Chapter Text
Ambrosius could feel the buzz of excitement under his skin. The other kids looked rather bored, some of them were eyeing the new kid with outright disdain. Ambrosius heard what they said about the boy.
He’s different.
Looks like a street rat.
He doesn’t have noble blood.
Freak.
Mom said he’s dangerous.
I bet he has the lice.
But that’s not at all what Ambrosius thought. This was something new. Different, yes. But not in a bad way. The ceremony was a tedious task. With the press and queen herself present, everyone was trying to stay on their best behavior. Nothing about it felt real and Ambrosious couldn’t wait to actually meet the new kid.
“Ambrosius.”
“Director,” he replied with a polite bow of head.
“This is your new roommate, Ballister Boldheart,” she put a hand on Ballister’s shoulder and nudged him slightly forward. The boy stumbled a little, then rightened himself and waved his hand. He wasn’t looking at Ambrosius, his gaze firmly fixed on the ground. His hair was messy and overgrown, clothes worn and he was missing a shoe. Ambrosius noted this with interest, it didn’t make sense to him. Why didn’t the institute dress him properly for this big day?
“Hello, I’m Ambrosius Goldenloin,” the boy finally looked up, if only for a moment “Welcome to the institute.”
“Show Ballister to your room, his uniform should be ready,” with that, the director turned on her heel and walked toward the queen.
Ballister’s uniform lay neatly folded in a pile on his bed, so did his new pajamas and other clothes. On the way to their room, Ballister didn’t utter a word. Ambrosius showed him what he could, pointing to different rooms and explaining what was what. The boy took it all in with barely disguised interest.
“This…this is our room?” Ballister’s eyes were wide in wonder as he scanned the bedchamber, for it was a chamber. It was spacious, with a balcony and plenty of space for at least five other children. Every descendant of Gloreth lived in this very same room. Ambrosius always found it a little lonely. He was the one to suggest the new kid share it with him. They accepted the idea only thanks to the completely full dormitories.
“Yup, all ours,” Ambrosius grinned.
The maid came not even fifteen minutes later, she dragged Ballister by hand, holding his pajamas in the other. Ambrosius sat on his bed, mind flooded with worries. He hoped the boy would get more comfortable over time. So far he just seemed shy and shocked. The door opened and a completely new person was standing in there. Ballister’s hair was shorter, long enough to curl around his ears, freshly washed. He finally looked at Ambrosius and his world did a funny twist. Huge, beautiful, brown eyes stared right into his soul, and suddenly all worries disappeared, leaving just one thought- This is the start of something great.