Chapter 143: The Princess and the Impossible Squire
Finally after everything was settled in the infirmary, Dila was discharge and they mark there leave....
The hallway stretched long and grand, sunlight streaming through the tall arched windows, glinting off the polished marble floor. Despite the bustling academy, a strange calm seemed to ripple around Dila and Fran. Students scattered to either side as they walked, as if parting waves around a boat’s bow. Whispers floated softly through the air, and many eyes darted toward the princess, only to quickly look away.
Walking just ahead of them, the squire practically radiated energy. His posture was impeccable, hands clasped behind his back, yet he rotated slightly at every step to keep Dila and Fran fully in view. "Princess, don’t worry about them!" he called cheerfully, his voice carrying effortlessly down the corridor.
Dila’s eyes flicked toward him, narrowing slightly. That’s... one energetic squire, she thought silently, her lips twitching as if trying to voice out and not to smile at his boundless enthusiasm.
The squire, catching the faint expression on her face, closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly, smiling even wider. "Thank you, Princess!" he said proudly, clearly interpreting her silent thought as spoken praise.
Dila blinked at him, a frown forming. But I didn’t... even say anything, she thought, tilting her head in mild confusion.
Fran, walking beside her with her rarely deadpan expression, flicked a glance at Dila and whispered with a smirk, "No, sis. You voice it out using your face. Otherwise, he’ll just assume you’re thinking it aloud."
Dila’s ears twitched slightly as she pressed a hand to her forehead, a small sigh escaping her lips. Wonderful... now we have a squire who’s cheerfully insane.
Meanwhile, the students around them continued to part subtly, eyes wide and murmurs hushed. Some peered cautiously from corners, while others ducked behind pillars or tables as if afraid to breathe too loudly near the princess. Fran’s tail flicked with quiet amusement, and Dila’s mind raced as she tried to process the surreal combination of reverence, fear, and the squire’s unrelenting cheer.
The squire, sensing the faint smile tugging at Dila’s lips, gave a little spin on his heels, almost tipping over but catching himself with a flourish. "Princess! I—I’ll make sure no one dares to be rude to you!" he declared, his voice brimming with determination.
Dila internally groaned, muttering, This is going to be... a long day.
Fran leaned closer, whispering with a mischievous grin, "At least he’s cute in a weird, overenthusiastic way, sis."
Dila’s cheeks warmed, and she deadpanned, glancing at Fran. "Cute? Don’t encourage him."
The squire, oblivious to the exchange, spun slightly again, ready to orbit around them like a tiny, gleeful sun, leaving both Dila and Fran caught somewhere between amusement, embarrassment, and exasperation.
The squire bounded ahead, practically bouncing off the polished marble floors, his energy refusing to dim even for a moment. Dila tilted her head, blinking at him with a mix of curiosity and mild irritation. "Oh... aren’t you going to guide us to our class?" she asked, her voice calm but carrying just a hint of impatience.
The squire froze mid-step, scratching the back of his head as a soft chuckle escaped him. "Ohh... hahaha, I... I forgot!" he admitted, waving his hands like it was no big deal. "But... don’t blame me if I can’t protect you! Heheh."
Dila’s blue eyes narrowed sharply. "I’m not asking for any protection. I just want to know where the classroom is so we can... learn." Her tone was deadpan, precise, and perfectly serious, which only seemed to amuse the squire even more.
Fran, sidling up to Dila as they walked down the wide hallway, tilted her head with a mischievous grin. "Ohh... squire boy... um, brother? Will my sister be in the same class as me?"
The squire’s eyes immediately sparkled with excitement. He threw his arms wide in what could only be described as a dramatic flourish and spun in a tiny circle. "Good question! Yes! Because in first class, you’re supposed to meet the other freshmen students and introduce yourselves!"
He took a few exaggerated, almost ballet-like steps forward, his arms still outstretched as if he were performing on a stage.
Dila’s lips pressed into a thin line, her hand twitching slightly at her side. You look like a ballerina, she thought, internally rolling her eyes.
"Thank you, Princess!" the squire said brightly, misreading her expression as admiration.
Dila’s face burned with irritation. Her ears twitched, a faint blush creeping up her neck, but she held her posture, glaring at him while silently seething. Why does everyone have to be so... extra here?
Fran, tail flicking with amusement, stifled a giggle behind her hand. Dila caught the movement out of the corner of her eye, her deadpan glare somehow funnier because Fran was clearly enjoying the show.
The squire, blissfully oblivious, spun around once more, calling with dramatic enthusiasm, "Alright! Follow me, Princess! The classroom awaits!" His voice echoed down the hallway, drawing a few curious and slightly bewildered—glances from other students who were carefully avoiding the chaos energy radiating from him.
