A Most Unlikely Hero, Vol 5, page 9
“Groom-to-be,” Azazel said, exhausted. “I apologize for the abrupt appearance, but there is a matter of grave importance that I must discuss with you.”
Alex stood in the doorway, saying nothing for several seconds before…
“I assume you’re referring to Michelle and Ariel, right?”
“If you know about them already, then that will make this much easier,” Azazel said, too tired to be surprised. “May I come in?”
“… Yes. Come inside.”
There was a strange sort of hesitance in Alex’s voice, but nevertheless, he stepped aside and allowed Azazel to enter.
Azazel walked into the hallway. He was about to step further in—when Alex coughed several times. Turning his head, he looked at the young man who pointed down.
“Your boots are muddy. If you’re going to come in, take them off first.”
He could have smacked himself. How could he forget something so fundamental? It was common courtesy not to track mud through another person’s home.
“Ah. Yes, of course.”
After taking off his boots, he followed Alex into the living room. Only Alice and Nyx were there. It looked like they were watching some show about a girl with a lot of physical strength, who liked to bash her enemies’ faces in.
“Titan Girl Crusher!”
“GYAA!!!”
Ignoring the sight of a guy getting beaten to death by a girl two times smaller than him, Azazel stepped into the living room. He frowned when a thud echoed behind him. Turning, he frowned again when he noticed the door swinging open and closed.
“Azazel, you said you wanted to talk.”
“That is correct.”
Azazel turned back around and sat down on the couch. He frowned for a moment as something odd struck him.
“Is this couch new?”
“It is,” Alex confirmed.
“I see. And this house… is it just me, or does it seem bigger somehow?”
“I’m sure it’s just your imagination.”
Azazel frowned some more, but he decided to ignore the strangeness of the house. There were more important things to discuss.
“Since you already know the situation, let me explain why I’m here.” Azazel coughed into his hand. “Princess Ariel and Princess Michelle have run away from home. King Lucifer has asked that I bring them back. I would like your cooperation on this matter.”
“No.”
“Thank you,” Azazel continued. “I appreciate your coop—wait. No?”
“That’s right. No, I won’t help you bring them back. I’ve decided to let them stay with me.”
Azazel felt like someone had decked him in the face. “B-but Groom-to-be, surely you understand why they must go back! King Lucifer has—”
“After what that man has done to Gabrielle, I couldn’t give two shits about what King Lucifer wants,” Alex cut in.
“But—”
“Nope.”
“But—”
“Not happening.”
“That’s—”
“No way in hell.”
“Groom-to-be!”
“If you’re trying to get me to do as you say, then calling me ‘Groom-to-be’ is the wrong way to go about it,” Alex stated bluntly. “That being said, there’s nothing you can say or do that will convince me to let those girls go back to Angelisia. They don’t want to live there anymore, and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.”
Azazel felt like his world was spiraling out of control. It was like the entire galaxy had just been pulled out from underneath him.
Two options were presented to him: He could use force to take the girls from Alex, or he could try to convince King Lucifer to let the girls stay there. If he used force, Azazel was sure that Princess Gabrielle—and Alex—would hate him. He didn’t want that. What’s more, he respected Alex for taking such a firm stand for the sake of Ariel and Michelle. At the same time, if he tried to convince King Lucifer to let Princesses Ariel and Michelle stay, there was a chance that his king would destroy a solar system—maybe even this solar system.
Needless to say, such a thing was to be avoided at all costs.
“I already know what you’re thinking, Azazel,” Alex interrupted his musings. “That is why I’m going to give you this.”
Alex held out a small device, which was no larger than his palm. It looked like a tiny square with blinking lights. Azazel studied the device uncertainly.
“What is this?”
“When your king informed me of Gabrielle’s marriage candidates, he did so through a message.” Alex grinned. It was very unpleasant. “I am merely returning the favor.”
13
Alex watched Azazel leave. However, even then, he still waited until he heard the entrance door open and close before addressing the three people who’d snuck into the living room.
“You can come out now.”
Ariel, Gabrielle, and Michelle popped up from behind the couch. While Gabrielle rubbed the back of her head, appearing somehow sheepish, Michelle moved around the couch and sat down. Ariel followed her example, but with a huff, as if she was trying to pretend like nothing was wrong, like she hadn’t been spying on his conversation with Azazel.
