章節 55: Childhood Friend
- Among other issues, the 4 academies tournament, which is held every 3 years, is scheduled to take place in seven months; however, there is some concern on the part of ARET's sponsors for not having a sufficient number of participants. Nevertheless, the academy has stated that it refuses to increase the number of places and that there is no reason to worry about the results, always highlighting its objective of putting quality over quantity. Continuing with their statements, they have informed that they will present the results of the currently implemented modality; yes, we are referring to PARET.
A news channel could be heard on the TV channel talking about the situation due to the results described in the last ARET test; all this was not heard in the room where the TV was on, as there were four people in an unconscious state, or so it seemed.
One of the men began to open his eyes.
- ... Where ... am I?
As he looked around he realized that he was in a hospital room where there were four stretchers including his own. Two on each side of the walls and a window that illuminated the room was what could be perceived.
- Finally someone awake? - he heard the person lying on the adjacent stretcher say.
Turning his head slowly and without surprise, the young black-haired man saw the figure of a 28-year-old silver-haired man, somewhat disheveled, staring straight ahead.
- Faust? Are you alive? ... or are we dead?
Looking sideways at who asked the question, the man sighed and answered.
- Rest assured that we are still alive, but I don't know how.
- ... I see ... What about the ladies?
- According to the doctors, they are better off than we are.
Without commenting to Faust's answer, the young man grabbed his collar, as he remembered what had happened that terrible night.
"I thought I would be dead by now... Why didn't he kill me?"
- Stop beating around the bush, Bruno. The important thing is that we're all still alive. - Faust commented upon learning what was on the young man's mind.
Heeding the advice, Bruno lifted his gaze to the front and saw the other two young men resting on the stretchers. At that moment, he remembered of the blows that Glen, that unknown boy, had received, but noticed that he was not in a risky situation, but was sleeping pleasantly after hard work.
- O-Hey ... he hadn't been ...
- Don't ask ... if someone tells you something, just tell them that we slipped in a puddle and fell in ...
- ...it's okay.
After a check up by the nurses and doctors, one more young man woke up.
- ... "Oe, where the hell am I, you jerk?
Bruno and Fausto were somewhat surprised by such a greeting.
- Oh, I'm sorry... the Argentinean thing comes out and I'm Italian," said Glen. - said Glen.
Looking to his side, he saw Aren lying on the last stretcher still sleeping.
- Is he... dead? - Glen asked the other two monotonously.
- No ... somehow we were all saved ... although we don't know how. - commented Faust.
- Oh, I see ... well then everything is great.
- No! ... What do you mean everything is fine? Yesterday was something ... inexplicable ... but we are still alive, we need to know what that was. - Bruno answered.
- Look, it's the second time I've faced him and believe me, you don't want to see him again.
- Second time? - Faust asked.
Glen understood that he had spoken out of turn.
- Come to think of it ... you said you know that boy, Aren, didn't you ... Did he know about the creature too?
The beads of sweat on his forehead were beginning to appear on Glen who closed his mouth with a smile.
- So he also knew about that creature ... But what I don't understand is ... Why did you risk your life by going there? I don't think it's just because he's your 'friend'? - Bruno asked.
- No, I came because I was worried about him ... and because I hated my job. - Glen replied with total innocence.
The other two men were puzzled.
- Is he serious, is he out of his mind? - Faust muttered.
- I-I don't know...at first glance he looks good, but he looks like he's just an idiot. - muttered Bruno.
Fausto coughed a little.
- So, changing the subject, do you have any idea how we save ourselves?
- No...
- You do know something, don't you?
- No...
Faust and Bruno sighed.
- Well... I don't like to keep talking about yesterday... we'll leave the subject for another time.
- Oh... that's right, what about the girls? - Glen asked with some interest.
- ... They are fine ... although the princess crashed the car into a tree, they only had minor injuries and bruises. They are now in rehab ... On the other hand, you can stop pretending to be asleep now, Aren.
Glen immediately turned to look at his friend and observed Aren's sleeping face.
After a few seconds, the young man opened his eyes.
