THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

In the morning, I went to the hospital to check on Lanuvel and Rose but they weren't there.

"The soldiers from the Koersombre's household came and picked them up earlier."

One of the priests tells me as he saw I was looking around, dumbfounded.

"I see. Thanks. Do you know where they weren't heading to?"

"Most likely, the Koersombre residence in Ragus. We check her and she is in a good enough condition to endure traveling."

"I see. Thank you." Well, if they are gone, that's good.. But she could have said something, at least.

"I am not that important, I guess." Actually, why do I even care? As long as she doesn't know the truth, it is good enough.

***

When I go to the academy, I find a lot of people at the entrance going out of the school. They are students. All of them wearing casual clothes or fancy ones. Some of them getting picked up by a carriage while others are walking out with suitcases. What is happening?

As I walk past the gate, everybody is looking at me like an unknown being, what did I do again? I reach our dorm only to find everybody outside. Cordel, Peter, Esteressa, even Keltia and…

"I thought you were gone." Lanuvel is there as well, wearing a blue dress that covers only up to her knees.

"Gone where?"

"The priest told me that you went to Koersombre residence."

"Ah, yes. Mom has been picked up already. But we are all going there together. It is vacation after all."

"It was under the special request of my father so you can't refuse."

Keltia comes to me and places her finger on my chest.

"You are an affiliate of the Koersombre household after all."

"I see. Let's go then." If Rose isn't here. There is no reason to stay here as well. But the last thing. "I will just grab K'nor and meet you guys outside the city."

"You don't pick up your things?"

"I don't have anything to pick up."

"Eh? Really?"

"Yup. Really."

***

"Woof!!"

"Yes! I know! I know!! Just stop!! Ahahaha!! It tickles!" K'nor is incredibly happy to see me. Does he know we are going outside the city?

I bring him out then lightly bow to Rock and go to Anriette's house. I guess the least I can do is to say goodbye.

"Ah, Kevin. How are you?"

"I am fine, Claire. And you?"

I find Claire right outside her house, it seems she was about to leave.

"Oh, same ol' days, you know. Are you going somewhere? School's vacations start today, right?"

"Yes, indeed. I have been invited to the Koersombre residence so I am going there."

"I see. Sadly, Anriette isn't here right now. She went to see somebody from what she told me."

"I see." Well, nothing I can do about it. I tried to be polite at least. "In any case, I wanted to tell you goodbye and see you soon."

"Okay, no prob'. Be careful on the road. Some bandits have been sighted lately."

"Okay. Thank you."

As I turn around, I hear a window creaking. I lightly glance and see somebody quickly disappearing from it. Did Claire lie to me? I suppose Anriette is still angry then.

I go outside the city and a few minutes later, two carriages arrive. They stop before me and Cordel's head comes out of the window of one of them.

"You are riding with us?"

"No, it's okay." I prefer to stay with K'nor.

"Okay." Cordel makes a somewhat displeased expression as he brings his head back inside. Sorry, but between you and K'nor, the choice doesn't even exist.

***

The carriages are moving pretty fast. They are pulled by three horses each. As for me, I am riding K'nor and we are a bit ahead of them. Before we went, I put on K'nor the armor Anriette bought for him once. It was a bit short but it still manages to fit him. Since it has handles, it is easier to stay on him without being thrown over or grabbing his fur and making him feel uncomfortable. I wouldn't want somebody to grab my hair as I am running either.

In the evening, we reach a small village. We all stop at an inn that seems out of place. It is really well built, good-looking and clean. Wich is the contrary of the village. Most houses are poor looking, with damaged roofs. The villagers don't look too wealthy either. What is happening here?

We enter the inn and the maids inside receive us like kings. Ten maids are lined up in two rows of five on each side of the door right after we enter. They are already bowing when we do.

"Welcome to the DREAM INN." Why am I the only one being impressed by this? Everybody else just walks past them like it was no big deal.

Keltia and Cordel go to the counter and talk to the receptionist while we are sitting in the hall. The maids bring us glasses of water and the one filling my glass smile at me like I was her king, her god. Seriously, what the fuck is going on here?

"Okay, guys. We have a problem."

Two minutes later, Keltia and Cordel are back and they aren't smiling.

"It seems they won't have enough for each of us."

"Tch. Even though, I sent a letter two days ago. Those scums."

"Keltia, you know this place?"

"Yes, Kevin. Why?"

"And you don't find all this weird?"

"Weird?"

"Yes. There is obviously something strange going on here."

"Ah, I see. I will tell you about it later."

"Okay."

"Anyway, Cordel, what do you think?"

"Well…It's not like we can't really deal with it. There are three rooms available so Lanuvel and Esterssa can take a room. We will see how to do between ourselves for the last room."

"Okay. Peter, you can sleep with me if you want."

Peter turns as red as a ripe tomato when Keltia says that. I don't understand why, th…Ah, okay. I see. I didn't know they were like that.

"I-I-I am good, thanks."

"I was joking, don't worry." Keltia laughs elegantly while everyone is looking at her with a questionable face. It didn't look like she was joking though.

The girls leave and let us boys discuss how we are going to sleep.

"Alright, now. I think-"

"I'm sleeping with K'nor, Cordel. So you guys can figure out the rest."

"Okay." I leave Cordel and the other two then go outside to the stable. I don't know when they did it but they already brought K'nor there together with the horses carrying the carriage.

"This doesn't smell good at all." And I am not talking about the horse's shit I just stepped on.