Basque flung the bathroom door open; Natt stood naked in front of the mirror with her hands on the side of the sink. Her hair was still wet, and her eyes were red-rimmed. Grabbing two towels, Basque wrapped her body, then her hair. Her skin was already cold.

"Come on," he said and pulled her by the shoulders. "Let's get you into something warm."

She nodded and followed him. "I'm sorry."

"Shh. What do you have to be sorry to me for?" With his arm around her, he led her to their bed.

"I'm sorry I lied to you last night."

"You had your reasons."

She nodded as she let herself be sat on the edge of the bed. "Yesterday…was about you. I didn't need to dump my past on you."

Natt was shivering. Basque pulled the comforter around her as well. "I always want to hear about your past." He dried her hair more. He wanted to go back and get the drying stone, but he also didn't want to leave her alone again.

"I…I know Banca a lot more than I let on."

Basque didn't respond. That much was obvious, but he wanted to let her tell him how she wanted to.

"Jorellan was obsessed with the crown. He begged me to start training her at three for it. She was the cutest, sweetest thing, and her mother had just left her, so I said yes. Days and nights I spent with her…"

Basque pulled a hairbrush out of his inventory and got to work on her hair.

"He promised me that he'd help bring more equality to Kruami. I just…at first, that was what got me, but I loved that child."

Natt didn't look at Basque; she just stared off into space.

"By the time her birth mother died, Banca was actually calling me mother. Then I fell."

Basque froze. The depth of the relationship between Natt and Banca was deeper than he could ever imagine. He wanted to know more. He needed to know more. But now wasn't the time. He needed to support Natt first.

Vanishing the brush, Basque sat next to her on the bed. She leaned into him.

"Jorellan changed overnight. He refused to let me see Banca. He…made her like you know her. Like someone who would do that to Reianna…"

Natt pulled away and looked at Basque. "Do you remember orientation and how drunk I was?"

Basque nodded.

"I'd just seen her—the first time in over three years. I was so happy, but the girl who called me mommy was gone. She hated me. She called me horrible things, and I could hear Jorellan's words in her voice. It broke me even further."

Basque wrapped his arms around her, and she leaned into him. "I gave up on her, Basque. Even after you put me back together, even when I knew what she was doing to Reianna…"

Her grip on his robe tightened. She no longer leaned into him but pressed her head into him. He wanted to say something, but everything that came to mind was weak, so he said nothing.

They sat like that for several seconds until Natt shoved him away.

"What is it?" he asked.

Hopping off to the bed, Natt stalked over to the dresser and started dressing. "I'm going to go do something I should have done long ago."

She pulled out her tight black leather pants, slid her slender legs in them, then put on a white shirt, but not one of her vests. As she headed to the door, she pulled her hair up into a ponytail.

Basque followed her into the hallway. Natt asked him, "What room is she in?"

"End of the corridor, with Yesenia. But why? What are you going to do?"

Natt took long strides, rushing to the end of the hallway. She didn't knock. She just barged into the room. The sitting room was empty.

"Banca!"

The lilac-haired girl came out of one of the bedrooms. "What?"

"I'm going to adopt you."

Basque froze. Adopt her?!

A whirlwind of emotions crossed Banca's face when, at last, she shook her head.

"I failed you, Banca. I let falling break me. I was too broken and let it break you. But never again."

"How am I supposed to trust that?!"

"I have support! We have support."

Banca looked at Basque. "Support that will leave us."

"We'll be standing on our own when that time comes."

"You're not my mom anymore."

"Not yet. But I will be again."

Banca took half a step forward, then shook her head and took a full step back. She threw her hands up. "Do whatever you want. As long as I can stay here, I don't care. You can play house all you want." She went back into her bedroom and slammed her door.

After staring at the door for several seconds, Natt spun on her heels and mumbled, "Mommy's coming home, little aster." She brushed past Basque and stepped into the hallway.

"Natt!" he called after her. She didn't stop.

"Natt!" Basque trotted after her, but she still didn't stop.

"Hey!" he said and grabbed her hand.

She spun on him. "What?!"

"Are you sure this is what she wants?"

Natt shook her hand free. "I heard the conversation you had with her. Until she figures out what she wants, she's going to get what I want."

She put her hand on his chest and pushed. "The other students will be back soon. Go eat. Go to the teacher's meeting. Billiam and I should be back by then."

Basque watched her go. He wondered if there was anything not tragic in Natt's life. Banca's question about going to Hiabru and Natt having a child came back to him. Sure, the thirteen-year-old child Banca wanted to go to Hianbru, but would the young adult? Would Natt?

His heart ached. He wasn't sure if it was for the situation his love was in, or the realization again that their love had a time limit. Back in his room, he slumped in a chair and stared at the clock in his interface. He pushed his fingers into his face, pulling it down, and sat there.

