Chapter 32: The Meeting (1)
I tried my best to avoid Priam Grey in the following days. This was not to follow Gin's words but because I knew for myself that I needed to be careful when it comes to him. He's cunning; he's manipulative. I've witnessed it several times in the first week of his visit here in Titan Academy.
He went to our training session several times. He's there to give some comments about the Cup and our special abilities. When he's with the group he seemed normal when speaking to us and giving instructions. He even smiled normally when someone talked to him.
However, when the two brothers eyed each other, his smile would suddenly change; as if meaning something else. It's also the same when he looked at me, like he was playing a sort of game where both of us are players but then, he alone understands everything.
Since he was the group's temporary mentor, I wasn't able to completely avoid him. We met almost every day. We ate with him in the Breakfast Hall. We met him in the corridor. On those circumstances, you could talk to him properly. But I was still suspicious with someone like Priam Grey.
After dinner on that particular day, I entered my room to finally rest. I've barely stayed in my room since I left this morning. Our physical training occurred more often. The whole training was becoming hectic and demanding these past few days due to the approaching Cup so we barely had any rest.
When I entered my room I immediately saw a bright-colored clothing on the bed. Inspecting closer, I saw a dress. It was dark red in color, made of soft fabric and filled with tiny and shiny designs.
My forehead furrowed while holding the dress. I spread it before me and examined it. It almost reached the floor, quite tight, and—wait— I turned the dress. I let out a loud scoff. The back of the dress almost has no cover.
I threw the dress into the small sofa by the corner and laid down on my bed. I don't care. I knew who sent it over and what it was for. That's why I lost my mood even more.
There were two occasions approaching in Titan Academy. The first was the Quarterly General Meeting of the parents and school administration that will be held tomorrow. Then, the second would be Principal Bin's birthday next week; the very same day of my birthday.
The two events usually didn't come in this succession. What they said back in the training earlier—the General Meeting was supposed to be by next month. But because of the issue of my entrance, together with the unending complains of the students, the meeting was arranged earlier.
I don't want to go. The reason is obvious. I am one of the problems that they're going to discuss.
Incidentally, the parents that will be coming tomorrow were the types of people who I never wanted to face nor even laid my eyes on. They're the wealthiest and the most powerful families that lived in this town. To whom could these students obtain that attitude of looking down to the poor?
I bet the dress that Miss Aura sent me will just be wasted anyway. Even if they clothed me with expensive dresses, it would not change the minds of the students or the parents. For them, I was just some girl from the village. Thinking like this I remembered Miss Aura's advise.
You should try to associate and socialize, Shia. All of you must be there tomorrow. The group needs it.
I snorted. Yeah right.
The next day, I felt the change of atmosphere everywhere because of the event this afternoon. For now I shouldn't have wondered, though I can't help being amazed on how the people here can be so wasteful. Basically, it was only a meeting. Why do we need to wear expensive dresses or prepare so much for such a straightforward event?
The servants along the corridors were all busy. All of them were carrying various things, some just cleaning materials. There are vases, flowers, candle holders, different colors of fabrics, etc.
I scoffed. It looks like I was wrong. A party will take place later instead of a formal meeting. I continued walking until I reach the Breakfast Hall. We were spared from training for today. We just needed to prepare for the meeting. When I arrived at the Hall Cain, Victoria, and Luna were already there.
From the looks of it their discussion seemed to be quite important. Typically, if not sleepy or tired, they would not be in the mood to even talk while in the Hall. But now they seemed to have woken for quite some time and been talking for a while now. What's up with them?
They almost didn't notice me when I sat beside Luna. After a moment, Luna stopped talking and turned to me.
"Oh, you're here, Shia." She greeted enthusiastically. But it seems like the others are not the same.
I just nodded.
"Have you seen the dress you're going to wear later?" she asked. "Did you try if it fits you? Who is going to attend for y—" She paused on her last question as if she realized something. "Oh, I forgot."
I shrugged. "It's fine." I answered carelessly.
I was not a real student here to even bother bringing a family or whoever to attend the meeting. Besides, I don't have a family so why bother thinking about it? It's quite obvious.
"How about the three of you? Who is attending?" I asked.
They became silent. Luna and Cain looked at each other. Victoria just rolled her eyes as if I said something frustrating.
"My Dad will go," Luna answered in a casual voice.
"My whole family will go, including my two younger siblings. It has become a sort of tradition." Cain answered with a shrug.
Victoria scoffed. "If only my family can't come." She muttered.
My brow rose. What's her problem?
Students gradually increased inside the Breakfast Hall and soon the food came. Two atmospheres were visible around. If not excitement, then I would see frustrations. I wanted to laugh at them. What's the problem with these students? Are they not happy to see their families? If only they knew how fortunate they were.
—
"What happened to Victoria earlier?" I casually asked.
I tried to sound as if it's not a big deal for me. But honestly, it was. All along I thought Victoria got her attitude somewhere in her family. But apparently, she's also like that with her own family.
"She's really just like that. She is somewhat not okay with her parents." Luna answered without looking at me.
"Her parents don't support her joining the Linus Cup. The Kingsleys are very practical. Victoria is the heir to the family's business because she's the eldest. But coincidentally Victoria wants to join the Cup."
Luna turned to me. "Do you know why?"
I just shrugged my shoulders. I really have no idea. It's not that easy to read the character of a person like Victoria Kingsley.
"To escape." Luna answered.
"She had wanted to escape the pressure of her family. She's suffocated with her life since it's all planned and needed only to be followed. Did you know that we were classmate during grade school?"
I was stunned. Really? They were classmate in General Education? Then why do they seem to not know each other?