The next morning, I decided to announce the schedule for the 7-day mountain vacation during breakfast. First, I announced the location where we would stay and eat for the 7 days, namely a luxurious residence of the imperial family that they allowed us to use during this time. Upon hearing this news, all the students started applauding happily, excited to stay in such a wonderful place.
"This evening, we will all depart to our accommodation, where we will meet Father Marcus, our teacher, who is already waiting for us there. In the meantime, please finish packing your bags and prepare for 7 days of fun in the mountains..."
After the announcements, I went to my room to gather my remaining less important belongings and prepare some board games to entertain ourselves in the evenings. Anyway, the important thing was that after a few minutes, my luggage was already packed, and I was eagerly waiting to leave for the mountains.
I also packed warm clothes because it's always colder in the mountains than in other parts of the country, and I helped Jonathan finish packing for the trip.
"Are you ready for the trip, Jonathan?"
"Maurice, I think the only thing I'm more prepared for than ever is to meet Marcus... Even though I know he's injured, I still want us to spend a week together the way we should..."
"I think you're more excited than I am for this trip, aren't you?"
"Who's talking... It's not like you're any less excited to spend a whole week with Felix, right?"
"You're right... Anyway, let's double-check the luggage to see if anything is missing or not..."
After double-checking the luggage and seeing that everything was in order, we went downstairs to talk to the other classmates in the dining hall. It seemed that most of the nobles in the Academy were excited about the trip and staying at the imperial residence for a few days.
"So, Adrien, are you ready for the trip?"
"I don't know what to say... Honestly, I'll miss Austin for a week, but I hope I'll adapt well to the situation, right?"
"Oh, come on, it's not like we'll be there for a year or something. It's just a week, and I don't think he'll mind if you spend a week in the mountains without him, right?"
"I don't think he'll mind, but still... I somehow feel his absence..."
"Well, for that, you'll have to have fun with us throughout the trip to forget about him, don't you think?"
"Yes, it seems you're right..."
Everything seemed fine from my perspective. Marcus's simple absence, along with his more or less annoying comments, seemed strange but welcome. Anyway, Marcus is already there after being discharged from the hospital this morning and is waiting for us to arrive.
"Felix, I haven't seen you all morning... Where have you been?"
"I had a stomachache, and I didn't have the energy to come down for breakfast... Anyway, Adrien told me about the place where we'll stay and the other details..."
"Then it's okay. If you need any medication, know that I have some for emergencies, so don't hesitate to ask, alright?"
"Okay... Anyway, I think it will be an interesting week with the two of us as roommates, don't you think?"
"Well, I can't argue with that. I just hope this trip ends well..."
I can only say that everyone's enthusiasm was evident on the faces of the nobles gathered in the dining hall. Honestly, I don't understand why such wealthy boys are excited about this trip. Well, maybe it's because we can be together on this trip? Frankly, I can't answer this dilemma...
"Maurice, are you ready to leave? You know, I can come with you? I don't like staying with-"
"I'm sorry, Emily... The spots in our limousine are already taken. It's me, Jonathan, Felix, and Adrien, so I don't think there's room for anyone else..."
"But there are only 4 of you... Usually-"
"I think the four of us are already enough for us, so it's better if you go with someone else. You can go with the director if you want or with the Duke of Lyon..."
"But... Don't forget that I saved Felix, and if it weren't for me, he might be in a coma at the hospital right now, don't you think?"
"Technically speaking, I saved him. You were just passing by, and to hide my good deed, I asked for your help, so don't take all the credit, alright?"
I can't believe she was able to say that she saved Felix. If I had known he wouldn't wake up so soon that day, I would have taken him to the Academy infirmary myself without needing Emily and her help. Anyway, I don't know why I wanted to ask for her help, so I'm sorry I did.
After lunch, we went to our rooms to see if we had everything we needed for the trip. Even though His Majesty has provided us with everything we need, we still need to pack some personal items to live comfortably during the week-long trip.
Jonathan took some chips and fizzy drinks despite me telling him that I didn't quite agree with that, and I brought a Monopoly board game and a deck of cards to play some games in the evenings after our daily activities. Anyway, I think Felix brought the books in vain, considering that I'll be around.
After making sure we didn't forget anything and everything was in order, we formed groups of 4-5 students and occupied one of the limousines waiting in the Academy courtyard. Of course, the most important members had to go in the best limousine of all, provided by my grandmother for the Academy's service.
"Maurice, do we have to get in this limousine? I've never seen one so equipped," Felix said, amazed.