Looking up at the ceiling, everyone stopped talking and just rested, trying to dissipate some of the tension in the atmosphere.
- In a few moments, the rector of ARET together with the deans will be present at a public conference where they will mention the official results along with the new academic admission mode. Meanwhile, the Russian government has declared to be in a state of emergency because of the low male birth rate that has been declining after the war more than 40 years ago.It is currently trying to give incentives for couples to have more children ...
These were the news that could be heard inside a room where a beautiful blonde-haired woman was resting, although her eyes were droopy and saddened, she seemed to be waiting for someone.
- Where have you gone? - was the murmur heard from between her lips.
A few seconds later, someone knocked on her door, but she did not answer.
- Lady Emily ... we have information about young Aren and Miss Melissa ... it seems that they suffered some accident and they are in a clinic right now ...
The surprised reaction of the young lady who tried to get ready to go to that medical center did not stop when she heard more news.
- The gentlemen have already gone to see them ... On the other hand, Miss Emily ... it seems that you have visitors.
- ... Is it Rita and Noria?
- No, my lady... it is young Eduardo Valladares, son of Count Valladares.
- What?
- As he reports, he has received news from his former servants that he is here.
The surprise of the sudden visit and the fear of leaving her home made Emily a little perturbed.
- I know you wish to leave for the clinic, but I think you had better stay and attend to Count Valladares' son. - was the advice of that old butler.
- Yes... I will go and meet him.
- I understand.
The thoughts that circulated in her mind were disorderly upon receiving these two pieces of news, but what intrigued her the most was to know that Aren was in a clinic.
- What had happened to him ... I was right, I shouldn't have let him go ...
These were the murmurings of the young woman who was taking her time to get ready to receive her guest.
Inside a check-up and consultation room was a young lady alone looking at the floor.
Sounds of hurried footsteps approached the room.
The door was abruptly opened and a voice was heard to exclaim.
- Melissa! - said Gladis, the young lady's mother, who went to embrace her.
Next to her, a burly man with a serious, but worried look entered the room along with a doctor and a nurse.
The young girl's dull gaze lifted from the floor and she looked up at her father who looked even more concerned in bewilderment. This was not due to a vacant look on the woman's face, but a determined look full of emotion was reflected on her face.
"Oh no ... that look again ... has she ... ? ... Oh, not again ... " thought Count Beltran.
Trying to comfort her mother, the young girl spoke.
- Where is Aren?
This question made the count worry even more, because he immediately connected that look of his daughter with the young man.
- Aren? ... Oh, you mean one of the boys who came in with you. He should be awake by now, the good thing is that, in spite of their bruises and injuries, they are all out of danger... It is really hard to believe that all of them were saved from that accident. - commented the doctor.
- I see. - said the woman satisfied when she heard the news.
- ... Aren? Since when do you call him that? - asked the count with a somewhat intimidating smile.
The mother just stared at him somewhat blankly until she understood after a few seconds.
- Daughter... you...
- What? Isn't that his name? ... Stop thinking about it, it's not because of what you think, that I'm calling him that...
- Yes ... but I'm not worried about you ... but about what might happen to him now that he's in your sights.
The young woman just smiled.
As the doctor left the room to give them time alone, the atmosphere became tense.
- Now tell me... What have you gotten yourself into to get involved with one of the duchesses and even the first princess? - the man spoke again with an intimidating smile.
Melissa who had her eyes closed and was still smiling began to perspire a little at her father's uncomfortable question.
Inside a break room, three serious stares on a young man made the atmosphere uncomfortable.
- So ... think wisely what you will say ... if I get a three, you will have no choice but to return to base, understood? - explained Faust seriously.
- Yes... I understand... - answered Aren.
- Come on, Aren. Don't make that face, there's only a 1/6 chance of getting a three. - commented Glen.
- Yes... I know.
- ... 1/6, huh? ... I wouldn't be so unconcerned if I were you ... There's a 17% chance you'll get caught. - Bruno stated.
- That I already know. - replied Aren again.
The die was thrown landing in the middle of the ludo board. The result was number 4.
