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Finishing up his studies, Mallox started to clean up his desk. Returning books back in their proper shelves, packing up his writing supplies and books before leaving the library. Almost two centuries of preparing for his inevitable role as duke and meeting up with those from the Draconia family. Mallox remembered just recently meeting Sebek and Silver, they were still quite young but Mallox was already taking issue with Sebek. He was always so loud, he must’ve gotten it from his grandpa or something…
The same thing couldn’t be said about Silver, Lilia’s son. Always so quiet and rarely stirs up trouble.
Mallox was so deep in thought that he never realized where he was. He was walking near the gardens at the back of his family's home. Mallox remembered during dinner one night, his mom mentioned hiring a gardener who had a child. But he didn’t think they were human, that was cool.
Mallox hid behind a stone pillar as he watched the human child. They were… small, they even had human ears. They were crouched down by a couple of flowers, observing them silently, it reminded Mallox of Silver in a way. Although Silver never had such an unnerving look on his face when observing something.
Mallox hid behind the pillar for a few more minutes, just observing this human who just quietly observed the flowers. But Mallox had to go back to his room and prepare for dinner. Mallox took one more glance at the human child before leaving to head back to his room.
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Santrell was lost.
He’d been at the Myrvas manor for a month now and he got lost…a lot.
This place was just too big, who needs this big of a house? But at least his mom was happy. She liked the back gardens, with a lot of flowers and plants to take care of. Sometimes, Santrell would join her, teaching Santrell how to handle plants.
But now, Santrell was lost. He walked down similar looking halls to try and find his little room with his mom. Not only was this place big, but the hallways looked too similar to each other.
Santrell frowned to himself. Was he seriously going to just aimlessly walk around? Santrell sighed to himself, he probably will have to wander for a while.
“What are you doing?”
Before Santrell could go back to walking he turned around at the voice. It was a fae child? Pretty tall too and had goat horns. Santrell just stared at the taller child.
“What? Are you lost?” The fae raised an eyebrow. Santrell blinked before he nodded. The fae sighed before grabbing Santrell’s wrist, dragging him along the winding hallways. It was interesting, the fae child just showed up out of nowhere and is probably kidnapping him?
Well, he was probably going in the right way…
But anyway, Santrell continued to be dragged by the child until they stopped at a familiar door. “Well, I assume you’re staying in the servants corridors. I thought you’ve lived here for a month? Don’t you know how to get around here?”
Not even 10 minutes in and this fae was insulting him? Santrell frowned a little. “I get around just fine.”
The fae raised an eyebrow. “Well, you’re welcome for taking you back.”
The fae started to slowly walk away before pausing and turning back around. “My name is Mallox, by the way…It was nice to meet you.”
Santrell watched the fae, Mallox turned a corner, disappearing out of sight. Santrell frowned as he slowly opened the door to his room.
What a weirdo…
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Sometimes, Mallox would come across the little human, Santrell was apparently his name, all around the manor.
Sometimes Mallox would find him with his mother in the gardens or alone going towards the kitchen. Santrell was like a tiny mouse scurrying all over the place.
Mallox found Santrell once again heading towards the kitchen. He found himself following along sometimes, hovering behind the human while he was shyly asking for snacks. The cooks in the kitchen apparently found Santrell cute and gave him some leftovers like sandwiches and stuff.
“Don’t they feed you enough or do humans eat more than usual?” Mallox frowned, walking side by side with Santrell. He was familiar enough with Santrell to start approaching him.
Santrell only frowned. “No, I just like snacking.” The two continued walking side by side until they reached the kitchens. Mallox stayed behind, watching as a few of the cooks cooed over Santrell, pinching his cheeks before handing him some sandwiches.
Santrell returned by Mallox’s side looking a little traumatized but the fae could only snicker into his hand.
“Does that always happen a lot?” Mallox snickered while they were walking. Santrell could only pout as he ate his first sandwich. “What do you think?”
Mallox snickered as the two continued to walk. He wasn’t sure where, but Mallox was just following Santrell around.
It was…interesting to be around Santrell.
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As the days turned to weeks then months Mallox and Santrell started to get to know each other. It was usually Mallox who seeked out Santrell, usually in the gardens or wandering around the manor.
Santrell got used to seeing the tall fae hovering around him and Mallox liked having the company around.
Sometimes Mallox would join Santrell in the gardens as the fae watched Santrell slowly learn how to take care of the plants.
Sometimes it’d be Santrell who stayed With Mallox after his lectures. Just watching him do his homework or some light reading.
They both didn't say it but they were almost inseparable. Almost always seen by each other's sides.
There wasn't anything that anyone could do to separate the two.
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The day that Santrell’s mother died was also the day that Mallox lost Santrell.
Mallox remembered Santrell locked in his room, refusing to see anyone. Not even Mallox could help him, it wasn’t like Mallox knew how to help him at the time.
It wasn’t until a strange man appeared and took Santrell away. Mallox never saw Santrell again after that and Mallox returned to the usual, preparing for his future duty as duke.
Now, Mallox was in Night Raven College, a prestigious magic school. He wasn't exactly sure what happened to Santrell, he didn't have any way to contact him again, he wasn't even sure if he's still in Briar Valley.
But now, Mallox is in his third year, he was helping fix things up in the board game club. They had to make things look nice for the potential freshmen who might join.
Just as Mallox was finishing up a table the door to the room swung open.
Mallox turned his head and well…he couldn't believe his eyes.
There by the doorway stood a short boy wearing Heartslabyul's dorm uniform, a black clover mark on his left eye.
“...Santrell?” Mallox muttered under his breath. The boy's eyes locked onto Mallox's and for a moment they both stared at each other.
But…Santrell didn't seem to remember him as he slowly approached Mallox.
“Uh, senior? I have the paper to sign up for the club.” Santrell handed in the paper to Mallox. He really didn't remember him…
Mallox blinked down at the paper he was given.
Santrell Euchre, a freshman from Heartslabyul.
Mallox didn't think Santrell had any magic, maybe he just didn't develop it until he left. He didn't think they'd meet again after losing contact.
“Uh, senior? Does everything check out?” Santrell spoke up, making Mallox snap back to him. Mallox was still in public after all.
“Yes…of course. I apologize for that, what is your name?” Mallox looked down, Santrell really didn't grow much over these past few years.
“Santrell, from Heartslabyul.” The uniform suited Santrell well, although he didn't grow any taller he looked to be doing well.
Mallox had a small smile on his face. “A pleasure to meet you, Santrell. You may call me Mallox.”
Santrell stared at Mallox for a few seconds, as if trying to figure out if he looked familiar or not before slowly nodding.
“Then, it's a pleasure to meet you, senior Mallox.”