Chapter 139: Goldy Boy [3]
Yawn.
With a long, satisfied stretch, the golden-brown-haired boy rose from the bench.
Warm morning sun rays spilled across the courtyard, and the breeze carried the faint fragrance of dew-kissed grass.
His gaze lingered for a moment on the old bench, the same spot where he and Serena had shared their breakfast in peace.
It had been two weeks since that first meeting.
Back then, he’d written her off as a chatterbox... a weirdo with too much sunshine in her voice, the kind of girl who smiled at strangers and shoved food into their hands like it was regular Friday for her.
Too clingy. Too eager. Too... much.
And yet, he couldn’t deny how quickly it became routine.
Almost natural. Her sitting across from him, basket in her lap, humming as she shared sandwiches and rambled about her day.
Caleb exhaled slowly, a quiet sigh, then turned on his heel and started toward the main building.
Around him, the academy courtyard buzzed with life. Clusters of students in their casual clothes strolled in groups, voices echoing, laughter spilling into the clear air. A day off for the academy meant the grounds felt less strict, almost alive.
As he made his way toward the dorm buildings, his gaze caught on a lone figure moving against the stream of students.
A girl.
Inky-black hair framed her pale face, and cool grey eyes glanced ahead with quiet restraint.
Her clothes were crisp, worn neatly, every line measured and precise.
Caleb slowed, then stopped directly in front of her, planting himself in her path.
The girl halted, startled by his sudden presence.
His narrowed eyes locked onto hers.
"Where are you going?"
"To the capital," the girl replied, her voice measured.
"Why?"
"I-I needed new brushes and—"
"With whom are you going?" He pressed, stepping forward, his shadow falling all over her.
"Umm... with Ca—"
"I’m going with you." Caleb interrupted her flatly.
Livia blinked, caught between irritation and disbelief.
"You don’t need to—"
"I said we both go, or no one goes." Caleb’s tone left no room for argument. He seized her hand and strode forward.
Livia gritter her teeth, heels clicking sharply as she resisted. With a sudden tug, she freed herself from his grip.
Her grey eyes flashed as she looked at him.
"At least wear something decent, brother."
Caleb glanced down at his loose shirt and plain trousers, then snorted.
"I’m not a little girl."
Livia exhaled and shook her head. "Sometimes you’re worse."
Then they got out and took a carriage.
The academy gates fell behind them, its familiar spires receding into the distance as the carriage wheels clattered over the stone-paved road. Neither spoke as the ride stretched on.
Livia sat close to the window, her grey eyes fixed on the window, the reflection of her face pale in the glass.
She kept one hand clasped over the tear-shaped pendant resting at her throat, her thumb brushing the edge of it again and again.
Across from her, Caleb leaned back with his arms folded loosely, head tilted as though half-asleep. His eyes were closed, steady rise and fall of his chest.
When the carriage jolted to a stop, Livia stood up, gathering her skirts. Caleb opened his eyes at last, unhurried, and pushed himself upright.
The coach swung the door open, and light and sound poured in.
The capital of Vedgard lay before them.
The streets bustling with people.
Merchants calling out their wares from striped, children darting between carts laden with fruit, guards in polished breastplates patrolling with spears at the ready.
The air carried scents of spices, the sweetness of baked bread, the iron bite of a blacksmith’s forge ringing from an alley.
Tall buildings crowded close, their stone facades carved with the banners of guilds and noble houses.
Carriages rattled past them, coachmen cursing over the din of wheels on cobblestone.
Caleb stepped down first. He glanced o er his shoulder at Livia, one brow lifting faintly.
Then, with a small jerk of his chin, he gestured for her to follow.
Livia followed a step behind, the small leather handbag tucked neatly beneath her arm.
It was larger than the delicate purses noble ladies often carried, practical enough to hold whatever she intended to purchase.
They walked through the crowd of the market square.
Livia slowed when her gaze landed on a storefront trimmed in dark wood, its windows displaying canvases and jars of pigment in striking hues.
Without a word, she moved toward it, and Caleb, after a moment’s pause, fell into step behind her.
Inside, the shop smelled faintly of turpentine and oil. Brushes hung in neat rows, their bristles dyed faint shades from testing.
Shelves were stacked with sketchbooks bound in soft leather, pigments stored in small stoppered jars glinting like gemstones beneath the lamplight.
Livia’s fingers hovered over the brushes, lingering as if testing the weight of each without lifting them.
She finally selected a set, the bristles fine and even, and carried them to the counter.
A few sketching pencils and a palette.
The shopkeeper offered a practiced smile, wrapping the purchases in brown paper and twine.
Livia set the coins down, then slipped the parcel into her bag.
Caleb stood off to the side, arms folded loosely, eyes flicking over the shop’s displays but never truly seeing them. When she was done, he pushed the door open for her without comment.
They slipped back into the current of the crowd. Caleb walked half a step ahead, glancing over his shoulder just enough to catch her expression.