Dila let out a quiet, resigned groan, pinching the bridge of her nose. This is going to be... exhausting.
Fran snickered quietly, leaning closer. "Sister... we’re definitely going to survive this... maybe."
Dila shot her a sideways glare, but it didn’t stop the corners of her lips from twitching slightly.
Fran couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, her tail flicking as she nudged Dila gently. "See, sis... your face says it all, hahaha!"
Dila’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile, a rare softness flickering in her blue eyes. Then, without warning, she stepped closer to Fran, the sudden movement making Fran blink in surprise.
Before Fran could react, Dila cupped her little sister’s cheeks with both hands, gently but firmly stretching them. "Look at you, Fran... you’re right," Dila said, closing her eyes with a blissful smile, her expression radiating warmth and amusement.
"Aaaw, aaaw, aaaw!" Fran squealed, her tiny hands flailing as Dila pulled at her cheeks. Her voice rose in a dramatic cry, half laughter, half mock indignation. "Stop, sister! You’re ruining my face! Aaaw!"
Dila couldn’t help but chuckle at the chaos she was causing, her laughter soft and musical. Then, leaning down slightly, she hugged Fran tightly, her arms wrapping around her younger sister in a comforting embrace. "It’s gonna be okay," Dila whispered, nuzzling Fran gently.
Fran, caught in the hug, buried her face into Dila’s chest, letting out a shaky, exaggerated sob that sounded almost theatrical. "I... I can’t... I’m overwhelmed by your... affection!" she cried, her tail twitching wildly.
Dila just held her, gently patting her back. "Shh... I’ve got you. No one’s gonna hurt you here... not while I’m around," she murmured softly, a smile playing on her lips despite Fran’s dramatic protest.
Fran peeked out from the hug with big, watery eyes. "You’re... too soft sometimes, sister... don’t let anyone see this," she pouted, though the corners of her mouth betrayed a hidden grin.
Dila opened one eye and winked playfully. "Too late, Fran. You’re already mine. Deal with it."
Fran groaned dramatically, but another giggle escaped her lips, the two of them walking down the academy hallway in a tangle of warmth, laughter, and sisterly chaos.
The squire stumbled a few steps behind, clutching his sides as laughter bubbled out of him. "Hey! Wait—sisters! Did you forget me?" he called, his voice half-exasperated, half-amused. "I’m still here, you know! Your guide! Don’t leave me in the dust!"
Dila and Fran, completely absorbed in their own little world of sisterly bonding, didn’t even glance back. Fran’s tail twitched happily as she nuzzled into Dila, and Dila’s cheeks were still slightly pink from the earlier playful scolding.
The squire threw his hands up dramatically, chuckling. "Fine! If you won’t notice me, I’ll just... guide you via a completely different reroute!" He flailed his arms like an over-dramatic conductor, spinning on the balls of his feet as he tried to catch their attention.
Meanwhile, the students lining the hallway couldn’t help but murmur among themselves. "Huh... impossible!" one whispered, eyes wide. "That cat girl... she’s actually cheeky enough to mess around with the Princess like that?"
Another student shook their head, disbelief etched on their face. "No way... they can’t even be sisters. That’s... different races entirely! How is this allowed?!"
A few others craned their necks to peek at the scene, trying to reconcile the sight of the petite cat girl, blue-eyed and mischievous, boldly snuggling into the regal Princess Dila, whose silver hair shimmered even under the natural hallway sunlight.
The squire, still hopping from one foot to the other, muttered under his breath with a smile, "Unbelievable... I swear, these two are the most impossible students I’ve ever had to guide. But... somehow... I love it."
He shook his head and trotted ahead, dramatically pointing down a winding side hallway as if unveiling some grand secret passage. "Follow me! I shall now be your guide, whether you like it or not! Adventure awaits!"
Dila, finally noticing him out of the corner of her eye, just blinked slowly, her lips twitching into a faint, almost reluctant smile. Fran peeked up, still clutching Dila’s arm, and whispered, "He’s always... kind of funny, sis."
The squire threw his head back and laughed loudly, the sound bouncing down the marble hallway. "Funny? I am heroic, charming, and indispensable! But yes... I’ll take funny for now."
The murmuring students exchanged glances again, their confusion and fascination only deepening as they watched the odd trio disappear down the hallway in a flurry of laughter, fur, and flowing silver hair.
Finally, they arrived at the grand, imposing double doors of the main classroom, each panel carved meticulously with the emblem of a glowing Twilight star. The squire stopped abruptly in front of it, spinning dramatically on one knee. "Tadaa!" he announced, voice booming with exaggerated grandeur. "The main lobby class!"