A small hubbub from the players echoed in the room; some were of relief and others of frustration.
It was already close to 9 am and, in that rest room where the four young survivors of that event in the abandoned town called Tres Cantos, were playing ludo trying to kill time until they were discharged; they were as if they were old friends enjoying the game.
- Hey... When did they say we could leave here?
- Glen asked.
- Maybe today... or tomorrow. That depends on the results of our check-ups.- replied Bruno.- I see... on the other hand, about the minivan...- Oh, about that don't worry, Miss Alison has ordered to buy a new one and send it to whoever you rented it from - commented Fausto.
- Really?! Thanks, man! I was already dying of worry.- Yes... since Duchess Minerva has given you her grace, would you like to know if you are interested in joining us? - Faustus asked subtly.- What?- Speaking of which, the royal house has also shown interest in your services. The first princess herself would like to recruit you as one of her bodyguards. - Bruno interrupted.
- What do you mean?Faust and Bruno looked at each other sideways as if they were in a competition. Meanwhile, Glen looked at Aren as if asking for help.All he got from him was a sigh of relief that he was not involved in the matter.- Hey, don't leave me alone in this; don't forget who came to save you. - Glen muttered as he slowly backed away.
Before he could insist on his proposals, the conversation was interrupted by a group of people entering the room.- Oh, looks like they're awake already. - Melissa said as they entered.Everyone was a little shocked to see the young woman.
- What are they waiting for? Let's go.- ¿?
Everyone was puzzled, but after the doctor's announcement that everyone could be discharged, they understood the situation.It was normal to think that Aren would leave with the Beltran family, but a small conversation between Melissa and Aren changed the plans a little.- Glen? That's your name, isn't it? Come, we're leaving too. My family would like to thank you for your 'help'.
The two guards were dumbfounded and remained silent at the sudden invitation from the daughter of an earl.
Glen wasted no time and went with them, leaving the two guards behind.
- I am very grateful for your help, my lady. - Glen was happy to leave the room.
- Don't thank me, thank him who asked me for it. - Melissa said, referring to Aren.
Seeing Glen at her side, she noticed a thumbs up from Aren's hand. Quickly, the escape was a success.
That group leaving the clinic was awaited by a rather luxurious and spacious car, almost resembling a limousine and, in this way, they made their way to the Beltran mansion.
Pacing around near the entrance was an elderly butler who looked somewhat concerned.
"This is bad ... I thought young Valladares' visit would be a nostalgic and joyful moment for Miss Emily ... but I think I messed up." thought the butler.
Watching the time on the clock hanging above the wall, the old man kept pacing.
"What now? What shall I tell the master? ... I hope they'll be a little longer-..."
Before he finished his saying, a car was heard entering the residence. Yes, it was them.
The butler was worried and at the same time resigned; he just went out to greet them.
- Charles, we're here. Everything all right? - exclaimed Roger as he usually did when he arrived home.
- I'm glad everything went well, sir. I'd just like to comment on something...
- What is it?
- We have visitors.
- At this hour? I haven't received any messages from any guests today.
- No, sir, you haven't. They're visitors for Miss Emily.
All who entered were somewhat disturbed by those words except for one.
"Who is Emily? Ah, I think it's the girl who came with Aren... By the way, are they having lunch?" thought Glen, who was amazed by the structure of that mansion.
- Who have come? Are they your two maids?
- Not exactly... young Rita and Noria came a few minutes ago, but before them came the eldest son of Count Valladares, Eduardo Valladares, Lady Emily's childhood friend.
- What? - exclaimed Roger, Gladis and Melissa unexpectedly.
- Hey ... do you know who they are talking about? - asked Glen.
- No, I have no idea. - replied Aren.
- Oh yeah ... then I'm not interested.
- Neither am I.
While they were both muttering, Melissa immediately went to the terrace, as she had been informed that the visitors were gathered there.
- Come along, you too! - with an exhortative tone the young woman spoke as if she were speaking to a servant.
- Is it me or since when does she talk to you like that?
Aren sighed.
"I must leave this place soon."
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