The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 32: A Shadow

Chapter 32: A Shadow

The Crown

"Is this some kind of bad joke to him?" I scrunch up my nose in distaste, "He is speaking like this is some kind of disappointment that we survived at all. Look at the long death roll. It is only the first day and almost 500 people died." I grumble underneath my breath.

"Your Highness, stop complaining." Edward chides from my side, "Listen to what the professor has to say first."

"He is a mad demon." I whine out loud, "Why do we even have to listen to him?"

Although Professor Felix is an admirable figure at work, his nonchalant attitude isn’t commendable in the least. I can’t even imagine announcing the names on the death roll like this without a bit of remorse in it.

"Professor Felix is a qualified demon for this reason." Erick remarks, "He is a demon known for his cold-hearted attitude. You shouldn’t question how cold-hearted he can be." His expression is oddly guarded as he eyes the proficient figure on the stage, standing confidently and professionally.

"As the first day of the festival has concluded, we have a death roll that has 442 names in it." Professor Felix continues, not bothering with the many whispers that have risen within the students below the stage, "This is a little lower than what I anticipated. However, it means that we have many capable fellows among us this year. Especially the first year. And many students have improved since last year. But do not get your hopes up just yet. We still have a long way to go. We still have four days left before the festival ends.

"Tonight, we will let the students get a bit of rest and at the crack of dawn tomorrow, we will get ready for the second day. I will let you all know what will take place tomorrow. For now, please divide into groups of four and meet, Mr. Black. He will let you know which tent you guys will be taking. Before that, I insist you all get your dinner." Felix climbs down the stage and disappears who knows where.

"Hey, Erick say, do you know Professor Felix personally?" Edward abruptly asks the question as we start to dissipate with the rest of the crowd, "The way you described him it felt like you know him for ages."

"Of course I know him." Erick snorts, "He is my father."

Edward and I pause, exchange a look, and blink, "He is your WHAT?!"

"Guys pipe down!" Erick snaps, looking around careful not to attract any attention, "This is why I don’t tell anyone about this."

"Sorry but can you repeat it?" I smack my head lightly as if doing this will help me get the information correct, "That Professor Felix is your Father?" I tilt my head and quirk my eyebrows.

"Well, yeah you heard right at the first time." Erick snorts, "He is indeed my father."

"I can’t believe it." I scoff and look away, my hands on my hips.

"Nor can I." Edward shakes his head, his eyebrows lifted as he stares dead into Erick’s eyes, as if trying to read his mind but well he hasn’t got any magic attribute like that. "Why didn’t you tell us about it again?"

"Because you guys never asked?" Erick shrugs, his hands splayed out on his sides, "And other than that, who my father is, isn’t going to help you with the investigation you guys are up to."

"He has got a point here, Your Highness." Edward props his elbow on the palm of his other hand as he puts a contemplating hand on his chin.

"I know he has." I nod.

***

The dinner and collecting tokens go by within a blink of an eye. The three of us are as sleepy as we get inside the tent, completely forgetting that we have another demon sleeping with us in it.

As none of us had brought any belongings with us, we just lay down inside the magical tent, which is big enough to house five people in it effortlessly. There are some furniture in it as well. Like beds and tables. Nothing special but special at the same time.

"Man..." I howl, my voice low, "I want to get a fresh bath and sleep under those comfy and warm sheets of lord Vermilion’s bed."

"Did you say anything, Your Highness?" Edward’s voice tells me that he is frowning. I almost forgot that he is sleeping on the bed on the other side of the tent which is not even ten feet away from mine.

"N-No!" I retort.

The maze light is flickering softly none of us has enough energy left to go and turn it off. But for some reason, none of us is sleeping.

"Can I come in?" A familiar stoic voice comes in from the outside of the tent.

"Phillip?" I jerkily sit up, making the whole bed creak with my movement. "What are you doing here?"

"Well sorry to disturb you all." Phillip enters the tent with a nervous look on his face, "I just happened to be kicked out of my tent and had nowhere to go."

"What do you mean?" Edward slowly sits up as well.

"Let the poor guy take a seat first." Erick shows the same energy as me.

And after letting Phillip occupy the left bed we get a short outline of the actual incident that happened with him. Actually, Seraphina is in a very bad mood. And so she isn’t willing to share her tent with anyone else. This is why she kicked Phillip out and is now occupying his tent.

"You have got a pretty situation there," Erick says, his tone half-pitying, half-acknowledging. "But I don’t really mind if you stay here."

"Nor do I." I nod in agreement. "What about you, Edward?"

"If Your Highness doesn’t have any problem with it then there is no place for this lowly servant to comment on," Edward says humbly but every one of us knows that this is just his act of courtesy of him. He does and will comment on my every act no matter the time and situation. He is just putting up his image in front of Phillip, who basically has the same job as him.

At last, we turn the light off, and the tent falls into the pit of darkness as the four of us lie awake on our beds. It seems like the other people in the field have gone to sleep as well. Everything is quiet—so quiet that I can hear the slow beating of my heart and the even breathing of the others inside the tent.

An unknown amount of time passes and suddenly I hear slow measured footsteps outside the tent. My five senses perk up instantly. My eyes land on a shadow moving outside the tent, the shadow is muttering something so silently that I can’t make out any word of what it is forming.

I raise my head a little, my upper body propped up on my elbows, and look around the room to spot the other three guys almost have the same expression on their faces. I give them a small nod and they return it with the same gesture.

We soundlessly get on our feet and peak out of the tent through the closed curtain, four of us lined up methodically so that we can all see what is going on out there. Our eyes widen and we all exchange looks among us as we spot exactly who is standing outside our tent.

Peter.