The last twenty-four hours had fried his brain. He couldn't handle the accusatory glares from the students he heard in the hall outside his door. Their voices were still jubilant, despite how they probably felt about him. Even though his thoughts were sluggish, he planned his speech for them. He owed them that much.

If the class was angry at him for just not kicking Banca out, Basque dreaded to hear their reaction when they learned that Natt planned on adopting Banca. That he could leave out of the speech. That would be something Natt could explain. Basque would do all he could to make it easier for her when the time came, but he didn't want to overload his class.

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

Once the voices faded out as the students left for their morning self-study time, Basque left for the teachers' room. He had no idea how long it would take Natt to get to Billaim and bring him back. He hoped not long, but at the same time, he wouldn't delay for them.

As odd as it seemed, Basque was looking forward to the theatrical scene he expected Billiam to enact. He could use a bit of light in his life, something to take his mind off Natt's revelations and his class's disappointment in him.

Entering the teachers' room, Basque paused at the door. The room was in a tizzy. That's the only word Basque could think of to describe the buzz going around the room. Glances that he'd gotten used to over the months were now directed at Julvie, not him.

While Basque had done his best to ignore them, she straightened in her seat, stuck her chest out, and smiled at the looker. From what he picked up from the chatter, everyone knew something had happened to Jorellan, but no one knew the details. Since Banca was in Julvie's class, they were all looking to the pink teacher for some sort of hint. Soaking up the attention was her only answer.

The hubbub still hadn't abated when the two headmasters entered the room. Basque stared death at Krill, who didn't even look in Basque's direction.

"Be seated," Krill said as he sat down. "Let's begin with this week's SR. Master Jael, please."

Usually, it seemed to Basque like he was the only one who ignored the made-up numbers that the head teachers spouted every week, but today, everyone else seemed as disinterested as he was. Glances and side-eyes at Krill took their attention from Master Jael.

After Krill dismissed Master Jael and asked Saera for the fourth-year's report, the bulky, kiwi-haired teacher stood and glared at Krill. "Did you kill that child?"

Krill sighed. "Madam Saera, I am not bringing politics into the morning meeting. Get on with your report."

"You brought politics in when you had your guard storm the school yesterday."

Krill shrugged. "My target happened to be here."

Kohner, the head of the second-years, slammed his fists on his desk. "Earl Krill. Were any of us to try to pull off the stunt you did yesterday, you would have activated the school's guards. Answer her question."

The door to the teacher's room slid open. "Hello, my cuties! I can answer your questions!"

Billiam strode into the room. His lavender hair was now a multitude of spikes in various directions. Each spike had a little bell attached to it, and they jingled when he walked. A light dusting of white powder softened his normally pale skin even further, and his lips were a lavender color that matched his hair.

The suit he wore was a monstrosity, a lavender coat with darker purple stripes over a white vest with lavender polka dots, and a solid purple tie. The pants at least matched the coat, but his tan shoes had three-inch thick soles and clicked when he walked. Basque had never seen someone dress both visually and audibly loud.

When he caught sight of Basque looking over his outfit, Billiam gave him a wink with his odd-colored eye. He and Natt had gotten there much faster than Basque had expected.

The room went silent. Teachers stared at the royal mage, some with their mouths hanging open. Natt snuck in behind him and used the distraction to make her way into her seat.

Yasher stood and bowed. "Royal Mage Billiam, what brings you to my fine school on this fine day?"

"Sit down, Yasher, you incompetent twit."

Yasher obeyed the mage.

"Now, Count Kohner, whose question and what question was it that you wanted answered?"

"Umm, it was mine, Royal Mage Billiam," Saera said. She had her hand raised, but her arm was just bent at the elbow, keeping her hand from going above her shoulder.

"Ohhh! Viscountess! I haven't seen you in ages!"

Saera flinched. "Yes, sir."

"Now, tell me, darling! What is it that you just had to know during a teachers' meeting that would upset our dear Deputy Headmaster so?"

"I wanted to know if Miss Banca was still alive."

Billiam produced a piece of paper. "Why, maybe we should ask our illustrious exchange teacher about how Miss Banca Cormik is faring."

Krill slapped his desk and pointed at Basque. "I knew it! I knew you were hiding her!"

Basque shook his head. "No, I didn't find out she was there until later last night. But I wouldn't have changed my response either way."

"Wait," Saera interrupted. "Did you say Banca Cormik?"

"As astute as ever, Viscountess Muscle Mommy!"

Basque had never thought he would see the gruff woman blush.

"Once I get the girl's signature, she will take commoner status and be adopted by everyone's favorite fallen almost-archduchess." Billiam vanished that paper and pulled out another.

Strolling over to Krill's desk, he placed the paper down, then said, "Oh! Silly me, you're still the deputy headmaster." Sliding the paper over to Yasher's desk, Billiam said, "Here's the authorization from Banca Cormik's legal guardian giving the child permission to accept the special exception for pre-enrolled children of a fallen, bypassing the C-SA."