“I’m guessing you three already know what’s going on?” Alex asked.
“Yes, we do.” Michelle bowed her head. “Thank you very much for all you’ve done for us. I truly appreciate it.”
“It’s fine.” Alex waved off her thanks.
“Hmph. Maybe you aren’t just a filthy beast,” Ariel said.
“Gee, thanks.”
“School…”
“Something wrong, Gabby?”
Gabrielle, who’d been unusually silent, shook her head. “Oh, no. I was just thinking about something.”
“What were you thinking about?” Alex inquired.
“I was just thinking about how going to school sounds like a lot of fun,” Gabrielle admitted.
“Do you want to go to school?” Alex asked. “I can ask Mrs. Caridna if she can enroll you as well.”
“Will you do that for me?” Gabrielle clasped her hands in front of her face, eyes sparkling as if they were diamonds reflecting sunlight.
“If you want.”
Alex wasn’t sure he wanted Gabrielle to attend school. It wasn’t for any altruistic reason. He’d simply grown so used to her presence that it would be lonely without her. However, seeing the way her face lit up was enough to make him cave.
Besides, if it makes her happy, how can I deny her something like that?
“Thank you, Alex!” Gabrielle said, and then she paused, her eyes lighting up as she seemingly thought of something brilliant. “I know! Why don’t you also go to school? That way, we can go to school together!”
So that was it. She wanted him to attend school with her. He could understand why, but there was a problem that made him attending school impossible.
“Unfortunately, I’ve already graduated, so I can’t go back to school,” Alex said.
“What?” Gabrielle’s expression reminded him of those puppies he’d seen in the pet shop. “That’s no fun. I wanted to go to school with you.”
“Sorry about that, but it’s impossible for someone who already graduated to attend school again.”
Gabrielle’s shoulders slumped. “But I wanted to attend school with you…”
“Do you still want to go to school?” Alex asked. “Let me know if you do, and I’ll talk to Mrs. Caridna on your behalf as well.”
“I’ll think about it,” Gabrielle said, though she didn’t seem quite as enthusiastic as she had before.
“O-owch!”
At the sound of Alice’s yelp, everyone turned to the girl, who was holding a hand to the back of her neck for some reason.
“Something wrong, Alice?”
“No…” Alice muttered, rubbing her neck. “It just felt like something bit me for a second.”
Something bit her? That was odd. Mars City did have a few genetically modified insects to help pollinate plants, but there weren’t any that bit people.
“Anyway, Big Bro, can you make dinner now?” Alice’s stomach rumbled. “I’m hungry.”
Alex sighed. His sister really was a handful.
14
Jasmine exited the shuttle and walked to the nearest warp point that would take her home.
Because her mansion was located in the upper district, which many had taken to calling the noble district, she could only access her home via a specific warp point inside of the Nobles Obligé Registration Building. While it had been given a super long and fancy name, it wasn’t anything special. It was an ostentatious building with a lot of useless decorations.
The inside acted as a sort of information database. Information on every noble family on Mars was stored there. Of course, it wasn’t like there was anything important in there. It was just the basic information and family registry. Certainly, there was nothing incriminating that could be used against one of the noble houses.
Jasmine sighed as she slowly strolled through the residential district walkways, lost in thought and self-recriminations.
She’d done it again. It was something of a bad habit, but ever since Gabrielle had shown up, Jasmine had been losing control of her emotions.
The reason wasn’t through any fault of her own, though. It was all that Gabrielle’s doing. If that trollop hadn’t shown up and started living with Alexander, she would not have begun to feel so flustered.
If things continue as they are, all of my carefully laid out plans will be shattered.
Ever since Alexander had rescued her, Jasmine had been focused on making him slowly fall in love with her. She didn’t want to rush things. Falling in love naturally was important. Jasmine wanted Alexander to notice her as a woman and make the first move. That was why she spent so much time trying to show him her good qualities.
Then Gabrielle had arrived. Ever since that trollop had started living with Alexander, Jasmine had done nothing but show off her bad side. All of the bad things that had happened could be laid at that girl’s feet!
“Owch!”
Jasmine winced as a sudden pain in her neck forced her to stop walking. She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck, and the pain eventually went away.
What was that? she wondered to herself.
CHAPTER 3
DITCHING SCHOOL
The next morning, Alex walked Alice to school, not just because it was what he always did, but because he needed to meet with Mrs. Caridna Tepes, the principal of the school and a former police officer who served under his father.
