A Loathsome Fellow

“HAHAHAHAHA” In a luxurious carriage nearby, far away from prying eyes, but close enough to listen to every word that was said, a teasing laughter rang out. Inside the luxurious carriage sat five people- an older man and four ten year olds. The laughter came from the older man.

“Mr. Aikens sir, how long do you intend to laugh?” A blond hair boy with beautiful blue eyes asked the older man with a small smile on his face. Seated next to him was the laughing elder, and a brown haired boy with brown eyes, who had a bitter smile on his cute face. The brown haired boy was none other than Abelard and the blond haired kid was Mane. They had come out of their rooms to meet Abelard’s little sister who had enrolled this year. They had barely left their room when they heard their mate speak of them in a grand manner, and with passion even they did not have.

“I am sorry, Predator. I didn’t mean to offend you or any of the legends here! HAHAHAHA!” Abelard showed a bitter smile when he heard what his Master had called Mane. He looked at the boys who were seated opposite him. They had identical looks and were blushing furiously while trying to avoid eye contact with the older man. The twins were of course John and Jake. They were more embarrassed than pleased with the story they had heard.

“Oh…The show is not over yet.” Mane looked out the window as he spoke, prompting the others, including Mr. Aikens to look over.

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At this moment an unpleasant voice drifted over, “What ‘Predator’? Come on Aaliyah. Do you have nothing to do but entertain little kids with your exaggerated stories?” The one who spoke was a handsome boy who looked to be about eleven or twelve years old. It was quite funny to see a child calling someone else a child. However, the arrogant smile on his face made one know immediately that, he was not an average kid. He was followed by three more people who had complacent smiles on their faces. They snickered at the older girl who was singing Mane’s praises, Aaliyah.

Looking at their arrogant faces, Aaliyah gritted her teeth as she stood before her juniors. It was obvious that she was scared that the stranger would do something to them. Although the academy frowned upon fights that were not held in the school arena, it had no rules preventing students from verbally abusing each other. After all, if one is beaten, they have the injuries to show for it. But what about verbal abuse… there is never any evidence to support that.

The people that Aaliyah was facing off with had no morals to speak of. They were all sons of influential families and had grown too arrogant over the years. They were used to getting their way and did not mind bullying their juniors to get their way.

“What do you want Aegeus?” Aaliyah looked at Aegeus with undisguised contempt as she addressed the handsome boy. Contrary to his name that meant ‘protector’, Aegeus was just a self-centered noble who was used to always having things going his way. Perhaps, the only thing that he really protected was his vanity and interests.

Aegeus fumed when he heard the disgust in Aaliyah’s tone. “What do you mean what do I want? Fellas, which of you will be pleased to hear your fiancée speak so passionately about someone else.” His entourage smirked meaningfully when they heard his words.

Aaliyah and Aegeus were engaged- an engagement that had been set when they were still suckling at the breasts of their mothers. Their families always had a great relationship and their parents decided to cement that relationship with a more binding contract. Aegeus did not mind the engagement at all. After all, even though Aaliyah was just ten years old, she was very beautiful. It was no secret that she was going to grow up into an extraordinarily beautiful woman. She may even grow up to be more beautiful than her charming mother.

But Aegeus knew that Aaliyah was seriously opposed to this marriage. Who could blame her though? Aaliyah had always been a kind girl who was open to selflessly helping others. Take the current scenario as an example.        The first thing Aaliyah did when these bullies showed up was to shield her juniors from them. A girl like that will never like a selfish and arrogant brat.

“I have told you before. I will rather kill myself than marry you!” Aaliyah had a resolute expression on her face as she faced her fiancé.

Aegeus’s face grew cold when he heard Aaliyah. “You think you have a choice? My father is an Earl while yours is a Viscount. If you dare kill yourself, I would not rest until I ruin your family. Now, you don’t want that do you?” Aegeus had a sneer on his face as he spoke. Aaliyah had said she will kill herself so many times than he could count. His answer had always been the same. If she dared kill herself, he would destroy her family! Even as a ghost, there was no way she would rest knowing that she was the downfall of her family.

“You…” Aaliyah’s little fist was balled in anger as her face reddened from fury. If gazes could kill, Aegeus would have been strung up and butchered like a piñata at least a dozen times. Aegeus smirked when he saw her furious appearance. It made him content to see a person’s face fill up with helplessness. It always satisfied his vanity and inflated his ego whenever he saw such an expression. It made him feel as though he had the person’s fate in his hands.

“Stop bullying elder sister, you big meanie!” Aegeus’s satisfied expression vanished when he heard that. In its place was a hideous expression, one that caused those who were following him to snicker in satisfaction, knowing they were in for a good show. The one who spoke up was the little girl that was behind Aaliyah. Her little face was filled with anger as she scolded the older boy.

Aaliyah’s face was filled with surprise as she looked at the kids behind her. All three children were looking at Aegeus with revulsion. Normally, she will be grateful, but not today. Aegeus was a shameless person. There was no way he would restrain himself just because he was a few years older.

Aegeus looked at his lowerclassmen with a hideous smirk on his face. To think the next generation were so stupid, kind yes, but stupid. “You better watch your tone little girl. You are too young for this conversation.”

It was at this moment that a calm voice floated over, one that seemed to comfort even the most despairing of souls.

“Now that’s not very nice, is it?”