedy is not something to be shunned, it's something her highness was taught."

Alexander glanced over at Hinata, "Does that mean I'm weak?"

"Of course not!" Elizabeth quickly replied, reaching for his cheek to make him face her. "You are the strongest boy I know, a warrior."

Alexander reached for Elizabeth's hand which rested on his cheek. 

He wrapped his fingers around hers with a sigh. 

Part of him wanted to keep explaining that he wasn't strong, that he was lost, conflicted, scared…

But he also knew that the more he did, the more Elizabeth would insist otherwise.

He couldn't tell if it was because she liked him, or genuinely cared for his well-being. 

Maybe it was both.

"If you say so." Alexander finally replied.

Elizabeth moved to hug Alexander, her arms looping around his neck as she pressed herself against him. Alexander hesitantly wrapped his arms around her lower back.

"You're important to me," Elizabeth whispered into his ear, her voice soft and sweet like honey. "Very important." 

Her lips brushed against his ear, Alexander's eyes bugged. "Uh…"

Hinata blushed faintly, before turning to leave the room. "I'll be outside." She whispered.

Alexander watched her leave, still frozen in place as his heart pounded. He didn't know what to say or do, he was barely breathing at that point.

She called him important.

That was a new one.

— — —

While Alexander dealt with Elizabeth, her mother was on the way to meet the du Camille family. 

Otherwise known as the sixth major house.

It dealt with the kingdom's economic and financial affairs. 

It consisted of the main family, three branching families, and finally the orbiting families.

Chloe was the daughter of Arthur du Camille, who was the head of the third-branching family. 

As the carriage rocked, Charlotte massaged her temples. "I just know Yvonne will guilt trip me for killing her husband…" she groaned.

D'élite Donna, who sat across from Charlotte glancing at the passing scenery, shrugged. "Who cares, she's probably just going to remarry a younger guy and be done with it."

Donna had a tone of indifference and boredom. 

More interested in picking her teeth than listening.

Charlotte sat up. "You know very well that there is more to this." She said irritably, 

"It's not about love lost, it's power. Arthur was the first son of the third family. Yvonne may lose her position entirely."

Donna tossed her toothpick out onto the paved road. "Doubt it, Yvonne has an affair with Arthur's younger brother, she'll be fine."

"And you know this because?"

Donna grinned, "I've done my homework."

Before Charlotte could respond, her carriage began to slow. 

"Woah girl, hup!" The coachman pulled on the reins as the Camille estate came into view.

It was immense.

A sprawling estate of stone and glass, its walls overrun with flowering vines and golden crests. 

The crest of the du Camille family was a large windwalker with a golden coin in its maw. 

Gleaming in the sunlight as Royal pathfinders marched the grounds. 

Charlotte peered out the window with narrowed eyes. "Huh, it seems they still employ my pathfinders."

"Ironic." Donna chuckled to herself softly as the carriage rolled to a stop. "Come on, char. We don't have all day." 

Donna pushed open the carriage door before jumping out. Her boots smacked the pavement with a thud.

Charlotte sighed as she followed Donna out, raising a hand to block out the sun.

"You made it…" a familiar voice echoed the moment Charlotte stepped out. Looking up, she was greeted by a tall woman with curvy hips and plump lips. "…I must say, you dress well for a killer."

It was Lady Yvonne, dressed in deep velvet robes that clung close to be modest. Her hair was pinned up, a hand was on her hip, and her eyes were as dry as desert sand.

She hadn't shed a single tear.

Charlotte squared her shoulders as she stepped forward.

"And you, you certainly seem to be handling the death of your husband well. One can only assume you don't feel too burdened by grief."

Lady Yvonne grinned with neither courtesy nor warmth. "Oh darling, hasn't anyone told you grief is a luxury only the poor can afford?" She cooed, "I have much to worry about, I'm sure you understand."

Donna shook her head. "I'm sure you'll handle it, you seem good at handling large loads." 

Charlotte blinked as Yvonne clutched her pearls. "Such language, just because you favor a dog doesn't mean you act like one."

Donna chuckled. "Good one."

Charlotte shook her head, seemingly done with the back and forth.

"Enough of this, I'm here for your daughter. Where is she?"

Yvonne raised an eyebrow. "And here I thought you came for a spot of tea." She scoffed, "That aside, I don't believe my daughter has any interest in seeing you."

Charlotte's eyes narrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "She doesn't need you to answer her, I'll speak with her myself."

Yvonne crossed her arms, tilting her head with confident arrogance. "You seem keen on ruining more than just my marriage, Whatever have I done to deserve this?"

"Marry a criminal," Charlotte replied sharply.

Donna snicked.

Yvonne rolled her eyes before waving her hand dismissively. "She's in the atrium, morning that… criminal. As you call it."

She then turned sharply, walking up the path and past the gates. 

"Come along darlings, we wouldn't want the locals getting the wrong impression."

Charlotte sighed before glancing at Donna, who simply shrugged. "And to think people want to become nobles, idiots."

"Goddess, guide me," Charlotte grumbled, following after Yvonne.