Technically speaking, Alex was under house arrest and shouldn’t be leaving. However, no one actually said anything to him. Karen Kanzaki was probably being cautious because he had pulled the “King Lucifer card” during the incident with Nyx.
Alex’s former commanding officer had not spoken to him ever since he brought news that Nyx was under Angelisian protection to her. It was almost like she was doing her best to avoid him. That did sadden him, as Karen had been someone he considered family, but he couldn’t let her harm Nyx, who deserved to know what it meant to have a life outside of being a killer.
He’d called in ahead of time, scheduling an appointment to discuss the matter of Ariel and Michelle’s enrollment there. Gabrielle had also spoken with him last night, and she had decided that she did, in fact, want to attend school. Alex would be lonely without her around during the day, but her happiness was more important to him.
It was currently just him and Alice that morning. Since none of the Angelisian sisters would be able to attend until they were enrolled, he’d told them to stay home for now. He thought it would be easier this way.
Jasmine was standing beside the school gate when he and Alice arrived, just like she did every morning. She smiled upon seeing them. Alex thought there was something slightly off about her smile. It must have been the bags under her eyes.
“Oh ho. Alexander and Alice. Good morning.”
“Jasmine,” Alice greeted in a bored tone.
“Morning, Jasmine. Are you feeling well? You look tired.”
Smiling at his concern, Jasmine replied, “Yes, I am fine. I merely had some issues sleeping last night.”
“Insomnia?”
“I do not believe so.” Jasmine shook her head. “I went to sleep just fine. The problem is that I believe I slept wrong. My neck feels stiff and sore for reasons I cannot fathom. Oh ho.”
She raised a hand to her neck, rubbing it as if that would help. Alex hoped that was all it was. He would have offered to give her a massage, but school was starting soon, and he also had an appointment.
Bidding farewell to his sister and Jasmine, Alex took several warp points inside the school until he reached Mrs. Caridna’s office.
“It’s open,” a voice called as he knocked on the door.
Alex walked into the principal’s office. It was a large space with two couches and a coffee table in the middle, and a fancy desk was located next to a window near the back. Mrs. Caridna was sitting on a chair behind the desk.
Despite being a full-fledged adult, Mrs. Caridna didn’t look a day over fourteen. Her blonde hair was tied into pigtails, and her blue eyes were large and bright, giving her a truly youthful appearance. Likewise, she was quite short. While he couldn’t see her because there was a desk in the way, he knew that her feet were dangling several dozen centimeters off the ground.
“Ah, Alex.” Mrs. Caridna bade him to enter with a gesture of her hand. “Come on in. I’m glad you made it to our clandestine meeting.”
“Please don’t call our appointment clandestine,” Alex said. “There’s nothing secret about this meeting.”
Mrs. Caridna’s amused smile made Alex turn his head. “You’d make a good straight man in a comedy duo.”
“I’m not sure if that was a compliment or an insult.”
Laughing, Mrs. Caridna placed her elbows on the desk and laced her fingers together. “So, why don’t we get down to business? I’m assuming you’ve called for this meeting because you wish to enroll the two princesses, Ariel and Michelle, into Atreyu Academy.”
Alex didn’t know where this woman had acquired her information, but he didn’t question her either. He’d come to expect this from her.
“I’d also like you to enroll Gabrielle in school. Can you do it?”
“Who do you think you’re talking to, brat? Of course I can do it.”
Alex’s shoulders visibly slumped as relief washed over him. While he hadn’t necessarily been worried, as he’d been sure she could help, he would admit that getting this out of the way lifted a huge weight from his chest.
They spoke for a bit longer. There were still issues that needed to be sorted out, such as having all of the girls’ paperwork filled out. Since Ariel, Michelle, and Gabrielle were alien princesses and had no ID on Mars, they needed to fill out fake identification forms. Copies would be made, one of which would be filed in the police registry and the other would go to the COIED, Coalition of Interstellar Education Department Then they would be given an IDband.
“Once you get their IDbands, I can process their applications,” Mrs. Caridna said.
“Thank you. I’ll head over to the police station to get these put on file now.”
“Speaking of the police, I feel like I should warn you that Karen has been on the warpath lately. Since you are technically under house arrest, I believe it would be in your best interest to avoid her at all costs.”