Billiam cocked his head and stared at Yasher's chin. Billiam flicked a finger on his own chin. "You've got a little something right there in your beard."

Yasher brushed the hair on his chin.

"Oh! My mistake! That's just Duke Krill's hand going for your neck!"

Yasher turned and glared at Krill.

Billiam turned and faced the teacher's room as a whole. Putting his hands on Yasher's desk, he hopped up and sat on the edge. Billiam shoved his hands between his knees and leaned forward while swinging his legs. "So, boys and girls, since you've got me here, do you have any questions for me?"

The room was quiet. When Basque thought that no one would ask a question, Joselane, the third-year's Class D teacher, raised her hand. "Umm, Royal Mage, what exactly happened?"

"Shouldn't your class be out on patrol somewhere, Baronetess?"

"We, uhh, just got back yesterday. The students have this week off before we go back out."

"Any deaths?"

"Not this time, sir."

"Do you teachers still do that fun little death-pool thing?"

Teachers glanced around the room.

"If by death-pool you mean where they bet on students dying, then, yes, they do," Basque answered.

"Am I just crazy, or does it seem like our Hianbrun teacher isn't very fond of that quaint tradition?"

"I am not fond of it."

"That was sa~casim, sweetie."

Basque folded his arms. "I know. I was just taking the opportunity to get my feelings out there."

"Baby, you don't seem to be the type of guy who could ever hide his feelings on a topic."

Basque grunted.

"Anyway, how many did you bet on dying in your class, Baronetess Joselane?"

"Y-you can't bet on deaths in your own class."

Billiam rolled his eyes. "Five. You bet on five. How many have died?"

Joselane stared at the floor.

"Jo-se-lane?"

"F-four, sir."

"Did your class finish the patrol yesterday, or were you concerned that you were already at four deaths, still have two months of school and patrol left, and are afraid of going over your bet?"

Joselane shot out of her chair. "That's unfair, sir! I was concerned—"

"Concerned that those 'little Yani…shit-nuggets', was it? were dying and getting injured at a faster rate than you expected, and worried that if you didn't start cutting patrols back, you'd go over your bet amount?"

Joselane's eyes dropped to the floor, and she sat down.

Billiam hopped off the desk and paced the room. "You little low-ranking nobles in here playing your silly little kingdom games, thinking that Dyntril is the end-all be-all in Kruami."

Wheeling on his heels, Billiam slammed his hands down on Krill's desk, leaving indentations of them in the wood. "As I just showed you, we know everything! Don't think just because we allowed it this time that we'll allow this again!"

Turning to the teachers, Billiam said, "Krill kept his kill count secret, took advantage of a foreigner's lack of cultural knowledge, his connections with the higher-ranking nobles from his years of teaching, used their support to eradicate a ducal family, jumped two ranks, and is angling to oust Yasher as headmaster. That sum it up for you, Baronetess?"

Joselane didn't move; she just stared at the floor.

"The arches are convening now to amend the rules. No more hiding Yani counts and no more jumping ranks."

"Yani!" a voice called out.

Billiam turned to it. "That's correct, Baronet Rylan. Thanks to your magnanimous deputy headmaster, you'll have to go through baron and can't jump straight into viscount."

No one else said anything, and they all just stared at Billiam as he cast his one lavender and one pink eye around the room. "Now, Master Basque, Madam Natt, if you'd like to come with me. We have a child to adopt."

Caught up in the whirlwind that was Billiam, Basque followed Billiam and Natt out of the teacher's room. Once they were out of earshot, Billiam turned on Basque.

"Oh! It's so good to see you again, you hunky-hunky piece of man meat!"

Basque slipped past Billiam and put Natt between them. "My girlfriend," he said.

"Oh, you're no fun!"

Natt glared at Billiam. "None of that, Liam! Basque, go…teach class or something. I'm sure it's not just Reianna, but a room full of students who are confused and angry. I know Banca. Leave her to me."

"Fine, fine. I do need to do a bit of explaining." He turned towards the stairs that led to the classrooms while the other two continued to the exit to the Grand Entrance Hall.

"See you in class, Basque," Natt said while pulling Billiam with her.

"Bye-bye, Basky-Basky!"

"Thank you for your help, Billiam!"

Basque began his way up the stairs, then stopped when he overheard Natt. "What is your problem? I love this guy, Liam!"

"You've no sense of humor, Natt…"

Their voices trailed off, and Basque went up the stairs. He felt lightheaded, despite the heavy load in his heart. Natt didn't hesitate to say that she loved him.

Rakelle had told him to find someone as passionate about teaching and taking care of kids as he was, and not only did he find someone like that, but she was also the most fun and beautiful woman he'd ever met. Knowing she was with him, knowing she was supporting his decision with Banca, helped ease the pain of the disappointment his class had in him.

He took a deep breath and put his hand on the door. This was a difficult conversation that had to be had.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.