War And Peace

Akira's POV

"Akira, wait for me," Cephas screams from behind, failing to keep up with me.

 I didn't have time for waiting now. So I pick up pace towards Inayat's chambers. 

I know, it's rude, mother, but I still burst in without knocking.

Sol, I hope he was alone. I wasn't in the mood to catch him half-naked with some lady again. I had already done that enough times to be completely traumatized.  

To my surprise, there was a girl in the room but both of them were fully dressed. Inayat was lying down with his head on Dayuu's lap.

Well...... that shall be addressed later when my father isn't in mortal danger. 

Seeing me and Cephas barging in, they stood up in a hurry.

"Little light, I thought one of the fifty tutors Lady Cassandra had hired was supposed to install some manners into you," Inayat says with a glare aimed at me.

"How about you have the manners to close the damn door before having romantic times with crazy girls' dorm lady?" I say, returning his glare with one of my own.

"Excuse me?" Dayuu exclaims, sounding offended. "And we were not having romantic times." She somehow sounded even more offended at the last part. 

I ignore her. 

"The Holy Army lost contact with father?" I ask without beating around the bush.

 "How do you know that, Akira?" Inayat asks me with anger evident in his voice. He soon gets his answer when he notices Cephas cowering behind me. 

"Cephas, for the son of the Michael, you sure have a loose mouth," Inayat grits out through his grinding teeth. 

Cephas was now completely shielding himself with my body. "I am sorry, Inayat. I panicked," he squeaks out like a rat.

"Answer my question, Inayat," I order Inayat in vain, completely ignoring Cephas's pathetic excuse of an apology.

 "Little Light, you know I can't divulge any information until the court permits," Inayat says with a grim tone.

"And what about the elections?" I try again.

"You know the Elder court, Akira. They were always against Lord Rei's pacifism. They never really liked how beloved the Lord was, anyway," Inayat spits out with intensity.

 "So what now? They will just forsake everything father has dedicated his life for? They will declare war on Lilura?" I couldn't stop the tears from escaping my eyes.

"They can't do much damage other than calling for an election. Only the Grandmaster can declare war," Dayuu spoke up this time.

"I know that. But it's not even twenty-four hours since father's lost contact. How can they already try to replace him?" My voice betrays the disbelief I felt at the situation. 

"We need a leader, Akira. These are grave times the city of Gods," Inayat says with a grave tone.

"And who will be the leader? Lord Leonidas? Everyone knows how pro-war he is. He will march our people straight to the jaws of death  just to sedate his worthless pride," I throw my hands upwards in fury.

"He will be only if he is elected. It won't be easy for him. The Grand Vizier will put his name in the elections if necessary." Inayat holds my shoulders and looks me in the eyes. My enraged one reflects in his calm ones. "But if he still wins, then there is nothing we can do. This is a democracy, Akira."

"And what if he still wins. The elder court still holds great influence. Will he just declare war? Can't Lord Baig or Lady Gudrun retake the seat? Oh, and what about uncle Alver?" I ask, still feeling unsure.

The Grand Vizier's initiatives weren't enough.

 He had some skeletons in the closet. Both literally and figuratively. 

As the second most influential person in Azura, he can't afford to lose people's trust in him. if he is defamed, questions will be raised against my father's reign. 

"Little one, Grandfather has one foot in his grave and crazy lady Gudrun is Sol knows where in her never-ending vacation. And Lord Alver is coming back as soon as he can. But I don't think he will retake the seat. He has been retired for a long time now. Don't worry, Leonidas can't declare war even if he wins, not without the court's support. Have faith, Akira. The court is full of people loyal to your father," Inayat says in an affectionate tone, smoothing my unruly hair.

"What about the people of Azura? Are they okay? How are they doing?" I ask, concerned about the people father strives to protect.

Inayat didn't answer immediately. His calm expression faltered for a moment. He exchanges a look with Dayuu.

"Little one-" he pauses and then continues,"-the people are the ones asking for a war."

