Ryden's POV

For the sake of custom I had to return back to the Dragonian Empire upon the return of the princess. I did my best to stall it by two weeks after her recognition ball and even used that time to get closer with her. She saw me as a friend, and I started loving her even more. Two weeks away from her was like being stabbed in the chest and having the knife get twisted all over.

So for the first time ever, I was excited about going back to the academy. Even the principal was surprised, since I had applied for early graduation and finished two years earlier alongside Fenn and Renn, 'cause I hated it there. But because of her, I had accepted the job that I had been rejecting for over a year now, and even Renn did the same. But knowing him, he would never admit that she was the reason. He acts cold, but me and Renn have something of an understanding, and he is someone I truly respect alongside Tarin.

Today is the day when students are to check in. The faculty was meant to check in two days earlier, so I have been here for two days already waiting for her. And of course, Renn didn’t listen and came with the rest of his family despite being a member of the faculty.

I didn’t want to look desperate, so I just watched her from the sidelines as she went to check in, went to her dorm, and even shut the door behind her. Even though I missed her, I guessed I wanted her to look for me, to at least show she missed me. So I refused to meet her and instead went to see Renn at the faculty check-in.

“The rest of the faculty checked in two days ago. Didn’t you get the information?” I asked with a smirk.

And then he smirks, looking back at me. “If you were the one given a chance to stay in this boring place two days earlier or wait and travel with Miri, what would you have chosen?” he taunts me.

This boy might seem aloof to others, but I think only I and Fenn know the truth about his psychopathic nature. As much as I would never let anyone hurt or even indulge the thought of hurting Miri, I do feel pity for the person that would attempt it. 'Cause Renn is someone even a devil would not want to mess with.

“I never said I don’t understand your decision. I’m just acting bitter,” I retort with a shrug.

And then we hear the announcement: “All students new and old are to assemble at the auditorium for a special briefing and welcome by the headmaster.”

With a nonchalant tone Renn asks, “Do you want to go and take a look?”

“No. I’m not interested in going.”

“Great, me neither. But I am going to leave so I can meet up with my beautiful sister after she leaves the auditorium,” and he starts walking away.

I did say I would not look for her, but I’m not looking for her. I’m just following Renn, and he just happened to look for her.

“Wait up, Renn, I’ll come with you.”

We walk all the way to the main building, and I prefer walking when everywhere is empty because the gaze and gushing of the students can be really annoying. Me and Renn are considerably attractive, which just makes moving around considerably annoying.

We reach the auditorium just as the students come out. I see Miri talking and laughing with Aeren, and Alira laughing with Malric. Lior is the first to spot us as he yells, “Renn, Ryden!” and they all stop their conversation and look at us.

And then Miri, she runs to me and spreads her arms to give me a hug, and just as I was about to embrace her back, she dodges and hugs Renn behind me while laughing hysterically. They all started laughing at me when they saw what she did and how my arms were just there opened like a fool. But rather than closing and dropping my arms down in shame, I grab her from the back and raise her up and throw her in the air as she screams before catching her back.

“Hi Ryden, it’s been a while.”

“Really, I barely noticed.”

“Hey, that’s so mean ‘cause I actually missed you.”

She missed me. She said she missed me. All the hurt I felt in my heart was gone in an instant, and now I feel like disappearing for another two weeks just to hear her say it to me once more. But instead I dropped her down.

“Yeah, I know you did.”

And she punches me. “If you had manners, you would know to say you miss me back, not the nonsense that came out your mouth.”

And just then Alira comes and gives me a tap on the back.

“Long time no see, big guy.”

But before I can even say anything back, the whispers become so loud.

“Isn’t that the castaway Dragonian prince?”

“What’s his relationship with the found princess and that human?”

“Did you see the way he held her?”

“What is their relationship with one another?”

Lior sighs and whispers to us all, “Let’s leave here and go somewhere quieter.”

And we all walk away. We decide to go to Lior’s dorm ‘cause he hasn’t been assigned a roommate yet, and just decide to stay there for a while. And I only agreed ‘cause I believed it would be an opportunity for me to spend more time with Miri.

But just as we reach the door to his dorm, Miri and Alira say that they have to leave. And out of curiosity I ask, “Aren’t you guys gonna stay?”

Alira is the one to answer me. “No, we have to unpack and we are still a bit tired, so we will have to leave first.”

And then they run off quickly, disappearing from my line of sight way too fast for comfort.

And then Renn comes up and puts a hand on my shoulder. “What? Disappointed?”

But rather than answering, I hit him in the rib with my elbow and walked off as well. If she isn’t here, I have no reason to stay either.

On my way to the faculty dorm, I run into the daughter of the Mooncrest Minister, whose name I actually can’t remember.

“Hello Ryden, can I call you that?”

“No, it’s Mr. Ryden for you.”

“Ohh, sorry Mr. Ryden. My name is Vessara Mooncrest, daughter of the Mooncrest Minister of the Demon Empire. I just wanted to inform you about that girl Miri. She isn’t a good person. She has ulterior motives. She is just getting close to you for the sake of gaining favor in class. She’s just a deceitful person.”

“Ohh really? Is she really that kind of person?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, thank you for telling me. How did you know that deceitful girls are just the type I fancy? If I wasn’t interested before, I sure am now. Thank you once more. Now if you excuse me, I have to get ready for tomorrow’s class.”

I walk away as I try to reign in my anger. If anybody speaks bad about my girl again, I just might lose control and break the no-killing rule.

But for now, I really should get tomorrow’s class schedule ready.