Chapter 75 - Another Year Comes To A Close

Currently, I was hanging out of the carriage window as if I was nothing more than a rag on a clothing line.

The reason behind this was that another school year had finally come to a close. As is tradition, the school set forth on another expedition.

Luckily this time, we weren't traveling as far. I believe Lona said we were visiting a coven in the mountains? I can't entirely remember. I was too preoccupied with important matters at the time.

My mother allowed me to keep two kittens as promised. Queen Luna ultimately allowed William to take the other two. I figured William would try to con his way out of having them in his room, so I entrusted Dante to ensure that he didn't.

I was surprised to hear that Dante actually took this request seriously. I was told that William attempted to put the cats into another room, but Dante picked them up and put them back into William's room.

William whined to Dante, but Dante still forced him to keep them in his room. When William cried to his mother over the injustice, she ignored his plea. She decided he needed to outgrow his fear so it would be best to keep the kittens with him.

For an entire week, William came to school with several bags under his eyes. It was clear he wasn't sleeping that much.

Eventually, he became okay with the kittens as long as they didn't try to lay on his lap. However, Kitty Millie was constantly trying to.

I'm sure he will get used to it soon.

I on the other hand, was enjoying my time with the kittens. They were small, adorable, and definitely spoiled. I was finally looking forward to coming back to my room. Kitty Lona wasn't that playful and would usually just stare at me while I pet her.

Kitty Dante was always at my side demanding attention. I never would have thought that the kitten would turn out to be so clingy and overprotective. Whenever anyone steps near me, he will start hissing at them. He even swiped at my father and ended up making him bleed.

That was a bit enjoyable to witness. I gave the kitten praises for that one.

Although I enjoy having the kittens, there was still the annoyance that came from helping my mother. She was back in Queen Luna's clique and had to talk about it all the time.

I thought she would be a bit more kind to me since I was the one that helped her achieve that. However, it seems that my hopes were in vain. She didn't go any easier on me.

She still treated me the same, but with one small difference. She still complimented and spoke favorably about me to her clique. It was obvious that her and Queen Luna still had a strained relationship. Whenever she got back from a tea party with them, she would be grouchy and vent her anger on me.

I would just make sure to hide in my room when she was like this. She wouldn't come to my room anymore since Kitty Dante was sure to attack her.

I didn't know a cat could be such a good guard dog.

I felt the carriage slow down and stop. I pulled my body back in and groaned. William sat across from me by Millie and stared at me closely.

"You still get sick on carriage rides? Shouldn't you have outgrew that by now?" His arrogant tone contrasted his eyes that were full of concern.

He always seems to talk to me like he's so high and mighty. I wonder if all Prince's are this arrogant.

I groaned, "I wish I could outgrow it."

Something tells me I won't though. I've almost been in this world for two years and I still die everytime I ride a carriage.

I whined, "Are you sure there are no Ferrari's in this world?"

He clicked his tongue, "For the last time, I have no idea was a Ferrari is!"

We left our carriage and followed the crowd of students. We walked over to a stairway made of stone that ascended up the mountain. I looked up at the long set of stairs. My face paled.

Can't I just sleep at the bottom of these stairs? Do I really need to climb all the way up there?

William noticed my hesitance and tapped on my back, "Go on. Stop dawdling."

I groaned and started climbing the endless stairs. It wasn't long before I was crawling and gasping dramatically.

"What the *gasp* hell?! This is *gasp* torture!!!"

William frowned at me, "Why are you acting so dramatic? Don't you realize Millie is walking up the stairs normally and she's not even complaining?! Haven't you been training?!"

I looked at him with a blank expression. Sure. Bring your girlfriend into this. I see the two of them are awfully close now. Now he's even complimenting Millie. I wonder if they'll go off and get married.

I smiled sarcastically, "I see you really like Millie now William."

His face blushed. He looked at me with a twitching face, "I don't like her! Why do you keep saying that?!"

Because I am Millie's cupid and I will help her with her crush.

I looked at Millie and gave a thumbs up. She tilted her head in confusion.

Dante bent down to me, "Do you want me to carry you?"

My eyes lit up and I nodded several times, "Yes! Ah~ Dante! You are my savior!"

He wrapped an arm around my waist and hoisted me up. He carried me with one arm, which I was folded over, with my arms and feet's dangling. He began to walk.

Wait. Isn't there something wrong with this?! He's carrying me like I'm some book tucked between his arm and his torso!!!

Why does he always have to carry me like I'm an object and not a person?!

I whined, "Danteee! You're supposed to carry me Princess style!"

He glanced down at me and replied curtly, "You're not a princess."

I frowned, "How many times do I have to tell you?! You don't have to be a princess to get carried like that!!"

"Hmm. Well I could just put you back down if you'd like."

I closed my mouth quickly, "No need. No need. This is good too."

At least it's better than being flung over a shoulder.

