Chapter 66 (1/2)

Michelle sat with three other students at the banquet. “Where do you think he’s from?” the girl sitting next to her asked. She wore a red dress with runes embroidered along the sides. The four of them watched Vur eat food with Lillian. The rest of the students gave the two a wide berth since Johann was curled up behind Vur.

“The girl’s from the Leonis household, I’ve seen her a few times,” a red-haired boy said. “I’ve never seen the freak before. His table mannerism is proper so he can’t be a bumpkin. Maybe he’s an illegitimate child.”

“I’ve never seen Johann act like that to anyone,” Michelle said as she put down her glass, “not even Rudolph.” She glanced at the prince who sat alone at a table with his eyes closed.

“You think he’s angry?” the girl asked. “I know I’d be angry if my lion acted that way to someone else. I feel bad for that girl who Rudolph’s going to fight tomorrow.” She sighed and shook her head.

“What about for me?” the red-haired boy asked. “I have to fight that freak just because I’m the strongest in our class. Sure, the administration’s going to rig the tournament and place the top seeds against the non-students, but that really doesn’t help me at all.”

“You don’t matter, Roy,” Michelle said and stuck her tongue out at him.

Roy snorted. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Everyone knows you’re going to win the healer’s bracket because of your dad,” he said.

Michelle laughed. “You sound jealous,” she said and smiled. “Why don’t you go make friends with him? He might go easy on you tomorrow.”

Roy’s brow creased. “You know they invited them to intimidate them, right?” he asked as he glanced at the students who were avoiding Vur’s table.

“And look what good that’s done. Two of the winners didn’t even show up and now they’re terrified of the person they wanted to scare,” the boy sitting next to Roy said. “Let’s go talk to them. Besides, the girl’s pretty cute.”

“No way,” Roy said as he shook his head. “I’m not going.”

Michelle snorted. “Coward. I’ll go,” she said as she stood up.

“Wait, you serious?” Roy said as he raised his eyebrows. Michelle ignored him as she started walking towards Vur’s table. “Damnit. We can’t let her go alone.” He grumbled and stood up, followed by the girl and boy.

Lillian sighed as she put her fork down. “Why would they bring a dragon to a dinner party?” she said. “I nearly pissed myself. And now no one’s talking to us. How am I supposed to make connections if every one of them avoids eye contact?” She glanced at Vur who continued to eat. His eyes were covered with a bat-shaped masked while his raccoon mask lay on the seat next to him. “Are you even listening to me?” Lillian asked as she pouted.

Vur shook his head and continued eating. He passed a piece of meat to the dragon waiting behind him. He ignored Lillian as she muttered a string of curses and grabbed another piece of steak.

“Is this seat taken?” Michelle said from behind Lillian. Rudolph’s eyes opened and he turned to look at Vur’s table.

“Does it frickin look like it’s taken?” Lillian spat as she turned around. Her face turned pale. “Er, I mean, no. It’s not, uhm, taken. You can sit here if you want, is what I meant to say.” Lillian’s heart raced. I swore at the pope’s daughter; Paul’s going to throw a fit.

Michelle smiled and sat on one side of her, while the girl with the red dress sat on the other side. Roy and the other boy attempted to walk to Vur’s side of the table, but decided to sit next to Michelle when Johann stared and growled at them. Vur cut his steak in half and slipped the bony portion towards Johann.

Michelle eyes widened as Johann licked Vur’s hand and took the piece of meat in his mouth. “I think he really likes you,” she said to Vur. “He’s never that friendly to anyone.”

Vur turned towards Johann. “Is that true?” he asked. Johann nodded and sighed through his nostrils.

“What’s your name?” Michelle asked as she retrieved a plate.

“Vurdurr Besteck,” Vur replied as he wiped the slobber off his hand. “It’s common courtesy to introduce one’s self before asking for another’s name.” The students looked at each other.

“I’m Michelle Heilig, the daughter of the pope,” she said. “You’ve never seen me before?”

“Nope,” Vur said and continued eating. “I didn’t know there was even a pope.”

“Where are you from?” Roy asked as his brow creased. “How can you not know who the pope is?” He turned towards Lillian. “Is he serious?”