Free Web NovelChapter 8: We Are Going To Be Late
Luke slowly walked behind Valeria as she wheeled into the open bedroom door. She didn’t stop, as she moved to grab the pen and paper. Before she could write anything, Luke had opened the blinds and started signing to her.
Bathroom?
Valeria easily translated the movements, but couldn’t answer back in the same manner as she wasn’t sure how much Luke had learned. Instead, she wrote on the pen and paper, tearing it off the pad and handing it to Luke.
I need to bathe before leaving for work. Also, how many words did you learn?
Luke read quickly, before writing a response.
I have learned 10 words so far, just the simple ones. I will start the bath for you. Pick out some clothes while I’m doing so.
Valeria nodded and moved towards the closet, while Luke walked into the bathroom and turned the knobs that controlled the water for the bathtub. He looked around for her bath products, finding an assortment stored in the cabinet beneath the sink.
When Luke turned around, he saw Valeria already rolling into the bathroom, a stack of clothes resting in her lap.
Will you be able to get in and out of the bathtub?
She signed back after reading the note.
Yes
Luke just nodded before grabbing some nearby towels and laying them next to the bathtub. Then he exited the bathroom, taking some time to make the bed. As he waited, he couldn’t help but wonder how exactly she would get in and out of the bathtub. Multiple scenarios played out in his mind, some of which didn’t have the best outcomes.
He spent the next half hour waiting on the bed, constantly listening to make sure she didn’t need something. Eventually, she came out of the bathroom wearing a long dress, similar to her usual fashion that Lucius had in his memories.
Luke was already wearing his usual academy uniform. He searched around for his backpack, finding it leaning against the wall in the closet. Inside was a few textbooks and notebooks.
While Valeria was collecting her belongings for work, Luke moved to the front door and checked the clock.
8:00
’The last train to the academy leaves at 8:30.’
At this point, Luke started to panic. The punishment for being tardy wasn’t appealing and a professor like Valeria couldn’t be late.
There was still hope, as the train station was only a fifteen-minute walk from their house. He rushed to put on shoes, sliding on a nearby pair of black loafers.
Luke waited for Valeria to finish getting prepared, watching as she wheeled down the hallway. He grabbed the pen and paper that rested on top of a leather bag in her lap.
Which shoes do you want to wear?
He gestured towards the tall rack, stocked full with heels, tennis shoes, and boots. Valeria propelled herself in front of the rack where she then pointed to a pair of heels. Without hesitation Luke grabbed the pair from its resting spot, undoing the straps as he turned back to Valeria.
Without wasting a motion, he gently slipped the heels onto her feet., tightening the straps just enough that they wouldn’t fall off.
When he stood up, he found Valeria holding a piece of paper in front of his face.
The bath took longer than I expected. We are probably going to be late.
She passed the pen-paper combo to Luke.
I will make sure we make it.
Valeria looked slightly confused by the message, but as Luke opened the door and she wheeled outside, she understood what he meant.
Luke grabbed the handles of the wheelchair and started to jog at a steady pace. He navigated the sidewalks with a familiar ease, hopping from one side of a street to another.
He only started to slow down as they reached a shopping district; the same one that they had passed through during the carriage ride.
We should be on time now. Do you want me to keep pushing or do you want to do it yourself?
Myself
Luke nodded and slowed down his pace slightly, matching Valeria’s. The two moved to the train terminal a few blocks away.
Luke spent the time taking in the architecture.. The stores looked almost identical to those in the modern world, there were still multi-floor offices, and advertisements were everywhere.
As he walked, Luke couldn’t help but sneak glances at Valeria. The rising sun glistened as its rays hit her platinum hair. Her face held a determined expression as she continued to spin her wheels. This was the first time he had admired her, not because of her beauty but her strength.
Even though it took her significantly longer to freshen up, she still did it on her own. Throughout the past day, he had the idea that she needed someone to help her with most tasks.
She could still get out of bed, still move around, and still smile. That wasn’t the mental state of someone resigned to their fate, requiring the constant help of someone else. It was also the reason that Luke offered to let her push herself, realizing that she still wanted to be independent.
While caught in his thoughts, he didn’t even realize that they were already waiting on the train platform. He only snapped out of it as he saw the train tracks glow purple, multiple rune like patterns starting to hum.
Luke watched as the train pulled into the terminal, hovering above the runes. The runes were a type of permanent enchanting magic, that activated like a magnet. The bottom of the train repelled itself from the runes., allowing it to float as it moved.
The train was shaped like a bullet train, its cars made of a solid white metal.
Valeria and Luke entered the inside of the train, its interior being pretty much identical to a subway from his world. They stopped near the door, Luke grabbed a dangling handle with one hand, resting the other on a handle of the wheelchair.
The train shook to life, as it started speeding forward. The force jolted Valeria back, but Luke was already prepared, having wedged his foot behind the wheel and stopping all momentum.
Valeria looked down at his foot, noticing what he did. She didn’t write on the paper, just looked around the crowded train car.
Almost every person in the train wore a similar uniform to Luke. While Valeria couldn’t hear what they said, she could see their glances. Most landed on her for a moment before shifting toward the man standing behind her wheelchair.
It didn’t take a genius to know what they were saying, even if Valeria happened to be one. She was sure her marriage was published in the newspapers, her parents wouldn’t miss the last chance to use her name for their own gain.
Valeria glanced back towards Luke, their eyes meeting. Luke gave her a reassuring smile, as if he already knew why she had looked back.
That was probably because Luke was actually hearing all the comments. Most were small comments about his appearance or the fact he came from a low noble family, but he couldn’t care less about the comments about him, it was the ones towards Valeria that got under his skin.
Fortunately, before Luke could get riled up the train started to slow.
The large academy grounds came into view. The massive buildings trumping anything he had seen on his university campus. Students walked across the large stone pathways, some sitting on benches, while others chatted in groups.
As the train rolled to a stop, Luke couldn’t help but feel a little excited.
This was going to be his first real day in a world full of magic.