William spoke in irritation, "I can't believe you're carrying her. Shouldn't you make her walk herself?!"

He replied curtly, "Do YOU want her to suffer?"

William shut his mouth in surprise, but quickly opened it again. "But she's going to get spoiled like this!"

"Don't care."

I glanced between the two of them in bewilderment. Why have these two been arguing so much lately?! More importantly, why is Dante acting so weird?!

He never argues with William. He's the type of person to find arguing too troublesome. Instead of arguing back, he would just give that fake smile of his instead. However now, he's acting quite cheeky!

They only started acting like this after the Royal Ball. Now they seem to bicker over every little thing. Something must have happened to cause this rift between them.

I wonder if the King said something?

Their arguing continued and I immediately felt annoyed. I snapped, "Oi! Shut up both of you!! Why have you two been fighting so much?"

They both grew quiet and glanced down at me. William clicked his tongue, "It must be nice being so dense."

"Huh?! Who is dense?" I looked at Millie, "Do you know what's going on?!"

Millie was out of the loop just like me. She had no idea why they were always arguing either. She thought for a moment.

"Perhaps William wanted to be the one to carry you?"

William's face flushed, "I DID NOT!"

I chuckled and nodded my head arrogantly, "Of course he would want to. After all, I am a goddess. Anyone would be honored to carry my beautiful self."

William tossed his head, "Huh?! Who is a goddess?! You eat too much to be a goddess."

My face fell, "Oi."

William let out a "Hmph" and ran up the stairs still blushing.

Millie nodded, "I think I was right."

I looked at her with determination, "Don't give up, Millie. Keep fighting."

She tilted her head in confusion, "You say the strangest things Seri."

We finally arrived at the top and Dante set me down carefully. I fixed my dress and looked around. I noticed we came to a courtyard with a large wooden gate.

William was waiting impatiently for us at the top of the mountain. He tried to hide his happiness when we walked over to him. He really is such a tsundere.

The courtyard was made of cobblestone with several trees and bushes. In front of us was a giant wooden gate and a fence that seemed to go around the entire mountain.

We stood waiting impatiently. I crossed my arms, "Why are we standing outside of a gate?"

Millie answered me, "We have to wait for them to open the door. They only do so once a day."

I played with my hair out of boredom. "So what's this coven like? Are they actually witches? It seems weird that they decided to live all the way up here. They must like stairs or something."

Millie looked at me with a muddled look, "Coven? No. This isn't a coven."

Hmm. I could have sworn Lona said it was a coven.

"What is it then?" I asked a bit more interested.

"It's a monastery."

I felt my breath catch in my throat. My voice came out shakey, "As in... With monks?"

She shook her head, "Actually no. This one is with nuns."

I felt as though I had been shot through the chest with an arrow.

No.. Please no! Please don't let it be that!

Millie continued completely oblivious to my fear stricken self, "This trip is supposed to deepen our connections between our country and the church. We will be praying and living like the nuns for a few days. It's supposed to be really purifying to the soul."

PURIFY MY A**!!! THEY'RE GOING TO EXORCISE ME!

No! No! No! No! No! No! No! No!

I can't live with nuns!!!

I refuse to go in there!

I REFUSE!!!

Dante noticed me spiralling out of control. He spoke calmly, "Are you alright?"

NO I'M NOT ALRIGHT!

If there's one thing I can't handle, it's nuns!

Alright, so I can be irrational at times. And yes, this time I am acting a bit irrational. I'm proud enough to admit my fear of nuns makes absolutely no sense.

But I don't care!!! Even if it's irrational I can't stop it!

Even when I hear the word 'nun' my blood runs cold and I want to faint.

I know it's stupid, but I can't help it!

Millie glanced at my face. Her face scrunched up in concern, "Seri! You look so pale. Are you okay?!"

I am much too frightened to even reply. All I can do is shake and stare at the wooden door with anxious eyes.

William studied my face carefully, "Are you perhaps... Afraid?"

D*MN RIGHT I AM! YOU B*TCHES LED ME TO MY DEATH!

The door opened at that moment revealing a crowd of nuns standing and smiling at us. A scream got caught in my throat.

An older nun with wrinkles stepped forth, "Greetings. We look forward to having you here with us."

"NUN!"

Everyone's gazes turned towards the shrill shriek. I stood pointing at the nun with a shaking hand.

The old woman smiled, "Hello my child. May God send blessings upon you."

BLESSINGS MY A**!

F*CK F*CK F*CK!!

What am I going to do?!

AHHH! SHE'S STARING AT ME WITH THOSE PIOUS EYES!!!

SHE'S PLANNING SOMETHING!! SHE IS!!

F*ck! I gotta get away!!!

Fight or flight?!

FIGHT OR FLIGHT?!?

FLIGHT!

I let out a shrill cry and turned towards the stairs. I took off with frightening speed towards them.

Unfortunately for me, there just so happened to be a low hanging branch behind me.

*THUNK*