(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)
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The morning of his departure, Orion was the first to get up, if he even slept at all. He cross-checked all his luggage, making sure everything was in order before going to take a shower and putting on his tunic, enough to stand out but not too much.
His pride didn't allow mediocrity; this was his first day after all, but he did his best to balance uniqueness and subtlety.
Knock…knock…
"Come in, Isolde," he said while checking himself in the mirror.
Isolde walked in, her eyes taking in all of Orion's preparations and luggage.
"I came to awaken you and see if you needed any assistance, but it seems you have it all under control," Isolde said with a giggle.
"I guess so", Orion chuckled with a sheepish smile.
"The contrast is quite stark", Isolde said.
"What?" Orion asked.
"You and Lady Lyrielle. She was quite reluctant to part, but you seem very eager," She said with a smile.
"I won't deny that I am", Orion admitted.
"I understand. Lady Lyrielle was excited to spend time with you and the family. The house was quite lively then, after all, but when she left, and you matured way too fast, the excitement was very much reduced," She said with a smile.
Orion smiled, too.
"I'm definitely going to miss those two little troublemakers who never failed to give me a headache," She said with a sigh.
That brought a chuckle out of Orion.
"I'll miss you too, Isolde," he said, taking a step towards her and hugging her.
They parted after a while.
"Alright, let's get your things down." She said, heading to the luggage.
"Don't worry," He said, about to snap his fingers.
"No magic in the house, young master," Isolde said, shaking her head at him.
"Right", Orion said with a sigh.
They both shared the luggage before heading out.
"Did you sleep last night, young master?" Isolde asked randomly while walking.
"Uhm," Orion hesitated.
"You really are that excited, still, that's not good, young master, lacking energy on your very first day will give a bad impression" She said, chastising him.
"Right, my bad", Orion said with a sheepish look.
A few hours later.
"Oh my baby!" Aurora exclaimed, holding Orion to her chest.
"I believe we had an agreement, Mom", Orion said, his voice coming out muffled.
"I know, I tried my best this past few weeks, but I can't believe you are really leaving me," she said, tears at the edge of her eyes.
Orion managed to pry himself free, panting subtly.
"We already agreed I'll be getting breaks every year to see you", Orion said,
"That's what Lyrielle said before she left, and she hasn't been back ever since", Aurora said with an aggrieved look.
"You still visit her, don't you? Besides, I'll try my best not to be like Lyrielle." Orion said.
"Promise?" Aurora asked.
"I'll do my best", Orion said simply before hurrying to the carriage.
"Orion!!" Aurora shouted after him.
The carriage soon took off, the horses galloping away.
"I still don't know how you managed to convince her not to escort me", Orion said with a sigh, turning to his father beside him.
"She escorted Lyrielle; she's not going to take this from me," Erevan said with a chuckle.
"I'm still surprised you volunteered to come," Orion said with a raised brow.
"You're just concerned that the Patriarch escorting you is going to give some ideas." Erevan pointed out, before looking out the window.
"Kinda", Orion admitted.
[Just tell him, you're scared of getting the my father followed me to school stigma]
'Oh shut it, why in the world would I tell him that. Besides, you're wrong' Orion replied.
"You should know, Orion, I'm your father first and foremost before I'm Patriarch of the Chronos", Erevan said, looking at him with a smile.
"Right, I really don't think you should say that outside closed doors", Orion said with a smirk.
"Oh, please, the most they can do is complain," Erevan said with a chuckle.
The carriage soon went silent, the sound of galloping resounding in both their ears. Both were lost in their thoughts.
"You're vibrating," Erevan said.
"I am not," Orion muttered, straightening in his seat.
"You are. I've seen less movement in a beehive."
Orion gave him a flat look, but his father just chuckled.
"Are you nervous?" Erevan asked.
"I'm just… thinking," Orion replied after a pause.
"Thinking about how you'll make all your mates cry on your first day?" Erevan said with a raised brow.
Now that brought Orion out of his thoughts quickly,
"Cry, why would they cry, don't tell me I'm going to spend the next four years with toddlers," Orion said, his voice rising.
Erevan just burst into laughter.
"Relax, you are going to have the time of your life. I'm sure you are going to meet others far more mature than you are," Erevan said.
"I highly doubt that", Orion said with a sigh.
"Do you really think I'll be fine there?" he asked, quieter this time.
Erevan tilted his head, surprised. Was his son actually acting vulnerable right now? But he shrugged it off.
"I'm not exactly sure what has you concerned, but of course. You'll probably drive your instructors mad before the year is out."
Orion turned back, suspicious. "That's not encouraging."
"It's meant to be. You're good at many things, Orion, but sitting still and listening? That's not one of them. I pity whichever poor fool has to lecture you." Erevan said with a chuckle.
For a while, they sat in comfortable silence. Then Erevan leaned toward Orion, his tone softer.
"You'll learn a lot there, Orion. Not just about magic and swords. You'll meet people who think differently, who fight differently. You'll see what it means to stand as more than a Chronos."
"And like I said earlier, I'm sure you'll have the time of your life", Erevan said with a smile.