"What do you want to buy next?" he asked, voice low, casual.
Livia shook her head slightly. "This is enough."
Caleb’s gaze lingered a moment longer before shifting forward. "You hungry?"
She opened her mouth, but before the answer could form, Caleb had already turned down a side street lined with food stalls and small taverns.
"Let’s have lunch," he said simply, not looking back.
Livia exhaled through her nose, and followed.
The side street Caleb had chosen was narrower than the main thoroughfare, lined with establishments that catered more to locals than tourists.
The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread drifted from open doorways.
Caleb paused outside a tavern whose painted sign bore the image of a copper kettle.
Through the windows, they could see wooden tables occupied by merchants and craftsmen taking their midday break.
"This looks—"
"Caleb?"
Then a surprised voice came from behind them.
Both siblings turned to find a familiar figure approaching—scarlet hair catching the afternoon light, golden eyes bright with recognition.
The girl moved toward them with quick steps, her earlier composure replaced by genuine warmth.
Behind her, at a more measured pace, came a dark-haired young man whose expression suggested he’d rather be anywhere else.
"Livia!" Elina’s smile was radiant as she reached them.
******
A few minutes earlier...
"Come on, Lily, it’s perfect weather for exploring the capital," Elina said, perched on the edge of her roommate’s bed. "We could visit those boutiques you mentioned, maybe find that bookshop with the rare manuscripts."
Lily looked up from the letter she’d been reading, her dark hair falling across one shoulder.
"Oh... about that..." She fidgeted the paper in her hands, not looking in her eyes.
"I’m sorry, Elina. I already have plans today."
Elina’s lips curled into a pout, and she let out a dramatic huff. "Don’t tell you already have plans."
"Plans?" Elina’s eyes narrowed slightly. "What kind of plans?"
"Just... personal ones." Lily’s cheeks turned into a faint pink hue. "There’s someone I’m supposed to meet."
"And who this someone is?" Elina plopped on her elbow, looking at her best friend. Her voice flat.
"Henry asked me to go with him for lunch." Her cheeks burned red. "I’m sorry! I know we talked about going together, but—"
"But now you have your new boyfriend." Elina huffed, rolling onto her side. "Should have known."
"Ely, don’t be like that. We’ve only been seeing each other for two weeks—"
"Two weeks of you disappearing every evening. Unbelievable," Elina muttered, turning her face away in mock offense.
"That’s not.... okay, maybe a little true."
Lily laughed nervously, still not looking at her friend.
"But hey, why don’t you go with your boyfriend? Perfect day for a date, isn’t it?"
"I don’t have a boyfriend," Elina hissed.
Lily chuckled sheepishly then gathered her things. "I really am sorry, Elina. Maybe tomorrow we could—"
"Don’t worry about it." Elina waved her off without turning around. "Enjoy your romantic afternoon."
Lily gave one last apologetic wave before slipping out the door.
The door closed with a soft click, leaving Elina alone in the sudden quiet of their room.
Then she stood up and walked towards the window, resting her chin in her hand.
A few moments later, she spotted Lily emerging from the dormitory entrance, looking around until a familiar figure approached, a tall boy with auburn hair whom Elina recognized from their Theoretical Applications class.
Lily’s face lit up as he offered his arm. She linked hers through his, and together they walked toward the academy gates, heads bent close in conversation that made them both laugh.
Elina sighed and was about to turn away when a movement caught her eye.
Near the academy’s main entrance, a cluster of girls had gathered around someone.
Their laughter carried across the courtyard, bright and flirtatious. One of them gave a playful smack to her companion’s arm while another brushed invisible lint from his shoulder with obvious concern.
At the center of their attention stood a young man with obsidian black hair, wearing a well-tailored black dress with subtle red embroidery. Even from this distance, his easy confidence was unmistakable.
"Alaric?"
Elina’s hands pressed flat against the window as she watched him, flirting with half the female population of their semester.
He said something that made the entire group erupt in giggles, then offered an exaggerated bow that earned him another round of playful swats and admiring sighs.
"Unbelievable," she muttered.
Here she was, abandoned by her roommate and left to spend her free afternoon alone, while her supposed brother entertained a gaggle of admirers like some traveling performer.
The casual way he accepted their attention, the confident smile that suggested he was thoroughly enjoying himself, it all grated against her already irritated mood.
She watched him lean closer to whisper something in one girl’s ear, causing her to blush furiously and fan herself with her hand.
"You ungrateful bastard."
Elina spun away from the window and grabbed her jacket from its hook and headed out of the room.
By the time she reached the courtyard, Alaric had extracted himself from his admirers and was walking toward the dormitory entrance.
"Alaric," she called out sweetly.
"Perfect timing. I was just thinking we should spend some quality time together."
Alaric paused and looked at her, blinking.
"What kind of quality time?" he asked warily.
"A trip to the capital, of course. As siblings, we should get to know each other better." Her smile brightened.
"Don’t you agree?"