It sounded like Karen was still angry about what had happened with Nyx. Alex didn’t blame her, though he’d hoped he would understand why he wouldn’t let harm come to his friend. Nyx might have been an assassin, but she was still a good person.
“I’ll do that. Thanks for the warning,” he said as he stood up. Mrs. Caridna waved him off.
He left the academy after his meeting with Mrs. Caridna—only to discover Nyx standing by the academy entrance. She had her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. When he appeared, she walked up to him.
“What’s up, Nyx?” he asked. “Did you also want to attend school?”
Thinking on it, having Nyx go to school might be a good idea. It would help give her a sense of normality. Alex wanted Nyx to learn how to enjoy life as a regular person. He wanted her to experience the joys of being able to just live.
Nyx shook her head. “I’m not interested in school.”
“Oh… then what are you doing here?”
“I am following you,” she replied.
“Uh-huh…” Alex paused, mostly because he couldn’t think of an appropriate response. It actually took him several seconds. “And why are you following me?”
“Because if I follow you, I might run into the person who hired me to kill you.”
Oh, well, that made sense, he supposed. Nyx had begun living with him because he’d told her that she didn’t need to go after her former employer, that her employer would come to her. Naturally, she would want to stick with him like two hydrogen atoms on oxygen.
He could live with that.
“In that case, I’m heading over to the police office to register Gabby, Ariel, and Michelle. Would you like to come with me?”
“Yes.”
“All right. Then let’s go.”
Alex held out his hand to Nyx, who stared at it like it was a foreign object she’d never seen before. After awkwardly holding his hand out for several seconds longer, Alex silently dropped it and turned his head to hide the blush spreading across his cheeks.
How embarrassing.
1
The police office was mostly vacant when he and Nyx arrived. Most of the police were probably already on patrol. The only person manning the front desk, which was located in the main entrance where people hoping to file a complaint waited, was a bored-looking man sitting on a swivel chair.
Alex walked past the seats inside of the front entrance, where several people were already waiting to be admitted. There was an old man with a grumpy expression, a young woman who was trying to put on some makeup, and a mother with two kids. The mother looked quite harried as she tried to convince her children to settle down.
He wondered what these people were here for.
“Excuse me,” Alex said as he walked up to the secretary.
Alex stood in the doorway, saying nothing for several seconds before…
“I assume you’re referring to Michelle and Ariel, right?”
“If you know about them already, then that will make this much easier,” Azazel said, too tired to be surprised. “May I come in?”
“… Yes. Come inside.”
There was a strange sort of hesitance in Alex’s voice, but nevertheless, he stepped aside and allowed Azazel to enter.
Azazel walked into the hallway. He was about to step further in—when Alex coughed several times. Turning his head, he looked at the young man who pointed down.
“Your boots are muddy. If you’re going to come in, take them off first.”
He could have smacked himself. How could he forget something so fundamental? It was common courtesy not to track mud through another person’s home.
“Ah. Yes, of course.”
After taking off his boots, he followed Alex into the living room. Only Alice and Nyx were there. It looked like they were watching some show about a girl with a lot of physical strength, who liked to bash her enemies’ faces in.
“Titan Girl Crusher!”
“GYAA!!!”
Ignoring the sight of a guy getting beaten to death by a girl two times smaller than him, Azazel stepped into the living room. He frowned when a thud echoed behind him. Turning, he frowned again when he noticed the door swinging open and closed.
“Azazel, you said you wanted to talk.”
“That is correct.”
Azazel turned back around and sat down on the couch. He frowned for a moment as something odd struck him.
“Is this couch new?”
“It is,” Alex confirmed.
“I see. And this house… is it just me, or does it seem bigger somehow?”
“I’m sure it’s just your imagination.”
Azazel frowned some more, but he decided to ignore the strangeness of the house. There were more important things to discuss.
“Since you already know the situation, let me explain why I’m here.” Azazel coughed into his hand. “Princess Ariel and Princess Michelle have run away from home. King Lucifer has asked that I bring them back. I would like your cooperation on this matter.”
“No.”
“Thank you,” Azazel continued. “I appreciate your coop—wait. No?”
“That’s right. No, I won’t help you bring them back. I’ve decided to let them stay with me.”
Azazel felt like someone had decked him in the face. “B-but Groom-to-be, surely you understand why they must go back! King Lucifer has—”
“After what that man has done to Gabrielle, I couldn’t give two shits about what King Lucifer wants,” Alex cut in.
