Alpha Academy BL

Chapter 90: Chapter 90

Alois noticed the question in Henri’s eyes and politely introduced Giselle. "This is Lady Giselle, daughter of Marquis Garnier."

Giselle seemed astounded that she had to be introduced. "Don’t you remember me, your Highness? We met at every single ball hosted at the Royal Castle." She spoke up a little desperately.

Henri still drew a blank, he had only gone to a handful of balls and during those, he was approached by a large number of people in the short time he spent at them.

"I often ask after his Grace, Lord..."

"Cease." Henri immediately raised a hand. "I remember you now, I also remember requesting that you not mention his name in my presence." He tagged on unkindly.

Giselle was further stunned by this, stumbling over her words. Sure Prince Henri always seemed displeased whenever she made that inquiry but he had never been outrightly cold to her before.

"If you’ll excuse us, Giselle, I need to discuss some things with his Highness," Alois said to her with a cold expression, his tone polite.

Giselle had no other option but to leave, eyeing up the two Alphas she couldn’t recognize who stood beside Prince Henri. ’Why did they get to stay but she had to leave?’

"Who was that bouquet of thorns?" Louis asked, walking over to admire the bows and arrows laid out on a long table.

Alois sighed miserably. "Someone you’d want to steer clear of."

"I didn’t know she had her sights set on you as well, I thought she was obsessed with..." Henri trailed off, a troubled look in his eyes.

Alois noticed this but didn’t mention it. "I’m merely a placeholder. Did you come to watch me compete?" He changed the line of conversation when the atmosphere started to get a little tense.

Louis and Dio didn’t notice this because they were too busy admiring the exquisitely carved bows.

"Are we allowed to fiddle with this before the competition begins?" Louis asked curiously.

Alois turned around, "Sure." He agreed absently.

The shooting range was out of bounds for the students after all so it wasn’t like they would hit anyone.

Although Louis had been the one to ask, he turned to Dio who stared at the arrows with sparkling eyes. "Do you want to give it a try?" He offered.

Dio nodded enthusiastically, patiently letting Louis teach him how to properly hold a bow. By the time Louis had put him through the basics and fixed his aim, they had both caught Alois and Henri’s attention.

Dio’s hands were surprisingly steady for someone who hadn’t handled a bow before and something about his stance made Alois stare intently at him.

"Now just shoot, right at the target." Louis urged him.

Dio did as was told, the arrow sailing with incredible accuracy across the range and embedding itself into the bullseye.

Louis cheered, patting his friend’s shoulder congratulatory. "I didn’t know you had such a natural affinity for archery."

Dio looked just as surprised, he hadn’t thought that he would make it.

Alois on the other hand was very impressed, he slung an arm over Dio’s shoulder. "That’s it, you’re joining the club." He decided, taking the Alpha with him to meet the captain.

-*-

Audie had grown increasingly solemn watching Omegas flock around Valentin, what made it more painful to watch was his naivete, and also the fact that they all looked right through him like he was a ghost.

He didn’t join Errol’s conversation with his sister and Fleur, even if they tried to invite him several times.

Nael also didn’t join in but that was because he was fake sleeping on Errol’s arm and Valentin was too busy talking to wave after wave of Omegas that wanted to say something to him.

He’d had enough after the seventh girl- yes, he counted...

"Vale, let’s go play some games." He suggested, already taking his friend’s arm and pulling him away.

"We’ll be at the pool!" Errol called after them so they wouldn’t lose their way. They were all still currently seated at the racecourse mini-stadium, not bothering to go watch the archery competitions and choosing to catch up with each other instead.

Valentin let himself be pulled around. Audie never really asked him anything, he just dragged him along and Valentin let him. Although he could protest it, although he ’should’ protest it.

Audie threw an arm around his shoulder which was a bit surprising as he was hardly the one to initiate contact, as they both strode across the Field to the stalls.

"You could bring a souvenir back for Fleur." Valentin suggested, still trying to cheer up his friend.

"She doesn’t want it." Audie admitted miserably and then turned to Valentin. "Want me to win something for you?" He offered with a glitter in his dark eyes.

Valentin looked away. "I can win prizes myself." He grumbled.

Audie’s brows furrowed, wondering what he said wrong. "Look, there’s a ring-throwing competition!" He pointed, letting go of Valentin. "I can bet that I’ll make all the posts."

Valentin watched Audie smugly stride forward with a sense of relief, it was a little sad to watch Audie lose his confidence. And although, he knew that the reason he was so reserved around Dodie was because of decorum, it still hurt to see. ƒreewebɳovel.com

They were always at loggerheads and if they weren’t in a public space would have started tussling, it also didn’t help that Dodie had a way with Omegas that enraged Audie who could never get an interaction with an Omega right.

Valentin walked forward in time to see Audie confidently miss every single post and remain undeterred, asking for another set of rings. Only Valentin watched intently without judgment, the other students giggling at his failure.

Afterward, Audie won three sets in a row and asked for the biggest prize, a gaudily made papier-mâché lion that was far too large to be comfortably held. He walked up to Valentin and offered it to him, "See, I told you I would win you something." He boasted with a wide grin.

Valentin just sighed and walked off to the next stall, a faint red blush crawling up his neck.

"Vale! Wait up! Don’t you want it?" Audie immediately went after him.