"To the duke's room, right?" he asked Elias, who stood beside him ready to guide him through the large, quiet mansion.
"Yes, Young Master," Elias replied respectfully, bowing his head slightly before leading the way.
As they walked slowly through the long, grand hallway, their footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor. Along the way, several maids paused their work and glanced toward Axelius with surprise and curiosity. Quiet whispers began to spread among them.
One maid, her voice barely above a whisper, said to another, "Isn't that Young Master Axelius collapsed just yesterday?"
Another maid looked closer and answered softly, "Yes, that's him, but look at him now... he looks fresh, like he's full of life. It's hard to believe he was sick so recently."
A third maid gasped quietly and said, "Oh my gosh, have you noticed? His skin is glowing, shining like the morning sun. It's like he's changed overnight."
Axelius and Elias finally reached the large wooden door that led to the duke's office.
Two guards stood quietly on each side of the door, their faces serious but respectful. When they saw Axelius approach, one guard stepped forward and said loudly, "Young Master Axelius Dravenhart has arrived."
The other guard quickly moved to open the heavy door with a slow, creaking sound. The door swung wide open, revealing a large room filled with shelves of books, maps on the walls, and a big desk where the duke usually worked.
Axelius stepped into the duke's office and gave a deep, respectful bow. "Good day, Duke" he said clearly, his voice calm and noble. Owen, sitting quietly on Axelius's shoulder shocked, "When did you learn to speak like that?!"
Axelius just smirk and put his finger to his lips, "Shh"
The duke's eyes widened in surprise at Axelius's respectful greeting. After a moment, he nodded and replied in a calm voice, "Axelius, it is good to see you awake and in good health."
Axelius stood straight and asked politely, "Duke, may I ask why I was called here today?"
The duke's eyes moved slowly from head to toe as he regarded Axelius, a hint of relief crossing his face before he returned to his usual serious expression. After a moment, he gave a slight nod and motioned to his butler.
The butler promptly stepped forward, carrying a sealed envelope, which he handed to Elias. Elias, in turn, approached Axelius and presented the envelope with a respectful bow.
Axelius held the envelope in his hands, its seal shining with the mark of the Royal Academy. He glanced up at the duke, who nodded for him to continue. Without hesitation, Axelius broke the seal and pulled out a neatly folded parchment. He opened it carefully, his eyes scanning the elegant script written across the page.
"Invitation to enter the Royal Academy?" Axelius read aloud, his brows knitting together in confusion. He looked up at the duke. "What does this mean?"
The duke leaned back in his chair, his eyes calm and measured. "Exactly as it says, Axelius. You have been invited to join the Royal Academy—one of the finest institutions in the entire kingdom."
Axelius blinked, clearly surprised. "Me? But… I never applied."
The duke's lips curled into a faint smile. "One does not simply apply to the Royal Academy. They select those they deem worthy, those with potential. Your name has been chosen."
"This must be a mistake" Axelius whispered,
"You have been chosen—selected among many—to attend. It is a rare honor, one not easily granted, and it speaks to the potential that the academy sees in you. This is not merely an opportunity, it is a calling. You will learn the ways of nobility, the art of war, the intricacies of magic, and the foundations of leadership."
The duke's eyes glimmered with a hint of pride, though his expression remained stern. "Preparations will begin immediately. Elias will ensure that you are well-equipped, and—"
"No," Axelius interrupted, his voice cutting through the air with surprising sharpness.
The room fell silent. Owen's eyes went wide, nearly slipping off Axelius's shoulder from shock. The duke, for the first time in their conversation, looked genuinely surprised. His brows knitted together as if he hadn't heard correctly.
"Pardon?" he asked, his tone demanding clarity.
Axelius straightened his back, his hands gripping the invitation. "I said no," he repeated firmly, meeting the duke's gaze head-on.
"I don't want to go to the Royal Academy."
The duke's expression hardened. His fingers drummed on the polished surface of his desk, and his eyes narrowed dangerously. "You do understand what you are saying, don't you, Axelius?" His voice was low, laced with warning.
"This is not merely a school; it is the path to power, to influence. A chance that many would sacrifice much for. And you… you simply refuse?"
Axelius nodded, his expression unyielding. "That's right. I don't want it," he said, crossing his arms defiantly.
Owen bounced slightly, whispering frantically, "Are you mad?! Do you know what you're doing?!"
But Axelius just grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah, I know exactly what I'm doing," he replied confidently, locking eyes with the duke once more.
The room hung in silence, the weight of his refusal settling between them. The duke's eyes darkened, and his jaw tightened. "You will explain yourself," he demanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Axelius just shrugged. "I just don't want to go."
Duke's hands rested firmly on the desk, fingertips pressing into the polished wood as if trying to ground himself. "You will explain yourself properly, Axelius," he demanded, his voice low and heavy with authority.
"This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Do you understand the gravity of what you are rejecting? The Royal Academy is not just a school—it is a gateway to power, to status, to survival in this kingdom. And you would throw that away out of mere stubbornness?"
Axelius crossed his arms, his expression defiant as he leaned back slightly, almost as if daring the duke to push further. "I never asked for it," he replied bluntly, his voice firm.
"You think just because I'm born into this family, I have to follow every command? Like I'm some puppet?" His eyes flared with a hint of rebellion. "I don't want to go. I decide what I want, not you."
The duke's eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched tightly. "Mind your tongue, Axelius," he warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"You are not yet of age to make such decisions. Your path is set by those who understand the world far better than you do. This is not defiance—it is ignorance."
Axelius stepped forward, uncrossing his arms, his fists now clenched at his sides. "Ignorance?" he scoffed, voice rising.
"You think you know everything just because you sit in that chair? Ordering people around? Maybe I don't want to be controlled like that. Maybe I want to do things my way!" His eyes gleamed with fire, and even Owen bounced nervously on his shoulder, sensing the growing hostility.
The duke straightened his posture, his hands now flat on the desk, knuckles whitening. "You will watch your tone," he growled, voice sharp as a blade.
"Your insolence is not amusing, Axelius. I am your guardian, and you will obey. This is not a request; it is an order. You will attend the Royal Academy, and you will follow the path set for you."
Axelius's eyes flared with anger, his chest heaving. "Or what?" he challenged, stepping closer. "You'll force me? Lock me up? Make me go like I'm some prisoner? I'm not some puppet you can just control!"
The duke's hand slammed down on the desk with a thunderous crack that echoed through the room.
"Enough!" he roared, his voice booming with authority. The sheer force of it made Owen flinch and nearly slip from Axelius's shoulder. "I will not tolerate this insolence any longer! You will obey, or you will learn the consequences of defiance!"
Axelius didn't flinch, his eyes burning with defiance, his fists still clenched at his sides. For a moment, the room was silent, the tension so thick it felt like the very air had frozen.
Owen nervously whisper, "Axel… maybe we should just… you know… think about it?"
But Axelius's gaze never wavered, locked onto the duke's with unyielding fire. "I'm not afraid," he declared, voice steady and unbroken. "If you want me to go, you'll have to drag me there yourself."
The duke's eyes blazed with fury, his grip on the desk tightening until it seemed the wood might crack beneath his hands. "Do not test me, Axelius" he warned, his voice low and dangerous.
"You do not want to see what happens when you push too far."
But Axelius only raised his chin defiantly, "Try me," he whispered, and the room grew colder.