“But—”
“Nope.”
“But—”
“Not happening.”
“That’s—”
“No way in hell.”
“Groom-to-be!”
“If you’re trying to get me to do as you say, then calling me ‘Groom-to-be’ is the wrong way to go about it,” Alex stated bluntly. “That being said, there’s nothing you can say or do that will convince me to let those girls go back to Angelisia. They don’t want to live there anymore, and quite frankly, I don’t blame them.”
Azazel felt like his world was spiraling out of control. It was like the entire galaxy had just been pulled out from underneath him.
Two options were presented to him: He could use force to take the girls from Alex, or he could try to convince King Lucifer to let the girls stay there. If he used force, Azazel was sure that Princess Gabrielle—and Alex—would hate him. He didn’t want that. What’s more, he respected Alex for taking such a firm stand for the sake of Ariel and Michelle. At the same time, if he tried to convince King Lucifer to let Princesses Ariel and Michelle stay, there was a chance that his king would destroy a solar system—maybe even this solar system.
Needless to say, such a thing was to be avoided at all costs.
“I already know what you’re thinking, Azazel,” Alex interrupted his musings. “That is why I’m going to give you this.”
Alex held out a small device, which was no larger than his palm. It looked like a tiny square with blinking lights. Azazel studied the device uncertainly.
“What is this?”
“When your king informed me of Gabrielle’s marriage candidates, he did so through a message.” Alex grinned. It was very unpleasant. “I am merely returning the favor.”
13
Alex watched Azazel leave. However, even then, he still waited until he heard the entrance door open and close before addressing the three people who’d snuck into the living room.
“You can come out now.”
Ariel, Gabrielle, and Michelle popped up from behind the couch. While Gabrielle rubbed the back of her head, appearing somehow sheepish, Michelle moved around the couch and sat down. Ariel followed her example, but with a huff, as if she was trying to pretend like nothing was wrong, like she hadn’t been spying on his conversation with Azazel.
“I’m guessing you three already know what’s going on?” Alex asked.
“Yes, we do.” Michelle bowed her head. “Thank you very much for all you’ve done for us. I truly appreciate it.”
“It’s fine.” Alex waved off her thanks.
“Hmph. Maybe you aren’t just a filthy beast,” Ariel said.
“Gee, thanks.”
“School…”
“Something wrong, Gabby?”
Gabrielle, who’d been unusually silent, shook her head. “Oh, no. I was just thinking about something.”
“What were you thinking about?” Alex inquired.
“I was just thinking about how going to school sounds like a lot of fun,” Gabrielle admitted.
“Do you want to go to school?” Alex asked. “I can ask Mrs. Caridna if she can enroll you as well.”
“Will you do that for me?” Gabrielle clasped her hands in front of her face, eyes sparkling as if they were diamonds reflecting sunlight.
“If you want.”
Alex wasn’t sure he wanted Gabrielle to attend school. It wasn’t for any altruistic reason. He’d simply grown so used to her presence that it would be lonely without her. However, seeing the way her face lit up was enough to make him cave.
Besides, if it makes her happy, how can I deny her something like that?
“Thank you, Alex!” Gabrielle said, and then she paused, her eyes lighting up as she seemingly thought of something brilliant. “I know! Why don’t you also go to school? That way, we can go to school together!”
So that was it. She wanted him to attend school with her. He could understand why, but there was a problem that made him attending school impossible.
“Unfortunately, I’ve already graduated, so I can’t go back to school,” Alex said.
“What?” Gabrielle’s expression reminded him of those puppies he’d seen in the pet shop. “That’s no fun. I wanted to go to school with you.”
“Sorry about that, but it’s impossible for someone who already graduated to attend school again.”
Gabrielle’s shoulders slumped. “But I wanted to attend school with you…”
“Do you still want to go to school?” Alex asked. “Let me know if you do, and I’ll talk to Mrs. Caridna on your behalf as well.”
“I’ll think about it,” Gabrielle said, though she didn’t seem quite as enthusiastic as she had before.
“O-owch!”
At the sound of Alice’s yelp, everyone turned to the girl, who was holding a hand to the back of her neck for some reason.
“Something wrong, Alice?”
“No…” Alice muttered, rubbing her neck. “It just felt like something bit me for a second.”
