Chapter Text
This time he was certain he had found the perfect observation point.
A thin corridor ran above the main floor of the reception hall, mainly used as storage for supplies used by the dining hall. From between the railings of the stairs leading up to it, he could watch the incoming class of students without fear of being seen. They were all preoccupied with bowing low to one another, each eager to make a good impression.
The three house leaders had spread themselves apart so that the members of their houses could gather around them.
The Black Eagles flocked around the noble with white hair, each giving a stiff bow that was acknowledged with a regal nod from their house leader.
The Blue Lions swarmed the blonde noble who answered their deep bows with a bow of his own. Cyril wondered if he was getting dizzy from the constant up and down motion.
And the Golden Deer…
There was an distance between Claude and the students gathered around him. Some were shifting uncomfortably while others whispered to one another. Claude had an easy smile on his face as he spoke.
One student stepped forward, an incredulous look on his face. Cyril could not hear what was said, but it resulted in a low rumble of raised voices that caused the other classes to turn to look at the Golden Deer.
"That's over the line!"
"We're all thinking it!"
Claude laughed and held up his hands placatingly. The easy smile never left his face as he said something to the student who had stepped forward. Whatever he said, the student was cowed and stepped back into the crowd awkwardly.
Another student stepped forward. Purple hair chopped into two perfect triangles that perfectly clashed with his decidedly square nose. It was the oddest haircut Cyril had ever seen, and he knew immediately that must be the Gloucester noble Claude had mentioned.
"There's no need to be ashamed of your question," the Gloucester noble said loudly. Each word was punctuated with a dramatic flourish. "House Riegan has shamefully not only slipped in their responsibilities to the Alliance, now they are allowing their incompetence to seep into the esteemed halls of Garegg Mach. By tradition, the heirs of House Riegan have been the leaders of the Golden Deer, but now the one that is to lead us is hardly befitting our status or the status of this institution."
Gloucester sighed a sigh that moved his whole body and Cyril thought he saw Claude's shoulders shake with laughter. "In the face of the Imperial Princess and the Prince of Faerghus, it fills me with shame that the one we force to stand equal to them is some imposter pulled from Goddess knows which unblessed land. But there's no need to fear, for even without the official title, House Gloucester will be happy to be the true leaders--"
"Getting a little too eager, aren't you Lorenz?" Claude said, somehow still smiling. "If we're talking about who should be the unofficial house leader, shouldn't it be Hilda here? After all, the main talks were for Lord Holst of House Goneril to be the next head of the Alliance before I was recognized. House Gloucester was...a good deal further down in the order of considerations if I recall correctly."
The Gloucester noble's pale face splotched with red, but Claude ignored that powder keg to gesture into the crowd. "So, Hilda. What do you say? Wanna take my place?"
Cyril felt his stomach lurch when he followed Claude's gaze and saw bright pink hair tied into pigtails. He had never worked in the main house of the Gonerils, but he had seen enough of them to know what one looked like. Even more than he had wanted to avoid Claude, he wanted to avoid her the most. At least the pink hair would be obvious enough to spot in the distance.
"Whaaat?!" the Goneril noble screeched, making Cyril flinch. "Ugh, no way! Claude, do you know how much work that is?"
"I did just spend a week being told what's expected of me throughout the year."
" Exactly !" She reached across Claude to pull the Gloucester noble back into the crowds. "Lorenz, we were both there when they confirmed that he has the Riegan Crest, so just drop it already."
At the mention of the crest, something shifted in the crowds. The mutterings settled down.
Claude observed it all without a single change of expression. "Well then, if that's settled, why don't we start the tour of the monastery a little early? It'd be awful if all three groups stuck together the whole time. Some of these places they want to show off really weren't meant to fit the entire student body at once."
The Golden Deer streamed past the stairwell and Cyril narrowed his eyes, trying to find any other nobles he would have to watch for.
As he passed under the spot where Cyril squatted, Claude paused, glanced up and threw Cyril a wink.
Cyril jolted away from the stair railing.
Claude was already moving through the doors and into the gardens by the time Cyril finished making sure that no one had followed Claude's gaze up to him. With a huff, Cyril slipped into the storage area behind him.
He could practically hear Shamir's voice in his head reminding him that there was no such thing as a perfect observation point.