Free Web NovelChapter 81: Chapter 81
Henri rather enjoyed the rest of the field trip, it didn’t turn out as disastrous as he had expected but what he enjoyed even more was returning to the academy.
On the final day of the field trip, they had breakfast and got ready for their hike back through the forest to the academy’s east gates.
The various groups set out at different times and were at different locations in the forest so they didn’t all arrive at the same time.
The professor that had answered their call for help on the first night of the field trip called Henri to the side when they got to the tents at the mouth of the forest.
"The Head Chancellor would like to after a word with you after lunch." He said in a conspiratorial manner to Henri who acknowledged him and walked off to join the rest of his group.
"Is something the matter?" Louis asked, letting Henri get up the carriage before him.
"Not really, Sir Bolton just asked to see me."
"The Head Chancellor?"Louis frowned...
*i just realised that i made a mistake. i mixed up the Head Chancellor and the Class 1-A professor. i’ll have the fixed right away. i apologize*
Their conversation was cut short with the others getting on the carriage as well, excited conversations about their field trip filling the space.
Henri was a little quiet and it wasn’t because he was worried about being summoned to the Head Chancellor’s office but that he was too busy fantasizing about a hot bath.
He could have cut short the field trip for himself and returned on the first day but where was the fun in that? His soak in the tub would feel much better now because he didn’t have the luxury for something so simple for four whole days. freeweɓnøvel.com
They all separated after leaving the carriage, all of them eager to climb on their soft beds before it was time for lunch.
Louis walked Henri to his dorm room because he helped carry his backpack, the tawny-haired Alpha hesitant to leave afterwards.
Henri was already peeling his cotton shirt off, eager to get back in his silks when he saw Louis hovering close to the door of his dorm.
He had hoped that the Alpha’s overprotectiveness would fade somewhat after they left the woods but it looked like it hadn’t reduced one bit.
Henri sighed silently and walked over. "I’m just going to have a bath and take a nap, you can come get me for lunch." He reassured him with a smile that didn’t quite touch his eyes. "Also, I’d prefer it if you didn’t drag the outdoors into my room." He tagged on, straight up pushing Louis out his open door.
He made sure to lock it afterwards too, not trusting Louis not to return and sneak back in when he was distracted.
Henri went back to undressing, wondering if Louis realized that he wasn’t obligated to take care of everyone he met.
He had surprisingly gotten used to his scent during the field trip, it also helped that none of his group members ever mentioned it although he was well aware that it was obvious.
But now that he was back in the lavish bathroom of the academy, amidst the luxurious scents of his toiletries, he remembered what he usually smelled like and his sweet scent became intrusive again.
Henri almost fell asleep in the wooden bath tub but the cooling of the scented water forced him to get up.
As he put on a silk shirt that wasn’t a part of his assigned uniforms and slipped under his covers with just underwear and socks on, he couldn’t help but think about why the Head Chancellor had summoned him.
Henri had been quite shaken up by what had happened, especially for someone like him who was completely sheltered his whole life, it was quite the experience.
He had also recovered quite quickly because although he never had to experience something along those lines before, it was expected. It was exactly why he was taught to protect himself.
Henri was certain that the Head Chancellor most likely wanted to personally apologized for what had happened to him although Henri hadn’t been upset to begin with and had almost forgotten about it by the time he retired to his tent for the night.
His brows furrowed as he held one of his many frilly pillows close... ’His parents wouldn’t be involved in this right? It wasn’t like Henri himself had gotten hurt.’
He sat up suddenly, his complexion turning ashen. He had been in the forest cut off from communication the entire time so there was no way for him to know but was it possible that the incident had made the news?
The more Henri thought about it, the more his troubles increased. He slowly laid back down on his pillows again, the worst possible outcome would be that his mother had personally come down to the academy.
Louis did come to get him for lunch as they agreed and by then Henri was already fully dressed in his uniform, his scent concealed again.
The academy had gradually filled up with its students again, the hallways noisy as friends and classmates caught up on their field trip experiences.
Nael didn’t have lunch with them so it was just the five of them as usual, it really felt like everything had returned back to normal.
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Louis offered with concern when Henri was preparing to leave for the Head Chancellor’s office.
Audie and Valentin had already gone off to do whatever it was that they did while Dio stood silently behind Louis, his shadow that was always with him.
"You don’t need to." Henri straightened his shoulders, he had kept all his worries to himself mostly because he knew that Louis wouldn’t take it very well. "I’ll come to your dorm room after." He said, walking off.
There was a building which housed all the professors’ offices but Henri had never had a reason to go there before. The Head Chancellor’s office was right at the top and he wasn’t pleased with all the staircases he would be travelling.
The final staircase led up to an open space with working table pushed against the far wall, an Alpha wearing glasses was seated behind it.
He got up the moment Henri walked in, straightening his bow tie. "I presume you’re here to see the Head Chancellor?"
"Yes, I am."
"Splendid, come with me please."
Henri did as he said, walking quietly behind the tall, lanky Alpha who led the way down a corridor. He had come across a couple professors on his way up and they all seemed to know who he was while simultaneously avoiding him at the same time.
They went past a couple rooms before the Alpha stopped in front of a door with a gold placard on it. He knocked politely and waited for a response from within.
Henri waited patiently while the Alpha stuck his head through the slightly open door and had a muted conversation with the person inside.
"The Head Chancellor will see you now." He smiled a little too brightly to Henri before walking off.
Henri knocked as well, a clear invitation from the interior prompting him to open up the door.
The Head Chancellor’s office was quite like he expected, minimalist decor and far too many bookshelves.
Sir Bolton got up immediately the Prince stepped him, a smile on his face that did nothing to hide his nerves. "Welcome, your Highness, please take a seat. I hope the rest of your field trip was without troubles?"
Henri sat on the chair offered him. "It was." He answered shortly, waiting impatiently for the other shoe to drop.
"Would your Highness like something to drink perhaps?" Bolton offered, yet to take his seat.
"I appreciate the offer but I have just had lunch, was there something you wanted to speak to me about, Sir Bolton?"
The poor Alpha stumbled down to his seat, clearing his throat precariously. "Y-Yes, your Highness, its about the matter of... the unfortunate incident that happened at..."
Henri wanted to spare the old academic and push things forward a bit so he interrupted his stammering. "Are my parents aware of this?"
Sir Bolton became even more wary at this question. "Not yet, your Highness but..." freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"You can stop with the formalities, Sir Bolton, I’m merely a student while I’m at the academy after all." Henri said kindly, relief washing over him when he found out that it was kept from his parents.
Bolton regained some of his composure at this, wondering if he wouldn’t lose his job after all. He hadn’t had a proper night sleep ever since the report of the incident was brought to him, it didn’t help that the Prince refused to return to the academy afterwards.
The only thing he could do then was put a lid on the matter and quietly wait for the Prince to return before begining an investigation. It would seem that it had been the wisest decision to make.