Something bit her? That was odd. Mars City did have a few genetically modified insects to help pollinate plants, but there weren’t any that bit people.
“Anyway, Big Bro, can you make dinner now?” Alice’s stomach rumbled. “I’m hungry.”
Alex sighed. His sister really was a handful.
14
Jasmine exited the shuttle and walked to the nearest warp point that would take her home.
Because her mansion was located in the upper district, which many had taken to calling the noble district, she could only access her home via a specific warp point inside of the Nobles Obligé Registration Building. While it had been given a super long and fancy name, it wasn’t anything special. It was an ostentatious building with a lot of useless decorations.
The inside acted as a sort of information database. Information on every noble family on Mars was stored there. Of course, it wasn’t like there was anything important in there. It was just the basic information and family registry. Certainly, there was nothing incriminating that could be used against one of the noble houses.
Jasmine sighed as she slowly strolled through the residential district walkways, lost in thought and self-recriminations.
She’d done it again. It was something of a bad habit, but ever since Gabrielle had shown up, Jasmine had been losing control of her emotions.
The reason wasn’t through any fault of her own, though. It was all that Gabrielle’s doing. If that trollop hadn’t shown up and started living with Alexander, she would not have begun to feel so flustered.
If things continue as they are, all of my carefully laid out plans will be shattered.
Ever since Alexander had rescued her, Jasmine had been focused on making him slowly fall in love with her. She didn’t want to rush things. Falling in love naturally was important. Jasmine wanted Alexander to notice her as a woman and make the first move. That was why she spent so much time trying to show him her good qualities.
Then Gabrielle had arrived. Ever since that trollop had started living with Alexander, Jasmine had done nothing but show off her bad side. All of the bad things that had happened could be laid at that girl’s feet!
“Owch!”
Jasmine winced as a sudden pain in her neck forced her to stop walking. She reached up and rubbed the back of her neck, and the pain eventually went away.
What was that? she wondered to herself.
CHAPTER 3
DITCHING SCHOOL
The next morning, Alex walked Alice to school, not just because it was what he always did, but because he needed to meet with Mrs. Caridna Tepes, the principal of the school and a former police officer who served under his father.
Technically speaking, Alex was under house arrest and shouldn’t be leaving. However, no one actually said anything to him. Karen Kanzaki was probably being cautious because he had pulled the “King Lucifer card” during the incident with Nyx.
Alex’s former commanding officer had not spoken to him ever since he brought news that Nyx was under Angelisian protection to her. It was almost like she was doing her best to avoid him. That did sadden him, as Karen had been someone he considered family, but he couldn’t let her harm Nyx, who deserved to know what it meant to have a life outside of being a killer.
He’d called in ahead of time, scheduling an appointment to discuss the matter of Ariel and Michelle’s enrollment there. Gabrielle had also spoken with him last night, and she had decided that she did, in fact, want to attend school. Alex would be lonely without her around during the day, but her happiness was more important to him.
It was currently just him and Alice that morning. Since none of the Angelisian sisters would be able to attend until they were enrolled, he’d told them to stay home for now. He thought it would be easier this way.
Jasmine was standing beside the school gate when he and Alice arrived, just like she did every morning. She smiled upon seeing them. Alex thought there was something slightly off about her smile. It must have been the bags under her eyes.
“Oh ho. Alexander and Alice. Good morning.”
“Jasmine,” Alice greeted in a bored tone.
“Morning, Jasmine. Are you feeling well? You look tired.”
Smiling at his concern, Jasmine replied, “Yes, I am fine. I merely had some issues sleeping last night.”
“Insomnia?”
“I do not believe so.” Jasmine shook her head. “I went to sleep just fine. The problem is that I believe I slept wrong. My neck feels stiff and sore for reasons I cannot fathom. Oh ho.”
She raised a hand to her neck, rubbing it as if that would help. Alex hoped that was all it was. He would have offered to give her a massage, but school was starting soon, and he also had an appointment.
Bidding farewell to his sister and Jasmine, Alex took several warp points inside the school until he reached Mrs. Caridna’s office.
“It’s open,” a voice called as he knocked on the door.
Alex walked into the principal’s office. It was a large space with two couches and a coffee table in the middle, and a fancy desk was located next to a window near the back. Mrs. Caridna was sitting on a chair behind the desk.
