Chapter 888: Final Year At The Royal Academy
The days following Jax’s report to his Boss went by in a daze.
Howard spent his time either with his family or with his two friends, Taylor and Sept.
Likewise, Grandpa Valente did the same, visiting different places in the Capital with his grandsons, Roman and Knox.
Some days, the grandfather was brought along to Knox’s scenic spots for a picnic, and at other times, he accompanied Roman to inspect newer business options.
A few times, the twins had taken their grandfather to the night market, disguised as commoners to enjoy the lively environment there.
When Yvonne and Howard had heard about it, they too seemed interested in experiencing this new lifestyle but their thoughts were straightaway rejected by their parents.
Using their young age as a shield, Rutherford and Raylene stood firm in their decision and did not waver in the least bit.
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Noticing their stern attitude, Yvonne gave up readily as she was only wondering how the commoners’ night market was but the same could not be said about Howard whose interest had been piqued.
However, he did not rebel outrightly but planned to do something about this matter as he too wished to go around the Capital in disguise to learn how the commoners lived.
As he had kept his thoughts a secret from everyone around him, no one realized the ideas brewing within him.
Even his best friend, Taylor, was unaware of these plans he was secretly making which he hoped to accomplish in the future.
In this way, their days of vacation were now nearing their end.
The boys who had returned to visit their families would soon have to begin their journey back to the Royal Academy which was located in the Brodie fief since their classes were set to begin the day after tomorrow.
Therefore, today was their last day of leisure which they could spend in the Capital as they would have to get back to the Academy a day before the next half of the academic year could commence.
Today also happened to be the day of the party held at the Tanner estate, organized by the Duchess herself.
Each year, before the academic year could commence, a Madame would take it upon herself to hold a lavish tea party to celebrate the coming academic year of the boys studying at the Royal Academy.
Since this would be the Tanner family heir’s final year at the academy, Duchess Tanner had announced that she would be organizing this party for her eldest son’s sake.
This would be the last year of education for Topher and the other boys who were in the same grade as him so the Duchess planned to make this event special for them.
Once they graduated, they would be considered to be adults in their society so it was an event that deserved to be celebrated.
Therefore, Duchess Tanner had asked her close friends to help her organize a special event for the young boys, not just of Topher’s age but for everyone else who attended the Royal Academy.
Thus soon after the sun rose today, Countess St. Claire, who also happened to be one among the women who had helped the Duchess, was busy making sure that her children were prepared for the event that would be held later today.
Yvonne’s training with the Captain and her classes with the Marquess was canceled ahead of time and Howard had been asked to set aside everything else to attend this party without any complaints.
The two children were made to get up early and prepare for the event, leading them to have sighed countless times since they had woken up before sunrise this morning.
The siblings would have been sparring right now had it not been for the strict schedule their mother was making them follow.
Knowing full well that their father would be of no help in this situation as he too would support his wife’s decisions wordlessly, the two siblings had not tried to go against her demands and followed everything they were asked to do.
By now, Yvonne had already gotten used to the amount of time and effort put in by the maids to help her get dressed for such special occasions.
Therefore, she sat as still as she could but used this time to converse with Demon using their mental link.
The two had been training incessantly to help improve their strengths, pushing their limits as a pair.
Thus they had a lot to discuss while Roselie and Mrs. Jacinth helped the little girl prepare for the party that would be held in a few hours.
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Meanwhile, the environment at the Tanner estate was far more chaotic than in the rest of the households who had been invited for today’s tea party.
Usually, only those families whose sons were attending the academy would be invited but this time, the Duchess had decided to invite every noble family who was residing in the Capital for this special occasion.
Therefore, the number of guests who had been invited this time was much higher when compared to similar events held in the past.
Since it was Topher’s last year, the Duchess did not mind splurging for his sake and her husband, as always, agreed with her plans.
Hence, right now, a few hours before the event could begin, the servants were rushing around to ensure that nothing went wrong on this special day.
On the contrary, the two sons of the Tanner family were nowhere to be seen as they had been asked to rest until the party could begin.
Topher, tired of staying in his room, had gone to check on his younger brother and thus right now, was scowling at how aesthetically pleasing the room he had just entered was.
Their mother had helped the younger boy in designing this room and her influence was evident in the decor.
Taylor, who was sprawled out on his bed and was ignoring his brother’s presence, had not noticed the look of disdain that had flashed across his elder brother’s eyes.
Just as Topher was about to mock him for the appearance of his room, he heard a voice echoing in his head.
‘I might be late today.’ A slightly mature and gruff voice reached him before silence resumed.
Knowing just who this voice belonged to, the heir of the Tanner family sighed before humming in response to acknowledge those words.
After that single sentence, nothing else was heard which implied that their communication had been cut off so Topher rolled his eyes at the other person’s cold demeanor before reverting his attention to his younger brother.
“Did you pack everything you would need for the Academy?” He chose to waste his remaining time by discussing such minor topics as there was nothing left for them to do until the party could commence.
Taylor had been desperately waiting for this tea party to begin so he could meet his little sister once again.
Therefore, a light of impatience flashed across his eyes when he heard his brother’s useless query.
“Shouldn’t the maids be worried about that?” He retorted before rolling his eyes which did not sit well with the older boy.
Topher was far more independent than his brother so he often looked after his own belongings, unlike the fool who was rolling in bed right now.
Therefore, when he heard that Taylor had left all of the packing to the maids, he scoffed at how lazy his brother was being.
However, when he recalled something, he soon regained his composure and intently gazed at the other boy.
“I’m sure you will get better once this year ends.” He declared and smirked when he saw his younger brother’s jaw drop once his sentence came to an end.
Taylor jumped out of his bed and glared at his brother for the indirect threat that had just been made.
Once Topher graduates at the end of this year, he would officially join the Red Scorpion Knights and become a squire.
While he might be the Duke’s heir, he too would have to make his way from the bottom to prove that he had the ability to lead the knights in the future.
However, knowing Topher’s current level too well, Taylor was sure that his brother would climb the ranks in no time.
‘And he won’t let go of any chance to torment me once that happens!’ He lamented inwardly but tried to keep a brave face while maintaining eye contact with his elder brother who most certainly was his biggest bully.
Topher, on the other hand, was amused to see his reaction which meant that the young boy had realized the message hidden in that declaration.
‘Learning to be independent will come in handy someday.’ He harrumphed as this too was a life skill that his ignorant brother needed to develop.
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