He extended his arms wide as if unveiling a masterpiece, one knee pressed to the polished marble floor, and his right brow raised in a comically theatrical flourish.
Dila blinked at him, then let out a soft laugh. Fran couldn’t contain herself, tail flicking as she giggled and clapped her hands. "Hahahaha! Ohhh, you are too much!" she squeaked, bouncing slightly on her toes.
The squire puffed up his chest, obviously pleased by their reaction, but his overly dramatic pose and booming voice sent a ripple of unease through the passing students. They parted quickly, stepping away with wary eyes, muttering under their breath. Some glanced back nervously, unsure whether the squire was a hero or just... a walking, theatrical menace.
The squire, oblivious to the side glances, leaned closer to Dila and Fran, whispering with a conspiratorial wink, "See, Princess, this is how true guides present classrooms. Style and flair, my dear ladies. You’ll remember me forever for this moment!"
Dila shook her head, lips twitching in amusement, while Fran’s ears twitched rapidly in delight. "Hehehe... unforgettable, that’s for sure," Dila whispered, trying to keep her laughter quiet.
With a grand gesture, the squire pushed the massive doors wider. The main classroom revealed itself in all its glory: tiered rows of seats stretched upward like a staircase to the ceiling, each level filled with polished desks, and magical orbs floating gently to provide soft illumination. Sunlight from tall, arched windows bounced off the marble floor, scattering shimmering patterns across the walls, giving the room an almost ethereal glow.
The squire spun around once more, bowing deeply as if conducting a performance. "Behold! Your throne of knowledge awaits!"
Fran rolled her eyes but laughed, whispering, "I can’t... he’s impossible."
Dila, still suppressing a giggle, shook her head, thinking, I swear, if he keeps this up, everyone in the academy is going to think his circus performers instead of squire ...
Meanwhile, the passing students peeked from the edges of the doorway, their expressions a mix of awe and suspicion. Some whispered nervously, "Is that... really the Princess?" "And that... cat girl?" "Why is the squire performing like that?"
The squire, hearing none of their whispers, continued to theatrically guide them toward the first row of the seats, arms flailing like a conductor leading an orchestra. "Come, Princess! Come, little cat girl! Witness the grandeur of your academic destiny!"
Dila and Fran followed, laughing quietly, the awkward tension of the hallway melting away as the squire’s ridiculous antics filled the grand, star-emblazoned classroom.
Finally, Dila and Fran reached their desk, the squire trailing a few steps behind with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. He stopped in front of them, arms folding neatly, and gave a small, theatrical bow. "Mission completed!" he announced with a flourish, as if he had single-handedly saved the world from chaos.
He straightened up, waving one hand toward the door while walking backward. "I hope we meet again, Princess... and cat girl!" His voice rang with playful solemnity as he continued toward the exit, each step exaggerated, almost dancing across the polished marble floor.
Dila let out a soft laugh, shaking her head, a small blush coloring her cheeks. Fran, unable to contain herself, giggled lightly, her tail flicking with amusement as her eyes sparkled at the squire’s ridiculous antics. "He’s just impossible," Fran whispered between chuckles, nudging Dila lightly.
Meanwhile, the other students who had been watching from the back of the room—or peeking around the corners—were completely drawn in. Their eyes widened as they tried to process what they had just seen. Some whispered nervously, others laughed quietly, and a few even raised eyebrows.
"Hahaha The Princess in front of us doesn’t even know etiquette," one student muttered under their breath, voice tinged with disbelief.
Another shrugged, whispering to a friend, "Yeah... ethics seems completely nonexistent here. Look at her... she’s laughing already. And that cat girl! How are they even related and can connect easily?"
Some students tried to hide their reactions, while others couldn’t help but stare, their curiosity mingled with amusement. The combination of Dila’s calm yet slightly embarrassed smile, Fran’s playful demeanor, and the squire’s over-the-top theatrics made them look like a comical little entourage crashing into the rigid order of the academy.
Dila glanced at Fran, her lips twitching into a half-smile. Well... at least he’s gone now. Fran nudged her again with a grin. "I think the whole class is watching us already, sis it’s kind of embarrassing ahh hahaha."
Dila let out a quiet sigh, part exasperated, part amused, as she completely settled into her seat, looking over at Fran, who was still trying not to burst into another fit of giggles. Around them, the classroom murmurs continued, a mix of confusion, intrigue, and quiet laughter.
It was official: their arrival had made an impression—one that the other students would definitely talk about for days.