Chapter 544: Chapter 544 - Rizer’s Thoughts Leading to Henry
Underground
The coldness inside the Leonidas High’s team room was palpable to say least. If it wasn’t winter already, you would think otherwise. But the intensity emitting from Rizer’s dark eyes was counteracting against the cold temp.
Neither Henry or Rizer said anything for a while. Both waiting for the other to emit, either in blunder or failure.
Henry wondered if the apathetic Rizer would suddenly erupt and launch toward him. But he shook at the thought.
’No, His character in the books wouldn’t give into anger like that. Even if I have, unintentionally angered/humiliated him to a point, it should not cross that point yet.’
The Motherly dormant figure came to mind.
’Well... everybody has their limits. If I tell him about the circumstances between his mother and I, we would be clashing our blades and him trying to skewer me as painfully as possible... no, what really would be worse is Marika’s Anger.’
Henry’s mouth curved into a sly grin.
Rizer’s left eye cackled at it. It was as if looking at a pervy geezer who had a secret that was most enticing. He figured it was about Margaret, how he had tricked his betrothed from under and enjoyed the disgrace it brought him. The minds of lesser men can only stoop low.
And it was that cackle, that broke the silence.
"What... are you wearing?"
Henry’s thought about his own superiority broke.
"Huh?"
Of all the first words uttered by Rizer, he did not expect it would be that.
If anything, he expected direct or veiled insults, anger, brooding or that he would ignore him completely.
Henry took a quick glance at his own clothes and it took a brief moment before he finally understood.
Winter was the season and the temperature was biting cold. Anyone not wearing the heavy decorum of clothes was looked upon on foolishness. What Henry wore now resembled a gladiator’s style. His anti-manic armor went from chest to waist with nothing protecting his open neck or arms. If that already isn’t crazy enough, his pant of the same material didn’t even go up to his knees, ending slightly above at the thighs.
Finally, there was the large black sword, which was promptly ignored.
"It’s Fashion."
Rizer spoke later, as if processing, "...In the winter?"
"Real Fashion is how to look different than everyone."
Oh, he sure looked different... without sanity.
Rizer opened his mouth and closed it a moment later as he checked the armor. In a single glance, he knew what quality it was of. Only certain individuals had the qualifications to have them. He turned and walked away, opposite of Henry, showing his back.
Going to his locker and opening it, he prepared. A shiny long sword with silver handle, black-onyx armor which were contrary to Henry, fully prepared for the cold weather, a purple ring box and another larger box which had knives, emergency rations, bandages and other items.
As he started changing into battle form, he thought of the steps leading to here.
When they were brought up the stage, Rizer and others had worn decorative clothes. And right after, he quickly came down, eager to change clothes at his ease.
Yet, he met a person that surprised him greatly. Someone he had been searching for months and as his appearance came abruptly, he did not know what to do.
His betrothal wasn’t a matter of joy to him; it was of convenience. The candidate was not someone inferior to him, albeit in ranks of nobility. But talking of potential, Margaret Religias shone so brightly that if she had been born a male, they surely would have had a long rivalry by now.
But even of opposite gender, Margaret had great ambition. It showed when she campaigned against him for the presidency for the Student Council and ultimately won.
Rizer had no arguments about it, Margaret’s years at the council went with great efficiency, nobody had anything bad to say against her... well, most feared her.
In his mind, Margaret was a prime candidate for marriage... but it was not all good, she had her detriments too.
There were rumors of the way she behaved. And when he met her... he thought the rumors were mild, the real thing was much more problematic.
It was not too scandalous, even if Margaret behaved ruggedly, her sense of self had discipline, honor and integrity. She would not shame herself in a way that would strike against her vanity.
Although, he would stay patient and through their marriage, she would change for the better. She must, otherwise there were no place for her beside him.
In a way... he was okay with it.
But, when he heard it had been cancelled, he felt shock. Hearing the news, Ginny had been secretly ecstatic and Falcore, amused. One spoke about how ’She did not deserve him’ being quietly giddy and the other snickered through closed palms and spoke ’I knew the lady would object!’
Rizer couldn’t understand... how can someone reject him! He! The most eligible bachelor in the whole Leonidas Kingdom. Nobody had the authority to reject him, not even the quee-... on another point, he felt more baffled than anger, if any.
That was until he heard, the Religias, or more so, Margaret, herself chose the person. Rizer felt more than curious, there was no greater man than he, but since Margaret chose one, it had to be of some merit. She was not of the kind to fall in love.
Yet, he saw no merits- a broken house, a dead father of nefarious character and a stepmother vying for rights of the broken house and its hidden riches. The main character himself, said to be as nefarious as the father if not more... brutal. It was said the boy had a poor nature previously, that was until his father’s unspeakable departure when he showed a whole new appeal.
The Broken house of his, not so broken anymore had been mended by him, Through the same path that led to his father’s death. In a certain way, there were some praise of him underground, he did not delve further than that. Mother spoke of how not to lower oneself over muddy matters.
The only good thing he heard was related to the assassination attempt over the Harley Viscount. How the boy had massacred through countless assassins to protect the man. Even the one good thing about him was laden with blood.
Later he searched for him, also hearing the exploits inside the academy, truly the boy went knee deep the more he learned. Unfortunately, he slipped away to the Religias Household. To hide, he thought, but no, the boy actually went to war and dealt a serious blow to the Bandit King.
Even his cousin, Peter’s acknowledgement came secondary.
Then the news came, that the bastard (literally), had massacred close to a thousand of his household soldiers, accidentally.
How in the Goddesses name can someone kill hundreds accidentally!? ACCIDENTALLY?!!!
Rizer was certain it was the end of Henry Van Tax. Nobody had humiliated and hurt the Dragonoir Family like thus. The accused and his whole branch of family, servants and their families would feel the wrath...
That did not happen.
Instead, he saw his cousin death. His uncle going mad at losing the heir (Stupid of him to think that) and the Dragonoir House getting humiliated even more.
It seemed as if the enmity against the Tax household would hold onto generations, but one day, his mother announced, how they were to join in a business arrangement with the same house and all hostility were to put on hold.
...Is something large missing here?
Comments