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"In light of recent events, the Academy will be suspended until further notice. The native students may leave for their homes. And the foreign students will be arranged to stay in accommodations kindly provided by the Great Noble families. Please check with the administration department to know which family you have been assigned to and board their carriage. Best of luck and have faith in the Gods. Hopefully, we will be back here soon. You are, hereby dismissed . May we see each other again under Sol's light," Headmistress Mirza's voice echoes in the vast auditorium sending a murmur of hushed voices among the students.

A week into no contact with Father, the academy was deemed unsafe due to repeated attempts of necromancy inside its premises. The situation in Azura has worsened with each passing day. Attacks were becoming more frequent. The existence of a traitor was becoming more and more obvious. 

I walk towards my dorm room to see a family helper waiting for me with all my luggage packed and already leaving with servants to load them in the carriage. Cephas's bed was empty. He probably left first. The other boy, Arthur, was busy packing his stuff. 

"Goodbye, Akira. May we see us each other again under Sol's light," he wishes me with a small smile.

"You too. Make sure to have those sword designs finished. I will order one as soon as we meet again," I say with a pat on his shoulder.

I felt bad for being rude to him on the first day.

This boy was extremely talented in sword-smithy despite not being from the Aeneas lineage. I will have to introduce him to a member of the family. He might score an apprenticeship. 

"Which family is taking you in?" I ask, aware that he was not a native student.

"The House of Aeneas," he says, hurriedly throwing some books into his luggage. 

"That's great. My maternal family is known for their smithy. You will fit right in," I say, glad that he will be with like-minded people.

"I know, I hope to learn a lot from them," he exclaims nervously. 

After the hasty goodbye, he leaves to bid farewell to the midget and her squeaky mouse of a follower.

 "Greetings, Young Master. The carriage is waiting for you. We are just waiting for the students assigned to the Ryuuzaki estate to board. Then we will be off," the female retainer dressed in Ryuuzaki family uniform explains quickly with her head bowed down as per protocol. 

"What's you name? and how many of them are there?" I ask absentmindedly, looking around to make sure everything was packed.

"Aika, Lord Akira. And to answer your second question there are ten of them, Master. Three first-years, two second years, and five third years," she recites the answer in an emotionless tone.

"Hmm, first years? Names?" I order with a wave of my hand.

"Mira Dubay, Sehriyar Malik, and Isolde Morozova, Master," She quickly answers.

Hmm? What a coincidence! Or a setup from the guy recently caught with his head on a lady's lap.

"Isolde Morozova? Hmm, put her in my carriage. Make sure to arrange her accommodation in the central wing as well," I order, still feeling a bit guilty for talking to her so rudely. She looked close to tears. 

She hasn't talked me to since then no matter how hard I tried. I feel like she was afraid of me. 

Did she perhaps see my scales? Or my fangs? 

I consoled myself with the excuse that it was dark in the corridor.

Now, I feel like the bad guy when she was the one who didn't see my father as human.

At that thought, a depressed sigh escaped my mouth. People were always like that. They always want the Grandmaster or the Holy Army to be some kind of invincible beings with no weaknesses. 

And for some reason, the Grandmasters oblige to those unreachable expectations without any complaints.

I hate it.

 It drove my grandfather to death and I was afraid that one day it will do the same to my father. Maybe it already has....

NO. DO NOT THINK OF IT.

Even now, the ungrateful people were asking for a war they won't be fighting themselves. The Holy Army will. They will be safe inside these walls with their happy little lives when our siblings and parents loose theirs in the battlefield. 

"The central wing, Master? Pardon my insolence, but that's the main family wing," Aika's question woke me up from my thoughts. 

"Don't question me, Aika. Do as I order you to do," I order in a hardened voice.

I did not like people questioning me. 

"Forgive me, Master. I shall go and convey your orders," with that the kitsune servant shifts to her fox form and dashes outside. 

Well, at least the midget will keep me entertained with her scathing remarks.

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GLOSSARY

*Kitsune: In Japanese Mythology , Kitsune  are intelligent foxes that possess abilities that increase as they get older and wiser. According to folklore, all foxes have the ability to shapeshift into human form. While some folktales speak of kitsune employing this ability to trick others – as foxes in folklore often do – other stories portray them as faithful guardians, friends, and lovers.

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The sinister cogs to overthrow the leader has been oiled. Now just wait for it to start spinning.