"Well, considering that Venice is mostly water, I suppose you use luxury boats instead of limousines, right?"
"Well pointed out. Honestly, if you ever come to Venice, you'll see that some boats are just as equipped as limousines."
"Maybe... Until then, let's enjoy our vacation, alright? Anyway, as soon as we come back, we'll have the examination period, you know?"
"The examination period will pass just like it did last year, don't you think?"
"Well, it's not like anyone will fail or get low grades... Especially after this vacation, Marcus and the director will be less demanding, don't you think?"
"Yes... Anyway, let's get in."
We got into the limousine donated by my grandmother, which was equipped with all sorts of things. For example, unlike the other limousines, ours had champagne and four glasses, along with some snacks that were much appreciated for our empty stomachs. The limousines heading to the mountains were flanked from the front and back by police and law enforcement forces, who stopped traffic to avoid any issues.
"Felix, are you okay?"
"Maurice, it's not like you can't see... Can't you see that I feel sick because of the speed?"
"If that's the case... Wait a second..."
To his surprise and the surprise of others present, I took Felix's head and put it on my lap to help him forget about the motion sickness. As soon as I did that, Felix wanted to get up, but realizing that he couldn't resist, he stopped resisting, which made me extremely happy.
"Maurice, can I sleep for a bit?"
"Well, my lap isn't comfortable enough for you to sleep on, but you should be able to do that, don't you think?"
Immediately after that, I noticed that Felix closed his eyes and started taking deep breaths until he peacefully fell asleep. How beautifully he rests his head on my lap and sleeps. Anyway, to my surprise, Jonathan and Adrien were smiling, trying to say something...
"What is it, Jonathan? Are you jealous?"
"No... Anyway, I don't think you're my type even though we've been friends since childhood. And Adrien has no reason to be jealous... Maybe just sad that we can't have our partners with us, don't you think?"
"Oh, come on... It's not like Marcus is your partner, right?"
"Yes... That's true. But there's one problem... I feel like there's a possibility that it might happen in the future."
"Oh, come on... It's not like from a single meeting you can become partners, right?"
"Yeah... I guess we better change the subject, don't you think?"
After a few minutes, I started stroking Felix's hair and let myself be carried away into the world of dreams.
About an hour later, I was awakened by the other students in the limousine, informing me that we had arrived. Honestly, this residence is a bit bigger than Duchess Olga's manor, my grandmother's. A vast space with fir trees and other types of conifers on the edge, along with a private area for skiing and ice skating, unfolded before our eyes. The other students were amazed by the beauty of the place we were discovering today.
Anyway, after a few moments, we began to enter the imperial residence. We were greeted by the mansion's butler and the other servants, who informed us that they would be at our service during these days.
After thanking them for their hospitality, we went to drop off our luggage in our rooms. The rooms were larger and better equipped than those at the Academy, and the bathrooms were the same. As soon as we entered the room, I noticed that the beds were double beds... So, it seems that Felix and I are forced to sleep in the same bed for the next 7 days. It's not like it bothers me, but I don't know what Felix's opinion will be about it.
"M-Maurice, do you see what I see?"
"What do you mean? Are you referring to the double bed?"
"Y-Yes... If you don't want to stay with me, I could sleep on the couch..."
"Why wouldn't I sleep with you? Are you afraid of something and don't want to tell me?"
"M-Maurice, I don't think it's a good idea to make jokes like that. I think you might consider that I'm not worthy to sleep with you and other things... You know, nobility ranks and all..."
"If we were talking about ranks, I wouldn't have talked to you from the beginning. If you still think I will force you to do something you don't want, well, I can go sleep in another room... I just hope they're not all occupied..."
"N-No... Then, if you don't mind..."
How cute Felix is when he's bashful. I think I'll have an exciting week...
As soon as we unpacked and settled into our bed, we decided to go and see what the others were doing. First, we went to Jonathan's room, where he was with Marcus, apologizing for the events of the past few days.
"I-I apologize for causing you to end up in the hospital... I didn't mean to hurt you, and you know I 0would never do that, right?"
"Jonathan, I know you would never hurt me... I think it's me who should be sorry for not being able to protect you, not now, not ten years ago," Marcus said sadly.
"W-What happened back then?"
"That was when you had that terrible accident and lost a big part of your memory... Hello, Marcus," I intervened.
"It seems like you've started getting along with Felix, haven't you?"
"Well, you could say that... Anyway, did you find out about today's activities?"
"Yes, Maurice... Although I still feel dizzy, if Jonathan takes care of me, I might be able to participate... Right, Jonathan?"