Despite being a full-fledged adult, Mrs. Caridna didn’t look a day over fourteen. Her blonde hair was tied into pigtails, and her blue eyes were large and bright, giving her a truly youthful appearance. Likewise, she was quite short. While he couldn’t see her because there was a desk in the way, he knew that her feet were dangling several dozen centimeters off the ground.
“Ah, Alex.” Mrs. Caridna bade him to enter with a gesture of her hand. “Come on in. I’m glad you made it to our clandestine meeting.”
“Please don’t call our appointment clandestine,” Alex said. “There’s nothing secret about this meeting.”
Mrs. Caridna’s amused smile made Alex turn his head. “You’d make a good straight man in a comedy duo.”
“I’m not sure if that was a compliment or an insult.”
Laughing, Mrs. Caridna placed her elbows on the desk and laced her fingers together. “So, why don’t we get down to business? I’m assuming you’ve called for this meeting because you wish to enroll the two princesses, Ariel and Michelle, into Atreyu Academy.”
Alex didn’t know where this woman had acquired her information, but he didn’t question her either. He’d come to expect this from her.
“I’d also like you to enroll Gabrielle in school. Can you do it?”
“Who do you think you’re talking to, brat? Of course I can do it.”
Alex’s shoulders visibly slumped as relief washed over him. While he hadn’t necessarily been worried, as he’d been sure she could help, he would admit that getting this out of the way lifted a huge weight from his chest.
They spoke for a bit longer. There were still issues that needed to be sorted out, such as having all of the girls’ paperwork filled out. Since Ariel, Michelle, and Gabrielle were alien princesses and had no ID on Mars, they needed to fill out fake identification forms. Copies would be made, one of which would be filed in the police registry and the other would go to the COIED, Coalition of Interstellar Education Department Then they would be given an IDband.
“Once you get their IDbands, I can process their applications,” Mrs. Caridna said.
“Thank you. I’ll head over to the police station to get these put on file now.”
“Speaking of the police, I feel like I should warn you that Karen has been on the warpath lately. Since you are technically under house arrest, I believe it would be in your best interest to avoid her at all costs.”
It sounded like Karen was still angry about what had happened with Nyx. Alex didn’t blame her, though he’d hoped he would understand why he wouldn’t let harm come to his friend. Nyx might have been an assassin, but she was still a good person.
“I’ll do that. Thanks for the warning,” he said as he stood up. Mrs. Caridna waved him off.
He left the academy after his meeting with Mrs. Caridna—only to discover Nyx standing by the academy entrance. She had her arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. When he appeared, she walked up to him.
“What’s up, Nyx?” he asked. “Did you also want to attend school?”
Thinking on it, having Nyx go to school might be a good idea. It would help give her a sense of normality. Alex wanted Nyx to learn how to enjoy life as a regular person. He wanted her to experience the joys of being able to just live.
Nyx shook her head. “I’m not interested in school.”
“Oh… then what are you doing here?”
“I am following you,” she replied.
“Uh-huh…” Alex paused, mostly because he couldn’t think of an appropriate response. It actually took him several seconds. “And why are you following me?”
“Because if I follow you, I might run into the person who hired me to kill you.”
Oh, well, that made sense, he supposed. Nyx had begun living with him because he’d told her that she didn’t need to go after her former employer, that her employer would come to her. Naturally, she would want to stick with him like two hydrogen atoms on oxygen.
He could live with that.
“In that case, I’m heading over to the police office to register Gabby, Ariel, and Michelle. Would you like to come with me?”
“Yes.”
“All right. Then let’s go.”
Alex held out his hand to Nyx, who stared at it like it was a foreign object she’d never seen before. After awkwardly holding his hand out for several seconds longer, Alex silently dropped it and turned his head to hide the blush spreading across his cheeks.
How embarrassing.
1
The police office was mostly vacant when he and Nyx arrived. Most of the police were probably already on patrol. The only person manning the front desk, which was located in the main entrance where people hoping to file a complaint waited, was a bored-looking man sitting on a swivel chair.
Alex walked past the seats inside of the front entrance, where several people were already waiting to be admitted. There was an old man with a grumpy expression, a young woman who was trying to put on some makeup, and a mother with two kids. The mother looked quite harried as she tried to convince her children to settle down.
He wondered what these people were here for.
“Excuse me,” Alex said as he walked up to the secretary.
